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?

6. Chapter 6: The Resistance

Starting Notes:

Welcome back! I mentioned last chapter that we weren't leaping back into the Link Dimension or Ritual Dimension in this chapter—and that's because this chapter is a mega chapter! Specifically, it does something that I wish that Arc-V proper had done—it shows how the Resistance was set up in the Xyz Dimension in the first place. How people managed to find each other and fight back in a hellscape like the one that the anime showed us, since they just cut from destruction to people suddenly having a functioning food and water supply. Also, quite bluntly, I wanted to show actual friendship moments between characters there. So I guess you could call this an intermission between last chapter's… uh, cliffhanger, and next chapter's very important plot developments!

Guest reviewer Jason asked if I would have OC cards in this story. There will be two OC dragons, obviously, but I won't deny that there will be OC cards. For example, cards from different summoning methods for characters that I feel should have learned more summoning methods. You'll see in this chapter that there're also some OC cards that fill roles such as extenders, to make all of the decks in the story fit the speed of Arc-V duels.

Also, I know that I joked that last chapter was long, but that was purely because of the duel. This, on the other hand, is absurdly long. Like, longer than two chapters combined. I thought about splitting it, but then I thought that it would make the story leave the main characters for too long. So this is just a lot of content at once. Feel free to enjoy it in bursts, or read it all at once! Enjoy reading!

---

Chapter 6: The Resistance

In the Xyz Dimension:

The world was ending. Grey smoke was consuming the sky, mechanical monsters were crushing the ground. People were screaming, and all of the screams were making Ruri Kurosaki tremble as she ran through the collapsing city. Rubble could be seen everywhere—Ruri kept looking up, fearful that if she didn't pay attention, she'd be hit by something from the sky.

It was a living nightmare.

"Big brother!" She shouted. "Yuto!" She was looking around as she spoke—it was probably foolish to speak up so loudly in an invasion like this, but she couldn't help it—she couldn't be alone in a place like this, she couldn't.

She saw a golem straight ahead, and she turned the corner, running away from it.

Then, she spotted the first familiar face that she could find.

"Sayaka!" She called, spotting her friend—a purple-haired girl, who was backing away from a group of three invaders, all of them in blue uniforms. Despite her own fear, Ruri immediately moved forward, straight to Sayaka's side.

"Oh? Has another one of our prey stepped forth to be hunted?" One of the invaders taunted. Sayaka flinched.

Ruri lifted her duel disk. "No human is prey to be hunted by others!" She called determinedly. "You have no right to hurt others! If you're here to hurt people, I'll stop you! Let's go, Sayaka!"

"Y-yeah!"

The three opponents laughed. They didn't seem to be taking them seriously at all.

[DUEL!]

Ruri Kurosaki: 4000LP

Sayaka Sasayama: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Red: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Green: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Yellow: 4000LP

[Turn 1: Sayaka] [H:5]

So they were called Obelisk Force?

"One of you can start!" The leftmost of the invaders said, adjusting his white mask.

"Sayaka, you go!" Ruri called, wanting Sayaka to have a chance to set up defences properly without anyone interfering with her. Timidly, Sayaka nodded, drawing a hand. All of the duelists involved drew five cards from their decks as well.

"I'll start!" Sayaka called. "I'll activate the Spell Card, Fairy Trail! I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Fairy" or "Pixie" monster from my deck, and if I do, this turn, my Xyz Monsters cannot be destroyed by card effects!" She took out a card from her deck, placing it down on the field. "I'll Special Summon Little Fairy!" A pink-haired fairy appeared—that was Sayaka's favourite card. She had light green wings, and was holding onto a wand tipped with a golden star.

[Little Fairy (3*/800/800/LIGHT/Fairy/Effect)]

"Then, I'll Normal Summon Fairy Archer!" A brown-haired fairy appeared, golden yellow wings stretching out behind them, with a red outline around the wings. They were holding up a gold bow, aiming it at their opponents.

[Fairy Archer (3*/1400/600/LIGHT/Fairy/Effect)]

"And with Fairy Archer's effect, I'll inflict 400 damage to you for every LIGHT monster I control!" Sayaka pointed to the leftmost Obelisk Force member, and Fairy Archer loaded up two arrows, firing them at him.

Obelisk Force Red: 4000 - 400 x 2 = 3200LP

"And I'll activate the effect of Little Fairy!" Sayaka continued. "I'll send a card from my hand to the graveyard to increase her Level by 1!"

[Little Fairy: 3* + 1* = 4*]

"And now, I'll activate the Spell Card, Harmonic Waves! I can make a monster on the field Level 4 until the End Phase! I'll choose Fairy Archer!"

[Fairy Archer: 3* - 4*]

Sayaka took a deep breath, and Ruri spoke up to encourage her. "Good job, Sayaka!"

Sayaka nodded back at Ruri. "I'll overlay the Level 4 Little Fairy and Fairy Archer! An angel's smile for the heroes who keep fighting! Xyz Summon! Appear now! Rank 4! Fairy Cheer Girl!" A blue-haired fairy who looked very similar to Little Fairy appeared, with two yellow pompoms in her hands. She had two butterfly-like wings, which were cyan and dark blue.

[Fairy Cheer Girl (R4/1900/1500/LIGHT/Fairy/Xyz/Effect) (OU:2)]

"I'll activate the effect of Fairy Cheer Girl!" Sayaka continued. "By detaching one Overlay Unit from her, I can draw one card!"

[Fairy Cheer Girl: OU:2 - 1 = OU:1]

"I'll end my turn!"

"Just an Xyz Monster and ending your turn?" The one who had ceded the turn earlier said. "How weak!"

[Turn 2: Obelisk Force Red] [H:5]

"My turn!" The first of the Obelisk Blue students said. He didn't draw a card—in Battle Royales, no one could draw on their first turn, even if it wasn't the first turn of the duel. "I'll Normal Summon Antique Gear Hound Dog!" A rusty green dog made out of metal appeared, with bright red lights as its eyes. It let out a sharp-sounding bark. It had a similar-looking appearance to the golems that had ravaged Heartland, and Ruri flinched instinctively in fear.

[Antique Gear Hound Dog (3*/1000/1000/EARTH/Machine/Effect)]

"And since my opponent controls a monster, once per turn, Antique Gear Hound Dog lets me inflict 600 damage to them!" The dog spat out a fireball towards Sayaka, who squeaked and dodged it. "Hound Flame!"

Sayaka: 4000 - 600 = 3400LP

"And now, I'll set two cards facedown! I'll now have Antique Gear Hound Dog attack you directly!" He pointed towards Ruri, and Sayaka gasped as the mechanical dog charged towards Ruri. Ruri winced as the dog aimed a bite directly for her leg, barely stepping back and avoiding it.

Ruri: 4000 - 1000 = 3000LP

"It's one thing to inflict effect damage," Ruri called. "But attacking me when I haven't even taken a turn yet… that's just awful!"

"And?" The Obelisk Force member laughed. "Why should we care? The faster we get done with you, the faster that we can move on!"

Just as he said that, there was a loud, crashing sound. All of them looked towards the west, where another building had collapsed. More screams could be heard, and Ruri's hands shook for a moment.

"Well," the rightmost member of the Obelisk Force said, "looks like there's more prey there, once we finish up with these two."

… prey?

"I'll end my turn!" The boy next to him was about to play a card, but then, Ruri placed down a card from her hand before he got the chance, starting her turn.

[Turn 3: Ruri] [H:5]

"Hey!"

"You should've established a turn order earlier if you wanted one," Ruri said. Her eyes were wide, filled with sorrow and frustration. "You all…" She thought about the awful screams, the fear in her heart, and the panic that she felt—that she was still feeling now—when she was searching for Shun and Yuto, all alone in the world. "How can you all care so little about human life? That building had people in it! Those screams are people who are horrified by what's happening!" She was shaking—she was not angry. Ruri Kurosaki had never had the capability to be angry at another person. But she felt sorrow—sorrow for everyone that was being hurt by these people, all around her.

"Their lives are sacrifices for a greater cause," the one in the middle said.

"What cause could justify this?" Ruri shook her head. "All of this pain and suffering… how could anyone ever do this?" She pressed a hand to her chest. "Just thinking about the people that are hurting… it makes my heart ache for them. Even if we're strangers to you, we deserve the right to live!"

The three of them seemed unmoved. Ruri's heart sank. She couldn't get through to them.

In that case, she had no choice but to properly fight.

"Since I control no monsters," Ruri said determinedly, "I will Special Summon Lyrical Luscinia - Turquoise Warbler from my hand!" A girl with green wings, a helmet and a tail appeared. She had turquoise feathers as parts of her mostly green wings, turquoise lights on her helmet and three larger feathers on the back of her neck.

[Lyrical Luscinia - Turquoise Warbler (1*/100/100/WIND/Winged Beast/Effect)]

"And since I Special Summoned Turquoise Warbler from my hand, I can Special Summon another "Lyrical Luscinia" monster from my hand or graveyard!" Ruri placed another card from her hand onto her duel disk. "I will Special Summon Lyrical Luscinia - Cobalt Sparrow!" A girl with long blonde hair appeared, wearing a brown suit. She had bird-like claws as her feet, and a brown hood with a bird face over the top of her head. She had two long brown wings.

[Lyrical Luscinia - Cobalt Sparrow (1*/0/100/WIND/Winged Beast/Effect)]

"I will then activate Cobalt Sparrow's effect! I can add a Level 1 Winged Beast monster from my deck to my hand!" She revealed two cards in her hand. "I will activate the effect of Lyrical Luscinia - Sapphire Swallow! Since I control a Winged Beast monster, I can Special Summon her from my hand, along with another Level 1 Winged Beast monster!" She placed down the two cards. "So I will Special Summon Lyrical Luscinia - Sapphire Swallow and Lyrical Luscinia - Celeste Wagtail from my hand!"

First, Sapphire Swallow appeared, another girl in a winged suit. She had wings with dark blue and white feathers, and she was wearing a hood with a bird's head on it—black, with some red highlights. Then, Celeste Wagtail appeared, with fluffy grey wings, and wide, innocent blue eyes. They all had the same claw-like feet.

[Lyrical Luscinia - Sapphire Swallow (1*/100/0/WIND/Winged Beast/Effect)]

[Lyrical Luscinia - Celeste Wagtail (1*/200/0/WIND/Winged Beast/Effect)]

"I will then activate the effect of Lyrical Luscinia - Celeste Wagtail! I can add a "Lyrical Luscinia" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand!" She placed down another card. "And now, I'll Special Summon Slower Swallow from my hand, since two or more monsters with the same Level are face-up on the field!" A white and blue bird appeared—not anthropomorphised like the rest of Ruri's monsters, just a perfectly normal bird.

[Slower Swallow (1*/100/100/WIND/Winged Beast/Effect)]

Ruri closed her eyes for a moment.

My dueling shouldn't be used like this. I wish it wasn't like this.

"... I will overlay the Level 1 Lyrical Luscinia - Sapphire Swallow, Lyrical Luscinia - Celeste Wagtail, Lyrical Luscinia - Cobalt Sparrow, Lyrical Luscinia - Turquoise Warbler and Slower Swallow!" The five monsters flew up, turning into green streaks that flew into a portal.

"Five monsters for one Xyz Summon?"

That's the key behind the dueling that my brother and I have.

We fight with unity. We fight alongside others, so we are not alone.

We are stronger together.

"Birds with beautiful wings! Gatherer on the battlefield and take brilliant flight! Xyz Summon! Dance in the sky! Rank 1! Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale!"

A young woman with light green skin like a fairy's appeared, sky blue eyes glancing down at them and seeming to glow for an instant. Kaleidoscope wings of pink, blue and orange feathers unfurled out around her, and her skirt spilled out around her legs, beautiful and consisting of the same colours as her wings. Her feet ended in bird claws. Flying up in the air, she stood tall, ready to defend Ruri—and by extension, Heartland as well. She was in that zone that only Extra Deck monsters could go into.

[Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale (R1/0/0/WIND/Winged Beast/Xyz/Effect) (OU:5)]

"Assembly Nightingale gains 200 attack points for each of her Overlay Units!" Ruri declared. "And she can attack once for each Overlay Unit!"

[Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale: 0 + 200 x 5 = 1000ATK]

"Attack the middle one four times, Assembly Nightingale!"

"Hold up!" The third Obelisk Force member called in surprise. "Didn't you just call us out for that?"

"Yes, and I'm ashamed of it." Ruri said, letting her genuine feelings show. "But even so… even so, I need to protect what's dear to me. Even if I stoop to your level in this way, even if I am ashamed, I will protect myself, Sayaka, and our homeland! Do it, Assembly Nightingale! Avian Gale!" Assembly Nightingale flew up into the air, summoning four whirlwinds that struck the middle member of the group, knocking him out of the duel before he had the chance to take his turn.

Obelisk Force Green: 4000 - 1000 x 4 = 0LP

"You know, I was surprised by your dueling style the first time I met you."

Ruri giggled, taking the hand of her boyfriend in hers. "Why?"

"Well, you're always so gentle." He was blushing as Ruri leaned her head on his shoulder. "But your style is a One Turn Kill, if the opponent isn't prepared for you."

"But I've never beaten my brother."

He chuckled. "Shun's on another level… even so, you're amazing, Ruri."

"Attack the third opponent directly, Assembly Nightingale! Avian Gale!" Using her fifth attack, Ruri directed it at the other one that hadn't made a move yet. She might not be able to defeat him this turn, but she would at least weaken him a little.

Obelisk Force Yellow: 4000 - 1000 = 3000LP

"I'll set a card and end my turn," Ruri said.

[Turn 4: Obelisk Force Yellow] [H:5]

"You…" The Obelisk Force member pressed a card to his duel disk. "I will activate the Spell Card, Polymerization! I will fuse the three copies of Antique Gear Hound Dog in my hand! Mechanical hounds who carry on the ancient spirits, flock together and become one with new power! Fusion Summon! Appear now! Level 7! Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog!"

The Fusion Summon. The weapon of the ones that had invaded them.

A large, mechanical dog with three heads appeared, letting out a horrendous roar.

[Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog (7*/1800/1000/EARTH/Machine/Fusion/Effect)]

"Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog can attack monsters thrice per turn! Attack that bird!"

"I can detach an Overlay Unit from Assembly Nightingale to protect her from being destroyed by battle or card effects this turn!" Ruri declared, one of the bright orbs that was orbiting Assembly Nightingale vanishing. "And I take no battle damage! Feather Barrier!"

[Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale: OU:5 - 1 = OU:4; 1000 - 200 = 800ATK]

The Obelisk Force frowned as the attack hit fruitlessly. "This is…" He set a card facedown. "Over to you!"

[Turn 5: Sayaka] [H:2]

"Draw!" Sayaka looked at the new card in her hand. "By detaching another Overlay Unit from Fairy Cheer Girl, I'll draw another card!" She placed down the new card. "I'll Normal Summon Dancing Fairy!" A trio of small fairies appeared, with brown and red hair, dancing around a flower.

[Dancing Fairy (4*/1000/1800/WIND/Fairy/Effect)]

"And now, um, Fairy Cheer Girl will attack your Hound Dog!" Sayaka targeted the first Obelisk Force member, clearly trusting Ruri to take out the other one during her turn.

The dog was destroyed as Fairy Cheer Girl soared by.

Obelisk Force Red: 3200 - 900 = 2300LP

"And Dancing Fairy will attack you directly!"

"I will activate the Trap Card, Antique Gear Reborn!" The boy in the blue uniform said. "Since I control no monsters, I will revive Antique Gear Hound Dog and increase its attack points by 200!"

[Antique Gear Hound Dog: 1000 + 200 = 1200ATK]

"And then, Continuous Trap, Antique Gear Spark Shot! When an "Antique Gear" monster is Special Summoned from the graveyard while I control no monsters, I can inflict damage to you equal to half its attack points!" A bright laser shot towards Ruri, and Sayaka let out a distressed sound.

Ruri: 3000 - 1200 / 2 = 2400LP

"I'll end my turn," Sayaka said.

[Turn 6: Obelisk Force Red] [H:3]

"Draw!" The boy revealed a card in his hand. "I will activate the Spell Card, Polymerization! I will fuse Antique Gear Hound Dog on my field and Antique Gear Hound Dog in my hand! Mechanical hounds who carry on the ancient spirits, flock together and become one with new power! Fusion Summon! Appear now! Level 5! Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog!"

A two-headed dog appeared, and it let out a ferocious growl. It looked very similar to most of the other monsters that they had summoned so far.

[Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog (5*/1400/1000/EARTH/Machine/Fusion/Effect)]

"Attack her bird, Double Bite Hound Dog!"

"I will use Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale's effect!" Ruri repeated. "I will detach an Overlay Unit to negate the destruction of any of my "Lyrical Luscinia" monsters this turn, and reduce any battle damage that I take to zero! Feather Barrier!"

[Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale: OU:4 - 1 = OU:3; 800 - 200 = 600ATK]

"But now, your monster is weakened, and it can't OTK us anymore! I'll end my turn!"

[Turn 7: Ruri] [H:2]

"I'll start," Ruri said. "I will activate the effect of Lyrical Luscinia - Beryl Canary in my hand. I can Special Summon her from my hand and a "Lyrical Luscinia" monster from my graveyard. I will revive Cobalt Sparrow." A girl in a golden yellow wingsuit appeared, letting out a yawn. Next to her, the brown-winged girl from earlier reappeared.

[Lyrical Luscinia - Beryl Canary (1*/0/200/WIND/Winged Beast/Effect)]

[Lyrical Luscinia - Cobalt Sparrow (1*/0/100/WIND/Winged Beast/Effect)]

"However, I can only Special Summon Xyz Monsters from the Extra Deck this turn! I'll activate Cobalt Sparrow's effect to add a Level 1 Winged Beast monster from my deck to my hand."

She revealed two cards in her hand.

"I'll Special Summon Lyrical Luscinia - Sapphire Swallow and Lyrical Luscinia - Turquoise Warbler from my hand!" Two more of the avian girls appeared on her field. "And I'll use Turquoise Warbler's effect! I can revive a "Lyrical Luscinia" monster! I will revive Lyrical Luscinia - Celeste Wagtail!"

Her five new monsters all flew around each other, right behind Assembly Nightingale.

"Celeste Wagtail will let me add another "Lyrical Luscinia" Spell or Trap to my hand! I will overlay my five Level 1 monsters!" Ruri called. "Now, beautiful bird with the power of the whirlwind, use your magic gusts to destroy every trap laid on the battlefield! Xyz Summon! Rank 1! Lyrical Luscinia - Prom Thrush!"

A brown-winged woman appeared, a proud smile on her face as a cloak of feathers swept through the air behind her. Her feathers were mostly neutral colours, being grey, black and brown. However, there were some lilac and gold feathers as well—a mix of warm and cold colours, causing her to seem both multi-coloured and simple in design.

[Lyrical Luscinia - Prom Thrush (R1/0/0/WIND/Winged Beast/Xyz/Effect) (OU:5)]

"Prom Thrush gains 500 attack points for every Overlay Unit!" Ruri called, as the five orbs of light swirled through the air. "And since Beryl Canary was used to summon her, I can give her 200 more attack points!"

[Lyrical Luscinia - Prom Thrush: 0 + 200 + 500 x 5 = 2700ATK]

"But when you Normal or Special Summon a monster, once per turn, Double Bite Hound Dog can put a Gear Counter on your monster!" A large metal gear appeared on Prom Thrush. "And if a monster with a Gear Counter battles, then it is destroyed!"

[Lyrical Luscinia - Prom Thrush: Gear Counter(s): 1]

"... that's fine." Ruri pointed to the one who controlled Triple Bite Hound Dog. "Assembly Nightingale will attack you directly. And when a monster I control battles, during the Damage Step, Prom Thrush can detach as many Overlay Units as she wants to increase that monster's attack points by 300 for each!" Five Overlay Units scattered from Prom Thrush's wings, and Assembly Nightingale glowed even more brightly.

[Lyrical Luscinia - Prom Thrush: OU:5 - 5 = OU:0; 2700 - 200ATK]

[Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale: 600 + 300 x 5 = 2100ATK]

"What?" The Obelisk Force member stepped back in shock.

"Avian Gale!" Assembly Nightingale attacked him twice, depleting his life points completely.

Obelisk Force Yellow: 3000 - 2100 - 2100 = 0LP

"But your Assembly Nightingale doesn't have enough attack points to take me out!" The first Obelisk Force member said.

"I know," Ruri said, as Assembly Nightingale flew forward. "Avian Gale!"

Obelisk Force Red: 2300 - 2100 = 200LP

"Sayaka," Ruri called. "I'm leaving this up to you."

"I understand, Ruri!"

"I'll end my turn," Ruri concluded.

[Turn 8: Sayaka] [H:3]

"Draw!" Sayaka called. "Since I control Dancing Fairy in Attack Position, I gain 1000 life points during the Standby Phase!" A glittering light surrounded her.

Sayaka: 3400 + 1000 = 4400LP

"And I'll Normal Summon Shining Angel!" She summoned the blond, male angel with golden wings to her field, and he landed next to Dancing Fairy.

[Shining Angel (4*/1400/800/LIGHT/Fairy/Effect)]

"I'll overlay the Level 4 Shining Angel and the Level 4 Dancing Fairy! Soar through the sky, bright pixie of limitless joy! Xyz Summon—Rank 4, Fairy Dancer!" A red-haired woman appeared, pink butterfly-like wings unfurling behind her. She had a headdress with two green feelers that resembled those of a butterfly, and she was wearing a ballet dress, stockings and heels. She was holding onto a white lily in her hands.

[Fairy Dancer (R4/1700/1000/WIND/Fairy/Xyz/Effect) (OU:2)]

"Since you Normal or Special Summoned a monster, I will put a Gear Counter on it!"

[Fairy Dancer: Gear Counter(s): 1]

"That's fine!" Sayaka nodded to Fairy Dancer. "When Xyz Summoned, I can target a monster on the field and make its attack points zero! I will choose your Double Bite Hound Dog!"

[Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog: 1400 - 0ATK]

"And I'll activate Fairy Dancer's other effect! I'll detach both of her Overlay Units, and then, all Xyz Monsters on the field gain 800 attack points!" All of the Xyz Monsters glowed at the same time, in a grand show of unity.

[Fairy Dancer: 1700 + 800 = 2500ATK]

[Fairy Cheer Girl: 1900 + 800 = 2700ATK]

[Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale: 600 + 800 = 1400ATK]

[Lyrical Luscinia - Prom Thrush: 200 + 800 = 1000ATK]

"Wait!" Their opponent actually seemed panicked now.

"Finish him off, Fairy Cheer Girl!" Fairy Cheer Girl tossed out a pompom towards the dog, which exploded and destroyed it.

Obelisk Force Red: 200 - 2700 = 0LP

Winner: Sayaka Sasayama & Ruri Kurosaki!

Ruri immediately turned around, grabbing Sayaka's hand and running.

"Where are we going?" Sayaka asked, sounding tearful. Ruri didn't have the heart to tell her that she had no clue. Where could they go, in the ruins of their devastated homeland? Was there anywhere safe left?

… no! She couldn't lose hope!

Just as she thought that, she saw a large, beautiful dragon appear in the sky, with bright, kaleidoscopic wings of light. The dragon let out a roar, directly charging into one of the rampaging monsters and destroying it.

"That's—" Both Ruri and Sayaka reacted at the same time. "That's Kaito's monster!"

"Clover Branch and Spade Branch are in that direction!" Sayaka said, smiling for the first time since Ruri had seen her—there was hope in her eyes now. "We can find Allen, Kaito, and everyone there!"

Ruri felt herself beginning to smile as well. "And everyone will have seen that dragon!" She said. "So my brother and Yuto might be going there too! Let's go!"

---

As the dragon rose up in the sky, across the city, two people who were closer to it than Ruri and Sayaka looked up.

The first one was a boy with black and purple hair. He had just finished a duel, as was obvious by the figures who were teleporting away from the ground behind him. Next to him was a young man with greenish-black hair, who was watching the dragon, clear traces of hope in his gaze. The scowl that had been on his face beforehand had faded slightly.

"Kaito's going overboard, as per normal," he commented.

The boy with black and purple hair sweatdropped, walking to the dark-haired youth's side. "I don't think you should be the one to say that, Shun," he said. After all, this was the same person who had torn his way through several groups of invaders in search of Ruri. Granted, Yuto had been by his side throughout said rampage. "Ruri's smart. She'll probably head towards where Kaito's dragon was… we just need to regroup with her there. And if she gets there before us, then Kaito will protect her. You know how strong he is."

"You're right," Shun Kurosaki acknowledged. "I'm worried, but… let's go, then."

"... I hope everyone's alright," Yuto murmured beneath his breath. He wasn't nearly as calm as he was portraying himself to be right now, but… with everything being in chaos, someone had to be the logical one. "Ruri… be careful."

Just as they were about to head off, there was a shout. "Big brother Shun! Big brother Yuto!"

Shun and Yuto both turned around, and there were a bunch of kids there, all running towards them. Yuto recognised them—they were some of the younger students at Diamond Branch. Before this invasion, Shun and Yuto had gone to the Spade Branch of Heartland Duel School. There had been three branches—Diamond, Clover and Spade—meant to represent all the suits of trading cards, along with 'Heart' in the name of the school itself. Clover and Spade were closer together, but Diamond was all the way across Heartland.

Across the three branches, there were three 'aces' that were known to all three—the ones that everyone looked up to. The 'Ace of Spades', Shun, the 'Ace of Clubs', Kaito, and the 'Ace of Diamonds'…

"Where's Nue?" Shun was the one to ask the question—after all, both he and Yuto knew that Nue spent most of her free time at Diamond Branch.

"They destroyed the Diamond Branch building immediately," one of the kids said, sniffling. "Nue told us to run, but she was surrounded back there!"

"Damn it!" Shun seemed to be wrestling with his own feelings, and Yuto understood. Perhaps he even felt them even more strongly than Shun, because Nue was…

"Shun," he called. "Take the kids and head towards Clover Branch. Make sure they're safe. I'll catch up."

"... be careful," Shun said, the two of them sharing a nod.

The group of kids was led off by Shun, and Yuto turned around, running in the direction that the kids had come from.

It might have been too late for the city, but Yuto refused to let a chance to save someone slip through his fingertips. Especially not…

---

"So you're an orphan too." Shun looked at him, seeming surprised. "Then, those two people that I saw the other day…"

"They are my adoptive parents," Yuto said. "Uh, no one knows who my parents at birth were. I was just found abandoned on the street by an orphanage." He shrugged. "It was a different one from yours, I guess? Or maybe I was adopted before you showed up to the orphanage. Either way, I was adopted by the Kamisokas. Apparently, when they were visiting the pet shop opposite the orphanage, Nue saw me in the playground and we were playing together while they were adopting a dog. She begged her parents to adopt me, and after a few months of consideration and me playing with her at the playground, they adopted me."

"So they're your adopted family, huh?" Shun raised an eyebrow. "But you and Nue look so alike. You duel so similarly too. I would never have assumed that she wasn't your sister by blood. She dotes on you so much too."

Yuto smiled to himself. "She's pretty hard on me though… she always says that I can be a lot stronger than I am right now. She believes in me a lot more than I believe in myself, to be honest."

"As she should." Shun smirked. "You're really good at dueling, Yuto."

Yuto cleared his throat. "You and her are pretty alike, actually," he said.

Shun frowned. "Huh? In what way?"

"Well, you both—"

---

"—will never let things go, once you start them."

Yuto rounded the corner, and then, he spotted the duel in progress. Standing next to the ruins of Diamond Branch was a black-haired girl, whose hair was tied in a long braid, with parts of her fringe sideswept toward the right of her face. She had a purple ribbon tying up the braid, with the ends trailing through the air. She was wearing a dark, loose jacket, which was unzipped, showing the white shirt that she was wearing. It had the image of two rabbits on it. She was also wearing grey long pants and white sneakers. There was a fierce, cold look on her face.

"Nue!" He called. His older sister turned over to look at him, and she nodded, relief showing in her eyes as she saw him. However, that cold edge didn't vanish immediately.

"Did the kids get away?" She asked.

"Shun's with them."

"Good. I know he'll protect them." Nue gestured to the crowd of six opponents with a hand. "Mind giving me a hand?"

Yuto looked at the field, assessing the situation. Two of the opponents had clearly taken their turn already, with an Antique Gear Hound Dog on each of their fields and a set card. Nue's life points had already been reduced by 1000—Yuto recognised that amount as a direct attack. It looked like these Obelisk Force members had also been playing dirty by attacking before Nue had even taken a turn. However, when he had come over, Nue had just been pulling a card from her deck. So that meant that it was her turn.

Alright.

Yuto raised his duel disk, joining in the duel. He glanced at the six opponents. One thing that he had noticed was that the invaders tended to move in groups of three, with each group having three differently coloured jewels on their helmets. He mentally assigned them numbers and colours—the first group's red and green members were the ones that had already taken a turn.

[INTRUSION PENALTY: 2000LP]

[DUEL!]

Nue Kamisoka: 3000LP

Yuto Kamisoka: 4000 - 2000 = 2000LP

Obelisk Force Red 1: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Green 1: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Yellow 1: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Red 2: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Green 2: 4000LP

Obelisk Force Yellow 2: 4000LP

[Turn 3: Nue] [H:5]

"Since my brother has shown up, I would like to propose that he gets the next turn, since there are six of you," Nue said.

"Whatever! He came here just to die with you!"

"Wrong," Nue said. "I don't intend to die. And for what you all have taken from me, I'll send you packing and take it all back!" She placed down a card. "I will Normal Summon Traptrix Mantis." In front of her, a girl with bright pink hair appeared. The tips of her hair were bright orange, and there were two metallic purple hair ties, with pink orbs attached to them and a few pink flowers blooming throughout the girl's hair. She was sitting on top of a lovely pink orchid, though Yuto knew very well that the 'orchid' was actually an orchid mantis.

[Traptrix Mantis (4*/1500/1300/EARTH/Insect/Effect)]

"When she's Normal Summoned," Nue continued, "I will add a "Traptrix" monster to my hand. Then, I'll activate the effect of Traptrix Sundew in my hand. By discarding her, I can Special Summon a "Traptrix" monster from my hand. Come—Traptrix Nepenthes!" A dainty-looking girl appeared, with honey blonde hair that turned to bright orange at the ends. There were flowers in her hair as well. There was a white butterfly on her index finger as she held it outwards. She was sitting on the rim of a large, orange-green pitcher plant.

[Traptrix Nepenthes (4*/800/2000/EARTH/Plant/Effect)]

She held out the other three cards in her hand. "I will set three cards facedown. And now, Mantis will attack you directly, Yellow 1."

Oh, so Nue had also assigned them numbers by their colours. Mantis didn't move—instead, the mantis beneath her seemed to writhe. Mantis grabbed onto the back of her pet insect, and the mantis charged forward, striking at the opponent.

Obelisk Force Yellow 1: 4000 - 1500 = 2500LP

"Nepenthes is in Defense Position." Nue hummed. "Yuto. Over to you."

Yuto nodded, beginning his turn.

[Turn 4: Yuto] [H:5]

"I will Normal Summon The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves," Yuto declared, placing the card down. A pair of yellow-brown gloves appeared, cloaked in dark, mystical and spiritual blue flames.

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

"And since I control a "The Phantom Knights" monster, I can Special Summon The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots from my hand!" A blue, ethereal spirit cloaked in ragged and torn dark red fabric appeared. There were stitches all across the fabric, and the blue spirit had dark blue eyes in the middle of its immaterial face.

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

"I will overlay the Level 3 Ragged Gloves and Silent Boots!" 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!" A knight on horseback appeared. The horse was entirely cloaked in black and silver armour—not a single part of the actual horse beneath could be seen. The armour looked sleek and shiny. Meanwhile, the knight sitting on the horse resembled a dullahan—the knight was also cloaked in silver-black armour, the same as the horse. However, its 'head' was replaced with bright blue fire, which seemed to creep down into the knight's armour as well. It was impossible to see whether there was a physical being within the flames. The knight was holding onto a gigantic blade, as long as the horse's height.

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

"Since Break Sword was Xyz Summoned using The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves, it gains 1000 attack points!" Yuto called.

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

"Break Sword will attack you directly!" He gestured to the soldier that had already been damaged by Nue's monster. Break Sword dashed forward, eliminating the rest of his life points and removing an opponent from the battlefield.

Obelisk Force Yellow 1: 2500 - 3000 = 0LP

"I'll enter my Main Phase 2," Yuto continued. "I'll activate the Continuous Spell, Phantom Knights' Spear. Then, I will activate Break Sword's effect. I'll detach an Overlay Unit from it and destroy a card I control and a card you control. I will destroy my Phantom Knights' Spear and your Antique Gear Hound Dog!" He pointed to the Obelisk Force member with the green jewel, who had taken the second turn, wiping the dog off the field. "Mutual Destruction!"

The two cards vanished from the field.

"I will then banish The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots from my graveyard," Yuto continued. "I can add a "Phantom Knights" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand. I'll then set three cards facedown as well." He emptied out his hand. "Over to you."

"You two took all the time and could only take out one of us?" Another Obelisk Force member stepped up. This would be 'Obelisk Force Red 2', according to Yuto's internal assignment of roles. "Pathetic! Then we'll finish off both of you!"

[Turn 5: Obelisk Force Red 2] [H:5]

"I will activate the Spell Card, Polymerization!" The Obelisk Force member declared. "I'll fuse three copies of Antique Gear Hound Dog in my hand! Mechanical hounds who carry on the ancient spirits, flock together and become one with new power! Fusion Summon! Appear now! Level 7! Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog!" The three-headed, monstrous dog appeared on the boy's field.

[Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog (7*/1800/1000/EARTH/Machine/Fusion/Effect)]

"I don't care if you think that I'm pathetic," Nue said, glaring at him, "but who are you to call my brother that? You are nothing!" She flipped over her first set card. "Trap Card, Bottomless Trap Hole! When my opponent summons a monster with 1500 or more attack points, I can destroy it and banish it!" A hole appeared beneath Triple Bite Hound Dog, swallowing it and destroying it. Furthermore, Nue banished it, preventing it from being revived with the cards that Yuto had seen from the other invaders. Cards like Antique Gear Reborn, and things like that. "Then, since I activated a "Hole" Normal Trap, I can Special Summon a "Traptrix" monster from my deck with Nepenthes's effect! Come—Traptrix Dionaea!"

A black-haired girl with tropical flowers in her hair appeared. Her hair was in cute braids, and she had venus flytraps—dionaea muscipula—tied around her braids. She was sitting within a giant flytrap, lying down on a large blue bubble-like rock, spinning around a white flower between her fingertips.

[Traptrix Dionaea (4*/1700/1100/EARTH/Plant/Effect)]

"When Special Summoned, Traptrix Dionaea allows me to set a "Hole" Normal Trap from my graveyard to my field," Nue continued. "However, it is banished during my next End Phase if it's still on the field." She set Bottomless Trap Hole back to her field.

"I'll activate the Spell Card, Monster Reborn!" The fourth Obelisk Force member declared, playing the last card in his hand, before turning to the second member, who had flipped up their set card.

"I will activate my set card, Antique Gear Spark Shot! If an "Antique Gear" monster is Special Summoned to the field while I control no monsters, I can inflict damage to one of you equal to its attack points!"

"I'll banish Phantom Knights' Spear from the graveyard!" Yuto called. "I'll negate the activation of your Trap, destroy it and inflict 100 damage to you!" The card shattered, and a holographic spear shot at the student.

Obelisk Force Green 1: 4000 - 100 = 3900LP

"Good assist, Yuto," Nue called.

The student who had activated Monster Reborn scowled. "I will still revive Antique Gear Hound Dog to my field!" He called. "And since you control a monster, I'll inflict 600 damage to you!" He pointed at Yuto. "Hound Flame!"

"You are too arrogant to think that I would allow that!" Nue flipped over her second set card. "Traptrix Trap Hole Nightmare. Since your monster that was Special Summoned this turn activated its effect, I can negate the effect and blast your monster off the field again." The mechanical hound was once again wiped out.

With no cards left in hand, that student was forced to end his turn.

[Turn 6: Obelisk Force Green 2] [H:5]

"You cannot possibly have enough Traps to stop us all!" The next opponent declared, her voice rather high-pitched. "There's four more of us that take turns before the two of you! You will run out! I'll Normal Summon Antique Gear Hound Dog!" The same dog as before appeared on her field.

[Antique Gear Hound Dog (3*/1000/1000/EARTH/Machine/Effect)]

"Since you control a monster," she declared, "I can inflict 600 damage to you!" She pointed at Yuto again. "Hound Flame!"

"Nue, there's no need!" Yuto called, and he took the effect damage head-on. Nue sighed.

Yuto: 2000 - 600 = 1400LP

"I'll then activate the Spell Card, Fusion Conscription! By revealing Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog in my Extra Deck, I can add one of its Fusion Materials to my hand! Then, I'll activate the Spell Card, Antique Gear Double Imitate! I will Special Summon two "Antique Gear" monsters from either player's graveyard to my field with their effects negated!" Two more Antique Gear Hound Dogs appeared, both from the previous Obelisk Force member's graveyard. "And—"

"You're not going to Fusion Summon," Nue said. "Trap Card, Network Trap Hole." She flipped over her third set card, leaving her with only Bottomless Trap Hole left. "Since you Special Summoned monsters from the Main Deck or graveyard, I can banish them facedown." Both cards were sent off the field. "I'm glad that I banished that first three-headed dog now—it seems that you all have far too many ways of reviving your monsters." She raised a finger. "Need I remind you of Nepenthes's effect? I can actually choose to add a "Traptrix" monster to my hand instead of Special Summoning it, but I think I'll Special Summon another. Meet Traptrix Genlisea."

A white-haired girl appeared, with the front of her hair forming two whirly bits that curved to the sides. One side of her hair was a plait that was extremely long, while the other side was allowed to freely twirl around her. She had bright green eyes, and she was surrounded by lush green corkscrew plants.

[Traptrix Genlisea (4*/1200/1600/EARTH/Plant/Effect)]

Yuto looked at the situation of the field, and his mind went back to a certain moment, back when he had met Kaito's friends, Allen and Sayaka, for the first time.

"Still though," Allen said, ever the loud one. "They call you three the 'three aces', right? You, Kaito, and then Kurosaki and Kamisoka. Uh, not you, Yuto."

"Yes, I understood from context," Yuto said, reassuringly patting Allen's shoulder.

"But anyway, I've seen your sister duel before, and no offence, Yuto, but like… she's not exactly 'bring out super strong monsters and blast away your opponents'!" Allen waved his hands through the air dramatically. "So why does everyone think that she's so strong?"

Kaito and Yuto exchanged a look. "She's strategic," Yuto said, and as Allen continued talking, he and Kaito nodded to each other in acknowledgement.

The truth was, the terrifying nature of Nue Kamisoka's dueling could only be observed as her opponent.

Kaito had put it best. 'The power of the Traptrix monsters is to steal your right to attempt. You can't even make a move.' Both Yuto and Nue used Traps primarily for their decks, but while Yuto's traps acted as monsters and engaged with the opponent directly—weakening their monsters, negating attacks and things like that—Nue's traps denied them the opportunity to try to duel at all.

Yuto could see it already—the opponents that had been forced to face Nue's Traps had clearly been discouraged, and they didn't seem to have any hope in winning any longer.

That opponent ended her turn, though she still had a Hound Dog on the field. They moved onto the final one that hadn't taken a turn yet.

[Turn 7: Obelisk Force Yellow 2] [H:5]

"So your strength is in your set cards," he said. Then, he grinned. "I'll activate the Spell Card, Heavy Storm!"

"Yes!" One of the other invaders cheered.

That opponent continued speaking. "All Spells and Traps on the field are destroyed!"

Yuto flipped over a set card. "Dark Bribe," he declared. The Counter Trap glowed. "I negate a Spell, and you draw a card." The winds that had stirred up died down immediately.

"Well done," Nue praised again.

The Obelisk Force member blinked, and then he shook his head. "I will activate Fusion Conscription, and reveal Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog in my Extra Deck to add Antique Gear Hound Dog to my hand! Then, I will Normal Summon it!" Another one of those dogs appeared. "And since you control a monster, it will inflict 600 damage to you! Hound Flame!" Another fireball shot towards Yuto, and he winced.

Yuto: 1400 - 600 = 800LP

"I will then activate the Spell Card, Polymerization!" They declared. "I will fuse Antique Gear Hound Dog on the field with Antique Gear Hound Dog in my hand! Mechanical hounds who carry on the ancient spirits, flock together and become one with new power! Fusion Summon! Appear now! Level 5! Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog!"

A large two-headed dog appeared in front of them.

[Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog (5*/1400/1000/EARTH/Machine/Fusion/Effect)]

"So now, your monsters are going to be in trouble," they said. "We may not be able to win this turn, but the others will take you out!"

[Turn 8: Obelisk Force Red 1] [H:4]

"Draw!" The duel had looped all the way to the first player now. This Obelisk Force member's field hadn't been messed with too much by either Nue or Yuto. So he still had a Hound Dog on the field.

"I will activate the Spell Card, Antique Gear Double Imitate! I will revive two "Antique Gear" monsters from any graveyard!" He revived two of them from the previous duelist's graveyard. "But their effects are negated. Then, I will use my own Hound Dog's effect. I will inflict six hundred damage to you! Hound Flame!" The dog spat out flames towards Yuto, lowering his life points yet again.

Yuto: 800 - 600 = 200LP

"I will activate Polymerization. I will fuse my three Antique Gear Hound Dogs! Mechanical hounds who carry on the ancient spirits, flock together and become one with new power! Fusion Summon! Appear now! Level 7! Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog!" Another copy of Triple Bite Hound Dog appeared on the field. "And this card can attack thrice!"

[Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog (7*/1800/1000/EARTH/Machine/Fusion/Effect)]

"... fools can't help but fail to learn from their mistakes," Nue said, tapping her cheek. There was a cold look on her face. Her set card flipped up. "Didn't you see this card earlier? Bottomless Trap Hole!" She destroyed and banished the monster again. "Nepenthes!" She pressed a card to her Duel Disk, Special Summoning her fifth monster to the field. "Meet Traptrix Myrmeleo!"

A girl with dusty grey hair appeared, demonic-looking horns on both sides of her head—though they were clearly insect pincers that were scaled to a much larger size. She was standing on top of an antlion's jaw, with a sleepy look on her face.

[Traptrix Myrmeleo (4*/1600/1200/EARTH/Insect/Effect)]

"When Traptrix Myrmeleo is Special Summoned, I can destroy a Spell or Trap on the field!" She blasted the remaining set card that the first player had off the field.

The first player grinded his teeth against each other. "Damn it… damn it…"

[Turn 9: Obelisk Force Green 1] [H:4]

"Draw," the next duelist said. He looked despondent, and he looked towards the rest. "... I don't know if…"

"Beat the boy first!" Another one of them said. "That girl can't take all of us down by herself!"

They nodded. "I'll Normal Summon Antique Gear Hound Dog! I'll use its effect and inflict 600 damage to you!" He pointed to Yuto. "This will finish you! Hound Flame!"

"Set card, Emergency Provisions." Yuto revealed his set card. "I'll send as many Spells and Traps I control to the graveyard to gain 1000 life points for each." His other set card was sent to the graveyard, healing him just as the effect damage hit.

Yuto: 200 + 1000 - 600 = 600LP

"... I'll end my turn."

[Turn 10: Nue] [H:1]

Nue drew a card. Yuto looked across the field. Two of their opponents had a Antique Gear Hound Dog on the field, one had an Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog on the field, and the other two had nothing at all on their field. The first Obelisk Force member with a green jewel had 3900 life points, while the rest had 4000 life points.

"Nue…"

"You've always been more direct than me," Nue said, still as cold as before. "I trust that you'll finish the others off." She held out a hand, snapping her fingers. "I will overlay the Level 4 Nepenthes, Genlisea and Mantis." Three of her five monsters shot up, turning into trails of flowers and earth. Dionaea and Myrmeleo remained on the field. "Beautiful worker that assists the alluring forest of the tricksters, arise now and revive the darkness that dwells in the forest! Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Traptrix Allomerus!"

A girl with long red hair appeared, smiling in a rather innocent and bright way. She was wearing black clothes, and there were swirling red patterns over some parts of the black clothing. She also had some red beads in her hair. She settled down in the Extra Monster Zone.

[Traptrix Allomerus (R4/2200/600/EARTH/Insect/Xyz/Effect) (OU:3)]

"I'll activate the effect of Double Bite Hound Dog!" A Gear Counter shot forward, attaching itself to her monster.

[Traptrix Allomerus: Gear Counter(s): 1]

"Lovely decoration," Nue said. She sounded very unamused. "I'll detach two Overlay Units from Allomerus to revive a Level 4 Insect or Plant monster."

[Traptrix Allomerus: OU:3 - 2 = OU:1]

"Come back, Traptrix Sundew."

The girl that appeared was standing next to a fern-like plant, with tentacle-like leaves reaching out of the ground and dripping with a strange liquid that resembled saliva. The redheaded girl grinned, hugging a tentacle before saluting and standing at attention.

[Traptrix Sundew (4*/1000/1800/EARTH/Plant/Effect)]

"And when she is Special Summoned, I can add a "Traptrix" monster from my deck to my hand." Nue swiped up a card from her deck. "I'll Normal Summon Traptrix Dionaea from my hand." Another copy of Dionaea appeared on the field. "And with her effect, I can revive another "Traptrix" monster in Defense Position." Nepenthes reappeared next to Dionaea. "I'll overlay the Level 4 Nepenthes and Sundew."

"Another Xyz Summon?"

Nue brought a finger to her lips in a shushing motion. The two monsters shot up in streaks of light. "Beauty made flesh, appear with the fruit of temptation! Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Traptrix Rafflesia!"

On the field, a beautiful girl with glowing pink hair appeared, wearing a white tunic as she sat on a large red flower, several other flowers and insectivorous plants around her. She was also wearing a bright pink cloak that surrounded her like a skirt, with several dark pink circles on the bottom of the cloak, resembling a rafflesia in shape.

[Traptrix Rafflesia (R4/300/2500/EARTH/Plant/Xyz/Effect) (OU:2)]

This monster, however, was Xyz Summoned in Defense Position.

"I'll activate the effect of Traptrix Rafflesia," Nue continued. "I can detach an Overlay Unit from her to send a "Hole" Normal Trap which meets its activation conditions from my deck to the graveyard. Then, she copies that effect. Entrapping Gaze!" Nue revealed a card from her deck. "Nightmare Trap Hole! While I control only "Traptrix" monsters and have at least one "Hole" Normal Trap in my graveyard, I can discard one card to activate it." She shrugged. "However, since this is an effect that specifically copies only the 'effect' of the card, I do not need to pay the cost."

[Traptrix Rafflesia: OU:2 - 1 = OU:1]

She gestured to both Antique Gear Hound Dogs, which exploded together.

"Since a monster was sent to the graveyard by a card effect I activated, I can detach Allomerus's last Overlay Unit to Special Summon it to my field!"

[Traptrix Allomerus: OU:1 - 1 = OU:0]

One of the Antique Gear Hound Dogs appeared on her side of the field.

"I'll use its effect," Nue said with a hint of irony in her voice. "I'll inflict six hundred damage to an opponent who controls a monster. What did you call it—ah, yes. Hound Flare." A fireball shot towards the one who controlled Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog.

Obelisk Force Yellow 2: 4000 - 600 = 3400LP

"I'll then have Traptrix Allomerus attack you directly!" She pointed to the person with 3900 life points.

"When a monster with a Gear Counter battles, it is destroyed!" The Obelisk Force soldier with a yellow jewel called.

Allomerus laughed. Nue did not. "When I control Traptrix Rafflesia, other "Traptrix" monsters I control cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects," she said. Rafflesia had an equally cold look in her eyes as she regarded the field. "The attack goes through."

Allomerus seemed to float up—from beneath her, a leaf pocket could be seen. A large ant came out, charging over to their opponents' side of the field and cutting down part of their life points.

Obelisk Force Green 1: 3900 - 2200 = 1700LP

"Dionaea will finish you off!" The venus flytrap that the first Dionaea was sitting on sprung up, snapping at their opponents.

Obelisk Force Green 1: 1700 - 1700 = 0LP

"And Dionaea and Myrmeleo will attack you directly, first person with the red gem."

Obelisk Force Red 1: 4000 - 1700 - 1600 = 700LP

"I'll leave this to you, Yuto," Nue said, setting a card facedown. Yuto nodded determinedly.

Against six opponents, they had used their entire hands and all of their resources just to stay alive.

Yuto would not let his own efforts go to waste, or Nue's.

He drew a card.

[Turn 11: Yuto] [H:1]

He looked at the card, and then he placed it down. "Spell Card, Graceful Charity," he said. "I can draw three cards and discard two cards."

He cycled out the cards in his hand.

"I'll activate the effect of The Phantom Knights of Break Sword." He nodded to his monster. "I will target itself and Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog, and destroy both of them! Mutual Destruction!" Shadows consumed both monsters at the same time. "I'll then activate the effect of Break Sword in the graveyard! I can Special Summon two "Phantom Knights" monsters with the same Level from my graveyard! Phantom Resurrection!" Ragged Gloves appeared, along with one of the cards that Yuto had discarded—The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak. This monster was a similar blue spirit to Silent Boots, but in a fancy-looking red and black mage's robes, with purple flames floating around it.

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

"And then, their Levels increase by 1," Yuto said.

[The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak: 3* + 1* = 4*]

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

"Now," he said, "I will overlay the Level 4 Ancient Cloak and Ragged Gloves! 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!"

Lightning flashed all around them, and then from a portal in the sky, a black and purple dragon flew right through. There were some bright, luminous blue parts around its body, the same colour as the blue lightning from before. It had two blue horns on the top of its head, and lightning coursed through its wide wings, with several wide, blade-like structures forming its wings.

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon—his ace and his partner.

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

"Since Ragged Gloves was used as Xyz Material for Dark Rebellion, I can give Dark Rebellion 1000 attack points!"

[Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon: 2500 + 1000 = 3500ATK]

"I'll banish The Phantom Knights' Twin Medals from my graveyard," Yuto continued. While Dark Rebellion's effect was powerful, there were no monsters on the field to target with it. "I'll detach both of Dark Rebellion's Overlay Units and give it 500 attack points for each until the End Phase!"

[Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon: 3500 + 500 + 500 = 4500ATK]

"I will then banish Phantom Knights' Raging Blades from my graveyard," Yuto continued. "I can target a DARK Xyz Monster with no Overlay Units, and grant it an additional attack for every other Xyz Monster on the field! There are two—Allomerus and Rafflesia. So this turn, Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon can attack three times!"

He placed down the final card in his hand. One more monster. One more attack. Four attacks, for four opponents.

"I will Normal Summon The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm!" A helmet and a pair of gauntlets appeared, silver-blue metal forming all three objects. Blue fire could be seen possessing the helmet. The helmet looked like it had been crushed to pieces. There was orange fabric and string trailing from the top of the helmet.

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

"Cloven Helm will attack the one with 700 life points," Yuto said. The helmet charged forward, smacking the one with less life points.

Obelisk Force Red 1: 700 - 1500 = 0LP

"And now, Dark Rebellion!" He pointed forward, and his dragon roared, raising his spirits. "Lightning Disobey of Rebellion!"

Dark Rebellion roared, and bright lightning struck the opponents, crushing the rest of their life points in an instant.

Obelisk Force Red 2: 4000 - 4500 = 0LP

Obelisk Force Green 2: 4000 - 4500 = 0LP

Obelisk Force Yellow 2: 4000 - 4500 = 0LP

Winner: Yuto Kamisoka & Nue Kamisoka!

Most of the invaders had pressed buttons on their duel disk to teleport away the moment that they lost, retreating back to wherever that they had come from. Before these ones could do that though, Nue practically sprang forward, grabbing one of the ones with a yellow jewel by the collar of his shirt.

"Nue!" Yuto called in concern. "We shouldn't—"

Nue shook the person that she was holding, grabbing cards from the pocket of his blazer. She tossed him back, and seconds later, they retreated.

Yuto stood there, shaken.

Nue was a lot of things, but she had never been violent. For her to do something like that…

"Nue," he said, his voice quiet. "Who did they card?"

When Nue met his gaze, he finally saw the cold anger melt somewhat—revealing a deep sorrow. She held up the pile of cards. "I couldn't stop it," she said. "My juniors in this school. My classmates. All of them mine to protect, all of them who looked up to me, and yet I could only protect so few of them…"

Yuto's heart ached. He could see how many cards there were in her hands, and even without knowing any of those people individually—they had been in Diamond Branch, not Spade Branch, he still felt deep sorrow.

And yet, the worst was yet to come.

Nue spoke up a moment later, and her tone was defeated. "Our parents were coming in to meet my teacher today, Yuto."

And Yuto, who had forgotten about this detail until now—in the middle of a war zone, struggling to protect people—realised just what had caused Nue to fly into such a cold rage.

Nue held three of the cards tightly in her hands. Two of them were their parents, and the other one was clearly her teacher. "I won't forget this," she vowed. "For daring to hurt what's mine… I will strike back against Academia with all my might."

---

"Ruri! Thank goodness you're safe!" Shun pulled Ruri into a swift hug. Most of the Xyz Dimension's survivors were around Spade and Clover Branch right now—many of them were students from the two schools, now battle-hardened and still reeling from loss.

Shun wasn't exactly different from them, but at the very least, Ruri was here.

"I'm so glad you're safe!" Ruri hugged him as well, the two siblings clinging to each other tightly, reunited after fighting for hours in a smoking battlefield. "I came here with Sayaka, but I think she went to comfort Allen. Apparently, his sister and parents got carded."

"Oh." Shun felt his heart sink for a moment. He was overjoyed that Ruri was alright, because she was the only family that he had, and she was safe. However, others clearly hadn't been so lucky. "Kaito…"

"His family is safe," Ruri reassured him. "Apparently, his father is already starting up a water purification system. We'll have a consistent and clean supply of water soon enough, but for now, the water supply of Clover Branch is still working." She peered around. "Where's Yuto?"

"He was safe when I last saw him." Shun sighed. "He went to rescue Nue."

"Oh." Ruri looked over at the group of Diamond Branch kids, all on their own. "They…"

"I think they're the only survivors of Diamond Branch," Shun said. It was an awful truth to face. While Spade and Clover Branch and their surrounding area had been mostly kept safe by all the students there, it was only a matter of time before the invaders descended on them again.

They needed to defend themselves. They needed to—

"Yuto! Nue!" Ruri rushed over, and Shun followed her. Both Yuto and Nue seemed a little worse for wear, but they were still there, safe and sound, and that was what mattered.

At the same time, the fact that the two of them were here with no one else but each other…

Nue interrupted before Shun could begin to express any sympathy. "Have we begun setting up defences?"

"There are people patrolling the outside," Shun said.

Nue shook her head. "We don't have as much manpower as them. If they all charge towards here, then it's over." She gestured to the school gates. "Let's set up some basic defences. And let's make sure that we have a way to sneak out, if anything happens."

Shun met Yuto's gaze, and Yuto shrugged, indicating that they should probably just go along with it for now. Shun nodded, accepting his best friend's opinion.

They had a lot to do. They were not safe yet—there were still enemies everywhere, and Heartland was still in ruins.

However, they were alive, and they were together. That much was hope.

---

In the end, they set up traps around the perimeter, along with a patrol to make sure that they protected the innocent civilians. They started to gather resources. Before they could fight back against their invaders and figure out what was going on, they had to protect themselves.

It was hard work, but when Shun saw some of the children laughing, he couldn't help but think that it was worth it.

The kids had gone through so much.

If he could preserve their smiles, if he could stop them from having to cry or be afraid… that would be enough.

Now, they just had to figure out how to reclaim their home.

"You're going to get a stress migraine," Kaito said, offering him a cup of water. Shun took the water agreeably, slowly drinking from the cup. It was warm—Kaito must have just gotten it from the new water supply. There was something about it that tasted a bit different—since it wasn't the usual desalinated water, instead being purified and recycled water through Doctor Tenjo's water supply system. Still though, as Shun drank it, he did realise how tense he felt. His shoulders felt locked up. "Are you alright?"

"I'm good." Shun shook his head. "I feel a bit hopeless."

"Because they just keep coming back, right?" Kaito frowned. "I wonder what they're looking for. It feels like they're just attacking for the sake of attacking?"

"Don't let Nue hear that," Shun said with a sigh, thinking about Kaito's stubborn best friend. "If you're worried about me getting a stress migraine, worry about her passing out from a lack of sleep." Nue had just been helping out everywhere, with a protective, raw intensity to every single one of her actions. Kaito sighed, patting Shun on the shoulder.

"I think that both of you should take a break for yourselves," he said. "I don't want you to burn out, you know."

"I know, I know." Shun shook his head. "I'll take a break soon. I just want things to stabilise first."

Kaito chuckled. "Well, hopefully it will soon." He took Shun's hand, raising their hands into the air. "But you know that you're my friend, Shun. If you don't take a rest soon, I will force you to."

Shun nodded. "Don't think that I haven't noticed you overworking yourself too, Kaito," he said, smiling too. "Let's work together, alright? To protect the people that we care for."

"With you and me working together?" Kaito smirked. "As long as we have each other, and everyone else—we'll be able to protect everyone that we care for."

---

A few days later, Ruri happened to be collecting water outside when she heard a loud, pained cry from outside the school gates. Immediately, she rushed out, searching the area outside.

There, she found a familiar-looking boy with curly red hair. "Dennis!" She called—she recognised him. A few days ago, he had been putting on a street performance, and the two of them had met then. "Are you alright?"

"I'm alright, Ruri," Dennis gestured behind him. "There's someone… dangerous there… he's got my friends."

Ruri nodded. "The Resistance is in that direction!" She said, pointing him towards the gate. "I'll help your friends!"

She raced off, not noticing the regretful look that Dennis had as he looked back at her.

… it was too late, anyway, to change what had been planned from the start.

---

Duel 1 Summary: Ruri Kurosaki & Sayaka Sasayama vs Obelisk Force Red, Obelisk Force Green & Obelisk Force Yellow

Duel Format: Battle Royale

Turn 1: Sayaka Sasayama

Sayaka activates the Spell Card, Fairy Trail. She Special Summons Little Fairy (3*/800/800) from her Deck. She Normal Summons Fairy Archer (3*/1400/600) and uses its effect to inflict 800 damage to Obelisk Force Red. [OFR: 4000 - 800 = 3200LP] She sends 1 card from her hand to the GY to increase Little Fairy's Level by 1. (LF: 3* + 1* = 4*) She then activates the Spell Card, Harmonic Waves, to make Fairy Archer Level 4. (FA: 3* - 4*) She overlays Little Fairy and Fairy Archer to Xyz Summon Fairy Cheer Girl (R4/1900/1500/OU:2) in Attack Position. Sayaka detaches one Overlay Unit from Fairy Cheer Girl (FCG: OU:2 - OU:1) to draw a card. She ends her turn.

Turn 2: Obelisk Force Red

Red Normal Summons Antique Gear Hound Dog. (3*/1000/1000) He uses its effect to inflict 600 damage to Sayaka. [SS: 4000 - 600 = 3400LP] He sets 2 cards facedown. Hound Dog attacks Ruri directly. [RK: 4000 - 1000 = 3000LP] He ends his turn.

Turn 3: Ruri Kurosaki

Ruri Special Summons Lyrical Luscinia - Turquoise Warbler (1*/100/100) from her hand. With Turquoise Warbler's effect, Ruri Special Summons Lyrical Luscinia - Cobalt Sparrow (1*/0/100) from her hand. With Cobalt Sparrow's effect, she adds a Level 1 Winged Beast monster from her Deck to her hand. With the effect of Lyrical Luscinia - Sapphire Swallow (1*/100/0) in her hand, Ruri Special Summons her and Lyrical Luscinia - Celeste Wagtail (1*/200/0) from her hand. With Celeste Wagtail's effect, Ruri adds a "Lyrical Luscinia" Spell/Trap from her Deck to her hand. Ruri Special Summons Slower Swallow. (1*/100/100) Ruri overlays her five Level 1 monsters to Xyz Summon Lyrical Luscinia - Assembly Nightingale (R1/0/0/OU:5) to the Extra Monster Zone. Assembly Nightingale gains 200ATK for each Overlay Unit. (LLAN: 0 + 200 x 5 = 1000ATK) Assembly Nightingale attacks Green directly four times. [OFG: 4000 - 4000 = 0LP] Assembly Nightingale attacks Yellow directly once. [OFY: 4000 - 1000 = 3000LP] Ruri sets 1 card and ends her turn.

Turn 4: Obelisk Force Yellow

Yellow activates Polymerization. He fuses three Antique Gear Hound Dogs in his hand to Fusion Summon Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog (7*/1800/1000) in Attack Position. Triple Bite Hound Dog attacks Assembly Nightingale. Ruri negates destruction and battle damage for the rest of the turn with Assembly Nightingale's effect. (LLAN: OU:5 - OU:4; 1000 - 800ATK) Yellow ends his turn.

Turn 5: Sayaka Sasayama

Sayaka draws. With Fairy Cheer Girl's effect, she draws a card. (FCG: OU:1 - OU:0) Sayaka Normal Summons Dancing Fairy (4*/1000/1800) from her hand. Fairy Cheer Girl attacks Red's Hound Dog. [OFR: 3200 - 900 = 2300LP] Dancing Fairy attacks Red directly. Red activates Antique Gear Reborn, bringing back Antique Gear Hound Dog and increasing its ATK. (AGHD: 1000 + 200 = 1200ATK) Red activates the Continuous Trap Antique Gear Spark Shot, inflicting damage to Ruri. [RK: 3000 - 600 = 2400LP] Sayaka ends her turn.

Turn 6: Obelisk Force Red

Red draws. Red activates Polymerization and fuses the Hound Dog on the field with the Hound Dog in his hand. He Fusion Summons Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog (5*/1400/1000) to the field. Double Bite Hound Dog attacks. Ruri activates Assembly Nightingale's effect to negate destruction and damage. (LLAN: OU:4 - OU:3; 800 - 600ATK) Red ends his turn.

Turn 7: Ruri Kurosaki

Ruri uses the effect of Lyrical Luscinia - Beryl Canary (1*/0/200) to Special Summon her from the hand, and to Special Summon Cobalt Sparrow from the GY. With Cobalt Sparrow's effect, Ruri adds Sapphire Swallow from the Deck to the hand. She Special Summons Sapphire Swallow and Turquoise Warbler from her hand with Sapphire Swallow's effect. With Turquoise Warbler's effect, she revives Celeste Wagtail and adds another "Lyrical Luscinia" Spell/Trap from her Deck to her hand. She uses her five monsters to Xyz Summon Lyrical Luscinia - Prom Thrush. (R1/0/0/OU:5) Prom Thrush gains 200ATK since she was Xyz Summoned using Beryl Canary, and 500ATK for each Overlay Unit. (LLPT: 0 - 2700ATK)

Red activates Double Bite Hound Dog's effect to put a Gear Counter on Prom Thrush. (LLPT: GC1) Monsters with Gear Counters are destroyed if they battle. Assembly Nightingale attacks Yellow directly. By detaching all 5 of Prom Thrush's Overlay Units, Assembly Nightingale gains 300ATK for each until the End Phase. (LLAN: 600 + 300 x 5 = 2100ATK) [OFY: 3000 - 2100 = 900LP] Ruri has Assembly Nightingale attack him directly again. [OFY: 900 - 2100 = 0LP] Finally, Assembly Nightingale attacks Red directly. [OFR: 2300 - 2100 = 200LP] Ruri ends her turn.

Turn 8: Sayaka

Sayaka draws. She uses Dancing Fairy's effect to regain 1000LP. [SS: 3400 + 1000 = 4400LP] She Normal Summons Shining Angel. (4*/1400/800) She uses the Level 4 Dancing Fairy and Shining Angel to Xyz Summon Fairy Dancer (R4/1700/1000/OU:2) in Attack Position. Red uses the effect of Double Bite Hound Dog to place a Gear Counter on Fairy Dancer. (FD: GC1) Using Fairy Dancer's effect, Sayaka makes Double Bite Hound Dog's ATK 0. (AGDBHD: 1400 - 0ATK) Furthermore, by detaching two Overlay Units, Fairy Dancer increases the ATK of all Xyz Monsters on the field by 800. (FD: 1700 + 800 = 2500ATK) (FCG: 1900 + 800 = 2700ATK) (LLAN: 600 + 800 = 1400ATK) (LLPT: 200 + 800 = 1000ATK) Fairy Cheer Girl attacks and destroys Double Bite Hound Dog. [OFR: 200 - 2700 = 0LP] Sayaka and Ruri win!

---

Duel 2 Summary: Nue Kamisoka & Yuto Kamisoka vs Obelisk Force (R1, G1, Y1, R2, G2, Y2)

Duel Format: Battle Royale

(Duel starts at Turn 3 on screen.)

Yuto joins the duel and takes the Intrusion Penalty. [YK: 4000 - 2000LP] Nue starts at 3000LP. Obelisk Force Red 1 and Obelisk Force Green 1 have Antique Gear Hound Dog and a set card on each of their fields.

Turn 3: Nue Kamisoka

Nue Normal Summons Traptrix Mantis. (4*/1500/1300) With Mantis's effect, she adds Traptrix Sundew (4*/1000/1800) to her hand. By discarding Sundew, she Special Summons Traptrix Nepenthes (4*/800/2000) from her hand in Defense Position. She sets 3 cards facedown and has Mantis attack Yellow 1 directly. [OFY1: 4000 - 1500 = 2500LP] She ends her turn.

Turn 4: Yuto Kamisoka

Yuto Normal Summons The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves (3*/1000/500) and Special Summons The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots (3*/200/1200) from his hand. He Xyz Summons The Phantom Knights of Break Sword. (R3/2000/1000/OU:2) Since Break Sword used Ragged Gloves as material, he gains 1000ATK. (TPKOBS: 2000 + 1000 = 3000ATK) Break Sword attacks Yellow 1 directly as well. [OFY1: 2500 - 3000 = 0LP]

He activates the Continuous Spell, Phantom Knights Spear. Using Break Sword's effect, he targets Spear and Green 1's Hound Dog. (TPKOBS: OU:2 - OU:1) The two cards are destroyed. Yuto banishes Silent Boots from the GY to add a "Phantom Knights" Spell/Trap from his Deck to his hand. He sets 3 cards facedown. He ends his turn.

Turn 5: Obelisk Force Red 2

Red 2 activates Polymerization, fusing 3 copies of Antique Gear Hound Dog (3*/1000/1000) to Fusion Summon Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog (7*/1800/1000) in Attack Position. Nue activates Bottomless Trap Hole, destroying and banishing it. Then, with Traptrix Nepenthes's effect, she Special Summons Traptrix Dionaea (4*/1700/1100) from her Deck. With Dionaea's effect, she sets Bottomless Trap Hole from her graveyard to her field. Red 2 activates Monster Reborn to bring back Hound Dog. Green 1 activates Antique Gear Spark Shot. Yuto negates it by banishing Phantom Knights' Spear from the GY, inflicting 100 damage to Green 1. [OFG1: 4000 - 100 = 3900LP] Red 2 activates Hound Dog's effect to inflict 600 damage to Yuto. Nue activates Traptrix Trap Hole Nightmare to negate the effect and destroy Hound Dog. Red 2 ends his turn.

Turn 6: Obelisk Force Green 2

Green 2 Normal Summons Antique Gear Hound Dog. She uses its effect and inflicts 600 damage to Yuto. [YK: 2000 - 600 = 1400LP] She activates the Spell Card, Fusion Conscription. By revealing Double Bite Hound Dog in her Extra Deck, she adds Hound Dog from her deck to her hand. She then activates Antique Gear Double Imitate. She revives two Antique Gear Hound Dogs from Red 2's GY. Nue activates Network Trap Hole, banishing both Hound Dogs. With Nepenthes's effect, she Special Summons Traptrix Genlisea (4*/1200/1600) to her field in Defense Position. Green 2 ends her turn.

Turn 7: Obelisk Force Yellow 2

Yellow 2 activates Heavy Storm. Yuto negates it by activating Dark Bribe, letting Yellow 2 draw a card and negating the Spell. Yellow 2 activates Fusion Conscription and reveals Double Bite Hound Dog to add Hound Dog from the Deck to the hand. Yellow 2 Normal Summons Hound Dog and inflicts 600 damage to Yuto. [YK: 1400 - 600 = 800LP] Yellow 2 activates Polymerization, fusing a Hound Dog on the field and in the hand, and Fusion Summons Double Bite Hound Dog. Yellow 2 ends their turn.

Turn 8: Obelisk Force Red 1

Red 1 draws. Red 1 has an Antique Gear Hound Dog and a set card. He activates Antique Gear Double Imitate to revive two Antique Gear Hound Dogs from Yellow 2's GY. He activates Polymerization and fuses all three Hound Dogs to Fusion Summon Triple Bite Hound Dog. Nue activates Bottomless Trap Hole, destroying and banishing it. With Nepenthes's effect, she Special Summons Traptrix Myrmeleo (4*/1600/1200) in Attack Position. With Myrmeleo's effect, she destroys Red 1's set card. Red 1 ends his turn.

Turn 9: Obelisk Force Green 1

Green 1 draws. He Normal Summons Antique Gear Hound Dog and uses its effect. Yuto activates Emergency Provisions, sending his other set card (Phantom Knights' Raging Blades) to the GY to gain 1000LP. [YK: 200 - 600LP] Green 1 ends their turn.

Turn 10: Nue Kamisoka

Nue draws. She overlays Genlisea, Mantis and Nepenthes to Xyz Summon Traptrix Allomerus. (R4/2200/600/OU:3) Yellow 2 activates Double Bite Hound Dog's effect to place a Gear Counter on Allomerus. (TA: GC1) Nue detaches two of Allomerus's Overlay Units to revive Sundew. (TA: OU:3 - OU:1) With Sundew's effect, she adds Traptrix Dionaea to her hand and Normal Summons her. With Dionaea's effect, she revives Nepenthes. She overlays Sundew and Nepenthes to Xyz Summon Traptrix Rafflesia (R4/300/2500/OU:2) in Defense Position. Using Rafflesia's effect, she detaches an Overlay Unit from her to copy the effect of Nightmare Trap Hole in the deck, destroying the two Antique Gear Hound Dogs on the field that belong to Green 1 and Green 2. (TR: OU:2 - OU:1) With Allomerus's effect, she detaches an Overlay Unit and revives Hound Dog to her field. (TA: OU:1 - OU:0) Using Hound Dog's effect, she inflicts 600 damage to Yellow 2, the controller of Double Bite Hound Dog. [OFY2: 4000 - 600 = 3400LP] Allomerus attacks Green 1 directly. Rafflesia protects Allomerus from being destroyed by Double Bite Hound Dog's effect. [OFG1: 3900 - 2200 = 1700LP] Dionaea attacks Green 1 directly. [OFG1: 1700 - 1700 = 0LP] The other Dionaea and Myrmeleo attack Red 1 directly. [OFR1: 4000 - 1700 - 1600 = 700LP] Nue sets 1 card and ends her turn.

Turn 11: Yuto Kamisoka

Yuto draws. He activates Graceful Charity, to draw two cards and discard one. He activates Break Sword's effect, destroying both it and Double Bite Hound Dog. Then, with Break Sword's other effect, he revives The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak (3*/800/1000) and The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves as Level 4 monsters. He overlays them and Xyz Summons Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon (R4/2500/2000/OU:2) Ragged Gloves gives Dark Rebellion 1000ATK. (DRXD: 2500 + 1000 = 3500ATK) Yuto banishes The Phantom Knights' Twin Medals from the GY to detach both of Dark Rebellion's Overlay Units and give it 500ATK. (DRXD: 3500 + 500 + 500 = 4500ATK) By banishing Phantom Knights' Raging Blades from the GY, he gives Dark Rebellion three attacks this turn. He Normal Summons The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm (4*/1500/500) from his hand. Cloven Helm attacks Red 1. [OFR1: 700 - 1500 = 0LP] Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon attacks Red 2, Green 2 and Yellow 2 directly. [OFR2, OFG2, OFY2: 4000 - 4500 = 0LP] Nue and Yuto win.

---

OC Cards:

Fairy Trail

(Spell)

Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Fairy" or "Pixie" monster from your Deck, and if you do, this turn, Xyz Monsters you control cannot be destroyed by card effects.

Fairy Dancer

(R4/1700/1000/WIND/Fairy/Xyz/Effect)

2 Level 4 Fairy monsters

If this card is Xyz Summoned: Target 1 monster on the field; change its ATK to 0. Once per turn: You can detach 2 Xyz Materials from this card; all Xyz Monsters on the field gain 800 ATK.

Traptrix Sundew

(4*/1000/1800/EARTH/Plant/Effect)

You can discard this card from your hand; Special Summon 1 "Traptrix" monster from your hand. If this card is Special Summoned: You can add 1 "Traptrix" monster from your Deck or GY to your hand. You can only activate each effect of "Traptrix Sundew" once per turn.

Nightmare Trap Hole

(Trap)

If you control only "Traptrix" monsters (min. 1) and have at least 1 "Hole" Normal Trap in your GY: Discard 1 card; destroy 2 monsters on the field. You can only activate 1 "Nightmare Trap Hole" per turn.

Phantom Knights' Raging Blades

(Trap)

You can target 1 DARK monster on the field: It gains 500ATK for each Special Summoned monster on the field. You can banish this card from the GY; target 1 DARK Xyz Monster you control with no Xyz Material, and it gains 1 additional attack during each Battle Phase this turn for each other Xyz Monster on the field. You can only activate each effect of "Phantom Knights' Raging Blades" once per turn.

---

Different Card Effects from TCG:

Fairy Archer - Uses its anime effect, which doesn't prevent it from attacking.

Antique Gear Hound Dog - Uses its later anime effect.

Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog - Anime-only card.

Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog - Anime-only card.

Antique Gear Reborn - Anime effect.

Antique Gear Spark Shot - Anime effect. However, the effect is a bit odd in the anime itself, so I've interpreted its effect as one that can activate if the controller had no monsters before the Special Summon.

Phantom Knights' Spear - Anime effects only. I desperately wanted to use its TCG effect, but unfortunately, that first duel between Yuto and Sawatari is iconic, so I can't change its effects, and I don't want to just add on the TCG protection effect, since that would mean that it has two effects that banish it from the graveyard.

Fusion Conscription - Anime effect

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon - Anime effect

The Phantom Knights' Twin Medals - Anime-only card.

---

End Notes:

The "Ancient Gear" monsters will take on their OCG names, namely, "Antique Gear", purely because I feel that the Japanese names are better. :) That's it, there's no deeper thought behind it. To be honest, I nearly did the same thing for Yuri's Predator Plants, before I decided that I had already spent years since 2018 writing duels with the TCG names, and that writing the OCG names would be giving myself the "Trickstar problem" of Chapter 3. Namely, getting the name wrong all the time. So yeah. The same thing applies to the Lyrical Luscinia and Raid Raptors monsters, who use their OCG name.

(Also, while I was reading through the Obelisk Force's duels to get a sense of how to write this chapter's duels, I got another dose of shock and "they really named them this in the dub"? Who was going to tell me that Tsukikage's name was Moon Shadow in the dub? What kind of name is that? His first name is Moon?)

Some of you might question why I gave Ruri's deck their TCG effects. The answer to that is very simple and blunt—the two duels that Ruri got in the anime aren't happening in this story, because the Parasite Fusioner bullshit does not apply here. Ruri will get plenty of other duels, but since she's not going to be in those two duels, I figured that it would be easier to write her duels from memory, since I have all of the TCG Lyrilusc effects memorised. :D The same does apply to Rin as well—and to Yuto, as some of you might have noticed! I read through the anime effects of the Phantom Knights cards, and in reality, they're mostly just the TCG effects minus the effects in the graveyard. So I just gave them those effects!

Fun fact, when I was researching what cards Sayaka used in the anime, I thought that the wiki was wrong. I was like "oh, there have to be more cards than this." The answer is no, there are no more cards than that. Then, I was like "oh I'll just take some of Kotori's cards and work with that." Anyone who knows how little of a role Kotori played in ZEXAL knows how that played out. So I just had to work with what I had and toss in a few Fairies. How on earth did Sayaka canonically beat Ruri? Anyway, while I tried to keep with TCG or anime cards, at some point I just threw in the towel. Hope that you guys can forgive me for the small amount of OC cards for a minor character! Also, Sayaka did not canonically beat Ruri in this AU. It's a small change, but even so, it's just for my own brain's sake.

As for the one OC in this chapter… I feel like you all may be starting to spot a pattern with the OCs that I've made so far, excluding the counterparts. If you haven't figured it out, don't worry about it. What I will say is that there will at most be one major OC for any canon dimension, and no more. For example, I don't intend to make any OCs for the Xyz Dimension, except Nue. There might be some OCs made for the Fusion Dimension just to serve as opponents, but the only major OC there is Shino, and the same goes for Standard and Synchro. Anyway, as a fun fact, Nue was a character that I made for a fic that I later scrapped and never published. As is fitting for a character that was conceptualised as Yuto's sister back then—and even now—she uses a Trap-oriented deck. I didn't use the newest OCG monsters in this because I don't want to have to go back and change the names once they get English translations, but they'll probably show up another time. Sundew is a very old OC card of mine, an extender similar to the OCG's Arachnocampa. Nightmare Trap Hole is a "Traptrix" exclusive Treacherous Trap Hole.

If last chapter's duel was a duel I was so proud of in terms of not having to make a ton of OC cards but still keeping some tension, this chapter's main duel is the opposite—it definitely feels as chaotic as a typical Arc-V duel, and there are some OC card shenanigans, but I hope it was fun anyway. As of the time that I'm writing this, this duel alone is as long as a whole chapter, which is… fun for writing, but not for editing. Ugh.

Also, since I gave Yuto a last name in this chapter, I will say that all the counterparts, excluding Yuri, Yugo and Rin will have last names. Of course, they're also all adopted ;3

For Battle Royale duels, I decided to make the Intrusion Penalty a universal rule. So it shows up here too. If any canon Battle Royales didn't have it, I will rewrite them with this in mind—if possible. This is because while the Intrusion Penalty was originally only in the Standard Dimension, it just suddenly became universal later on. So no. I'm just going to make it universal from the get-go. This Battle Royale made me suffer—I wrote Chapters 4 and 5 in a day, and then I got thrashed by this. In the future, I'm going to have to find a way to simplify duel explanations. At least future Battle Royales will have distinct characters instead of 6 Academia idiots. This duel was one of those things that looked cool in my outline and made me cry to actually write. The Obelisk Force makes a lot of dumb mistakes in this duel. This is intentional. I was explosively angry every time I had to figure out a new way to write "hi I summon dog and fuse fuse fuse". I never want to see the name Obelisk Force again. Kaito and Shun were supposed to have a duel against Obelisk Force together too in this chapter, but that has been banished to the darkest part of my imagination. Maybe in the Xyz Dimension Arc instead. Anyway, that duel was only checked over once, unlike all the other duels, but I think I can live with any mistakes I make.

For guest reviewer Jason's other review, I think it'll be answered by the story itself in the next two chapters. What I will say is that while some parts of the story may follow the anime's initial treatment of the Bracelet Girls, there is a certain point in the story (not at the end!) where all of the counterparts will become main characters… except Yuri. This guy has so many issues that he's going to need some time. I won't spoil anything else—I guess you'll just have to read and find out! ;3

T.V. 2000 mentions that they're curious about the Xyz Dimension's legacy characters, and since I didn't address that too much in this chapter, I will give some information here. In the Synchro Dimension, there may be other legacy characters (I do plan on taking the easiest option of making the Friendship Cup have 32 characters), but the only ones that will play a major role in the story are still Crow and Jack. The rest may play a role within the Synchro Dimension, but I don't want to have too many legacy characters in the story. The Fusion Dimension will have quite a few legacy characters, but I'll spoil that Judai doesn't show up. The other shows' protagonists do not exist in this story. Most of the GX legacy characters are going to play the role of antagonists, because I do wish that we got some less generic antagonistic characters. Academia's truly antagonistic characters were really just the Professor, Barrett, the Doktor and Yuri. Everyone else kind of blends into the background, or gets redeemed. So yes. Johan's already shown up, and I've already mentioned Ryo and Sho's existence. (I hope. I'm currently writing Chapter 8, so I might be misremembering if I've already mentioned them.) GX and 5Ds will get characters that are there to play a role in specific arcs, but not the whole story.

On the other hand, now addressing ZEXAL… Ryoga will not show up. I do love Shark, but in this situation, I feel like he would be a bit too similar to Kaito, and I don't want to write in three angry older brothers who are upset over the loss of their younger sibling and have to be taught to smile by the power of friendship. Shun and Kaito are enough, thank you. I find it hard to add ZEXAL characters, because Allen and Sayaka are already references to old ZEXAL characters, and I don't want to add decks that are too similar to each other either. (That's why I didn't add Anna.) So after a lot of consideration, I chose to add three characters, who will show up during the Xyz Dimension Arc, but not here. (I'm still not sure on one of them being here, which is why I decided to give myself more time to work on the details of how they would work in the story. I do have the full outline of the story done, but the details are constantly getting retooled and worked on.)

I mean, if I'm talking about the canon dimensions, I might as well drop the other two dimensions as well. Ritual has three legacy characters. One has already shown up—that's Jounouchi Katsuya. I will not spoil the other two, but I will say that characters like Seto Kaiba, Marik, Dartz, etc won't be showing up, because… major characters of another series are difficult to work with. Also, I already have Jack, Reiji and Ryoken to juggle as 'the strongest characters of a dimension that could obliterate tons of people', and I can't bring in too many more heavyweights on the heroes' side. As for the Link Dimension, I talk about it a lot more in Chapter 8—over and over again—but the only characters who will play a major role outside their dimension are Ryoken, Akira and Aoi. There are many VRAINS characters that will be showcased in a scene or two for worldbuilding, but they will not be playing extremely important roles.

I think that's everything that needs addressing. Wow, that's a long author's note! Hope I answered your questions though. This probably isn't a chapter you expected, but I hope you enjoyed anyway! And if not, we're going back to Yuno and Miharu in Chapter 8, after the next chapter! (That's right, you're not seeing the Ritual Dimension for a while longer ;3) I considered writing a duel between Ruri and Yuri here, but this chapter was getting too long. For now, I think I'm satisfied with this chapter. Also, after Chapter 7 is posted, there may or may not be a bit of a break between updates, purely because I want to get 9, 10 and 11 all written before I post 8. :D It's very important that I get all of those flowing well.

Thank you for reading, reviewing, favouriting and following!