Security Building-Roget's Office

Knock, knock, knock. The sound rang throughout Roget's office. The owner of the office froze in his place, about to move a pawn forward. He looked at the door.

"Come in."

The door was opened, and in came a guard, who bowed to Roget out of respect. "We have brought the one you have desired to see."

"Izayoi Aki?"

"Yes." The guard responded as he walked to the sides Roget could see Aki with handcuffs over her wrists with her hands behind her back. Another guard could be seen behind Aki.

Aki flinched as she was pushed into the room.

"Good, now, if you may please, leave the room." Roget commanded. Immediately, the two guards left the room as the door was closed, leaving only Roget and Aki in the room.

A long moment of silence occurred and no one said anything. Roget was looking at Aki with dull, emotionless eyes, while Aki refused to look at the man. She just kept looking down with a glum expression evident on her face.

"Izayoi Aki. Alias the Black Rose Witch. Daughter of the former senator, Izayoi Hideo. It says on your record that you went back and forth between the Tops and Commons areas of the city about 2 years ago. Then, one day, Security barged into your home, trashed the place, and arrested you, along with your parents." Roget started.

He paused, letting what he had said so far sink in.

"Then, a year or so later, you escaped the facility. Eventually, you went into the Commons area. The slums. Since then, you have been assaulting any member of Security that you could find in the Commons area. Is that about right?"

"How do you know that?" Aki questioned Roget, still refusing to look at him.

"How do I know that? Haha. I'm the Director of Security. Of course I know all of that. I have been here for quite a while now. About...3 years or so. I came to this position not so long before you started going into the Commons."

"Wait, that means…" Aki trailed off, fearing the worst.

"Yes. I am the one who ordered your arrest, and the separation between you and your parents." Roget said calmly.

"You bastard! Where are my parents?!" Aki roared out of anger as she tried to break out of the handcuffs, but to no use.

"Your parents? Oh, don't worry, they are fine. We at Security have been taking very good care of them…" Roget whispered into Aki's ear as he held her chin and forced the girl to look at him straight in the eyes. "Well, care to the point where they would at least survive."

Aki snapped at that statement, she slammed her head right into Roget's head, causing the man to yell out of pain as he grabbed his forehead. Aki grimaced as she felt the pain on her head also.

Roget got slightly ticked off, but he managed to maintain his composure, and continued to speak, albeit with a slightly agitated tone.

"Ok. Where were we? Oh right. Your parents are fine. However, I won't be handing them over to you. That is if you do a job for me."

"A job? I won't do anything for you!" Aki growled.

"You won't? Then...I guess your parents won't live then." Roget taunted.

"You wouldn't!"

"Do you want to test me?" Roget asked Aki.

Aki remained silent, ready to listen to what Roget had to say. Even if he was lying, she couldn't risk the lives of her parents.

"Now. Here is what I have in mind. You work with me permanently, and I will eventually let your parents free, as long as you continue of course. If you retire after they are free, I will lock you up in Solitary Confinement and murder your parents in cold blood!" Roget threatened menacingly. Aki flinched at hearing the part about murdering her parents.

"Of course, if you refuse. That is fine, I will simply drop you back at your quarters, and I will keep your parents captive. Of course, I don't think they can handle being locked up here for much longer." Roget guessed in order to persuade Aki. "Of course, the choice is yours in the end."

"I could have my parents back…" Aki whispered to herself softly.

"Yes. Oh, I almost forgot. We will support you with financial things so you can get a good start at a new life." Roget added to the proposition. "So, how about it?"

Aki paused to think about this. It was a short while, but it felt like an eternity to her. Save her parents, and work for Roget, or have them locked up and potentially end up dead.

"I…"


Yuto's Quarters-Right After the Duel

Yuto was frozen in his tracks. Shinji had to be taken away on a stretcher. How long would he stay under their care? Would they just leave him to die? Was he already dead? And if he got better, would they immediately throw him into the underground facility?

Those questions haunted him, as they were all very likely.

Izayoi Aki...she is dangerous.

Very dangerous.

Dangerous to the point where Yuto felt his hand quaking and sweat rolling down his face.

It's very hard to believe that when he met her she seemed like a nice girl. Maybe Aki was like Yuto himself. They were good people, but there was some force that was working against them.

The thing was, both of them didn't know what in the world that force was.

Suddenly, Yuto realized something. The Tops in the audience were clapping! They were glad that Shinji had gotten hurt. Just because he was a Commons. That ticked him off. A lot.

"Look at those people. They're enjoying this. The Commons get hurt, while they live in luxury and get a show put on for them. Disgusting!" Yuya spat at the thought of it.

"How could Yugo live in this dimension for all of his life?" Yuto wondered. He was truly amazed.

With all of this crap that goes on. The Commons get unfair treatment. They live in poverty struggling to survive while the Tops can get anything they want with the snap of their fingers like a genie.

"You said Yugo went after you because he lost his friend. I'm surprised he had a friend in the Commons. And he lost the friend. That must be hard on him, to lose his only friend. It is kind of like what would happen to me with Yuzu. The difference is, I have Gongenzaka and the others. Who does Yugo have?" Yuya questioned.

He finally understood why Yugo was being so headstrong. The person he was looking for was his only friend. And to lose that only friend...Yugo must be alone now...deep down, he must be in a lot of pain, and there is no left to save him from that pain.

There is no one who understands it.

In a way, Yugo and him were similar in that aspect. After his father disappeared, everyone resented Yuya, they didn't want to be friends with him, they made fun of him and called him a coward.

So he made a fool out of himself on purpose. So they could laugh with him...not at him.

But no matter what he did to make people like him, he was alone. He only had Yuzu, Gongenzaka, Yuzu's father, his mother, and at the time Futoshi and Ayu, as Tatsuya enrolled after Yuya discovered Pendulum Summoning.

The difference is, Yugo probably has no one left to care for him.

While rambling on his thoughts, Yuya was interrupted by the voice of Melissa Claire.

"Alright everyone, let's introduce the playing cards for the next match!" She had tried to keep her composure from what just happened in the last match.

"Playing cards…" Yuya repeated in a hushed tone.

"First up is this man!" Melissa pointed to the hologram of one of the contestants. "Chojiro Tokumatsu!"

With that introduction, the crowd, especially the Commons switched from being mad or scared to crazy happy as Tokumatsu rode on in on a d-wheel.

"Does the jog your memory? Back on the scene after ten years, this is Enjoy Chojiro himself!" Melissa commentated.

"Tokumatsu-san!" Ruri mused from her quarters with a small smile on his face.

Tokumatsu parked his d-wheel at the starting line. He raised his hand into the air as he began to speak.

"It's been a long time, ladies and gentlemen!" Enjoy Chojiro has now returned!" Tokumatsu called out to the entire audience.

Thanks to you, Ruri…Tokumatsu then thought to himself. You reminded me to enjoy Dueling. And I escaped the detention facility thanks to the inmates who covered for me. I'll definitely win!

"Who is that?" Yuya asked Yuto.

"Oh, I think you weren't paying attention to when I beat the Arrest Corps. That guy was with us. I don't know much about him though." Yuto answered.

"And his opponent!" Melissa started. "Damon Lopez!"

Although Damon was expected to come out, he didn't come.

Reiji narrowed his eyes when he noticed this.

"Uhh...Damon Lopez!" Melissa announced once again. However, Damon didn't come. "Ok, where is he? He's keeping us all waiting."

The crowd started to boo, saying that they wanted to see Chojiro Duel.

Someone ran up next to Melissa and gave her an envelope. She opened it and read. She widened her eyes after she finished reading.

"O-ok. It seems that Damon Lopez has apparently disappeared and wasn't in his quarters. Now while we would have a replacement, it has been decided to give Chojiro a free pass." Melissa told the audience.

Then…

"The Tops did it!" A Commons shouted at the top of his lungs so the other Commons in the audience could hear him.

Soon, the Commons starting bickering and yelling and blaming the Tops for the disappearance of Damon Lopez.

"We did not! How dare you lowlifes think that WE would dare land on you filth!" A Tops woman scoffed.

"Hey! Guys, stop!" Melissa screamed into the microphone, causing the audience to cover their ears. "So, because of the current inconvenience we will have to immediately move on to the fourth and final match of the day. Damon Lopez is disqualified, and Chojiro Tokumatsu will move on."

"I didn't even get to make my comeback!" Chojiro complained before getting serious. "What the hell happened to the kid anyway?"


Meanwhile-With Reiji-At the Building of the Executive Council

Reiji, Reira, and the council were watching what was happening. Ryoga and O'Brien were there too, as they had came back from what they were doing.

Then, a hologram of a man appeared in front of the council.

"Speak." Azul granted permission for the man to speak.

"Thank you." The hologram took a small bow before continuing. "We have decided to keep this a secret to the public, but Damon Lopez has recently been found. However, for some reason, his face is ingrained onto a Card. There was Card of his guide nearby also."

(For those of you wondering, no, the guide is NOT Sam)

"A Card?!" Ryoga repeated, eyes widened.

"Academia!" O'Brien spat. "Damn! Out of all times to send people! Most of our comrades our separated from us, and we haven't even grown in numbers since we got here!"

So, Academia has already started to move into this dimension. No doubt to view the weak points. However, shouldn't they have already sent a spy to this dimension a while ago, so they could start a full scale invasion with no problems. Why do it now? Reiji pondered on his thoughts.

"We must take action." Gale spoke first.

"We must not allow more of these incidents to happen. We must increase Security in the stadium, on the way to the grounds, and perhaps some other places." Gray continued.

"The public shall not hear word of this incident." Azul said.

"Correct, Chairman?"

"Yes." White Taki nodded. "If word got out, it could cause a commotion. And since tensions are already growing, the Commons might accuse the Tops of making such technology to dispose of them."

"That is all I came here to say." The hologram said as he gave her another bow before disappearing.

"It seems as if your enemies called Academia has appeared in this dimension." Gale started the talk to Reiji.

"We are counting on your Lancers to help should anything else happen." Gray followed.

"We will have to increase security and keep an eye open." Azul stated.

"Correct, Chairman?" Bordeaux asked.

"Correct. However, I don't think that there are many enemies, don't you think?" White Taki questioned Reiji.

"When Academia attacked the Xyz Dimension, they revealed themselves with a full frontal unexpected assault. They did something similar in Standard but not as severe. There might be only a couple of enemies if not only one soldier of Academia. Academia will reveal themselves with an all out attack." Reiji told the council on his thoughts.

Reira tightened her grip on her teddy bear.

"Excuse me." Reiji said to the council as he signaled for Ryoga and O'Brien to follow him. They did, and by instinct, Reira did as well. They all walked out of the room to talk in secret.

Once they were out of earshot, they began talking, with Ryoga making the first move. He punched his open palm with visible hostility, his blood boiling and his heart pounding.

"Damn it! Academia is starting to come here too!" Ryoga cursed under his breath.

"If they are moving into this dimension, that must mean they are beating the Xyz Dimension to the point where they only need a handful of soldiers to hold the fort." O'Brien guessed.

"No, if they were ready, Academia would have sent more soldiers." Reiji informed O'Brien with a calm voice. "My question is, why send a potential single person now? Why not do earlier?"

"That reminds me. O'Brien and I have suspicions…" Ryoga trailed off.

"Suspicions?" Reiji relayed, wanting to hear more.

"We have a feeling Dennis is undermining us." O'Brien told Reiji. "When Ruri and some others were thrown into the facility, they got the same cell as Shun, Shark, Gongenzaka, Dennis and I. Ruri had apparently already met Dennis-"

"Which in turn made his claim of being a student at LDS a complete lie." Reiji finished for O'Brien. "Don't worry, I have been keeping my eyes on Dennis, and I also have suspicions that he was a spy."

"Then, Dennis had out and said that he had originally came from the Xyz Dimension and was teleported to Standard." Ryoga filled in the rest of Dennis' story.

"Well, the one who Carded Damon Lopez and the guide wasn't Dennis. He was on his quarters, and he had no way of breaking out of his room. And if he did, the Security cameras would catch him." O'Brien said.

"Say, are there any cameras anywhere on the way to the grounds?" Shark asked.

"Yes. However, a little while ago, according to the council, the feed was temporarily cut out during the second match. So, it is likely that the Academia soldier temporarily disabled the feed and went to Card Damon and the guide." Reiji concluded.

"It can't be Serena. She defected from Academia." O'Brien muttered to himself.

"The council said not to tell the public about the incident, but the members of the Lancers are an exception. Fortunately, I have the contacts of the other Lancers except Kurosaki Ruri. So I can message those people easily." Reiji told the other two.

"I can message Ruri. Since we are in the dimension, we should be able to communicate, unless there will be something blocking the communication…" Ryoga stated a problem.

"Don't worry about it. I might be able to hack into the system and disable the Security. After all, you are talking to the person who made a dimensional transporter into a Duel Disk with basically scrap." O'Brien boasted, but kept such a serious face that it couldn't even be considered boasting.

"Good. That will be all for now. I will let Tsukikage in on the news as well. Now, we should head back before the council starts getting suspicious." Reiji suggested to the other two as he, and by default Reira walked away, although Reira was more like fast walking.

Ryoga and O'Brien nodded as they followed. "Agreed."


Back to the Stadium

"Ok, we are being told not to worry about it and to continue on with the tournament. So, let's get off that gloomy and mysterious topic with that fourth match!" Melissa exclaimed, only to find that no one listened.

This ticked her off.

"Hey! Are you guys even listening! Alright, maybe this will catch your interest! This next match will feature two female Duelists duking it out! The first one is a girl named Serena!" Melissa announced as a giant image of Serena was shown.

"I'm next." Serena said nonchalantly as she heard the door to her room unlock. She looked to see her guide standing at the entrance.

"Come on! Please be me!" Sawatari pleaded to the heavens. However, the gods weren't with him…

"And for our next female Duelist, Hiragi Yuzu!" A hologram of Yuzu appeared for the entire audience to see.

The audience stopped their bickering and actually decided to pay attention.

"IT'S NOT ME!" Sawatari shrieked.

"I'm against Serena!?" Yuzu gasped out of surprise. "Yuto and the others are watching. I get to show them that I am doing fine, and I get to show my further evolution!"

"She's going up before me? Damn it. Well, whatever. Good luck, Yuzu, and remember what I taught you before we got here." Yugo rooted for Yuzu.

"Now as this match came on such short notice, it will take a couple of minutes for the Duelists to get ready, so please stand by." Melissa said as she dropped her hands to her side, taking a deep breath. "Man, this is exhausting." She turned to one of the guys next to her. "Can you get me a bottle of water?"

"Yuzu is up next…" Yuya actually let out a smile of happiness. Finally, it felt like so long since he last saw Yuzu. It was really only a couple of days though.

Since Yuzu had disappeared, Yuya had felt a large void in his heart. Now, being able to see Yuzu, even if it isn't in the flesh, it was comforting. Yuya felt as if part of that missing void was filling up again. However, even if he saw Yuzu in the flesh, which was even better, there was still part of an empty heart inside Yuya.

"So that is Yuzu...the other girl who had the same face as me. That makes 3 other people with the same face as me!" Ruri did the math. "Which makes 4 people with the same face. Me, Yuzu, Serena and Rin."

"Yuzu...I want nothing but to take control of the body, break out of this room, run onto the grounds and let you know that I am alright…" Yuya spoke out loud, earning him a weird look from the Phantom Knights user at the part about taking control of the body.

Suddenly, a thought hit Yuto's skull. "Wait! I just realized, either Serena or Yuzu is going to be sent to the underground at the end of the Duel!"


Minutes Later

Tokumatsu had to leave the Field since it wasn't his match anymore.

"Alright, folks! The Duelists are finally ready! Introducing Serena!" On her word, Serena came out riding on her d-wheel. She parked at the starting line. The crowd started to cheer. "Next, is Hiragi Yuzu!" Yuzu came out on her d-wheel and the crowd began cheering even louder.

"Yuzu-chan! Do your best!" Someone yelled to Yuzu from the audience.

"Go beat that girl, Serena!" Multiple cheers equal for both girls were heard.

Serena and Yuzu ignored them and faced each other.

Serena didn't know how to react to this. At Academia, she was taught that feelings were useless. So she didn't know how to react to seeing someone like Yuzu. So she just did what she would say at the moment.

"I'm glad you're not Carded, Yuzu!"

Yuzu almost fell off her d-wheel after hearing that, she chuckled nervously. Obviously, Serena seems to lack in social skills.

"Uhh...it's good to see you to, Serena. So, judging from the fact that you are here, I assumed that you defected from Academia?" Yuzu asked, just be sure.

"Yeah. I went to Kurosaki, and he made me open my eyes to the ruthless actions of Academia." Serena replied.

Yuzu sighed out of relief. That was good. Serena was a powerful Duelist, so it was good to have her fighting for the right cause. To stop Academia.

"By the way, Yuto was looking for you." Serena told Yuzu.

"Yuto was?" Yuzu repeated out of confusion. "Good, he is fine." Now if only she knew if Yuya was safe as well.

"Without further ado, let's get this show on the road!" Melissa announced. "Action Field, on! Field Magic, Crossover Accel!"

A sphere of Action Cards appeared above the two Duelists.

Duel Mode, on! Auto-pilot! Standby!

A clock appeared in front of them counting down from 3.

3.

Serena gripped her handlebar as she narrowed her eyes.

2.

Yuzu glanced at Serena, gulping out slight fear before looking forward.

1.

I've got to win! To show how I've changed!

"Riding Duel! Acceleration!" A bell was heard as the Duelists began riding off. Serena remained calm while Yuzu's d-wheel slightly dipped upwards as she screamed before hitting the ground and launching away like a rocket.

"DUEL!" Yuzu and Serena declared in unison. Albeit, Yuzu said it in a frightened way.

"AHH!" Yugo smacked himself on the head as he watched the Duel. "Is she really going to be ok? I barely taught her how to ride after all!"

This is scary. Yugo said that it's not easy to fall off a d-wheel, but...Despite her fears, Yuzu kept riding, and she managed to the hang of it as she caught up to Serena, who had a head start.

While driving, Serena also had some thoughts in her head.

Yuzu is at an advantage here. She has seen me Duel once before, I haven't. She knows how I play. But still, I have to make sure that I get the second move. Serena thought to herself.

From what I saw in her Duel with Dennis, Serena's Deck is focused on finishing the opponent in one turn or dealing massive amounts of damage. Bloom Diva can easily counter Cat Dancer though. So, as long as I will be able to Summon her, I will be fine. Serena will be looking to go to second, so I've got to take the first move and see what I get! Yuzu thought as she accelerated towards the first corner, with Serena noticeably taking her time, slightly accelerating so she could at least be slightly behind.

"Huh? Serena is staying behind! Is something wrong with her d-wheel?" Melissa wondered. For most of the Riding Duels she had seen, people often rushed at the chance to get the first move.

"Serena wants to get set up for a one turn kill, just like she did against me." Dennis muttered.

Yuzu and Serena made it to the first corner, with Yuzu reaching first.

"As expected, Serena let me get the first move." Yuzu said to herself as she made the turn along with Serena.

"Alright, Yuzu. Show me your strength as a Duelist!" Serena slightly encouraged Yuzu.

"Don't worry! I won't disappoint! My turn!" Yuzu gazed at her Hand briefly, cursing internally.

Damn it! I don't have anything that can bring out Bloom Diva! For now, I just have to wait it out. Hopefully, Serena won't be able to finish me off…

"I Summon Melodious Diva Opera from my Hand!" Yuzu swiped the Card onto her Duel Disk. A Monster in a purple dress with pink hair came on a high note to the Field.

Melodious Diva Opera: Level 4, 2300 Atk, 1000 Def

"What is this?! A level 4 2300 Attack Monster!" Melissa gasped out of shock.

"Now, normally, this a Card wouldn't be able to attack the turn it is Summoned, but since I am going first in this Duel, that won't matter. I activate the Continuous Magic Card Fortissimo! Once per turn, I am allowed to increase the Attack of a Melodious Monster I control by 600 until my next Standby Phase!" A Magic Card depicting a sun with two large lowercase f's with a Melodious Monster in between them appeared in front of Yuzu. "I have Opera as the target!"

Melodious Diva Opera: 2300-2900 Atk

"And just like that Hiragi Yuzu has already brought out a Monster with 2900 Attack Points!" Melissa gasped at the sight.

With this, Serena won't be able to pull off her one turn kill combo. Yuzu thought to herself. However, there is one more thing…

"I activate the Continuous Magic The Fountain in the Sky! Now, when a Light Monster I control is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, I can banish the Card and gain life points equal to the Attack of the banished Monster!" Yuzu explained the effect of her Card.

"She has protected herself from Serena's combo for the most part." Yuya noted with a small smile on his face. It was just great seeing Yuzu Duel again after all of this time.

"I end my turn." Yuzu concluded as she looked back at Serena, who kept a neutral expression on her face.

"My turn!" Serena drew her Card. "Just because I am grateful for you opening my eyes to Academia's cruelty, that doesn't mean I have lost my sense as a warrior! I will fight my hardest and win, Yuzu!"

Yuzu remained silent as she looked at Serena. She still had that battle hardened personality. And she still doesn't really know how to be wary of feelings. She is taking this Duel as a battle even though it should be for fun.

"I, using the Scale 1 Moonlight Wolf and the Scale 5 Moonlight Tiger, set the Pendulum Scale!" Serena swiped her new Cards across the edges of her Duel Disk, the word PENDULUM appeared across the disk.

"What?! Serena has Pendulum Cards?!" Yuzu exclaimed out of shock. Since when did she get them?

Two columns of light formed beside Serena, one on each side. The Monsters rose up inside the columns as numbers appeared below them along with a swinging pendulum in between.

"It seems that Yuto isn't the only one with Pendulum Cards!" Melissa spoke.

"No doubt that Akaba Reiji gave her those Cards." Yuto told his thoughts out loud to Yuya, who nodded his head.

"With this I can Special Summon Monsters from levels 2 to 4! Pendulum Summon! Dance to the Field, my Monsters!" Serena cried out as she raised her hand to the sky.

"That girl is amazing!" Someone ushered as other positive comments about Serena was heard. "She's quite the looker too!"

"First is Moonlight Purple Butterfly! Next, Moonlight White Rabbit! Following that we have Moonlight Kaleido Chick! And finally Moonlight Black Sheep!" Serena Pendulum Summoned 4 Monsters.

Moonlight Purple Butterfly: Level 3, 1000 Atk, 1000 Def

Moonlight White Rabbit: Level 2, 800 Atk, 800 Def

Moonlight Kaleido Chick: Level 4, 1400 Atk, 800 Def

Moonlight Black Sheep: Level 2, 100 Atk, 600 Def

"And just like that, Serena has thrown out 4 Monsters! However, in doing so, she has lost her entire Hand! How will she proceed?" Melissa asked the question the audience was thinking.

"I activate White Rabbit's effect! Once per turn, I am allowed to return a Magic or Trap Card on the Field to the Hand! I return The Fountain in the Sky!" Serena pointed to Yuzu's Magic Card as it disappeared. Yuzu put the Card back in her Hand.

There goes regaining my life points! Yuzu grit her teeth.

"Next, I activate the Pendulum effect of Moonlight Wolf! Once per turn, I am allowed to Fusion Summon a Moonlight Monster from my Extra Deck by banishing Fusion Materials on my Field or in my Hand! I banish Kaleido Chick and White Rabbit!"

Serena's two Monsters came closer together as they entered a vortex, going round and round until they eventually meet in the middle.

"Chick that soars through the darkness! The lively white rabbit illuminated by moonlight! Swarm in a vortex of the moon's gravity and revive with a new power! Fusion Summon! Come to me! Moonlight Cat Dancer!" Serena recited the chant for her ace Monster as it was Summoned to the Field.

Moonlight Cat Dancer: Level 7, 2400 Atk, 2000 Def

"When Kaleido Chick is banished, this effect is activated! You can't activate Cards or effects during the Battle Phase of this turn! Next, I activate Purple Butterfly's effect! By releasing this Card, I can give a Fusion Monster I control 1000 Attack!" Serena explained.

"What?! Then that means…" Yuzu trailed off as she watched Cat Dancer's Attack rise.

Cat Dancer: 2400-3400 Atk

"Next I activate Cat Dancer's ability, by releasing a Moonlight Monster, this Card is allowed to attack all Monsters you control, but they aren't destroyed by the first battle! Now, attack! Cat Dancer!" Cat Dancer, on Serena's command, proceeded to jump on in the air and subsequently dive down and strike Yuzu's Monster with her dagger. The Melodious Monster cried out in pain as particles came out and bombarded Yuzu, who kept herself steady to avoid falling.

Yuzu: 4000-3500 LP

"Now, finish your enemy off, Cat Dancer! Full Moon Cresta!" Serena commanded. Cat Dancer finished the job by kicking Yuzu's Monster on the head, destroying her. Yuzu grit her teeth as she took more damage.

Yuzu: 3500-3000 LP

"With that I end my turn." Serena told Yuzu as she raised a fist. "Now! Come! Show me your Evolved strength, Yuzu!"

"Just like that, she took down a 2900 Attack Monster with ease!" Someone from the audience mused.

"She's incredible!" Someone said.

Two Tops citizens were watching the Duel as they were sipping on a drink. One was a men in a tuxedo and another was a woman on a green dress.

"That Serena girl is wonderful. If we were to place bets, then my money would be on her." The man told the woman.

"Hmph! The Duel just started. The pink-haired girl named Yuzu still has a chance to turn it around!" The woman rooted for Yuzu instead of Serena.

"Serena, I know you have been at Academia for a while now, and that it has not taught you many other things except Dueling. But...you need to learn to have fun once in a while. Not every Duel is a fight for survival. It's not like that here. It doesn't need to be like that." Yuzu told Serena.

Serena remained silent, ready for Yuzu to begin her turn.

"My turn, draw! I won't be scared anymore! I need to show that I can hold my own in the heat of war! And by showing that, I have to defeat you, Serena! When I look at you right now, it makes me realize how weak I am! Yet how strong I COULD be!" Yuzu bellowed.

She wants to defeat me for that purpose. She looks up to me this much. Defeating me is one of her goals, to prove her worth and get stronger. Serena smirked a little. And here I thought it was the other way around. You opened my eyes Yuzu, for that, I owe you. I see you and I realize what a person can be. I thought it was me who was behind. But you think differently…

"I Summon Melodious Songstress Soprano!" Yuzu slammed her Monster Card onto her Duel Disk.

Melodious Songstress Soprano: Level 4, 1400 Atk, 1400 Def

"I activate Soprano's effect! I am allowed to Fusion Summon a Monster from the Extra Deck using Monsters in my Hand or on my Field as Materials! I fuse Soprano with the Melodious Maestra Prodigy Mozart in my Hand!" Yuzu listed her desired Fusion Materials. "Supreme prodigy! Noble resonance! The flutter of angel wings! By the guidance of the baton, assemble your power. Fusion Summon! Now on stage, the song of passion! Melodious Floral Saint Bloom Prima!"

Bloom Prima: Level 7, 1900 Atk, 2000 Def

"Hmph. You have to do better than that if you wish to surpass me, Yuzu! Your Bloom Prima has only 1900 Attack!" Serena reminded Yuzu. "On the other hand, my Cat Dancer has 3400 Attack!

"This Card gains 300 Attack for each Fusion Material for the Card's Summon! There were two! So, Bloom Prima gains 600 Attack Points!"

Bloom Prima: 1900-2500 Atk

"I activate the effect of Fortissimo! I give my Monster 600 Attack!" A purple aura appeared around Yuzu's Monster as it got stronger.

Bloom Prima: 2500-3100 Atk

"Finally, I activate the Equip Magic Sword of Dalga, and I equip it to Bloom Prima! Bloom Prima gains 500 Attack Points!"

Bloom Prima: 3100-3600 Atk

"Bloom Prima's Attack is higher than Cat Dancer's." Yuto viewed the Field.

Serena clicked her tongue out of annoyance.

"Fortunately for me, Bloom Prima can attack twice per Battle Phase!" Yuzu revealed the additional effect of her Monster.

"What?!" Serena gasped out of shock as Yuzu closed her eyes.

"What's this?! Hiragi Yuzu has now out the tables in her favor!" Melissa cheered. "Now that is called girl power!"

"Yuya, please watch over me." Yuzu silently prayed as she shot open her eyes, turning her body so she could see Cat Dancer. She thrusted her hand at the Monster. "Go, Bloom Prima!" Bloom Prima opened her mouth and let out a wave of shockwaves at Cat Dancer, causing Serena's Monster to crumble into pieces.

Serena: 4000-3800 LP

"Now! Remember, this Monster can make another attack! Direct attack!" Yuzu declared as her Monster let out even more shockwaves, enveloping Serena as she grunted out of pain, her d-wheel proceeded to do a 360 as Serena slowed down, before speeding up again to catch up to Yuzu as they made a turn.

Serena: 3800-200 LP

"Nice job, Yuzu. You took out more than half of her life." Yuzu was unknowingly congratulated by a spectating Yuya.

"Once again, I activate The Fountain in the Sky! And with that, I end my turn." Yuzu concluded.

"Not bad Yuzu. I have seen your growth as a Duelist. Just like a young flower, you are still waiting to blossom!" Serena informed Yuzu as she placed her hand on the top of her Deck, ready to start getting serious.

"My turn, draw! I activate the Pendulum effect of Moonlight Tiger! Once per turn, I can target a Moonlight Monster in my Graveyard! I can Special Summon that Monster with its effects negated and by stripping its ability to attack. Also, the Monster is destroyed at the end of the turn. Revive, Moonlight Cat Dancer!" Serena pointed to her Field as one of the zones got filled by the Fusion Monster.

"Cat Dancer is back...don't tell me she is setting up for another Fusion Summon!" Yuzu widened her eyes.

"Next, I activate the Magic Card Pendulum Fusion!" A Card depicting two Pendulum Cards swirling into the Fusion vortex appeared in front of Serena. "Using this Card, I am allowed to Fusion Summon a Monster from my Extra Deck using Monsters I control along with Cards in my Pendulum Zones!"

"What?! A Fusion Summon using Monsters in the Pendulum Zones?!" Yuya couldn't believe his eyes. Serena had gotten Pendulum a Cards not so long ago and she was already doing this?! Yuya himself hasn't been able to do this!

"I fuse Moonlight Tiger and Moonlight Wolf! Striped tiger that pounces at night! Wolf that howls at full moon! Spiral into the moon's gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon! Come to me! Moonlight Cat Fusionist!" A cat with purple and blue stripes appeared to the Field. The cat had a green dress with black stockings.

Moonlight Cat Fusionist: Level 6, 1900 Atk, 2400 Def

"Yet another Fusion Summon from Serena! It seems to be a battle of Fusion between these two girls!" Melissa commentated as the two girls made yet another turn.

"I activate Moonlight Cat Fusionist's effect! When this Card is on the Field, I can Fusion Summon a Moonlight Monster from my Extra Deck using Monsters in my Hand or on my Field! I fuse Cat Fusionist and Cat Dancer!" Serena declared.

"A second Fusion Summon?!" Yuzu said as she sharpened her gaze at her Fusion counterpart.

As expected of my Fusion counterpart. I had expected that she would be finished if she didn't get her one turn kill combo off. It looks like she still has some more options to keep up the fight. I have to be careful with this new Monster. Yuzu thought to herself as she heard Serena reciting a chant.

"The beautiful beast dancing in the moonlight! Cat with the eyes of a vortex! Swarm in the vortex of moon's gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Elegant beast dancing in the moonlit wilderness! Moonlight Panther Dancer!" Serena Fusion Summoned her Monster as it danced to the Field, floating alongside Serena.

Panther Dancer: Level 8, 2800 Atk, 2500 Def

"A Monster Fusion Summoned using Cat Fusionist gains 1000 Attack until the end of the turn!" Serena revealed.

Panther Dancer: 2800-3800 Atk

"Panther Dancer can all of your Monster's twice each! They cannot be destroyed by the first battle!" Serena told Yuzu.

"OH! The same effect as Cat Dancer but without a tribute needed!" Melissa noticed.

"Now! Go! Panther Dancer!" Panther Dancer jumped into the air towards Yuzu's Monster. Serena eyes saw an Action Card and she drove to her left as she grabbed it. "Action Magic! Attack Force! If a Monster I control battles a Monster you control, my Monster gains 600 Attack!"

Panther Dancer: 3800-4400 Atk

"4400 Attack Points! How incredible!" Melissa yelled through her microphone. The audience started cheering at the Duel.

"Kgh!" Yuzu grunted as the Attack connected, however, her Monster remained on the Field.

Yuzu: 3000-2200 LP

"Now! Panther Dancer! Destroy Yuzu's Bloom Prima!" Serena declared the finishing blow to Yuzu's Monster.

Yuzu saw an Action Card in the air. She rode to the side and launched herself in the air. The audience saw her in front of them and they started to clap. Yuzu grabbed the Action Card.

"Action Magic! Damage Banish! The damage I take from this attack becomes 0!" Yuzu exclaimed as Panther Dancer scratched Bloom Prima with her claws, destroying the Monster. Yuzu made no reaction as she took no damage.

"I activate the effect of my Fountain! I banish Bloom Prima! Her attack is 1900! So, I gain 1900 life points!" A white Fountain appeared in front of Yuzu as an image of Bloom Prima appeared out of it. The image turned into a white fire as it rushed to Yuzu and enveloped her, giving her more life points.

Yuzu: 2200-4100 LP

"And Hiragi Yuzu has more life points than she had at the beginning of the game!" Melissa continued to spectate and commentate the match. "If I wasn't mistaken, I would say that Serena will lose next turn!"

"Not bad, Yuzu. I end my turn. With this, Panther Dancer's Attack returns to normal." Serena closed her eyes as her Monster lost power.

Panther Dancer: 4400-2800 Atk

Yuzu and Serena were getting a positive reception from the audience.

"All right! Now this is a Duel!" Someone shouted out of satisfaction.

"I really wish these two didn't have to knock one another out of the competition…" A female were heard murmuring.

"I don't care who wins this one! I just want it to keep going!" Another person exclaimed.

Then, a cheering started between the audience. Two sides. One side was rooting for Yuzu, the other for Serena.

Serena looked around at the audience. She felt the excitement of a Riding Duel now. An excitement, that she for some reason wasn't feeling earlier. Is this how Yuzu felt in that Miami Championship thing? Emotions that Serena had never felt before flooded through her. But...what were these emotions?

Yuzu glanced at her Hand and remembered she had no Cards left. She had nothing on her Field with the exception of The Fountain in the Sky and Fortissimo.

"Hiragi Yuzu has no Cards in her Hand, and she only has two Continuous Magic Cards on her Field! Can she turn this around?" Melissa asked rhetorically.

"Serena has this game in the bag." Someone proclaimed.

"I and my hopes up, but Hiragi Yuzu lost this once." Someone agreed.

"Damn it! Just when it was getting good too!" A Tops male pouted.

"Yuzu has to be the rest of this Duel on this last draw." Yuto spoke calmly.

"If she can get a Monster with at 2200 Attack Points or more, then she might be able to stall for another turn with Fortissimo." Yuya laid out Yuzu's potential plan for survival.

It all counts on this one draw! Yuya, please! Give me strength! Yuzu pleaded. Suddenly, she realized something. Yuya was in these situations a lot. And there was one thing he usually did when he was in a pinch like this…

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" Yuzu quoted Yuya and Yusho's catchphrase. Yuya gasped as he heard this three words that he himself hasn't said in a while.

"Yuzu…"

"As you can see, my opponent has driven me into quite a pinch! I am left with no Monsters, no Cards in my Hand, and only 2 Continuous Magic Cards! It now depends on this one draw! And this one...will be a Destiny Draw!" Yuzu placed her hand on the top of her Deck.

"Hoh! It seems as if Hiragi Yuzu is moving on without any hesitation! Will her Deck respond to her will?!" Melissa wondered as she continued watching.

About half of the audience was cheering. People were saying "Go, Yuzu-chan!" and "Show that Serena who's the real Fusion user!"

"DRAW!" She glanced at her drawn Card and grinned. She held the hand with the Card up. "It's here! I activate the Magic Card Monster Reborn! With this Card, I am allowed to revive a Monster in either of our Graveyards! Come to me, Melodious Maestra Prodigy Mozart!"

Prodigy Mozart: Level 8, 2600 Atk, 2000 Def

"Next, I activate the effect of Fortissimo! I give my Prodigy Mozart 600 Attack Points!" Yuzu pointed to her ace as it gained a yellow aura.

Prodigy Mozart: 2600-3200 Atk

"Battle! Prodigy Mozart, attack Moonlight Panther Dancer! Graceful Wave!" Mozart let out a wave of musical notes at Panther Dancer.

"Nice job, Yuzu!" Yugo cheered from his quarters.

Serena noticed an Action Card and drove over to get it. She reached out for it and grasped in her hand. She quickly activated it. "Action Magic! Evasion! The attack is negated!" Panther Dancer leaped over the wave, landing near Serena as she floated in the air alongside her owner.

Yuzu ended her turn as she glanced at Serena, who was looking down with her hand on the top of her Deck.

Serena had finally got it now. She knew what it was…

The emotions rushing through her right now. They were feelings of suspense, excitement and…

Fun?

I...am having fun in a Duel? Serena pondered in her thoughts. Yes. There is no doubt. This is what fun feels like. I don't remember having 'fun' in a Duel for a long time.


Flashback-8 Years Ago-Fusion Dimension

"My parents...they resented me. They wanted a son, not a daughter. They saw that I couldn't do anything that they asked me to do. I was a loose cannon in the school they put me in. I never made any friends."

"However, those weren't the reasons why they resented me. The real reason was that for some reason, at night, I would wake up in a trance, chanting something."

"Hey! Can you make out what she is saying?!" Serena's father asked the first night it happened.

"Quiet! I'm trying to listen!" The two became tense and quiet as they tried to listen to the words Serena was saying.

"Must...find...the boy...of destruction...and fear…" A 6-year old Serena chanted. Her parents noticed her bracelet was blinking as they peered into her room. She was sitting up in bed, with her eyes wide open with no emotion, she didn't even notice her parents looking at her. It was as if she was possessed.

"Must...find the boy...before it's too late…" Serena whispered, but loud enough so the parents could hear.

"Find the boy?" Serena's mother mouthed.

"The...entire world is...in danger...if I don't find him…" Serena continued to chant.

"Must. Stop. Unification. Of...the dragons…" Serena paused.

"Our daughter...is crazy…" Serena's father spoke in a fearful tone.

"Dear! Let's not give up on our daughter! Perhaps this is a sleepwalking kind of thing." Serena's mother said.

"She isn't walking! And how can you explain her bracelet?" Serena's father asked.

"We could get rid of it." Serena's mother answered as the both glared at the bracelet.

They had gotten rid of it immediately, but when they saw Serena the next day, they found that the bracelet was back on her wrist.

They heard Serena chanting the same words that night. They got rid of the bracelet again, and the cycle continued for a week. Then, they decided not to get rid of the bracelet.

"I remember clearly, at one point, they had enough. They tried to kill me many times. But, somehow, the bracelet protected me.

Her father had tried drowning her multiple times. Not any other method. He didn't want to try any other method, cause he didn't want to kill a kid in cold blood, even if the kid was a freak!

Eventually, the chanting actually got louder, and it drove Serena's parents mad.

Who did she want to find? What unification needed to be stopped?!

Then…


One Night

Serena was gone…

Her parents panicked and rushed out of the house to look for her. They looked on the roof of their house and saw Serena standing there, with no emotion in her eyes.

"I must prevent the resurrection of Z***!" Serena, who seemed to be posed shouted to the sky. Some people woke up because of it. They went out of their houses to see what was going on. They saw Serena on the roof.

"SERENA!" Her dad bellowed. He was pissed. "GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW!"

No response.

"Who the hell is Z***?" Serena's mother questioned.

"No...we cannot do this much longer! We took time off of work to take care of her! We need to leave her! Who knows what could happen to us if this continues! She could try to kill us!" Serena's father told his wife.

Serena's mother paused, thinking very hard on what to do. They couldn't just leave their daughter...could they?

Sure, taking care of her as harmed them financially, but it's their daughter! They have to take care of her...but then again, what good would she be? She wasn't good at anything. Not good at chores, not good at school. The girl had no future...they would be much better off getting rid of her…

"Fine." Serena's mother gave up with her daughter. The other people on the neighborhood came to the house.

"What the hell is she doing up there?!" Someone wondered.

"Get rid of her!" Multiple people shouted, and this soon began a chant.

"Just kill her!"

Silence.

Whoever had said slapped his own face. What was he saying? They couldn't kill her. She was just 6-years old! But, she was acting creepy. She was always creepy after all. She wasn't human…

"It's not possible. The bracelet is somehow preventing her death." Serena's dad said.

"Get rid of the bracelet then." Someone replied.

"Also impossible, somehow, it always pops back onto her wrist later, and the powers of the bracelet still work even if it isn't on her wrist." Serena's father replied.

Whispers went throughout the crowd. Most of them of Serena not being human because of the bracelet.

"So, they sent me off to an orphanage. There, my parents had spilled the beans on how I chanted weird things at night. The other kids overheard and they rejected me. The memories of those nights came back to me when I tried to sleep. I knew the reason why they sent me off, but it was far too late…"

"My parents had moved away to get as far away from me as possible. I never had any friends, I stayed in my room all day, and I could never have fun because of no friends. Then, one day, I had decided to leave my room."

Serena left the building as she walked around the structure, as she was still in the grounds of the orphanage. Then, when she reached the back, she heard…

"Hey, stop that! Please! Don't!" A boy that sounded to be about Serena's age begged.

Serena looked over to see a boy with purple hair that looked like...cabbage? Anyways, he saw him jumping, trying to reach a Card an older and taller boy had in his hand. The boy was holding the hand with the Card up so the cabbage boy couldn't reach the Card.

"No! Why would I give this powerful Card to a freak like you?!" The bully laughed.

"Please! That's been with me my entire life! I can't lose it!" The boy cried out loud.

Serena had decided to step in.

"Oi! What are you doing?" Serena questioned the big guy. "Give the kid his Card back!"

"Haha! Look at this, a little girl who thinks that she can 'play hero.' Hahaha!" The bully cackled along with some of his friends.

Serena formed a fist with her hand and walked straight up to the guy. She kicked the guy in the...well...let's just say that he that the way he doubled over and groaned out of pain as he held his crotch is how he expressed his pain of being kicked in a certain place.

"Ok! I give! I give!" The boy croaked as Serena had prepared to trample him. "Take the Card...just don't hurt me!"

Serena snatched the Card out of his hand. She turned to cabbage boy. "Let's go."


Later

Serena gave the cabbage boy his Card. So, as a way to say thanks, cabbage boy let Serena into his room.

Immediately, Serena saw the standard room. A small square room with a Bedouin the corner, and a table next to the bed. The boy had a Deck on the table along with a bottle of water along with an empty glass next to the bottle.

"You Duel? I thought that Card was your only one." Serena expressed her thoughts to the boy.

"No. I have a Deck. But, this Card is important to me…" The boy looked at the Card and smiled. The Card was named Starve Venom Fusion. The boy suddenly realized something. "Oh yeah, I never said thank you for getting my Card back. My name is Yuri."

Serena paused when she heard the boy actually introduce himself politely. It took everything she had not to respond harshly, as she thought this was a joke. However, there was something about the kid…

"Serena." She spoke.

"Huh?"

"My name is Serena." The girl repeated.

"Cool! Great to meet you celery!" The boy responded, Serena twitched when she heard him mispronounce her name, but she maintained her composure.

"The name...is Serena. Not celery." Serena corrected.

"I know. I just wanted to see how you reacted Celina." Yuri said the incorrect name once again on purpose.

Ok, this kid was a bit of a troll.

Serena sighed.

"So...I...never really had a friend before…and uh...you...seem like a nice girl...so uhh…" Yuri's face flushed red as he couldn't finish his sentence.

Serena froze. He was asking her to be his friend? No, he only wants her to be his friend because he had no friends. If he had some, he wouldn't bat an eye on the subject.

"You just want a friend. I refuse." Serena declined as she crossed her arms and looked away.

"You seem lonely too, Serena. I see you in your room every time I walk by." Yuri told the Moonlight user. "You seem...lonely."

Serena once again froze, before sighing in defeat. "Fine...we can be friends…"

"Yay! I have a friend! I have a friend!" Yuri cheered as he ran circles around Serena. "Oh, oh! Do you have a Deck?! If so, then can we have a couple of Duels? As a friend, it would be great! As...everyone who Duels me gets scared…"

Serena's ears perked up at that. Scared, of this kid?

"You see, they say I'm a monster, cause I do real harm in a Duel. Because of that, people ignore me. They hate me. That's part of the reason why the guy earlier took my Card, because...that one...terrified him." Yuri's outgoing personality soon turned into a depressed one.

"They don't see you as human." Serena deduced.

"Yeah…"

"I know how that feels."

"You do?" Yuri looked at Serena out of confusion.

"My parents left me here. They're not coming back. They think I am a freak." Serena's expression visibly darkened.

"You're not a freak. You...seem like the nicest person I've ever seen. And I barely know any nice people." Yuri told Serena.

"Hmm...maybe you're not so bad after all. I'll come by more, Yuri."

"Please do! And thank you for being my friend! It really...makes me happy!" Yuri let out a wide smile filled with joy.

"That guy and I became fast friends. And I was having fun with him, albeit, I got my ass handed to me in most of our Duels. But still, I actually had fun. We made it a goal that both of us would pass the entrance exams for Academia. And so, 5 years later, we had a dream that we would make it to the top together. However...I flunked the written part of the exam. I only made it in because of my performance in the Dueling portion."


5 Years Later

"Because of my grades, I was placed at the bottom. At Osiris Red. (Slifer Red in the dub.) Yuri made it to Obelisk Blue. He wanted to demote himself so he could be with me, but for some reason, they didn't allow that. They said that Yuri did so well that he was going to be placed in something called...Project Arc-V."

"And that's pretty much it." Yuri finished telling Serena about why he couldn't be demoted. "It starts today. And all members must take part when they graduate. But...I'm a special case, according to the Professor. It is for all ranks! Who knows, maybe you will get in the project too!"

Serena's expression saddened, before getting angry. "We had a vow to reach the top together! So we could be respected by people! So we wouldn't have to be alone anymore! And now, you're leaving me in the dust?!"

On a nearby table, there was a cup filled with tea. In the middle of the drink, there was a white heart. The heart started to break.

"What?" No, that's not it! I…"

"Admit it!" Serena interrupted Yuri. "You just wanted to get to the top no matter what happened to me! You didn't care about what happened to me, you just wanted to go yourself!"

The heart continued to split, little by little splitting into two parts.

"No! That's not true! I really want you to join me! Serena, you were my first and and only friend! The candy boy eats too much sugar, and Dennis is fricking Pennywise the killer clown in disguise! You're my only friend...I don't want us to be separated…" Yuri's voice softened.

"Get out…" Serena whispered as she looked down at the floor, not showing

Yuri her face.

"No-

"I SAID GET OUT!" She screamed, revealing her face full of tears and anger. "Just when I thought I had a real friend!" Ironically, Serena is the one who rushed out of the room instead of Yuri, who stood there in silence as the door was slammed shut behind him.

The heart on the tea, was on its last threads before breaking apart, as if symbolizing Yuri and Serena's severing friendship.

"She...hates...just like everybody else…" Yuri stood there wide eyed as he pondered on what just happened.

Finally, the last threads broke on the heart.


Now

I haven't seen that guy since that day 3 years ago. There were rumors that he was the one who had kidnapped my lookalikes, but I don't believe it! He was the only one who gave me fun. He was the person who gave me a grasp on the word fun. Serena closed her eyes, asking a vow. I swear, Yuri. Whatever happened to you, I'm getting you back!

"Serena! Serena! SERENA!" Melissa screeched in order to get Serena's attention. She gasped out of shock, realizing that she was still in a Duel.

Yuzu was glancing back at her out of concern.

"Yuzu. Thank you for teaching me how to have fun." Serena thanked Yuzu with a small on her face.

"Y-your welcome?" It sounded more like a question than a response.

"Now! I will Duel my hardest! Even if I win or lose! My turn, draw!" Serena looked at her Card and smiled. "I activate Cyclone! With this Card, I am allowed to destroy a Magic or Trap Card on the Field! Of course, I destroy your Fountain in the Sky!" Our f Serena's Card, a cyclone rushed out and enveloped Yuzu's Magic Card, destroying it.

"With this, Yuzu won't be able to gain any life points." Ruri realized.

"When this Card is in the Grave except the turn it was sent, I can activate the effect of Moonlight Cat Fusionist! By banishing this Card from the Graveyard, I am allowed to Fusion Summon a Moonlight Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck by banishing Cards I control or in my Grave as Materials, including this Card! I fuse this Card with Panther Dancer and Moonlight Purple Butterfly!"

"Another Fusion Summon?!" Yuzu gasped out of disbelief.

"Elegant beast dancing on moonlit wilderness! Cat with eyes of a vortex! The butterfly that wields violet poison! Swarm in a vortex of the moon's gravity and revive with a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! The king of beasts dancing atop the summit of the moonlight wilderness! Moonlight Lio Dancer!" Serena Fusion Summoned yet another Monster.

Lio Dancer: Level 10, 3500 Atk, 3000 Def

"Serena has Fusion Summoned a very powerful Fusion Monster! One that is a level 10 with 3500 Attack! It seems that this Duel is going to be her win!"

"This Card can't be targeted or affected by your Card effects! Next, this Card can attack twice per Battle Phase!" Serena revealed the effects of her Monster.

"No way!"

"Battle! Lio Dancer! Attack and destroy Prodigy Mozart!" Serena declared battle as her Monster charged Yuzu's Monster.

"Action Magic! Miracle! My Monster isn't destroyed by the battle and the damage I take is halved!" Yuzu quickly slapped the Card onto her Duel Disk.

Serena quickly accelerated toward the wall, launching her d-wheel as she grabbed an Action Card.

"Action Magic! No Action!" Serena countered with her own Action Card. "I negate the activation of your Card and destroy it!" Yuzu's Action Card broke into multiple pieces, and the battle continued. Prodigy Mozart was cut in half by Lio Dancer's sword. An explosion occurred as the Monster was destroyed.

Yuzu ducked and grit her teeth as her d-wheel started veering from left to right.

Yuzu: 4100-3800 LP

"Now, Lio Dancer, attack Yuzu directly!" Lio Dancer spun around, unleashing her tail at Yuzu, whipping the Melodious user with it. Yuzu cried out in pain as she lost control of the d-wheel.

Yuzu: 3800-300 LP

"Yuzu!" Yugo and Yuya unknowingly called out for the girl out of concern. Yuto grit his teeth, fearing for Yuzu's safety instead of calling out the girl's name.

Meanwhile, in his quarters, Gongenzaka was fuming. "Why do I have to vote against one of my comrades! Yuzu is one of my best friends! But Serena is a comrade! But Yuzu is one of my best friends! Damn it! It's unforgivable!"

Yuzu managed to regain control of her d-wheel as she continued driving straight. However, she had to slow down, and Serena had managed to zip right pass her.

"Serena has turned the tides in the Duel! And now Yuzu is on the edge of losing once again! These two girls are evenly matched here folks!"

"You did very good, Yuzu. But this where the road ends for you." Serena retorted. "I end my turn."

"No! I mustn't give up yet! I still have to prove my strength! I have to prove that I'm not a helpless girl! And I have to find Yuya!" Yuzu started her resolve.

"Yuzu…" Yuya ushered the name of her childhood friend out loud in a whisper.

"Back in the Standard Dimension, I met with a boy who had the same face as Yuya! He called himself Yuri." Yuzu started.

"Yuri!" Serena blurted out of shock, however, Yuzu didn't seem to hear her. What would Yuri being doing in the Standard Dimension? Unless...the rumors were true…

"Yuri…" Ruri said the name. It was all to familiar. It was the guy who kidnapped her. He went after Yuzu too?!

"I stood no chance. He toyed with me. I felt helpless, scared. That's when Yugo appeared and saved me." Yuzu admitted out loud.

"Yugo...saved Yuzu." Yuya repeated.

Yugo, in his quarters, looked at the television with, for once, 100% seriousness.

Yuri...that bastard who took Rin! And the guy who made me hurt that Yuya guy! Yugo punched his bed. I swear, when I see him, I'll make him pay!

"Now, I must become stronger! So I can protect myself, and my loved ones! Like Yuya! I already lost him! Now, I need to find him again! I can't lose here! My turn!" Yuzu placed her hand on her Deck.

"Yuto...can I have control over the body...for a minute?" Yuya asked.

Yuto didn't need to question why. He knew being in control while seeing Yuzu out there would make him feel better. "Ok."

Yuto closed his eyes, when he opened them, they were red now. Yuya was in control.

"Yuzu...I'm sorry I worried you. I wish I could be there...but I can't!" Tears started to swell in Yuya's eyes. "You always tell me to do this and that and to be careful! But I didn't do that! I made you and everyone at home worry! Mom is in great pain now! Dad is gone, now I'm gone! She's alone! Hurting. And I can't be there for her. And now, you are hurting...and I was too stupid to realize. I'm sorry Yuzu...I'm sorry I never truly realized how much you cared for me...I'm such an idiot!"

Yuya picked up a pillow and threw it at the television. The pillow plopped to the ground as fortunately for Yuya, the television didn't break.

"Yuya…" Yuto started, but he didn't say anything else. He wanted to say that he would be here for him, but that wouldn't do much. At times, it is best to leave a person in pain to cope with their pain. This was one of those times.

"I DRAW!" Yuzu roared as the sound of the Card leaving the Deck ripped across her ears. She glanced at it. "Thank you, Yuya. Now, watch my newest evolution! From my Hand, I Summon the Tuner Monster Melodious Diva Scale!" Yuzu Summoned a Monster with black hair and a red dress.

Melodious Diva Scale: Level 2, 600 Atk, 100 Def

"What?!" Yuto, Yuya, and Gongenzaka widened their eyes out of shock.

"Yuzu has a Tuner Monster?! So that means…" Serena trailed off.

Yugo, in his room, smirked. It's here. That power you showed me. When we were doing that practice Duel for the Friendship Cup.


Flashback-A Couple of Days Before the Friendship Cup-Commons

Yuzu and Yugo were facing off. Yuzu has a level 4 Melodious Monster on her Field with 600 life points left, with two Cards in her Hand. On the other hand, Yugo had Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, and one Card in his Hand. Yuzu was about to draw her Card for the turn.

"Before the Duel. I decided to teach you Synchro Summoning. So, I gave you two of my Cards. A Tuner Monster, Speedroid OMK Gum, and a Synchro Monster, High-Speedroid Chanbarider. To my surprise, you didn't use either."

"Draw!" Yuzu widened her eyes as she saw the Card. Her bracelet was blinking dimly, so Yugo and Yuzu didn't notice. Yuzu Summoned her new Monster, and used it to Synchro Summon a new Monster that Yugo didn't give her.

"Awesome, Yuzu!" Yugo dropped his hands to his sides as he looked at the new Monster in awe. "How did you do that?! You just got a Tuner Monster and a Synchro Monster out of thin air!"

Yuzu looked at the new Monster out of confusion. But that confusion turned into a smile.

"I have a Synchro Monster now…"


Now

"Unleash the power of that Monster, Yuzu!" Yugo held his fist at the television.

"I activate Melodious Diva Scale's effect! If this Card is the only Monster on my Field, I am allowed to Special Summon a level 4 or lower Melodious Monster from my Deck! Appear, Melodious Diva Canon!" Yuzu Special Summoned her Monster.

Melodious Diva Canon: Level 4, 1400 Atk, 2000 Def

"I tune the level 4 Melodious Diva Canon with the level 2 Tuner Monster Melodious Diva Scale! Supreme prodigy! Tip the scales with the guidance of a baton and synchronize your power! Synchro Summon! Appear, level 6! Melodious Floral Saint Cadence!" Yuzu Synchro Summoned a Monster with long red hair, a pink face, and a purple skirt while wearing a maroon shirt showing off her midriff.

Melodious Floral Saint Cadence: Level 6, 2000 Atk, 1500 Def

"Yuzu...Synchro Summoned. She evolved even more!" Yuya spoke with a smile.

"What's this?! Hiragi Yuzu has just revealed the ability to Synchro Summon!" Melissa yelled out of shock as she took a deep breath.

"Impressive. She can use two Summoning methods." A Tops complemented Yuzu.

The Tops next to him clapped. "Splendid show!"

"Yuzu's got this!" A Commons from the audience exclaimed.

Yuto noticed how the audience was acting. "They are completely different. They might have temporarily forgot about starting a revolution."

"They are going to remember not long after the Duel is over. This Duel will only delay the inevitable." Yuya told Yuto.

"Battle! Cadence! Attack Moonlight Lio Dancer!" Yuzu declared as her Monster took a deep breath.

"What? My Lio Dancer has more Attack than your Cadence! Why attack? Unless…"

"I activate the effect of Cadence! Once per turn, when this Card attacks a Monster, this Card gains halve of the Attack of the Monster being targeted for attack until the end of the turn! Lio Dancer has 3500 Attack! So, Cadence gains 1750 Attack!" Yuzu explained as her Monster was surrounded in a yellow aura.

Cadence: 2000-3750 Atk

"3-3750 Attack…" Serena mused at the sight of the Monster. She was finished.

"Continue your attack, Cadence! Graceful Shout!" Cadence let out multiple notes which wailed on Lio Dancer, causing her to scream in pain as she exploded. Serena grit her teeth as the rest of her life points were reduced to 0.

Serena: 200-0 LP

As her d-wheel released steam, causing her to slow down, Serena had one thought in her head.

Thank you...Yuzu.


Card Catalog

Moonlight Cat Fusionist, Dark, Beast-Warrior: While this Card is face-up on the Field, you can Fusion Summon a Moonlight Monster from your Extra Deck using Cards you control or are in your Hand. If this Card is used for the Fusion Summon for a Monster, the Monster gains 1000 Attack until the end of the turn. When this Card is in the Graveyard, you can activate this effect (Except the turn when this Card is sent to the Grave,) Fusion Summon a Moonlight Monster from the Extra Deck by banishing Cards you control or are in your Grave as Materials. You cannot Fusion Summon Moonlight Cat Fusionist using this Card as Material.

Melodious Diva Scale, Tuner, Light, Fairy: If this Card is the only Monster you control, you can Special Summon a level 4 or lower Melodious Monster from your Deck.

Melodious Floral Saint Cadence, Light, Fairy, Synchro: Once per turn, when this Card attacks an opponent's Monster, this Card gains halve the Attack of the attacked Monster until the end of the turn. Once per turn, if this Card destroys an opponent's Monster by battle, you can banish a Melodious Monster in your Grave, this Card can attack another Monster. When this Card is destroyed, Special Summon a Melodious Monster from your Graveyard, except Melodiois Floral Saint Cadence.


Holy crap! More than 12,000 words?! That is way more than I thought it would be!

So...I decided to knock out Serena. Hope you guys don't flame me for this. I thought a win for Yuzu would be better for character development...honestly, it was a hard decision. But with Yuzu winning, that means a new match in the semi-finals instead of Yugo VS Serena. Which is a good Duel but having a new Duel is better.

So, I decided to make Serena's backstory slightly different from the other counterparts like Yuto, Yugo, Yuri, Rin, and Ruri where they say they don't know their parents in the anime. (Although Yugo and Rin were orphans so they sort of have an excuse.)

So, yes, I made Serena meet Yuri at some point in an orphanage. I figured that this would work with the backstory I made for Serena as both were alone. People thought they were weird for their own reasons.

How Yuri became bad will be explained later.

To Matrixnis really quick, I left a little present for you, I decided to have Yugo have a serious moment concerning Yuri for like one line. Hey, it's the little things that count.

One more thing. I decided to give the bracelets two powers for all of the bracelet girls.

1. If the bracelet is not on contact with its respective girl for too long, then it will automatically teleport to that girl's wrist...unless they're in another dimension.

2. The bracelets will protect them from dying. By dying, I mean drowning, stabbed, and all of the physical ways to get killed. That DOES NOT mean it will protect them from death by old age. Although a situation like that will never happen in the story.

Next chapter preview. We will take a small break from the actual Friendship Cup matches.

Due to the cancellation of Tokumatsu's match with Damon, the matches ended early. However, the audience still want more entertainment. So, the council proposes a Duel between a Lancer who isn't in the Friendship Cup against Jack Atlas…

So, literally, the honor of who will Duel against Jack Atlas will go to one of three people.

Ryoga. Reiji. Or O'Brien.

I'm making the final decision soon, but if you guys want, you can leave a suggestion on who fights Jack next chapter.

(Honestly, I'm leaning more towards either Reiji or Ryoga. Reiji, cause it's fricking Reiji and Ryoga cause that would seem like a really good matchup, as they both are kings in their own aspect. But who knows, maybe O'Brien will get the spotlight.

Yuka Kuroshiro: Let's just say Aki may have made a deal with the devil. MUAHAHAHAHA-*COUGH* *COUGH* Excuse me.

Skadi: I always wondered about how many actual days were spent in the Synchro Dimension arc.

Matrixnis: Can you give an example of one of the unfinished sentences? Cause help would be appreciated so I can fix it.

That's all for now guys. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Take care, goodbye!