The word he had uttered could have had many meanings in that one moment.

Why?

Why did it have to be Shun and Ruri against each other?

Why did it have to turn out this way?

Why does this always have to happen to them?

At this point, after experiencing getting beaten to the ground like this, Yuto almost finding himself not caring anymore. But he still had to care.

These were his two closest friends after all.

And despite fate deciding that the two siblings fought, Yuto had a feeling…that the matches were rigged by Roget. Yuto's guess was that Roget had purposely made Ruri and Shun Duel each other, so he could use whoever would lose as a bargaining chip against Yuto.

The man was so tactical and manipulative it made Yuto sick just thinking about him.

And he hated it with all of his life.

"Don't think you can use this as a bargaining chip against me. I will not falter, I have full faith that Shun will be fine down there, and the same goes for the others."

"Hoh? That is quite the amount of faith you are putting in your comrades. So, tell me, how can a resident of the Xyz Dimension such as yourself bring it to yourself to trust the others. How do you know they won't betray you in the end, just like how Dennis and Sora turned their backs on the people who considered them friends?" Roget asked curiously, interested to see what Yuto had to say in response.

Yuto narrowed his eyes before closing them tightly, "I don't know if I can trust them fully or not. At least, not in the way I trust people like Ruri. But...we all have one common goal, the whole lot of us...defeat Academia! And the more comrades we have, the better chance we have of fulfilling that goal! I have full trust in all of my other comrades, and they have trust in me as well! Perhaps those are what bonds are for…"

Yuto thought of the bonds he forged with Shun, Ryoga and Ruri long ago. And when it came to people outside of the Xyz Dimension, he forged heavy bonds with the likes of Yuya and Yuzu, along with Yugo as well.

Not only that, but despite his distaste for the man, Yuto knows that Akaba Reiji holds him in high regard, probably because he's like Yuya.

And he is one good terms with the Lancers crew as well.

With people like that, he is sure that they can defeat Academia, and he has no problems with trusting them anymore.

"You find your true friends and comrades in the hardest of times. Those who have your back, those who reach their hand out to you in times of peril...those are what true friends and comrades are!" Yuto told Roget with a closed fist, his eyes shooting open, burning with a strong will of fire.

Roget furrowed his eyebrows as he gripped the side of his pants tightly. He took a deep breath, and released the grip he had on his pants, curving his lip into a thin smile.

"I came to this City with a mission. My interactions between the people of the City changed me. I truly wish for the creation of a peaceful and ideal world. I will sever the nexuses of this violent and unfair and unjust world we live in. But, in order to make that a reality, I need you. Please believe me, Yuto!" Roget walked forward and placed his hand on the boy's shoulder, giving him an expectant and convincing look.

However, to his surprise, he felt a cold, tight hand grip his wrist, immediately followed by his hand being shoved off Yuto's shoulder completely. Roget looked at Yuto to see an angry boy with grit teeth and clenched fists, the blood inside of Yuto boiling and his heart rate accelerating, but not out of nervousness…

Out of anger.

"Are you kidding me? You really think that after everything you've done so far, you really think I'll work with you! You bribed someone and used their own family as a bargaining chip! You forced my friends to fight each other! And THEN you have all of this power at your disposal, and you have the AUDACITY to do nothing good with it!" Yuto shouted, his heart practically beating out of his chest.

"That is because of the foolish Executive Council. They have just as much power as me, and what do they do?" Roget asked Yuto rhetorically. "Besides...if you tag along with me, we can make sure another conflict like the attack on Heartland won't ever happen again…"

"Don't speak as if you know of how we suffered!" Yuto bellowed out of anger.

"But you know I am right. Without my help, you all are weak and helpless. It's no wonder why the Xyz Duelists stood no-"

"SHUT UP!" Yuto snapped, his hair flaring slightly as his eyes turned a bright blue, lifting up a tightly formed fist towards Roger, "FOOLISH HUMAN, I SWEAR ON MY LIFE, YOUR BODY IS GOING BE ON THE GROUND BLEEDING, HELPLESSLY, DYING, SLOWLY AND PAINFULLY! NO, EVEN BETTER, WHEN I'M DONE WITH YOU, THE ONLY THING LEFT WILL BE YOUR BLOOD!"

Roget's lips parted as he looked at the boy in awe. The sudden rush of anger and adrenaline...the animal like instincts...this boy had potential...to be used perfectly…

I wonder how far it goes…Roget wondered as he decided to push the boy even further.

"Alright then, if you don't want to cooperate, I'll just order the execution of all of your comrades! I already have members of Security at the Executive Council!" Yuto widened his blue eyes as his body began to tremble. "But just for you, I'll make the deaths of those two Xyz Duelists slow…"

"I'LL KILL YOU!" Yuto jolted towards Roget, throwing a punch to his face, hoping to crush his nose and have the bleeding face of Roget out cold on the ground.

Roget gasped out of shock at the speed and just barely managed to sidestep out of the way. He felt Yuto's fist whiz right past his hair before feeling a little bit of a shockwave ensuing from his fist.

The next thing he heard was an explosion. He looked behind him to see the computer monitor that was presenting the Duel now destroyed, completely, irreparable and obsolete.

"If you find that shocking, then you'll like this even more!" Yuto opened his right hand purple electricity (no pun intended) formed and crackled around in his hand. "Can you feel it, the awesome power of one of the servants of the Supreme King Dragon?!"

"Supreme King Dragon…" Roget repeated as he took a step backwards to keep distance away from him and the boy.

Whatever was happening, it wasn't normal, that's for sure. And Roget had a feeling that some unknown force was controlling Yuto, one that wasn't human…

I can use this to my advantage...if I can somehow make him enter this state while being able to control him to do my bidding, it will be the ultimate weapon, even stronger than Sergey! Roget let out a smirk as he called for the two guards outside.

The door to the room slid open, and in case running the two guards, holding clubs as they struck at Yuto, who merely took the hit head on.

Snap!

The sound of something breaking. But it wasn't Yuto…

Yuto chuckled, and when he did, the voice that rang through the ears of the other occupants in the room was not Yuto's voice.

It was demonic, raspy with hatred, anger...and a hint of sadism.

"Humans. Always with their pitiful little devices, thinking that they can always control the situation. Typical." Yuto scoffed with the utmost disgust.

He directed his attention to the guards with the now broken clubs, holding up the hand with crackling electricity.

"One chance. That's all. Run. Far. And ponder on the small act of kindness I have bestowed upon you by letting you live. Now, go! And live the rest of your pitiful lives in fear!" The guards shaked in their spots and took a few steps backwards.

The light in the room, and in the entire building for that matter, started to flicker rapidly, along with every other electronic device in the building.

Inside of Yuto, Yuya was holding his chest out of pain, writhing in agony as his eyes turned blood red.

"We are...united...brother…" Yuya spoke to Yuto in a monotone voice, appearing next to him as the power in the building shut off completely.

"What the…" Roget mused as he looked at Yuto with an expression of fear on his face.

"Yes. Yes we are. And soon...the time will come for us to-ARGH!" Yuto suddenly cried out of pain, clutching his head with his left hand and his chest with his right, breathing heavily as sweat trickled down his face. "It...seems I don't have full...control…"

Soon, Yuya also began to feel a sharp pain rush through him, he began to mimic Yuto's actions as they're eyes flickered back to normal.

"No...not now…"

And the voice drowned out. Yuto and Yuya we're back in control of their bodies. However, they both were heavily fatigued, as evident by Yuto's figure dropping to the hard ground with no sign of Yuya's voice calling out to him.

Roget glanced down at the downed boy, a grin curling up his face. He turned towards the door and clicked his tongue out of annoyance.

"You fools! Get back in here and get him, now!" Roget commanded, and immediately, the two guards came dashing back into the room. "Tell the mechanic to get everything back on line, we cannot afford to have Hiragi Yuzu lose her match!"

They did as they were told and were soon carrying Yuto's unconscious form out of the room.

Yuto...what an interesting creature indeed…


On the Grounds

"Brother!"

"Ruri!"

The siblings had jumped off their d-wheels when the restraints were released and they immediately bolted towards each other, meeting in the middle for a tight embrace.

"Oh! What a moment we have here between brother and sister!" Melissa exclaimed as she looked on with a smile.

Shun put his hands on Ruri's shoulders and pulled her back, he looked at her straight in the eyes.

"You've gotten much stronger since I last saw you. I should trust you more from now on. Be safe, Ruri, and one day, I know that you will fully surpass me, as both a Duelist and as a person. No, you've already gotten me as a person...I'm proud of you." Shun said genuine with a soft smile.

"Brother…" A tear rolled down Ruri's face as she took in the acknowledgment she had always wanted. The acknowledgement of her brother.

That she wasn't just a kid now.

She wasn't just Kurosaki Shun's sister.

Now, she was Kurosaki Ruri, her own person! Not just someone's shadow!

"I won't let you, Yuto, or Ryoga down!" Ruri exclaimed with determination as two guards came from behind Shun, taking him by the arms.

Surprisingly, Shun didn't budge, he only smiled at Ruri.

"Good luck, Ruri! Stay safe!"

Ruri closed her eyes as her smile turned into a frown.

I've finally proved myself...but is it worth the cost? Ruri wondered as she left the stadium.

As Ruri left, she could hear the voice of Melissa, declaring the final Duel of the second round.

"And the last two Duelists facing each other are…" Melissa trailed off as the images of the two appeared.

"Hiragi Yuzu VS Yugo!"

The audience immediately began to cheer and chant Yuzu's name, clearly wanting her to win over Yugo.

However, there were some stragglers who were cheering for Yugo instead of Yuzu.

"Hiragi Yuzu seems to be very popular amongst both Tops and Commons." Roget muttered as he moved a white piece forward on his chess board. "Either her or Ruri will be the star of hope for the City."


Later

Yugo stepped off the pedal of his d-wheel as he parked at the starting line, ignoring the constant chants and cheers of his and Yuzu's names, particularity Yuzu's name, erupting from members of the audience.

Yugo slipped off his helmet and turned to look at the setting sun in the distance in the beautiful horizon.

It was a beautiful sight to see. It was so much better seeing here in the Tops rather than the Commons.

But that was because the Commons couldn't actually see the sunset very well, due to the things blocking view of the sun and also how low they are in the City.

Yugo held up his hand towards the sun, as if he was trying to grasp the light, tightening and loosening his hand multiple times as he did so.

With my own blood, and my own hand, I make this promise. I will become Duel King, Rin. For our dream. Our promise. So things will be better when I get you home! Yugo thought to himself as he formed a fist fully, justifying his promise and binding himself to it. Oh holy Ra, please forgive me for my sins. For what I did to Yuzu and Yuya.

"Sorry, Yuzu, but I'll need to get through you if I want to fulfill that promise." Yugo whispered to himself.

"And here she comes! The other popular female in this tournament, Hiragi Yuzu!" Melissa pointed towards the girl as she came riding in, parking the d-wheel next to Yugo, the expression on her face noticeably more glum than usual.

"Y-Yuzu?" Yugo took note of Yuzu's mood and decided to act cautious, trying to ignore his greatest tendency of mistaking Yuzu for Rin the best he could. "Oi! Are you okay?"

"Yugo…" Yuzu suddenly spoke the name of the boy, Yugo froze as if his name was taboo coming from Yuzu's mouth. Yuzu looked at him with serious eyes, which also held some sadness as well. "How? How can you do this? Face of and win knowing that you're harming another! No, here's another question, why the hell do you want to win this so badly!? I already know it's for a reason other than spreading news about the dimensional war!"

She had just witnessed the separation of Ruri and Shun, the two siblings. The bond in which caused Shun to finally break and change according to his actions.

And now, the more she thought about it, the more she hated the tournament...and the dimension...and its people.

Sure, there were a few exceptions. Although she felt really uneasy and was still mad at him for hurting Yuya, Yugo wasn't a bad person.

But she couldn't help but find strong distaste for Yugo. And what he did to Yuya wasn't the only reason.

It was how he is so adamant to win this tournament, no matter who he had to face in the end.

Yugo had a good heart deep down, Yuzu knew that. But she couldn't but feel that there was something...more, to Yugo, the Duelist of the Synchro Dimension who looked like Yuya and Yuto, holder of Clear Wing Synchro Dragon…

The murderer of her best friend.

No, stop Yuzu! You can't think like that! Yuzu mentally slapped herself, outwardly shaking her head multiple times as she looked up at Yugo's face, seeing the look on his face in regards to her question.

"I...I'm doing...because I'm selfish." Yugo stated, much to Yuzu's confusion.

"Huh?"

"Winning this tournament is for my benefit, along with Rin's. Everyone has at least one big selfish desire in life, and this is mine." Yugo informed Yuzu.

"Wait, so if you become King, you'll just sit around and do nothing?!" Yuzu questioned, afraid of the answer that Yugo would give.

"I mean...I would...as King...uhh…" Yugo paused, not knowing what he truly would do as King other than live in luxury with Rin.

"So with all of that power, you wouldn't do anything to help people? To help the Tops and Commons reunite and live in harmony?!" Yuzu questioned the Synchro Duelist out of disbelief.

Yugo looked down at the ground the moment Yuzu said that, the expression on his face unseen by Yuzu.

"Oh, and just because the Tops won't help the Commons in desperate need totally means that the Commons should help the Tops with a snap of a finger!" Yugo spat with venom evident in his voice. He revealed his face, his eyes furrowed, clearly showing a livid expression on his face. "The Tops and Commons living together. Hah, bullshit! An ideal society, yes. But still bullshit!"

"Y-Yugo…" Yuzu spoke the name of the Synchro counterpart of Yuya out of surprise at the sudden rashness.

"This dream of mine is only so Rin and I can live in peace, that's all! There is nothing else to it! If we help others, they'll just stab us in the back in the end." Yugo closed his eyes as he slipped on his helmet, planting himself onto his d-wheel. "Come on, what are you waiting for?!"

This wasn't with a hint of softness. Normally, Yugo's brash voice would contain a little bit of cheerfulness or kindness, but right now, none of them could even be felt.

The air being let out by Yugo was chilling to say the least.

It seemed Yugo has some harbored hatred as well.

Hatred he would never want to remember.

I'll make you see in this Duel, Yugo. Yuzu thought to herself as she readied herself for the Duel, gripping the handlebars of her d-wheel tightly.

"Now, without any further delay, let the match begin!" Melissa brought her hand down, "Action Field, on! Field Magic, Crossover Accel!"

Duel Mode: On! Auto-Pilot! Standby!

3.

2.

"Riding Duel!"

1.

"Acceleration!"

Both Duelists slammed their foot on the accelerator, starting off with a great jolt of speed. However, due to the fact that he has more experience with a d-wheel, Yugo quickly managed to get a lead on Yuzu, eventually making it out of the palace first, taking the first move.

"Yugo gets the first move!" Melissa announced as Yugo began his turn.

"My turn!" Yugo declared as he placed a Card onto his Duel Disk, "I Summon from my Hand Speedroid OMK Gum!"

OMK Gum: Level 1, 0 Atk, 0 Def

OMK Gum is a Tuner Monster...Yuzu recalled her past experiences with Yugo in practice Duels.

"Next up, when I control a Wind Attribute Monster, I can Special Summon this Card from my Hand! Come to the Field, Speedroid Taketonborg!" Yugo exclaimed as he slammed the Monster Card onto his Duel Disk, the Monster appearing next to OMK Gum.

Taketonborg: Level 3, 600 Atk, 1200 Def

"Next, I tune the Level 3 Taketonborg with the Level 1 Tuner Monster OMK Gum! Thousand-face possessing shadow of the labyrinth. With that sharp blade, render chaotic darkness! Synchro Summon! Level 4, High-Speedroid Sharp Sword Revolt Rip Zuru!" Yugo chanted as he slapped the Card onto his Duel Disk, his Monster appearing directly above him.

Rip Zuru: Level 4, 1300 Atk, 1600 Def

"When OMK Gum is sent to the Grave as Synchro Material, I get to draw a Card from my Deck and send it to the Graveyard, if it is a Speedroid Monster, Rip Zuru will gain the Attack of the sent Monster!" Yugo explained as he placed a hand on the top of his Deck.

"Yugo is kicking the Duel off with a gamble! Will he get the right Card?" Melissa wondered out loud.

"Draw!" Yugo roared as he ripped the top Card of his Deck off, glancing at it before letting out a small smile. "Alright! The drawn Card was Speedroid Den-Den Daiko Duke, who has 1200 Attack! So, Rip Zuru gains 1200 Attack!"

Said Monster gained a green aura as Yugo inserted his drawn Card of the Graveyard slot.

Rip Zuru: 1300-2500 Atk

"And the best part, the Attack increase doesn't go away at the end of the turn!" Yugo reminded Yuzu of the lack of drawback to OMK Gum's Attack increase effect. "I set a Card and end my turn."

"My turn, draw! I activate the Magic Card Fusion! Using this Card, I fuse Melodious Songstress Solo and Melodious Maestra Mozart! Angel's song! Supreme genius! With the guidance of the baton, gather your power! Fusion Summon! Now come here to the stage! Sing the song of victory! Melodious Choir Bloom Diva!"

Bloom Diva: Level 6, 1000 Atk, 2000 Def

Had Yugo Summoned a different Monster, Yuzu would have a Fusion Summoned Bloom Prima instead of Diva, as the Monster could have still gotten the job done, as Yuzu had one more Monster in her Hand that she could have use as Fusion Material, plus, Prima could attack while Diva can't and the latter is only good against Special a Summoned Monsters.

However, with Rip Zuru's double Attack effect during battle, that would be suicide.

But with Bloom Diva, that can be manipulated into her favor.

"Time to battle!" Yuzu threw her hand to her side as she declared an attack with Bloom Diva on Rip Zuru, "As you know, whenever Bloom Diva battles a Special Summoned Monster, I get to activate her effect, your Monster is destroyed instead of mine, and you take the damage I would take! Reflect Shout!" Yuzu's Monster opened her mouth and sang at a high pitch, causing green shockwaves to fly out of her mouth and towards Rip Zuru.

"And don't think I forgot Rip Zuru's battle effect! If it battles a Special Summoned Monster, it's current Attack is doubled! You have no choice in deciding whether you can double the Attack or not!" Yuzu reminded Yugo, who grit his teeth as a result.

"If this connects, Yugo will take 4000 damage, ending the Duel!" Melissa bellowed out of surprise. "Talk about a phenomenal play! Go on, Yuzu!"

"I don't think so! Targeting Bloom Diva, I activate the Trap Card Dice Colosseum of Fate!" Yugo declared as his Trap was revealed, prompting a die to appear in front of him, "A single die will be rolled! If the result is an odd number, I get to destroy your Monster, if it's even, your Monster gains 1000 Attack!"

So no matter what the result is, he is going to get some benefit out of this. Yuzu clicked her tongue out of annoyance.

"Now roll, dice of destiny!" Yugo shouted as on his command, the die was casted into the air. The die hit the ground, clattering and shaking about before coming to an abrupt stop. "The number is 4, which means your Monster gains 1000 Attack, this Attack increase remains only for damage calculation!"

Bloom Diva: 1000-2000 Atk

Rip Zuru was enveloped and destroyed in the shockwaves, which ruptured onto Yugo's back as he leaned forward from the damage, letting out a loud yell of pain.

Yugo: 4000-1000 LP

She knew about the disadvantage about Rip Zuru's double effect. With Bloom Diva, had I not had my Trap at the ready, she would have ended me. She used her past experience against me to her advantage. She's grown a lot. Yugo thought to himself as he looked back at Yuzu, If I'm not careful, my dream could be wrecked right before my eyes, I cannot let that happen!

Bloom Diva: 2000-1000 Atk

"You've gotten much better, Yuzu! You already cut down ¾ of my life points. It's unfortunate that you are one of the obstacles in the way of fulfilling the promise I made to Rin!" Yugo told the girl as he narrowed his eyes.

"Yugo, I don't understand! I thought you had intentions to help others! Helping only Rin won't be enough!" Yuzu berated the Synchro Duelist, who grimaced at the statement, his blood starting to boil.

"SHUT UP!" Yugo snapped loudly, earning a gasp of shock at the sudden reaction, "What do you know?! How would you know how it would feel like to help the people who kicked you down into the ground millions of times?! When they never raised a hand out to you, while expecting you to reach a hand out to them?! It's not fair!"

Yugo dropped his head, facing the road ahead of him as he grit his teeth so hard that it hurt.

"I'm not doing for just my sake! I'm doing for Rin's! I'm doing it...I'm doing it because she deserves the best...I grew up not knowing my parents. According to the owner of the first facility I stayed at they abandoned me when I was a baby and she just found me. Even at the facility, where I was surrounded by those who feel the same pain as me, not knowing the love of a family member, I was still alone! I had no one! No light to guide me on my path! Not long after, the facility I stayed at, the only place I called home-no, the only place I could call home was shut down by the Tops!"

Out of all of his anger, Yugo hadn't noticed how long he was speaking, the entire audience was dead silent, but he didn't know that. The Commons section of the audience was beginning to get riled up due to Yugo, but the boy did not know this.

"I was left with nothing. No home, no one to take care of me and the others. Us kids has refuge with the owner of the facility, but the next thing we know she gets killed by a damn gang lurking about! Then all of the kids I was with either died of starvation or they abandoned me completely. I was about 5 years old at the time...I hardly knew what was happening in my life. I couldn't control, I couldn't do anything. I was helpless. I was forced to walk my path, in darkness. Complete darkness. No light at all."

The visor of Yugo's helmet began to get blurry as Yugo began to find himself crying as he remembered his childhood.

Yuzu also found tears sprouting in her eyes, rolling down on her face, keeping her head up so they didn't drip onto her visor.

"Then, at some point, when I turned 6 years old, where I managed to just barely to live by eating scraps and trash, somehow staying sane with it all! A woman approached me. Her name is Martha. And she is the owner of the current facility that I live in. She took me in when I had nothing, she gave me a home again, but I was still alone, and my only possession was Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, which I have had all my life. Even with the other kids. Even then, I had no light in my world. But then she came along…"


6 Years Ago-Facility-Synchro Dimension-Commons Area

Here he was...again.

Again.

That word seemed to have became the one word Yugo despises the most.

Again, he was in a facility. Again, he was in a crowd of people like him. And yet, again, he was all alone.

It had only been one week since Martha had taken him into the facility. The others had welcomed him with open arms, but due to Yugo's depressed and negative, and unresponsive attitude. In fact, sometimes people could see an emotionless look in Yugo's eyes, the look of one who has beaten to the ground one too many times. Everyone had decided to stay away from him.

He was outside, where he had spent most of his time, out in the back, looking up at the sky, wondering what lied up above.

No, he didn't wonder that. He already knew out, everyday he reached his hand out to the sky, his emotionless features turned to anger, hate.

Yugo didn't what these emotions were at the time, but they made him feel uneasy, in a way, but when he looked into the sky, his worries eased just a little bit, like there was some hope in the world after all.

But his life up until now said otherwise.

Scum.

That was all there was up there.

Just. Scum.

Frankly, Yugo didn't know where to go in his life. Every time he tried to think of something, all he saw was the damn Tops, grinning down on him, keeping in stick in the dirt, never to rise up, to the top.

To the top.

The one place Yugo knew he would never be.

Where the person at the top would be the most respected among all. They would be treated the best. They would be admired. They would be acknowledged…

Acknowledged as something great. Something that isn't dirt.

They would treat him as one of them.

The mere thought of made Yugo attempt to clear his head out of disgust, not wanting to be seen as a Tops. They had done too much.

No, it's what they didn't do.

"You really like to look at the sky, don't you." A young, female voice spoke, startling Yugo a little bit. He directed his gaze over to his right to see an aqua-green haired girl smiling down softly at him.

He simply ignored the girl, taking his eyes off of her and looking back up at the sky.

Where he could he feel free. Where he could not be bound to the grounds of the earth. Of this pathetic place called the Commons, brought to 99% of the population by the other 1%, who hoarded 99% of the City's money for themselves.

"Hey, I'm talking to you. It's polite to reply to someone when they talk to you." The girl chided Yugo, putting her hands on her hips, with a small frown covering her face.

Polite.

One of the many words that Yugo didn't know due to a lack of education. He had only been here for a week, and he had forgotten all of what little he was taught in the old facility that was shut down.

And he hasn't been here long enough to learn about important things. Most of his time here was Martha making sure he got settled in with his own room and stuff.

"What you need?" Yugo asked, his English (or Japanese from the subbed view) was not very good at all. Every time he said something, there would always be something missing.

"Well, you are...alone." The girl answered simply with the frown more evident on her face as she looked down at Yugo with a sad look.

Alone.

Another one of the words he needed to learn.

"What alone mean?" Yugo asked curiously with his broken speaking.

"You don't know what alone means?" The girl raised an eyebrow, gaping at the boy in shock.

Judging from the way the girl had said the word 'alone,' Yugo assumes it meant having no one to take care of you and no one to be with.

That won't do...The girl thought to herself as she grasped Yugo's arm and practically pulled him up.

"WOAH! What you doing?!" Yugo cried out of shock as he stumbled to his feet.

"To help you have fun! You don't have to be alone!" The girl smiled brightly as she gazed into Yugo's widened eyes.

There it was! That word again.

Alone.

Was it that feeling that Yugo has felt for all of his life?!

If so, then what is he feeling right now?


Now

"Happy. I felt truly happy for the first time in my life. Eventually, we scraped some Cards and managed to build a Deck for me, although it was nothing compared to the Speedroid Deck I have today...Rin got me this Deck on my supposed birthday. After meeting her, for the first time, I didn't feel alone. I didn't care what would happen from that point on, as long as I could face it with Rin, I would be fine."

Yuzu continued to listen, as did the audience, the Commons started to direct anger over to the Tops, who were listening to the story in disgust. Disgusted at the mention of gangs, disgusted at the aspect of the Tops being scum.

Them, scum? If anyone is scum, it's the Commons!

"Rin was the only light in this cruel world for me. We were inseparable, and then I...I...lost her to that bastard! The damn person who had the same face as Yuto and Yuya! I completely lost, I couldn't think straight. Without Rin to berate me, the anger and hate I have been trying so hard to suppress all these years started to leak out!"

Yugo remembered the look he saw on the boy's face, his head covered in a cloak, but his sadistic grin was forever engrained on Yugo's head, making him fear on what he did to Rin.

Then, there was Rin.

Draped over his shoulder, unconscious, unable to do anything to help herself. The bastard's arm around her waist to keep her up. The very sight of it made Yugo sick.

"Then, not long after, I attack two people who I thought was the bastard who took her blindly, I even led myself to believe that I killed him! Yeah, you know who, Yuya! I thought I had killed him! I thought I had stooped as low as the gang who murdered my first caretaker! Then, not only do I have to deal with that guilt of killing someone, I have to mistake that person's best friend for Rin! And now you are far away from home and I don't when the fuck Clear Wing will let me travel dimensions! I was in hell and I still am!"

Yugo took multiple deep breaths after his long rant, finishing with one last statement.

"So, Yuzu, tell me, why should I help the Tops if I fulfill the promise and become King? If the Tops had offered out a hand, if the Tops and Commons didn't exist, my caretaker wouldn't have been killed, the Commons wouldn't have been treated like scum, there would have been a very small amount of gangs, and I might have even been able to live with my mother and father!"

Yugo held up his hand to the sky and forced it into a fist, his eyes flashing to light green as he spoke, still in control of his actions.

The Commons began to jeer even more and started to make bad comments on the Tops, most of them saying things that are better left unknown to the world.

"But they didn't do that now did they?! They just made things worse for us! So tell me, Yuzu! Tell me why I should help the FUCKING TOPS?!" After that last outburst, Yugo attempted to calm himself down. "I would like to hear your answer."

It was dripping with anger and hate, Yuzu could feel and hear it. Although Yugo has stopped his yelling fit, his emotions of anger and rage were still there. And it was all lashing out towards her.

She couldn't help but feel sorry for Yugo.

And the fact that she screamed at him the first time they met when he was already feeling guilty about Yuya was horrible of her.

Sure, she had thought that he had 'killed' Yuya, so her anger could be justified but…

Now that she had heard Yugo's story...she didn't know if it was anymore.

She wanted to tell Yugo so bad that Yuya was still alive somewhere, and that he didn't need to feel guilt anymore. But in the state he was in, that wouldn't do much to help.

Plus, knowing Yugo he would still beat himself up for attacking Yuya in the first place, despite knowing that he could be alive.

She didn't say anything in response to Yugo. She was truly stumped on her answer.

Now she had her own questions on her mind.

Could the Tops and Commons be united?

Has it gone too far? Is it too late? Is there too much hate?

She kept these questions in her head as she continued her turn.

"I set a Card and end my turn." Yuzu concluded as a set Card materialized in front of her.

"My turn, draw! I activate the Magic Card Speed Rebirth! This Card allows me to revive a Speedroid Monster resting in my Graveyard! Return, Rip Zuru!" A portal opened in front of Yugo as his Monster jumped out, taking a defensive stance.

"Next, I Summon Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice in Attack Position!" Yugo spoke out of adrenaline as his pyramid shaped Monster twirled in the air, appearing next to Rip Zuru.

Tri-Eyed Dice: Level 3, 300 Atk, 1500 Def

"I tune the Level 4 Rip Zuru with the Level 3 Tuner Monster Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice! Spread those wondrous and beautiful wings, and strike down your enemies at the speed of light! Synchro Summon! Appear now! Level 7! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!" Yugo chanted as his Monster let out a out of fury onto the Field, spreading his wings out onto the Field.

Clear Wing: Level 7, 2500 Atk, 2000 Def

The dragon noticed Yuzu and let out a vicious roar directed right at her. For some reason, Yuzu had a feeling at that moment…

That the roar was not just to intimidate her.

"Battle! Go, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, attack Bloom Diva!" Yugo commanded as his dragon flew upwards towards the sky.

"Huh?! Why would Yugo do that?!" Melissa questioned, not seeing the context of Yugo's attack, instead seeing someone making a bad misplay that would cost him the game.

"When Bloom Diva battles a Special Summoned Monster, she has to activate her effect." Yugo explained, putting emphasis on the word 'activate'. "Bloom Diva is a Level 6, and when a Level 5 or higher Monster activates its effect, Clear Wing can negate the Monster's effect, and then destroy the Monster itself, along with gaining it's Attack!"

"Kgh!" Yuzu grunted as she clicked on her facedown Card, activating it, "Quick-Play Fusion Cancel! I return Bloom Diva to the Extra Deck and Special Summon her Materials! Come back to me, Melodious Maestra Mozart and Melodious Songstress Solo!"

Mozart: Level 8, 2600 Atk, 2000 Def

Solo: Level 4, 1600 Atk, 1000 Def

"I can still attack one of them, and the one I choose is Melodious Songstress Solo! Whirlwind Helldiving Slasher!" Yugo shouted as Clear Wing flew up into the air, wings glowing as the dragon spun in the air and came tumbling down towards Yuzu's Monster.

The Attack connected, and Clear Wing had spun right through Solo with no difficulty at all.

Yuzu leaned forward and covered herself in order to avoid falling off her d-wheel, wincing in pain as she felt the shockwaves formed by the ensuing attack.

Yuzu: 4000-3100 LP

"I set a Card and end my turn." Yugo inserted the Card he drew at the beginning of the turn and began to wait for Yuzu.

"My turn, draw! I Summon Melodious Diva Canon from my Hand!" Yuzu swiped the Card across her Duel Disk as her Monster danced onto the Field next to Mozart.

Canon: Level 4, 1400 Atk, 2000 Def

"Next, I activate the Quick-Play Magic Card Pianissimo! With this, I target a Monster on the Field and reduce its Attack down to 100 until the end of the turn! However, for this turn, the targeted Monster can't be destroyed by battle! I target Clear Wing!"

On cue, a bunch of lowercase p's for pianissimo appeared around a Clear Wing, the dragon's Attack dropped as a result.

Clear Wing: 2500-100 Atk

"Battle! Go, Mozart, attack Clear Wing Synchro Dragon! Graceful Wave!" Yuzu exclaimed as Mozart pointed her baton at Clear Wing, firing out a green wave heading straight for the dragon.

"I activate the Graveyard effect of Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice! By banishing this Card from the Grave, I can negate the attack!" Right after Yugo's statement, Mozarta's waves disappeared right before Clear Wing.

"Mmphh!" Yuzu groaned as she declared an attack with Canon, who sang on a high note, releasing shockwaves from her mouth. The target, Clear Wing.

"I won't let you destroy Clear Wing!" Yugo retorted as he clicked his Duel Disk, "Trap activate, Speed Rush! Using this Card, I banish a random Speedroid Monster from my Graveyard and add its Attack to Clear Wing's until the end of the turn! Also, Clear Wing can't be destroyed by this battle!"

"Yugo is just barely managing to hang on here!" Melissa commentated as Yugo and Yuzu entered the stadium on their d-wheels. Amazingly, Melissa's voice, even when projected through the microphone, was almost drowned out by the cheers of the Commons audience. And they all had one name being chanted.

"YUGO! YUGO! YUGO! YUGO!"

There were some members of the Commons who were cheering for both Duelists.

"YUGO! YUZU! YUGO! YUZU!"

Meanwhile, the Tops were only rooting for Yuzu. Not openly cheering like the Commons, just silently hoping for Yuzu to pick up the win.

"YOU GOT THIS YUGO!"

"YOUR FELLOW COMMONS WILL HAVE YOUR BACK THIS TIME!"

"IT'S TIME WE RISE UP AND SHOW THE TOPS WHO'S BOSS!"

These were all exclamations and cheers coming from the Commons audience as they continued to chant his name.

Yugo froze at the second comment however.

"YOUR FELLOW COMMONS WILL HAVE YOUR BACK THIS TIME!"

He shrugged it off as he held out his hand to the Graveyard slot as a facedown Card slid out. Yugo grasped it with two fingers as he held it up to his face, keeping everyone except him from knowing the identity of the Card. When Yugo saw the Card, he smirked, and turned it over with his fingers, revealing it to be…

"Speedroid Den-Den Daiko Duke!"

The Commons cheered out loud, some standing up and raising their fists while others were climbing.

"Den-Den Daiko Duke has an Attack of 1200! So, Clear Wing gains 1200 Attack!" Yugo revealed as Clear Wing was enveloped in a green aura.

Clear Wing: 100-1300 Atk

"Now! Fight back, Clear Wing!" Yugo called out to his Monster, who flew over the shockwave and threw out a powerful punch at Canon, who dodged before empowering her hands on the fist, and launching herself towards Clear Wing's, striking the dragon right up the chin.

Yugo: 1000-900 LP

"I activate Canon's effect! Once per turn, I can change the battle position of this Card! I switch Canon from Attack to a Defense Position!" Yuzu said as she turned the Card on her Duel Disk. "I end my turn."

"At this moment, Clear Wing's Attack returns to normal." Yugo cued in.

Clear Wing: 1300-2500 Atk

"My turn, draw!" Yugo swiped the top Card off his Deck as he listened to the cheers he was receiving from the crowd, taking it all in slowly.

This was the first time. This was the first time he was being seen as someone great.

As Yugo, not just another person who lives in the slums of the City.

For the first time in a very long time, people were cheering for him. And what more, it was other people from the Commons!

"YOU'RE THE LAST ONE OF OUR KIND IN THIS TOURNAMENT! WIN THIS AND MAKE IT TO THE TOP!"

Yugo's ears perked up when he heard whoever said that.

Win it and make it to the top…

Yugo smiled, a genuine smile. A genuine smile that he would rarely show around people who weren't Rin. In fact, recently, the last couple of times he genuinely smiled after Rin's kidnapping was a small one with Yuto, a couple small ones with Yuzu, and then a couple with Sawatari in their Duel.

"Yugo!" Yuzu called out to the Speedroid user, who turned his head back to face the girl. "Do you see now, what you are fighting for? You're not just in this tournament for you and Rin! You're in it for all of the Commons! To give them freedom, to give them a good life! And maybe, if they can just put their differences aside, maybe the Tops and Commons can live in one!"

Yugo paused to take that in. Could it be possible?

Jack Atlas, who was watching the Duel from his throne room, merely closed his eyes and spoke to himself, "Hmph, don't you think I've tried to bring the Tops and a Commons closer together. It's useless, as long as Roget and the Executive Council are a thing…especially Roget..."

Maybe...a world where the Commons and Tops could live together was possible...or at the very least, a world where the Commons didn't have to live in poverty.

Yuzu, if what you say is possible, then I must win this Duel and become the King!


Meanwhile-With Yuto-In a Cell-Security Bureau

When Yuto awoken, he noticed two things. One, he was trapped in a small box with nothing to do in except sit and lie down. The second thing he noticed was that his vision was very distorted. It was slowly focusing back into place, but this wasn't how he normally felt whenever he woke up.

"Ugh...what happened? Yuya, are you okay?" Yuto asked his companion, suddenly noticing that he hasn't communicated with him in a while.

"Y-Yeah I'm fine...but, it feels like I'm drifting far away...and Odd Eyes started to start glowing too…" Yuya responded, appearing next to Yuto while clutching his head, sweat rolling down his face. "I've felt this way before, during Yugo's Duel with…"

Yuya froze as he came to a realization.

"Yugo's Dueling Yuzu." Yuya suddenly blurted out.

"What?!" Yuto gasped out of surprise, "How do you know?!"

"Yugo and Yuzu were the only ones who haven't Dueled in this round yet. Also...for some reason, I'm seeing glimpses of Clear Wing Synchro Dragon...facing off against Mozart, Yuzu's ace-" Suddenly, Yuya went silent.

"Yuya?"

Silence.

"Yuya?"

Still no response.

"Yuya, what the hell happened?!" The Xyz Duelist questioned, a little bit of worry showing on his face.

Nothing…


Back to the Duel

Here he was again.

He was seeing things from Yugo's view again, he figured. He felt himself turn his head towards his opponent to see Yuzu riding not far behind him.

"Yuzu!" Yuya called out her name, reaching out his hand, hoping that Yuzu would at least respond. "Yuzu! No, stop! I don't want to face her!"

Suddenly, Yuya felt his arm move by himself, followed by his mouth.

"I Summon Speedroid Shave Boomerang!" Yugo grinned as he Summoned his Card, starting to actually have some fun in this Duel. Yuya was mimicking Yugo in perfect synchronicity.

Shave Boomerang: Level 4, 2000 Atk, 0 Def

"I activate Shave Boomerang's effect! Once per turn, by changing this Card to Defense Position, I can target a Monster on the Field and have it lose 300 Attack! I target Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!" Yugo and Yuya explained in unison.

"Oh no…" Yuzu mused with wide eyes.

"Oh no is right! I activate Clear Wing Synchro Dragon's effect!" Yugo declared, raising a hand up to his ace Monster.

"When a Level 5 or higher Monster on the Field is targeted by a Monster effect…" Yuya trailed off as Yugo finished.

"I can negate the effect and destroy that Monster!"

"And then, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon gains the Attack of the destroyed Monster!" Yuya revealed as he heard Yuzu grunt.

"Dichroic Mirror!" Both Yuya and Yugo shouted as Clear Wing's wings flowed light green, letting out a green light from the wings, enveloping Shave Boomerang, destroying it. Clear Wing's eyes glowed yellow as his Attack increased.

Clear Wing: 2500-4500 Atk

"I-Incredible! Yugo has a 4-4500 Attack Monster on his Field!" Melissa stuttered as her eyes went blank with surprise.

"Now, battle! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, attack Melodious Maestra Mozart!" Yugo demanded as said Monster flew towards Yuzu's Monster, ramming his head right into the Monster's stomach, destroying her immediately as the particles rained down on Yuzu, causing her to cry out in pain.

Yuzu: 2600-700 LP

"Yuzu!" Yuya cried out of concern, followed by his mouth forcing himself to talk.

"Are you okay, Yuzu?"

Those were Yugo's words. He was actually concerned about Yuzu's wellbeing! That means that he actually cared about her in a way.

And that just confirms that he wasn't from Academia. Yuya was feeling genuine concern coming from Yugo. And that's when it hit him.

He was feeling Yugo's feelings.

He could feel deep down, a deep hatred for the Tops and the entire world as a whole.

But he also felt a little bit of love. For a girl named Rin.

He didn't have time to ponder on it as Yugo began to speak again, forcing him to speak as well.

"I end my turn. Since it is the end of the turn, Clear Wing's Attack returns to normal."

Clear Wing: 4500-2500 Atk

"My turn, draw!" Yuzu gave her drawn Card a hopeful glance, hoping that it will be what she needs to get out of this situation. She smiled when she saw the Card, as she took another Card in her Hand and placed on her Duel Disk, I Summon Melodious Diva Scale!"

Scale: Level 2, 600 Atk, 100 Def

"I tune the Level 4 Melodious Diva Canon with the Level 2 Tuner Monster Melodious Diva Scale! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 6! Melodious Floral Saint Cadence!" Yuzu's Synchro Monster appeared in its glory in front of Yuzu.

Cadence: Level 6, 2000 Atk, 1500 Def

"It's the Monster Hiragi Yuzu used to defeat Serena! Let's see if she can do the same against Yugo!" Melissa exclaimed as Yuzu slid the last Card in her Hand into the Magic and Trap Card Zone.

"That Synchro Monster!" Yuya noted, remembering it from Yuzu's Duel with Serena. "Yuzu's gotten much stronger! If I'm not careful, she just might surpass me. No, I don't think she ever was below me…"

"I activate the Continuous Magic Card Rest! Once per turn, I can target a Monster on your Field and negate its effects until my next Standby Phase!" Yuzu revealed as she used the effect of Rest to negate Clear Wing's effects. "Now, my Monster can use its effects freely!"

"Damn!" Yugo cursed under his breath as Yuzu's declaration of attack rang through his ears.

"Battle! Cadence, attack Clear Wing! Graceful Shout!" Yuzu thrusted her hand forward as her Monster sang out multiple notes, causing Clear Wing to grimace at the sound hurting his ears. "Once per turn, when this Card attacks a Monster you control, it gains halve the Attack of the Monster it's battling with until the end of the turn! Half of Clear Wing's Attack is 1250! So, Cadence gains 1250 Attack!"

Cadence: 2000-3250 LP

Cadence began to sing out loud even higher as Clear Wing let out howls of pain.

"I already told you, Yuzu, I'm not letting Clear Wing fall! By banishing Speed Rush from my Graveyard, I can negate the destruction of a Monster I control!"

"But you will still take the damage!" Yuzu reminded the banana-haired boy as he too soon resorted to covering his ears and wincing out of pain, slowing down his d-wheel, letting Yuzu take the lead.

Yugo: 900-150 LP

When the singing halted, Yugo took his hands off his ears and slipped them out of his helmet, putting his hands back on the handle bar.

"I end my turn." Yuzu finished with a sigh.

"The effect of Cadence ends now, her Attack returns to normal." Yugo reminded Yuzu as the Attack of the latter's Monster returned to 2000.

Cadence: 3250-2000 Atk

Clear Wing has his effect negated until my next Standby Phase! As far as I'm concerned, Speed Rush was the last Card he had with a Graveyard effect. He has no Cards in his Hand, it's all up to his last draw if he wants to win this Duel…Yuzu summarized in her thoughts, nodding her head out of assurance.

This is quite the pinch! But when has that stopped me before! Rin, give me the right Card, please! And wherever you are, I hope you are safe! Yugo put a Hand on the top of his Deck, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes…

Before shooting them open as he yelled "Draw!" He scanned the Card he drew, curving his lips up into a smile when he saw the Card.

"I think this is it, Yuzu! I've got what I need right here!" Yugo informed his opponent.

"A bold statement from Yugo! Can the Card he drew back that up?!" Melissa asked rhetorically to keep up the suspense.

"From my Hand, I Summon Speedroid Ohajikid!"

Ohajikid: Level 3, 1000 Atk, 200 Def

"I use Ohajikid's effect! When this Card is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Tuner Monster from either player's Graveyard, then, immediately after this effect resolves, I Synchro Summon a Monster from my Extra Deck using this and the Special Summoned Monster only! I revive Speedroid OMK Gum!"

"What?! But I thought you didn't have any Level 4 Synchro Monsters other than Rip Zuru!" Yuzu spoke out of surprise.

"Rip Zuru did use to be my only Level 4 Synchro Monster! Until not long ago, when Rin gave me this Card as a gift! Here it is! I tune the Level 3 Speedroid Ohajikid with the Level 1 Speedroid OMK Gum! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 4, the power of hope for the future! High-Speedroid Synchron Decoder!" Yugo lifted up the Card as his Monster appeared to the Field in a flash.

Synchron Decoder: Level 4, 1000 Atk, 2000 Def

"I activate Synchron Decoder's effect! Once per turn, I can send a Level 4 or lower Wind-Attribute Monster from my Deck to the Graveyard! Then, depending on the Level of the Monster, I can add the Level of the discarded Monster to this Card, or, I can have the Level of this Card become the Level of the discarded Monster! I send Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice to the Grave, and I choose to have this Card's Level become Red-Eyed Dice's, which is 1!" Yugo revealed, much to Yuzu's shock.

Synchron Decoder: Level 4-1

"Wait, the Levels of those Monsters...don't tell me…" Yuzu trailed off, knowing what Yugo was going to Summon thanks to his Duel with Sawatari.

"That's right! You know who I'm Summoning!" Yugo exclaimed as he and Yuya began to speak unison.

"I tune the Level 7 Clear Wing Synchro Dragon to the Level 1 High-Speedroid Synchron Decoder!" Both boy's declared as Synchron Decoder turned into a single green ring, with Clear Wing turning into 7 white stars which flew into the middle of the ring.

"Shine the wings that store the holy light…" Yugo began to recite chant.

"And strike down your enemies with its radiance!" Yuya continued as a flash of light surged right through the ring.

"Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 8, Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon!" Both boys bellowed as said dragon flew onto the Field, letting out a mighty roar as the wings of the Monster began to flicker with white beautifully.

"It's the Monster Yugo used to defeat Sawatari!" Melissa bent over, practically hoping that this was not going to go where she was thinking it was gonna go.

"It's so much prettier in person…" Yuzu gazed back at the Monster in awe, taking in its glittering beauty as Yugo thrusted his fist forward.

"Battle! Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon, attack Melodious Floral Saint Cadence!" Yugo declared as Crystal Wing bursted off into the air, leaving a brief white trail behind it as it flew in a zigzag pattern through the sky.

"When Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon battles a Level 5 or higher Monster…" Yuya spoke against his will, not wanting to continue on with this in the slightest.

"He gains the Attack of the Monster battling with it!" Yugo finished the statement as Crystal Wing gained a white aura, the Attack of the Monster increasing.

Crystal Wing: 3000-5000 Atk

"Whirlwind Krystallos Edge!" Yugo shouted as Crystal Wing zipped right through Cadence, earning a scream from the Monster as it exploded, a big smoke cloud forming, enveloping Yuzu as she leaned forward screaming as her d-wheel spoke rapidly from left to right, eventually releasing steam out of the back as it slowed down.

Melissa's deepest worry has come true.

Yuzu had lost.

Yuzu: 700-0 LP

"YUZU!" Yuya shouted at the top of his lungs, shutting his eyes tightly before prying them open, however, he didn't find himself in Yugo's point of view anymore.

He was back in the cell with Yuto.

"Yuzu lost." Yuya informed Yuto suddenly, causing the boy to jump in his place.

"Holy shit! You had me scared to death! What the hell happened to you?" Yuto asked his counterpart.

"It happened again. Odd Eyes was glowing and I was seeing things from Yugo's point of view. He beat Yuzu in a Duel. She's going to be sent out the underground…" Yuya formed a fist tightly.

"I'm sorry, Yuya."

"For what?"

"For not being able to protect Yuzu in Standard." Yuto clarified.

"That wasn't your fault, Yuto. The circumstances in the Battle Royale were shit. No matter what you did, I don't you could have anticipated the arrival of Yugo and that Academia bastard who looks like us."

Yuto merely looked at his counterpart's serious face as the boy continued.

"All we can do now is do what we can now to prevent the bad things from happening."


Meanwhile-On the Grounds

"And the winner…Yugo…" Melissa pouted with tears streaming down her face due to Yuzu losing. "Wh-What a way to end the second round…"

"YUGO! YUGO! YUGO! YUGO!"

As both he and Yuzu parked, Yugo did what Sawatari had told him to do and he embraced all of the praise, lifting his arms up and waving at the audience with a smile on his face.

"Yugo."

Yugo turned around to face Yuzu, who had slipped off her helmet, holding out a hand with the hand that wasn't holding her helmet.

Yugo looked down at the hand off a moment of confusion before realizing what Yuzu was doing. He also slipped off his helmet, tucked under his left arm as he accepted the hand, shaking it firmly.

"Good Duel." Yuzu said with a small smile.

"You too. You've gotten really strong, Yuzu." Yugo complimented the girl with a nod of acknowledgement. "Oh, we forgot to talk about the dimensional war!" Yugo facepalmed.

"It's alright, I'm kind of glad you forgot. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that if people knew and actually believed us, they would begin to panic, and then chaos would ensue, especially due to the condition of the City." Yuzu spoke glumly. "Anyways, best of luck, Yugo. I'll be there with you to make sure the future we desire becomes a reality."

Yugo nodded his head with a small smile. "Yeah. And thank you, for opening my eyes. There is hope for such a future where the Commons can escape poverty and live good lives after all."

Yuzu turned her back to Yugo and began to walk away, before remembering something.

"Oh, and Yugo…"

"Yes?"

"I received a letter not long ago in my quarters. It was from Yuya." Yuzu informed the boy, causing him to freeze.

If the letter was written by Yuya, then that means…

"He's alive?" Yugo asked in a hopeful voice.

"I think so. But for some reason, he can't talk to us at the moment. He didn't mention you in the letter, I don't think he has any ill feelings towards you."

"Thank goodness." Yugo placed a hand over his heart as he exhaled.

"One more thing. I'll do whatever I can to help you get Rin back." Yuzu told the boy,, surprising him. "It's the least I can do to pay you back for helping me with Security."

And with that, Yuzu left to go to the underground, where to people grabbed her by the arms and took her away.

When she was gone, Yugo let out a yell of joy.

He could see it. He could finally see it! The path that was blocked off by darkness for so long now! He could see light! He could finally see the light!

Yugo turned towards the setting sun, holding up an arm as he formed a fist with a grin on his face.

"Wait for me, Rin! I swear on my blood that I will rescue you!"

Yugo put down his arm and he was about to begin walking off the grounds when he felt a chill in the atmosphere. A chill that only he could feel.

And the chill in the air felt very familiar.

The chill in the air from that night.

The night when Rin was kidnapped.

He looked upwards, where he could see a silhouette standing on top of the stadium, looking down on everything with a grin on his face. His purple clothes blowing in the wind as the grin plastered on his face came back to Yugo.

He scanned the body of the person and came to the upper section.

Where he saw his face.


Card Catalog

Speed Rush, Trap: When a Monster you control battles an opponent's Monster, banish a random Speedroid Monster from your Graveyard, add the banished Monster's Attack to your Monster until the end of the turn. Also, the Monster you control can't be destroyed by this battle. You can banish this Card from the Graveyard in order to negate the destruction of a Monster(s) you control.

Rest, Continuous, Magic: Once per turn, target a Monster your opponent controls, negate that Monster's effects until your next Standby Phase.

High-Speedroid Synchron Decoder, Wind, Machine: When this Card is Synchro Summoned, you can Special Summon a Level 7 or lower Wind-Attribute Synchro Monster from your Graveyard with its effects negated and it's Attack reduced to 0. The Monster is destroyed at the end of the turn it is Summoned. Once per turn, you can send a Level 4 or lower Wind-Attribute Monster from your Deck to your Grave, apply one of the following effects:

Add the Level of the sent Monster to this Card's Level

This Card's Level becomes the Level of the sent Monster

(I also gave Ohajikid's anime effect a little change. The Tuner Monster it can revive now has a lefel limit but it can noe revive from both player's Graves.)


And we're done! Only an 8 day gap between this and the last update, not bad, not bad at all considering my track record.

Ethan Kironus: The concept they introduced thanks to Leo's ambition was actually pretty cool though. The concept of the Yu-Boys and Bracelet Girls being reincarnations/a quarter of Zarc and Ray respectively. The execution was pitiful though.

Neonecrodarkman: I don't really remember the Japanese version of DM that much, I grew up with the dub of DM, I'll be completely honest, it was the only series where I grew up with the dub though...I think. But yeah, I actually didn't know that Akaba Leo's VA was the same as Ryota/Mako, cool fact!

Skadi: The real identity of the man using the codename 'Darkness' will be revealed in a couple of chapters. As I think I have said before, it is a Gx Legacy character, most people have been saying Fujiwara Yusuke or Fubuki (Atticus in the dub) is the identity of the mysterious man, and you know what...I'm not telling you people shit about who the man is until the identity is fully revealed (Although I did leave a hint in which I assume made you guys go to the Fubuki or Fujiwara conclusion).

Now, next chapter, we aren't going to be moving onto the next Duel of the tournament...yet.

Next chapter, I'll be trying to give some other characters a little bit of spotlight, albeit it'll be against fodder.

The three characters that will definitely Duel next chapter are: Ryoga, O'Brien, and Reira.

There are two characters that MIGHT Duel next chapter: Reiji and Yuzu (who, if she does Duel, will tag with Reira, but I think it will be better if a Reira soloed her Duel to show her growth better).

Also, I'm gonna say this one thing before you people start accusing me of doing it, yes, I am fully aware that Yugo's backstory bares a little resemblance to Go Onizuka's, but I've been planning a Duel with a pretty similar backstory to the one showed in this chapter for a while now for Yugo before Go's Duel with Soulburner. In fact, that fricking episode required me to change the backstory a little bit.

That's all for now guys, hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Take care, goodbye!