"You're gonna pay for what you did to my friend!" Yugo declared with determination.
"It's shocking to see Academia scum show comraderie." Kaito spoke from above with a cold stare, activating his Duel Disk in retaliation. "The truth is you bastards no nothing about it. You all have Carded hundreds of my comrades. As such, I will Card thousands of them in return, including you! Are you prepared to repent?!"
"We've already said multiple times, we are not with Academia!" Yugo shouted with a loud tone.
"DUEL!" The two cried out in unison.
"I'll take the first turn!" Kaito declared, holding up a Card in his Hand. "I Summon Cipher Wizard to the Field." Appearing to Kaito's side was an old man in glowing light blue robes holding a staff.
Cipher Wizard: Level 4, 1000 Atk, 1800 Def
"I activate Cipher Wizard's effect. Once per turn, I can send this Card to the Graveyard. Then, I can Special Summon two Level 4 or lower Cipher Monsters from my Hand or Deck. In exchange, I won't be able to attack this turn." Yugo grimaced after that statement, knowing that it would not matter since he was taking the first turn. "From my Deck, I'm bringing out two Cipher Wings!"
Cipher Wings: Level 4, 1400 Atk, 1200 Def
"Now, I activate the Continuous Magic Double Exposure!" Kaito yelled, inserting his Magic Card. "Once during either player's turn, I can activate one of two effects. I choose the first! When I control two Level 4 or lower Monsters with the same name, I can double their Levels!"
Cipher Wings: Level 4-8
"Now, I overlay the two Level 8 Cipher Wings!" Kaito yelled as his Monster flew into the portal that opened in front of him. "Galaxy shining in the darkness, dwell in the demonic god of revenge and become my very servant! Xyz Summon! Descend, Rank 8! Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon!"
The dragon from the previous Duel let out a ferocious roar as it appeared to the Field.
Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon: Rank 8, 3000 Atk, 2500 Def
"He got out his ace Monster right out of the gates…" Sawatari commented out of disbelief, rising to his feet with a stumble.
"I set two Cards and end my turn." Kaito concluded with two set Cards materializing in front of him.
"At the end of your turn, I activate the effect of Speedroid Glass Skull!" Yugo announced, holding out a Card. "If you Special Summoned a Monster from the Extra Deck, I can Special Summon this Monster from my Hand! Appear, Speedroid Glass Skull!"
Glass Skull: Level 7, 0 Atk, 3000 Def
"Now, it's my turn." Yugo spoke up as he drew a Card from his Deck. "From my Hand, I'm gonna Summon Speedroid Shave Boomerang!" Upon placing the Card on his Duel Disk, Yugo's Monster spun onto the Field.
Shave Boomerang: Level 4, 2000 Atk, 0 Def
"Battle!" Yugo declared, pointing at Cipher Dragon. "Glass Skull, attack Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon!"
"What is he doing?" Sawatari gaped out of surprise. "That Monster doesn't have any Attack. Is he trying to lose?"
"The damage I would take from battles involving this Monster is inflicted onto you instead." Yugo added with a grin.
"I activate the second effect of Double Exposure!" Kaito cut in as his Continuous Magic lit up. "I can target one Monster on the Field, then target another Monster on the same controller's Field. The name of the first target becomes the same as the second target's. My first target is Skull Glass, and my second is Shave Boomerang!"
Skull Glass - Shave Boomerang
After the name change, one of Kaito's set Cards opened. "Continuous Trap, Double Sensorship, activate! Once per turn, if there are two or more Monsters on the Field with the same name and one of them attacks, I can negate the attack."
The now named Shave Boomerang stopped in its tracks, returning to Yugo's side.
"I set two Cards and end my turn." Yugo finished, inserting his Cards into the Duel Disk.
"My turn, draw! I activate the effect of Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon!" Kaito spoke with a raised hand as an overlay unit was detached from his Monster. "Once per turn, by detaching an overlay unit, I can take control of a Monster you control. It's name will become Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon and its Attack will become the same as this Card's. I target your Skull Glass!"
Upon his declaration, Skull Glass disappeared from Yugo's Field, reappearing next to Kaito's ace.
Skull Glass - Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon: 0-3000 Atk
"Battle! With the Skull Glass turned Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon, I attack your Shave Boomerang!" Kaito declared as his new Monster released a wave of energy from its mouth.
Yugo held out another Card in his Hand in response. "From my Hand, I activate the effect of Speedroid Menkoat! When a Monster you control attacks, I get to Special Summon this Card from my Hand and then switch all Monsters you have to Defense Position."
Menkoat: Level 4, 100 Atk, 2000 Def
As his Monster was Summoned to the Field in Defense Position, both of Kaito's Monsters were also switched to Defense Position.
"I switch Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon back into Attack Position. I end my turn." Kaito concluded as Skull Glass returned to Yugo's side of the Field, transforming back to its normal form.
Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon - Skull Glass: 3000-0 Atk
"My turn, draw!" Yugo shouted, glancing at the drawn Card. He grinned as he placed his drawn Card onto his Duel Disk. "From my Hand, I Summon Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice to the Field!"
Appearing to the Field was a pyramid-shaped die with an eye on each side.
Tri-Eyed Dice: Level 3, 300 Atk, 1500 Def
"Now, I tune the Level 4 Speedroid Menkoat with the Level 3 Tri-Eyed Dice!" Yugo shouted as his Monsters flew up into the air.
"Synchro...Summon?" Kaito's eyes widened with both and a flash of rage as he recognized the dreaded Summoning method.
He was with her...
"Spread those wondrous and beautiful wings, and strike down your enemies at the speed of light! Synchro Summon! Appear now! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"
Clear Wing: Level 7, 2500 Atk, 2000 Def
Kaito grit his teeth, digging his nails into his skin as he looked up to the new dragon.
"That proves it." He spoke quietly as he raised his voice. "You are with Academia!"
"We're not!" Yugo rebutted with a frustrated growl. "How many times do we have to say this?!"
"Liar!" Kaito shouted with fury, his eyes burning with unrestrained hate. "An agent of Academia attacked the Resistance pretending to be a friend. We reached our hand out to her and she stabbed us in the back! She used the same Summoning method as you!"
"The same Summoning method?" Yugo repeated before a light bulb went up in his head, his face changing into an expression of worry and dread. "Don't tell me...Rin...she couldn't have…"
"So you do know her." Kaito started with a resolute tone, his decision made. "I have all the evidence now. You are allies of Academia. And allies of Academia are people who need to be eradicated!"
"Wait! Hold on!" Yugo cried out, stepping forward with his knees on the ground, practically yielding to his opponent. "Rin wasn't in control of herself. She couldn't have done the things you claim! Rin...Rin is a good person! One of the kindest people I've ever been. She would never side with Academia!"
"Then how can you explain your comrade Carding my family!" Kaito roared, his voice raw and laced with rage. For a split second, Kaito's eyes showed a split second of weakness as he looked back on what he had lost. "My father...my mother...even my little brother. They are gone...all gone. And it's all because of Academia!"
Yugo gasped out of shock.
Rin...Carding people?
His fingers curled into a fist, his body shaking as he began to hiss with anger.
The things that Academia was making her do. Treating her like a dog and soiling her hands with the blood of others.
It was unforgivable…
He sees it now. He could not resolve this with words. To quell the rampaging Kaito, he had to subdue him.
And to subdue him, he would have to beat him…
Meanwhile
"I still can't believe the Resistance is gone…" Ruri whispered with a sad expression, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.
The second group of Lancers transported to Xyz were currently walking away from what was one the base of the Resistance. Whatever had happened, the destruction was great. There was seemingly no trace of any life. Academia seems to have unleashed a second wave of attack that wipe out nearly everyone.
Now they were just getting rid of the crumbs…
"Don't worry, Ruri. The Resistance is strong. They're not going to go down without a fight." Yuto assured her, placing a hand on her shoulder as a means of comfort.
"This is all my fault…" Ruri blurted out, covering her eyes with her hands as she began to break down. She stopped when she felt two hands wrap around her, catching her in a tight, warm embrace.
"Do not think like that." The voice of Yuto played softly and kindly. "None of this was your fault."
"B-But Yuto…" Ruri sniffed, choking in her speech. Her stomach burned with guilt as she continued to lament. "If Dennis never saw me...the war never would have started! I am the reason Heartland was attacked! I...I..."
"That's not true! Not at all!" Yuto exclaimed, holding Ruri closer to his body as a means of comfort as Shun also showed his support by placing a hand on his sister's shoulder. "Whether Dennis saw you or not, Academia would have attacked eventually. At the very least, we can take out the threat for good. And we will find a way to get everyone back! And even if it was your fault...it wouldn't matter in the end. No matter what happens, we will always love you! I would always love you…"
Ruri wiped the corner of her eyes, grasping Yuto's back with her now moist hands.
"Thank you…" She whispered as the air around them began to blow hard across their bodies, interrupting the long-standing silence of the ruined metropolis.
The group stayed like that for a good minute. They spent that time thinking on their choices, wondering if they themselves were in any way to blame for Academia's dominance. If they were responsible for the destruction of the Resistance and many other people…
They were gone. All gone…
"Yuto! Ruri! Shun! Ryoga!" A familiar voice screamed at the top of their lungs, joy and relief clearly evident in their voice.
Yuto and Ruri separated, breaking from their embrace. They looked up to see…
"Allen!" Yuto cried out of happiness. He looked to the left to see a trembling girl with glasses on her face, her eyes fixated on Ruri.
"Ruri…"
"Sayaka!" Ruri smiled at the sight of her friend. "I'm so glad you guys are alright!"
The two Xyz Duelists made their way down to the Lancers, embracing Yuto, Shun, Ruri, and Ryoga in a tight group hug. O'Brien and Serena couldn't help but smile as well while they looked on at the reunification of lifelong friends.
After a couple of moments, they separated.
"You guys...what happened?" Ryoga questioned with a look of worry. "The old Resistance base, it's been completely abandoned!"
"Yeah…" Allen responded with a bitter tone. "At some point after you guys left for Standard, Academia launched an all-out assault against us. We were completely decimated. There's not that many of us anymore…"
Ryoga's eyes perked up, showing an instant flash of fear.
"Don't worry, Rio is fine!" Sayaka spoke up to calm her friend down. "She's at our new base right now caring for the remaining survivors."
"I'm sorry, Yuto." Allen said with closed eyes. "In the attack, your family was separated from the rest of the Resistance. We haven't seen them since…"
Yuto gave a sad smile, placing a hand on his comrade's shoulder. "It's okay, Allen. You guys did all that you could. What happened to Kaito?"
The mention of the Galaxy Eyes user brought a grim expression to the faces of both Allen and Sayaka. They avoided the gaze of all of the Lancers, refusing to make eye contact.
"Kaito...he…"
"I activate the effect of Speedroid Shave Boomerang!" Yugo announced, motioning towards his robotic Monster who took a defensive position. "Once per turn, I can switch this Card to Defense Position and reduce the Attack of a Monster on the Field by 300. I choose Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"
Kaito narrowed his eyes out of confusion. Why would he weaken his own Monster?
His answer came in the form of Yugo activating Clear Wing's effect. "Whenever a Monster effect targets a Level 5 or higher Monster, Clear Wing can negate and destroy that Monster. Then, Clear Wing gains the Attack of the destroyed Monster until the end of the turn. Dichroic Mirror!"
Yugo's Speedroid Monster disappeared from the Field as a green aura surrounded his ace Monster, signaling the Attack boost.
Clear Wing: 2500-4500 Atk
"Good." Yuya nodded with a smile, recognizing this play from his own Duel with Yugo.
"Battle!" Yugo announced as he motioned towards his Monsters. "Speedroid Skull Glass, attack Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon!"
"I activate the effect of Double Exposure. I will change Skull Glass' name to Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!" Kaito exclaimed as an image of Clear Wing appeared above Skull Glass for a moment.
Skull Glass - Clear Wing
"Now, I activate Double Sensorship to negate the attack." Kaito spoke as Skull Glass circled around, returning to Yugo's side.
"You can't run forever!" Yugo exclaimed as he commanded Clear Wing to attack. His Monster flew up into the air, spiraling downwards at Kaito's ace Monster. "Whirlwind Helleiving Slasher!"
"I activate the Trap Card Double Cipher! I can detach all overlay units from a Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon I control. Then, ignoring its Summoning conditions, I Special Summon another copy of Galaxy Eyes!" Kaito explained as another copy of his ace Monster rose to the Field. The attack connected with the original Cipher Dragon, destroying it. Kaito grunted as his body shuddered from the ensuing shockwaves.
Kaito: 4000-2500 LP
"I end my turn." Yugo concluded. As it was the end of the turn, Clear Wing's effect finished, returning its Attack to normal.
Clear Wing: 4500-2500 Atk
"Draw! From my Hand, I'll Summon Cipher Mirror Knight!" A white-armored knight appeared to the Field, drawing a sword and pointing it at Clear Wong and Yugo.
Cipher Mirror Knight: Level 4, 0 Atk, 0 Def
"Now, using Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon and Cipher Mirror Knight, I reconstruct the overlay network!" Kaito bellowed as a portal opened up in front of him, with both of his Monsters flying into the vortex in front of him. "Appear! Ultimate Galactic Dragon! Darkness and light wandering in the universe. Sorrowful Dragon who sleep in the interstice. Its power of creating opens the door of the truth! Galaxy Eyes Prime Cipher Dragon!"
A red-scaled dragon with dark blue and light blue skin with rainbow-colored wings.
Prime Cipher Dragon: Rank 8, 4000 Atk, 3000 Def
"His ace Monster has an advanced form?" Gongenzaka mumbled with wide eyes.
"Yugo's in trouble!" Sawatari exclaimed.
"When Prime Cipher Dragon is Special Summoned, this Monster gains 100 Attack for each Rank and Level currently on the Field until the end of the turn." Kaito explained as his new Monster gained a light blue aura. The amount of Ranks was 8 while the amount of Levels was 14. As such, Prime Cipher Dragon would gain 2200 Attack.
Prime Cipher Dragon: 4000-6200 Atk
"Battle! Galaxy Eyes Prime Cipher Dragon, attack Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!" Kaito declared as his Monster released a light blue stream at Yugo's Synchro Monster. "When this Monster attacks, other Monster effects cannot be activated!"
"Continuous Trap, activate!" Yugo countered as he revealed one of his set Cards. "Follow Wing! Using this Card I target my Clear Wing. Now, the targeted Monster cannot be destroyed by battle!"
After his explanation, Clear Wing was enveloped by Prime Cipher Dragon's attack. Yugo cried out in pain, falling backwards from the ensuing shockwaves from the clash. He crashed to the ground with a loud thud as pain rushed throughout his entire body.
Yugo: 4000-300 LP
"With this, I end my turn." Kaito concluded as the Attack of his Monster returned to normal.
Prime Cipher Dragon: 6200-4000 Atk
"It's my turn, draw!" Yugo shouted with a determined tone. He will win this Duel. For his friends. He needed answers. He needed more answers on Rin. Placing his drawn Card onto his Duel Disk, he announced the Summon of a Tuner Monster named Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice.
Red-Eyed Dice: Level 1, 100 Atk, 100 Def
"Trap Card, activate! Speed Turn! When I control a Speedroid Monster, I can target an Attack Position Monster you control and switch to Defense Position!" Yugo spoke as Prime Cipher Dragon took a defensive position. "Also, your Monster loses 500 Defense!"
Prime Cipher Dragon: 3000-2500 Def
"Next, I tune the Level 7 Clear Wing Synchro Dragon with the Level 1 Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice!" Yugo shouted as a green wave rushed past him. "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!"
Crystal Wing: Level 8, 3000 Atk, 2500 Def
"Battle! With Speedroid Skull Glass, I attack your Galaxy Eyes Prime Cipher Dragon!" Yugo declared as his Monster rushed towards Kaito's advanced Monster.
Like last time, Kaito used the effect of Double Exposure, making the name of Skull Glass into Crystal Wing. He then used the effect of Double Sensorship to negate Skull Glass' attack.
"I Summoned Crystal Wing just for this purpose!" Yugo shouted as he commanded his advanced Monster to attack Galaxy Eyes Prime Cipher Dragon. "Whirlwind Krystallos Edge!"
Kaito thrusted a hand forward as an overlay unit was detached from his Xyz Monster. "I activate Prime Cipher Dragon's effect! Once during either player's turn, by detaching an overlay unit, I can have this Card unable to be destroyed by battle and Card effects." Prime Cipher Dragon let out a wail of pain as Crystal Wing crashed into him.
"I set one Card and end my turn." Yugo concluded with narrowed eyes before clicking his tongue out of annoyance. "Damn it! You're so persistent. I can see why you've lasted as long as you have alone."
"Of course." Kaito replied with a cold tone. "I have resolved to never lose against scum like you! I will have vengeance for what Academia has done to my homeland!"
"Walking down that path will lead you to a dark place." A familiar voice to all spoke up. They all turned to see Shun overlooking them with Yuto, Ruri, Ryoga, O'Brien, Serena, Allen, and Sayaka in tow. "Trust me, I would know."
"Yuto, Shun, Ryoga...you've returned." Kaito noted, also acknowledging O'Brien's presence before a shocked expression came onto his face at the sight of Ruri. "You…"
"Those guys down there are my comrades." Shun stated, waving towards Yuya, Yugo, Sawatari and Gongenzaka.
"That's right, Kaito! Shun and the others gathered us some comrades and brought them back! They even have Ruri with them too!" Sayaka spoke with a wide smile, truly grateful for the rare good luck they have been bestowed with.
"And five of them at that!" Allen remarked with a smirk, gesturing towards Serena, who stood silently observing the situation. "Every comrade we can get now is precious, so it's a blessing!"
Kaito narrowed his eyes, glancing back towards his enemies. "Comrades...them?"
"Do you doubt me?" Questioned Shun with a piercing gaze. "Do not worry. From the bottom of their hearts, they also hate this war. They all want to help and put a stop to Academia's tyranny. During our fight in the Synchro Dimension, I was convinced of that."
"Synchro Dimension?" Kaito repeated with interest.
"Believe me, Kaito!" Shun spoke with a tight fist. "Believe in the comrade I have come to believe in. Yugo, Sawatari, Gongenzaka, and Sakaki Yuya!"
"Sakaki?!" Kaito widened his eyes, fully turning to his comrades. He was related to him?! He was related to Sakaki Yusho?
"Kaito! Please, come back!" Sayaka pleaded with her hands together near her chest. "And work with us aga-"
"I REFUSE!" Kaito shouted at the top of his lungs, pulling out a Card and holding it out to his Duel Disk. "I already told you I'm through working with all of you!"
Prime Cipher Dragon let out a howl as his wings began to glow a bright hue, blinding the vision of everyone in the area. When the light dissipated, Kaito was gone without a trace. He had completely vanished like a ghost, as if he wasn't there in the first place.
With a frustrated look on his face, Yuto overlooked the surrounding area for his friend and rival. To his disappointment, Kaito left nothing to determine where he had gone off to. Kaito was carrying his pain all by himself. All of his friends knew the pain of losing family. Kaito could have confided in his comrades. Instead, he abandoned them. He must think that he can bear all of that pain.
He was alone...suffering.
Kaito…
Card Catalog
Cipher Wizard, Magician, Light: Once per turn, you can send this face-up Monster to the Graveyard. Then, Special Summon two Level 4 or lower Cipher Monsters from your Hand or Deck. You cannot attack the turn you activate this effect.
Galaxy Eyes Prime Cipher Dragon, Dragon, Xyz, 3 Level 8 Monsters: This Monster can be Xyz Summoned using one Cipher Monster and a Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon with no overlay units. When this Card is Special Summoned, it gains 100 Attack for each Rank or Level on the Field until the end of the turn. Once during either player's turn, you can detach an overlay unit from this Card, this Monster cannot be destroyed by battle or Card effects for the rest of this turn. When this Card is destroyed, you can Special Summon one Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon to the Field. And if you do, attach this Card to the Special Summoned Monster as Xyz Material.
Sorry if you guys wanted Yugo vs Kaito to reach a conclusion, but I still want Kaito to not be with the Resistance. Especially since his opponent was someone who used the same Summoning method the person who Carded his family used.
Next chapter might be pretty short, and there may not be a Duel. I don't know yet. We're either staying with the Xyz Dimension or we might be quickly going over to Yuzu for a short time.
B-baller125: Yeah, the main reason I had Sawatari Duel alone was to make him come off as a stronger Duelist. He really deserved better in the anime, and even though he didn't win the Duel, he still gets win for putting up quite a fight against Kaito alone.
ZarcEternal: This arc will probably still be the shortest out of all the dimensions, but I'll try to make sure it won't be as bad as the anime.
Guest: I'm glad I could help you through whatever you're going through. I hope everything works out well for you on your end.
Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed that chapter.
Take care, goodbye!
