His face.

There was no mistaking it, the grin the boy was wearing on his face as he looked down on Yugo, taunting him.

It was the same one from that night.

Yugo was sure that he was right! Yuto was participating in the tournament, and Yuya has only encountered Yugo once, and that was when they Dueled!

Had he been watching this entire time, he would have jumped at the chance to see Yuzu again, so there was no doubt about it…

"He's the one who took Rin!" Yugo concluded as he witnessed the boy jump off the roof of the stadium. "Hey! Get back here you bastard!" Yugo slipped on his helmet and jumped onto his d-wheel, smashing his foot on the accelerator, blasting off at great speeds in pursuit of the boy.

Melissa gasped as she saw Yugo leave, "Hey! Wait, now Yugo is going on his own too?"

In the building of Security, Roget smacked his fist onto his table, the power was back online, but it was too late, Yugo and Yuzu had already Dueled, and Yuzu had lost!

So, there was only one thing to do, and that was to send Security to capture


At the Executive Council

Reiji, Ryoga, and O'Brien were face to face with nine members of Security, Reira had left to go help Yuzu so she wouldn't be captured by Security.

"Ryoga, O'Brien, take 3 Security members each and Duel them! We have no time to waste with these people!" Reiji commanded the two Lancers.

"Understood." The two replied in unison as they walked away from the leader of the Lancers, Ryoga walking to the left, and O'Brien to the right.

"Damn you." A member of the 9 Security members cursed as 3 separated to Ryoga and another 3 to O'Brien, having no choice as they themselves couldn't waste any time either.

I'll finish this quickly! That way, we make sure Hiragi Yuzu and Serena are safe! Ryoga thought to himself as he activated his Duel Disk against the three Security officers.

"DUEL!" The four Duelists shouted in unison.

"I'll go first!" Ryoga opted as he grabbed a Card from his Hand, "I activate the Magic Card Foolish Burial! With this, I can send a Monster from my Deck to the Graveyard! I send Big Whale to the Graveyard! Then, I activate the Magic Card Surface, which allows me to Special Summon a Water-Type Monster in my Graveyard in Defense Position to my Field!"

Upon the activation of this Card, Big Whale rose from a purple portal to the Graveyard above Ryoga.

Big Whale: Level 9, 1000 Atk, 3000 Def

"I end my turn." Ryoga concluded with a smirk, knowing that Security didn't have anything to get past his wall Monster.

"My turn!" Security 1 announced as he drew his Card. "I Summon Jutte Lord!"

Jutte Lord: Level 4, 1600 Atk, 1200 Def

"When this Card is Normal or Special Summoned, I can Special Summon a Jutte Monster from my Hand! Come to the Field, the Tuner Monster, Jutte Knight!"

Jutte Knight: Level 2, 700 Atk, 900 Def

"I tune the Level 4 Jutte Lord with the Level 2 Tuner Monster Jutte Fighter!" Security 1 declared, raising his hand to the ceiling, "Synchro Summon! Appear! Level 6! Goyo Invader!"

Goyo Invader: Level 6, 2000 Atk, 2000 Def

A Monster resembling Goyo Catapult, only holding a sword this time appeared to the Field in front of his owner.

"By halving the battle damage it inflicts, Goyo Invader is allowed to jump over your Monster and Attack you directly! Go, my Monster!" Security 1 declared as Goyo Invader leaped over Big Whale, sweeping his sword at Ryoga, who ducked quickly, still getting nicked slightly, causing strands of his hair to be cut off.

Ryoga: 4000-3000 LP

"I end my turn." Security 1 finished as he gave a nod to Security 2.

Security 2 and 3 performed the same moves as Security 1, Summoning Goyo Invader and using their effects to attack Ryoga directly. All of this reduced Ryoga's life down to 1000.

"I end my turn." Security 3 concluded with a smirk on his face, however, he lost the smirk when he heard chuckling coming from Ryoga. "What's so funny?!"

"Is that really ALL you have? Cause if so, then the prestigious Security unit of the Synchro Dimension is not as good as I thought, you guys are merely fodder, ants that I have to push through to continue on with my goal! The goal of winning this war!" Ryoga exclaimed as he narrowed his eyes, drawing his Card as he did so.

"I activate the Magic Card Tri-Slice! With this I release either a Level 6, 9, or 12 Monster on my Field, and Special 3 Water Monsters from my Deck depending on the Level of the released Monster divided by 3! I release Big Whale, a Level 9! So, I Special Summon 3 copies of the Level 3 Starfish from my Deck!"

In Big Whale's place, the three Monsters appeared, occupying three of Ryoga's Monster Zones.

Starfish(s): Level 3, 300 Atk 300 Def

"I use the effect of Starfish! Once per turn, I can either reduce or increase the Level of this Card! Of course, I choose to increase the Level!" Ryoga informed the Security Officers, who clicked their tongues out of frustration.

Starfish(s): Level 3-4

"I overlay the 3 Level 4 Starfish!" Ryoga declared as his Monster flew into the open portal in front of him, exploding once they were all in, "Xyz Summon! Show yourself! The most powerful ruler of the deep sea! Your powerful fangs shall exterminate everything! Rank 4, Marine Biting Dragon-Shark Drake!"

Shark Drake: Rank 4, 2800 Atk, 2100 Def

"I'm not done just yet! I Summon Big Jaws from my Hand!" Ryoga slammed the Monster onto his Duel Disk as the fish creature floated above.

Big Jaws: Level 3, 1800 Atk, 300 Def

"When I Summon a Fish-Type Monster, I can Special a Summon this Card from my Hand! Swim to me, Shark Stickers!" Ryoga swiped the Card onto his Duel Disk as yet another Monster joined the Field.

Shark Stickers: Level 3, 200 Atk, 1000 Def

"Now, I overlay the Level 3 Big Jaws with Shark Stickers! With these two Monsters, I construct the overlay network! Xyz Summon! Show yourself! Rank 3, Submersible Carrier Aero Shark!" Ryoga Xyz Summoned his Monster to the Field with a shout.

Aero Shark: Rank 3, 1900 Atk, 1000 Def

"I activate the Magic Card Xyz Gift! When there are 2 or more faceup Xyz Monsters on the Field, I am allowed to draw 2 Cards!" Shark exclaimed as he took the top two Cards off of his Deck.

"Now, I activate the effect of Aero Shark!" Ryoga raised his hand to his Monster, detaching an overlay unit as he did so, the guns on Aero Shark began to light up, something was coming out of the guns, and it is pretty obvious what it is. "Once per turn, by detaching an overlay unit, for every Card in my Hand, I inflict 400 damage to you! I have 2, so take 800 damage!"

Aero Shark released multiple magazines of bullets toward the three Security Officers, the bullets whizzed through the air for their target.

If Ryoga felt any satisfaction on dealing the damage to his three opponents, he didn't show it.

Security 1: 4000-3200 LP

Security 2: 4000-3200 LP

Security 3: 4000-3200 LP

"Following that, I activate the Magic Card Rank-Up-Magic High Tide Force!" Shark exclaimed as he showed the Card to the Security, much to their shock.

They could hope that whatever was coming was not going to be as destructive as one of Kurosaki Shun's Monsters like Ultimate Falcon and Satellite Cannon Falcon.

"Using this Card and Aero Shark as Material, I can Xyz Summon a Monster from my Extra Deck whose Rank is 1 higher than Aero Shark's! Rank Up Xyz Change! Appear, Unappeased Soul placed aboard the Ark. Arise from the abyss so deep not even light can reach it! Silent Honors Ark!"

ARK: Rank 4, 2100 Atk, 1000 Def

To say that the officers were quaking in their boots was an understatement, they were trembling everywhere throughout their body as Silent Honor ARK and Shark Drake stared down the three like food.

One of the officers looked away and directed his attention to a small hole on the nearby carpet, not wanting to know what his fate was going to be.

"I activate the effect of Silent Honor ARK! Once per turn, by detaching an overlay unit, this Card can absorb and attach one Card on the Field to this Card! If the Card is a Monster, the captured Monster's Attack is added to ARK's!" Ryoga explained with a wide smirk, despite the severity of the situation, he couldn't help but feel satisfied.

Satisfied that he could beat the shit out of trash like Security. They reminded him so much of the Obelisk Force it disgusted him! How they fought in team of 3! The fact that they underestimate every Card they see! The fact that they used the same moved for all of their turns as if hey rigged each other's Decks!

And the worst part.

The fact that they acted like big shots who ruled everything! Everything and everyone was in their control, only the higher ups were controlled by them!

No one could do anything against them, if they did, they faced the consequences.

Just like Academia. Had anyone tried to fight back in the war, they would be ganged up on and eventually withered down to their feet, facing the darkness of the ground, never able to see the light again, because of the consequence.

Sure, these guys weren't Obelisk Force, and that simple fact made Ryoga want to punch the lazy ass councilors of the Executive Council in the face. Hard.

However, these guys were enough to supplement his hunger for beating the shit out of Obelisk Force. After all, their leader Roget was a former member of Academia.

Former member or not, he's still scum in Ryoga's eyes. To the point where he wants to see to it that he will be one of the key players in bringing Roget down!

"I attach your Monster!" Ryoga pointed at Security 1's Goyo Invader, who turned purple before turning into an overlay unit, immediately floating over to Silent Honor ARK, only to begin orbiting the Monster.

ARK: 2100-4100 Atk

"4-4100 Attack?!" Security 3 gasped out of shock, widening his eyes behind his glasses. He tried to avert his eyes, in order to not see Ryoga's grin, but the image was stuck in his head now.

"Battle! Go, Silent Honor ARK, attack this bastard directly!" Ryoga declared, pointing a finger directly Security 1, who widened his eyes out of fear as Ryoga's Monster Silent Honor ARK charged one of its guns and released a beam towards the officer, colliding with the man's stomach, letting out a cry of pain as he was thrown back into the wall, surprisingly causing a tiny crack to appear.

Security 1: 3200-0 LP

"Don't think you two are off the hook, I still have more! Shark Drake, destroy his Goyo Invader!" This time Ryoga directed his attention to Security 2's Monster, which Shark Drake easily destroyed by ramming into it, Security 2 covered his face from the ensuing dust cloud as he took damage.

Security 2: 3200-2400 LP

"I activate Shark Drake's effect! Once per turn, when this Card destroys a Monster in battle, I can detach an overlay unit from this Card, Special Summon the destroyed Monster to your Field in Attack Position, reduce its Attack by the difference between that Monster and Shark Drake's, and then inflict 1000 points of damage to you!" Ryoga exclaimed as Shark Drake opened its mouth, releasing a wave of water that enveloped Security 2, smashing him against the wall behind him as he spat out saliva.

Security 2: 2400-1400 LP

When the water dried, Goyo Invader was back on the Field, albeit with 800 less Attack.

Goyo Invader: 2000-1200 Atk

"Furthermore, when this effect resolves successfully, this Monster can attack more by the amount of overlay units it has plus 1! There are two overlay units, so Shark Drake can attack three times!" Ryoga bellowed with a smirk, releasing his anger on the officers, before commanding an attack. "Battle with Goyo Invader once again!"

Another wave of water was released from Shark Drake's mouth, engulfing Goyo Invader and the Security Officer, reducing his life to 0 and destroying his Monster.

Security 2: 1400-0 LP

When the water dried, a loud THUD was heard. The sound of Security 2's now unconscious body hitting the ground hard. But no one paid he man any heed.

Security 3 took a step back, knowing that he was going to end up like the other two.

"Please, show mercy!" Security 3 pleaded, clapping his hands together, to which Ryoga could not give him a smirk.

"It's too late for me to show mercy to you! End this, Shark Drake!" Ryoga used his last two attacks to finish off Security 3, dropping his life down to 0.

Security 3: 3200-2400-0 LP

Ryoga's two Monsters floated proudly in the air before dispersing into particles, disappearing due to Shark winning the Duel.

"Hmph, easy." Ryoga muttered under his breath, turning his body to see how O'Brien and Reiji were doing.


O'Brien's Duel

"I'll go first!" O'Brien proclaimed, immediately activating a Card from his Hand, "I set a Card facedown! Then, I activate the Magic Card Blasting Vein! By destroying a set Magic or Trap Card, I draw 2 Cards!" O'Brien's recently set a Card disappeared just as fast as it appeared. "The destroyed Card was Fire Trap! If this Card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I get to draw another Card!"

"3 free draws just like that…" Security 1 murmured under his breath, not liking the look on O'Brien's face when he looked at his drawn Cards.

"I activate the Magic Card Fusion!"

"What?!" The Security Officers cried out in unison, their jaws hinging slightly.

"I fuse Volcanic Queen and Volcanic Hammerer!" O'Brien announced as his Monsters flew into a vortex behind him, "Two sparks of fire burn brightly! Now merge into one burst of flame that can never be put out! Fusion Summon! Show yourself! Level 7! Volcanic Avenger!"

Volcanic Avenger: Level 7, 2600 Atk, 2300 Def

"I activate Volcanic Avenger's effect! Once per turn, I can target a Fire-Type Monster in my Graveyard, and then inflict damage to you equal to the Monster's Level times 200! I select Volcanic Queen!" O'Brien declared as an image of his Monster appeared, before bursting into three fireballs that struck the Security Officers.

Security 1: 4000-2800 LP

Security 2: 4000-2800 LP

Security 3: 4000-2800 LP

"Next, I Summon Fire Trooper from my Hand!" O'Brien shouted, Summoning the Monster to his Field as he twisted his foot onto the ground, keeping his ground tightly to look intimidating.

Fire Trooper: Level 3, 1000 Atk, 1000 Def

"Fire Trooper won't be staying on the Field for long however!" O'Brien continued as his Monster was surrounded by fire, "When Fire Trooper is Summoned, I can send it to the Grave to inflict 1000 damage to all of you!"

The Security Officers gasped, they were just about to lose more than half of their life points on the very first turn of the Duel!

Fire Trooper erupted the flames it was harboring, each flame lashing out and scorching the Officers, who covered their faces and cried out in pain.

Security 1: 2800-1800 LP

Security 2: 2800-1800 LP

Security 3: 2800-1800 LP

When the fire dissipated, scorch marks could be seen on the officers' clothes, along with the cloth on their arms being ripped and burned to shreds.

"I activate the Continuous Magic Card Blaze Cannon, and then I set a Card and end my turn." O'Brien concluded as he inserted the two Cards into his Magic and Trap Card Zone.

"My turn!" Security 1 announced as he drew his Card.

The three members of Security did practically the same moves against O'Brien as the ones against Ryoga. However, this time, they Synchro Summoned Goyo Catapult instead of Invader, due to the Monster's superior Defense and used the effects to inflict 600 damage to O'Brien for each activation.

All of this brought O'Brien's life points down to 2400.

"I end my turn." Security 3 concluded with a smirk as O'Brien quickly dusted his clothes, directing his arm to the set Card in front of him, revealing it.

"During your End Phase, I activate the Quick-Play Magic Card Crazy Fire! By paying 500 life points and destroying Blaze Cannon, I can destroy all Monsters you control and Special Summon a Crazy Fire Token!" O'Brien exclaimed as he picked up Blaze Cannon and slid it into his Graveyard slot.

O'Brien: 2400-1900 LP

A large flame sprouted in the middle of the Field, before spreading to every Monster and burning them alive as they let out screams of pain, cracking and shattering as they got burned. Then, the fire eased, before disappearing on the officers' Fields, while the flame on O'Brien's merely shrunk and changed form into a fire dragon or serpent like Monster.

Crazy Fire Token: Level 3, 1000 Atk, 1000 Def

"Now normally, I wouldn't be able to attack the turn I use this Card, however, since this was activated on your turn, this cost doesn't affect me." O'Brien stated calmly with a cold glare towards his enemies before pointing his hand forward, "Also, When Volcanic Avenger is destroyed, I can Special Summon a Fire Monster in my Grave and Special Summon it! Appear, Volcanic Hammerer!"

A flame appeared next to the Crazy Fire Token before taking the silhouette of a Monster. When the Monster fully appeared, what was seen was a molten like Monster with gold armor covering the chest and lower body while exposing the abdomen, which was a molten rock pattern.

Volcanic Hammerer: Level 5, 2400 Atk, 1500 Def

"My turn, draw! I Summon Volcanic Rocket!" O'Brien droned, placing his Card upon his Duel Disk as his Monster flew into the Field.

Volcanic Rocket: Level 4, 1900 Atk, 1400 Def

"Battle! Go, my Monsters, attack them directly!" O'Brien commanded, to which the Monsters obeyed, each of them except the Token taking out their selective victims. Security 3 was the only was standing, the other two were thrown into by Volcanic Hammerer and Rocket.

Security 1 and 2: 1800-0 LP

Security 3: 1800-800 LP

"I end my turn." O'Brien concluded with his eyes closed, knowing that the game was his. He glared at his opponent, giving him a look that said 'Surrender'. But the man did not obey, he drew his Card and grimaced seeing that it wasn't what he needed.

The officer looked down at the ground and closed his eyes, as if he was apologizing quietly to Roget for not being able to carry out his orders.

O'Brien put him out of his misery and attacked him directly with Hammerer, causing him to lose consciousness.

Security 3: 800-0 LP

O'Brien turned to Ryoga, he was done with his Duel, looking in his direction, it seems as if he finished not too long ago. They both directed their attention over to Akaba Reiji, who had his arms crossed waiting expectantly.

This action caused both to widen their eyes at a realization.

The lying bodies not too far from Reiji made it clear. How he did the deed so quickly was something that O'Brien and Ryoga were curious about.

They knew Reiji was strong, but to finish the game that quickly that he practically looked like he was waiting for quite a while was unreal.

And this was someone from the Standard Dimension, home to many Duelists weaker than those of the Synchro, Fusion, and Xyz Dimension.

O'Brien could practically feel Ryoga's gaze move away from Reiji, and directing it to the council, who just sat there like a bunch of kings (and a queen) who let their servants do everything for them.

Like a bunch of pawns.

The thought of pawns made O'Brien think about Roget and how he was a former member of Academia. If and when Academia comes to this dimension in search of Ruri, Yuzu, and Serena, Roget will most likely want the three girls at his disposal to use as a bargaining chip so Academia will get off his back.

But if O'Brien knew one thing, it was to never trust Academia in negotiations. Last time the West Academia underwent a negotiation, it backfired.

The Central Academia, the ones leading this war, went to the other Academia's in the Fusion Dimension and took some students and essentially brainwashed them with their teachings. Disgusted with Academia's plan of invasion to their dimensions, Professor Cobra negotiated with Academia. The deal was for Cobra himself to be used for one, only ONE, of Academia's experiments, which they would use for the war.

In return, Academia could not under any circumstance take any of the students under Cobra's wing. However, Academia cheated Cobra in their deal.

They used him for some literal brainwashing experiment and attempted to make him rule the West Academia so the rules enforced by the brainwashed Cobra could make the people of West Academia transfer over to Central Academia, to Akaba Leo.

Some stood against Cobra, one of these people being O'Brien's parents. They were Carded without mercy, and a Cobra would have gotten to O'Brien if it weren't for Cobra regaining control of his mind at the last second.

What they used to control Cobra was a parasite, but from the looks of it, it was a prototype. It was all a test run! The bug in Cobra's head had finally malfunctioned and it was erased from his head without a trace.

O'Brien felt uneasy around Cobra, even distrusting of the man, but he used to be friends with O'Brien's father, and he seemed like a good man. Carding his friend didn't seem like the type of thing he would do.

Then, not long afterwards, the Central Academia attacked West Academia, Carding almost every single student. Apparently, the had done to same with the North, South, and East Academias, to the students who didn't transfer over to Central Academia.

It was a hellish time for O'Brien, running away and struggling to survive. Eventually, after Central Academia had thought that they had rid the island of everyone, they left, leaving very few soldiers to search the island, and they eventually left too.

Cobra and the very few survivors, including O'Brien, his in the island, just in case Academia came back. And not long after, O'Brien was assigned to travel to the Xyz Dimension alone to help out in the war.

The point is, Academia is not to be trusted, and Roget will most likely get double crossed if a negotiation were to happen.

"O'Brien, Ryoga." The voice of Akaba Reiji brought O'Brien back to reality, "I need both of you to go out into the City, find Reira, she will be with Hiragi Yuzu and Tsukikage. One of you will go to the underground and meet up with Serena, Kurosaki, Gongenzaka, and Sawatari. Go, now! I have a bad feeling about this…"

"Understood."


At the Elevator to the Underground-Right After Yugo and Yuzu's Duel

Yuzu, who now had her Duel Disk and Deck confiscated and tucked into the pocket of one of the people escorting her, was at the entrance to the underground.

So that is where Gongenzaka and the others are being held. Yuzu thought to herself when all of a sudden, two Goyo Catapuls came out of nowhere and punched the people escorting Yuzu hard in the head, knocking them out much to Yuzu's shock. They're here after me!

Reacting quickly, Yuzu ran up one of the unconscious guards and dug her hand into the shirt pocket, feeling her Duel Disk, pulling it out to see the Deck already inserted in.

She activated her Duel Disk as she looked at the entrance out of the hallway leading to the underground elevator.

It was blocked by three members of Security.

"Tell you what, if you surrender, we can bring you to Roget-sama without any complications." Security 1 proposed to Yuzu.

"To Roget? Thanks, but no thanks! I don't want be manipulated and stripped of my free will by a power hungry maniac!" Yuzu retorted as she readied herself for a Duel.

"The hard way it is then!" Security 2 exclaimed.

"Prepare yourself, girl!" Security 3 followed.

They were about to duke it out, only to stop by the arrival of a new voice.

"I will Duel you!"

Yuzu and the members of Security directed their attention towards the entrance to the

underground area, where they saw a girl in a hoodie walking toward and past Yuzu, Duel Disk on arm. The hoodie she was wearing made her look like a young boy.

It was a face that Yuzu would never have expected to see. A face that she recognized to be the one who had beaten Ayu in the Miami Championship.

Akaba Reira.

"Reira! Why are you in the Synchro Dimension?!" Yuzu asked the girl out loud, but the girl didn't spare her a glance and kept a determined gaze at the officers, activating his Duel Disk.

Was she one of the people who were sent to this dimension, like Yuto, Sawatari, and Gongenzaka? Did Akaba Reiji send him? Why would he make such a young girl experience things like this?!

"What are you doing kid? You don't really plan on fighting us, do you?" Security 1 questioned Reira, who responded by declaring her turn and drawing a Card.

She made no reaction as she took the penalty damage for intrusion.

Reira: 4000-2000 LP

"I Summon Film Magician from my Hand!" Reira declared softly as she Summoned her Monster, with barely any sign of timidness at all in the boy's face. It was just determination and will.

A scroll of film appeared, encompassing a purple skinned magician draped in black robes with light green outlining and a rod grasped in his hand.

Film Magician: Level 1, 0 Atk, 0 Def

"0 Attack?" Security 2 mused, scoffing with a seemingly emotionless look on his face..

"What can a Monster like that do?" Security 3 wondered out loud.

I...I need to help Reira! I can let her do this alone! Yuzu thought to herself as she held up her arm, about to activate her Duel Disk, only for her to feel a hand grab onto her wrist, Yuzu let out a silent gasp as she looked to her right, seeing Tsukikage standing there, making his presence unknown to Reira, holding up a finger to his mouth.

Yuzu recognizes Tsukikage as the guy who saved her and Serena back in Standard.

So he is here too…

Yuzu nodded her head, knowing what Tsukikage was telling her to do, dropping her arm down and continuing to watch the Duel.

Tsukikage's signal was 'Keep quiet and don't interfere'. Yuzu didn't know why he had told her not to interfere, but it was always best to listen to people who look like ninja.

"Film Magician cannot be destroyed in battle, and also, Film Magician's Attack becomes the same as the Monster that attacks it!" Reira revealed the effects of her Monster.

"So it comes down to a draw where only the attacking Monster is destroyed." Security 1 noted with analytical eyes being hidden under his glasses.

"I end my turn here." Reira finished, keeping her eyes wide and focused on the three enemies in front of her.

She had to prove herself here! She couldn't hesitate! She has to make big brother proud! She needed to change! She is sick of who she is right now! She wants to become...someone different.

"Interesting." Security 3 admitted before continuing, "You're probably just another Commons whose gotten all riled up from watching Crow, Shinji, or Yugo's Duels."

"This is the end of your pathetic dreams." Security 2 proclaimed.

Jack fought his way up from poor beginnings, and now stands at the pinnacle of Dueling, with one Card as the catalyst. He gained the resolve to become stronger than anyone else, as a person...and as a Duelist! I've made my choice! From now on, I won't run away! I will fight! For myself...and my comrades! Reira closed her eyes as she spat out her resolve.

"I won't let you take Yuzu! I'm stopping all of you right now!" Reira exclaimed with a newly lit fire in her eyes.

"It seems that we have to put you in your place. My turn!" Security 3 drew his Card, immediately Summoning Jutte Lord to the Field, and, in a flash, followed that up by Summoning Jutte Knight and Synchro Summoning Goyo Catapult.

He used the effect to inflict 600 damage to Reira. After ending his turn, the other two members of Security simply activated a Goyo Catapult's effect, as the Monster was already on their Field.

"I end my turn." Security 2 concluded as Reira's life hit 200.

"Reira…" Yuzu whispered out of concern, wanting to join in, but the look Tsukikage gave her made it seem like Tsukikage wasn't worried at all.

Was he sure of Reira's abilities as a Duelist?

"What's wrong? Done already?" Security 3 taunted.

"Weren't you going to stop us all right now?" Security 1 made fun of Reira's previous words in an attempt to discourage her.

"This is all that Commons amount to." Security 2 said as he put his fight hand on his hip. "They're just talk and…"

"My…"

The members of Security and Yuzu widened their eyes at Reira, surprised at his persistence as she drew his Card.

Reira widened her eyes at the sight of her drawn Card.

"I activate the Continuous Magic Card Nightmare Past Loop! Once per turn, I can release a Monster on the Field!" Reira declared as her Monster disappeared from the Field.

"Removing your own Monster from the Field? What is the point of that?!" Security 3 gaped out of shock.

"He's just confused!" Security 2 smirked, "I mean, he is a Commons after all!"

Big brother...I won't run away! I will protect Yuzu!

"I Summon C/C Red One-Eyed Past Eye!" Said Monster twirled to the Field, it's eyes immediately glaring at Reira's opponents.

Past Eye: Level 3, 1400 Atk, 1000 Def

"I'll say it again! I'll stop you all here! I won't let you have Yuzu!" Reira stated her resolve with firmness.

"Reira…" Yuzu found herself impressed at the girl's resolve. In the Miami Championship, she looked like she would collapse if someone even touched her. Now, she looked like an impenetrable wall.

Just what happened to spark this change?

I activate the Continuous Magic Montage Fusion! With this Card's effect, I snap a picture of your Goyo Catapult!" An image of Goyo Catapult appeared on the Magic Card, replacing its original art, "And then, I fuse the picture with One-Eyed Past Eye!"

"You're using our Monster and using it as Material?!" Security 2 bellowed out of disbelief, having never seen a move like this once in his life.

"Iron Cannon! Dwell in this eye and give me your power! Fusion Summon! Level 6! C/C/C Rock Sword the Embodiment of Fused Arms!" Reira chanted as she Fusion Summoned her Monster.

Rock Sword: Level 6, 2400 Atk, 1200 Def

"When Rock Sword attacks, I can increase the Attack of this Monster by the total Attack of every other Earth-Type Monster on the Field!" Reira revealed, much to the surprise of the Security Officers, knowing what that meant. "Rock Sword gains 2400 Attack!"

Rock Sword: 2400-4800 Atk

A sound could be heard coming from the sword as the blade flared a fiery purple.

"4-4800…" Everyone except Tsukikage mumbled out of shock. Yuzu knew that Reira was strong, as shown in her Duek against Ayu, but she never knew that she was this strong! It was as if she was watching a mini Akaba Reiji Duel!

"Get him, Rock Sword! Attack his Goyo Catapult!" Reira pointed at Security 1's Monster, the sword zooming through and shredding a hole right through the Monster, destroying it as Security 1 was blown backwards, hitting the ground hard. He was now out cold, not moving an inch.

Security 1: 4000-0 LP

"Grr!" Security 2 growled, "It doesn't matter! It's still over! End your turn now! On my next turn I'll-"

"I'm not done yet!" Reira interrupted as she revealed Nightmare Past Loop once again, "On the turn that Nightmare Past Loop releases a Monster, I can release one Monster Summoned with One-Eyed Past Eye as Material! And I can then revise Past Eye from the Grave! And then I activate the Quick-Play Magic Past Tuning from my Hand! Using this Card, Past Eye's effects are negated and can be used as a Tuner Monster until the end of the turn!"

"A Tuner...don't tell me…" Security 3 trailed off as Reira continued, jabbing a finger at Security 2's Goyo Catapult.

"With the effect of Past Tuning, I change the Level of your Goyo Catapult from 6 to 3 and capture a copy of that Card!"

Goyo Catapult: Level 6-3

SNAP!

The sound of a camera taking a picture.

Reira lifted her hand up into the air as her Cards flew upwards.

"I tune the image of the now Level 3 Goyo Catapult with the Level 3 Past Eye!" The image of Goyo Catapult turned into three stars as Past Eye turned into three rings, the rings hovered around the stars, as a Reira recited a chant, "Iron Cannon that has been engraved! Synchronize with this eye and give me your power! Synchro Summon! Forward! Forged weapon that knocks everything down! Level 6! C/C/C Rock Shooter the Embodiment of Tuned Attacks!"

A wave of light blue light surged through the rings as Reira's Monster blasted to the Field.

Rock Shooter: Level 6, 2200 Atk, 1000 Def

"Incredible! A Synchro Summon during the Battle Phase!" Yuzu smiled, looking on in awe at the young boy's skills.

He wasn't a prodigy like Reiji was, but damn was he close!

"I use Rock Shooter's effect! Once per turn, it can lower the Attack of a Monster my opponent controls by 1000!" Reira declared as her Monster released a green beam which struck the armored Goyo Monster in the midsection, draining it of its Attack, much to the shock of the Security members.

Goyo Catapult: 800-0 Atk

"Battle! Get him, Rock Shooter!" Rock Shooter rushed towards Security 2's now 0 Attack Monster while Reira cued in, "At this moment, Rock Shooter's Attack will increase by the total Level of all other Earth-Type Monsters on the Field times 200!"

The total was 9, so Reira's Monster increased by 1800.

Rock Shooter: 2200-4000 Atk

A yellow blast with electricity circulating the beam erupted out Rock Shooter's nose and right towards Goyo Catapult, engulfing it and its owner, getting destroyed and causing a Security 2 to be knocked out of the Duel in the process.

Security 2: 4000-0 LP

When the attack connected, a large dust cloud blocked the view of everyone present, however, not long after the destruction of Goyo Catapult, the loud thud of a body hitting the ground could be heard.

Security 2, was defeated.

"Sorry for the wait, all that's left it you!" Reira's eyes momentarily dilated before returning to normal size as Security 3 took a step back out of fear, knowing that he nothing to protect himself.

"Using Nightmare Past Loop, I release Rock Shooter and revive One-Eyed Past Eye! Now I activate the Quick-Play Past Overlay! With it, an image of your Goyo Catapult is captured in Past Overlay! And then, Past Eye gains the attribute, Level, type, Attack, and Defense of Goyo Catapult!"

Past Eye: Level 3-6, 1400-800 Atk, 1000-2800 Def

"I overlay the Level 6 image of Goyo Catapult with my now Level 6 Past Eye!" Reira raised her hand as the two Monsters sunk into the portal opening before her, "Solemn tyrant of the earth! Reside in this eye and give me your power! Xyz Summon! Appear now! The ultimate armament that repels all! Rank 6! C/C/C Rock Armor the Embodiment of Heavy Armor!"

Rock Armor: Rank 6, 2500 Atk, 2000 Def

"I use one overlay unit and activate Rock Armor's effect! The Attack is increased by half of the total Defense of all face-up Earth-Type Monsters!" Reira revealed as Yuzu smiled, it was over.

Goyo Catapult's Defense is 2800.

While Rock Armor's is 2000.

Half of the total is 2400, which means Rock Armor gains 2400 Attack.

Rock Armor: 2500-4900 Atk

The rocks orbiting Rock Armor flew outwards slightly as a field of electricity sparked between all of the rocks, lighting up the entire room.

"Battle! Rock Armor, attack the final Goyo Catapult!" Reira commanded, and, following her order, a Rock Armor BLASTED an orange beam with electricity cloaked inside. The beam enveloped Goyo Catapult and Security 3, the man screamed loud as he was electrocuted and blown back, hitting the ground hard, causing his helmet to be blown off.

Security 3: 4000-0 LP

Yuzu was amazed. Reira had single handedly defeated three enemies, each of whom had a Monster with 2800 Defense in one turn.

"With Fusion...Synchro...and Xyz!"


Card Catalog

Goyo Invader, Synchro, Earth, Warrior: If your opponent controls a Monster, you can attack directly. However, if this Card deals damage by a direct attack this way, the damage is halved.


Before we begin, since this will most definitely be the last update for this story of the year, I want to wish you guys an early Happy New Year.

Now, I realize that since I skipped over every single Security turn except one, and I did that on purpose.

Now, about Yuzu taking a back seat for Reira's Duel, although it was a repeat, was literally the first sign of character development for Reira.

Having her take on three members of Security by herself further institutes her growth as someone who doesn't always need someone to hide behind, and that she is now going to try to step forward from here on out.

Had Yuzu Dueled those three, you obviously would know how it would turn out, regardless of a Reira's intervention. Yuzu takes a turn, ends turn, Security takes their turns and do the exact same thing, and Yuzu will, most likely, kick their asses in the entire duration of the fifth turn of the Duel.

I had Ryoga and O'Brien Duel because they haven't Dueled in a while, and also this chapter would be too short with only Reira's Duel.

Also, about the Dueling rules shown in this chapter, I showed two versions.

The version showed in Ryoga and O'Brien's Duel, solo person goes first, then, the other three go next.

The Reira version, since she had intruded on the Duel after the second Security member began his turn, she immediately gets the next turn.

Now having one person go and then three other people go next against them is kind of absurd, and makes Security look even more weak and fodderish, and I am sorry for that.

If you guys really wanted me to, although I would eternally hate you all for it, you can request a filler chapter showcasing a 3v3 Duel between the members of Security and the Obelisk For-oh wait, the Obelisk Force would kick their asses, never mind.

Anyways, sorry for this little break in the tournament if you were expecting the semi-finals to start. I did this mostly to give remind you guys that Ryoga, O'Brien, and Reira are still parts of the story (O'Brien and Ryoga especially considering the fact that I don't believe that Security is SO FODDER that Reiji best 9 of them by himself without breaking a sweat). Lastly, I also wanted to save the semi-finals for next year.

Also, to further bring in the fact that he hasn't been forgotten, I decided to give O'Brien a little backstory segment.

Next chapter, the semi-finals will start! I'll only tell you this, Yuto will be one of the two contestants facing off. I already have the matchup set, so no one is changing my mind, but feel free to gamble on guessing.

Thetiger39: Looking back, I realize that I've been having characters asspull a win most of the time without realizing at the time of those chapters, and I'm sorry if that upsets you. Also, if I wanted to, I could have had Yugo just flat out Summon Red-Eyed Dice instead of pulling out a new Synchro Monster out of nowhere, but I needed to introduce that Monster for something later down the road, so it isn't as out of nowhere as it would be if I were to pull it out at that time. At least this time, Yugo didn't magically create the new Monster, it was just something Rin gave him.

Deatharrow35: I have a plan to do a tiny thing with Zarc later near the end of the arc, but you'll have to see what it is.

Ethan Kironus: Well, whenever talking about Darkness one would be referring to the big skeleton looking dinosaur that Judai/Jaden beats the shit out of in the second to last Duel in Gx, so, do whatever with that knowledge what you will.

Skadi: A Duelist of Yuzu's caliber deserves Yugo being pushed to use Crystal Wing. As of right now, Crystal Wing was literally the only thing Yugo could have used to beat Yuzu.

Bridgey: Actually, unless I'm being a dumbass and counted wrong, Yuzu should have her next Duel in the books by the time Chapter 90 rolls around, maybe 1 or 2 chapters before even!

That's all for now guys!

Take care, goodbye!