Shrrieeeeek!

The door to the room squeaked open, revealing Yusho Sakaki with a neutral expression on his face.

Bored, violet eyes opened, slitting slightly as they laid eyes upon their new visitor.

"Finally, some company!" The figure in the dark room said with a mirthful smile, shaking his hands against the restraints after seeing the man's statue-like figure. "Don't be so on guard. You have my hands binded. There isn't anything that I can do."

"That's very true." Yusho replied, limping into the room and slowly closing the door behind him, leaving his escorts outside. "However, I believe there is more to you than simply your skills as a soldier."

"Oh, how wrong you are…" Yuri mumbled under his breath, a smirk appearing on his face as he recognized the man. "So, you're the boss. The man that has been a thorn in Academia's side for so long, Sakaki Yusho."

Yusho frowned. Being known for being a nuisance to someone was not something that he took gladly, considering that he had made it his life goal to bring smiles to people. His eyes glistened as he took a long look at the boy before him.

His face…he looked so much like Yuya. Hell, he could even hear a little bit of Yuya's voice in him too. Furthermore, he could tell just by looking at him that the boy had a very great passion for Dueling. It rivaled even that of his son's.

"So, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I just want to talk to you. That's all." Yusho said.

"Ugh." Yuri groaned with a disgusted expression. "And here I thought it would be something good."

Yusho ignored the boy's coyness. Pondering what he should say for a moment, he spoke.

"What happened to you?" Yusho asked with a genuine and slightly sad tone. "No one is ever born evil. Leo must have done something to you to change you."

"Oh, you know the Professor personally?"

"He's an old friend. Now, answer my question. What did Leo do to you?" Yusho asked with slow, controlled pauses.

"You're pretty weird, Old Man. Why are you so concerned about me?" Yuri questioned with a raised eyebrow, genuine confusion on his face. "We are enemies, no? And I have Carded your students as well. Surely you should be filled with rage towards me!"

Yusho stood silent. Deep down, he felt immense rage towards the boy. It was a hidden darkness within him so deep that he never showed it, nor did it ever dictate his treatment of others. Especially since…

"You bear a resemblance…to my son."

"Ahh, yes. You're speaking of Sakaki Yuya. I've met him. It honestly slipped my mind that he has parents."

"Y-You've met him?" Yusho repeated with shock. He knew from Yuzu that Yuya had traveled dimensions, but she didn't say much about him. Any chance to hear about his son was a blessing, even if it was from this boy.

"Yes. I've met him, Dueled him, Dueled with him. Such an interesting son you have. I can see a lot of myself in him…the old me, that is."

"It's not too late." Yusho started with a frown. "You can still do the right thing. Stop following Akaba Leo. As much as I hate to say it, he is using you. You don't have to be his pawn anymore!" If what he said was true, that Yuya was like the old him, then that meant that at some point in the past he was a good person! He truly believed that no one was born evil. That every person who was born into this world was shaped by their surroundings and the people around them.

That is why he wanted to spread smiles so badly. So no one would have to suffer in loneliness and anger. They could bask in each other's happiness…together.

Yuri smirked, dipping his head forward as the feeling of breaking down into laughter was slowly leaving. Soon, he started to burst out into little snorts and chuckles.

"You don't believe me?"

"You are trying to reach out for something that simply doesn't exist." Yuri said, ignoring the question with a wide smile. "You know, there is something we still have in common…your son and I."

"..."

Yuri's eyes slit as an enormous amount of malice started leaking off of his body, freezing Yusho in his tracks.

"You know, I thought the leader of this little rebellion was just some nameless nobody. To think that he's the father of one of my counterparts? Being that even the Professor is concerned about you, that must make you very strong." Yuri muttered.

Yusho remained silent, gaping with shock as despite being restrained Yuri's bloodlust was only growing higher and higher. Despite being restrained, it was like Yusho himself was the one being held captive, as if he was wrapped in a snake's vice-like grip.

Yuri grinned as a maniacal chuckle escaped his lips. "I can't wait to fight you! And after you, I'll make sure your son is next!"

Yusho's eyes widened at the threat of his son's life. The hands on his walking stick began trembling as Yuri's eyes slit even more.

"We never got to finish our match. It should be exhilarating to see his face when I tell him how I broke you! Oh, or maybe I will beat you right in front of his eyes!" Yuri closed his eyes in joy as he played the scenario out in his head. "Oh, I can imagine it right now. The pure terror! The rage! And then…after putting all of his best efforts into defeating me, I will put him down like a dog. This war isn't over just yet! In fact, I would say that the fun has just started, right?!"

Yusho backed up, breaking out his trance initiated by Yuri's predator-like gaze. Sweat rolled down his face as he tried but failed to compose himself. Turning around and opening the door to the room, he left, leaving Yuri in darkness, only the boy could only keep on grinning madly as he once again began to wait in anticipation.

I will be the strongest in the world. And soon…I'll destroy everything…

"You've piqued my interest, Old Man. Our Duel will be glorious."


Meanwhile - Xyz Dimension - Heartland - City Ruins

"DUEL!"

"I'll take the first move!" Allen called out, slamming a Card onto his Duel Disk. "From my Hand, I Summon Heavy Armored Train Caboose!" A sputtering sound could be heard appearing out of a glowing light was Allen's Monster.

Caboose: Level 4, 1400 Atk, 1600 Def

"When this Card is Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Machine-Type Monster from my Hand." Allen explained, removing another Monster from his Hand and placing it on the Field. "Come to me, Ruffian Express Battrain!"

Battrain: Level 4, 1800 Atk, 1000 Def

"With that out of the way, I'll use Battrain's special effect! Once per turn, by giving up the ability to battle, I am allowed to inflict 500 points of damage to you!" Allen said, batting a finger at his opponents. Two yellow lights appeared from the top of the vehicle. "Here comes the first punch!" Upon Allen's declaration, two lasers shot out from the headlights on his train. The beams exploded upon contact with the ground. Gloria and Grace grimaced as smoke enveloped their view. Despite this, they still retained their excited grins.

Gloria and Grace: 4000-3500 LP

"Quite energetic, isn't he?" Grace said to her sister.

"We'll accept this greeting!" Gloria replied with a smile on her face.

Allen grinned out of satisfaction."Heh! You probably let your guard down because you thought I couldn't do anything on the first turn, right? I set a Card and end my turn."

"Tch!" Gloria grunted out of annoyance as she narrowed her eyes. "Once we enter the battlefield, we never let our guard down, brat. My turn, draw! In my Hand, I use the effect of Amazoness Spy!" She declared, holding out two Monster Cards, Amazoness Spy and Queen. "By revealing another Amazoness Monster in my Hand, I can Special Summon this Card to the Field!"

Spy: Level 3, 800 Atk, 1200 Def

"Now, I release Amazoness Spy to Advance Summon Amazoness Queen!" Gloria yelled as a female with blue hair and revealing metal armor appeared to the Field, holding a long blade in her hand.

Queen: Level 6, 2400 Atk, 1800 Def

"Battle!" Gloria declared, thrusting her hand out as her Monster rushed forward with her blade hoisted for an attack. "Amazoness Queen will now attack Ruffian Express Battrain!"

"At this moment," Allen interjected, holding out a Monster Card, "I activate the effect of the Construction Train Signal Red in my Hand! When you declare an attack, I can Special Summon this Monster from my Hand!" A flash of light enveloped Allen's eyes as his new Monster appeared in front of him in Defense Position.

Signal Red: Level 4, 1000 Atk, 1300 Def

"Now, the attack gets redirected to Signal Red!"

"In that case, just destroy it!" Gloria ordered as her Monster turned to Signal Red, leaving into the air and thrusting her sword downwards at the train.

"It's not happening!" Allen roared, opening one of his set Cards. "Trap Card, Cycle Breaking! When one of my Machine-Type Monsters is attacked, I can negate the attack. And, if I am able, I can perform an Xyz Summon using Monsters I have on the Field, treating the Levels of each Monster on the Field the same as a Level of a Monster other than the one attacked! I choose to treat the Level of the Materials the same as Battrain, Level 4! Now, I'm gonna overlay the Level 4 Battrain, Caboose, and Signal Red!"

The Tyler Twins looked on with interest as the three Monsters converged into a portal, prompting a chant to be recited by Allen.

"Train that travels at the speed of sound, and arrive here faster than the blink of an eye! Xyz Summon! Show yourself! Rank 4! Heavy Armored Train Sound Breaker!" Allen yelled with a grin as his Monster chugged to the Field.

Sound Breaker: Rank 4, 2600 Atk, 1600 Def

"It seems I've underestimated you, kid." Gloria complimented with a smile. "To Xyz Summon on my turn…you're definitely better than I took you for."

"Hmph!" Allen smirked, rubbing his nose with his finger. "I think you'll find that the both of us are full of surprises!"

"Allen…" Sayaka whispered the name of her friend, in disbelief at the amount of faith he was putting in her.

"Seems like this will be more fun than we thought." Gloria said, not bothering to look at her sister.

"Although, they still haven't used Pendulum yet." Grace stated with a hint of disappointment.

"So what?" Gloria replied with narrowed eyes, holding up a Card in her fingers. "They'll have to use it eventually. I set this Card and end my turn."

"Good!" Allen snapped his fingers. "Everything is going according to plan. Sayaka, feel free to use my Monsters, okay?!" He said, turning to his partner, who released a grunt of determination in response. "Alright, then! Go, it's your turn!"

Sayaka's lip quivered as she silently assessed the situation. The target is the 2400 Attack Amazoness Queen with a single set in the back.

"I won't make the same mistake again! I want to fight alongside you and the others, Allen! My turn!" Sayaka yelled, drawing her Card. "To start, I will Summon Little Fairy!" In front of her, a small pink-haired majestical being with wings sprouted to the Field.

Little Fairy: Level 3, 800 Atk, 800 Def

"Next, if I control a Light Attribute Fairy-Type Monster on my Field, I can Special Summon this girl as well! Please come by my side, Fairy Pouf!" Sayaka cried out, her pleas being answered as a blonde-haired fairy with vibrant church-like wings descended onto the Field in Defense Position.

Fairy Pouf: Level 4, 1150 Atk, 500 Def

"Now, I will activate Little Fairy's effect. Two times per turn, I can discard a Card in my Hand and increase this Card's Level by 1!" Sayaka explained, inserting the Monster Dancing Fairy to be sent as tribute.

Little Fairy: Level 3-4

"Nice, Sayaka! Go for it!" Allen cheered.

Sayaka nodded, motioning towards her Monster. "Using the two Level 4 Monsters Fairy Pouf and Little Fairy, I construct the overlay network! An angel's smile for the heroes who keep fighting! Xyz Summon! Appear now! Rank 4! Fairy Cheer Girl!" An angelic light enveloped the Field. A white portal opened from the ground as Sayaka's smiling rose.

Fairy Cheer Girl: Rank 4, 1900 Atk, 1500 Def

"Now, I activate the Magic Card Fairy's Prayer!" Sayaka inserted the green Card into her Duel Disk as bright light enveloped her side of the Field. "This turn, all Fairy-Type Monsters on my Field gain 600 Attack!"

The light from Sayaka's Magic Card enveloped Fairy Cheer Girl, who gained a vibrant yellow outline as her Attack increased.

Fairy Cheer Girl: 1900-2500 Atk

"Nice, Sayaka! Keep going and beat the crap out of them!" Allen cheered with a grin towards his teammate, who couldn't help but release a small smile of her own.

"Beat us up?" Grace repeated under her breath, seemingly amused.

"Why haven't they used Pendulum?" Gloria wondered aloud to her sister.

"Maybe they haven't been able to yet. That, or…"

"They're underestimating us." Gloria finished with a narrowed gaze, offended at the prospect of being looked down upon. "If they are, good. It will make the victory all the more satisfying! If not, then…"

"Alright, now use my Monster's effect, Sayaka!"

"Right!" Sayaka nodded, activating the train's effect as an overlay unit was detached from the Monster. "Once per turn, by detaching an overlay unit, I can use one of three effects. I will choose the second. With this, I banish a Monster in my Graveyard and add the Attack of the banished Monster to Sound Breaker until the end of the turn!"

The banished Monster was the detached overlay unit, Battrain, who had 1800 Attack. A yellow aura surrounded Allen's train as its Attack increased by 1800.

Sound Breaker: 2600-4400 Atk

Gloria and Grace momentarily widened their eyes. "4400 Attack Points?!"

"Damn straight!" Allen grinned. "I told you we would beat the crap out of you! Get 'em, Sayaka!"

"Okay!" Sayaka yelled, declaring battle. "Fairy Cheer Girl, attack Amazoness Queen!"

Putting on a serious face, Fairy Cheer Girl flew forwards, holding out one of her arms. Before clashing, Amazoness Queen's neutral face broke out into a small malicious grin. Throwing her sword out, electricity crackled in the air around the area as she connected with Fairy Cheer Girl's pom poms.

"Amazoness Queen's effect makes it so Amazoness Monsters cannot be destroyed by battle when she is on the Field!" Gloria interjected, momentarily grimacing from the shockwaves of the ensuing battle.

Gloria and Grace: 3500-3400 LP

"We may not be able to destroy your Monster, but we can still give out a lot of damage!" Sayaka returned as she commenced battle using Sound Breaker. The train rushed forward, chugging along as rails appeared beneath it connecting to Amazoness Queen.

"I activate the Trap Card Amazoness Substitute!" Gloria intervened, revealing her set Card as she placed a Card into her Duel Disk. "When an Amazoness Monster I control is targeted for an attack, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Amazoness Monster from my Hand and switch the attack target to her! Come, Amazoness Fighter!" A toned woman in a blue top and blue bottoms appeared to the Field, crossing her arms in front of her in a defensive position.

Fighter: Level 4, 1500 Atk, 1300 Def

The rails under Sound Breaker shifted, veering off of Amazoness Queen and instead over to Amazoness Fighter. The train smashed into the Monster, causing her to let out a shriek of pain as sparks bounced off of the colliding attacks.

"Amazoness Queen's effect prevents other Amazoness Monsters on the Field from being destroyed as well." Grace chimed, causing Allen to click his tongue.

The train returned to Allen and Sayaka's Field. The chugging sound of the machine came to a halt as steam stopped spewing out of the engine.

As the battle came to a close, Gloria sighed with disappointment. "Seems like we were wrong."

"If the Professor sent us specifically to deal with them, there is no way the enemy would be this weak." Grace mumbled under her breath loud enough for Allen to hear.

"Weak? And just what do you mean by that?" He asked with a glare.

"Your skills aren't too bad, but you're just not that smart." Gloria said with a coy smile, pointing at her head.

"Why you…bitch!"

"It's not just yours." Grace said, joining in on the critique. "I mean, is your girlfriend's brain so small she didn't consider the effect of our Monster and the set Card?"

Sayaka whimpered at the harsh words, immediately finding truth in all of them.

"Don't listen to them, Sayaka." Allen stated, glancing at his friend, motioning towards Fairy Cheer Girl. "You can still do something this turn."

Allen…Sayaka thought with awe at her comrade, who turned to face the Tyler Twins with an eccentric grin on his face. While it was a damaged and changed grin, it still bore somewhat of a resemblance to the grin she remembered on Allen's face before the war.

It meant not to worry…

She nodded her head. She trusted Allen with her life after all. Thrusting her hand out at Fairy Cheer Girl, she spoke. "I activate the effect of Fairy Cheer Girl. Once per turn, I can detach an overlay unit and draw a Card from my Deck." Swiping the top Card of her Deck, Sayaka glanced at the new addition to her Hand. Her eyes wavered at the sight. Fairy Powder…this Card was not useful at all right now.

I…

It turns out she couldn't do anything after all…

"I set a Card and end my turn." Sayaka concluded as a Card materialized in front of her. As it was the end of her turn, Sound Breaker's effect wore off, and the Attack returned to normal along with the effect of Fairy's Prayer, meaning Fairy Cheer Girl's Attack also returned to normal.

Sound Breaker: 4400-2600 Atk

Fairy Cheer Girl: 2500-1900 Atk

"Don't sweat it, Sayaka." Allen spoke with a hint of a proud tone, trying to reassure his friend. "On my next turn, I'll pull out something amazing!"

"If there is a next turn."

"What was that?" Allen glowered at Grace's cocky remark.

"If you guys are not Lancers, you must be with the Resistance. Am I right?"

"What about it?"

"Do you not know who we are?" Gloria questioned as the air around Allen and Sayaka changed. They flinched under the sudden pressure as they could feel the malice and fighting spirit radiating off of their opponents.

"Hehe…" Grace giggled, throwing her hand to the side with a fire in her eyes. "Allow us to show you!"

"We, the Tyler Sisters…" Gloria said, curling her fingers into a tight fist.

"...will show you a magnificent Tag Duel!" The two said in unison as the image of two Monsters appeared above them, manifesting from their spirit. The image of an imposing woman and a tiger.

Drops of sweat rolled down Allen's face as Sayaka retreated a step with a look of fear plastered all over her face. "The Tyler Sisters…"

"T-They were the soldiers that nearly destroyed the Spade Branch…" Sayaka whispered with fear. While multiple forces from Academia attacked, it was the Tyler Twins that had done at least 90% of the losses on the Spade Branch. To be facing the two infamous Duelists now

Did they even stand a chance?

Seeing the fear on their faces, Grace's smile grew. So, they knew of them. That fact would make this all the more enjoyable.

"My turn!" She yelled, drawing a Card. "I activate the Magic Card Fusion! From my Hand, I will fuse together Amazoness Tiger and Amazoness Chain Master! Wild beast of the jungle with vicious fangs. Grab the chains of the holder of prey, become a new savage beast and appear! Fusion Summon! Come before us! Level 7! Amazoness Pet Liger!" Grace yelled, a flash of purple light gleaming behind her as the form of her Monster appeared. A yellow-haired tiger with a single eye, armor, and black stripes across its body.

Pet Liger: Level 7, 2500 Atk, 2400 Def

"Next…" Grace trailed off as Amazoness Fighter switched to a boxing stance, throwing a couple of intimidating jabs in Allen and Sayaka's direction. "I will switch Amazoness Fighter into Attack Position! Now, Amazoness Pet Liger, attack…" Grace paused, contemplating, "Fairy Cheer Girl!" Pet Liger dashed forward, running towards Fairy Cheer Girl at full speed. "When Tiger Liger attacks, it gains 500 Attack!"

Pet Liger: 2500-3000 Atk

The yellow tiger pounced, with Fairy Cheer Girl gasping with fear as she prepared to face her potential end.

"Continuous Trap Card, activate! Fairy's Guard!" As Sayaka activated her Card, a beam of light enveloped Fairy Cheer Girl, separating her from every other Monster on the Field. "I can only activate this Card when a Fairy Type Monster I control is attacked, I can negate the attack. Now, as long as this Card remains on the Field, all Fairy-Type Monsters cannot be attacked!"

Pet Liger's claws scratched at the barrier, only for the attack to be blocked. As the Damage Step had commenced, Pet Liger's effect wore off, and the Attack of the Monster returned to normal.

Pet Liger: 3000-2500 Atk

"That doesn't apply to non-Fairy-Types, right?" Grace asked with a knowing smile.

"Wh-What?!" Sayaka cried out with a gasp.

With a grin, Grace flipped a Card in her Hand, showing her opponents a Monster Card, which she promptly inserted into the Graveyard. "By sending the Monster Amazoness Mentor from my Hand to the Graveyard, I can grant an Amazoness Monster the ability to attack twice this turn! The Monster that will get that right is Pet Liger! Now, Pet Liger, attack Heavy Armored Train Sound Breaker! Once again, the Attack of Pet Liger will increase by 500!"

Pet Liger: 2500-3000 Atk

Once more, Pet Liger rushed towards Sayaka and Allen, this time aiming for Sound Breaker.

"Sayaka!" Allen called out, earning a nod from the girl.

"Got it! From the Graveyard, I use the effect of Cycle Breaking! By banishing this Card from the Graveyard, I can make it so that for the rest of the turn, Machine-Type Monsters I control cannot be destroyed in battle!" Sayaka explained as the attack connected, causing resounding shockwaves that ruptured her and Allen's bodies, causing them to wince from the pain.

Allen and Sayaka: 4000-3600 LP

"Now, after damage calculation, if an Amazoness Monster attacks a Monster you control, I can target a Monster you control; it will then lose 800 Attack! I will choose Sound Breaker!" Grace declared. Pet Liger opened its right eye, revealing a purple swirling vortex of darkness. Soon, a yellow aura appeared around the Machine-Type Monster, rust appearing on its body as the Attack decreased.

Sound Breaker: 2600-1800 Atk

"Pet Liger's effect ends, and its Attack returns to normal."

Pet Liger: 3000-2500 Atk

"Don't get so relieved though. This is not over just yet." Grace warned. As if on cue, Amazoness Queen leaped into the air towards Sound Breaker. "Now, I attack Sound Breaker with Amazoness Queen!"

Bringing down her weapon, the ground quaked, causing Sound Breaker, Allen and Sayaka all to brace from the aftereffect.

Allen and Sayaka: 3600-3000 LP

Pet Liger glowed with a yellow hue as the beast opened its scarred eye once again. Like last time, rust spread along the body of Sound Breaker, its Attack being lowered by 800.

Sound Breaker: 1800-1000 Atk

"Time for the last attack!" Grace declared as she motioned towards her Monster. "Amazoness Fighter, attack Heavy Armored Train Sound Breaker!"

Not even giving a moment to spare, Amazoness Fighter raised her hands and rushed forward, making a mad dash for Sound Breaker. Her fist cracked into the metallic body of Sound Breaker, with such force that the strength of her fist left behind fractures in Sound Breaker's front.

Allen and Sayaka: 3000-2500 LP

"I don't think I need to remind you what happens next." Grace chimed in as more rust riddled Sound Breaker's body.

Allen grit his teeth out of his frustration as he was forced to watch his Monster getting attacked and weakened over and over. It was as if a crane was progressively taking down a wall with each hit.

Sound Breaker: 1000-200 Atk

"Unfortunately, this is where the fun ends for now." Grace complained with a sigh, holding up a Card from her Hand, inserting it into her Duel Disk as the back of a Card materialized and disappeared in front of her. "I set this one Card and end my turn."

"This is disappointing." Gloria spoke up, a dissatisfied frown adorning her mug. "I thought you two would put up more of a fight."

"Kgh!" Allen grunted. "Just you wait! Right now, this turn, I'm going to pay you back tenfold!"

"You talk big despite not having the skill to back it up."

"You bitch…" Allen scowled, his eyebrows furrowing with rage.

"Allen…" Sayaka whispered the name of her friend. Despite resting on her chest, her hand could not stop trembling for even a second. She tried, but failed miserably to hold back tears, which appeared at the edges of her eyes threatening to fall. "I-I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!"

"Sayaka? What are you talking about?"

"I keep trying to find the courage to fight, but…no matter what I do I always screw up!" She cried out quietly, the tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Sayaka…" Allen wanted nothing more than to give his friend a hug at the moment, but now was definitely not the time for that. No matter how much he wanted to comfort her, he couldn't.

"I…I just keep going forward without thinking. And whenever I face some wall, I always move back and hide. I…I am just…a burden!"

"Shut the hell up!" Allen snapped, shocking the girl who looked at him with awe. "We haven't lost just yet!" Allen spoke, placing his hand on the top of his Deck and glancing at his drawn Card. His eyes bulged at the sight.

Got it!

Allen grinned, slamming the drawn Card onto his Duel Disk as a Magic Card opened in front of him. "There is nothing wrong with moving forward, Sayaka! My drive to go forward will never stop! I'll just keep going faster and faster! Now, Rank-Up-Magic Speed Force, activate!"

Sayaka glanced at Allen, suddenly feeling empowered by his words and feeling an odd warmth flood her cheeks.

Allen…

"Rank-Up-Magic?" Gloria muttered with narrowed eyes. Now this might get interesting. Her sister seemed to agree as seen from the intrigued expression she wore.

"Using this Card and a Machine-Type Xyz Monster I control, I can Xyz Summon a Machine Xyz Monster who has 1 more Rank than the targeted Monster!" Allen yelled as his Monster reentered the overlay network. "Train that travels at the speed of sound, go beyond the sound barrier, and reach those breakneck speeds the light runs at! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Show yourself, Rank 5, Heavy Armored Train Light Breaker!" A gold and white train chugged to the Field, appearing in place of Sound Breaker.

Light Breaker: Rank 5, 3200 Atk, 2300 Def

"I activate the effect of Heavy Armored Train Light Breaker!" Allen announce, an overlay unit that was orbiting Light Breaker crumbled to pieces. "Once during either player's turn, I can detach an overlay unit from this Card, then target one Monster on the Field and destroy it! After that, damage is inflicted to you equal to the difference between the destroyed Monster and Light Breaker. I choose to destroy Amazoness Queen!" At speeds faster than light could even travel, Light Breaker seemingly disappeared, crashing through Amazoness Queen's body. The woman let out a scream of agony as she was blown to pieces.

Grace and Gloria grimaced, covering their faces from the dust cloud that formed as a result of their Monster's destruction. The difference between Amazoness Queen and Light Breaker's Attack was 800, meaning that 800 points of damage was dealt to them.

Gloria and Grace: 3400-2600 LP

"Now that she is out of the way, the other Monsters can be destroyed by battle again!" Sayaka exclaimed with a smile, causing the grin on Allen's face to widen.

"That's right! Time to deal some heavy damage! Fairy Cheer Girl, attack Amazoness Fighter!" Allen cried out as the Monster glowed with a white light, preparing to take pounce.

"I don't think so!" Grace declared as Pet Liger hummed with a low tone. "Pet Liger's effect: when one of your Monsters declares an attack on a Monster other than this one, I can negate the attack!" The white light around Fairy Cheer Girl dissipated, as the girl ceased her attack.

"I still have my Light Breaker!" Allen rebutted, jabbing a finger at Pet Liger. "Light Breaker, attack Pet Liger!"

"I activate the Continuous Trap named Amazoness Willpower! With this, I can select an Amazoness Monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it! Rise, Amazoness Queen!" The Royal warrior rose from a portal leading to the Grave, eliciting a fierce battle cry as she glared down at the Monster responsible for her previous demise.

Damn! Now, Pet Liger won't be destroyed in battle now. Allen thought to himself. But I can still…

"Continue the attack on Pet Liger!"

Due to being in battle, Pet Liger's effect activated, and his Attack was raised by 500.

Pet Liger: 2500-3000 Atk

Light Breaker disappeared, zipping right through Pet Liger, rupturing the animal with a fierce shockwave that caused Gloria and Grace to stumble in place.

Gloria and Grace: 2600-2400 LP

"I end my turn."

"Hmph. For claiming to pay us back tenfold, you really didn't do that much." Gloria taunted with glee, earning yet another scowl from Allen.

"You…"

"Now, watch! This is what paying you back tenfold looks like. My turn!" Gloria roared, ripping a Card from her Deck. Glancing at the Card, she grinned. "You're going to regret not being able to do more last turn. From my Hand, I activate Fusion!"

"Fusion?!" Sayaka gasped with fear.

"Here it comes…" Allen mumbled with fearful anticipation.

"On my Field, I will fuse Amazoness Queen with Amazoness Fighter! Queen of the jungle. Receive the power of the bold barehanded warrior, and build an empire that rules over everything! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 8! Amazoness Empress!" Appearing in front of Gloria and Grace was a dark-skinned woman with white hair, wearing revealing bikini-like armor, a red cape, and a pincer reminiscent blade held in her hand.

Empress: Level 8, 2800 Atk, 2400 Def

"At this moment, I activate the effect of Heavy Armored Train Light Breaker!" Allen yelled, detaching an overlay unit from his Monster as Amazoness Pet Liger glowed with a red hue. "I choose to destroy your Pet Liger! Go!" Upon Allen's command, Light Breaker sped off, zooming right through Pet Liger. The look of anticipation on Allen's face immediately contorted into an expression of shock at the sight of the Monster not even being fazed as if nothing happened at all. "Wh-What the hell? Why is Pet Liger still…?"

"The effect of Amazoness Empress." Grace chimed in, letting her sister explain the rest.

"While Amazoness Empress is on the Field, Amazoness Monsters we control cannot be destroyed by battle or Card effects!" Gloria revealed, causing Allen and Sayaka to widen their eyes with shock.

Recovering from his shock, Allen spoke with a hint of hope in his voice. "Even still, you can't attack Fairy Cheer Girl! Plus, Light Breaker still has the most Attack on the Field!"

"Are you sure about that second part?" Gloria enquired, her eyes as sharp as a hawk. A drop of sweat rolled down Allen's face, doubt numbing his chest as Gloria inserted a Card into her Magic and Trap Zone. "Continuous Magic Amazoness Fighting Spirit, activate! Now, battle! Amazoness Pet Liger, attack Heavy Armored Train Light Breaker! As usual, Pet Liger's effect activates! However, the effect of Amazoness Fighting Spirit will chain! Whenever an Amazoness Monster attacks a Monster with a higher Attack, the Amazoness Monster gains 1000 Attack for damage calculation only! If you combine that with Pet Liger's 500 increase, that's an extra 1500 Attack Points!"

Pet Liger: 2500-4000 Atk

"Shit!" Allen cursed under his breath as the battle continued. Pet Liger bit down on the train, consuming it instantly. Particles from the destroyed Monster splattered down on Allen and Sayaka, causing them to flinch from the quick, searing pain.

Allen and Sayaka: 2500-1700 LP

As the battle was over, the effects of Amazoness Fighting Spirit and Pet Liger effect both wore, returning Pet Liger's Attack to normal. Furthermore, since Pet Liger battled an opponent's Monster, it could use its additional effect, which Gloria used to lower the Attack of Fairy Cheer Girl by 800.

Pet Liger: 4000-2500 Atk

Fairy Cheer Girl: 1900-1100 Atk

"I end my turn." Gloria released a sigh of noticeable annoyance. "How irritating! The difference between Fairy Cheer Girl and Amazoness Empress is perfect. You two should consider yourselves lucky. If it weren't for that Trap Card, this Duel would be over."

"Maybe, but it will be what lets us beat you assholes in the end!" Allen retorted with a glare. "Sayaka! It's up to you now!"

"Okay, I won't let you down! My turn, draw!" Sayaka bellowed, drawing the Card and marking the beginning of her turn. She eyed the Card, sighing out of relief at the Card.

I…will not be a burden! I…Sayaka thought back to the beginning of the war, when Ruri was kidnapped. She did nothing but sit there and watch her friend get beaten and captured. I will not let something like that happen again!

"From my Hand, I activate Rank-Up-Magic Fairy's Force! With this Card, I can target a Fairy Xyz Monster I control and then Special Summon a Fairy-Type Xyz Monster whose Rank is 1 higher." Fairy Cheer Girl was enveloped in a white light as Sayaka began to recite her chant. "From the summit of heaven, take a new form of hope, great angel! Rank-Up Xyz Change!" Appearing from the flash of light came Sayaka's upgraded Monster.

Fairy Hope Girl: Rank 5, 2600 Atk, 2250 Def

"Allen, I'm going to use your Card!" Sayaka called out.

"Alright! Go for it, Sayaka!"

A hazy image of a Magic Card appeared in front of Sayaka as she spoke. "From the Graveyard, I activate the effect of Rank-Up-Magic Speed Force! By banishing this Card, I can Special Summon an Xyz Monster from the Graveyard! Return, Heavy Armored Train Light Breaker!"

A portal opened up in front of Sayaka as the recently destroyed Monster rose, its body fully intact as if nothing ever happened.

Light Breaker's effect doesn't do much here. Sayaka analyzed the Field in front of her. I doubt I can finish this Duel, but even still…I have to try something!

"I activate Fairy Hope Girl's effect!" Sayaka announced as overlay unit orbiting her Monster disappearing as she placed a hand on the top of her Deck. "Once per turn, by detaching an overlay unit, I can draw a Card. If it's a Fairy-Type Monster, I get to target a Monster on the Field, and their Attack is increased by the drawn Monster's."

"A last ditch gamble, huh?" Gloria hummed with interest.

"Let's see if Lady Luck is smiling on you today." Grace said with a coy smile.

"Don't listen to them, Sayaka! You can do this!" Allen cheered with a pump of his fist.

"Right! Like I said before, I won't let you down, Allen! I draw!" Sayaka swiped off the top Card of her Deck, her eyes immediately darting to the front. Her eyes brightened the lightest they've been since the beginning of the war as she revealed what she drew. "I got a second copy of Little Fairy! A Monster with 800 Attack! I'll add the Attack to Light Breaker!" Allen's Monster glowed with a heavenly light as the effect of Sayaka's Card commenced.

Light Breaker: 3200-4000 Atk

"4000 Attack?!" Gloria read with genuine shock.

"Heavy Armored Train Light Breaker, attack Amazoness Pet Liger!" Sayaka declared as the Monster sped away, bulldozing right through Pet Liger.

As usual, Pet Liger gained 500 Attack, but it would do no good against Light Breaker's 4600.

Pet Liger: 2500-3000 Atk

"Amazoness Empress prevents all Amazoness Monsters from being destroyed in battle!" Grace reminded her opponents before letting out a hiss of pain along with her sister as they were blown backwards by the attack, their feet skidding across the dirt of the ruined city of Heartland.

Gloria and Grace: 2400-1400 LP

Pet Liger: 3000-2500 Atk

"I end my turn." Sayaka concluded as Light Breaker returned to their side of the Field. She turned to her ally. "Forgive me, Allen…I couldn't finish them off."

"Don't sweat it!" Allen flashed with a thumbs up. "You did more than enough. This is over on my next turn!"

"You won't be getting another turn." Grace interjected with a stern and serious gaze. "I'll make sure of that. My turn, draw! Hmph." Grace smirked, eyeing Gloria who returned a smile of victory. They both knew it was all over just from looking at each other. "From my Hand, I activate the Magic Card Amazoness Ambush! To use this Card, I must sacrifice an Amazoness Monster as bait. I release Amazoness Empress. The effect now activates! One on your side of the Field will have their Attack decreased by the Attack of the released Monster until the end of the turn! I will choose Light Breaker!"

"What?!" Allen's eyes widened along with a stunned shock from Sayaka as against their wishes, Light Breaker charged forward, destroying Amazoness Empress. However, before getting destroyed, Empress managed to land a nasty hit that left Light Breaker damaged and sparking.

Light Breaker: 4000-1200 Atk

"Oh no!" Allen exclaimed as he analyzed the Field as Grace entered the Battle Phase. "Pet Liger has 2500 Attack already! And when it battles…"

"You're right." Gloria said with a smirk. "When it battles, Pet Liger gains 500 Attack."

Sayaka's eyes lit up in realization. They…They were going to…

"It's your loss! Amazoness Pet Liger, attack Heavy Armored Train Light Breaker!"

Pet Liger: 2500-3000 Atk

Pet Liger leaped into the air, pouncing on Light Breaker and ripping it to shreds. The fragments of the destroyed Monster exploded, the resounding shockwaves crashing into Allen and Sayaka, both of whom could do nothing more but scream as the force of the waves threw their feet off from the ground.

Allen and Sayaka: 1700-0 LP

Sharp pain rushed through their bodies as they felt the unforgiving stone wall behind them. They dropped to the ground, defeated and just barely conscious enough to comprehend what was happening.

They…had lost. Despite all of their best efforts, they ended up meeting the same fate as most of their comrades that fought the Tyler Twins. Defeated and helpless, lying on the ground like dogs.

"Sayaka…" Allen mumbled weakly, looking to his comrade, her glasses having nearly fractured from the impacts of both the attacks, the wall, and the ground.

"A-Allen…" Sayaka whispered in a daze, the world around her spinning. She could barely hear anything barring a loud ringing noise that played through her ear as if someone stuck something into her ear canal. She couldn't hear the words she was saying, but she said them regardless. "I-I'm sorry…"

"Sayaka, you…" Allen started, but a sharp pain in his body caused him to stop abruptly. He wanted to say it wasn't just her fault. He was her teammate, and therefore he had just as much fault in their loss as she did, if not more.

"Okay, Grace. Let's Card them and hurry to base." Gloria said.

"Got it." Grace responded, holding up her Duel Disk in unison with her sister as they began walking forward toward their defeated enemies. Their first prey upon their return to the Xyz Dimension. They weren't bad, at the very least stronger than a lot of the other Duelists they have fought, but they were still too weak.

If only they were…

"Hold on a second!" A voice shouted, and the footsteps of two approaching people resounded in the blank sky, one of them being…metallic sandals?

Grace and Gloria turned to the approaching people, seeing a large black-haired man, most likely the one who had spoken, and a blond who followed not that far behind.

"Sawatari…Gongenzaka…" Allen weakly mumbled the names of the arrivals as the big man crouched down to cradle his body. Sawatari glanced at the Tyler Sisters, giving them a sharp glare.

"Hey, Gongenzaka!" He called out to his comrade, who gently placed Allen down on the ground. "Academia!"

"And just who are you two? More of the Resistance?" Gloria questioned.

"We are Lancers!" Sawatari replied with a proud tone.

A grin broke across Gloria's face. "Oh? Why don't we try them out then?" She said, glancing at her smiling sister.

"Why not? The last Duel wasn't enough for me." Grace responded as her face contorted into a smirk.

"You guys…" Allen spoke up, trying to sit up, only for a sharp pain to cause him to cry out of pain and fall back on the ground. "Be careful. Those bastards are…"

"Don't speak anymore, Allen." Gongenzaka said, cutting the boy off. "Sawatari and I, the man, Gongenzaka, will make up for your defeat!"

"Don't be so certain." Grace said. "We're not anything like those other pushovers that you've been facing so far."

"We'll see about that!" Sawatari exclaimed, his face sporting a pride smile. "After all, you're going up against Super Ultra Mega New Extravagant Flamboyant Shingo Sawatari!"

"Another energetic one." Grace muttered under her breath with an amused gaze.

"Let's just hope they're better than the other ones." Gloria stated as she raised her voice. "Very well, then! We accept this challenge! Show us what the Lancers are made of! We will Duel with the same rules that we used with your friends!"

"We understand." Gongenzaka nodded, activating his Duel Disk along with Sawatari in synchronization with the Tyler Twins. "We'll show you the might of the Lancers!"

"DUEL!" All four Duelists shouted in unison, commencing the Duel.


Meanwhile - Academia's Base in Heartland

"They're late…" An exasperated and stressed voice mumbled. The owner of the voice was a skinny man with brown hair and in his late 30s pacing back in front of the Commander-in-Chief's throne. The tired man, Noro Mamoru, pulled out a stopwatch as he frantically watched the seconds tick by. "Late! They're late! THEY'RE LATE! It's already 28 minutes and 57 seconds past the scheduled time! Where in the world are the Tyler Sisters?!"

As if fate had perfectly set it up to quell his fears, an Obelisk Blue Soldier addressed him, taking a respectful salute stance with his right hand on the left side of his chest. The salute for Academia, Glory on the Academia. "Right now, the Tyler Twins have made contact with the Lancers!"

"What was that?!" Noro cried out in shock as he turned to his right to see a holographic screen open up courtesy of a city-view camera installed by Academia to monitor potential survivors, depicting the aforementioned Tyler Twins facing off against a giant black-haired man and a scrawny blond.

Pure panic overtook Noro's entire body as his body recoiled back, his vocal cords expanding as he let out a scream full of terror.

"I will let the Commander-in-Chief know right away, sir!" The student said as he dropped his salute and began to move.

"H-Hold on!" Noro yelled out, halting the student. Realizing the mockery he was making of himself, Noro straightened his posture, cleared his throat, and regained his calm and formal demeanor. "It is a secret from the Commander-in-Chief that I requested reinforcements from the Professor to deal with the Lancers. I will personally go out to the Tyler Sisters. For now, don't tell this secret to the Commander-in-Chief." Noro turned around to hide his mischievous smile.

Of course Edo wouldn't know about the reinforcements. The boy was too young to be leading Academia's forces in Heartland. He was cocky, inexperienced, and easily sidetracked. For so long he has been deadset on finding traitor Marufuji Ryo or the man called Sakaki Yusho.

Someone who gets caught up with personal vendettas such as that had no right to be a leader.

No, the position of Commander-in-Chief belongs to him, Noro Mamoru! If the Professor saw how inefficient Edo was as a leader, then he was sure to be demoted. And then, as he was Deputy Commander, he would be the one in charge. A much more fitting candidate for the role of leader instead of no-good snotty brat Edo Phoenix!

Truth be told, he never liked the boy. He wouldn't even care if he was completely thrown out of the higher-ups at Academia.

Soon, that Commander-in-Chief position will be mine. Soon, I will get what I deserve!


Edo Phoenix's Personal Quarters

The gray-haired Commander-in-Chief sat at his desk brooding. He just could not understand it. He was one of the strongest Duelists at Academia, and yet he was still humiliated twice by the traitor Marufuji Ryo.

Why is it that I can't beat them? Edo thought to himself out of anger as he held a ripped copy of Smile World between his fingers, gripping it tightly. The son of Sakaki Yusho…I will find him again!

Not long after his loss to Marufuji Ryo, the Professor had contacted him. He had informed him about the full situation of the Lancers, revealing some of the sighted members at the time. And one of them…

Sakaki Yuya…Edo thought with spite at the very remembrance of the surname. There is no doubt about it. He is definitely the son of that damn Sakaki Yusho. If I cannot have my retribution on Yusho, then his son will have to do…

He will show him and Sakaki Yusho that the way of Academia is right, that they are just.

They…were…justice!


Back With The Lancers

"I, the man, Gongenzaka will make the first move!" The Synchro user said as he gazed into his Hand, being met with the usual Hand of only Monsters. He slammed one of his Monsters onto his Duel Disk, a bright light enveloping his eyes as a mechanical Monster appeared in front of him. "From my Hand, I Summon Superheavy Samurai Kagebo-C!"

Kagebo-C: Level 3, 500 Atk, 1000 Def

"If Kagebo-C was Normal Summoned this turn, I can release him!" Gongenzaka revealed, his Monster disappearing from the Field just as quickly as it arrived. With the swipe of his large arm, he placed a Monster in Defense Position. "I can Special Summon a Superheavy Samurai Monster from my Hand! Come, Superheavy Samurai Big Ben-K!" With a frame two times the size of even Gongenzaka, a Monster clad in orange and black armor and a white metallic under armor appeared, its massive form covering the Tyler Twins with its shadow.

Big Ben-K: Level 8, 1000 Atk, 3500 Def

Grace blinked with awe as she stared at the Monster. "3-3500 Defense?! I don't think I've ever seen such a sturdy Monster Summoned on the first turn!"

"It's to be expected. These are the Lancers." Gloria, the more calm and collected of the two, who despite having an initial shock to the Monster remained composed, said. A confident smile made its way to her face. "Besides, the Attack on that Monster is pitiful. All it can do is defend! We will make his fortress crumble right on top of his head!" She exclaimed, tightening her fist.

"With this, I end my turn." Gongenzaka concluded abruptly, earning startled looks from his opponents.

"That's it?!" Grace squealed partially out of surprise and partially out of disappointment.

"No other Monsters? No Magic or Trap Cards? Are you looking down on us?" Gloria scowled, her gut burning hotly with intense anger.

"Of course not!" Gongenzaka dismissed the claim, a vein appearing in his forehead from rage. "How dare you accuse me of doing so dishonorable?! Looking down on my opponents would be a stain on my father's dojo and Dueling Style! At the Gongenzaka Steadfast Duel Style, we give it our all with what we have! Do not compare me to the likes of you people from Academia!"

"Calm down, Gongenzaka." Sawatari said with a smirk. "Don't let the words of lackeys from Academia get to you."

"Lackeys, huh?" Grace repeated with a deadly glare. "Sis, I think he just called us lackeys."

"Yea…" Gloria trailed off, a cold look on her face as she shredded a Card off the top of her Deck. "It seems we'll have to beat a lesson into them! From my Hand, I activate the Magic Card, Fusion! Now, I fuse Amazoness Queen and Amazoness Blowpiper! Warrior of royalty, fuse your might with that of your subordinate, and bring birth to a new king! Fusion Summon! Descend, Level 9! Amazoness King Liger!" A Monster bearing resemblance to an older and ferocious Amazoness Tiger appearing on the Field, immediately emitting an aura not only powerful but worthy enough of a king. An aura that strongly reminded Gongenzaka of his father.

King Liger: Level 9, 2900 Atk, 2800 Def

"Next up…" Gloria trailed off as she placed a Card on her Duel Disk, releasing a dark-skinned warrior with white hair holding a spear. "I shall Summon Amazoness Princess!"

Princess: Level 3, 1200 Atk, 900 Def

"If you thought it was over, then you were wrong." Grace said with a smile, letting her sister say the rest.

"Once per turn, when Amazoness Princess is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add an Amazoness Magic or Trap Card from my Deck to my Hand. I will add the Trap Card Amazoness Archers to my Hand." Gloria explained as she removed the Card from her Deck, allowing her Duel Disk to reshuffle her Cards.

Upon hearing the name of the Card, Grace's entire expression lit up with astonishment. "Wow, Sis! That's a great idea! That Card is perfect for this situation."

Gloria returned with an annoyed glance. Weaklings or not, she should not be announcing stuff that could give the enemy a possible advantage. Especially against the Lancers…

A Monster with 3500 Defense…Gloria thought to herself. As of right now, that Monster is the perfect stalling Card. For now…

"I activate the effect of Amazoness King Liger! The effect of this Monster allows me to select an Amazoness Monster on my Field and one in my Graveyard as well. My first target is Amazoness Princess. My second will be Amazoness Queen." Gloria explained as the first declared Monster glowed with a white hue, shattering into little pieces. "Now, the first target is destroyed! Then, I get to Special Summon the second target in its place. Return to the Field, Amazoness Queen!" Appearing in Princess' place was Amazoness Queen, who sat in anticipation. Gloria swiped a Card into her Duel Disk, waiting until the Card materialized in front of her before speaking. "I set a Card and end my turn."

"In that case, then it's my turn!" Sawatari declared proudly, ripping off a Card at the top of his Deck with a grin, analyzing his current Hand. "Now then, bear witness to my epic show! From my Hand, I set the Pendulum Scale using the Scale 2 Abyss Actor - Pretty Heroine and the Scale 7 Abyss Actor - Curtain Raiser!"

"This is it!" Grace exclaimed with an almost childlike look on her face.

"Pendulum Summoning…" Gloria whispered with excitement, curling her fingers into a tight fist out of anticipation. "Finally, just what we were looking for."

"Your first time seeing Pendulum Summoning? Don't worry! I'll make your first viewing one to remember! With this current Scale, I can now simultaneously Summon Monsters with Levels from 3 to 6! Pendulum Summon! Appear, my Monsters!" Above Sawatari, three streams of light flushed out of an open blue portal, with each beam juxtaposing themselves in front of Sawatari. "First is Abyss Actor - Wild Hope! Then, Abyss Actor - Sassy Rookie! And finally, another copy of Abyss Actor - Pretty Heroine!"

Wild Hope: Level 4, 1600 Atk, 1200 Def

Sassy Rookie: Level 4, 1700 Atk, 1000 Def

Pretty Heroine: Level 4, 1500 Atk, 1000 Def

"Now that the Field has been set up, I overlay the Level 4 Abyss Actor - Sassy Rookie with the Level 4 Abyss Actor - Pretty Heroine!" Upon his declaration, both of Sawatari's Monsters flowed into the portal in front of him. A purple pillar erupted from the opening as Sawatari recited a chant for his Monster. "Rookie of the underworld, leading lady of the underworld, draw forth each other's power and become the antagonistic star! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 4! Abyss Actor - Dark Star!"

Dark Star: Rank 4, 2400 Atk, 1800 Def

"Oh? It seems like Pendulum isn't the only thing you can do!" Grace exclaimed with enthusiastic eyes. "It seems like this will be a worthwhile detour after all!"

"Heh! Of course, when you're with the great me, everything is worthwhile!" Sawatari gloated, running a hand through his hair, closing his eyes with a cocky smirk.

"So what if you can Xyz Summon!" Gloria bellowed out of annoyance at her sister's antics. "While it is impressive that you can use two of the Summoning Methods like that in one turn, it still won't be enough to defeat us!"

Sawatari's expression turned serious as he narrowed his gaze. "Is that right? Well, feast your eyes on this! I activate the effect of Abyss Actor - Dark Star! Once per turn, by detaching an overlay unit, I can pick three Magic Cards with the word Abyss in their name. You then get to randomly choose one of the three Cards. The one you pick is added to my Hand while the other two are shuffled back into the Deck!" Ejecting from three different spots in his Deck, Sawatari grabbed Abyss Script - Rise of the Abyss King, Abyss Actor's Costume Chest, and Abyss Prop - Wild Wagon. He held up the three Cards toward his opponents so they could only see the backs.

"I choose the middle Card." Gloria said. With a grin, Sawatari removed the Card, Abyss Actor's Costume Chest, and added it to his Hand, inserting the other two in his Deck, which was automatically shuffled by his Duel Disk.

"I will now activate the Card you chose!" Sawatari declared, inserting the Card which appeared in front of him as a large purple chest with big arms out of the sides. "Continuous Magic, Abyss Actors' Costume Chest! And now, I'll use Costume Chest's effect! Once during either player's turn, I can target a Monster on the Field and equip an Abyss Costume Card to it from my Deck! I target Abyss Actor - Dark Star himself!" A Card was ejected from Sawatari's Deck, and he promptly activated it, a Card called Abyss Costume - Hero's Sword, which increased Dark Star's Attack by 300.

Dark Star: 2400-2700 Atk

"Nicely done, Sawatari!" Gongenzaka complimented with a genuinely impressed smile.

"Heh. Did you expect anything less from me?" Sawatari asked rhetorically as he continued with his turn. "Battle! Abyss Actor - Dark Star, attack Amazoness Queen!"

"That's not happening." Gloria stated, glancing at her Fusion Monster. "While King Liger is on the Field, you cannot attack any other Amazoness Monster in the Field."

"Tsk!" Sawatari clicked out of annoyance, calling off his Monster's attack. "In that case, Superheavy Samurai Big Ben-K will attack Amazoness King Liger!"

Grace broke into a fit of laughter at the statement. "Hey, hey, do you got a few screws loose or something? Big Ben-K is in Defense Position. You can't attack with him, idiot!"

"That's where you are wrong!" Gongenzaka yelled, earning the attention of the Tyler Twins, who looked to him with interest. "Big Ben-K's effect allows him to attack while in Defense Position and use his Defense Points as if it were his Attack!"

"What?!" Gloria blinked.

"And with that out of the way, attack!" Sawatari shouted as the samurai's weapon crashed down on King Liger's head, earning a cry of pain from the Monster. The ensuing shockwaves caused Gloria and Grace to wince.

Gloria and Grace: 4000-3400 LP

"As long as Amazoness Queen is on the Field, Amazoness Monsters I control cannot be destroyed in battle." Grace revealed, relishing the shocked looks on Sawatari and Gongenzaka's faces when they saw that the Monster was still standing.

"I end my turn." Sawatari concluded with an annoyed expression. They were in a lock now. Both Monsters couldn't be destroyed, and they had to attack the stronger Monster. Hopefully Gongenzaka could do something on his next turn.

"My turn, draw!" Grace exclaimed, removing the Card from the top of her Deck. Silently, she glanced at her sister, who gave her a nod. With a smile, Grace revealed one of the set Cards that Gloria had laid down during her turn. "I activate the Magic Card Fusion Recovery! With this, I can add a Fusion Card along with a Monster used as Fusion Material from my Graveyard to my Hand." Gloria ejected two Cards from her Duel Disk's Graveyard, throwing them to her sister, who got them with ease. The two Cards Fusion and Amazoness Blowpiper.

"Damn it!" Gongenzaka cursed under his breath with a hint of astonishment. "They're teamwork is formidable. They communicated with each other without even exchanging a single word!" If the Tyler Twins weren't his enemies, he would actually be impressed.

"There is more where that came from." Grace retorted, inserting a Card into her Duel Disk. "I activate the Magic Card, Fusion! I fuse Amazoness Blowpiper with the Amazoness Queen in my Hand!"

Sawatari's eyes widened. "You have another Amazoness Queen?!"

"Of course." Grace said with a dumbfounded expression. "We do use the same Deck after all. Now, then! Queen of the jungle. Receive the power of your faithful servant, and build an empire that rules over everything! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 8! Amazoness Empress!" The Monster from Allen and Sayaka's Duel appeared on the Field. "Next, I Summon Amazoness Paladin from my Hand!" A dark-skinned busty woman with blond hair, gold bands on her arms and thighs with a sword in tow appeared to the Field.

Paladin: Level 4, 1700 Atk, 300 Def

"Now, for the effect of Amazoness Paladin!" Grace announced as her Monster glowed. "For every Amazoness Monster I control, this Monster gains 100 Attack! We control four Amazoness Monsters. So, Amazoness Paladin will gain 400 Attack!"

Paladin: 1700-2100 Atk

"Now, I activate the Continuous Magic Card Amazoness Fighting Spirit!" Grace said, inserting the Card into her Duel Disk as it appeared to the Field. "Now, we fight! Amazoness Queen, attack Abyss Actor - Dark Star!"

"What?!" Sawatari gasped out of shock. "But you should know that Dark Star has a higher Attack!"

"Not for long! This is where the effect of Amazoness Fighting Spirit comes into play! When an Amazoness Monster attacks a Monster with higher Attack, the Amazoness Monster will gain 1000 Attack during damage calculation!"

Queen: 2400-3400 Atk

Amazoness Queen destroyed Dark Star with relative ease, the resounding shockwaves rupturing Sawatari and Gongenzaka's bodies, causing them both to wince from the pain.

Sawatari and Gongenzaka: 4000-3300 LP

"I activate the effect of Abyss Actor - Dark Star upon destruction! When this Monster is destroyed, I can add a Magic Card in my Graveyard that has the word Abyss in it." The Equip Card Abyss Costume - Hero's Sword was ejected from Sawatari's Graveyard. The boy took the Card out of his hand and glanced at Gongenzaka, nodding his head with a grin.

Gongenzaka blinked as he realized the true purpose of what Sawatari had done. Sawatari knew that his Deck was at its strongest when there were no Magic or Trap Cards in the Graveyard. From the very start, they were at a heavy disadvantage because of that simple fact. Sawatari removed his Magic Card from the Graveyard to help him out on his next turn.

Gongenzaka nearly smirked if it wasn't for the situation. I didn't think you could think that far ahead, Sawatari.

"Now then, I activate the Pendulum effect of Abyss Actor - Pretty Heroine!" Sawatari declared as his Pendulum Monster glowed with a light blue hue. "Once per turn, during your Battle Phase, I can target a Monster you control that has destroyed an Abyss Actor Monster I control by battle and reduce its Attack by the damage I took!"

A red aura appeared around Amazoness Queen. Sawatari and Gongenzaka took 700 points of damage. This meant that Amazoness Queen would lose 700 Attack alongside losing its 1000 Attack Point boost.

Queen: 3400-1700 Atk

"It doesn't matter." Grace stated as she glanced to King Liger, who pounced on Abyss Actor - Wild Hope. "King Liger, attack!" Wild Hope let out a low cry of pain as it was torn to shreds.

"Kgh/Gah!" Sawatari and Gongenzaka yelled respectively as they both stumbled from the shockwaves of Wild Hope's destruction.

Sawatari and Gongenzaka: 3300-2000 LP

"I activate the effect of Wild Hope!" Sawatari called out, recovering and retrieving a Card from his Deck. "When this Monster is destroyed, I can add an Abyss Actor Monster from my Deck to my Hand! I add Abyss Actor - Devil Heel to my Hand!"

"Next, I activate the Magic Card Cyclone! With this, I can destroy a Magic or Trap Card on the Field. I will destroy your Abyss Actors' Costume Chest!" Grace declared as a cyclone of wind bursted out of the Card, rushing towards Sawatari's Magic Card and enveloping it.

"At this moment, I use the effect of Costume Chest targeting Big Ben-K!" Sawatari interjected, removing a Card from his Deck once again. "From my Deck, I will equip Big Ben-K with Abyss Costume - Dwarf's Shield, which will give Big Ben-K an increase of 300 Defense Points!" As soon as the demonic shield stuck itself to the arm of Big Ben-K, Abyss Actors' Costume Chest was destroyed.

Big Ben-K: 3500-3800 Def

"I end my turn." Grace concluded, earning a frustrated expression from Sawatari.

Damn it! I tried to help Gongenzaka, but in the end all I did was…

"My turn!" Gongenzaka shouted, ripping off the top Card of his Deck. He widened his eyes out of horror as he looked through the four Cards in his Hand. Superheavy Samurai Kokorogama-A, Superheavy Samurai Rokka-9, Superheavy Samurai Soulhorns, and Superheavy Samurai Swordsman. All of these were Monsters who were useless in the current situation simply because it wasn't the right effect or because their effects couldn't be used now that a Magic Card was in their Graveyard. That one Cyclone play had just completely shut down most of Gongenzaka's Deck, and there was nothing he could do about it!

"What's wrong? All left out of moves to play?" Gloria taunted with a smirk. She didn't know what Grace's Card had truly done, but her instincts immediately told her that using Cyclone was a very good play on her part.

"Enough! I, the man Gongenzaka, will not give up for the sake of my fallen comrades!" The man spoke with a gruff tone as he slammed a Card sideways onto his Duel Disk, the back of a Card appearing on the Field next to Big Ben-K. "I set a Monster facedown in Defense Position. Battle!"

Frankly speaking, there was nothing he could do this turn other than attack and set up another wall of defense and hope that it isn't breached next turn. As of right now, they had an invincible wall of defense on their Field as well. Only King Liger could be attacked, and even then two other Monsters protect it from destruction.

Then in that case…

"Sawatari! I have no choice but to leave the rest to you on your next turn!" Gongenzaka said as he shot two fingers at his Monster. "Big Ben-K, attack Amazoness King Liger!" The warrior machine thrusted down its weapon at the ground, creating shockwaves that caused King Liger, Gloria, and Grace to flinch from the pain. However, due to Amazoness Queen and Amazoness Emperess, Amazoness King Liger would not be destroyed.

Gloria and Grace: 3400-2500 LP

"With that, I end my turn." Gongenzaka said solemnly as Gloria began her turn, drawing her Card. "Forgive me, Sawatari. I was unable to do anything!"

"Don't talk like that!" Sawatari yelled out of frustration, partially because although he didn't want to admit, Gongenzaka's current useless state was his doing. If he hadn't played that Magic Card, Gongenzaka would still be able to use most of his Deck. Putting on fake bravado, Sawatari grinned. "Don't sweat it! The great me will definitely pull off a miracle next turn!"

"Sorry to tell you, but that was your last turn just now!" Gloria chimed, earning the two Lancers' expressions of shock as she revealed her drawn Card. "I activate the Equip Magic Amazoness Heirloom and equip it to Amazoness King Liger!" After the Card's activation, a green crystal ball appeared in front of King Liger. "Now then, Amazoness King Liger, attack Superheavy Samurai Big Ben-K!"

"What?!" Sawatari blurted out of shock. "But Big Ben-K…"

"Has a higher Defense, I am well aware." Gloria finished, rolling her eyes. The attack connected, with King Liger's pouncing deflecting off the samurai, inflicting 900 damage to Gloria and Grace.

Gloria and Grace: 2500-1600 LP

"This now activates the effect of Amazoness Heirloom!" Gloria exclaimed as the Magic Card glowed with a white light. "After the battle, if the equipped Monster had battled, then your attacked Monster is destroyed!"

"No way!" Sawatari's eyes bulged as Big Ben-K shattered in front of them.

"Our Defense…" Gongenzaka whispered with a distraught expression.

Amazoness Empress chuckled as she rose. Gloria declared an attack on the facedown set Monster Gongenzaka had, which was revealed to be Superheavy Samurai Kokorogama-A.

Kokorogama-A: Level 3, 100 Atk, 2100 Def

"Time for the effect of Amazoness Empress! When this Monster attacks a Monster in Defense Position, piercing damage is inflicted!" Gloria bellowed as Kokorogama-A was decimated, the pressure of the waves from its destruction crashing down on Sawatari and Gongenzaka's bodies.

Sawatari and Gongenzaka: 2000-1300 LP

"Damn it…" Sawatari cursed as he stumbled, dropping to the ground on his knees. To think that he would lose in a place like this…

Allen…Sayaka…forgive us for our failure. Gongenzaka thought to himself as the final attack was declared. Amazoness Paladin leapt into the air, unleashing a powerful slash that tore at Sawatari and Gongenzaka. The two Lancers cried out in pain as they were thrown backwards and into the wall behind them, nearly crashing into the nearly unconscious Allen and Sayaka.

Sawatari and Gongenzaka: 1300-0 LP

"You guys were certainly interesting." Grace said with a smile.

"But still not enough." Gloria muttered as she began to walk forward. "We weren't even able to see the full potential of Pendulum Summoning. How disappointing! Farewell." She held up her Duel Disk as she continued advancing on the downed four Duelists. "Be gone from our sight!"

"HOLD ON JUST A MINUTE!"


Card Catalog

Cycle Break, Trap: When a Machine-Type Monster is attacked, negate the attack. And, if you can, Xyz Summon a Monster using Monsters you control as Materials. The Level of each Monster is treated as the Level of a Monster on your Field that wasn't attacked. During either player's turn, if this Card is in the Graveyard, you can banish this Card. For the rest of the turn, all Machine-Type Monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle.

Fairy Pouf, Level 4, 1150 Atk, 500 Def, Fairy, Light: If you control a Light-Attribute Monster, you can Special Summon this Card from your Hand.

Fairy's Prayer, Magic: When this Card is activated, all Fairy-Type Monsters you control gain 600 Attack until the end of the turn.

Fairy's Guard, Trap, Continuous: Activate this Card only when a Fairy-Type Monster you control is attacked, negate the attack. As long as this face-up Card remains on the Field, Fairy-Type Monsters you control cannot be attacked.

Amazoness Mentor, Level 1, 0 Atk, 0 Def, Warrior, Earth: By sending this Card from your Hand to your Graveyard, you can grant an Amazoness Monster you control the ability to attack twice this turn.

Amazoness Ambush, Magic: Tribute an Amazoness Monster you control. Then, target one Monster your opponent controls. That Monster's Attack will be decreased by the Attack of your tributed Monster.


Yea so it's been a while. Sorry about that, life has just been hitting me like a truck recently with school, exams, and my grandfather passed away a couple of months ago so I have been trying to get through that.

To somewhat make up for it, I crammed two Duels in one chapter. So, I hope you enjoyed, plus the second Duel was going to be short anyway because I wanted to make use of Gongenzaka's handicap considering it's not something that I can make use of that often. Unfortunately, it does make Sawatari and Gongenzaka look bad but you can't win them all. Academia has to win sometimes and they will get some sort of redemption in the future.

Next Chapter…

After crushing defeats from the Tyler Twins, Allen, Sayaka, Sawatari, and Gongenzaka are all in danger of being Carded. Fortunately, at the last moment, Yuto and Shun manage to enter the scene. To defend their friends and avenge the fallen Spade Branch, Yuto and Shun engage the Tyler Twins in a Duel. Meanwhile, Edo Phoenix searches for Sakaki Yuya…

FrozenLuinor14: Yuya isn't turning evil. He's just been extremely damaged by the things he saw in Yuto's memories, which has negatively influenced his outlook on life for the time being. While a part of him still wants to be his old Entertaining self, he just can't bring himself to it.

Guest: Yuya never hated his father. He just has repressed feelings of resentment towards him. He still very much loves and respects his father and he wants nothing more than to see him. Even still, deep inside there is just a shroud of negativity that shines through sometimes.

That's all for this chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed the double Duel.

See you guys next time. Take care, goodbye!