"DUEL!" Both Xyz Duelists shouted in unison, as the battle that tests their friendship begins.

"I'll go first! I set 4 cards. I end my turn." Yuto ended his turn as 4 set cards materialized in front of him.

"Hmph. That old strategy again. If you think that using the your most common strategy is going to help, then you are wrong! My turn, draw! I summon Raid Raptors-Vanishing Lanius!" Shun summoned his Lanius.

Vanishing Lanius: Level 4, 1300 Atk, 1600 Def

"Vanishing Lanius' effect activates, when it is Normal or Special Summoned, another Vanishing Lanius is Special Summoned, once again, the effect of Vanishing Lanius Special Summons another Vanishing Lanius! Battle, Vanishing Lanius, attack Yuto directly!" Shun declared as Vanishing Lanius flew towards Yuto.

"Double Trap, Activate! Phantom Knights Lost Vambrace! Two of your Vanishing Lanius' will lose 600 attack, then, these traps are Special Summoned as a Normal Monster in Attack Position!" Yuto explained.

Lost Vambraces: Level 2, 600 Atk, 0 Def

Vanishing Lanius: 1300-700 Atk

Vanishing Lanius: 1300-700 Atk

"I'm aware of the fact that your Phantom Knights Monsters can't be destroyed by battle for the rest of the turn! You still take the damage from the attack though! Go, Vanishing Lanius!" Shun yelled. Yuto stood in his place as he took damage.

Yuto: 4000-3900 Lp

Shun waited for a bit, thinking that Yuto was going to use something. "Strange. Normally, you use Phantom Knights Double Badge right after you take damage an attack on your Lost Vambraces in order to Summon Phantom Knights Cursed Javelin. No matter, attack, my second Vanishing Lanius!" Once again, Yuto showed no reaction.

Yuto: 3900-3800 Lp

"Take this! Go, my last Vanishing Lanius!" Shun yelled. Vanishing Lanius scratched its talons across the wall and onto Lost Vambrace, however, the latter stood strong. This time, Yuto flinched by the pebbles of the wall.

Yuto: 3800-3100 Lp

"I set 2 cards and end my turn." Shun concluded. "This is all that you've got? I've known you for years Yuto, I know you have more than this!" Yuto ignored what Shun said and started his turn.

"My turn!" Yuto drew his card, he took a look at his 2 Lost Vambraces and then back at Shun, knowing what to do. "I, using both of my level 2 Lost Vambraces to overlay! Piercing through ten thousand warriors, the cursed spear of rebellion entombed in darkness, descend now! Xyz Summon! Come forth! Rank 2! The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin!"

Cursed Javelin: Rank 2, 1600 Atk, 0 Def

"Cursed Javelin's effect, once during either player's turn, by detaching an overlay unit, I can negate the effect of a monster you control, then, that monster's attack become 0! I choose the Vanishing Lanius with 1300 attack!" Yuto pointed at Shun's Lanius as it flinched.

Vanishing Lanius: 1300-0 Atk

"Battle! Go, Cursed Javelin, attack Shun's Vanishing Lanius!" Yuto declared as Cursed Javelin jumped towards Vanishing Lanius.

"Trap activate, Raid Raptors-Risky Flight! If an attack position level 4 or lower Raid Raptors monster is being targeted for an attack, I can negate the destruction in that battle, then, the damage I take from the battle is halved. Finally, the Battle Phase ends!" Shun explained as Cursed Javelin stabbed Vanishing Lanius, however, the bird managed to survive. Shun winced in pain as he took damage.

Shun: 4000-3200 Lp

"I end my turn." Yuto ended.

"My turn, draw! I, using my 3 level 4 Raid Raptors Vanishing Lanius' overlay! Obscured falcon, raise your sharpened talons in front of adversity, spread your wings of rebellion! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 4! Raid Raptors - Rise Falcon!" Shun chanted as he slammed the card of his ace monster on the duel disk. In a wall of flames, Rise Falcon flew out.

Rise Falcon: Rank 4, 100 Atk, 2000 Def

"Rise Falcon's effect! Once per turn, by detaching an overlay unit, Rise Falcon gains the attack of all Special Summoned monsters except himself." Shun explained as a purple orb from Cursed Javelin connected with Rise Falcon.

Rise Falcon: 100-1700 Atk

"Battle! Go, Raid Raptors-Rise Falcon, attack Phantom Knights Cursed Javelin! Brave Claw Revolution!" Shun declared as Rise Falcon's body ignited with fire as it charged at Cursed Javelin.

"I activate the effect of Phantom Knights Cursed Javelin! Once during either player's turn, by detaching an overlay unit, I negate the effect of Rise Falcon and make its attack 0!" Yuto explained.

"Trap activate, Raid Raptors-Claws of Adversity! When a Monster effect, Magic, or Trap is activated, I can negate the effect, and then draw a card! Since Cursed Javelin's effect is negated, the attack continues! Eradicate Cursed Javelin, Rise Falcon!" Shun shouted as Rise Falcon struck Cursed Javelin, destroying it. Meanwhile, Shun drew a card from his deck.

Yuto: 3100-3000 Lp

"I set a card and end my turn." Shun told Yuto.

"My turn, draw! From my hand, I activate Rank-Up-Magic Burial of the Phantom Knights! I can Special Summon a Phantom Knights Xyz Monster in my grave! I revive Phantom Knights Cursed Javelin! Shun...I never wanted for this to happen. But, if we have to fight...then I will! Now, I can Special Summon an Xyz monster from my Extra Deck whose Rank is 2 higher than the revived monster! 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!" Yuto Xyz Summoned his ace monster as it roared in glory.

Dark Rebellion: Rank 4, 2500 Atk, 2000 Def

"Battle! Go, Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, attack Raid Raptors-Rise Falcon! Rebellious Lightning Disobey!" Yuto pointed at Rise Falcon as Dark Rebellion flew towards it with its fangs surging with electricity.

"Quick-Play, Rank-Up-Magic Escape Force! When an Xyz Monster I control is attacked, I can target that monster, negate the attack, and then I can Xyz Summon a Monster from my Extra Deck whose Rank is 1 higher than the Xyz Monster on the field. Ferocious falcon. Break through this fierce battle and spread your wings! Destroy our gathering foes! Rank Up Xyz Change! Appear! Rank 5! Raid Raptors - Blaze Falcon!" Shun shouted as Rise Falcon evolved into Blaze Falcon.

Blaze Falcon: Rank 5, 1000, 2000 Def

"I set a card and end my turn." A set card materialized in front of Yuto as he ended his turn.

"You're not winning! Whatever it takes, I will win! My turn, draw!" Shun shouted as he drew his card with so much force that a gust of wind lashed out at Yuto, making him cover his eyes.


Fusion Dimension

Yusho and Ryo had ran away from the Juvenile Officers, where Yusho at that point lead Ryo to a hidden place that had yet to be found by Academia.

It was a place where either people who want to fight against Academia or former members of Academia stay in order to not get caught by any members of Academia.

Yusho also taught some people there the art of Entertainment Dueling. The fact that Dueling shouldn't be used to fight, it should be used as a way to make friends and have a good time. Interestingly, Yusho named the place after his school in the Standard Dimension. He named the You Show Duel School, as a reminder…

Yusho and Ryo we're walking in the hallway, which had many doors, Ryo saw people laughing, eating, Dueling, or just talking to each other. It looked like what Academia used to be.

It was at this moment that Ryo noticed that Yusho was walking with a staff, acting as if it were a crutch.

"What happened to your leg?" Ryo asked Yusho with interest.

"Duel. I was dueling against someone from Academia. His name was...Edo Phoenix." Yusho answered Ryo's question.

"Edo Phoenix?!" Ryo questioned. He hadn't heard that name in a long time. They used to be good rivals, however, when Ryo started to question the beliefs of Academia, they kind of became enemies. In fact, now that Ryo defected, they actually were enemies.

That wasn't all, Yusho injured his leg in a duel? That seemed a little weird, you shouldn't be able to get injured during a duel.

"You're back, Yusho-sensei!" A voice interrupted Ryo's thoughts.

He looked at the person and saw the all too familiar blonde haired Obelisk Blue Girl. The one who was so pretty that basically every student in Academia had a crush on her.

"Tenjouin Asuka." Yusho greeted.

"You…" Ryo said to Asuka. Asuka looked at him.

"Ryo Marufuji...better known as Kaiser Ryo! I thought you were at Academia! What are you doing here?" Asuka asked.

"I should be asking you the same thing." Ryo responded. Ryo and Asuka were friends in Asuka's time at Academia. However, they don't really see each other much. "I thought you were with Academia's plan."

"I changed my mind. A girl at Academia who went to the Xyz Dimension told me all about it, how the soldiers were carding innocent people while laughing. With that, I didn't want to stay, so we left. We were able attacked by Juvenile Officers, they carded the girl, Yusho-sensei saved my neck and brought me here. I have been here ever since." Asuka explained her side of the story. "Anyways, what about you?"

"I found out that my brother was carded. So I had enough and decided to leave. I was attacked by Juvenile Officers, I beat some. More arrived, and Yusho here came and beat them." Ryo explained.

"Your brother Sho?! Ryo...I'm so sorry..." Asuka apologized for Ryo's loss.

"So, it definitely seems like you 2 know each other. Well, I should go back to my quarters. Ryo, you just get comfortable here. Asuka, show him around the place." Yusho commanded Asuka, trying to ignore about what just happened. Just what was Leo thinking, what was his goal in all of this? What would he benefit? Yusho was in a state of confusion, major confusion.

"Yes, Yusho-sensei."


Back at the duel

"As you should know, Blaze Falcon can attack directly. Battle! Go, Raid Raptors-Blaze Falcon, attack Yuto directly!" Blaze Falcon rammed right into Yuto, making him fly back.

"AHHHHHH!" Yuto yelled in pain.

Yuto: 3000-2000 Lp

"Now, Blaze Falcon's effect activates! When he does Battle Damage to you, I can destroy a monster you control. Disappear, Dark Rebellion!" Shun pointed at Dark Rebellion while Blaze Falcon's body ignited with fire as it flew towards Dark Rebellion.

"Trap activate, Phantom Knights' Wing! When a monster I control were to be destroyed by battle or effect, I can activate this card. The destruction is negated, and now Dark Rebellion gains 500 attack!" Yuto explained. Blaze Falcon collided with Dark Rebellion, however, the latter stood his ground.

Dark Rebellion: 2500-3000 Atk

"Grr...then, I activate the effect of Blaze Falcon! Once per turn, by detaching an overlay unit, I can destroy all Special Summoned monsters you control, then, for each one destroyed, you take 500 points of damage!" Shun told Yuto.

"Continuous Trap, Phantom Knights' Sword! Dark Rebellion gains 800 attack, however, if the equipped monster would be destroyed, I can send this card to the grave and negate the destruction. Of course, because of this, Dark Rebellion's attack returns from 3800 to 3000." Yuto said.

"I set a card and end my turn." Shun concluded. As expected Yuto was ready for whatever he threw at him. However, Shun wasn't going to lose.

"My turn, draw!" Yuto eyed the card he drew. He gasped, at that moment, he was trapped in a void of darkness. Suddenly, the face of a dragon cane and lit up the entire void with electricity. It was the face of the monster that made Yuto card an Academia Student and unintentionally harm Sawatari. It was Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon.

"You! No...stay back! I'm not being controlled by you again!" Yuto yelled as he took a step back.

Dark Requiem roared in response. It was calling to Yuto. For some reason, Yuto could feel like he knew what Dark Requiem was trying to tell him. To trust him, make him feel like a comrade and a friend. Dark Requiem only hurt Sawatari, the student that got carded, and that other student who carded Yuto's father because he wanted to protect Yuto.

"You...want to help me?" Yuto asked the big dragon.

Dark Requiem nodded in response.

"If this is going to work...you let me be in control of myself. No controlling me!" Yuto states his guidelines for if they were going to work together.

Dark Requiem roared in response. Yuto could tell that not only was the response one of agreement, it was also one of confusion.

However, before Yuto could ask the dragon, it let out its wings, which had a stained glass pattern on them. A bright light filled the void, which blinded Yuto. Yuto gasped, he was back in the alley where Shun was waiting for him to make his move. Yuto took one last look at the card. He had to trust Dark Require if he wanted to get this over with.

"Shun, in order to get you back, my old friend, who is trapped in rage and sorrow. I must give into the depths of purgatory! From my hand, I activate Rank-Up-Magic Phantom Knights Launch! Using this card, and Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, I can Xyz Summon a monster from my Extra Deck whose Rank is 1 higher!" Yuto explained. This shocked Shun.

"You're ranking up Dark Rebellion?! You've never done this before!" Shun exclaimed in shock. Yuto never ranks up Dark Rebellion, he normally ranks up a different Rank 4 monster instead.

"From the depths of purgatory, dedicate to the unsinking souls your song of rebellion! Appear and echo forevermore! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear, Rank 5! Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon!" Yuto chanted as Dark Requiem appeared, roaring in glory.

"A Rank-Up Dark Rebellion?!" Shun gasped as he looked at the dragon glaring at him

"Shun…" Yuto said.


3 years ago-Heartland Duel School-Spade Branch Classroom

A younger Shun and Shark was seen in their classroom getting ready for the teacher's directions.

"Class. Listen up now! Yuki stop chewing with your mouth open!" The teacher yelled. "Alright! Now, we have a new student joining our branch today. Everyone give a warm welcome to Yuto!"

The teacher stepped aside to reveal a boy. It was Yuto, albeit younger. Yuto took a polite bow towards the class.


Later

"Alright. Are we ready, we're going to the stadium. Yuto, hmm...your new to this so..." The teacher trailed off as he looked around the classroom. "Ah! Mr. Kamishiro and Mr. Kurosaki, would you please come up here."

Shun and Shark made their way over to the teacher, who was with Yuto.

"Since Yuto is new to this, I want you 2 to show him the ropes. Can I count on you?" The teacher asked.

"You can count on us." Shun replied with a smile.


Later

"So, Yuto, my name is Shun, Shun Kurosaki." Shun introduced himself.

"I'm Shark Kamishiro." Shark added.

Yuto smiled. "Nice to meet you both. This is a great start to my year already!"

"We should hurry to the stadium, I have a match today." Shun told them.


Later

"Go, Blaze Falcon, attack him directly!" Shun declared as the duel was finished with that attack. Shun's opponent got up and they shook hands in a friendly manner. Later, he found Yuto and Shark waiting for him.

"Nice." Shark complimented. Though, he didn't expect less from Shun. He was one of the most skilled Duelists he's ever known.

"You're really good, Kurosaki." Yuto told Shun.

"Thanks. But, Yuto, you can call me Shun." Shun told Yuto as he held out a hand as a sign of friendship.

Without hesitation, Yuto shook the hand. At that moment, a true friendship was born.


Now

"Shun...revenge isn't the right way to get Ruri or our other comrades back. And I'll prove it!" Yuto exclaimed as he pointed at Shun. "Shun! From here on out, the true fight has just begun!


Card Catalog

Raid Raptors-Claws of Adversity Trap: When a Monster, Magic, or Trap Card is activated wheel you control a Raid Raptors Monster, you can negate the activation, then, you can draw a card. If a Raid Raptors monster(s)would be destroyed, you can banish this Card from your graveyard instead.


Finally finished.

I don't know why it took me 6 days or whatever to upload a chapter that isn't even long at all. I'm sorry for the wait guys, I really am. For some reason, I was writing way slower than I usually do, I guess it was cause I missed out in some sleep in order to get this chapter out as fast as possible, but as you can see, that didn't turn out well. I'm sleepy right now, so if there are some mistakes in spelling grammar, or things like that I'm sorry.

Anyways, next chapter, Yuto and Shun will finish their duel. That's all I'm giving you for a heads up on the next chapter cause frankly, I am blanking out.

By the way, I got a challenge for you guys. I put in a reference to the dub of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX somewhere in this chapter. I wonder if you can find it.

That's all for now guys. I will try to get the next chapter out by next week. I feel like this was the worst chapter out of this story, so there is a small chance I will come back to this chapter and fix some things up. Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter.

Take care, goodbye.