Big thanks to tsukikami02, BlaiseCandell, KuriMaster13, Guest, Bia1230, Edward Dragneel, GreedyMan, Gabe Wilkerson, Caballero lector rojo, Unknowedz, Ulrich362 for reviewing the previous chapter!

GreedyMan: Yes, I read it.

I hope you'll enjoy reading this chapter!


TEMPLE OF DRAGONS – INNER CORE – DUEL MONSTER REALM – DIMENSION PULSE

Yuya and Yuri were left speechless at the ruined yet captivating temple in front of them. They didn't know why, but just stepping into the temple made them feel at home. Kuribohder and Winged Kuriboh kept leading them further inside until they reached what appeared to be a court where the bronze statue of Ma'at stood tall. Behind the statue, pylons were adorned with reliefs depicting the history that Yuno and the others had told them before.

The entrance staircase beyond these pylons led into the cavernous main hall. The main hall's pillars and soaring mezzanines stretched out and around the base of the temple, forming the temple's support structure.

Kuribohder and Winged Kuriboh stopped in front of a big door that led to their destination. Yuya and Yuri looked at each other and nodded before opening the door together. What greeted them inside was a vast chamber with many tiers and balconies. Between many of the pillars lining the hall were passages and stairways.

At the center of the chamber, two people stood there.

Odd-Eyes and Starve Venom, now taking their human form, Yuji and Yura.

"Yuji! Yura! You're here! We were so worried when the two of you suddenly disappeared!" Yuya immediately ran to them, relieved to have found their friends unharmed.

Yuji didn't answer, however. Neither did Yura.

Yuri looked at Yuji and Yura, and he sensed there was something different about them. He didn't sense any malice, so at least he's sure that they won't harm them. Not that Yuri ever thought their Ace Monsters would ever do that to them.

"What is this place?" Yuya asked, looking at their surroundings.

"This is the first Temple of Ma'at." Yuji answered.

"The first? You mean, this is the very first temple of Ma'at to be built?" Yuya looked closer and noticed the similarities between this place and the temple where Yukiya had once visited before.

"Correct. This is the place where Ma'at originally blessed the people until this temple descended to this place following the sealing of both Ma'at and Apophis. This is the place where that Duel took place." Yura then flicked her fingers, and on cue, the candles around the hall lit up, revealing murals of the Four Heavenly Dragons on the floor beneath.

"Yuya. Yuri. The time has come for both of you to inherit our power." Yuji revealed, raising his arm wearing the Duel Disk.

"Inherit your power...?" Yuya looked at Odd-Eyes and Starve Venom in confusion. Next to him, Yuri was equally confused by what they were saying.

"You have fought together for so long together with Odd-Eyes and Starve Venom. Building up experience, becoming stronger together. However, you have yet to master our power as an individual." Yura revealed.

"As an individual? What do you mean?" Yuri looked at his ace Monster. He also raised an eyebrow when he noticed that she mentioned Odd-Eyes and Starve Venom as if they were separate from themselves.

"Odd-Eyes and Starve Venom were born from us. But due to Apophis' influence, our powers were asleep deep within the Four Heavenly Dragons. It was only until Odd-Eyes, Starve Venom, and the others were rescued by your friends, Sara Akie and Haruna, once again manifesting themselves in the human realm, that our powers within them awakened, allowing them to once again summon Odd-Eyes Flare Dragon and Starve Venus Dragon." Yuji continued.

Yuya and Yuri gasped. It didn't take long for what Yuji and Yura had said to sink in. No wonder they felt different from the Odd-Eyes and Starve Venom they knew. It's because they were not their ace monsters.

They are Yuji and Yura.

The real Yuji and Yura, whose name Odd-Eyes and Starve Venom used to honor them.

"You two are the Yura and Yuji who were adopted by Yuno-san when you were children and were made into sacrifices by Apophis to become the vessels for the dragons..." Yuri finally uttered. The two said people's smiles were the only things needed for confirmation. After meeting Leo and Sho, it shouldn't be impossible for other dead people to appear before them within this Dimension Pulse. The four children that Yuno adopted and died as sacrifices to give birth to the Four Heavenly Dragons were no exceptions.

"What?!" Yuya was shocked in disbelief. But then he remembered what kind of place Dimension Pulse is. If it's here, it's possible for Yuji and Yura to be here.

"Now, both of us are serving as the representatives of Ma'at. He summoned our souls to this place to also give you the blessing from Ma'at directly." Yura's palm forms an orb of light, similar to the light of Ma'at's blessings that was once possessed by Yuya and Yuri.

"What's the difference between the blessing we had before with the blessing you're holding?" Yuya asked.

"The blessings you received are merely an extension of Yukiya Kanbara's power as reincarnation of Ma'at. This, however, was a blessing gifted by Ma'at himself. It's stronger than the mere extension given to you." Yuji explained.

"Then, if we have that blessing, we'll get stronger and have higher chances to defeat Apophis." Yuya's heart lightened up to think that there's hope of defeating the Dragon of Calamity. He and Yuri had lost his blessing. If they gained that blessing now, they could fight again.

"But that's not all, isn't it?" Yuri raised his Duel Disk. "I suppose you won't give that blessing to us for free."

"You're right." Yura confirmed, activating her Duel Disk, and so did Yuji.

"Wait, we must defeat you to gain that blessing?" Yuya looked from Yuri and then back to Yuji and Yura.

"The blessing gifted directly from Ma'at holds significant power more than you could imagine. Our power is also not something that we'd just give to anybody. If you have what it takes to hold both ours and Ma'at's power, then show us the proof." Yura said determinedly.

"Come on, Yuya. Don't just stand there and be prepared. If we want to get out of this place and fight Apophis again, we must win." Yuri told Yuya who was still in a state of confusion at the sudden turn of event.

"But do we really have to do this? Aren't we fighting against the same enemy?" Yuya stood between Yuji, Yura, and Yuri. His gestures tried to stop the two from Dueling. He couldn't understand why this was necessary. They were fighting the same enemies, so shouldn't they just fight together using that blessing now that they were here together?

Seeing Yuya's hesitance, Yuji's eyes narrowed. He had suspicion from what Odd-Eyes told him. Now his suspicion has unfortunately been confirmed. Seeing Yura and Yuri's faces, they must've realized it too. Yuya's inner turmoil.

"Yuya... Are you that afraid of Apophis, of death, that you're practically begging for us to give you power rather than earning it yourself?" Yuji asked sharply at Odd-Eyes' current master.

"!" Yuya was clamped up at that. He couldn't deny it. That was the truth. He was afraid. Just thinking about Apophis filled him with dread. That sensation of death froze his body. The fear of the pain, the unknown, the afterlife, ceasing to exist from the world was overwhelming. Yuya didn't even realize his body was already trembling and sweating until Yuri grasped his shoulder.

"You're not on your own in this, Yuya." Yuri told him while firmly tightening his grasp.

Yuya's trembling lessened to a degree, but his fear hasn't left him. But he knew that backing down was not an option. Yuri didn't say it, but Yuya knew his Fusion counterpart was telling him to get a hold of himself. He couldn't stay here forever, being uncertain with what to do. Yuya was ashamed of himself. He was disgusted by his cowardice.

"I can't protect anyone like this..." Yuya raised his Duel Disk and activated it, standing next to Yuri and faced their opponents on the other side.

[MASTER DUEL]

"I take the first Turn! With Scale 3 Grape Magician and Scale 10 Entermate Core to set the Pendulum Scale! With this I can simultaneously summon Level 4 to 9 Monsters!" Yuji set Grape Magician and Entermate Core in the Pendulum Zones.

"Pendulum Summon! Appear, my Monsters!" Yuji Pendulum Summoned Odd-Eyes Flare Dragon (ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 7) and Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 7 / PS: 4) in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.

"I set a card and end my Turn." Yuji concluded.

Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and Odd-Eyes Flare Dragon roared together. Yuya shuddered when Odd-Eyes' gaze shifted straight to his own. Was his dragon reprimanding him for his cowardice? No. That's not it. There was nothing scornful from his gaze nor voice. The gaze his dragon had for him was as gentle as always. It's like he was telling him that all will be okay.

"Are you trying to tell me not to give up?" Yuya wondered. Yuya gritted his teeth and then began his Draw Phase, drawing a card.

"My Turn! With Scale 1 Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon and Scale 8 Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon, I set the Pendulum Scale!" Like Yuji, Yuya set the Pendulum Summoning column, allowing him to simultaneously summon Level 2 to 7 Monsters.

"Swing, pendulum of souls! Draw an arc of light across the ether! Pendulum Summon! Appear now, my Monsters!" Yuya summoned Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon (ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 7 / PS: 4), and two new Entermate Monsters. First was a humanoid ferret with beige-colored fur wearing polka dot ballet costume, Entermate Ferret Adagio (ATK: 1000 / DEF: 200 / LV: 3). Second was a humanoid fox with orange-colored fur and pair of dichromatic-colored eyes wearing brownish gymnast costume with a hula-hop around its waist, Entermate Odd-Eyes Foxie Ring (ATK: 500 / DEF: 500 / LV: 1). All of them were set in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.

"Foxie Ring can be treated as two Monsters when there's another Entermate Monster on the Field." As Yuya revealed this, Foxie Ring's shadow separated itself and stood next to the real Foxie Ring, making it look like there were two Foxie Rings present.

"Come forth, the circuit of entertainment that enlightens the future!" Yuya spread his arms up and wide; calling forth the Link Circuit that appeared above him.

"Arrowhead confirmed! The summoning condition is at least 1 Odd-Eyes Monster! I set Odd-Eyes Foxie Ring and Entermate Ferret Adagio to the Link Markers! Circuit Combine!" Yuya set his Monsters. The two Odd-Eyes Foxie Ring went to the Top and the Bottom Link Marker, while Ferret Adagio went to the Right Link Marker.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Cyber-Eyes Dragon (ATK: 2300 / Link: 3 / LM: Top, Bottom, Right)!" Yuya summoned Cyber-Eyes Dragon in the Link Monster Zone.

"I activate Cyber-Eyes' effect! I can increase its ATK equal to the total ATK of DEF of the monster pointed by its Link Markers!" Yuya declared, prompting the lines and orbs around Cyber-Eyes' body to glow. Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon, being pointed by Cyber-Eyes' Bottom Link Marker, has its body covered in red articles that went into the dragon's lines and orbs. The Link Dragon Monster was absorbing Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon's energy, increasing its ATK to 6800.

"Battle! I attack Odd-Eyes Flare Dragon with Cyber-Eyes Dragon!" Yuya declared Battle Phase.

Cyber-Eyes Dragon spread its wings, the orbs around its body produced white electrical circles that started to form white spiraling energy sphere. Cyber-Eyes' dichromatic eyes glinted as it shot the sphere, striking toward Odd-Eyes Flare Dragon.

"Trap Card: Strength of Will! When a Level 5 or above Monster I control is targeted for an attack, I can halve the damage, negate its destruction, and inflict the same damage to my opponent!" Yuji opened his Reverse Card, strengthening Odd-Eyes Flare.

Odd-Eyes Flare's body was surrounded by dim tangerine-colored light, and the dragon then blocked the spiraling sphere blast, pushing it back up before it exploded.

YUJI & YURA LP: 4000 = 1850

YUYA & YURI LP: 4000 = 1850

"I set a card and end my Turn." Yuya finished his Turn.

"That was a good move. But we all know that's not enough, Yuya. You are capable more than this." Yuji told Yuya.

"I'm..." Yuya still couldn't find the words to say. He felt immense guilt for making not only Odd-Eyes, but everyone else here worried about him.

Unfortunately, his anxiety won't go away. It was like an electrical storm in his brain that. It was different from a headache, and it felt the same as intense sorrow, perhaps as a sort of frozen panic with nowhere to go. Yuya's sad eyes were saying far more than asking for help, they were saying that his soul was in such unbearable pain.

"And not just you, Yuya. You also need to make up your mind, Yuri." Yura said to the Fusion counterpart, surprising him.

"Me? Making up my mind?" Now it was Yuri's turn to be confused.

"Do I need to repeat your story of what happened when you Dueled Apophis?" Yura reminded.

Yuri immediately tensed at the mention of the Duel. Now he was the one who couldn't say anything. Yuri was fully aware of what Yura was trying to tell him. And that's also why he could understand Yuya's fear of Apophis. In that Duel, the Dragon of Calamity exposed his weakness, and tormented him until he broke, making him completely vulnerable. A vulnerability that he resented and never wanted to show to anybody, not even his closest friends.

It was proof of his weakness that he refused to accept even to this day. Even though he had admitted that he didn't want to die, accepted his sin and wished to atone not through death, wanting to be accepted regardless of his bad sides, Yuri still couldn't bring himself to show everything he is. To show his ugliness completely to others. He had shown his breaking point, but he still refused to show this ugliness that was still haunting him. Because he still feared that he'd be met with rejection.

"Is that what your heart has decided?"

Yuri could see himself back in that place where he fought Apophis. In front of him was his child self, facing him with somber expression.

"You will forever reject me? You will forever reject this part of yourself?"

"Yuri..." Yuya looked at his Fusion counterpart. He had thought that Yuri had finally fully accepted himself and them after that Duel against Dennis. He thought he was finally ready to open his heart completely. But that wasn't the case?

"My Turn! With the set Pendulum Scale, I Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my Monsters!" Yura Pendulum Summoned Predator Plants Byblisp (ATK: 0 / DEF: 1900 / LV: 1) in Attack Position next to the two Odd-Eyes Dragon Monsters on her Field.

"From my hand, I activate Magic Card: Fusion!" Yura chose Predator Plants Byblisp and Yuji's Odd-Eyes Flare Dragon as Fusion Materials.

"Dragon with dual-colored eyes. Poisonous hungry flower. Become one and bring forth a new tragedy! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 8! Starve Venus Dragon (ATK: 2800 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 8)!" Yura summoned her ace Monster in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.

"When the Monster affected by Strength of Will is sent to the Graveyard, I can draw 2 cards." As Odd-Eyes Flare was sent to the Graveyard after being used as Fusion Material, Yuji drew 2 cards from his Deck.

"Since Byblips is sent to the Graveyard, I can add 1 Predator Plants Monster from my Deck to hand except Byblips itself." Yura added a Predator Plants Monster to her hand.

"When Starve Venus is summoned only by using monsters on the Field as materials, it gains the ATK of all Special Summoned monsters on the Field." Yura increased her dragon's ATK to 10100.

"An attack of 10100. She's aiming for a One-Turn-Kill right off the bat." Yuri glanced at Yuya, hoping his Pendulum counterpart has a trick under his sleeve to overcome this.

"Ba-"

Before Yura could declare Battle Phase, Yuya immediately interrupted her.

"At this moment, I activated Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon's Pendulum Effect! During either player's Turn, I can swap Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon with 1 other Odd-Eyes Monster on my Field!" Yuya swapped Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon and Odd-Eyes Phantom's places, placing Odd-Eyes Phantom in the Pendulum Zone and Odd-Eyes Persona (ATK: 1200 / DEF: 2400 / LV: 5 / PS: 1) in the Monster Zone.

"I activate Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon's Monster Effect! Once per Turn, I can negate the effect of 1 card on the Field!" Yuya chose to negate Starve Venus Dragon's effect, reverting its ATK back to 2800.

In his mind, Yuri gave Yuya a thumbs up for his quick action. Despite his reluctance and anxiety, Yuya was still in a sound mind, at least enough to form a defensive strategy to protect them. But of course, they mustn't let their guard down just yet. They were fighting against the children raised by Yuno.

"Battle! I attack Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon with Starve Venus Dragon!" Yura finally declared her Battle Phase.

"I activate Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon's Pendulum Effect! When a Monster I control battles, I can have that Monster gain ATK equal to the ATK of another Odd-Eyes Monster in the Pendulum Zone during the Battle Phase!" Yuya increased Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon's ATK equal to Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon's ATK, increasing it from 1200 to 2400.

Starve Venus bit Odd-Eyes Persona's chest and rip it apart, destroying the Pendulum Dragon.

YUYA & YURI LP: 1850 = 1450

"Don't think I've finished just yet! I activate Double Quick-Play Spell: Fusion Cancel and Venus Fusion!" Yura activated two Quick-Play Spells from her hand.

"What?! Two Quick-Play Spells now?!" Yuya exclaimed warily.

"With Fusion Cancel, I return Starve Venus back to my Extra Deck and Special Summon its Fusion Materials back to the Field!" Yura returned Starve Venus to her Extra Deck, and then summoned Odd-Eyes Flare Dragon and Predator Plants Byblisp back to her Field in an instant.

"And then with Venus Fusion, I can perform another Fusion Summon by using the cancelled Fusion Monster's Fusion Materials from the Field during a Battle Phase!" Yura revealed, immediately using Odd-Eyes Flare and Byblisp as Fusion Materials once again right after they were brought back.

"Dragon with dichromatic eyes. Beautiful flower with insect-alluring fragrance. Become one now and bring forth a new terror! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 8, Starve Venom Fusion Dragon (ATK: 2800 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 8)!" Yura summoned Starve Venom in Attack Position next to Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon.

Starve Venom roared together with Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon. It reminded Yuya and Yuri of the battle a year ago. Only this time, they were fighting against them instead of alongside them. And to get them back to their side, Yuya and Yuri must defeat them, proving that they were still capable of fighting together with them.

And Yuri, knowing full well how strong his ace Monster is, prepared for what's going to come next, and again, he hoped that Yuya had a way to get them out from a bind.

"I activate Starve Venom's effect! If it was Fusion Summoned this turn using only Monsters on the field as Materials, I can make this card gain ATK equal to the combined ATK of all Special Summoned Monsters my opponent currently controls, until the end of this turn!" Yura increased Starve Venom's ATK equal to Cyber-Eyes' ATK, making its current ATK 5100.

"I activate Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon's Pendulum Effect! As a Monster I control is destroyed, I can destroy Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon to place the destroyed Monster in the Pendulum Zone!" Yuya replaced Odd-Eyes Mirage with Odd-Eyes Persona in the Pendulum Zone, making his Pendulum Scale 4 to 1.

"Next, I activate Ferret Adagio's Effect from the Graveyard! I can banish another Entermate Monster in the Graveyard to Special Summon a Monster in the Pendulum Zone to Monster Zone with its ATK increased equal to its ATK but its level reduced by 1!" Yuya banished Foxie Ring from the Graveyard to move back Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon to the Monster Zone with ATK of 1700, but its Level became Level 4. The Pendulum Zone only has Scale 4 Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon now.

"When Odd-Eyes Foxie Ring is banished, we gain LP equal to double of its total ATK and DEF." Yuya added, increasing his and Yuri's LP double to the total of Foxie Ring's 500 ATK and 500 DEF, making it 2000.

YUYA & YURI LP: 1450 = 3450

"Once again, I activate Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon's Monster Effect! Once per Turn I can negate the effect of 1 card my opponent controls!" Yuya chose Starve Venom's effect, and like what Yuya did with Starve Venus before, he reverted the Fusion Dragon's ATK back to its original 2800 ATK.

"I see. Starve Venom's effect only works on Level 5 or above Monsters, so Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon that became Level 4 can't be affected by Starve Venom's effect. He changed its ATK and Level already considering that Yura would bring out Starve Venom." Yuji was impressed that Yuya thought this far. But maybe he's able to think clearly only because his opponents are not their true enemies. Because the stake in this Duel won't cost them their lives. If it had been Apophis the one Dueling them right now, could Yuya have kept his cool?

"Or we haven't cornered him enough?" Yura thought, staring at Yuya.

"Then again, I attack Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon with Starve Venom Fusion Dragon! Toxic Roots Blast!" Yura changed the target of her initial attack from Cyber-Eyes to Odd-Eyes Persona once more. Starve Venom's appendages spread wide behind, unleashing violet-colored blast that incinerated Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon.

YUYA & YURI LP: 3450 = 2350

"Next, I attack Cyber-Eyes Dragon with Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon! Spiral Strike Burst!" As she and Yuji shared the Field, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon was also her Monster. She pointed at the Link Monster. Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon fired crimson-colored blast from his mouth, blasting through the Link Dragon.

YUYA & YURI LP: 2350 = 2150

"I end my Turn." Yura concluded.

"That was close. If I don't know you any better, we're finished." Yuya said to Yuri. He could come up with this strategy only because of his many duels with Yuri and Starve Venom.

"My thoughts exactly. But if I can be totally honest, I didn't expect you to do well like this. You move is different from our previous Duels." Yuri admitted. Though he had expected Yuya to defend them this Turn, Yuya did more than Yuri expected. They were able to survive better than he had imagined.

"..." Yuya suddenly went silent while glancing at his Fusion counterpart. He opened his mouth and closed them again, finding it difficult to speak.

"What?" Yuri asked, noticing Yuya being hesitant.

"Do you still hate it? Opening up to us, I mean." Yuya finally asked.

Yuri paused, not starting his Turn just yet. Yuya had asked a question that he never wanted to face. His friends had seen him at his worst and didn't give up on him. Anybody would think that would give Yuri the confidence, the faith to show them the real him who was not hiding behind the air of arrogance, and they'll still accept him, nevertheless.

But no, Yuri couldn't believe that they could accept this awful side of him. How much he hates himself. He didn't want anybody to see how pathetic he could be. Especially in the harsh times they were having now. How could he let himself be vulnerable when they were having a hard time. If he wanted to protect them then he must always stand strong.

"You don't trust us that much?" Yuya asked again then, finally making Yuri look at him in the eye. "You can't trust us like you trust Starve Venom?"

"Starve Venom?" Why would Yuya bring Starve Venom into this?

"Isn't it right? Starve Venom has always been the one you trust most and the only one you can reveal anything to."

Yuri turned to Starve Venom who was still staring at him. Yes. Starve Venom has always been with him since he was born into this world. The very first being who holds him dearly, who loves him unconditionally. Yuri was never truly alone because Starve Venom was always there for him.

Now it was different. Yuri had formed new bonds with other people, Starve Venom was not the only one in his life anymore. There were other people he grew to cherish and wanted to be with. And yet, he couldn't trust them enough to share everything he is out of fear that they'd be disappointed in him.

"I want to know everything about you, Yuri." Yuya said softly. If Yuri hadn't been next to him, he couldn't have heard him.

"You're strong. You have sharp tongue and can get on bad people's bad side so easily, but you're always confident, calm, able to see things I don't. Honestly, you're captivating, and I was a bit envious of you." Yuri might have the tendencies to rile people up for no reason other than his amusement, but no matter the predicament, Yuri would always face them unflinchingly. And that's what Yuya admired about him.

"But honestly, when I first saw you at your breaking point, feeling guilty for all the bad things you've done, I felt relieved." When he saw Yuri vulnerable that time, for the first time, Yuri looked so ordinary, so human, no different from any of them.

"Don't misunderstand, I didn't mean that I was glad that you suffered. What I want to say is, I'm relieved that for the first time you're being more honest to us. You always put up a wall, keeping your distance from us, so it was difficult to know what you were thinking. That's why, when you lashed out at us, I felt that I learned new things about you. I feel that we can become closer without having to hide anything." Yuya was sure, Yuri at that time was the closest to him being his real self without a shell protecting him. No mask of the perfect Academia elite Duelist that he always put to hide his vulnerability.

"I want you to rely on us more, Yuri."

Yuri could feel that his expression was closing to break once again. He had always thought that he must become strong, not lose himself, stay confident. Otherwise, he'd lose everything. Because he had shown them his pathetic side once, he determined not to show it again to them because he believed it was also for their sake. Compared to them, he had already steeled himself for the bigger obstacles, no doubt more painful, ahead of them. Yuya's death convinced him even more that this was no time to be so weak.

But that's not right, is it? There cannot possibly exist someone who only possesses strength. What he was doing was no different from isolating himself, no different from his foolish self a year ago when he was still an Academia soldier.

"Relying on others, showing your vulnerabilities to your friends took courage."

Again, Yuri saw his child-self standing in front of him. His once somber eyes have more light in them now.

"Having emotional vulnerabilities means that you are capable of love. When you show your loved ones your heart, they'll see a brave boy, for in that flash of emotional vulnerability you become so much more of your true self." Yuri's child-self placed a hand on his chest where his heart was beating.

"Relying on others means sharing the burden one cannot carry on their own. That's what it means to be friends, to be a family." Yura told Yuri. Yura understood Yuri's predicament just as much as Starve Venom did. Because she had been in his place. That's why she understood how painful it was to be scared of losing what you love that you finally got after yearning for it for so long.

Yura's form overlapped with his child-self in his view. For the first time since he saw him, Yuri's child-self smiled softly at him.

Oh. So that's how it was. Yuri understood now. He was too absorbed at the idea of what it means to become strong, to not let others down, that he failed to understand what truly matters. It's okay to disappoint and anger your loved ones from time to time, because if the bond is strong, it won't be broken by something like that.

Not just that. He was too afraid for others to reject his awful side, he never tried to think about accepting his friends who must've had their own awful side they're trying to hide, like he was. They were only humans after all. He's truly pathetic that it took him this long to realize that. If he wanted to be accepted, then he must also accept others, both their good sides and bad sides.

"I'm the bigger idiot here. I can't say that Yugo is an absolute idiot anymore..." Yuri chuckled to himself. Yuri smiled to his Pendulum counterpart. "Then I'll have you rely on me first."

"My Turn! With Scale 8 Predator Plants Triantis, I set the Pendulum Scale!" Yuri set Predator Plants Triantis in the empty Pendulum Zone, now allowing Yuri to simultaneously Pendulum Summon Level 4 to 8 Monster.

"Pendulum Summon! Come forth!" Yuri revived Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon from the Extra Deck and two new Predator Monsters from his hand. First was Predator Plants Moth Ramosa (ATK: 1800 / DEF: 0 / LV: 5). Second was Predator Plants Mayfly Viscum (ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / LV: 5). All were placed in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.

"Appear, the circuit of thorn that opens the path to the abyss!" Yuri called forth the Link Summoning circuit above.

"Arrowhead confirmed! set Moth Ramosa and Mayfly Viscum in the Link Markers! Circuit Combine!" Yuri set Moth Ramosa at the Bottom-Left Link Marker and Myfly Viscum at the Bottom-Right Link Marker.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Predator Plants Verte Anaconda (ATK: 500 / Link: 2 / LM: Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right)!" Yuri summoned Verte Anaconda in the Link Monster Zone.

"I activate Verte Anaconda's effect! I pay 2000 LP to send 1 Fusion Card from my Deck to the Graveyard to change its effect to Super Fusion's!" Yuri changed Verte Anaconda's effect, making it having the exact of the Fusion Spell Card.

YUYA & YURI LP: 2150 = 150

"With the changed effect, I discard 1 card to Fusion Summon Verte Anaconda and Starve Venom Fusion Dragon! Poisonous serpentine flower. Poisonous dragon. Become one and conquer your enemies with poison! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 7, Starve Venemy Dragon (ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 7 / PS: 1)!" Yuri summoned Starve Venemy in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone. As he used Starve Venom as a material, that leaves Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon the only Monster on Yura and Yuji's Field.

"I activate Starve Venemy Dragon's effect! I negate 1 Monster's Effect and take that Effect for myself! It also lowers the negated Monster's ATK by 500 and inflicts 500 damage!" Yuri negated Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon's Effect and decreased its ATK to 2000.

YUJI & YURA LP: 1850 = 1350

"Next, I activate Magic Card: Fusion from my hand!" Yuri took out the Magic Card and activated it.

"The moment I activate Fusion, I can activate Triantis' Pendulum Effect! While Triantis is in the Pendulum Zone, if I'm about to Fusion Summon a DARK Fusion Monster, I can also use cards in my Pendulum Zones as Monsters on the field, as material for its Fusion Summon!" Yuri fused Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon, Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon, and Predator Plants Triantis.

"Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 9, Summon Predator Plants Triphyoverutum (ATK: 3000 / DEF: 3000 / LV: 9)!" Yuri summoned another Fusion Monster in Attack Position next to Starve Venemy.

"Two Fusion Summons in one Turn? Are you copying what I did, Yuri?" Yura asked with an amused tone. Their methods were different, but Yuri had not only performed Fusion Summon using her Ace Monster as a Material, but he also summoned a stronger Fusion Monster after that was not an easy feat.

"You learned to adapt as you have more experience. That's how Duelists are growing, don't you agree?" Yuri replied proudly.

"Just like what I was trying to do, he's aiming for a One-Turn-Kill. He's planning to use one of his Monsters to destroy Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, leaving our Field with no Monster, and then use the second Monster for a Direct Attack." Yura deduced. Since they're using the same archetype, it's no surprise that their Dueling styles were similar to one another.

"Battle! I attack Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon with Starve Venemy Dragon!" Yuri declared Battle Phase.

"I activate Predator Plants Beetle Cuscuta's effect from my hand! I discard it to increase our LP equals to the ATK of a DARK Monster in either player's Graveyard!" Yura discarded the Predator Plants that she added from the Deck from the effect she used in the previous Turn. She chose to increase hers and Yuji's LP equal to Starve Venom' ATK, increasing it by 2800.

YUJI & YURA LP: 1350 = 4150

Starve Venemy melted Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon's body with its acidic blast.

"With the stolen Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon's Effect, I double the damage! Reaction Force!" Yuri added.

Before Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon disappeared completely, Starve Venemy intensified its blast, causing an explosion the blew away Yuji and Yuri several steps back.

YUJI & YURA LP: 4150 = 3150

"Next, I attack directly with Triphyoverutum!" Yuri continued his second attack with his other Fusion Monster.

YUJI & YURA LP: 3150 = 150

"I activate Predator Plants Moth Ramosa's effect in the Graveyard. By banishing it, I can activate the effect of a DARK Monster in either opponent's Graveyard." Yuri chose Yura's Beetle Cuscuta to increase his and Yuya's LP equal to the ATK of a Monster in either player's Graveyard. And again, just as Yura did a while ago, Yuri chose Starve Venom's ATK.

YUYA & YURI LP: 150 = 2950

"I end my Turn." Yuri finished.

"You pushed us to this extent. It's too bad that this would be the first and last time I could Duel you." Yura told Yuri. It was the first time since her Duel against Yuno that she enjoyed it so much.

"I could say the same to you, my dear predecessor. If only we could meet under different circumstances." Yuri shared the same sentiment.

"And you're having a better expression. It's worth beating the way you are now." Yura stated confidently.

"Thinking you're going to win? Sorry to break the bad news, but I'll crush that dream of yours." Yuri declared back.

"Hey, feeling a bit left out here." Yuji nonchalantly interrupted the competitive air between the two Fusion users.

"Sorry, Yuji. Didn't mean to ignore you. Now, go and show them what you got!" Yura encouraged her younger brother. Yuji simply smiled before beginning his Turn.

"My Turn! With the set Pendulum Scale–"

"Ah, sorry to say, I won't let that happen. I activate Triphyoverutum's effect. Once Per Turn, when my opponent is about to Special Summon a Monster from the Extra Deck while I control Triphyoverutum, I can negate that summoning." Yuri interrupted before Yuji could perform Pendulum Summon, sealing the Pendulum Columns with vines that Triphyoverutum has sent.

"Negating my Pendulum Summon to prevent me from summoning multiple Monsters at the same time. Clever move I say, but I have an alternative ready." Yuji took out a card from his hand.

"I activate Magic Card: Xyz Pendulum! This card allows me to Xyz Summon using Monsters in my Pendulum Zones as Xyz Materials!" Yuji activated the card in his hand, automatically changing the Monsters in the Pendulum Zones to the same Level 7.

"What?!" Yuri didn't see that coming. Since he had used Triphyoverutum already, he couldn't stop the Xyz Summon.

"Using the Monsters in the Pendulum Zones to Xyz Summon?!" Yuya was equally shocked.

As Yuji opened the Overlay Network, Grape Magician and Entermate Core entered the space vortex, becoming Overlay Units.

"Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 7! Odd-Eyes Wolfram Dragon (ATK: 3000 / DEF: 2500 / RNK: 7 / ORU: 2)!" Yuji summoned a dark gray dragon with black stripes and deep crimson armor. It has green wings and a green outlined arrow-shaped tail. There are small blue spots on its knees as well, a pair of smaller horns, as well as spines along its neck to the tail.

"I activate Starve Venemy's effect! Once per Turn, I can negate the effect of 1 Monster!" Yuri didn't let himself be intimidated by the Xyz Monster and activated Starve Venemy's Effect.

"Odd-Eyes Wolfram cannot be affected by the effect of Level 5 or above Monster!" Yuji revealed, stopping Starve Venemy from negating and stealing the Xyz Dragon's Effect and weakening it. Had Starve Venemy's effect went through, it would've been over for him and Yura.

"I activate Odd-Eyes Wolfram's effect! I use 1 Overlay Unit to Special Summon 1 face-up Pendulum Odd-Eyes Monster in my Extra Deck!" Yuji Special Summoned Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon back to the Field in Attack Position. He then took out one of the last two remaining cards in his hand.

"I Release Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon to Advance Summon a Monster from my hand! Appear! Dragon with beautiful different-colored eyes that shakes the earth! Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon (ATK: 3000 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 8)!" Yuji summoned Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.

"I activate Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon's effect! When this card is Advance Summoned, I can destroy one of my opponent's Monsters and inflict damage equal to its original ATK!" Yuji pointed at Yuri's Triphyoverutum. Odd-Eyes Advance spit out barrage of flames that burned down the Fusion Monster.

"I activate Ferret Adagio's effect from the Graveyard! I banish it to halve any damage until the end of Turn!" Yuya quickly banished his remaining Entermate Monster, halving the 3000 damage that Yuya and Yuri would've taken. Odd-Eyes Advance's flame was blocked by the spirit of Ferret Adagio, lessening the damage Yuya and Yuri received.

YUYA & YURI LP: 2950 = 1450

Yuya felt his anxiety returning. In a situation such as this it would be odd to not have anxiety. What he faced was legitimately difficult. In a way, it is a good sign, it shows that he can grasp the situation, that he wasn't in denial. On the other hand, it prevented him from thinking straight. Everything depended on his next move. But could he, do it? If he couldn't, not only they lose, but they also wouldn't get the blessing necessary to defeat Apophis and his offspring. They'd lose everything they're trying to protect.

"Yuya, do you know what kind of face you're making now?" Yuji asked, the silent Pendulum user. When Yuya didn't answer, Yuji spoke up. "Your face was the same as Zarc when he was afraid of defeat."

"Ah...!" Yuya's hand moved on his own, touching his face. Did he make the same face as Zarc back then? Did he feel the same as Zarc back then? Was this how Zarc felt back then? To be afraid of losing this much. He was so deep in thought that he failed to see Yuji had already begun his next move.

"Battle! I attack Starve Venemy Dragon with Odd-Eyes Wolfram Dragon!" Yuji declared Battle Phase. Odd-Eyes Wolfram Dragon shot its spikes, piercing through the Fusion Pendulum Dragon.

YUYA & YURI LP: 1450 = 950

"As Starve Venemy is destroyed, I can place it in my Pendulum Zone!" Yuri quickly placed Scale 1 Starve Venemy on the left column of the Pendulum Zone.

"I attack directly with Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon!" Yuji continued.

It was like what Yuri did in the previous Turn. Destroying one of their Monsters first before performing a Direct Attack. Yuri didn't know if this was a deliberate decision or Yuji went with this move because he had negated his Pendulum Summon earlier, but Yuri wasn't disappointed by Yuji's counterattack.

"I activate Mayfly Viscum's effect! By banishing it from the Graveyard, I can Special Summon 1 DARK Link Monster in the Graveyard!" Yuri chose Cyber-Eyes Dragon, shifting the attack to the Link Monster, destroying it instead.

YUYA & YURI LP: 950 = 250

"As Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon destroyed a Monster, I can Special Summon 1 Monster from the Graveyard in Defense Position." Yuji revived Starve Venom in Defense Position from the Graveyard.

"Bringing back Starve Venom... He's summoning it back as insurance to use his effect to negate Level 5 or above Monsters. If we want to defeat them, Yuya and I likely need high-level Monsters to win against them. He knew that and that's why he brought it back. There's also the option of summoning an Xyz Monster to avoid Starve Venom's effect. But Yuya is the one who has Xyz Monster." Yuri couldn't do anything. The rest was up to Yuya in his next Turn.

"I set a card and end my Turn." Yuji concluded. He turned to Yuya again. "Yuya. Yura and I are dead. We experienced firsthand what it feels like to die. We understand full well how you're feeling. And it is precisely because we know that feeling that we are standing here right at this moment fighting against you."

Yuya flinched. He had forgotten. Yuji and Yura were standing here now, but that didn't mean they were alive. They were only souls temporarily summoned here. As dead people, just like they said, they must've experienced this dread that was plaguing him now. If they understood, how could they tell him that's precisely why they were fighting now? What were they trying to tell him?

"It's okay if you are afraid." Yuri suddenly said, surprising Yuya.

Okay to be afraid? Yuri really said that? Yuya was sure that Yuri of all people would disapprove and told him to throw away that fear and fight again.

"It's natural to be afraid of dying. That's how humans are." Yuri continued without looking back at Yuya. He knew that Yuya would only look away if he did.

Feeling anxiety over dying is about as natural as part of the human experience as any other concern over their own wellbeing. Death anxiety is the fear that underlies their most basic survival instincts, the part of their unconscious that prioritizes self-preservation above anything else.

"Are you also afraid...of death...? Of Apophis...?" Yuya finally asked. While Yuri was surprised by the sudden question, he didn't look perturbed.

"You already dueled him and lost. Do you really need to ask?" Yuri replied calmly.

"But then how can you still be ready to fight him again after what he did? You know how terrifying he is, perhaps even more than I do." Yuya had seen how broken Yuri became after Apophis defeated him. He didn't know exactly what Apophis did to Yuri, but Yuya could tell that Apophis had exploited his Fusion Counterpart's weakness to break his spirit. But here, so quickly Yuri stood up again, ready to stop the Dragon of Calamity, while Yuya was still a coward.

This time, Yuri blinked at Yuya like he had asked a ridiculous thing.

"You, you're asking that? For real?" Yuri's tone was quite exasperated, even more so when Yuya gave him a questioning look.

"Weren't you the one who told me that I can change? That I have already changed before I realized it?" Yuri reminded Yuya of his own words that he said to him before.

"Huh?" Yuya blinked.

"You told me how you want us to have fun together again like what we always did after arriving in this dimension. Going to school, playing at the game center, studying together. You said that everything we did ever since we came into this dimension is the most fun you had with me." Yuri was positive that he would never forget what Yuya said and did to him that day.

The way Yuya held and smiled at him, his sincerity brimming with tender warmth that pulled him out from the darkness of his self-pity. Yuya saved him then. Not just him, but everyone else did. It was thanks to them he realized what his heart was yearning for, what he truly wanted to do for himself and those who believed in him.

"You gave me a reason to live. If Apophis destroyed the world, how can we hang out together again?" Yuri looked away from Yuya, too shy to show his face, showing how happy he was by what Yuya said to him back then.

Yuya remembered. He did say that. He told Yuri his sincere wish for his Fusion counterpart to stay with them.

Yuya contemplated Yuri's words. That's right. If Apophis had his way, they wouldn't be able to return to their peaceful daily lives that they had been longing for since this war started. That's why they must fight, for the sake of that future.

However, though Yuri managed to stand up again, Yuya couldn't do the same. Having to fight Apophis again still suffocated him. He didn't want to die again. He wanted to live. But rather than those desires motivating himself, those desires were stopping him, urging him to avoid rather than face it.

"You're afraid of dying, but you still decided to fight. Why is that?" Yuri asked.

Yuya opened his eyes, looking at his Duel Disk. He couldn't understand it himself. He was afraid to fight as he might die or someone else would. He wanted to run away. But the thought of stopping fighting never crossed him. Why didn't he ever think of quitting?

"If it was the me before, I would think that you are a coward for being afraid. Now, I understand that's not the case. It is precisely because you know that fear, you continue fighting. Because you know that quitting won't save anybody. Not your friends, not your family, not yourself." Yuri knew that Yuya would never abandon his family and friends no matter how afraid he was. That subconscious desire to protect them was what kept the fear from controlling him completely.

"Very funny. It was only a few minutes ago that you told me that you want me to rely on you more. But here you are, suppressing everything to yourself. Death is not a good reason to spend our days worrying. Instead, we can use those days for more worthwhile things and make the most of our living. And that is not something we can do alone, right?" Yuri walked to Yuya and flicked his forehead, making Yuya wince in pain. Yuri giggled at that.

"We're on this together, Yuya. Me, Yuto, Yugo, Yuzu, and everyone else. We will overcome this together. That is the bond we share." Yuri smiled. More sincere than he had ever been.

Yuya almost teared up. He was afraid that death will tear him and his loved ones apart. That's why he was so afraid of fighting, so afraid of Apophis who had killed him and many others. He kept his sadness and fear to himself rather than telling others, that was not different from isolating himself, just like how Yuri tried before. And he was the one who told him to share his burden with him and their friends. Why did he exclude himself from that? So much for him preaching about being friends that shares each other's burden and help each other.

"Once we end this war, I want to go to the amusement park with everyone." Yuya suddenly said.

"I want to ride all the attractions, eating delicious foods, watching the fireworks, I want to have fun with everyone." Yuya smiled at Yuri, and then at Yuji and Yura.

"We can't do that if we lose here now, right?" Yuya held the top card on his Deck and finally began his Draw Phase.

"My Turn!" Yuya looked at the card that he drew. He smiled. His Monster has responded to his feelings. He is always grateful that his Monster never forsaken him.

"I set Scale 8 Synthesis Magician in my Pendulum Zone!" Yuya set Synthesis Magician on the right Pendulum column.

"With Scale 1 Starve Venemy and Scale 8 Synthesis Magician, I Pendulum Summon!" Yuya revived Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon and Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon from the Extra Deck.

"Come forth! Dragon with dichromatic eyes that opens the path to miracle! Level 7, Odd-Eyes Pendulumgraph Dragon (ATK: 2700 / DEF: 2500 / LV: 7 / PS: 4)!" Yuya summoned his new Ritual Pendulum Monster from his hand. Unlike the usual Pendulum Summon, a magic circle appeared as the pendulum swings. A bright golden flame came out and gradually took the form of a golden dragon with dual-colored eyes, shining the entire Field with its presence, almost blinding the Duelists present.

"Odd-Eyes...Pendulumgraph Dragon...?" Yuji uttered in amazement, mesmerized by the majestic form of the golden dragon.

"I activate Starve Venom Fusion Dragon's effect! I negate Odd-Eyes Pendulumgraph's Monster Effect and takes it for myself!" Yuji instinctively activated Starve Venom's effect to seal whatever effect the Ritual-Pendulum Monster has.

"I activate Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon's effect! I negate Starve Venom's effect!" Yuya countered, stopping Starve Venom's effect.

"A new Ritual-Pendulum Dragon... You truly didn't disappoint, Yuya." Yuri murmured proudly at his Pendulum Counterpart.

"I activate Synthesis Magician's Pendulum Effect!" Yuya changed Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon's Level equal to Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon's Level, 7.

"I Overlay Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon and Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon! Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 7! Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon (ATK: 2800 / DEF: 2500 / RNK: 7 / ORU: 2)!" Yuya summoned his Xyz Dragon in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.

"Battle! I attack Starve Venom Fusion Dragon with Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon!" Yuya declared Battle Phase. Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon unleashed winds spiraled with frozen snow. At the same time, Starve Venom also unleashed his own poisonous blast. The clash of powerful blasts destroyed both Monsters. As Starve Venom's effect has been negated by Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon, the effect the destroyed all Special Summoned Monsters following its destruction was also negated.

"As Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon is sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon 1 Odd-Eyes Monster from my Extra Deck ignoring its summoning conditions!" Yuya summoned Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon (ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 7) in Attack Position.

"When Odd-Eyes Vortex is summoned, I can return a face-up Attack Position Monster to the hand!" Yuya chooses Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon. Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon flapped its wings, forming powerful wind pressure that started to blow away the red dragon.

"I activate Trap Card: Odd-Eyes Firewall! When an Odd-Eyes Monster I control is about to be destroyed by another Monster's effect, I can negate that effect and the opposing Monster my opponent controls is destroyed instead!" Yuji opened his Reverse Card, stopping the wind from reaching his Monster as a barrier of fire blocked it.

"I activate Odd-Eyes Pendulumgraph's effect! When a card effect is activated, I can place Pendulumgraph in the Pendulum Zone to negate the card's activation!" Yuya quickly placed Odd-Eyes Pendulumgraph, switching places with Starve Venemy Dragon.

"And then I can Special Summon 1 Odd-Eyes Monster from my Extra Deck!" Yuya summoned Brave-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (ATK: 3000 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 8) in Attack Position.

"It has similar effect as Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon?!" Yura exclaimed in disbelief.

"I won't let you go further! I activate Odd-Eyes Firewall's effect from the Graveyard! By banishing it, the Monster whose effect was negated by this card cannot attack until the end of this Turn!" Yuji banished his Trap Card, trapping Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon within the barrier of flames.

"Odd-Eyes Vortex has a lower ATK than Odd-Eyes Wolfram, so it can't destroy Odd-Eyes Wolfram. Your plan is to have Brave-Eyes, whose ATK is exactly the same as Odd-Eyes Wolfram and then attack us directly using Odd-Eyes Vortex. But now that I have prevented Odd-Eyes Vortex from making an attack, even if you destroy Odd-Eyes Wolfram, Yura and I will still survive for the next Turn." Yuji stated, confident that he and Yura were safe this Turn.

"Have you forgotten Brave-Eyes' effect?" Yuya smiled and then turned to Brave-Eyes. It took a second until Yuji and Yura finally remembered what Brave-Eyes was capable of.

"I activate Brave-Eyes' effect! When this card is Special Summoned, I can make the ATK of all other Monsters currently on the Field become 0 until the end of this Turn and this card gains 100 ATK for each monster whose ATK was reduced to 0 by this effect!" Yuya reduced Odd-Eyes Wolfram and Odd-Eyes Vortex's ATKs to nothing and then increased Brave-Eyes ATK to 3200.

"This is the grand finale! I attack Odd-Eyes Wolfram Dragon with Brave-Eyes Pendulum Dragon! Burning Mega Smile Burst!" Yuya declared his final attack.

Brave-Eyes Pendulum Dragon fired a much more powerful and bigger blue blast. Without any card in his nor Yura's hands nor their Field that could save them from taking Battle Damage, Yuji and Yura could only stood still as the blast came at them. They smiled as the blast engulfed them whole.

YUJI & YURA LP: 150 = 0

Yuji and Yura fell on their knees from the last attack. It was their complete loss. But they were content. Because they knew that everything would be all right. They could entrust their hope, everything, to the descendants of their adoptive father and the current masters of Odd-Eyes and Starve Venom.

"That was a fun Duel. Thank you for giving your all." Yuya extended a hand for Yuji to help him up. Yuri also extended his hand to Yura, which Yuji and Yura accepted.

"The feeling is mutual. It would've been great if we could Duel again. But too bad, our time is up now that you've proven yourself." Yuji smiled sadly.

"I'm sure we can. Someday, we'll meet again, and we can Duel again." Yuya responded. It wasn't an optimistic thought or assurance. It was certainty. Yuji didn't understand why Yuya said that until it finally clicked him. Understanding what Yuya meant, Yuji's sad smile turned happy.

"Don't cause trouble too much for Starve Venom. You're a worrisome fellow, you know that right?" Yura told Yuri, patting his head softly.

"I know. I won't keep things to myself anymore." Yuri had decided that he won't return to how he was before.

"You don't know what could happen at any moment. That's why, you better convey your feelings properly to the people you love." Yura actually wanted to tell him about Serena, but she knew that he'd only deny it again because he hadn't realized his feelings yet. But since he was starting to open his heart to others, she knew it would only be a matter of time until he realized it on his own.

"I will." Yuri promised.

Yuji and Yura held Yuya and Yuri's hands respectively, closing their eyes as their bodies were glowing in white warm light, Ma'at's light. Slowly, Yuji and Yura's form started to become transparent, disappearing.

"Please take care of Dad and everyone else." Yuji briefly tightened his grasp on Yuya's hand for affirmation, and Yuya grasped it back, giving him his words.

"We'll see you again."

Yuji and Yura said at the same time before they completely disappeared, leaving only sphere of lights that bathed Yuya and Yuri's entire body before fully assimilating into them. Opening their eyes after accepting Ma'at's blessing, they found Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and Starve Venom Fusion Dragon in their hands.

"I'm glad to have you back, partner." Yuya said to Odd-Eyes. He then faced Yuri. "Yuri, thank you for earlier. Now, I can fight again, together with you."

"We will defeat Apophis for good. Together." Yuri raised his fist, which Yuya bumped with his own.

This was the first time the two of them were at peace, without any line drawn between them, nothing to hide.

"Let's go. Everyone is waiting."


Next Chapter Preview:

Renewed Convictions – Yuya and Yuri go to the village of the Holy Elf and help their friends. While assisting Ifrit driving out their remaining enemies, they encounter an unexpected foe.


LIST OF ORIGINAL CARDS

ENTERMATE FERRET ADAGIO (DARK / BEAST / ATK: 1000 / DEF: 200 / LV: 3) - Once per Turn, when this card is in the Graveyard, you can banish other Entermate Monster to Special Summon a Monster in the Pendulum Zone to Monster Zone with its ATK increased equal to its ATK but its level reduced by 1. You can banish this card to halve any damage until the end of Turn.

ENTERMATE ODD-EYES FOXIE RING (DARK / BEAST / ATK: 500 / DEF: 500 / LV: 1) - It can be treated as two Monsters when you control another Entermate Monster on the Field. When this card is banished, you gain LP equal to double of its total ATK and DEF.

STRENGTH OF WILL (TRAP CARD) - When a Monster you control is targeted for an attack, you can negate your Monster's destruction, halve the damage, and inflict the same damage to your opponent after battle calculation. When the Monster affected by Strength of Will is sent to the Graveyard, you can draw 2 cards.

ODD-EYES FIREWALL (TRAP CARD) - When an Odd-Eyes Monster you control is about to be destroyed by another Monster's effect, you can negate that effect and the opposing Monster your opponent controls is destroyed instead. When this card is in Graveyard, you can banish it and the Monster whose effect was negated by this card cannot attack until the end of Turn.

VENUS FUSION (QUICK-PLAY SPELL CARD) - When Fusion Cancel is activated and you summon back the Monsters that became Fusion Materials to the Field, you can activate this card and use the summoned Fusion Materials to perform Fusion Summon.

PREDATOR PLANTS MOTH RAMOSA (DARK / PLANT / ATK: 1800 / DEF: 0 / LV: 5) - When this card is in your Graveyard, you can banish this card to activate the effect of a DARK Monster in your opponent's Graveyard for yourself.

PREDATOR PLANTS MAYFLY VISCUM (DARK / PLANT / ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / LV: 5) - You can banish this card from the Graveyard, and then Special Summon 1 DARK Link Monster from the Graveyard with their effects negated.

PREDATOR PLANTS BEETLE CUSCUTA (DARK / PLANT / ATK: 100 / DEF: 500 / LV: 1) - You candiscard this card to increase your LP equals to the ATK of 1 DARK Monster in either player's Graveyard.

ODD-EYES WOLFRAM DRAGON (DARK / DRAGON / XYZ / ATK: 3000 / DEF: 2500 / RNK: 7) - You can use 1 Overlay Unit to activate the following effects:

1. Special Summon 1 face-up Odd-Eyes Pendulum Monster from your Extra Deck.

2. Destroy all Trap or Spell Cards on your opponent's Field, draw cards for each card destroyed.

Some TCG/OCG effects were changed for convenience's sake.


I can't say the exact numbers, but perhaps this fanfic will end around 40 or so chapters, or maybe even less. The story is getting closer to the start of the final battle. I'm reading my whole fanfics again to jog my memories about the story to make sure I'm not missing anything. If there's any questions about this fanfic that haven't been answered yet in the story, please do tell me as I continue writing and eventually give the answers in later chapters. Sorry, I honestly forgot some things and worry that even after reading everything I still miss things. (_ _III)

Perhaps because I type on my laptop too much during work, my fingers and hands became tired very quickly compared to when I wrote three years ago. My pacing would certainly be slower and I'm sorry for that.

I'm sorry for any mistake I made in this chapter.

Please don't forget to review this chapter!