"I can't believe she took your side." Relon groans, rolling his arm. "That was so unfair."

"Oh man up, you big wuss." Anna rolls her eyes landing a soft hit on Relon's gyrating arm. "But I'm glad we stopped by. I was hesitant about Eina but she's a nice girl."

"Yeah. Add her to our friend's list." He quips, focusing on the descending path.

Noticing Anna's eyes linger on him, he turns to her.

"What's up? You're staring at me." At his comment, her eyes finally avert towards the trees. "What's going on in that steam-filled head of yours?" He chuckles.

"Oh, nothing. Nothing at all~." She hums, adding a skip to her step.

Pausing to arch his brow, he watches her form become smaller with every step. Looking up to the stars, he turns back in the direction of the shrine. A shiver running down his back.

"I sense a disturbance in the force- er, I mean air." He mutters before jogging after Anna.

Looking over her shoulder at the nearing boy, her smile wanes.

Hearing about Eina's mom, I can't help but see myself. Just as she supported her daughter, I supported Relon. But… I wasn't the only one. As much as I'd like to say that.

Neighborhood District

Walking along the sidewalk illuminated by the street lamps combined with the shining moon, both teens take it all in.

"It's been a while since we last visited, huh?" Anna murmurs, her eyes tracing the familiar residential homes.

"... Yeah. School became busy after all so we couldn't really do much about it…" His eyes wandering to a home's front yard sporting numerous flowers and gnomes.

A silent nod of agreement comes from Anna. Peering out the corner of her eyes to Relon, she notices it; his perturbed demeanor. To anyone, it would seem like a stoic face. Yet to Anna, his eyes still, his breathing, even his hands resting in his pockets, she can tell it's just a front. Not against her, but against himself.

"You don't have to pretend you're not bothered, Relon." An innocent quip with no intention of causing him to be any harder on himself than he already is.

Pausing under a lamppost, his hitched breathing finally grasps the air its yearned as the tension in his shoulders ceases.

"... Yeah." He responds, continuing on only for a hand to grab his wrist.

"Talk to me." The genuine look of concern and care Anna has worn her whole life in regards to him ever present.

"... What do I even say?"

"Whatever you're feeling obviously." She chuckles. "Come on." Guiding him along, a lull of silence overtakes the two once more.

"Everytime I come here, I'm reminded of it. The hurt. The wails. The pain." He breaks the silence gripping her hand unconsciously. "Somehow I forget about it all until I step foot into the area. All I can retain upon leaving are my own selfish problems."

"They're not selfish and neither are you. You're only reacting to something that's natural."

"But I am the only survivor." His stoic demeanor meeting hers with his bandaged arm raised in emphasis. "There were- are still people mourning but only I was the one who had eyes on them." His bandaged arm balls into a fist. "And yet, when I come here, I somehow also feel relieved."

"How so?"

"... As if… As if a part of me I left behind returns to its rightful place here." He finishes to stop followed by Anna, the two looking to the home they stand before.

A two story home, the same as those around them. It has a stone tile path leading to the front door with a decent-sized front yard, but a larger one out back. It has a slanted roof and decks on the second floor. A medium-large sized home one could say. The balcony wrapping around the entire second floor.

"You or the house?" Anna smiles leaning more into his line of sight.

"... Both." He eases with a smile.

Giggling, the sound of the front door followed by footsteps gains their attention.

"Master Relon, it is a pleasure to see your safe return once again." A young woman donned in a maid outfit bows before lifting up, her gaze falling upon Anna. "Oh, you too." She comments, not paying the train-lover the time of night for a tic mark to appear on Anna.

"Why you…! I have a name you know!"

"Rio…" Relon murmurs, gaining their attention. "I'm home." A small smile appears on his face as the maid takes only a moment to return a smile of her own.

"Welcome home, Master."

Lucinance Residence

Gazing at portraits telling of his life, Relon returns to the living room where Anna sits taking a seat at her side.

"I made tea." The voice of Rio calls, gaining their attention to see her place three cups of the brewed condiment.

Lifting his eyes from the small tea set to the girl herself, he takes in her appearance.

A young woman the same age as he and Anna. She has dark pink eyes, slightly pale skin, and dark blue hair with light blue bangs. Rio is donned in a print dress wearing a cap atop her head, a rough apron, stockings high past the ends of said dress, and small black a seat adjacent to them, she gives a kind smile.

Rio Kastle; a dear friend to both him and Anna though neither girl will admit it. Shortly after experiencing his own crash, Rio, and her brother Reginald, would find themselves the sole survivors of a car crash. Having survived a fall off the cliff of a backroad into the depths of a forest, she and her brother lost their parents. The experience having since put Reginald into a coma. With nowhere to go and no family to turn to, Relon still recovering from his own tragic event felt a tug towards her. With a young Anna beginning the start of her supportive role, both looked to Rio. Reaching out that day, they were glad she took it. And so, with no home to return to (due to finances), she moved into the Lucinance residence becoming the maid as her way of paying back Relon for his kindness. As well as her tuition towards their school. From that point on, the three's friendship would grow. Relon, forever scarred by his tragic past. Anna remaining by his side through an agreement with Rio and said girl was grateful for her second chance at life.

"Thanks, Rio." Relon nods, the sensation of black tea against his taste buds easing himself into the couch.

"You needn't thank me, Master. I aim to please." She smiles.

"You can drop the act." Anna cuts in dryly.

"My, whatever is the problem Lady Anna?" Rio quips with a jovial eyeroll.

"I'll go back and get my blaster." She deadpans, both he and Rio snorting to burst into a small fit of laughter.

"You're no fun, Anna."

"Both of you can never keep the charade up for long." Relon chuckles.

"Hmpf." Both avert from the other, Anna with a pout and Rio with a coy smile.

Taking another sip, Relon shakes his head.

"You two, I swear." He sighs standing to his feet examining the portraits scattered around the room.

Locking eyes with one of a young Anna, Rio, and himself, he walks over picking it up. A small smile gracing his features. Neither girl says anything, only looking on. Another photo of his family. His little brother's wide smile staring at the camera along with Relon's own.

"You alright?" Anna asks, stopping next to him, her tone ever caring.

"Yeah… Thanks, both of you."

"I keep telling you that you don't need to thank me. And you especially don't need to thank that." She points.

At the girl's mention, a tic mark forms as does an eerie smile across Rio's face.

"Master, if I may be excused, I must take out the disgusting trash."

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING TRASH, FLATTY?!"

"AT LEAST I'M NOT LAGGING BEHIND IN THE WEIGHT DEPARTMENT! Besides…" Rio pauses with a smirk. "I've filled out plenty unlike you, Cow."

"WHAT WAS THAT?!"

"I DIDN'T STUTTER!" Both lock hands glaring at the other.

"You two have a weird way of acting around each other despite being friends." Relon mutters.

Snapping their heads to him with malicious intent, their voices make the protagonist step several feet back.

"WE ARE NOT FRIENDS!"

Before long, dinner ends as does the girls' bickering much to Relon's amusement and relief. Looking over his deck, the sight of Rio placing another cup, most likely of freshly brewed tea, catches his attention.

"Anna is knocked out." She notes with a chuckle.

Peering over on the couch directly behind him at the sleeping girl, he smiles returning to his deck.

"Not surprised. She used up a lot of her energy earlier with a friend of ours." He responds in a low volume, careful not to wake his best friend.

"A friend?" The mention piquing the maid's interest, her own voice copying Relon's. "Of yours?" A nod comes as his answer along with a hum.

"Her name is Eina. A classmate of mine. She's on the shy side but she's really nice. You may like her."

"Oh? What deck type does she use?"

"She was originally using a synchro deck but I don't know if she'll continue using that or switch to something else."

"Hmm, I see." Taking a seat on the rug next to him before the small table, Rio rests her head on his shoulder before continuing. "I've been hearing rumors about you." Her eyes shift to him.

"They're probably true." His focus not leaving his cards.

"They're not exactly painting you in a good light."

"Not many have thus far." He continues.

"There weren't many to begin with until now aside from your ranking." She corrects, noting the slight flinch. "I understand that you don't want attention, but…"

"Anna already gave me a similar spiel so I get what you're saying." He sighs. "Really, I do."

"As long as you do, Master."

"I keep telling you that you don't have to call me Master, Rio."

"After what you did for me, it is the least I can do." She teases for his response to come in the form of an eye roll.

"I swear." He chuckles picking up a card.

"That one has been with you even before your accident." Rio eyes the card.

"Considering I'm no longer going easy on our classmates, it won't be long before he makes his debut."

"People are always going on about their aces or favorite cards. It can get repetitive after a while." Rio notes. "But I'm curious. What would you consider that card, Master? Is it one of your strongest? Or is it one that you think highly of?"

"... A blessing." He muses after a moment of thought.

"... Hehe. I couldn't agree more." She smiles kindly before a yawn escapes the young woman.

"Someone's tired."

"It is only… a… yaaaaaaaawn." She speaks stifling a second to note the unconvinced smirk on Relon's face for her cheeks to turn red. "Hmpf, I'm still plenty awake." She raises her head averting her gaze from the homeowner.

"Uh-huh. You're not fooling me, Rio." He says getting to his feet offering a hand which she takes. "Even as a worker of the house, you still need rest. Considering you don't ever listen when I ask you to rest." He adds, stacking his deck before putting it away.

"That's-"

"No because, no buts, no nothing. That's an order, Ms. Kastle. Rest." His tone only slightly authoritative.

"Still…!" She begins for Relon to arch an eyebrow with crossed arms, his superiority reigning supreme as she sighs in defeat. "Very well, Master."

"Thank you." Turning to Anna, he looks at the knocked out girl. "Hup." He grunts lifting her like a bride.

"Will you be able to carry her?"

"Wouldn't be the first time I've had to carry her up a flight of stairs. "He dismisses. "Much less today." He adds with a mutter.

"Did you say something?"

"Oh, no, nothing." He shakes.

Awaiting for Rio to clean up, her swiftness barely taking even a minute, both make their way upstairs. Nearing the top, Relon's vermilion eyes take sight of the familiar hallway. Two doors on both sides, all four spaced evenly apart, with a fifth door at the end of the hall. Relon's room along with his late brother's, now Rio's, closest to the steps, the guest room along with his late parents' room next to theirs, and at the end of the hallway lies the bathroom.

Opening the door, Relon nods his thanks to Rio as he, followed by his maid, enters the simple room. Removing the covers, Relon places Anna down as Rio pulls the comforter back over the train-lover.

"Phew." He breathes in relief rolling his arms.

"Are you okay, Master? Did her added weight make it difficult for you?"

Nearly choking on nothing at the bluntness of her harsh words, Relon looks to Rio wearing a look of innocence.

"You two really have no filter regarding each other, do y'all?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"... Nevermind." Closing the door behind them carefully, they walk back towards their respective rooms.

"Master, you do not look all that tired considering all you and that thing have done today."

"Jesus, you don't hold back." He chuckles.

"Hold back what?' She blinks with a smirk.

"Be nice." He chides.

"Hmpf. Is that an order?"

"No. Just a request."

"Hmm. I shall take that into consideration." She hums, crossing her arms, both stopping before their respective room. "Sleep well, Master."

"You're not going to give up on that, are you?"

"I shall give up on that the day you give up on me." She smiles kindly.

"We both know I'm never doing that, Rio. You mean too much to both me and Anna."

"Then it seems we're at an impasse."

"Seems so. Not that I'm complaining."

"Teehee. Sleep well, Master."

"You too, Rio."

Hours Later

"I can't sleep."

Hours prior from bidding farewell to Rio, Relon attempted to get some sleep. Long story short; it didn't work. Sighing in aggravation, he eventually returned to checking his deck. Memorizing strategies and adjusting a specific number of cards.

Gladiator Beasts were a simple deck archetype. A tag out sort of fighting style. Every beast had an effect but that effect could only be activated after it had been switched in by another beast. The only slight issue is they must successfully live an attack in order to tag in another beast for that beast's effect to proc. Of course, there were certain cards that allowed his beasts' effects to activate without the need to battle. It all just came down to whether he went second or not. Even if an opponent had a monster in attack position with a high attack stat or in defense position, he had ways of getting through such obstacles with relative ease.

Sighing, having seated himself at his desk with the lamp on, he rests his chin atop the back of his hand. Before him, three fusion cards. Lifting the middle one up, he gazes at the card. Gladiator Beast Domitianus. A level 10 Fusion monster with a whopping 3500 attack points and a not so whopping 1200 defense points. Two powerful effects lie within its arsenal. Those being the negation of a monster's effect and the redirection of an attack to any monster Relon controls. Finally, its third effect; every Gladiator Beast's signature ability of tag out ability.

"You've been my ace ever since we entered high school, bud. But now that… that happened, it seems the others will have their chance to shine." He muses, placing it down before his eyes shift to another card above the three fusions. "Looks like my quiet reputation is shot. At least I'm making friends now. Just a few. It's a start at least, right?"

"Mom, Dad, Quark!"

"Hold on!"

"Rel-"

Visages of that fateful day resurface once more for Relon to grip his bandaged arm.

"I personally want to believe it was you that had a hand in saving me and not my supposed heritage." Looking back to his cards, he leans back looking to the ceiling in thought. "Gladiators, huh…?" Giving a glance at the time, he sighs pushing off. "Maybe a night walk through the city will help tire me out. It's been a while since I last went on one."

[2:01 AM]

Donned in black shorts and shirt with a red jacket and sneakers a combination of the two colors, he opens the door to frown.

"Having trouble sleeping, Master?" She greets with a smug grin.

"How did you-"

"Did you believe I would forget the numerous night walks we would go on growing up? Or the fact that they always occurred past one in the morning?"

"... Good point."

"Here." She hands him a duel disk.

"You took Anna's while she was sleeping?"

"Yes. And?"

"If she wakes up and finds out-"

"If she finds out. Now come along, Master." She gives a mischievous smile departing down the steps.

"... Why do I feel this walk is going to be anything but good?" He mutters, equipping it to his wrist before going after the girl.

Walking along past the numerous houses, Relon gives a glance to Rio. Her attire consists of a white jacket over a light pink shirt, black stockings, white skirt and shoes. The left coattail of her jacket has a conch-like ornament hanging down. This being her newly deemed "casual" wear as of recent.

Noticing his eyes, a small smile graces her features.

"My Master, if I did not know any better, I would dare say you find me more attractive in these than my uniform."

Widening at her words, he snaps away stifling his blush.

"It's not that! I'm… just not used to your new outfit." He quickly dismisses taking a breath to calm his nerves. "But it's a nice look. Very 'you.'" Genuinely taken aback, a faint tint of red graces her cheeks.

"Erm, thanks… Relon."

"Finally dropping the act, huh?" He chuckles.

"No, I am simply choosing to act as your friend instead of your maid. What kind of friend would I be if I let you go out alone? Anna- I mean that annoying child wouldn't let me hear the end of it."

"Haha, I figured. Sorry for the trouble."

"Don't worry about it. As far as I see it, tonight is a good night to catch up. It's been some time since the two of us have hung out."

"Now that you mention it… you're right. Well, good of a night as ever to do so. By the way, Rio."

"Yeah?"

"How's Reginald?" His tone suddenly shifting to a gentle one.

Noting of her demeanor become slightly saddened, her gaze lifts to the stars above.

"You sure know how to set the mood." A light huff of air comes in response. "The same as ever." She answers, resting her hands behind herself. "Just sleeping away without a care in the world. He's sure taking his time, that's for sure."

"I'm sure he'll wake up soon."

"Just be patient, right?"

"Exactly." He nods for her to sigh once more.

"You always say that."

"When you least expect it, that's when it'll happen. I'm calling it." He smiles looking up.

"... Haha. There's that surprising confidence again."

"Hey, what do you mean surprising? I have confidence. In my dueling, my cooking, my studies-"

"Asking out a girl~."

"Asking out a- waaaaaaaiiiiittttt a second!"

"Hahahaha, ahh, that was funny. I almost did forget how good your reactions were. Both the obvious one and the more subtle ones."

"Hardy, har, har." He rolls at the blunette's antics, the sound of whirling tires and low chatter gaining their attention.

Looking ahead to the nearing city, both eventually take it in. The bustling streets filled with whirling cars flowing with the motion of traffic before coming to a nearly abrupt halt. Crowds of people, both of business affiliation and common folk alike. The hundreds of lights; LED, neon, and others alike littering Uni City.

"Feels like even more people are active at night than I last remember." Relon muses.

"It has been a while according to you."

"Yeah. I remember when dad would take me and Quark on strolls through the city after he got off work. Quark would always ask for ice cream and we'd have to book it with only minutes to spare." Relon grins at the fond memory. "Mom would either be asleep by the time we got back or be waiting clearly pissed."

"Young, hyperactive, boys having sweets past midnight is every parent's worst nightmare after all." Rio joins in with a chortle.

"Hey, I didn't even like ice cream! Still ain't a sweets person anyway."
"Of course, Master, we all know of your avid love for tea."

"I can't tell if that's a jab and that kinda bothers me." He pauses his step wearing a slightly perturbed expression.

"Who knows~." She grins over her shoulder as Relon catches up. "You know, I could go for something…" She purses her lips in thought.

"Go for something? Like a quick bite to eat? We have Tropical Café, my favorite smoothie place a few blocks down. They recently started having open hours around the clock because of high demand."

"Hmm. That's tempting… Let's-"

Cut off as the sound of a stampede comes from behind, Relon instinctively latches hold of Rio pulling her against him as numerous thugs run past them and into an alleyway.

"Thanks, Relon." Rio quickly says after as the boy releases his hold.

"You okay?"

"Yeah." She nods.

"Stop, thieves!" Turning to an elderly woman, Relon twitches an eye.

"Seriously?! Argh, come on!" He groans, taking off with Rio right behind.

"Have a plan?"

"Currently thinking one up!"

Running down alley after alley. Barely keeping up with the sight of the lingering thieves, their voices become louder as the two turn a corner causing them to come to a halt.

"Got any ideas yet?" Rio questions, both peering around a corner to a large space where the goons are situated.

"Still thinking…! Wait a second…" His eyes focus on a group laughing. "You have to be kidding me…"

"What is it?"

"Remember those idiots I told you about earlier with Nile?" He gives a glance to Rio under him, his words making her head lift to meet his.

"You're joking."

"I wish I was." He lifts his head.

"Come on, Neil, what's the hold up?! We've nabbed plenty of stuff. Surely this is enough!" A grunt complains.

"Who's the expert at bagging, huh? You or me?" The same defeated goon from the other day questions with superiority making the lackey shrink . "This isn't enough! I'll get skinned alive if we don't get more!"

"What's the need for all the cash though?" A new voice questions gaining all's attention.

Seeming to be around their age, the teen in question has blonde hair and green eyes, signs of recently shaved facial hair as indicated by the stubbles on his face. He wears a red button up shirt under a leather sleeved vest and jeans. He seems to stand around 6'2, taller than any Relon personally knows.

"Is it really that necessary to steal from people?" He wonders.

"Shut it, Hecate!" Neil hisses. "Donn't you dare start questioning how we do things!"

"My bad, Neil! It's just… why are we doing this again?" At the guy's question, Neil facepalms.

"Alright dumbasses, listen up cause I ain't repeating this again! Our boss asked us to round up as much dough as we could! Why some people are wondering?" He eyes the male who gives an awkward wave. "It's to help with a project he's had in the works for a while and if anyone wanna complain or leave, well, you're gonna have to get through me."

"Not very hard to do." Relon mutters for Rio to stifle a snort of laughter.

"Before they decide to move on, what are we going to do? We can't just keep tailing them forever."

"I know. Hmm…" Pulling back to look around, his eyes land on a fire escape. "Hey, Rio?"

"Yeah?" She lifts looking at his back.

"I may have an idea." He turns, phone in hand.

"What do you have in mind?"

"There!" A grunt says. "The money's secured in the bag, Neil." He says handing it to said teen.

"Good. Alright boys, let's get ready to ditch this place!" Neil announces. "And this time, no more arguments."

"Arguments?" Hecate wonders with a quizzical look around. "Who?"

"Tch. Let's just beat it." Neil turns away.

"Awe, why not stay a while longer?" All snap to the new voice Neil stopping mid turn to widen, finding Relon with a stoic look.

"What the?! The hell you doing here, Lucinance?!"

"Night walk." He shrugs. "Saw some thieves rob from an elderly lady so I took it upon myself to retrieve it. Didn't expect to bump into you so soon." He greets with crossed arms.

"You made the wrong move in coming alone, Lucinance. It's payback time!"

"Who said I was alone?" He raises an eyebrow for Neil to furrow his own.

As if in response to his question, a strong force slams into Neil's groin causing him to recoil falling to the ground dropping the bag of money which is then magically launched into the air.

"Nice one, Sera!" Another voice calls in.

Veering his head up still recovering, Neil's teary eyes take sight of Nile wearing a shit-eating grin atop the small building with the money in hand.

"Thanks for the cash, Idiot Number One!" He greets with a wave of the bag. "Better yet, you're now officially Dumbass Number One! Duces!"

"Our hard-earned loot!" A grunt exclaims.

"And that's my que." Relon quips turning on a dime and departing.

"Fuck…! After… them…!" Neil breathes out.

Obeying, the group of thugs give chase. Turning the corner, Relon runs for the raised fire escape with Rio reaching out an arm.

"Okay, Sera, counting on you." Relon calls out to jump.

As if landing on thin air, his eyes widen for a sliver of a moment before he launches off latching Rio's hands.

"I got you!" She says pulling him up.

"Whoa, I actually double jumped in real life! That was awesome!" He grins, both taking off up the staircase as the thugs begin to swarm at the bottom.

"Lucky you to make a clairvoyant friend!" Rio calls ahead of him, both reaching the top to an awaiting Nile.

"The perks of friendship. Aye buddy?" He greets Relon with a high-five.

"You know it. Thanks again for coming on such short notice. You two Sera. Wherever you are."

"Don't mention it. Another chance at screwing with the idiots is more than enough to get me out of bed."

"Hey boys, I don't mean to be rude and interrupt your bromance but..." Rio points, their eyes peering over to the goons making their way up.

"Nile, would you like to do the honors?" Relon asks.

"I would be insulted if you didn't ask. Sera, give 'em a good trolling." He grins, Traptrix Sera flying off his shoulders and to the side of the fire escape.

Grinning, she raises her hands for tiny roots, unseen by the troublemakers, to come out of the bolts.

"W-What's happening?!" A grunt suddenly exclaims as all hold on to the now unstable platform. "We're falling!"

"Timbeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer!" Sera hollers.

"AHHHHHHHHHH!" Is all that sounds followed by a deafening thud.

"Hahaha, good one Sera." Nile compliments with a high-five to Sera who returns it.

"Are you idiots okay?" Rio calls for a bunch of groaning to come in response. "Yeah, they're good."

"HOLD IT RIGHT… THE FUCK THERE!"

Turning around, the three (and Sera) take sight of Neil glaring daggers at them, another group of goons behind him. Equipping a duel disk to his arm, Neil stomps forward as do the rest copying him.

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SHIT YOU DID TO ME BUT I'M GOING TO BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF YOU, YOUR STUPID-ASS SPIRITS, THE BITCH, AND THAT NOBODY WITH THE FUCKED UP ARM!"

"Hey, Neil?" Hecate questions.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP, HECATE! WE'RE FUCKING THEM UP AND THAT'S FINAL!

"What was that…?" A low voice questions gaining the gang's attention.

Slowly walking forward, duel disk coming to life, Relon's hidden demeanor stops before them.

"What did you say about my friends…?"

"You heard me, I called them a-"

Before Neil can respond, Relon's fist crashes into the thug's face knocking the bastard off his feet.

"MMMF! MOTHERFU-" Cut off as an invisible force, being Sera, hits his face, he's sent crashing into a group of thugs as they fall to the ground.

Slowly retracting his fist, Nile stops next to Relon. His expression hidden by his fringes.

"Just so I'm hearing things, what the fuck did you call Sera and my friends?" He tilts his head sporting an ominous gaze. "Sera, it's my turn." He mutters, raising his arm for his own duel disk to come to life.

Hand balled into a trembling fist, Relon's head rises to reveal the murderous scowl across his visage. The sheer might causing some gang members to step back.

"Stand!" His voice orders with such authority, the gang members knocked over scramble to their feet. "You can speak ill of me all you want… but if you speak ill of my friends, then I'll obliterate your very existences!"

"TALKING ALL THAT SHIT, HUH?!" Neil retorts holding his nose. "LET'S SEE HOW LONG YOU LAST! LET'S GET 'EM BOYS!" A recovering Neil orders, duel disk after duel disk coming to life.

"Looks like it's going to be a Team Duel. Most wins get to shit on the asshole himself." Nile mutters.

"Fine by me."

"I'll take you both on, shit on y'all, then I may as well fuck up that slut that's always with you!" Neil spits, Relon's eyes widening for him to take a step only for a hand to grip his wrist snapping him from his trance.

Snapping ready to question who would dare stop his nearing rampage, his red eyes soften upon meeting Rio's pink. Her hands slide to hold his, a gentle smile adorning her face though it's not the smile that silences him. It's the look in her eyes. Calm but pure. Furious yet tame. But unlike himself, she had control.

"Allow me, Master." She whispers. "Neither of us need to experience another bloodbath."

As if the remedy to his sudden ailment, Relon's composure simmers only slightly.

"Rio." He whispers, his other hand going atop hers. "This is your only order. Ruin him." In response to his order, her smile curves more.

"Very well." They break contact, her eyes snapping to the gang as she walks past both boys withdrawing a duel disk. "Forgive me Nile, but I have been ordered by my master to dispose of this thing. My apologies. I shall end him with the utmost haste. For both you, and your friends." Rio finishes, her gaze focusing on the leader as her duel disk comes to life.

"Cool it, Nile." Relon breathes out. "He wants us to get mad. That's how we mess up."

As if possessed, Nile eerily turns his head to Relon. Said protagonist not flinching instead giving him a reassuring look for the boy to lessen his demeanor as a breath escapes him.

"Tch, I hate when people are right." He sighs. "Listen Neil, my friends and Sera mean the world to me, make this duel worth our fucking time or I'll beat you and your slack jawed goons within an inch of your lives."

"Ha! I'd love to see you try." He glares with crossed arms, his gang swarming around him.

"Hiding behind your gang like a-"

"Enough." Relon cuts Nile off. "We'll deal with them. Ready?"
"We were born ready!"

"Send 'em packing!" Neil orders, the duelists all running forth with their duel disks at the ready.

"Of course they play unfairly. Fine then." Nile huffs.

"Hey look, you got those three from the other day." Relon mutters.

"Oh, my favorites." Nile grins darkly.

"I'll handle these grunts while-"

"While Rio deals with the final boss. Aight, let's go!"

"If we take you down, we'll be recognized by Neil and Gaven!" One of the grunts holler.

"DUEL!"

"Hmpf! Do they seriously believe some flatty can beat me? Fine then. As a warm up before my rematch with Lucinance and Vance, I'll-"

"One turn." She speaks, her cold voice cutting the very air around them. "This will be over by my turn's end."

"... One turn? Bwa… hahaha! That's rich! You're not Lucinance and you're certainly not amongst the Top 10! I'll even agree to make it 4000 just to keep your hopes up! Take notes, Hecate, I'll show both of you the power of my new beast deck!"

"Er… ok…?"

"DUEL!"

Rio LP: 4000.

Neil LP: 4000.

Turn 1

"You say you'll finish this by the end of your turn, do you? I'd love to see you try! I summon Rescue Rabbit!" A rabbit with a construction hat materializes.

Level: 4, Attribute: Earth, Type: Beast, ATK: 300, DEF: 100.

"Next, I activate the spell card Divider and Multiplier!" Narrowing, she remains quiet. "Oh? What's with the look of yours? Surprised by this?" He snarks holding said card.

"That's…!" Relon widens momentarily looking away from his duel.

"The logo next to the spell card indicator!" Nile calls out. "That's a custom card!"

"Damn right! Maybe you should have thought twice before challenging me with such bravado! This card allows me to select one monster on my field and then summon two monsters with half its level from my deck but they are destroyed by the end phase! Come on out Blade Rabbit!" Two rabbits wearing an eye patch with a long carrot as a sword appear.

Level: 2, Attribute: Earth, Type: Beast, ATK: 400, DEF: 300.

"Then I'll activate Rescue Rabbit's ability! By banishing it, I can special summon two level 4 or lower normal monsters from my deck so I'm summoning two Mad Dogs of Darkness!

Level: 4, Attribute: Dark, Type: Beast, ATK: 1900, DEF: 1400.

"Two level 4 monsters plus two level 2…" Rio murmurs.

"Now I'll overlay my dogs to build the overlay network!" Disintegrating into purple spheres, they descend into the xyz vortex for a bright light to erupt. "I xyz summon! Rank 4, Sumo King Dog!" Landing, a large wooden dog with symbols along its robes appears.

Rank: 4, Attribute: Earth, Type: Beast, ATK: 2600, DEF: 2100.

"Xyz…"

"Don't think I'm done yet! We're only halfway there! I activate another custom spell! Back-up Synchro Resurgence! I can special summon a monster from my hand that isn't a tuner and make it one!" Overhearing his words, both boys scowl before focusing on their own duels once more. "I special summon Bicorn Re'em!"

Level: 4, Attribute: Dark, Type: Beast, Tuner, ATK: 800, DEF: 1600.

"Let's get to it, shall we?! I tune my rabbits with Bicron! I synchro summon! Reign terror! Grizzly, The Red Star Beast!"

From the beam of green light, a thunderous roar bellows amongst the night sky. All eyes go to the silhouette soar through the darkness as it lands before its duelist. Its skin a light tan shimmering its beauty. Blue crescent-like stripes litter its body as its large white wings retract.

Level: 8, Attribute: Earth, Type: Beast, ATK: 2700, DEF: 2300.

"Xyz and Synchro…" Relon mutters looking to half a dozen duelists still remaining.

"Want to know something great about my monster? It's effect! If it attacks you directly, I automatically win the duel! HAHAHAHA!"

"Seriously?!" The guy behind Neil gasps as the other boys furrow at the information.

"And the best part? Sumo King can negate any traps you use! Too bad you didn't choose to go first. This was going to be my counter to Vance's annoying ass deck."

"Why you…!" Nile growls.

"Do not pay the fool any mind, Nile." All look to Rio with her arms under her chest wearing an unbothered demeanor. "I stand by my word. I shall make him pay for his transgressions. Now then, Neil was it? Hurry and end your turn." She glares.

Looking in stupor, he clicks his teeth.

"Due to Bicron being used as synchro material for a synchro summon, the top two cards of your deck go straight to the graveyard!" He calls out, Rio seeing said cards vanish to the grave. "Acting tough can only get you so far! I activate my custom card! The spell Extra Draw!"

"Seriously?!" Nile calls out.

"For every monster of a different summoning method on my field, I can draw one card. Because I have two, I gain two cards!" Looking at them, his malicious smirk darkens. "Perfect…! I activate the custom equip spell, Explosive Soul!"

"DO I HEAR FIVE?!" Nile shouts.

"Now, at the start of your turn, you take damage equal to the monster's attack plus 300 and I'm equipping this to Grizzly!"

ATK: 2700 → 3000

"I also equip-"

"HERE WE FUCKING GO!"

"Oh pipe down, Vance!" Neil shouts back. "Lucky for you, I didn't draw another. I activate the equip spell Big Bang Shot and give it to Sumo King."

Sumo King ATK: 2600 → 3000

"With that, my turn ends. Now, beat me if you really think you can." He smirks.

"With pleasure. I draw!"

Turn 2

"Explosive Soul's effect activates!" Neil shouts, a red glow expanding from Grizzly to shoot towards Rio. Crashing at her location, she is obstructed by a red blast.

Raising their arms, all look away as the dust settles to show Rio unfazed.

Rio LP 4000 → 1000

"How do you like that?!"

"Hmpf. Anna can do better than something as pathetic as that."

"What was that?!" He furrows.

"I activate Guard Penguin's effect! Whenever I take effect damage, I can restore my life points equal to the amount I took as damage."

Rio LP 1000 → 4000

"What?!"

"That's not all. I can then special summon Guard Penguin to the field!" A penguin in a white and gold saucer appears.

Level: 4, Attribute: Water, Type: Winged Beast, ATK: 0, DEF: 1200.

"Next, I activated the field spell Lemuria, the Forgotten City!" In an instant, water gushes as all the duelists are elevated atop a castle with water all around. "I activate Lemuria's effect! Guard Penguin gains a level as it's the only monster I control."

Level: 4 → 5

"So you're going for the same strategy as me, huh? It doesn't matter! I'm still going to win!"

"Oh? Do tell, how can you be so sure?"

"Heh, look around! We have numbers! I have custom cards! We. Have. POWER! Do you seriously believe you alone can defeat what I've brought to the table, girlie?!"

"Alone? Me? You're sorely mistaken." She steps forward. "Nile, his duel spirits, my dear Relon, my best friend Anna, and…" She clenches her chest. "My brother! All of them are with me! I'm far from being alone!"

"Let him have it Rio! Domitianus, rip 'em apart!"

"Couldn't have said it better myself! Sera!"

"Let me show you the difference in our skill, Neil. I summon Buzzsaw Shark!" From the water, a shark with saws attached to the side of its face lands before Rio.

Level: 4, Attribute: Water, Type: Fish, ATK: 1600, DEF: 500.

"I'll make you regret insulting Anna and Relon especially! Buzzsaw Shark's effect activates! I can target a Water monster I control and special summon a Fish monster from my deck with the same level as long as it has a different name! I special summon Lantern Shark!" From the other side of the castle, a shark coated in black and silvery armor appears.

Level: 4, Attribute: Water, Type: Fish, ATK: 1500, DEF: 900.

"Because I have both a Winged Beast as well as a Fish monster on my field, I can activate Sirenorca's effect and special summon her from my hand!" Splashing from the ground before her, a blue mermaid with green and yellow wings appears with a melodious pitch.

"Two level 5's and 4's…! Tch!"

"Alone, my cards are one thing. But with Reginalds, together, they're unbeatable! I overlay level 5 Sirenorca and Guard Penguin!" Becoming incased in blue energy, both vanish into the void for a new light to appear. "Arise, my frigid companion! Cleave all with your frozen embrace! I xyz summon! Rank 5, Ice Princess Zereort!" An armored humanoid with metallic-blue wings and a yellow scythe hovers just off the ground.

Rank: 5, Attribute: Water, Type: Winged Beast, ATK: 2500, DEF: 2100.

"Hmpf, keep it going!" Neil calls out.

"I plan to but first, I activate Xyz Slidolphin's effect from my hand! Because I xyz summoned, I can special summon it to the field!" Appearing in between the two sharks, a yellow dolphin.

Level: 4, Attribute: Water, Type: Sea Serpent, ATK: 1200, DEF: 1800.

"Three level 4 monsters?!"

"That's right! Once more I build the overlay network! I overlay Buzzsaw Shark, Lantern Shark, and Xyz Slidolphin! Dress for battle! Full Armored Black Ray Lancer!"

Into the void, a ripple appears before a geyser of purple water shoots into the sky. From it, a humanoid being clad in black and dark purplish armor with a black lance takes its place besides Zereort.

Rank: 4, Attribute: Water, Type: Beast-Warrior, ATK: 2100, DEF: 600.

"There they are." Relon smiles at the sight.

Looking at her monsters, a smile graces Rio's own feature before she refocuses on Neil.

"Lemuria's effect; it's also treated as Umi so my monsters gain 200 attack and defense points! On top of that, Black Ray Lancer gains an extra 200 attack points for each material attached to it!"

Zereort ATK/DEF: 2500 → 2700

Full Armored Black Ray Lancer ATK: 2100 → 2900

"Ha! They're still not strong enough to beat either of my beasts!"

"That's what you think." She smirks. "Zereort's effect; by discarding one overlay unit, I can change the attack points of one monster you control to 0! But why stop at one when I can do two!"

"WHAT?!"

"Go! Blizzard Reduction!" Soaring into the air, Zereort's three wings shimmer before they flap a gust of snow upon both beasts as ice begins to glaciate over their bodies at numerous areas.

Sumo King Dog ATK: 3000 → 0

Grizzly, The Red Star Beast ATK: 3000 → 0

"She dealt with your monster's high attack with a single card!" The teen behind Neil awes.

"Shut up!"

"How about you shut it? For good! You not only went through with crime but also attempted to harm my master as well as insult those dear to me and myself. You're done!"

"This can't be happening! Not again!"

"Zereort, Black Ray Lancer, end this!"

Looking to one another, both surge forward, Zereort reeling back its scythe as Black Ray Lancer does its lance before both strike, cleaving and impaling the beasts.

Neil LP: 4000 → 0

"Gr…! GRAAAAAHHH!"

Watching him get sent flying to the ground, the world dissipates once more back to the rooftop.

Winner: Rio

Loser: Neil

Key Characters

Rio Kastle - Zexal

Reginald "Shark" Kastle - Zexal

Card Corner

Divider and Multiplier (Normal Spell) - Select one monster on your field and then summon two monsters with half its level from the main deck but they are destroyed at the end of the turn.

Back-up Synchro Resurgence (Normal Spell) - You can special summon a monster from your hand that isn't a tuner and make it one. Upon a successful synchro summon, that monster remains a tuner while in the graveyard.

Extra Draw (Normal Spell) - Draw one card for every monster of a different summoning method on your side of the field.

Explosive Soul (Equip Spell) - You can only equip this card to a Beast-Type monster. That monster gains 300 attack points. At the start of the next turn after this card was equipped, you can inflict damage to you opponent equal to the attack points of the equipped monster.