My thanks to the person who has followed and favorited the story. It does give me some encouragement.

"Dread it, run from it, destiny arrives all the same."

-Thanos, Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War

Chapter Two

Destiny Arrives

(Unknown world, unknown location)

Two figures stood on a hill overlooking a valley, one in the form of a bearded old man in a robe, the other with long blond hair, light yellow skin, a white mask with an emerald above his forehead, and a wing sticking up in the mask's design, with a coattail. Below, in the valley, two dragons were looking around, as if searching for something. One was a light gray with wings like an eagle, the other black with bioluminescent blue horns, blue claws, blue wings that spread out, and a blue spike on its tail. The old man spoke up. "The time has come, old friend."

His companion faced him. "Are you sure? I would like to wait a bit longer before returning to them." The old man replied, "We can no longer afford to wait, Mizar. The longer you delay in the interest of protecting them, the more time our enemies have of discovering their existence, if they haven't already." Mizar sighed to himself, then, facing his old master, answered, "So be it." Walking down into the valley, he approached the black dragon, and held up a blank card. The dragon growled at first, but was absorbed into it, forming an Xyz monster.

Putting the card into his deck case for now, he faced the old man again. "Make the preparations to bring them to Barian World. I'll bring Kotori here, and leave the card for Akiru to find." Facing the gray dragon again, he added, "When she arrives, she'll need your guidance, Jinlon." His mentor replied, "It will be my pleasure, old friend." Mizar's mask vanished, revealing his face, as he nodded in gratitude with a smile, before the mask reformed and he departed.

(Jurin Academy, after school)

Asuka and Homura exited the second year classroom, and made their way to the first floor, waiting for Akiru and Kotori to reach them. Akiru walked over soon, a small smile on his face. "You guys certainly taught those girls a lesson in that Duel earlier." Asuka grinned and said, "You did give good advice for our Decks." The young man replied, "That Ninja deck certainly suits you. It's quick, allowing you to make clever plays." The tan-skinned girl spoke up. "Kinda wish you had fire-like cards, but the Deck you helped me with is pretty good."

Akiru answered, "There aren't many good Fire decks out there, sadly. The only real good ones are Flamvell, which hasn't been in packs for years, and Brotherhood of the Fire Fist, which didn't seem like a good choice for you." Homura grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, I'm not really a punching person." The young man remarked, "I kinda doubt that, but okay." His sister came over just then, panting. "Why... do first-years... have to be... on the top floor?!" Without missing a beat, her brother replied, "You need to practice with stairs more." Looking at him, she said, "You're on the third-year floor!"

Akiru raised an eyebrow, saying, "That has nothing to do with it." A teacher walked over to them, and said, "Excuse me, but unless you're part of a club, I'll have to ask you to go home." The young man bowed, saying, "Sorry, we'll be on our way now." They walked outside, with Akiru facing his sister. "Oh, yeah, you said you wanted to ask me something after school?" Looking at her brother, Kotori replied, "I had a strange dream last night. I was standing in a valley, with a light gray dragon in front of me. It didn't try to hurt me or anything. In fact, it was kind of nice."

Her brother adopted a deadpan tone. "I've warned you not to eat on an empty stomach." His sister stuck her tongue out at him. As they arrived at the subway station, they saw that a blue tarp was blocking the way along with several police officers investigating the area. Both curious and concerned, Akiru faced the girls. "Wait here. I'll be right back." He walked over to an officer, and they started talking. Asuka faced Homura, and asked, "Did the teacher say anything about a killer on the loose?" The tan-skinned girl shook her head. "No, not that I was told."

The young man walked back to the group, a dark expression on his face. "Change of plans. We can't use the subway." Asuka asked, "What happened?" Akiru replied, "The police found a dead body past that tarp. They've sealed the area off on both sides. According to the officer, the victim appeared to be mauled to death." Kotori and Asuka gasped, while Homura grimaced. Continuing, the young man said, "No one's going through here for at least several hours. Luckily, I know a couple other ways. Come on." He led them outside and to the entrance of a tunnel.

Kotori understood immediately. "Oh, yeah, the Yamada tunnel." Both former Shinobi faced them, and asked, "The what?" Akiru explained. "It's an underground tunnel system that spans the entire city. It's been here since before the subway, but it doesn't get that much traffic anymore. People think it's become haunted." The tan-skinned girl asked, "Aren't there any other subway lines?" Kotori spoke up. "Yeah, there are, but the closest one that gets us home is halfway across the city." Her brother chimed in, "This would be the fastest way, and Mom wants us all home in time for dinner."

The two former Shinobi nodded in understanding and they entered the tunnel, Akiru flipping a nearby light switch, turning on the lights. Walking along, Asuka asked, "How did you guys know about the tunnel system?" Kotori replied, "Mom works for the city council. She told us about it in case something like back at the station happened." Homura asked, "Your mom's a politician?" The young man spoke up. "No, she's a secretary. Sometimes, she'll get back pain, but doesn't mind the job that much." The light-skinned brunette asked, "Oh, yeah, Akiru, you said you'd show us your favorite card."

Akiru chuckled, and took out his deck, found the card, and held it up for them to see. Both former Shinobi stared at it in shock and amazement, as Akiru explained. "It's the only one in the world. Dad had to leave after Kotori was born, but before he left, he asked Mom to give it to me." Asuka asked, "What do you remember about your father?" The young man sighed fondly, replying, "My only memory of him was when I fell off a swing, he picked me up, and asked me, 'Why do we fall?' I didn't understand why he asked me that at the time, but now I do. He was teaching me that we can always get back up."

The tan-skinned girl said, "He sounds like a good person." Kotori shrugged. "I wouldn't know." Her brother facepalmed, before the tunnel started rumbling. Asuka asked, "What's happening?" Akiru followed up with, "I think the tunnel's collapsing! Run!" As they ran, the ceiling gave way, and they all blacked out. In Akiru's mind, he saw himself standing on the moon, with no spacesuit, but he didn't need it. As he looked around, he saw the monster on the card his fater gave him battling another dragon with a mechanical appearance. Before he could question it, he heard a voice speak up.

"Akiru, your time has come. This is just the beginning."

(Unknown world, unknown location)

The young man woke to Asuka shaking him, trying to rouse him. She spoke up, "Oh, thank goodness you're all right!" Getting up, he asked, "Where are Homura and Kotori?" The tan-skinned girl called out, "I'm here." Walking over, she added, "A little shook up, but I'm okay." Looking around, he called out, "Kotori?!" In response, they heard a loud scream. Running out of the partially collapsed tunnel they'd woken up in, they found a figure with long blond hair, yellow skin, a coattail, and a white mask standing atop the metallic dragon from Akiru's dream, holding the frightened Kotori in his arms.

They heard him speak, "Don't be afraid. You'll be safe momentarily. It's a good thing I got here when I did, or you might not be alive. Hold still." As he finished, the dragon he was riding on flew off into the distance, a Duel Monsters' card dropping to the ground. Akiru ran out, calling out, "KOTORI!" The mysterious figure did not turn around. Glaring in that direction, Akiru turned his attention to the card his sister's so-called "rescuer" had dropped. Picking it up, he looked at it, and was shocked by what he saw. "That's impossible..."

A/N

I'm sorry I didn't update sooner. I meant to, but everything with Christmas didn't give me much time, and the week before New Years was very hectic for me.