Earlier

He didn't know much of what happened. He didn't have any time to sit down and think about the recent events that have transpired.

Yugo was in a tight spot.

He had just been transported from the park to some random location in the City; he didn't even have his d-wheel with him.

So here he was, just wandering throughout the City, making sure to avoid any herds of Commons and Academia soldiers. When suddenly, he heard this speech by Jack Atlas that almost completely dissolved the hate between the Tops and Commons.

He also mentioned that the Friendship Cup was continuing.

After the speech, Yugo found himself letting out a blood-curling shout as he punched a nearby wall as hard as he could. Severe pain ran throughout his knuckles, he found himself hissing, but it wasn't from the pain.

It was from that announcement.

Not that he was complaining that the Tops and Commons were together now. No, he was very happy about that. He'd be jumping for joy if it wasn't about some other things.

Rin wasn't here for it to happen. And it only happened because Academia attacked.

It took the Synchro Dimension...being attacked by the equivalent to terrorists in order for the City to be reunited in a flawed, easily fragile manner.

It was fragile because no matter what happened...the hate was still there.

It would always be there.

And it would stay in the City throughout the hearts of boys and men for the rest of eternity. And it certainly wouldn't disappear from Yugo, who had suffered so much in his childhood because of it.

It won't work out…

The world didn't work like that. Humans were not like that. They could forgive...not forget. However, in this case, forgiving was out of the question. The suffering had gone on for far too long.

And not only was this 'peace' between Tops and Commons easily breakable, but Rin wasn't even here to see it, even if it was something Yugo couldn't accept.

As much as he hated this untrue peace, he at least wanted Rin to feel what it was like for the people to be one. She deserved that right.

But it was taken away from her...by Academia…

If only...if only a truly just society was possible. And if only Rin were able to see it…

"As long as you join with Z-ARC, you can have anything you desire."

Yugo recalled the words of the mysterious voice with a concentrated expression, clearly in deep thought.

Anything he desired…

A just society...with all citizens living as one with no internal struggling. A perfect, grateful society. And Yugo himself would watch over it all, keeping the society balanced so no one would have to feel the pain of poverty and loneliness ever again.

And Rin...she would stand alongside him, carving out a better future with their own hands.

In this reality, it wasn't possible.

But in another…

It could be.

Yugo smiled at the very thought.

Yes, he would abandon this reality for the sake of a perfect one. He would be forever forgotten by this world, but remembered and looked up to in a new one. This reality could deal with their own problems without him. It's not like he had any part to play. Plus, him disappearing wouldn't hurt anyone. Actually, nothing would change for anyone except Yugo.

He could get what he want, and the world could keep going on without him.

He just needed to be with Z-ARC. Whatever that was…

He didn't even get that much information. How was he supposed to be with Z-ARC? How would this work? Was there some sort of special condition?

"The Friendship Cup…"

Yugo let out a long gasp as the chilling words played in his head. He didn't need to look around because he already knew no one was in the area. That weird spirit was talking to him once again just like last time.

"You must continue to participate...in the Friendship Cup."

"Why?" Yugo conversed with the voice mentally.

"It is your mission. You have aligned yourself with Z-ARC, but at the moment he is currently inactive."

"Inactive? If that's the case, then if I have to make him active why am I going to the Friendship Cup?" Yugo asked with a skeptical tone, still not fully trusting the mysterious voice despite it offering what he truly wanted in life.

"Let's just day that in order to reactivate Z-ARC, we need to build up...something that we will call Duel Energy. This Duel Energy can be built up extraordinarily by beating your other counterparts at least once." The voice explained.

"My other counterparts?" Yugo froze for a moment before realization flashed through his eyes. "You don't mean…"

"Yes. The ones named Yuya, Yuto, and Yuri are your targets. You have already beaten the one called Yuya, but the Duel Energy you have received from him has been...lost, or rather...stolen."

"Stolen?" Yugo repeated out of confusion. "By who?"

"By the Xyz counterpart Yuto. As long as they are in the vicinity, your counterparts can steal Duel Energy that you would gain from a victory. The boy named Yuto has done just that when you defeated Sakaki Yuya. As a result, you must defeat him once again."

Yugo's eyes filled with doubt, guilt, and hesitation immediately.

Defeat Yuya? Again?

Yuya was alive?

Normally, Yugo would have been jumping for joy at the news. He already knew how happy Yuzu would be if she found out. But at the same time, he had to defeat him again? In the same manner he did the last time?

"But Yuya...I...I almost killed him last time!"

"A necessary sacrifice for your goals!" The voice immediately interjected with an authoritative tone, silencing Yugo. "I know how you are...Yugo. Deep down, you are very ambitious. You would stop at nothing to complete your goals, no matter how impossible they may seem, and no matter what the obstacles you have to go through are. You would want to win no matter what! This is how you truly are. Tell me, would you really let someone get in the way of your dreams? Your dreams of being at the top?! Your dreams of being the strongest?"

Yugo's eyes momentarily flashed a light green as he felt flashes of a perfect world in his head in attempt to coax him into the plan.

"Besides. It matters not. In your perfect world, Sakaki Yuya and the others will be alive and well. They will understand why you would have to go through such drastic measures."

"I know, but…" Yugo held his head as fresh memories of his time with Rin flooded in.

No. This wasn't right.

He just couldn't make a jump like this. He had to keep trying for this reality. If not for himself, then for Rin. The real Rin.

And besides, the more he thought about it, he only accepted the decision immediately because of the desperate and vulnerable position he was in. There was no other reason other than the potential outcome. Just like the so-called alliance between Tops and Commons, this offer from the mysterious spirit was still risky anyway. There wasn't a 100% chance it would work out well.

And despite Yugo's good luck in Duels, he did not want to try and gamble at the moment.

"Sorry, spirit. It looks like I won't be following your orders for quite a while." Yugo smiled, satisfied with the conclusion he had come up with. After a few moments of silence, the dark, deep voice chuckled, fully understanding Yugo's intentions.

"Very well, you fool. Give this world one last chance. However, it doesn't matter in the end. One way or another you will come flocking back to me whether you like it or not. When you find yourself cornered and in need of power...I will be there..."

As the chilling presence of the voice soon dissipated, Yugo let out a relieved sigh.

He glanced up at the sky with a small smile on his face. "Rin...I'm not giving up just yet! I'll fulfill our dream and rescue you while I'm at it! If I have to rid the futures of others just to achieve the world I desire, then I'll sure as hell won't do it." Yugo declared, throwing a closed fist up towards the sky, making a vow to his childhood friend.

He still hated how things were turning out. However, if he didn't try it out then he would not be moving forward anytime soon. To lead his life into a brighter future, he needed to move past his grudges and accept what has been given to him, even if he didn't like it.

He'd give it one shot. But, if it didn't seem to work out, then it was back to siding with Z-ARC again. That was the only other option. And to do that he had to essentially kill his other counterparts. While he did want to beat Yuri's face into the ground, he didn't want to hurt Yuto and Yuya in the slightest.

Still, the spirit did get one thing right.

He had to go to the Friendship Cup. He still had a promise to keep, even if Rin was not in the right state of mind.

Win the Friendship Cup. That's all he had to do…

Now all he needed was his d-wheel.

Wait…

"WHERE THE HELL IS MY D-WHEEL!"


Now

"I made a promise...to win!"

Yugo glared at the man he was facing.

Sergey Volkov was a huge bulking man who had completely destroyed his previous opponents, one of them being Enjoy Chojiro. As Tokumatsu had been someone that Yugo had admired greatly in the past, the brutal beating he underwent in that shook him to the core and made his blood boil. As of right now, he wanted nothing more than to tear Sergey apart limb from limb in this Duel.

Yugo turned away, looking down at his d-wheel. He had ran into Sawatari not that long ago. He was with the big person (Gongenzaka) who had been defeated by Sergey in the first round. Fortunately, the big guy was alright and even better, he had Yugo's d-wheel with him.

He took it from them gratefully, making sure to give Gongenzaka a vow between men. A vow where he declared that he would payback for Gongenzaka and Tokumatsu on Sergey in their match.

"Well then, due to the surprise arrival of Yugo, it seems that the match will continue on!" Melissa Claire exclaimed with a cheer as she was actually a little relieved that Yugo was alright. "Once again, the match is Yugo vs Sergey Volkov! Now, let's not waste anymore time, shall we? Action Field, on!" Melissa raised her hand, snapping her fingers as she did so. "Field Magic, Crossover Accel!"

Duel Mode, on! Auto-pilot! Standby!

Above Yugo and Sergey, a sphere with Action Cards jammed inside appeared suddenly.

Both Duelists sat on their Duelists, ready to slam on their engines once they saw the clock materialize with 3.0 listed on the timer. After a few moments, the timer started, beginning to count down to mark the beginning of the Duel.

3…

Yugo leaned forward, making his d-wheel's engine let out a loud purr.

2…

Sergey grinned. He could already feel the strong aura coming off this Duelist. His existence would become even more beautiful no matter what happened in this Duel.

"Riding Duel!"

1…

A single thought played in both player's minds as the clock ticked down to 0 in slow motion for them.

I will win!

0.

"Acceleration!" Melissa said loudly as a horn blared at that moment, prompting Yugo and Sergey to hit their engines, taking off with a burst of wind.

"DUEL!" Yugo and Sergey shouted with an invigorated tone.

Yugo leaned forward, pushing down on the accelerator as hard as he could for maximum speed in an attempt to get the first move. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Sergey's larger and more bulky d-wheel came rushing by.

Yugo flinched at the sudden wind that blew at his face. He widened his eyes when he saw how fast Sergey was going. There was no way he was going to be able to catch up.

And that proved to be true, as Sergey easily made it out of the stadium, with Yugo following six seconds later. The follower of Roget slowed down so his opponent could catch up. When he did, the large cyborg immediately placed a hand on one of his Cards.

"I activate the Magic Card Fusion! Using this Card, I fuse together Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper and Earthbound Prisoner Line Walker!" Sergey exclaimed sending the three Cards to the Graveyard as the two declared Monsters appeared above him, swirling towards each other in a vortex-like manner. "He who is bound by the earth. Become one with the prisoner that walks the path of execution and become a gigantic beast that delivers out punishment! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 8! Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken!"

Geo Kraken: Level 8, 2800 Atk, 1200 Def

"I set this Card and end my turn." Sergey said, placing the Card into his Magic and Trap Card Zone with a blank stare towards his opponent.

Yugo narrowed his eyes, grabbing a Card from the top of his Deck and placing it in his Hand in response to the stare, signifying the start of his turn.

Geo Kraken...Yugo thought to himself, analyzing the Fusion Monster on Sergey's Field. A Monster who's effect is that once during his turn can destroy a Monster or Monsters I have Special Summoned, followed by dealing 800 damage for each one destroyed...and with Line Walker in the Graveyard…

Yugo felt his stomach twist with anger as he remembered Tokumatsu falling victim to the same two Card combo.

If he fell victim to the same combo, there was no way he was going to be able to avenge the violent losses of Gongenzaka and Enjoy Chojiro.

And there was no way he was going to fail at that self-made vow. Not this time.

"Here we go! From my Hand, I'll be Normal Summoning the Tuner Monster Speedroid OMK Gum!" Yugo declared as his white mechanical Monster appeared to the Field with a flash of white.

OMK Gum: Level 1, 0 Atk, 800 Def

"Next, when I control a Wind-Attribute Monster, I can Special Summon this Monster from my Hand! Appear, Speedroid Taketonborg!" A robotic figure with big blue eyes appeared to the Field, throwing its hand to the side as it readied for battle.

Taketonborg: Level 3, 600 Atk, 1200 Def

Yugo held out two fingers directed towards the Monsters on his side of the Field. "I tune the level 3 Speedroid Taketonborg with the level 1 Speedroid OMK Gum!"

Taketonborg's form disappeared, being replaced by threes white stars. Similarly, OMK Gum's physical body changed. However, this time, it was changed into a large green ring.

The three stars hovered through the green ring as Yugo began to recite a chant.

"Thousand-face possessing shadow of the labyrinth. With that sharp blade, render chaotic darkness!" Yugo rushed forward with a burst of speed, a flash of bright light surging through the ring and enveloping the stars as the figure of Yugo's Monster appeared as a silhouette "Synchro Summon! Level 4, High-Speedroid Sharp Sword Revolt Rip Zuru!"

Rip Zuru: Level 4, 1300 Atk, 1600 Def

"I activate OMK Gum's effect!" Yugo reacted, placing a hand on the top of his Deck. "When this Card is used as Synchro Material for the Summon of a Synchro Monster, I get to draw a Card and send it to the Graveyard! If the sent Card is a Monster, then Rip Zuru will gain Attack equal to the sent Monster's Attack!"

"You are...gambling. How ugly and insightful." Was all that Sergey said in response to this.

Yugo let out an irritated growl, jabbing a finger towards his mechanical opponent with ferocity. "The only thing that's ugly and insightful here is your face! Besides, life isn't a straight path. Sometimes, you'll have no choice but to gamble to stay on this unwinding road." Yugo closed his eyes. "Everyone does whatever they can to stay on the right road. I am just doing what I can, by keeping a promise I made to a friend!"

The banana-haired boy shot open his eyes.

"Let's do this. Don't fail me, Deck! DRAW!" Yugo roared, ripping the top Card off the Deck as he took a long glance at it. Eventually, his long face turned into a joyful expression and one of satisfaction. "I got it!" Yugo held out the Card to his enemy before moving his hand to the Graveyard slot, placing the Card inside as he did so. "I drew Speedroid Den-Den Daiko Duke, who has 1200 Attack! Therefore, Rip Zuru will gain 1200 Attack!"

Rip Zuru: 1300-2500 Atk

"Now, I know you're thinking. 'That Monster is too weak to stand up against my Geo Kraken'. Well, think again!" Yugo called out with a smirk. "When Rip Zuru battles with a Special Summoned Monster you control, he can once per turn double his Attack until the battle ends!"

Sergey remained unfazed by this comment.

Yugo thrusted his fist forward, "Go, Rip Zuru! Attack Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken!" The Synchro Monster leaped into the air in a spinning manner towards the Earthbound Fusion.

Yugo glanced at his Monster, grinning when he saw the green aura surrounding him.

Rip Zuru: 2500-5000 Atk

Sergey zoomed forward, making a mad 'ride' for an Action Card he had spotted ahead of him. Reaching out, he grabbed the Card, holding it between two fingers.

"Action Magic, High Dive! I can target a faceup Monster on the Field, that Monster gains 1000 Attack until the end of the turn!"

Geo Kraken: 2800-3800 Atk

"Not yet!" Sergey yelled, pushing forward even to grab yet another Action Card, activating it right before the Attack connected. Rip Zuru's spinning came to an abrupt halt as the Monster performed an axe-heel kick to Geo Graken's head, destroying the Monster.

Sergey made no reaction to the particles of his own Monster raining down on him as his life points decreased, marking the first damage dealt in the Duel.

Yugo glanced on Sergey's Field to see an Action Card Selection of Miracles in playm which allowed him to either prevent Monsters from being destroyed for a battle or to halve damage for a battle. Judging from how much Sergey's life points went down and the absences of Geo Kraken, it was obvious which option Sergey had chosen.

Halve the battle damage...

Sergey: 4000-3400 LP

"Hell yeah!" Sawatari cried out with a gleeful grin on his face, watching the Duel on a screen broadcasting the Duel. "Go on, Yugo! Beat the shit out of this tin can and send him back to the scrap heap!"

Despite not being able to hear the boy's words, Yugo shared his feeling completely. Sergey was a weapon. One of mass destruction. If left alone, he would only bring more harm to others. Perhaps there was some point in the past where he could have been helped, but it was too late now.

He had to be put down.

"I set two Cards and end my turn." Yugo concluded, two set Cards materializing in front of him as he spoke.

Right after his set Cards disappeared, Sergey's own set Card opened, revealing itself to be a Trap Card named Earthbound Sealed Revival.

"At the end of a turn where an Earthbound Fusion or Synchro Monster is destroyed, I can Special Summon the destroyed Monster with half its Attack and its effect negated along with the Materials used to Summon said Monster." As he spoke, a large circular portal opened in front of him. Geo Kraken flew out alongside Ground Keeper and Line Walker, all in Attack Position.

Geo Kraken: 2800-1400 Atk

Ground Keeper: Level 1, 300 Atk, 300 Def

Line Walker: Level 3, 800 Atk, 1100 Def

"My turn!" Sergey exclaimed, drawing a Card from his Deck. "First, I will be switching Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper to Defense Position. Now, if there is a Field Magic Card on the Field, then I will be allowed to Special Summon this Card from my Hand!"

"Field Magic…" Yugo murmured with a confused tone before his eyes lit up with fear. "Don't tell me…"

"Crossover Accel counts as a Field Magic Card. Therefore, the conditions for this Monster's effect are met. Now, come to the Field, Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper!"

Stone Sweeper: Level 5, 1600 Atk, 1600 Def

"How smart!" Melissa complimented with a grin. "Without even activating one of his own, Sergey utilizes the Crossover Accel in play to bring a Monster of his own to the Field! This one move could open the doors to many possibilities!"

Sergey glanced at the final Card in his Hand. He slid into his Magic and Trap Card Zone, activating it. The Card was revealed to be a Magic Card with the name of Earthbound Packed Howl.

Placing a hand on the top of his Deck, Sergey began to explain the effect. "This Card states that I can draw a Card for every Earthbound Monster on my Field. However, I have to pay 100 life points for each Card I draw. Currently, I control four Earthbound Monsters…"

"And therefore, you can draw four Cards with the cost of 400 life points." Yugo finished, biting down on his lip out of irritation.

The only response Yugo got from Sergey was the small twitch of his head followed by the quiet yet quick drawing of four Cards.

Sergey: 3400-3000 LP

The mechanical man gazed at his new Cards for a few moments before letting out a malicious smile, uttering a single word.

"Beautiful."

It might have just been Yugo, but he could have sworn he had saw Sergey's left eye glow a brighter red light than it usually does. All of a sudden, he could feel intense malice in the air, with a vicious longing for one's suffering, and also…

Victory.

"Must win...for Roget-sama." Sergey murmured under his breath in a demented and loony tone. "I must win! I tune the level 5 Earthbound Stone Sweeper with the level 3 Earthbound Line Walker! Revive from the depths of the earth. Gigantic beast with wings of punishment! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 8! Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon!"

In a bright green flash of light, Sergey's Monster appeared, letting out a powerful shriek that sent chills down the spines of anybody who heard it.

Geo Gryphon: Level 8, 2500 Atk, 1500 Def

"Both of these Monsters will not remain on the Field much longer. " Sergey said, sliding a Card into his Duel Disk as a Magic Card appeared in front of him. "I activate the Magic Card Earthbound Fusion! When there is a Field Magic Card on the Field. I am allowed to Fusion Summon a Monster from my Extra Deck using Monsters I control as Materials."

As he spoke, both Geo Gryphon and Geo Kraken lit up with green and purple lights respectively, indicating that the two were the Materials that Sergey had chosen. The next thing Yugo knew, he was watching in awe at the Synchro and Fusion Monsters swirling toward each other to unite.

"Demon that rules over the sky! Demon that clings to the sea! Become one and rise from the depths of the earth! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 10! Earthbound Geo Servant Geo Glasya-Labolas!"

With strong gusts of wind lashing out at anything in the area, Glasya-Labolas appeared to the Field, the patterns on its body glowing blood red as soon as the summoned beast awakened.

Glasya-Labolas: Level 10, 3000 Atk, 1800 Def

Yugo sharpened his gaze towards the Monster. He had only seen Sergey Duel with this Earthbound Deck once, so he had no idea what this big Monster did. However, there must have been a reason for Sergey to Summon this thing. The man was deranged and crazy, not stupid.

I need to be careful…The banana-haired boy thought to himself, curling his fingers and slowly breathing to relieve the stress he was feeling at the moment.

"Come on, now!" Yugo called out furiously with vigor. "Hurry it up so I can beat the crap outta ya!"

"Battle." Sergey declared, ignoring Yugo's statement. "Earthbound Servant Geo Glasya-Labolas, destroy Rip Zuru!" The Duelist Crusher's Monster flapped its wings, letting out a screech as it rushed towards Yugo's Rip Zuru.

"Have you forgotten?" Yugo enquired with a concentrated expression, "I said that Rip Zuru can double his own Attack while battling with another Monster!"

"You are wrong."

"What'd you say?!" Yugo blurted out with an irritated tone.

"I said, you are wrong. When Glasya-Labolas battles a Fusion or Synchro Monster while there is a face-up Field Magic Card on the Field, the Attack of your Monster is automatically reduced to 0!"

"What?!" Yugo exclaimed with shocked features on his face. He looked to his Monster to see a yellow aura around Rip Zuru. The next thing he knew, his Synchro Monster had slumped forward, his Attack having been reduced to 0.

Rip Zuru: 2500-0 Atk

"Shit!" Yugo cursed right as Glasya-Labolas crashed its own body into Rip Zuru, destroying the Speedroid Monster on impact instantly. The particles of the destroyed Monster rained down on Yugo, causing him to let out a cry of pain, almost falling off the d-wheel as a result of the attack.

Yugo: 4000-1000 LP

"I set this Card and end my turn." Sergey said, a triumphant smile adorning the features on his face.

"My turn, draw!" Yugo's greenish-blue eyes scanned his Cards for a solution. The corners of his lips curved upward into a smile. Sergey had said that his Glasya-Labolas automatically reduced the opponent's Monster's Attack to 0. He never said he had a choice in the matter.

He could use this to his advantage.

Yugo picked up the Card on the very left of his Hand, the very first Card he drew from the Deck in this Duel. He held up the Card as high as one would if they had just received a trophy, showing Sergey just what he had in store for him.

"I Summon this Monster from my Hand! Come to me, Speedroid Bamboo Horse!"

The white and blue-bodied mechanical horse appeared to the Field, letting out a metallic whine. The same kind of sound a real horse would make once in a while.

Bamboo Horse: Level 4, 1100 Atk, 1100 Def

"I use Bamboo Horse's effect," As he spoke, Yugo grabbed another Card that was lying in his Hand. "I can Special Summon a level 4 or lower Speedroid Monster from my Hand, however then all Speedroid Monsters will not be able to attack for the rest of this turn. However, in this case, the price is well worth it! So, come forth, a second copy of Speedroid Den-Den Daiko Duke!"

Daiko Duke: Level 3, 1200 Atk, 600 Def

"Level 4 and 3 Monsters? 4 plus 3 equals 7, so that means…" Melissa looked off into the distance from her helicopter, thinking to both of Yugo's previous Duels and remembering the beautiful dragon with clear wings and bright yellow eyes.

"It's time for you to come and help, Clear Wing!" Yugo shouted, slightly grimacing at a light pain that responded to his exclamation. He ignored it and continued with his move, thinking the pain was just his body's fatigue from all of the events from today getting to him. "I tune the level 4 Speedroid Bamboo Horse with the level 3 Speedroid Den-Den Daiko Duke!"

Upon Yugo's announcement, Daiko Duke's figure disappeared with three green rings taking its place. On the other hand, Bamboo Horse turned into four lights that traveled through the middle of the rings like usual.

"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's eyes flashed green as his ace joined the battle, flying alongside her owner with a ferocious roar escaping her lips.

Clear Wing: Level 7, 2500 Atk, 2000 Def

Yugo gripped his forehead, his hand stopping at his helmet. He gagged as suddenly he felt his stomach lurch. The unsettling feeling in his abdomen puzzled him greatly. He looked at Sergey, suspecting that the tyrant must have done something, only to remember that a similar sensation hit him when he was Dueling Rin.

What the hell is going on? Yugo thought with a pained expression on his face. For the past couple of minutes, he could feel a slight pain in his body, but it wasn't anything he couldn't endure. Now, the pain was excruciating. It hurt to even keep his body straight.

He willed himself to glance at Clear Wing, feeling a more feral and animalistic vibe coming from the dragon as opposed to not feeling anything at all.

It seems Clear Wing wanted to fight.

Then fight he would do.

"Battle!" Yugo declared with Clear Wing letting out a roar to follow. "Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, attack Earthbound Servant Geo Glasya-Labolas!"

Clear Wing flew into the air, her wings glowed a light green as she stared down her prey with hungry eyes.

Yugo grinned, adrenaline pumping through his veins. "Last time I checked, you don't get to choose whether your Monster can use its effect, right?" Despite the silence he received from Sergey in return, Yugo continued, already knowing the answer. "That means you can't stop me from activating Clear Wing Synchro Dragon's effect! When a level 5 or higher Monster activated its effect, Clear Wing can negate that eff3ct and destroy the Monster! Dichroic Mirror!"

Clear Wing released a wall of green light from her wings in an attempt to destroy Glasya-Labolas.

"An impressive strategy from Yugo!" Melissa complimented with a smile, remembering Clear Wing's additional effect. "If this goes through, then this game will go to Yugo's!"

As if done to merely disprove her point, Sergey then clicked a button on his Duel Disk, revealing a Magic Card in his Magic and Trap Card Zone. "I activate the Quick-Play Magic Card De-Fusion. I can send a Fusion Monster back to the Extra Deck and Special Summon the Materials used to Summon the Monster back to the Field from the Graveyard."

In an instant, Glasya-Labolas disappeared from the Field, avoiding destruction by a mere second. Then in its place, floating up from a purple portal opening from the ground, was Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken and Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon.

"Damn it!" Yugo cursed under his breath, looking up to his ace, wiping a drop of sweat off his face. "Come back, Clear Wing!"

With an irritated snarl, Clear Wing obeyed her master and sunk down to his side in a very protective manner. Yugo took note of this odd behavior but chose to put his concentration on the opponent in front of him.

With a frustrated sigh, Yugo said, "I end my turn." He made a turn with d-wheel, following Sergey as they continued riding through the lanes of the City.

"My turn!" Sergey drew his Card with great force. After looking at the Card, he smirked. "Beautiful! I Summon Earthbound Prisoner Symbol Seer!"

A humanoid dog-like Monster with dark green nazca line-like patterns appeared to the Field, releasing a growl upon entry.

Symbol Seer: Level 4, 800 Atk, 1000 Def

"I will not activate the effect of Symbol Seer! Once per turn, I can conduct a Fusion Summon using this Card and other Earthbound Monsters on my Field as Materials. I choose to fuse this Card with Geo Kraken and Geo Gryphon!"

"What? All three Monsters at once!" Yugo's jaw dropped out of shock, witnessing the three chosen Monster rise into the air, beginning to swirl towards each other, with Sergey quietly reciting a chant, gradually getting louder as he went along.

"Prisoner that watches over the march of time. Become one with the gigantic beasts of punishment and unleash your concealed power! Fusion Summon!" Sergey shouted, his red eye glowed even more now as his movements began to become more erratic. "Come forth! Level 10! Earthbound Servant Geo Phoenix!"

Yugo braced himself, feeling a harsh breeze blowing at his body, nearly throwing him off course and off his d-wheel. He leaned forward, gripping the handlebars tightly so he wouldn't fall. He looked only to see Sergey staring right at him.

The man was literally riding his d-wheel in reverse just so he could see the look on Yugo's face at the moment.

And the uncharacteristically wide grin which showed blunt and dirty teeth sent Yugo into a temporary state of shock.

Geo Phoenix: Level 10, 3000 Atk, 2500 Def

Yugo fully glanced up at the Monster, only to return to his shocked state once he saw the immense size of the Monster. It was so big it gave off a large shadow that enveloped both Sergey and Yugo himself.

Sergey's new Monster itself was shaped like an actual phoenix, with the body being completely black aside from the nazca pattern which was colored with a yellowish-gold hue.

"What the hell is that?" Yuto, who was watching the Duel in his waiting room, wondered out loud with no one there to answer him except his own assumptions.

"Beautiful! The dying bird that had been blown to ashes now has its fire rekindled by the works of time." Sergey muttered under his breath with a malicious smirk. His face turned serious once again as he made his move. Throwing his giant fist forward, Sergey shouted at the top of his lungs, beginning to get more invigorated as the match went on. "Battle! Geo Phoenix, attack and destroy Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"

The Fusion Monster let out an ear-piercing screech, rising to the air with a blaze of dark fire surrounding it. The Monster dove downwards toward Clear Wing.

Yugo looked ahead with sharp eyes, his gaze coming across an Action Card on the ground that Sergey had drove past. Punching his accelerator, Yugo's d-wheel picked up speed so he could reach the Card before the attack connected.

Yugo leaned forward, reaching out with his hand in an attempt to snatch the Card. The fruits of her attempt proved to be successful, as the next thing he knew Yugo was sliding an Action Card into his Magic and Trap Card Zone.

"Action Magic, Nanana!" He activated with a grin on his face. "With this, a Monster I control gains 700 Attack for this turn!"

Clear Wing: 2500-3200 Atk

"Now, Clear Wing, attack back! Whirlwind Helldiving Slasher!"

At that moment, Clear Wing took off, darting to the left. Geo Phoenix zipped right past Yugo, torrents of wind slashing at his face as proof of the Earthbound's failed assault.

Clear Wing rose into the air, rotating at high speeds like a table top before curving downwards to attack Sergey's Monster.

"I will not let you!" Sergey roared, his d-wheel rushing forward as the eyes of the behemoth laid his eyes upon an oncoming Action Card. He reached his hand out, grabbing the Card with very little difficulty. Yugo didn't even try to stop because he knew he would fail. With a triumphant smirk at the sight of the Action Card, Sergey activated it. "Action Magic, Flame Chain! Using this, I can cut down your Monster's Attack by 400!"

"No!" Yugo cried out as an orange aura surrounded Clear Wing's spinning form.

Clear Wing: 3200-2800 Atk

"Geo Phoenix, slay Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!" The Monster obeyed, cranking its head upwards towards Clear Wing. The Earthbound Servant let out another screech and launched upward in a flamy explosion that nearly shook Yugo off his d-wheel.

Crap! Yugo thought to himself as he glanced at his set Cards. I didn't want to use this yet, but it seems I have no choice!

With the stroke of his hand, Yugo activated one of the concealed Cards.

"Continuous Trap, activate! Follow Wing! Using this Card, I target Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"

"What?!" Sergey bellowed out of frustration as the attack continued.

Yugo thrusted his fist forward with vigor, "The Monster equipped with Follow Wing cannot be destroyed in battle!" The two behemoths clashed releasing powerful shockwaves. The Monsters separated, with Clear Wing tumbling in the air due to losing the struggle. Multiple particles were shaved off the dragon, going on to rain down on Yugo instead.

Yugo: 1000-800 LP

"I set a Card and end my turn." Sergey concluded, slamming a fist onto his d-wheel with grit teeth. "Un...persiste…"

"What'd you say?" Yugo asked with a demanding tone after hearing Sergey mumble, unable to hear the words clearly.

"Unbeautifully persistent!" Sergey repeated, yelling out loud this time with anger present on his face. "Why are you so persistent?! Why don't you just lay down and GIVE UP!?"

"Because I made a promise!"

"A promise?" Sergey mused out of confusion with widened eyes, looking back to take a good look at his opponent.

"Yes. A promise I made to a friend! A promise that I must stay loyal to at all costs! A promise I made of my own free will!"

"Free will? What is free will if you are binded to a vow you made to another person?!"

"Rin never forced me to make that vow to her! It was all my own decision! The moment the two of us began dreaming about being at the Top, we both made a vow to never go back on that dream! Rin may not be here with me...but that doesn't mean I can't fulfill our dream in her place!" Yugo exclaimed. "Unlike you, I'm not someone's lapdog!"

"Lapdog?" Sergey repeated the word as if it was taboo. "I am not anyone's lapdog! I'm only working under Roget-sama because I owe him for saving my life!"

"Roget-sama?" Yugo put clear emphasis, much to Sergey's uncharacteristic dismay.

The cyborg widened his eyes, seething his teeth with a sudden ferocity hidden in the glare that he gave Yugo.

"Roget-sama values me! When I was in the dark hell of the Facility, he was the one who held out a hand to pull me out. It is for that reason I am in debt to him! It is why I support him!"


"All is going according to plan." Roget said to himself with a smirk, pushing a strand of slightly gray hair out of his face. "I have left the Tops and Commons settle their feud with Academia, and now most of the Lancers' attention is on Academia and preserving the peace. Very few of them are actually worried about me now."

Roget glanced at another screen which showed the Friendship Cup stadium with multiple people cheering the participants on.

Roget glanced to his right down at his chess board, moving a pawn forward.

"Now I can fully set my plan into motion. Overthrow the King. Gain power. Destroy the Lancers and capture Kurosaki Ruri, Serena, and Hiragi Yuzu in order to make a bargain with Academia."

"Hmm? Perhaps it is time for Sergey to use the real Earthbound Monsters. He certainly he has the potential to reawaken the arts that were lost long ago…"

Roget's smirk washed away as he began to think about Sergey's performance. Despite being in the lead, he was still struggling against this boy.

It was about time for an upgrade.

"The fun begins now."


"In order to help him create the kingdom that he desires, I will lay down my hands, just like he did to save me!"

Immediately after he finished speaking, a low rumbling noise played through Sergey's teeth as electricity began to spark around the man.

"Rrrrr...AHHHHH!" Sergey screamed out of agony as parts of his d-wheel began to glow yellow. Bands of energy sprouted out from different areas, wrapping themselves around Sergey's body, completely crushing the man's helmet in the process.

"What the hell?" Yugo murmured, mesmerized by the sudden changes as Sergey's body was encased inside the d-wheel. Two of the wheels on the tri-wheeled d-wheel lifted themselves into the air and off to the sides.

Then, to everyone's shock, the entire body of Sergey's d-wheel lifted itself up and continued to move forward on only one wheel. Soon, Sergey's body from his torso up came out of an opened hatch, his screams echoing throughout the sky, sending chills to those who heard it.

"S-Sergey has…" Melissa trailed off, truly at a loss for words.

"Become one with his d-wheel?" Sawatari gaped out of disbelief.

"Roget…" Yugo concluded with a low growl. He hated Sergey's guts, but even he had to admit this was going too far.

However, any sort of sympathy that Yugo had for the man in that small window of time was immediately wiped from the face of the four dimensions when he heard the loud cackling of Sergey.

He felt pain...but at the same time, he was welcoming it.

Disgusting…Yugo thought to himself with a sharpened gaze.

"Beautiful! So beautiful!" Sergey held out his arms, letting out a laugh of pure insanity as his left eye turned blue with the usual red shining pupil, "Take in this beautiful image! I AM NOW ONE WITH THE SPEED!"

"I will not accept this." Yugo muttered under his breath. "No matter what happens, I will take you down!"

"You are welcome to try!" Sergey said with a cocky smirk. "With this, it is impossible for you to have access to any Action Cards. Once I drain you of your resources, it is over."

"Oh yeah? Well we won't know that until you beat me, will we?" Yugo asked rhetorically, grabbing the top Card of his Deck, quietly muttering, "Come! Come! Come! Come!" He repeated this silent prayer about eight more times before mustering up the courage to move his arm. "DRAW! HELL YEAH!" Yugo shouted upon making eye contact with the drawn Card.

With the exaggerated sweep of his hand, Yugo held out his Card despite knowing that Sergey couldn't see it.

"I activate the Graveyard effect of Den-Den Daiko Duke! When my life is less than 1000, I can banish this Card in order to Special Summon a Tuner Monster in my Graveyard! Descend, Speedroid OMK Gum!"

The transparent image of Den-Den Daiko Duke appeared momentarily before disappearing completely, being replaced by a purple portal in which OMK Gum raised from.

"Now, I tune the level 7 Clear Wing Synchro Dragon with the level 1 Speedroid OMK Gum! Shine the wings that store the holy light, and strike down your enemies with its radiance! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 8! Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon!" Yugo roared as the advanced form of Clear Wing descended to the Field.

Crystal Wing: Level 8, 3000 Atk, 2500 Def

"OMK Gum's effect now activates!" Yugo chimed, moving his hand to the top of his Deck. However, Sergey immediately chained an effect of his own.

"I activate Geo Phoenix's effect! Once per turn, when a Monster is Special Summoned to the Field, I get to halve the Summoned Monster's Attack!" Sergey explained, his Monster burning up once again, ready for combat.

Yugo responded by activating the effect of his own Monster confidently as a response. "When a Monster effect is activated, Crystal Wing can negate it and destroy the used Monster!"

Crystal Wing's wings glowed a bright green, unleashing green shards towards Sergey's Monster just like Clear Wing did earlier.

"It is pointless!" Sergey fired back with an equal amount of confidence as his opponent. "Geo Phoenix cannot be destroyed by Card effects!" Each of the shards collided with Geo Phoenix's body, bouncing off the Earthbound Servant with each connection.

"Even if your Monster isn't destroyed, its effect is still negated!" Yugo reminded his opponent, much to Sergey's annoyance. "And now, OMK Gum's effect goes through!" Yugo drew his Card in one confident sweep. He glanced at the Card with a hopeful expression only for his face to fall when he saw what he got. "I drew Synchro Cracker, a Magic Card. Therefore, no change occurs in Crystal Wing's Attack."

"It seems Yugo's long streak of good luck has ended!" Melissa commented while Yugo slid the Magic Card into his Grave.

Yugo ignored this comment, making sure that he wouldn't lose confidence just because some announcer basically said he couldn't win. "It's time to battle! Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon, attack Earthbound Servant Geo Phoenix! Whirlwind Krystallos Edge!" Yugo's Synchro Monster began to zoom towards Sergey's own Monster, moving as speeds just barely faster than the eye could see. "When Crystal Wing battles a level 5 or higher Monster, he gains the Attack of the opposing Monster until the end of the battle!"

A light green aura surrounded Crystal Wing signifying a powerful, prompting the loud roar that escaped the dragon's lips.

Crystal Wing: 3000-6000 Atk

Crystal Wing zipped forward, preparing to unleash her attack on Geo Phoenix. However, while Crystal Wing was flying around, Sergey took the time to speed up at an intense rate, leaving Yugo in the dust and easily grabbing an Action Card before the latter could realize what he was doing.

"Action Magic, Flame Chain!" Sergey activated once again, lowering the Attack of Crystal Wing by 400 like last time.

Crystal Wing: 6000-5600 Atk

Yugo didn't have the time nor did he have the opportunity to try and rush past Sergey in attempt to fetch an Action Card. It would be put him at even more risk anyway, since Sergey would probably throw him off the course if he tried passing him.

Because of this, Yugo had to be satisfied with the damage he would be doing now, and as a result the attack connected, with Crystal Wing zooming right through Geo Phoenix.

The Monster let out a screech of pain as it destroyed in a burst of fire. The ensuing shockwaves hit Sergey, causing him to yell and writhe in a similar way to his Monster.

Sergey: 3000-400 LP

Since the battle was over, Crystal Wing's Attack returned to normal. However, due to Flame Chain, the Synchro Monster was left with 2600 Atk.

Crystal Wing: 6000-2600 Atk

"I'M NOT DONE! I activate Geo Phoenix's effect! When it is destroyed, I can banish a Monster that meets one of the conditions for Phoenix's Fusion Materials! Then, I can bring Geo Phoenix back to the Field." Sergey took a Card out of his Graveyard and revealed that it was Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper he was banishing. Moments later, a small fiery feather appeared on Sergey's Field, which soon transformed into the revived Geo Phoenix. "Now I activate Geo Phoenix's additional effect! When this Monster is Special Summoned from the Graveyard, I get to destroy a Monster you control! Obviously, I will destroy Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon!"

A circle of fire enveloped Crystal Wing, incinerating the dragon as she let out screams of terror and agony. The Monster was destroyed, leaving Yugo and everyone watching the Duel absolutely stunned.

"No way, Yugo…" Shingo muttered with a concerned and angry look on his face.

"GIVE UP! YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO FULFILL YOUR DREAMS! NOT AS LONG AS THE CITY REMAINS LIKE THIS!" Sergey yelled at the top of his lungs, his vitals most likely reaching to a dangerous point.

Time seemed to slow for Yugo as he stared at the place where Crystal Wing was destroyed. He was now detached from the world. He felt completely out of sync with reality.

He knew this feeling.

"Welcome back, Yugo."

And there it is…

"What the hell do you want?" Yugo demanded with a harsh tone, the small throbbing in his head suddenly becoming more sharp and painful.

"Nothing. I just want to help you fulfill your dreams, that's all. You and I both know what that facedown Card you have is. And we both know that at your current amount of strength, using it would only delay the inevitable. You will lose no matter what."

"...And?"

"And?!" The voice repeated with a startled tone. "Do you realize what's riding on this Duel? Lose and you may never see the light again!"

"I've been thinking about your offer ever since you approached me. And this is my answer. I say SCREW YOU! This entire war has made me realize that you can't run away from reality. There'll always be problems in life, and we spend our existence looking for those solutions. However, no matter what happens, there is one problem that no one has ever been able to solve."

"And pray tell, what is this problem?"

"The problem of balance." Yugo responded. "If there is too much good, then no one will learn from the evil. A world without a balance of good and evil is like a world without change. You could hardly call living in a world like that life. The thing with life is that it is unpredictable. You never know what's at the next corner. The bad experiences we have make us into the people that we are. Without them, we are merely blank slates with nothing to distinguish each other from. The journey isn't making it to your destination, it's the stops and forks in the road that makes the entire journey. I'd rather lose the light trying to reach out for it than lose myself into the darkness because I gave up."

"I'm not telling you to give up-"

"You told me all that I needed to know!" Yugo yelled with a fire burning in his eyes. "You want me to relinquish my free will, the very thing that makes me human! I realize now free will is something to be cherished and must not be taken for granted."

Yugo softened his gaze as he thought about Rin, and how her free will was stripped away from her by Academia in a flash.

"You're thinking about her, aren't you? Fool! Don't you realize that she abandoned you for her own interests!"

"You're wrong! The Rin I faced wasn't human! She had no will to call her own! It was taken away from her by Academia! She had dreams! She had memories! She knew the meaning of life! She knew how to look on the bright side of things despite being in the crappy situation we were in our entire life!"

"You've been tricked by your entire life then!"

"I WILL NOT LET YOU CALL MY MEMORIES WITH HER A LIE! The dreams we shared...they were real! And I swear I will lay down my life to make sure that Rin can live in a world where she and others can truly be happy!"

Yugo widened his eyes, snapping back to reality with the strong thrust of his arm, revealing a facedown Trap Card. "I activate the Trap Card Extra Shave Reborn! When a Monster Summoned from the Extra Deck is destroyed, I can Special Summon a Monster originally from the Extra Deck from the Graveyard with a lower level! Revive, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"

Yugo's ace reappeared with a furious howl.

"I set this Card and end my turn." A Card materialized in front of Yugo before disappearing just as quickly as it appeared.

"So you still decide to fight?" Sergey questioned.

"I won't ever give up! I will defeat you, and I'm not going back on my word!"

"Very well, then." Sergey said with a sadistic smirk. "I was hoping you would say that! My turn, draw! Battle! Go, Earthbound Servant Geo Phoenix, attack and destroy Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"

"Not so fast!" Yugo interjected almost immediately before Geo Phoenix could even take off. "Continuous Trap, activate! Burning Sonic! When a Monster I control is targeted for an attack, I can target them with this Card, negate the Attack, and have the targeted Monster gain 500 Attack Points!"

After his explanation concluded, Geo Phoenix charged towards Clear Wing, who soared up into the sky, easily dodging the Earthbound Servant.

Clear Wing: 2500-3000 Atk

"Counter Trap, activate! Earthbound Assault! If an attack involving an Earthbound Monster is negated, I can target a Monster you control and destroy it! Then, if the Monster is successfully destroyed, I am allowed to grant one of my Monsters an extra attack!"

Sergey's Trap Card glowed a bright red as a fireball rushed out of it and towards Clear Wing.

"When the Monster selected by Burning Sonic is targeted by a Magic or Trap Card, I can send this Card to the Graveyard instead!" As Yugo placed his Trap into the Grave, a rotating ball of fire appeared in front of Clear Wing. The fireball from Sergey's Trap collided with the one ball from Burning Sonic. The two nullified each and disappeared without a trace.

As Burning Sonic had now left the Magic and Trap Card Zone, Clear Wing lost the 500 Attack Point boost.

Clear Wing: 3000-2500 Atk

"I end my turn." Sergey concluded with a confident yet annoyed expression on his face.

"My turn…" Yugo closed his eyes. He could see it. He could see the key. He just needed the right combination to get grasp it.

His entire world went white. He looked far ahead to make out a blank, white Card. Yugo's d-wheel flickered a bright red for a moment.

I can see it...incredible power...Returning himself to reality, Yugo looked down at his Deck. Don't let me down now...He prayed.

"DRAW!" Yugo shouted, ripping off the top Card with a hard swing. He glanced at the Card with a hopeful expression, he let out a sigh of relief when he saw what it was. He held out the Card and placed it on his Monster Zone, revealing itself to be Speedroid Ohajikid.

Ohajikid: Level 3, 1000 Atk, 200 Def

"Speedroid 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." Yugo explained, a portal opening right next to him. "Come back one more, Speedroid OMK Gum!" Out of the opened portal, OMK Gum jumped out. Immediately, the bodies of both Monsters glowed a light green. "Now, Ohajikid immediately tunes himself with the Summoned Monster!"

Ohajikid turned into three stars while OMK Gum turned into a single ring, repeating the normal process of a Synchro Summon once again while Yugo recited a chant as usual.

"Synchro Summon! Appear! Level 4! The power of hope for the future! The Synchro Tuner, High-Speedroid Synchron Decoder!" Yugo exclaimed as a machine with a blue metal body while sporting a black visor and gleaming red eyes to boot. The Monster immediately took root in Defense Position.

Synchron Decoder: Level 4, 1000 Atk, 2000 Def

"A Synchro Tuner?" Sawatari muttered under his breath out of surprise.

Yugo narrowed his eyes, a red glow coming from his Extra Deck.

No.

Now was not the right time to do it. It had to wait.

The Speedroid user pointed to his Monster, "I activate Synchron Decoder's effect! Once per turn, I can send a level 4 or lower Monster from my Deck to my Graveyard and choose to either add its level to Synchron Decoder's or have Decoder's Level become the level of the sent Monster. I send Speedroid Beigomax to the Graveyard!"

Yugo chose to have Synchron Decoder's level become Beigomax's level. Since Beigomax's level was 3, Synchron Decoder's level becomes 3.

Synchron Decoder: Level 4-3

"I switch Clear Wing Synchro Dragon to Defense and end my turn." Yugo finished with a satisfied grin, his dragon holding her arms in front of herself, leaning forward slightly.

"Oh, all that talk and this is what you come out with? How disappointing." Sergey taunted as he drew a Card smugly, sure of his victory. He gazed at the Card he drew and grinned. Holding out his Card, Sergey said, "I activate the Magic Card Earthbound Quake! If I control an Earthbound Monster while there is a Field Magic Card, I can switch the battle positions of all Monsters you control!"

As a result of this Card, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon and Synchron Decoder were switched into Attack Position.

"It ends now!" Sergey proclaimed, declaring battle with the wave of his giant hand. "Earthbound Servant Geo Phoenix, attack High-Speedroid Synchron Decoder!"

"Yugo's in trouble!" Melissa squealed. "If this next attack hits…"

Yugo shot his head up, a red light being emitted from his d-wheel as he thrusted his hand forward, prepared to make his move.

"Witness the power I've obtained! The power of my wishes!"

In Roget's office, the blond man immediately noticed the red trail being left behind by Yugo. He widened his eyes at the sight of it, a drop of sweat rolling down his face as his heart level immediately began to race.

That red light...don't tell me…

In the throne room, where the King sat on his throne spectating the Duel, Jack Atlas softly placed a hand on his forehead. He could feel his body temperature rising as chills ran down his spine. He paid close attention to Yugo, particularly the red light.

"This nostalgic feeling…what is this?"

Yugo closed his eyes and relaxed. Everything seemed slow…It felt like was slowly swimming through the air.

I am one with the wind…

The image of the blank Card appeared in his mind. And slowly, the Card seemed to unveil itself like an old-fashioned film camera.

Clear your thoughts...and let the wind take you...

Yugo shot open his eyes, pointing towards both of his Monsters.

"This is the power I've now obtained! Clear Mind!" Yugo shouted, wisps of red shooting past him now as he began to build up even more speed, beginning to gain on Sergey. "I'm tuning the level 7 Synchro Clear Wing Synchro Dragon with the level 3 Synchro Tuner High-Speedroid Synchron Decoder!"

"What?!" Sergey's eyes widened. "You're performing a Synchro Summon on my turn? Impossible!"

Synchron Decoder transformed into three giant green rings that spread out in front of Yugo and Clear Wing.

Both Yugo and his ace glowed a bright and radiant red, passing through the rings as fast as they ever have gone in their life.

"Clustering dreams will form to create a new world! Become the light that illuminates the future! ACCEL SYNCHRO!"

Yugo and Clear Wing glowed so bright that just looking at the sight would blind them.

And then the next thing everyone knew…

"They disappeared…" Sergey and Melissa murmured in unison. The former looked behind him, only to gasp out of shock seeing Yugo and Clear Wing ahead of him.

"Descend! The embodiment of dreams!" A red portal formed above Yugo as a large, shining, crystalline dragon with shining white wings bearing a resemblance to a Clear Wing stormed out, flying in circles high into the air before letting out a powerful roar, the sun radiating off her body in an angelic fashion. "Crystal Dream Dragon!"

Crystal Dream: Level 10, 3300 Atk, 3000 Def

The dragon was so high in the sky that even those outside of the stadium could see it.

Yuzu, who was one of the many Lancers outside the stadium, looked at the dragon out of amazement and admiration. "So pretty! It's good to see that Yugo hasn't given up."

In his waiting room, Yuto looked at the screen with awe. "Is this...really Yugo?"

"It doesn't matter if you managed to Synchro Summon on my turn! If that Monster is dead then it is useless!" Sergey shouted, jabbing a finger at his own Fusion Monster. "Geo Phoenix's effect! When a Monster is Special Summoned, I get to halve its Attack!"

Geo Phoenix charged up like last time.

"I don't think so!" Yugo retorted, holding up the last Card in his Hand. "I activate Crystal Dream Dragon's effect! When a Card effect on the Field is activated, I can banish a Card from my Hand to negate that effect!" Yugo banished Speedroid Scratch to meet said conditions.

"What?!" Sergey gaped out of genuine shock. With a panicked expression now spread across his face, he scanned his Hand, Grave, and Field for anything that could help him in his current predicament.

No. No. No. No. No. This disgusting sight...Roget-sama cannot lay his eyes on another disgusting failure! Sergey thought to himself with wide, trembling eyes.

"I end my turn." Sergey said with a hopeful expression. There was still a chance for him. He could come out on top!

"At the end of the turn Crystal Dream Dragon uses his effect nullifying ability, I get to add a single banished Card to my Hand." Yugo said as he added Speedroid Scratch back to his Hand. Placing a hand on the top of his Deck, Yugo drew his Card for the start of his turn. "I activate another one of Crystal Dream Dragon's effects! Once during my Main Phase, I can reveal the top four Cards of my Deck! Crystal Dream will then be able to attack for as many Tuner Monsters there were in the revealed stack plus Crystal Dream's default attack!"

Yugo placed his hand on the top of his Deck.

One. It was all he needed. All he needed to win.

Rin...Yugo's mind played through tapes of past memories between him and Rin. No matter what happened, those times they vowed to be at the top were in a special part of his heart. The happiness in those memories was just like the core of an apple. One could not see it from the outside, they had to dig deeper in order to find it.

And no matter how far he was from the core, Yugo already knew that there was some sentience in that portion of his life, as crappy as the conditions were. And it was because of her...Rin.

She was always there for him to help him out.

Always…

Always…

Always…

Now it was time for Yugo to help her out.

I've been distracted by my loss to Rin for too long. If I lay around moping then I'll never be able to save Rin! It's time for my next step...into the future!

"DRAW!" Yugo shouted, removing the top four Cards of his Deck, glancing at then with a cautious and slow-scanning eye.

The first Card...Speed Turn, a Card that wasn't even a Monster.

Yugo confidently looked at the next Card, knowing that he still had a chance.

The second Card...Speedroid Pachingo-Kart, a Monster that might have been useful if drawn under the normal Draw Phase.

Yugo's heart dropped slightly, his confidence wavering and his composure falling. With as much courage as he could muster, Yugo glanced at the next draw.

The third Card...Speedroid Glass Skull, a very useful Monster had it been drawn at some other point in the Duel.

Yugo grit his teeth. This was it. The last Card. The one that would determine his fate in the Friendship Cup and his promise to Rin as well.

He looked away, slowly turning over the Card, unknowingly creating great suspense for the crowd as he completely blocked out the constant blabbering of Melissa Clair repeating the plays in the Duels and stating the obvious.

For Rin…

For him…

For atonement for what he did to Yuya…

For the dream he shared with the girl he loved…

Yugo narrowed his eyebrows, looking right into the picture of the Card.

No sound came from either Duelist other than the sound of the d-wheels functioning along with the commentating of Melissa.

Suddenly, Yugo grinned.

He held the fourth and final Card out for Sergey to see.

"Speedroid Demonmagne, a Tuner Monster! Since I got one Tuner Monster, Crystal Dream Dragon gains one extra attack, making him able to battle twice!"

"No…" Sergey slurred, gripping his hair tightly with his big hands, unable to comprehend what was happening.

"Battle! Crystal Dream Dragon, attack Earthbound Servant Geo Phoenix!"

The large dragon dove from the sky with a roar, moving at faster speeds than Crystal Wing.

Geo Phoenix flew up, avoiding death by a mere hair. Unfortunately for Sergey, the Monster wasn't safe as Crystal Dream began to rotate upwards, crashing right into Geo Phoenix, destroying the Earthbound Servant.

Sergey let out an aggravated yell of pain, his teeth seething as he breathed in and out at rapid increments.

Sergey: 400-100 LP

Like last time, Geo Phoenix was revived, this time by banishing Geo Gryphon. Crystal Dream could not negate this effect since it was activated in the Graveyard.

However, this did not matter as after Summoning his Monster, Sergey made no sort of movements at all. He was as still as a statue...a dull, old and withered statue.

There was no point in trying to destroy Crystal Dream Dragon by using Geo Phoenix's effect on revival. The effect would just be negated easily. And since Yugo never said it was a once per effect, Sergey assumed that Yugo could negate effects as long as he had Cards in his Hand, which he had two.

Eventually, Sergey just slumped forward, a lifeless look returning to his eyes. The eyes of a man giving up. He looked up slightly at Yugo. The two made eye contact.

And for a moment...just a moment, Yugo saw something in Sergey's eyes.

I have failed...and thus my punishment is extermination.

Yugo wavered for a small moment, suddenly feeling sorry for Sergey as he was being used up by Roget only to be thrown away like trash later down the line. However, the sudden reminder of Sergey's mercilessness against Tokumatsu raised his anger to its fullest.

Why should he be spared? What is so much better about him that gave him the right to assault others, beating them near to death.

The mere thought of it pissed Yugo off so much.

With a strong and powerful yell, Yugo declared battle.

"Crystal Dream Dragon, attack Earthbound Servant Geo Phoenix one last time!"

Crystal Dream growled, taking off at great speeds circling Geo Phoenix, with the Fusion Monster unable to even keep track of the dragon's movements. The servant froze up on the spot suddenly, with Crystal Dream crashing right through it.

The Earthbound Monster cracked before exploding in a big explosion of fire in which Sergey caught in.

Sergey: 100-0 LP

"The winner is Yugo! Wait, oh my God!" Melissa gasped out of shock.

The source of her shock was that the destruction of Geo Phoenix had actually made parts of Sergey actually catch on fire. The robotic man let out screams of agony as he tumbled and twisted out of control. The next thing Yugo knew, Sergey had launched himself off the road and into the dark abyss of the slums below.

Melissa and a few other people in the audience screamed.

The winner of the Duel could only look back at where Sergey had once been out of shock and utter disbelief.

He was gone. Gone as if he was never there in the first place…


Meanwhile

Roget ran his hand through his hair slowly. It took him everything in his power to not bang his head against a wall to give himself a concussion.

Sergey had lost...again.

He failed...again.

He looked at the man's vitals. He was suffering some injuries, but Sergey Volkov would live to serve another day.

Just keep persisting...Sergey. You think I saved you because I cared about you? You are a fool if you think that. Roget thought to himself with a smirk. However, it was wiped away immediately when he received a call from a woman monitoring security.

"Roget-sama." The woman greeted. The tone in her voice was frantic and the expression on her face seemed to spell out that something was wrong.

"What is it?" Was Roget's response, thinking that it was just some trivial thing that wasn't anything to worry about.

"We just caught something on tape! It seems we're being invaded!" The woman reported with a panicked tone, looking from the camera into a different direction.

"Invaded?" Roget repeated, his tone getting slightly hard. "By whom?"

"Multiple people. Izayoi Aki suddenly starting attack people, members of Security in particular, and is in battle with them right now. Meanwhile, there is a group of five infiltrating from the outside. A boy resembling those boys Yuto and Yugo from the tournament, a ninja, a cyan-haired kid and two other people!"

"The Lancers!" Roget concluded with a scowl. It could not get much worse than this.

Roget was completely wrong. It could…

"There is one more person. He also bears a resemblance to the other three boys. But he has a very odd Duel Disk. It's body...looks like a shield."

"What?!" Roget stood up immediately, his face visibly paling immediately. "And you said this boy has the same face as the other three boys you mentioned?"

The woman regretfully nodded.

Roget's eyes went wide with shock and fear.

No...Academia couldn't be here now. Could they? Roget had thought they had fled from the Synchro Dimension after they were driven out. He didn't know that there was one person who had stayed.

And out of all people, it had to be Yuri of the Cold-Hearted Smile.


In the Fusion Dimension-Academia-Professor's Throne Room

Akaba Leo, no, the Professor, stood in his throne room gazing out at the Arc-V Reactor. He thought back on the past. All of the pain he had experienced. All of the losses he had to go through.

To one man-no, one demon, the Professor had lost his close friends, colleagues, his home, and most important of all his daughter. Hell, he even lost his own identity. The true Akaba Leo died on that fateful day. The Akaba Leo that was left in his place was merely a mirage. A fake. A phony playing dress up.

A lie…

The opening of the door at the entrance interrupted the Professor's thoughts. The bald man turned around to face the new occupant, only for his face to immediately show genuine concern as he ran to the new arrival.

Said new arrival was a man with a broken mask.

"Fujiwara! Are you-"

The man held up his hand weakly, prompting Leo to pause. "Don't call me...by that name…" He wheezed, finding it hard to breathe as he crouched down to his knees. "That...is the name...of a dead man…"

And with that, Darkness had lost consciousness.

The Professor immediately steeled the expression on his face, picking up the unconscious body of Darkness and carrying him over to a secret room that was behind a secret door, which could only be accessed with the Professor's retinal scan.

Walking inside the room, the Professor immediately got to work on helping Darkness recuperate from his mysterious condition.

Whenever Darkness' mask would be taken off or destroyed, he always seemed to become weaker and weaker, eventually dying unless he was brought to a pod to keep his body stable or given his Darkness mask, which easily repaired itself over time.

Activating the stasis pod, he watched as Darkness' vitals began to stabilize.

Akaba Leo let out a sigh of relief. He would live to fight another day. Glancing at the now sleeping body of Darkness in the pod, he smiled. Genuinely smiled.

Darkness was the only left at the moment…for that reason and for the sake of their shared goal, he must live.

He could not afford to lose him…

Not like how he lost everything starting from that one. Bad. Day.


Card Catalog

This part will remain empty for now, I'm too lazy at the moment to fill it in now. I'll do it some other time.


Finished with another HUGE ASS CHAPTER at last!

Sorry for the late update, I've been distracted for so long that I haven't been able to make any sufficient progress on this chapter. One of the reasons why it took so long was because I've been binging some new shows/anime in the form of Code Geass, Fullmetal Alchemist, and recently I've began watching The Office on Netflix.

Anyways, enough about that. I have the feeling that I may come back to this chapter and make some changes, particularly in the conversations between Yugo and the mysterious voice, especially the first one.

So, Yugo Accel Synchro Summoned this chapter. Now, this might seem like an asspull, but I kinda sorta not really hinted at an Accel Synchro Summon when I gave Yugo a Synchro Tuner in his Duel with Yuzu. Hopefully, you enjoyed the Duel, I took inspiration from Shooting Star Dragon when making Crystal Dream Dragon.

7roop3r: I agree on how everyone just forgave Sora and there was no sort of animosity between him and any members of the Lancers afterwards. You already know that shit should been really bad between Shun and Sora, yet you go from them trying to cut off each other's throats to entrusting the job of saving Yuya to each other.

Heart of the mem: I don't deem my Naruto fic better because it has done better. In fact, the only reason that fanfic is doing better than this one is because Naruto has a much bigger fandom than Arc-V does. Also, I was referencing specifically to the beginning of the fic, where there are much more mistakes in the beginning of this fic compared to the Naruto fic. Hopefully you understand what I'm trying to get at.

Alright, that's all for now guys. Next chapter, we'll either be going to the final match of the Friendship Cup between Yuto and Yugo or we will switch attention to Yuya and the others.

Take care, goodbye!