THE BROTHERHOOD HQ – CAPITAL – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARC-V

"You want to take Yukiya to Maiami City?" Reiji asked Sara who made just made the request.

After Sara entrusted the mission to go to the Duel Monster realm with Ifrit to Yuri and the others, Sara logged out of LINK VRAINS and approached Reiji, requesting that she is allowed to visit Maiami City with Yukiya and Reiji to be their escort. She had thought of many things that perhaps could help Yukiya's condition. After much thinking, this was the only thing she thought could possibly work. Maybe not, but it's worth a shot.

"I know that maybe this is too much to ask, especially it must be hard on you too right now. But I can't think of anything else to help Yukiya. Please." Sara pleaded, bowing her head to Reiji.

Reiji was honestly surprised when Sara made the request. At the same time, however, he understood why she thought this could help Yukiya. Reiji might not show it, but he was as much as affected by Yuya's death. He thought they could fight more properly as comrades now compared to last year where there was some distrust in Yuya's part at first. Yuya had saved him more than Yuya himself had ever thought. It was thanks to Yuya he had stopped to try carry everything alone. He owed Yuya a lot, but he didn't get a chance to repay him. Now that Yuya is gone, he will forever regret for never being able to repay his debt.

But, once again being the leader of Lancers, Reiji must remain strong, especially when Reira was faring worse than him. She sobbed non-stop when she heard the news, and it took everything Reiji had to calm her down. This was really the worst year. It wasn't long since his father was killed, now he lost his close comrade too. He was surprised himself that he still has in his heart the strength to stand straight and remain strong. This was a good thing. Yuya wouldn't want him to lose to despair. The only thing he could think he could make up to Yuya was to fulfil his wish; bringing back peace to the world.

And then, Yukiya Kanbara. He had heard about Yukiya a lot from Yuya and the others. From what he heard, Yuya and Yukiya were very close. Seeing how Yukiya reacted after Yuya died, Reiji realized the extent of their friendship. Was it because Yukiya was Zarc's reincarnation? Reiji didn't know, but it's clear that Yukiya needs help. A friend of Yuya is a comrade of his. He won't let Yukiya destroy himself. And this request came from the reincarnation of his older sister, Ray. This would also be a good opportunity for him to get to know her.

"Very well. I'll take you two there. I do think that we can help him this way." Reiji agreed.

"Thank you, Reiji-san." Sara thanked him.

"I'll inform the Oracle about this. Get Yukiya to be prepared." Reiji told her.

BRIDGE – MAIAMI CITY – ARC-V

Yukiya didn't know how many times had passed since that horrid night. It felt like forever, but it actually had only been several hours. Yukiya didn't really care either way. Many came, urging him to eat or sort, but Yukiya couldn't hear anything they say as nothing more than strings of nonsensical tune. The voice he wishes to hear never comes no matter how much he waited. He just wanted to disappear. He wanted to disappear from the earth, then maybe he'll be at the place where Yuya is. Several times he had thought of jumping into the ravine, but yet something that he didn't know had always stopped him. Something just won't allow him to jump.

Now, when he realized it, he was already inside the car. Sara and Reiji were sitting by his side. He didn't know why they took him. He didn't pay attention to what they said when they dragged him from the ravine.

The car came to a stop. Carefully, Sara pulled him out of the car. Yukiya noticed that they were at a bridge. A long bridge where you can see the Maiami City Stadium. Yukiya remembered. Yuya mentioned it to him once about this bridge. He said that it was one of his favorite spots in Maiami City, especially when he needs some time alone.

"I usually like to sit there enjoying the view while thinking. It's a cool view. You'll like it."

Yukiya remembered Yuya describing this bridge so enthusiastically when he asked about his hometown. Yuya promised to show him around if they go to Maiami City together after the war. An unfulfilled promise.

"Yukiya, do you remember that dome?" Sara asked, pointing at the stadium, holding his hand in hers. At first, Yukiya was unresponsive, only staring at the said dome. But after a few seconds, he spoke.

"The Maiami Stadium. That's where the Maiami Championship was held. Where Yuya became a Duel Champion." Yukiya answered. He remembered the glimpses of Zarc's memories that he had seen. How Yuya was so happy to win the championship and how Zarc's soul finally found peace.

"By saving Zarc's soul, he saved everyone. At that time, his Dueling reached everyone's heart." Sara added before taking Yukiya back to the car.

"And you'll see more about Yuya from now on." She said, pushing Yukiya back into the car where Reiji and the driver were waiting for them.

YOU SHOW DUEL SCHOOL – MAIAMI CITY – ARC-V

Next, Yukiya found himself in front of a Duel School called You Show Duel School. Yukiya remembered this place too from Yuya's story. It was the school built by Yuya's father and where he learned Entertainment Dueling. Yuya also mentioned that after the war, it became bigger and gained more students than ever before, especially after Yuya became a Duel Champion and his father, Yusho Sakaki, returned to teach at the school.

"It's still lost to LDS when it comes to a number of students, but one day I'll make it a number one Duel School in Maiami City!"

Yukiya could still see Yuya's bright face when he declared so. He couldn't help but chuckle when Yuya so cheerfully said he will make his Duel School the top place where Duelists can smile. It was very endearing, and Yukiya didn't find it so far-fetched. Yuya did have what it took to make that come true. In the past that is. Now, it was impossible, since he was dead.

"Look! It's Big Bro Yuya and Big Sis Yuzu!"

A girl with short red hair was pointing at them. She was in the middle of dueling with other students, which stopped the moment she noticed them. Soon, they were swarmed by dozens of students who were so enthusiastic to greet them. Anything that Sara tried to say was engulfed in the children's cheers. Fortunately, someone came to disperse the crowds. Yukiya recognized him as Yuya's father, Yusho Sakaki.

"Calm down, children. They may look alike, but they're not Yuya and Yuzu." Yusho told them, earning surprised looks from the children.

"It's been a while, Yukiya-kun, Sara-chan. The last time we met was during Yuno and Celica's wedding, right?" Yusho greeted them happily.

"It's been a while, Yusho-san. Sorry for the sudden visit." Sara greeted him back while Yukiya looked down.

"Yuya is not with you?" Yusho asked, expecting to see his son with them, but was surprised to see Reiji instead who bowed politely to the older man.

The mention of Yuya stiffened Sara and Yukiya. As to not cause mass panic, Yuno and everyone agreed to keep Yuya's death a secret from the others, which included Yuya's own family and close friends who were in Maiami City. They have no doubt that they'll be angry once they find out, but they couldn't afford to take a risk.

"Yuya...is busy, so he can't come. Yukiya and I got a day off today, so we decided to come to visit because Yuya talked a lot about this school." Sara answered, trying her best to look natural.

"I see." Yusho stared at Sara and Yukiya, leaning more towards Yukiya who looked down, avoiding his eyes and looked down. Yusho sensed that there's something that they were hiding about his son. He would like to ask, but seeing Yukiya, he didn't have the heart to do so. Seeing the boy made him remember the time when Yuya was depressed. And it was something serious.

"Come in. I'll show you around the school." Yusho urged the two to enter while telling the rest of the students to continue their classes.

All the while Yusho was explaining about You Show Duel School, Yukiya was half-hearing his explanation. His thoughts were drifting between the explanation and wondering about Yuya's activities while attending this school. He stopped his track when he passed one of the fields. This made Yusho and Sara stopped as well.

"That field..." Yukiya uttered while looking at the Field behind the glass. The field resembled a circus stage.

"Oh, that's Yuya's favorite Field. He dueled in that Field when he passed his Professional Test and became a Duel Champion." Yusho said, also looking at the field. He remembered how his son won over everyone's hearts with his Dueling. He remembered how proud he was of his son at that time. Noticing how Yukiya's attention was fixated on the field, Yusho smiled.

"Let's go inside." Yusho escorted the two youths into the class so they can see the Field directly.

Yukiya remembered this Field too from a glimpse of Zarc's memories. He remembered the way Yuya jumped around the Field with the Four Heavenly Dragons, delivering his best performance yet. Yukiya wished he could see it directly. He wished he could experience it. But it was pointless now to wish for something like that. The Field was still there, but there was nothing left of Yuya. It would be meaningless if Yuya wasn't there with them.

They were interrupted again when the students who were practicing there also mistook them as Yuya and Yuzu. Again, the students stopped their practice to greet them. Fortunately, before they were swarmed, Yusho came in front of them to make it clear that they're not Yuya and Yuzu, earning a whine from the students who were disappointed they can't meet Yuya and Yuzu directly.

"Are they going to apply to this school then?" A female student asked.

"N-no. We're just looking around." Sara answered.

"Then you should apply! You'll have a lot of fun here!" A male student urged them cheerfully.

"Yeah! If you watched Yuya's Duel last year, you'd want to apply! Yuya was amazing!" He added.

As the students showered more praises for Yuya, the more he heard them, the more Yukiya thought of Yuya. Everything that the students said about the Entermate user was not an exaggeration. They were right about what they said about Yuya. It was painful. Because it kept reminding him how Yuya was not here with them anymore.

"Excuse me. I need to get out for a bit." Yukiya abruptly ran out of the room, leaving the bewildered student. Unbeknownst to him, however, Yusho chases after him.

Yukiya kept running until he was outside, at the empty field where there was no one but himself. He leaned against the wall and pulled his knees to him. He really couldn't take this anymore. He shouldn't have come here. It was too painful for him to feel it. What was the point anyway? What are Sara and Reiji trying to show him? He couldn't understand. He didn't want to understand.

"Won't you talk to me?"

Yukiya gasped when he felt a hand ruffling his head. He looked up and faced Yusho who was smiling down at him. Then, without waiting for an answer, Yusho pulled Yukiya back up.

"Yukiya-kun, how about you try dueling with me?" Yusho suggested to the depressed boy, who in turn, looked up at him with confusion.

"Me? Dueling you? Now?" Yukiya asked, unsure what to say with the sudden offer.

"There's something that I wish to show you through my Dueling. A message that I believe Yuya would want as many people as possible to hear, especially his friends." Yusho reasoned.

"A message from Yuya...?" Yukiya couldn't help but react when hearing Yuya's name being mentioned. He still didn't know the reason why Sara and Reiji brought him here. Maybe this was part of their plan? Maybe dueling Yusho will give him the answer?

"I understand. Let's duel." Yukiya nodded, accepting Yusho's suggestion.

Yusho brought Yukiya to one of their Duel Fields. The Field Yusho picked for them to Duel was the same one that he saw earlier when he just arrived. Seeing their teacher was going to duel against someone, the You Show students started gathering to watch the Duel.

"Excuse me, but is there something going on?" Sara asked when she saw many students gathering at one place.

"Yusho-sensei is going to duel against your friend who came with you!" One of the students answered excitedly.

"Yukiya?" Sara made her way to the front of the crowds until she saw Yukiya and Yusho standing at opposing sides, their Duel Disks activated. "Why are they...?"

[MASTER DUEL]

"I'm taking the first Turn! With Scale 1 Astrograph Magician and Scale 8 Chronograph Magician, I set the Pendulum Scale!"

"Pendulum Summon! Appear!" Yukiya summoned Supreme King Gate Magician (ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 7 / PS: 1), Supreme King Servant Dragon Darkwurm (ATK: 1800 / DEF: 1200 / LV: 4), and Supreme King Servant Dragon Lightwurm (ATK: 1200 / DEF: 1800 / LV: 4), all in Attack Position on his Main Monster Zone.

"I activate Darkwurm's Effect! When this card is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add 1 Supreme King Gate Pendulum Monster from my Deck to my hand." Yukiya added Supreme King Gate Zero (ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / LV: 7) to his hand.

"Appear! The Circuit that will lead to the future!" Yukiya extended his hand above at the Link Circuit formed above him.

"Arrowhead confirmed. The summoning condition is 3 Supreme King Monsters. I set Gate Magician, Darkwurm, and Lightwurm to the Link Markers! Circuit combined!"

"Link Summon! Appear, Link 3! Supreme King Servant Dragon Chroneshia (ATK: 2000 / LINK: 3 / LM: Left, Bottom, Top)!" Yukiya summoned a 14 feet long winged dragon with dark and light brown skin covered with small spots and bumps that are a gradient of green and blue colors.

The Link Summon Yukiya performed was met with awe from the audience.

"Wow! So that's Link Summon!"

"This is the first time I'm seeing one with my own eyes!"

"Yeah! I've heard a lot about it but never seeing it myself!"

"Awesome!"

"When Chronesia is Link Summoned, I can Special Summon a Supreme King Monster from my hand! Come forth!" Yukiya Special Summoned Supreme King Gate Zero to his Main Monster Zone in Defense Position.

"Appear once more! The circuit that will lead to the future!" Yukiya once again performed another Link Summon, setting Chronesia and Gate Zero to the Link Markers.

"Link Summon! Appear, Link 4! Cyber Cosmos Link Dragon (ATK: 2800 / LINK: 4 / LM: Left, Right, Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right)!" Yukiya summoned his ace monster in Attack Position in the Link Monster Zone, replacing Chronesia.

"I end my Turn." Yukiya concluded.

Yukiya eyed Yusho, wondering what he'll do. Since he's the one who taught Yuya to duel, he won't be an easy opponent. Yuya had also bragged many times about his father whom he admired so much, describing him as one of the best Entertainment Duelists in the whole world.

"I won't ask for detail, but something happened to Yuya, isn't it?" Yusho suddenly asked softly.

"?!" Yukiya was taken aback by the question. He hadn't received the news, but Yusho could tell that something bad happened to his son. How should he respond to that?

As Yuya's father, Yusho deserves to know his son's death. But he also knew that this wasn't the right time. Even if he was allowed to tell Yusho, how should he explain it to him? What should he say? How should he apologize for failing to protect Yuya?

"I'm...sorry... It's my...fault..." Yukiya's lips quivered, avoiding Yusho's eyes once more.

Yusho was surprised by Yukiya's apology. Whatever happened to Yuya, it damaged this boy very hard to the point he was blaming himself. As much as he's curious of what had happened and how bad it was, that's now why he challenged Yukiya to this Duel. And most importantly, asking anything more would only worsen the boy's guilt. The fact that he was saddened this much must mean he cares a lot about Yuya.

Yuya wouldn't like it if his friend was sad like this. Then, as Yuya's father, he'll help his son's friend. As an Entertainment Duelist, he'll make this boy smile.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" Yusho exclaimed with his hands spread wide, having spotlights focused on him.

"!" Watching Yusho, for a few seconds, Yukiya saw Yuya's image overlapped with him. He unconsciously held his breath.

"For today's Entertainment Duel, I, Yusho Sakaki, shall present you a Magician's Parkour!" Yusho's announcement brought a round of cheers from the audience.

Yukiya felt a stinging pain attacked his chest the more he watched Yusho. He couldn't help but remember Yuya when he was doing his Entertainment Duel.

"First, from my hand, I summon Entermate Turn Tropper (ATK: 1200 / DEF: 1200 / LV: 4)!" Yusho summoned a gold-colored metallic soldier-like Monster in Attack Position in his Main Monster Zone.

"When an Entermate Monster is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon Entermate Cloud Blower (ATK: 2000 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 6) from my hand!" Yusho summoned an Entermate Monster with the appearance of a boy in a blue clown suit with a big black cane that produced a pink-colored cloud.

"I set 2 cards and end my Turn." Yusho finished his first Turn.

Yukiya blinked at Yusho's move. "That's it? Was he playing it safe? To see first what he's going to do?" Yusho didn't look like he was underestimating him. Not that Yukiya ever thought he would. This is Yuya's father after all.

"His two Face-Down cards...are they a trap? Most likely given his set-up." Yukiya stared at Yusho's Field. But nothing will happen if he just keeps quiet. Either of them will have to start a Battle Phase.

"Battle! I attack Entermate Turn Tropper with Cyber Cosmos Link Dragon! Axis Bomb!" Yukiya declared an attack, pointing at the knight-like Entermate Monster.

YUSHO LP: 4000 = 2400

"Trap Card: Entermate Reign! When an Entermate Monster I controlled is destroyed by Battle, I can Special Summon a Level 5 or above Entermate Monster from my Deck!" Yusho Special Summoned his ace monster, Entermate Sky Magician (ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 7) in Attack Position.

"And then when the Monster is summoned, my opponent's Monster's ATK will be halved until my opponent's next Main Phase!" Yusho revealed, decreasing Cyber Cosmos' ATK from 2800 to 1400.

"So, this is what he's after! Not only he summoned a stronger Monster but also weakened my own Monster's ATK." Yukiya knew Yusho was planning something, but he didn't expect he's planning this much. But he was also impressed. As expected from Yuya's father.

"I end my Turn." Yukiya finished.

"My Turn! Now that we have the star performer on the Field, let us begin our Parkour Show!" As Yusho announced, he held onto Sky Magician and then let his Ace Monster lift him up above.

"I activate Entermate Reign's effect from my Graveyard! By banishing it, one of my Entermate Monsters can attack twice until the end of Battle Phase this Turn!" Yusho banished the Trap Card he used in the previous Turn. As he did so, Sky Magician's other hand that was not holding one of the loops threw papers in shapes of birds that were flying throughout the field.

Some of the birds flew towards the audience, flying in motions of dancing before popping up into sparkling dust, leaving the audience in awe.

One of the birds also flew towards Yukiya, giving him a soft poke on his forehead before turning into sparkling dust as well, surprising the boy.

"Battle! I attack Cyber Cosmos Link Dragon with Sky Magician!" Yusho jumped away from Sky Magician as his ace monster whirled its body in the semblance of a drill and pierced down Cyber Cosmos, destroying the Link Monster.

YUKIYA LP: 4000 = 2900

Right before Yusho reached the ground, Sky Magician quickly caught its master again and lifted him up. Yusho pointed his cane towards Yukiya next, whose field was now empty without his dragon.

"Next, I attack directly!" Yusho declared his second attack.

Unlike before, Yusho didn't jump off from Sky Magician, but instead attacked together with it. Sky Magician flew down, straight towards Yukiya.

Seeing the incoming attack, a flash of the moment when Apophis struck down came into him. Yukiya's expression paled at that. It was like a switch. Fear sipping into him like an ocean's wave. His mouth and his body moved before he even realized it.

"From my hand, I activate Supreme King Servant Dragon Lysidia's Effect! When a DARK Monster I control is destroyed by Battle, I can Special Summon this Monster from my hand!" Yukiya summoned Lysidia (ATK: 800 / DEF: 800 / LV: 3), a dragon with ocean blue scales, turquoise underbelly, and iridescent blue highlights.

"When Lydia battles, it decreases the damage equal to the difference between it and the opposing monster's DEF!" Yukiya revealed. Lysidia has 800 DEF and Sky Magician has 2000 DEF, so the difference was 1200.

Sky Magician's attack quickly shifted to Lysidia. The Entermate Monster threw out its hula hoops, trapping the dragon within it. Lysidia tried to escape by flying up, but the hula hoops quickly twirled around its body, making it look like the dragon was doing a hula dancing, which brought laughs from the students who were watching.

Seeing the students laughing from the performance, the stinging pain in his chest worsened. Again, he was remembering all those times Yuya dazzled people with his Entertainment Dueling. Everyone was smiling, be it Yuya himself, his opponents, or the audience.

"But he is not here anymore..."

He wondered how they'd feel if they learned of Yuya's fate.

Can these people still smile then?

Eventually, Lysidia felt dizzy from all the spinning and collapsed as it disappeared from the Field.

YUKIYA LP: 2900 = 2400

"I activate Lysidia's second effect! I banish it from my Graveyard to Special Summon another Dragon-Type Monster in my Graveyard!" Yukiya revived Cyber Cosmos back to the Field in Attack Position.

"I end my Turn. And that is the first act of Sky Magician's Circus Show. I hope you all enjoyed it and looked forward to our second act." Yusho bowed down, earning him applause.

"Yuya can't make people smile again like him... It's all because I let my guard down. Because I didn't end it right at my Turn back then..."

Yukiya couldn't stop himself from recalling that Duel. If only he had finished Geist on his own, they would've won. Yuya would still be here with them.

Right.

That's why he must win. He mustn't lose. Losing would be unforgivable. Against Apophis and his armies, a slight mistake would cost their lives. He must always win. If he wants to protect his friends and family, if he doesn't want to lose anybody again, he must always win no matter what. Yukiya repeatedly told himself that.

Don't think of anything but winning.

"My Turn! From my hand, I summon Supreme King Servant Dragon Ilmelsda (ATK: 600 / DEF: 400 / LV: 3)" Yukiya summoned Ilmelsda in Attack Position in his Main Monster Zone. It is a dragon with a long, snake-like neck and tail, and is covered in green scales and long sharp spines.

"Appear! The circuit that connects the future!" Yukiya set Ilmelsda on the right Link Marker.

"Link Summon! Appear, Supreme King Servant Dragon Afshaltia (ATK: 300 / LINK: 1 / LM: Right)!" Yukiya summoned a winged two-headed silver dragon with green glowing linings on their back. The right head has a slightly more curved horn while the left has longer teeth.

"I activate Afshaltia's effect! Once per Turn, I can Special Summon a Dragon Token to the zone that its Link Marker points to!" Yukiya summoned a Dragon Token to the zone pointed by Afshaltia's right Link Marker.

"Appear once more! The circuit that connects the future!" Yukiya set Afshaltia and the Dragon Token to the Right and Upper-Right Link Markers.

"Link Summon! Link 2! Supreme King Gate Thordyne (ATK: 1500 / LINK: 2 / LM: Right, Upper-Right)!" Yukiya performed Link Summon for the third time, summoning a silver bipedal dragon armored with emerald, green spikes and a mouth resembling that of a parrot.

"I activate Thordyne's effect! When this card is linked to another Link Monster, I can Special Summon a Link 2 or lower Link Monster from my Graveyard!" Yukiya revived Afshaltia in Attack Position next to Thordyne.

"At this moment, I activate Afshaltia's Effect again!" Yukiya summoned a Dragon Token next to Afshaltia.

"And then with the set Pendulum Scale, I Pendulum Summon! Appear once more!" Yukiya revived Supreme King Gate Magician in Attack Position.

"Now, for the fourth time, appear, the circuit that leads to the future!" Yukiya called forth the Link Summoning Circuit.

"Arrowhead confirmed! The summoning condition is 1 Link Monster! I set Supreme King Gate Magician, Supreme King Gate Thordyne , Supreme King Servant Dragon Afshaltia on the Link Markers! Circuit Combined!" Yukiya set Thordyne on the Top and Left Link Markers, Afshaltia on Bottom-Left Link Marker, Gate Magician on the Bottom Link Markers while Afshaltia's Dragon Token on the Bottom-Right Link Marker.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 5! Cyber Matrix Link Dragon (ATK: 3000 / LINK: 5 / LM: Top, Left, Bottom-Left, Bottom, Bottom-Right)!" Yukiya summoned the upgraded form of Cyber Cosmo in Attack Position next to Cyber Cosmos' Bottom-Left Link Marker on the Main Monster Zone.

"Wow! He brought out a Link 5 Monster!"

"It looks stronger than the other dragon!"

"It's super cool!"

Another round of awe came from the audience after witnessing Cyber Matrix standing together next to Cyber Cosmos. Both dragons have superior ATKs than Yusho's Sky Magician and Cloud Blower. However, the students also knew that their teacher has the knack to get out from a pinch like a magician he is. It's difficult for them to predict what's going to happen next.

"That's a splendid dragon you've summoned. I've seen a few Link Summonings before, but I've never seen anyone utilize it so optimally the way you do, Yukiya-kun." Yusho praised Yukiya, thoroughly impressed.

"I didn't take you for the type to give flattery, Yusho-san." Yukiya replied.

"This is no flattery, I assure you. I would never give out empty praises. My pride as a Duelist would never allow that." Yusho admitted.

"I appreciate your acknowledgement, but I believe this is not the time for you to give pleasantries with your opponent. Not in your situation." Yukiya stated before pointing at Cloud Blower.

"I activate Cyber Cosmos Link Dragon's effect! I can target a Level 5 or higher monster my opponent controls and decreases its ATK and DEF equal to the sum of ATKs and DEFs of other Monsters that linked to Cyber Cosmos' Link Marker! Also, my dragon's ATK is increased equal to the same amount!" Cyber Cosmos's Link Marker pointed to Cyber Matrix. Since it's a Link Monster, it only has an ATK, so its DEF is treated as 0. Therefore, Cloud Blower's ATK and DEF became 0 and Cyber Cosmos' ATK became 5800.

"Battle! I attack Entermate Cloud Blower with Cyber Cosmos Link Dragon!" Yukiya didn't wait a moment longer and declared Battle Phase. Cyber Cosmos unleashed its signature move, Axis Bomb, towards the Entermate Monster.

"At this moment, I activate Cloud Blower's effect! When this card is targeted for an attack while it's in Attack Position, I can switch it to Defense Position and it cannot be destroyed until the end of Battle Phase!" Following Yusho's declaration, Cloud Blower switched to defensive and formed a barrier of clouds that protected itself and Yusho from the impact of the dragon's blast.

"Nice, Yusho-sensei!"

"That was a close call!"

Sara watched the Duel nervously. As Yukiya's friend, she should be praying for Yukiya to win. However, she wasn't sure that victory would help Yukiya's current state of mind. No. Forget about winning or losing, Yukiya didn't even look like he was enjoying the Duel like he usually did. If anything, what reflected in his eyes was something that looked close to madness that Sara couldn't put into words.

She was afraid that Yukiya winning would only make things worse for him. Yusho's Entertainment Duel didn't seem to touch Yukiya's heart despite the older man's effort. But even so, she'd like to believe in Yusho. If he challenged Yukiya, he had something in his mind to help her best friend.

"Please... Yusho-san..." Sarah joined her hands in prayer.

"Next, I attack Sky Magician with Cyber Matrix Link Dragon!" Yukiya declared his second attack. Cyber Matrix opened its mouth, ready to shoot a blast of energy from its mouth when–

"I activate Trap Card: Fusion of the Blue Sky! When a Magician I control is targeted by an attack, I can use the targeted Magician Monster and another Monster I control to perform a Fusion Summon!" Yusho opened his other Trap Card that he hadn't used.

"What?!" Yukiya exclaimed in shock.

"A Fusion Summon during a Battle Phase?!" Sara also shared the same surprise, so did the rest of the students.

"I Fuse Sky Magician and Cloud Blower! Artisan of the sky. Child of clouds. Now become one and give birth to a glimmering show! Fusion Summon! Come to the stage! Level 9! Entermate Horizon Magician (ATK: 3000 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 9)!" Yusho summoned a Monster in the form of a humanoid woman with a light blue skin and aquamarine facial markings, light teal eyes, and white hair with two frontal pigtails tied with rings. She is dressed in a white suit with checker patterns, blue trousers, and black ankle boots.

"I activate Entermate Horizon Magician's effect! Once per Turn, during Battle Phase, I can release another Entermate Monster I control to negate the Battle!"

Following Yusho's effect activation, Horizon Magician hit her staff to the ground, the shaking stopped Cyber Matrix's attack midway as the dragon lost its footing and fell.

"I was so close...!" Yukiya clicked his tongue in dismay at the close call. He almost had him. "I end my Turn."

Yusho stared at his opponent. He frowned upon seeing the desperate look on the boy's face. He seemed so fixated on winning. As if his very own life was one the line. As if he would lose everything if he lost against him now. It was to the point that winning is everything to him.

Those eyes that reflected sadness. Yusho recognized those eyes. He had seen it.

The same eyes as Zarc.

This boy was afraid.

"If Yuya is here, I don't think he will blame you. He talked a lot about you, Yukiya-kun." Yusho suddenly told the silver haired boy.

"What?" Yukiya tightened his hands.

"Around four years ago, when ARC-V was still separated into four dimensions, I went to Fusion Dimension without saying anything to anyone, including Yuya. It was at the same time as an important match. As the result, I lost by default and Yuya was bullied by people as a son of a coward." Yusho started speaking, telling his story. He didn't know what exactly happened to Yuya, though he had a bit inkling as to what happened, which he hoped won't come true.

"But even so, Yuya kept believing in me. He took on Strong Ishijima whom I was supposed to Duel to clear my name and our school's name. He succeeded. Thanks to that, our school can grow and become the way it is now." Yusho continued, recalling the events that led up to this point.

"Even though I'm not here, Yuya continued my teaching, making sure that the Entertainment Dueling I started, won't die. Seeing him work so hard, once I was back, I decided to do the same for this school together with my son. We will make sure our teachings, our belief, will be passed down to the next generations." Both Yusho and Yuya knew that they wouldn't live forever in this world. Every person will eventually reach their ends. But before that happens, they will make sure their legacy will stay alive, hoping it will bring more smiles to the future generations even after they are gone.

"Passed down...to the next generation...?" Yukiya repeated.

"Urgh...!" Yukiya had a sudden headache. He staggered as flashes of images along with voices came into his mind.

"Ever since my parents' death, I grew afraid that I will forget them. I tried my best to keep their memories alive by training hard to become a Duel Champion. But at the same time, while I have a lot of happy memories with them, I also feel pain, especially when I lose a Duel. I felt I have disappointed my parents and it reminded me how I lost them…"

"And then I thought that whenever I win, I am happy. When I am happy, it becomes less painful and reminds me how my parents always praised me. So, I thought I must continue to win in their memories as well as fulfilling my own dream. But as a result, I became so afraid of losing. I thought if I lost even just once, then everything precious to me would be taken away until I had nothing. That's why I listened and answered to everyone's expectations."

"Ah...!" Yukiya gasped upon remembering them. That was not his memory. That was Zarc's memory. The memory from the battle a year ago. The moment when Zarc's soul was finally purified for good. For him to have this vision... Was Zarc trying to tell him not to repeat the same mistake as he did? Not to let despair from losing loved ones take over his heart?

Yusho's words struck Yukiya hard. It didn't feel like he hadn't heard it before. It felt familiar. Then, he saw the students he passed by who were all practicing. The way they passionately practiced Entertainment Dueling, was like how Yuya dueled every time to give happiness to people around him.

"My Turn!"

"I activate Horizon Magician's second effect! Once per Turn, I can reduce Horizon Magician's ATK to 0 and take over one of the Monsters on my opponent's Field!" Yusho pointed at Cyber Matrix Link Dragon. Horizon Magician rode on Cyber Matrix's back, moving the dragon to Yusho's Field.

"And when I took control the Monster that was taken by using Horizon Magician's effect, that Monster gained ATK equal to Horizon Magician's ATK!" Yusho increased Cyber Matrix's ATK to 6000. Horizon Magician raised her staff above her head, unleashing rainbow-colored light that showered the entire Field, strengthening Cyber Matrix.

"Battle! I attack Cyber Cosmos Link Dragon with Cyber Matrix Link Dragon!" Yusho declared Battle Phase.

Horizon Magician pointed her staff towards Cyber Cosmos and Yukiya, directing the dragon she's riding on to move. Cyber Matrix roared and then opened its mouth wide. Azure-colored energies filled inside at a single point. Once it was accumulated enough, Cyber Matrix unleashed the powerful blast straight at Cyber Cosmos who was standing protectively in front of its master. At the same time, Horizon Magician coated the azure blast with green-colored petals.

The blast hit Cyber Cosmos, incinerating the dragon into nothing. The explosion of the blast turned into shimmering fireworks with flower petals filling the air as if welcoming the spring.

YUKIYA LP: 2400 = 0

Yukiya fell on his back, lying down on the floor as the Field dispersed. Yukiya could only look up at the ceiling until Yusho's face came into his view. The older man was staring down with a smile, prompting Yukiya to sit up.

"One's legacy will still be remembered. It will continue to live on with the new generation, giving hope and happiness to them. That will be the proof of our existence. That everything we have worked hard for was not meaningless." Yusho actually wasn't sure of himself if telling this to Yukiya would help him. Something inside him just strongly urged him to make this clear to Yukiya. This boy was a close friend of his son.

"Thank you for becoming Yuya's friend, Yukiya-kun. Please, continue to be his friend." Yusho gave Yukiya one last pat on his head before gently pulling the boy up, escorting him back to where Sara was waiting for them.

Yusho didn't say anything after that. He opted to return teaching his students who were now surrounding him, giving him praises and congratulations for his victory in the Duel. The students who were curious about Yukiya wanted to speak to him, but Yusho persuaded them not to because Yukiya was busy with something else and must depart early.

Yukiya stared hard at Yusho's back until Sara escorted him out of the school.

MEMORIAL – COLISSEUM OF THE STAR – MAIAMI CITY – ARC-V

Sara told Yukiya that the next place they will visit will be the last before they return to Cantidel. Yukiya's eyes quickly stuck at the monument standing in front of him. How could he forget about it, he always dreamt of this place. It was the place where Zarc and Ray dueled Yuya and Yuzu for the first and the last time before they passed on and reincarnated as Sara and himself. The best Duel that Zarc and Ray ever had.

"I heard that Yuya and the others came to this place once a month to pay their respect to Zarc and Ray. This monument was built in their honor, so no one would forget what happened. Before I brought you here, I asked Yuri about Zarc." Sara explained. Before she decided to take Yukiya to Maiami City, she asked Yuri more about Yuya and Zarc. She thought it was important and might mean something to Yukiya. And hearing Yuri's story, she knew it would be.

"You see, Yuya was really attached to Zarc. That's why, when he first met you, he was delighted because he thought he could start over again with Zarc. But then, Yuya realized that you're not Zarc, you are your own person." Sara started telling what she knew from Yuri. Yukiya didn't say anything, though in his mind he replied that he already knew about that.

"But even so, it wasn't easy for Yuya, because he was afraid that if he does, he might forget about Zarc. He might forget about his origin, forget everything they have went through. That there will be nothing left if he forgets about him." Sara continued, to which Yukiya, again, replied in his mind that he knew.

"But then, Yuya eventually realized that wasn't the case. Letting go doesn't mean he'll forget. He realized that Zarc has left many things and continue living within us." Sara said, and this caught Yukiya's attention.

"What?" Yukiya asked in confusion.

"Yuya has learned a lot from Zarc. What he learned from Zarc, Yuya always keeps it in his mind as to not repeating the same tragedy again. From the very beginning, his desire to make people happy originated from Zarc before he made it his own. And then there's also Pendulum Summoning. Zarc may no longer here, but he continues to give Yuya and the others the push they needed through what he taught them." For the first time, Sara looked at Yukiya again. She held his hand again gently in hers and smiled.

"The same also goes for Yuya. He may not be here with us anymore, but do you really think there's nothing left of him?" Sara asked Yukiya, as if knowing that Yukiya actually had already found his answer. She stayed silent as Yukiya was thinking.

Yukiya remembered the time when they visited You Show Duel School. Those students were there because they admired and were inspired by Yuya's Entertainment Dueling. And by practicing the teaching and belief that Yuya taught them, they will continue the same teaching and belief in Yuya's place once they became full-pledged Duelists. The Dueling that Yuya believed will be spread through them, giving people hope and happiness from now on to the future beyond them.

Not only them. Gongenzaka, Reiji, and every single one of his friends, they were all now not only fighting for the fate of the world, but also for Yuya's sake. Their hearts have been touched by Yuya, and they moved for his sake, continuing what Yuya has left for them. By doing so, they keep his memories alive.

Is there really nothing left of him?

No.

Does everything really become meaningless now that he is gone?

No.

Yuya has left many things that will always keep him alive in people's hearts, even without them realizing. The fact that they were moved by him is proof that Yuya's efforts weren't meaningless.

He thought he was already tired of fighting. He should already be. But something kept pulling him back from falling. He wondered why, but now, maybe he had finally found the answer.

Because he hasn't given up and thrown everything away. There are still things that he can't abandon. There are still a lot of things that he must fight for.

For the first time, Yukiya could see and feel Sara's hand holding him. Slowly, he held her hand in return and stared at her.

"I... don't want to lose you too..." Yukiya told Sara, tears started to brim in his eyes.

That's right. If he let Apophis win, then everything that Yuya fought for would be meaningless. There will be nothing left of Yuya's legacy if Apophis destroyed the world. And most importantly, he will lose all the remaining friends and family that he still has by his side. Losing Yuya already gave him so much anguished. If he stayed silent, then he'd lose Sara and the others too.

He can't let that happen. He won't.

But it doesn't mean that he should let that desire to protect change into obsession to win. Like Zarc once did.

Yukiya brought one of Sara's hands to his face, her palm touching his cheek, and for the first time, Yukiya smiled at her.

"Maybe I'll be troubling you again in our struggles from now on, but will still watch over me?" Yukiya asked her, causing Sara to smile back in return.

"I'll always watch over you, Yukiya." Sara replied.

He has decided.

In Yuya's place, he will fight.

CAVE OF DESIRE – MILLIA – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARC-V

Yuzu didn't understand why she was here. She didn't even remember agreeing to come here. But here she is, standing in front of a big cave together with Celica and Johan by her side. The cave at first glance looked like an ordinary cave, but it gave a cold feeling to anyone who came near it. Celica said that they were in her hometown, but instead of going around the town, Celica brought her deep into the forest until they arrived at this cave.

"This is called Cave of Desire. It was said those who entered this cave will receive their greatest desire, but in exchange, none of them ever leave this cave once they stepped in." Celica explained and pushed Yuzu nearer to the cave.

"I'm giving you two options. Will you enter that cave and try your luck, or I will free you from your misery by erasing your memories of Yuya." Celica told Yuzu, showing a bottle that seemed to contain a medicine.

"By drinking this medicine, you'll lose most of your senses. While the medicine is still in effect, I will make you forget about Yuya through suggestions." Celica leaned the bottle closer to Yuzu's face. Yuzu stared at the bottle while thinking about Celica's options.

Forgetting about Yuya will free her from the pain. But if she did, that means she will also forget her feelings for him, his feelings for her, every moment they have shared, she'll forget them too. Those precious memories will disappear. Their love for each other will be gone, like it never happened. Like it was never there to begin with.

"Are you going to pretend it never happened?"

No.

"You're really Strong Yuzu."

"Hey, now! Enough with that nickname!"

"Sorry, sorry! But still...thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything you have done until now. You're always stronger than I do ever since we were children. When I was bullied you were always there to protect me. And even now, you're staying by my side despite the danger."

"Of course, silly. There's no way I can leave you."

"Yeah…that's what...I like about you…"

Yuzu ignored the medicine in front of her and slowly walked towards the cave. She will never forget Yuya. Never ever. If the cave can really give her as she desires true to its name, then she'll take it. Maybe, she'll find Yuya there. Maybe she can see him again at leJohan tried to stop her, but Celica blocked his path, shaking her head and gave him a firm stare. They watched silently until Yuzu went into the dark cave and nothing of her was seen.

"Celica-san, are you sure it's okay to let Yuzu go in there? What if she doesn't return?" Johan questioned worriedly. When Celica said that she might find a way to help Yuzu, he never thought it would be this. True, it might help, but the chances are close to 0.

"The fact that she refused to forget Yuya is enough to show that she is not a lost cause yet. What Yuzu needs right now is not words of comfort." Celica replied calmly. She could understand Yuzu's predicament, for once she had also once in her position and entered that cave.

"The only way for Yuzu to return to her path, is by facing herself."


NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW:

Desire, Illusion, Truth – Entering the Cave of Desire, Yuzu is faced with all of her memories shared with Yuya. At the same time, at the realm of Duel Monsters, Gongenzaka and Sora split up from the group to find the village where the Superheavy Samurai Monsters live in and recruit the Monster necessary for Gongenzaka to overcome his Deck's weakness.


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