Hey everyone, a few people asked about when the questions for the special QnA chapter should be asked. If you want to start asking the questions now, that's totally fine, but the responses will be out when the QnA releases. Just begin the question with who you want to ask the question to and then state the question. The questions can be addressed to a group of people or a single person. The questions can be about anything you want, some topics being the other Ygo Series, cannon Arc-V, other Lancers, duels they were in, etc.

The characters available for questions will be any of the Lancers and their allies, as well as Yuri.

And if you have a question for me, you can ask me something to, but no spoilers will be given for the story.

I'll also be conducting some polls for the story, like favorite characters, best duels, etc. More on that later.

In summary, if you'd like to ask your questions now, go for it! You can ask multiple as well!

That's it from me. I'm looking forward to hearing your questions! Enjoy the chapter!

Ushio, Crow, Yugo, and Yuya were all stunned by the man sitting on Roget's throne.

"...Jack?" Crow finally spoke up.

"Indeed. I am Jack Atlas, Duel King of Neo Domino City." The man nodded before getting out of his chair.

Upon standing up, each member of the group came to the realization that this guy was a carbon copy of the former king.

"There's two things wrong with that statement. One, I'm the Duel King. Two, you're clearly not the real Jack Atlas. The real one would never be working with Roget!" Yugo shouted.

"Incorrect. My alliance lies with Roget, as he is the one that keeps the peace in this city." Jack(?) told the group.

"The real Jack would never say that, either! You may look the part, but you suck at impersonating him." Crow smirked.

"Ushio, do you have any clue about who this guy is?" Yuya asked.

"Sorry, I don't." Ushio shook his head before turning to the former king. "If Roget's not here, where is he?!"

"Somewhere safe. As for you four..." Jack trailed off right before the door slammed shut and locked. "...I'll be taking care of you. The doors are locked and reinforced if you plan on trying to leave. Though, if you beat me, I'll release the locks and you'll freely be allowed to leave. Now, who wants to go first?"

"I know he's not Roget, but we can still jump him. The quicker we get out of here, the quicker we find that snake." Yugo said, readying his duel disk.

Crow looked at Yuya and Ushio, who were clearly more drained than himself and Yugo.

That's when it hit him.

"Actually, why don't you let me take this one." Crow smirked before activating his duel disk.

"I thought we said we'd fight together?" Yugo questioned.

"Roget isn't only trying to waste our time, he's also trying to wore us out. If that's the case, we should probably keep our strongest guy fresh and ready to roll for when the time comes." Crow explained, surprising the boy.

"...Fine, but don't lose. This guy might be as strong as the real one." Yugo pointed out.

"Oh...I'm counting on him being as similar as possible." Crow grinned while cracking his knuckles.

"We'll be right here to back you up if you need it." Yuya told the man, holding out his fist.

"Right. Leave it to me." Crow nodded, bumping the boy's fist with his own before walking forward.

"So you'll be my opponent, Crow Hogan? As your former team leader, I'm aware of every aspect of your dueling. Knowing this, do you still wish to proceed?" Jack emotionlessly asked.

"Hell yeah! I'll take you down, faker!"

"...So be it."

OP 1 V2: No Pain No Game by Nano

The Ending Of This story

A diagonal image of Yuya amidst a Pendulum background with a bright smile.

I Will Hold It Close As I Wonder So Aimlessly

Below the image of Yuya is Yuto, standing in front of a Xyz portal with a stern yet warm look.

Into this New World

Above the two is Yugo, who stands before a Synchro backdrop with a goofy grin.

The Game Has Only Just Begun

The three hold up their aces, Odd Eyes, Dark Rebellion, and Clear Wing, as they close their eyes...

I Can See It In Your Eyes!

...the three open their eyes in sync with their iris' glowing red, indigo, and cyan respectively as their ace dragons shine, engulfing the screen.

(This Is Where Tomorrow Brings a New Game)

Yuya stands atop a hill overlooking Miami City, his jacket blowing in the wind as a Leo Corporation jet flies past LDS. Yuto is shown in front of the Duel Sanctuary, gazing at the ruined Heartland.

(It's Time To Learn That Pain Is Gain)

Yugo is riding his D-Wheel down a Duel Lane at night, the neon signs and billboards of City aglow with life as he passes by. Out on a boat in the sea, Yuri faces Academia, arms visibly crossed.

READY FIGHT!

Yuya appears riding atop of Odd-Eyes, who fills the screen with its signature Spiral Strike Burst!

(Instrumental)

Odd-Eyes' attack fades, revealing the Four Dimensions. The "Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V" logo appears, the words "Altered Destiny" beneath it. Yuya's Pendulum appears in the background, swinging back and forth before the logo fades. Zoom in on the Standard Dimension to see Yuya walking to You Show Duel School.

I Gotta Crush and Paint Away

The Lancers appear standing in front of the LDS logo. From left to right; Hokuto, Masumi, Yaiba , and Roy stand back-to-back, ready for battle, Yaiba holding his signature wooden katana over his shoulder.

The Anguish Of My Past For Sake Of My Future

Sawatari stands self-assure with a proud grin on his face. Yugo leans on his D-Wheel, sporting a big friendly grin. Rin was on the opposite side of the D-Wheel, sternly staring at the boy for not taking things seriously. Serena holds herself ready for battle with the faintest hint of longingness on her face.

Until My Life Comes To An End

Yuya and Yuzu stand close to each other, ready to face the coming battles together. Gongenzaka stands behind of the Standard Pair, arms folded with a steadfast gaze. Next to them is Crow, who has a battle-ready smirk on his face.

I'm Gonna Fight To Tear Apart That Destiny

Yuto, Ruri, and Shun stand side by side with battle-hardened expressions. But unbeknownst to Shun, Yuto and Ruri's hands were interlocked.

(Ahh-Ahh)

Tsukkikage kneels in front of the Akabas, holding an arm out in front of them in a declaration of protection. Reira hides behind Reiji.

Break Out And Start A Revolution

Rightmost is Sora, who is consumed by the shadow and looking away from the group. But two hands reach out to him, causing him to turn around towards the light. Sora smiles, taking the hands of Yuya and Yuzu before leaping out of the shadows with a childish grin.

Until You Find The Answer

Cut to the Standard, Xyz and Synchro counterparts together on a grassy hill, gazing at the starry night sky. Yuzu and Ruri rest their heads on Yuya and Yuto's shoulders respectively, who in turn drape an arm around them. Rin does the same with Yugo, who blushes redder than Yuya's hair. It is a touching scene….

You're Looking For!

… the screen falls to reveal the Fusion Counterparts falling into darkness. Yuri grins wickedly as his eyes are whited out by a violet glow. Behind him is the shadow of an older boy, face obscured with a monstruous, inhuman smile on his face. Above him, Serena holds out her hand, desperately trying to reach her former friend. The gem on her bracelet shines like a star, cutting through the miasma that surrounds them. Behind her is the golden spirit of an older girl, trying to reach out to the figure behind Yuri as tears flow. The older teens vanish as the Fusion Counterparts' silhouettes turn to black and a large, sinister pair of draconic eyes open wide behind them.

I'll Challenge All My Limits

Crow, Kiryu, the Black Rose Witch, and Jack race in a line on the highway and call forth their dragons; Black-Feather, Infernity Void, Black Rose, and Red Daemon's.

Knowing This Could Be My Only Chance Now

Yuzu and Serena stand together striking their signature Fusion Summon poses. From behind the two, Prodigy Mozart and Cat Dancer swirl into the fusion vortex and become Moonlight Serenade.

To Overcome This Fate That's Come Over Me

Ruri and Rin stand side by side with Assembly Nightingale and Winter Bell in front of them, looking ready for battle. But behind them are the looming shadow of their respective Fusion monsters; Independent Nightingale and Crystal Bell.

The Ending Of This Story

Yuto stands alone on a battle field with explosions occurring in the background. Yuto lets out a primal scream as Dark Rebellion Apocalypse Dragon roars, causing the field to erupt in flames.

I Will Hold It Close As I Wonder So Aimlessly

Yuya and Yugo closely race next to each other on the highway as Odd Eyes and Clear Wing clash in the sky. Yuya and Yugo scream in unison as their dragons evolve into Odd Eyes Wing and Crystal Clear Wing before continuing their arial battle. As the Accel Synchro monster begins to gain an advantage, Enlightenment Paladin descends from the sky while enveloped in a brilliant light. As Odd Eyes Wing is briefly knocked away, the evolved blue and gold paladin strikes Crystal Clear Wing's head with it's majestic blade, while Yuya and Yugo can't help but grin in excitement.

Into This New World

The scene changes to Yuya standing beneath a blue landscape. A pendulum swings above him, draw arcs of light across the sky. Yusho's face is shown over the center of the arcs, smiling down at his son with pride.

The Game Has Only Just Begun

Yuya reaches his hand out as the image of his father fades. He is shown to have a look of surprise on his face...

I Can See It In Your Eyes!

…which quickly turns into a triumphant smile!

(Instrumental)

The screen flashes to a beaten Crow standing across from a strange looking Jack Atlas, which clearly wasn't the real one, who had a variant of Red Daemon's on his field. The scene shifts to Yuto standing against Kiryu's Chaos Void Dragon with Vengeful Paladin on his field, who readied it's sword for battle. The scene changes to Yuzu and Rin struggling against the berserk Black Rose Witch who wore a cracked mask. Darkness Rose Death Dragon let out a violent screech as Prodigy Mozart and Winter Bell protectively flew in front of the two girls. The scene switches to Yuya and Yugo teaming up against the mastermind himself, Roget. A large machine-like titan which was shrouded in darkness towered over Odd Eyes and Clear Wing. At the two counterparts' command, the dragons charged forward before combining into Odd Eyes Wing Dragon while the titan lunged it's fist forward. As the two collided, a white flash engulfs the screen. The song ends with the Lancers on the highway (now including Crow, Ruri, Rin, and Sora) in the Synchro Dimension, looking up at the screen with the three Yu-boys in the center, with each of their eyes flashing a red, indigo, and cyan glow respectively.

To say tension filled the air was an understatement, or at least, that's how Sora saw it.

On his right was Tsukikage, the brother of a duelist that he had carded in Standard.

On his left was Serena, the girl who he'd been assigned to kidnap.

'To think I'd be assigned with both of them...must be Reiji Akaba's twisted sense of humor...'

Stoically as ever, Tsukikage didn't dare to look in the same direction as the boy. To Sora, it had seemed like his existence was just blatantly being ignored.

But reality was quite different, as the ninja's mind was preoccupied with a recent event.

Before the operation had begun, Tsukikage stood by the side of their leader, who was speaking to the newest members of the Lancers.

"Ruri Kurosaki, Crow Hogan, and Sora Shiun'in...once this battle is over, I'd like to formally request that you join my Lancers. Your support will aid our cause to set Academia ablaze." Reiji told the three recruits in a stoic tone.

"First, I'd like to thank you for this new duel disk. Second, can I ask a question?" Ruri said before the older teen nodded. "Thanks. Yuto told me that you came to this dimension to gather allies. By that logic, do you plan to visit my homeland next?"

"You're asking if the Xyz Dimension is our next destination? If so, then yes. Your brother told me that there are several strong duelists, even stronger than the ones in this dimension, that could serve as allies. So, we'll aid the Resistance in any way we can before attempting to join forces with them. With the combined might of LDS in Standard, the Revolution and Security in Synchro, the Resistance in Xyz, and us Lancers, we'll demolish Academia."

"...You're a very calculated man, Reiji Akaba. I know it's selfish, but I wouldn't mind going back to my homeland, no matter how destroyed it is. Just being able to see the faces of those I care about will give me the strength to oppose Academia." Ruri honestly spoke, holding her fist up to her chest.

"You aren't selfish at all for wanting to see your friends. After all, you've probably been away from your home dimension for the longest compared to everyone else. Once we end things here, you'll be reunited with them soon, as long as everything goes well." Reiji told the girl in a surprisingly understanding tone.

"...Thanks. After that, I'll gladly follow support your cause to stop Academia, once I see with my own eyes that everything is alright with my comrades back home." Ruri nodded with a determined smile.

"I actually decided a while ago to join you guys once this was all over. I can't keep an eye on Yuya and Serena if you guys are out in another dimension, after all." Crow added with a smile.

Reiji felt satisfied as he looked at the two newest members of his team. Having already supplied Rin with a duel disk, he was sure that after she was recovered, she'd also agree to join the Lancers. Yet, there was still one person who hadn't shared a response.

"Is everything ok, Sora Shiun'in?"

"Yes...it's just..."

"I understand." Reiji nodded before looking back at the others. "Please, give us a minute alone."

The two recruits nodded before exiting the scene. Tsukikage remained at Reiji's side until the older teen turning around and nodded. The ninja was suprised that Reiji wanted to be completely alone with a guy who was an agent of Academia like a day or two ago.

Tsukikage simply returned the nod and vanished into the shadows, his curiosity keeping him from completely leaving the premises.

Reiji and Sora looked at each other for a moment before the older teen sighed and looked down.

"Shiun'in, you-"

"That sounds weird coming from you. Just call me Sora."

"Fine. You have my thanks, Sora." Reiji said, surprising the boy. "My younger sibling informed me that you dueled alongside each other for quite a long time in the subway. You have my thanks for dueling alongside Reira."

"If we're being honest, the kid actually came in to save Yuzu and I at one point. But anyways, it's nothing, really. I have a lot to make up for. Not letting a good-hearted kid die on my watch felt like a good start."

Reiji pushed up his glasses, examining Sora's body language before speaking.

"There's a question that I want to ask you, if you don't mind." Reiji stated, causing Sora to raise a brow.

"Go for it."

"...Do you regret being a member of Academia?"

Sora paused, looking at the ground for a moment.

"Can I answer honestly?"

"I'd only accept an honest answer."

"...No. Not all of it, anyway." Sora hesitantly said before continuing. "Academia gave me food and a warm bed when I was slumming it up in a crammed orphanage. It's the reason I learned how to duel. It's also the only reason I even met Yuya and Yuzu. Without them, my life would've been a lot more dull, that's for sure..."

"Did you still believe in Academia's cause?"

"You really are straightforward." Sora sighed before speaking. "Back then, I believed with all of my heart that we were in the right for wanting to create a utopia, even if we had to card people to do it. That reason for fighting is why I was ok with betraying my friends back in Standard. I convinced myself that what we were doing was for the greater good. Honestly, most of my peers probably came to the same rationalization."

"In that case, what changed things?"

"...Well for starters, things didn't feel the same when I got back to Academia. After seeing how close Yuto had gotten with Yuya and Yuzu, I assumed he probably told them everything and that they would hate me forever. Thank god I was wrong..." Sora smiled before refocusing. "A-Anyways, the whole "kidnap Serena and Yuzu" operation didn't sit right with me for some reason. I became curious, so I tried to find answers. That's when I came across the other two girls who we had already captured. Those experiments...those creatures they put in their heads to turn them into weapons...that really messed me up in the head. In that moment, I decided that I couldn't sit by and let my student end up like that. Once I came to this dimension with Yuri, I had ended up coming across Yuya."

"I'm aware. I sent him after you." Reiji briefly cut Sora off, causing the boy to smile.

"Of course you did. I guess you're the reason I changed my mind, then. Dueling Yuya was the straw that broke the camel's back, but instead of the camel's back, it was my psyche. That duel reminded me of how much I enjoyed all of the Entertainment Duels I took part in. It helped me remember how much my time at You Show impacted me. That's why...I'll make sure Yuya and Yuzu make it through this war, no matter what. I'll make sure we all end up back at You Show once this is all over. I know it's selfish, but it's my motivation for fighting."

"That's...an acceptable answer. I assume you've realized the amount of interest Academia has in those two. They'll never be safe until Academia is gone." Reiji said, the glare in his glasses fading, allowing Sora to see his purple eyes.

"...Then I'll help you burn it all to the ground. Even if I'm stained in blood, I'm going back to Standard...back home...with them by my side." Sora met the leader of the Lancer's gaze with resolute green eyes.

"If that's your reason for fighting, then I respect you for it." Reiji seriously spoke, holding his hand up to the boy. "I don't plan on losing any of my Lancers, especially those two."

"...Sounds good to me." Sora smiled, shaking the older teen's hand.

Tsukikage normally didn't show too much emotion, but he couldn't prevent his hand from curling into a fist.

He didn't blame Reiji for adding the boy to their group. He was on par with Kurosaki, which was abundantly clear due to their many close duels. He blatantly betrayed Academia just to keep his two friends safe. It was also likely that he had information on Academia which they could use to their advantage later on.

But seeing his brother's killer shaking hands with the person he chose to loyally serve caused something to stir within him.

"Tsukikage, a word?" Reiji said after Sora made an exit.

In an instant, Tsukikage appeared before Reiji, kneeling in front of him.

"I need you to understand importance that the mission I gave your group is complete. After reading Roget's files, I've finally began to understand the truth of Academia's insistence on capturing those four girls. They need all of them for the completion of their plan. As long as Academia doesn't have them, they can't win."

It wasn't in his place to ask for a more further details, so Tsukikage simply nodded.

"Roget plans to use Yuzu and Rin as bargaining chips in case Academia comes for him. Allowing them to gain half of what they need back is out of the question. This also means that allowing Serena and Ruri Kurosaki to be captured would also be catastrophic. I placed Ruri with her brother and Yuto, who will protect her at all costs. I have full confidence that you and Sora Shiun'in will be able to keep Serena out of Roget's hands."

"If I may ask, wouldn't it be smarter to keep Serena and Ruri out of the operation to minimize the risk?"

"Yes, it would. However, according to the footage from when Yuya, Yugo, Yuto, and their Fusion counterpart dueled, it seems like Yuzu, Serena, Ruri, and Rin had the power to counteract them. It probably won't happen, but in case we have another incident where one of those boys lose control, we'll have to rely on Serena and Ruri to neutralize them so the success of the mission isn't threatened."

Tsukikage nodded once more. As expected of the Reiji Akaba to think things through this well.

"Tsukikage, you have the most important missions of all. Yuzu and Rin must be secured and Serena must be kept out of Roget's hands. I trust your discretion to accomplish the mission."

"...I understand my role. I won't let you down." The ninja determinedly nodded.

"I know. I'm counting on you." Reiji patted the ninja on the shoulder with a trusting tone in his voice.

Though it was only a few words, Tsukikage was surprised by the words that had came out of Reiji's mouth, as well as the way he said it.

What had happened to the older teen during the invasion?

Back in the present, Tsukikage finally ended up glancing at Sora, who quickly looked away.

The boy seemed like he wanted to say something, and the ninja could probably guess what it was.

Ultimately, Sora decided to bite his tongue for the time being. The boy took a deep breath before refocusing his thoughts and steeling his resolve.

The ninja then glanced at Serena, who was looking straight ahead with a determined look in her eyes.

That's when a thought came into the ninja's head. Hikage had been carded by Sora, after he stayed back to prevent the boy from going after Serena. Now, he was surrounded by the same two people while sharing the same mission, keeping Serena safe.

How ironic...

"Well, well, well! Someone finally showed up!"

Tsukikage was snapped out of his thoughts as the three came to a stop. In front of the group were two officers, one with blue hair and the other wearing a helmet and glasses.

"...Great." Sora sighed.

Standing across the room from a person that shared the face of his former teammate wasn't something Crow had expected, but he wasn't going to waste the opportunity he was being given.

"If this guy is as strong as Jack, can Crow really win?" Yugo couldn't help but ask.

"...I don't know...but I haven't seen Crow look this motivated since he dueled Kiryu. He should also know Jack's dueling pretty well since they were teammates for so long." Yuya pointed out, hiding his nerves.

"Come, Crow Hogan." Jack said, void of emotion.

"This is going to feel great! Let's do this!" Crow grinned.

"DUEL!"

CROW: 4000 LP vs JACK?: 4000 LP

"I'm going first." Crow declared with an eager look in his eyes. "You might not be the real Jack, but I guarantee defeating a guy who shares his face will feel pretty damn good!"

"If that's your motivation, bring it on. Show me your resolve." The blond man responded.

"I activate the Spell Card, Pot of Greed! I draw two cards! While I control no other monsters, I can summon Black Feather - Gust the Backblast from my hand!" Crow shouted as a green and blue humanoid bird appeared.

Black Feather - Gust the Backblast (900/1400) LVL: 2

"And when there is a Black Feather monster on the field, I can special summon the Tuner Monster, Black Feather - Oroshi the Squall!" Crow shouted as a small brown bird with blue eyes brows appeared.

Black Feather - Oroshi the Squall (400/600) LVL: 1

"Now, I tune my Level 1 Oroshi the Squall to my Level 2 Gust the Backblast! Jet-black wings, pierce through the skies and soar! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 3! Assault Black Feather - Kuniyoshi the Fogbow!" Crow yelled as a blue and white armored bird with purple armor appeared.

Assault Black Feather - Kuniyoshi the Fogbow (1000/1000) LVL: 3

"Kuniyoshi the Fogbow's effect activates! Once per turn, by discarding a Black Feather monster from my hand, you take 300 points of damage!" Crow shouted as his monster slashed through the air, causing a gust of air to strike the fake former king.

JACK?: 4000-3700 LP

"Next, I activate the Equip Spell Card, Spinning Blade of the Trailblazer! By equipping this card to Kuniyoshi the Fogbow, it gains 800 ATK!" Crow shouted as his monster's sword was replaced with two blades.

Kuniyoshi the Fogbow (1000/1000)-(1800/1000)

"Then, Spinning Blade of the Trailblazer's effect! You take 400 damage times the amount of Synchro Materials used for Kuniyoshi the Fogbow! Since two were used, you take 800 damage!" Crow shouted as his monster swung the blades, firing two slashes of red energy at his opponent.

JACK?: 3700-2900 LP

"I set two cards facedown, turn end." Crow concluded.

"Nice opener, Crow!" Yuya cheered.

"As expected of my former teammate. Now, it's the king's turn! Draw!" The man shouted as he drew. "I discard a Level 4 or lower monster from my hand to special summon Power Giant!"

A prismatic giant appeared beside Jack.

Power Giant (2200/0) LVL:6

"Next, I summon the Tuner monster, Force Resonator!" Jack shouted a small fiend in yellow robes that commanded electricity appeared.

Force Resonator (500/500) LVL:2

"Now, I tune my Level 2 Force Resonator to my Level 6 Power Giant! Isolated and absolute king, rend the obsidian darkness! Scorch Heaven and Earth and display your ferocious might! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 8! Jeweled Demon Dragon - Red Daemon!" Jack shouted as a black and red demonic dragon appeared.

Jeweled Demon Dragon - Red Daemon (3000/2500) LVL:8

"That monster...it looks just like Scarlight..." Yugo realized.

"Red Daemon's effect! Once per turn, during my Main Phase 1, all other face up attack position monsters on the field are destroyed!" The self proclaimed king shouted.

"Of course it has a similar effect..." Crow groaned.

"Reduce the world to ash! Crimson Hell Burn!" Jack shouted as the dragon released a wave of fire that incinerated the field, destroying Crow's only monster. "My dragon is the only monster permitted to attack after using its effect. Battle! Red Daemon, attack him directly!"

"I won't let you damage me so easily! Trap Activate! Black Feather - Twin Shadow! By shuffling one tuner and one non-tuner Black Feather monster from my graveyard into my deck, I can perform a Synchro Summon using those cards as materials!" Crow explained as two cards slid out of his graveyard slot. "I tune my level 1 Oroshi the Squall to my level 2 Gust the Backblast! Jet-black wings, slash the skies in tandem with a flash of light! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 3! Assault Black Feather - Kunisada the Fogbow!"

A white and green armored bird appeared that had a striking resemblance to Kuniyoshi the Fogbow.

Assault Black Feather - Kunisada the Fogbow (1000/1000) LVL:3

"In that case, incinerate his defenses! Absolute Hell Judge!" Jack shouted as his dragon fired a raging blast of flames that roasted the poor bird.

"I set a card facedown, turn end." Jack concluded.

"Before I take you down, answer me this. Who are you? Or I guess a better question is what are you?"

The man froze for a moment, emotionlessly staring at Crow before speaking.

"I am your former teammate. I am the Duel King. I am the one who will defeat you!" The man shouted while pointing at Crow.

"Tch...I'll tear that mask off you after I beat you! My turn! Trap Activate! Black Feather - Mirage! This card can only be activated during my Standby Phase and it lets me special summon all Black Feather monsters destroyed during the last turn with their effects negated!" Crow shouted as his twin monsters returned.

Assault Black Feather - Kunisada the Fogbow (1000/1000) LVL:3

Assault Black Feather - Kuniyoshi the Fogbow (1000/1000) LVL: 3

"I activate the Spell Card, Synchro Treasure! Since there are three Synchro Monsters on the field, I draw three cards!" Crow shouted as he drew. "Here goes! While I control a single Black Feather monster, I can special summon Black Feather - Gladius the White Night!"

A dark bird with shinning armor appeared.

Black Feather - Gladius the White Night (800/1500) LVL:3

"Then, I release Gladius the White Night to Advance Summon! Come forth! Level 5! Black Feather - Sirocco the Dawn!" Crow shouted as a larger humanoid bird appeared with black feathers on its head and brown wings and clothing.

Black Feather - Sirocco the Dawn(2000/900) LVL:5

"Sirocco the Dawn's effect activates! Once per turn, I can target a Black Feather monster on my field and it gains the ATKs of all other Black Feather monsters I control! However, none of my other monsters can attack this turn! I target Sirocco the Dawn!" Crow shouted as the two Synchro Monsters flew around the larger bird.

Sirocco the Dawn (2000/900)-(4000/900)

"I'm sick of Roget's games! If you aren't going to give us answers, then I won't hesitate to take you out! BATTLE! Sirocco the Dawn, attack Jeweled Demon Dragon - Red Daemon!" Crow shouted as his monster flew towards the dragon.

"You lack the strength to defeat me! Continuous Trap Activate! Demon's Chain! By targeting Sirocco the Dawn, it has its effects negated and it cannot attack!" Jack shouted as chains shot out of the card and wrapped around the bird.

Sirocco the Dawn (4000/900)-(2000/900)

"Damn it...I end my turn." Crow concluded.

"My turn! From my hand, I summon the Tuner monster, Absolute King Back Jack!" The fake king shouted as a small mechanized version of himself appeared.

Absolute King Back Jack (0/0) LVL:1

"It's time to demonstrate why you stand no match against me. Battle! Red Daemon, attack Kuniyoshi the Fogbow! Absolute Hell Judge!" Jack shouted as the red dragon incinerated the bird.

"That's all you got?" Crow questioned.

"Not at all! Trap Activate! Urgent Tuning! This lets me perform a Synchro Summon upon activation! I tune the Level 1 Absolute King Back Jack to the Level 8 Jeweled Demon Dragon - Red Daemon!"

As the man raised his fist to the sky, the small monster turned into a green ring that flew around the large dragon.

"Demon King unleashed from the darkness of the abyss! Let your rage explode! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 9! Jeweled Demon Dragon - Red Daemon Abyss!"

A bigger version of the dragon appeared, with sharp red armor and blades protruding from its forearms.

Jeweled Demon Dragon - Red Daemon Abyss (3200/2500) LVL: 9

"It evolved..." Yuya uttered at the sight of the dangerous looking dragon.

"Absolute King Back Jack's effect activates! After being sent to the graveyard, I can check the top three cards of my deck. Then, I can place them back on top of my deck in any order I please. Now, the battle will continue! Go, Red Daemon Abyss! Attack Sirocco the Dawn! Abyss Rage Buster!" Jack shouted as his large dragon's blades ignited in flames. The dragon flew forward and slashed through the bird warrior with ease.

CROW: 4000-2800 LP

"Tch..." Crow clicked his tongue in annoyance as he made eye contact with the copy of the man he once knew.

"It's not over. Red Daemon Abyss' effect activates! When this card successfully inflicts battle damage, I can special summon a Tuner from my graveyard in defense position! Come, Absolute King Back Jack!"

Absolute King Back Jack (0/0) LVL:1

"Quick Play Spell, Battle Tuning, active! This lets me perform a Synchro Summon using a monster on the field that was special summoned during the Battle Phase! I tune the Level 1 Absolute King Back Jack to the Level 9 Jeweled Demon Dragon - Red Daemon Abyss!"

"A-Another Synchro Summon during the Battle Phase?!" Yugo gasped.

"Let the peaks roar! Split the mountains and come forth, along with the flames of the earth! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 10! Jeweled Demon Dragon - Red Daemon Belial!"

A further evolved demonic dragon appeared on the battlefield. It had purple scales as well as sharp black and red armor. The dragon had even larger blades that protruded from its forearms.

Jeweled Demon Dragon - Red Daemon Belial (3500/3000) LVL: 10

"A third evolution...this guy's style is even more annoying than the real Jack..." Crow grunted.

"Go, Red Daemon Belial! Attack Kunisada the Fogbow! Great Summit Breaker!" Jack commanded as his purple and red dragon's blades became wrapped in purple flames. The dragon flew forward and drove its blades through the small bird, erasing it from the field.

"Now Crow has no monsters and no cards in his hand..." Yuya nervously realized.

"Things are getting more and more hopeless for you, Crow. As my former teammate, I expected more of you."

"You and I were never teammates, so shut up! You aren't him! If you were...i-if you..." Crow's fist began to tremble in anger.

"I set a card facedown, turn end." Jack concluded.

"Crow..." Yuya softly said as he noticed his teammate's frustrated expression.

"Damn it...why am I getting so worked up? You aren't even the real Jack." Crow said to himself before sighing.

"I know why you are feeling this way, Crow Hogan." The blond man spoke up.

"Oh yeah? What does a cheap imitation like you know about me?"

"I know about everything. Every crime you committed before you joined the Friendship Cup. Every officer or gangster that Team Satisfaction brutalized. Everything."

"Crow...what's he talking about?" Yuya asked in a nervous tone.

"Not now. Later." Crow told his teammate with a serious look in his eyes before turning back to Jack. "I'll shut you up! My turn! I activate the Spell Card, Treasure Cards of Black Feathers! By sending a Black Feather monster in my hand to the graveyard, I draw two cards! From my hand, I summon the Tuner Monster, Black Feather - Blizzard the Far North!"

Black Feather - Blizzard the Far North (1300/0) LVL: 2

"Blizzard the Far North's effect activates! When normal summoned, I can call forth a Black Feather monster from my graveyard in defense mode! Assault Black Feather - Gust the Fogbow!"

Assault Black Feather - Kuniyoshi the Fogbow (1000/1000) LVL: 3

"Now, I tune the Level 2 Blizzard the North to the Level 3 Kuniyoshi the Fogbow! Jet-black raging gale, become the tailwind that ties our bonds! Synchro Summon! Take off! Level 5! Assault Black Feather - Sohaya the Early Summer Shower!" Crow shouted as a winged warrior appeared with blue armor and a sword and flew beside Crow.

Assault Black Feather - Sohaya the Early Summer Shower (1500/2000) LVL:5

"Sohaya the Early Summer Shower's effect activates! When this card is Synchro Summoned, I can revive an Assault Black Feather monster from my graveyard! Revive, Assault Black Feather - Kunisada the Fogbow!"

Assault Black Feather - Kunisada the Fogbow (1000/1000) LVL:3

"Next, I activate the effect of Black Feather - Vayu the Battlefield Standard in my graveyard which I discarded early this turn. By banishing this monster along with a non-Tuner, I can perform a Synchro Summon using them as materials! I'll banish the Level 1 Vayu the Battlefield Standard and the Level 6 Elfin the Pitch Black, which I discarded on my first turn. Spread your jet-black wings and storm forth in tandem with your roaring thunder! Slash apart the lightning! Synchro Summon! Cascade! Level 7! Assault Black Feather - Raikiri the Sudden Shower!"

Spreading its black and white wings, the warrior with purple armor appeared with a sword in hand.

Assault Black Feather - Raikiri the Sudden Shower (2600/2000) LVL:7

"At this moment, I'll use Absolute King Back Jack's effect from my graveyard! By banishing it, I can check the top card of my deck. If it's a Normal Trap, I can set it facedown on my field with the option of being able to activate it this turn. And since I already rearranged the top cards of my deck earlier, I already know which card it will be." Jack smirked as he took the top card of his deck and immediately set it face down.

"That card won't be sticking around for long! Raikiri's effect activates! Since I have three Black Feather monsters on my field, up to three cards on your field are destroyed! Raikiri, take out Red Daemon Belial and his two face downs!" Crow commanded as his winged-warrior's blade ignited with electricity.

"Trap Activate! Demon's Golem! By targeting a monster on the field with 2000 ATK or higher, it becomes banished until the end of the next turn." Jack countered as chains shot out of the card, wrapping around Crow's monster and causing it to burst into particles. "Then, since I control Red Daemon Belial, I can take the Demon's Chain from my graveyard and set it on my field."

"But you won't be able to use it this turn since you just set it. Sohaya the Early Summer Shower can be treated as a Tuner since a Black Feather monster was used as Synchro Material. Next, I tune the Level 5 Sohaya the Early Summer Shower to the Level 3 Kunisada the Fogbow! Darkened dragon, spread your pitch-black wings of hope and soar through the sky! Synchro Summon! Soar! Level 8! Black-Feather Dark Storm Dragon!" Crow shouted as his ace dragon with black and red wings appeared.

Black-Feather Dark Storm Dragon (2800/1600) LVL:8

The dragon let out a low growl at the sight of the imitation of Scarlight.

"Let's go, partner! Battle! Dark Storm Dragon, attack Red Dameon Belial!" Crow shouted as his dragon flew forward. "Dark Storm Dragon's effect activates! If the damage I'm about to take is equal or less than this card's ATK, I can decrease its ATK by that amount to reduce the damage to 0! Damage Drain!" Crow shouted. The dragon spread out its wings and absorbed the damage into its body.

Dark Storm Dragon (2800/1600)-(2100/1600)

"And by banishing a Level 5 or higher Winged-beast type in my graveyard such as Sohaya the Early Summer Shower, I can negate Dark Storm's destruction during battle! Feather Endurance!" Crow countered.

"And since Dark Storm lost 700 ATK..." Yuya uttered as she realized what was about to happen next.

"Now that my Battle Phase is over, I activate Dark Storm Dragon's effect! Once per turn, when my dragon has lost at least 700 ATK, its ATK is restored to its original amount!"

Dark Storm Dragon (2100/1600)-(2800/1600)

"And then, for every 700 ATK this card gains through its effect, one monster on your field is destroyed! Go, Shadow Gale Blast!" Crow shouted. His dragon flapped it's wings, creating a powerful wind. The dragon then shot a sphere of blue and black energy towards the dark dragon, causing a powerful explosion on impact.

"Nice, Crow!" Yugo cheered.

"...You really think that's all it'll take?" Jack asked as the dust settled, revealing his dragon to still be standing. "The Trap Card I activated just now was Synchro Protection, which prevented all Synchro Monsters from being destroyed by card effects."

"You gotta be kidding me..." Crow said with a low chuckle before wiping the sweat off of his face. "I set a card facedown, turn end."

"My turn. I activate the Spell Card, Graceful Charity! I draw three cards and then I discard two. Battle! Red Daemon Belial, attack Black-Feather Dark Storm Dragon! At this moment, I'll activate my Continuous Trap, Demon's Chain! I target Dark Storm Dragon and its effects are negated!" Jack shouted as chains shot out of the card, binding the dragon in place.

"Now Crow's dragon is defenseless..." Yugo said in a worried tone.

"Go, Great Summit Breaker!" Jack commanded as his purple and red dragon flew above the opposing monster before slashing through it.

CROW: 2800-2100 LP

"We won't be defeated so easily! Continuous Trap Activate! Call of the Living Dead! I can special summon a monster from my graveyard in attack position! Rise, Black-Feather Dark Storm Dragon!" Crow roared as his dragon returned.

Black-Feather Dark Storm Dragon (2800/1600) LVL:8

"That doesn't matter. Belial's effect activates since it dealt you battle damage. Now, I can special summon two Tuners with the same level, one from my deck and one from my graveyard! Come forth, Barrier Resonator! Synclone Resonator!" Jack shouted as the two fiends appeared.

Barrier Resonator (300/800) LVL:1

Synclone Resonator (100/300) LVL:1

"Quick Play Spell, Burning Soul, activate! Now, I can add a card from my graveyard to my hand. Then, I'll activate the Quick Play Spell, Battle Tuning!" Jack yelled.

"That card again?!" Crow gasped.

"This is the end of everything! I double tune the Level 1 Barrier Resonator and Level 1 Synclone Resonator to the Level 10 Jeweled Demon Dragon - Red Daemon Belial!" Jack shouted as the fiends turned into two fiery rings that flew around the dragon.

"Double Tuning...?!" Yugo gasped.

"Aloof, God of Destruction! Descend from your sacred realm and bring about the end of this world! SYNCHRO SUMMON! Come forth, Level 12! Jeweled Demon Dragon King - Red Daemon Calamity!"

A towering black and red dragon with oversized wings appeared with a deafening roar. The dragon had multiple orange molten crystals protruding from its black body and had an extra set of arms protruding from its shoulders.

Jeweled Demon Dragon King - Red Daemon Calamity (4000/3500) LVL:12

"So this faker can do it too..." Crow sighed.

"Red Daemon Calamity's effect activates! During the turn this card was Synchro Summoned, the opponent cannot activates cards or effects on the field. Also, the opponent can't respond to this effect!"

"So you sealed Dark Storm's effects..." Crow grunted.

"Go, Red Daemon Calamity! Attack Black-Feather Dark Storm Dragon!"

CROW: 2100-900 LP

"Damn it...sorry, Dark Storm..." Crow apologized in a somber tone.

"This is the end. When Red Daemon Calamity destroys a monster by battle, the opponent takes damage equal to that monster's ATK!"

"CROW!"

"I won't let it end like this! By sending Black Feather - Dark Talon from my hand to the graveyard, I can reduce the effect damage to 0!" Crow countered. "Then, I can add a Level 4 or lower Black Feather monster from my deck to my hand!"

"So you survived. No matter, it'll be over for you soon enough. I set two cards facedown, turn end." Jack concluded. "At this moment, Demon's Golem's effect now ends, meaning Raikiri the Sudden Shower returns to your field."

Assault Black Feather - Raikiri the Sudden Shower (2600/2000) LVL:7

"He survived..." Yugo sighed in relief.

"There's no way that Crow would let things end like that. He'll definitely turn this around." Yuya assured his counterpart.

"I'll admit it, you're really strong for a cheap imitation. But even so, I can't afford to lose. I'll throw everything I got at you! My turn, draw! I activate the Spell Card, Pot of Greed! I draw two cards!" Crow shouted as he drew.

"Before you proceed any further, I'll activate my Trap Card, Red Supremacy. By banishing Jeweled Demon Dragon - Red Daemon Abyss from my graveyard, Red Daemon Calamity gains its effect." Jack explained as the spirit of his dragon's inferior form was absorbed into the stronger creature.

"Raikiri's effect activates! Since I control a single Black Feather monster, a card on your field is destroyed-"

"Red Daemon Calamity's effect that it inherited from Red Daemon Abyss will now activate. Once per either player's turn, I can target a card face up on the opponent's field and its effects are negated." Jack countered.

"...I'm not done! From my hand, I summon the Tuner Monster, Black Feather - Mistral the Silver Shield!" Crow shouted as a small blue bird with silver armor appeared.

Black Feather - Mistral the Silver Shield (100/1800) LVL:2

"Now, I tune the Level 2 Mistral the Silver Shield to the Level 7 Raikiri the Sudden Shower! Spread your jet-black wings amidst gathering clouds and become the sword that divides the heavens! Synchro Summon! Descend! Assault Black Feather - Kusanagi the Gathering Storm!" Crow shouted. A winged beast warrior clad with red and brown armor and a green sword appeared in a flash of lightning.

Assault Black Feather - Kusanagi the Gathering Storm (3000/1800) LVL: 9

"When Synchro summoned, Kusanagi gains the combined ATK of its Black Feather Synchro materials!" Crow shouted as the spirits of Mistral and Raikiri appeared behind his winged warrior.

Kusanagi the Gathering Storm (3000/1800)-(5700/1800)

"That's more than enough to take down your strongest monster! Battle! Kusanagi the Gathering Storm, attack Red Daemon Calamity! Thunder God Blade!" Crow shouted as his monster raised its electrified sword to the sky.

"Trap Activate! Synchro Endurance! My Synchro Monster won't be destroyed in this battle!"

"But you still take the damage!"

The winged warrior swung its sword down, striking the dragon with a slash of lightning.

JACK?: 2900-1200 LP

"You're really just like the real Jack...always having some sort of way to protect your ace and its evolutions...which is exactly why I added this card to my hand last turn." Crow smirked before grabbing a card from his hand. "Black Feather - Typhoon the Rapid Wind's effect activates in my hand! When a Black Feather monster fails to destroy an opponent's monster by battle, I can special summon this card!"

Black Feather - Typhoon the Rapid Wind (0/0) LVL:1

"Then, I can immediately perform a Synchro Summon! I tune the Level 1 Typhoon the Rapid Wind to the Level 9 Kusanagi the Gathering Storm! Gales of darkness! Become the bladed wings that shred down those in your way! SYNCHRO SUMMON! Soar! Level 10! Assault Black Feather - Armed Wing the Shadow Master!" Crow shouted as the winged warrior appeared with pitch-black armor that had orange lines running through it and two blades that were attached to its arms. The warrior let out a powerful battle cry and extended its large wings outwards, which were made from several blades.

Assault Black Feather - Armed Wing the Shadow Master (3000/3000) LVL: 10

"Wow..." Yugo uttered in awe of the menacing winged-beast.

"This monster...its different from Crow's other monsters..." Yuya noticed.

"This guy represents my past...and the things we did back then before we won the Friendship Cup..." Crow trailed off before shaking his head. "...The Battle Phase isn't over yet, you know! Armed Wing the Shadow Master, attack Red Daemon Calamity! Now, Armor Wing's effect activates! When this card battles a monster whose ATK is equal or higher than it's own, I don't take any damage and this monster isn't destroyed. Also, a Wedge Counter is placed on the battling monster!"

The armored warrior stabbed the large dragon with one of its blades, leaving a wedge in its body.

Calamity's Wedge Counters: 0-1

"Armed Wing the Shadow Master's other effect activates. By banishing an Assault Black Feather monster in my graveyard after attacking a monster, it can make another attack on a monster! I banish Assault Black Feather - Kunisada the Fogbow!" Crow shouted as his monster flew above the battlefield. "Go, Armed Wing the Blade Master! Attack once again!"

"But its ATK is lower..." Yugo said in confusion.

"At this moment, Armed Wing the Blade Master's final effect activates. When this monster battles a monster with a Wedge Counter, it gains ATK equal to the opposing monster's ATK." Crow coldly stated as the orange lines on his monster's armor shined.

Armed Wing (3000/3000)-(7000/3000)

"7-7000 ATK...!" Yuya gasped.

As the orange lines on its armor shined, a dark aura began to take shape around the monster. Suddenly, an enormous dark spirit in the shape of a crow formed and towered over the battle field, with Armed Wing in the center of it.

"Go...SHADOW OF RUIN!" Crow screamed as the large spiritual Crow descended from the sky, consuming both the large dragon and Jack.

"...The Trap Card, Demon's Choice effect in the graveyard activates! By sending Jeweled Demon Dragon King - Red Daemon Calamity to the graveyard, the Battle Phase is forced to end!" Jack countered as his dragon exploded into flames, knocking away Crow's monster.

Armed Wing (7000/3000)-(3000/3000)

"That card...he must've discarded it during his first turn when he brought out Power Giant through its effect..." Yugo pointed out.

"So he had a back up plan set up from the very beginning..." Yuya said in shock.

"So you survived even that, huh..." Crow uttered in disbelief. "I end my turn..."

"It's fine, Crow! You still managed to get rid of his strongest monster!" Yuya encouragingly shouted.

"Y-Yeah..." Crow nodded, forcing a smile at his teammate before turning to his opponent.

"Crow Hogan, that monster is one you haven't used since before Team Satisfaction's victory in the Friendship Cup. Is that because you're ashamed of your past?" Jack emotionlessly asked.

"What are you implying?! Crow isn't a bad person!" Yuya snapped.

"Yuya, don't-"

"Is that so? Let's see if the evidence agrees with that." Jack said before snapping his fingers.

Suddenly, Roget's monitors in front of his throne began to show images and videos...disturbing ones.

"Go, Black-Feather Dark Storm Dragon!"

"No mercy, Infernity Void Dragon!"

"Crush him, Red Daemon's Dragon Scarlight!"

Jack, Kiryu, and Crow were shown mercilessly beating people up with their monsters, both Tops and Commons.

Most of them looked severely injured. Others looked like they were on death's door.

"How dare you bastards attack those kids! All they did was exist! I should kill you for-"

"Kiryu, enough!"

Crow grabbed Kiryu's arm, holding him back from continuing to punch an already beaten man.

"Let go, Crow! He helped beat up a group of children! He deserves this! They all do!"

Kiryu pulled away before continuing his onslaught.

Crow seemed like he wanted to say or do something, but all he did was look down.

"You bastards! You'll pay for ruining our operation!"

A man with a pipe charged at both Crow and Kiryu.

"Take him down, Crow! I got my hands full here!"

Crow deeply sighed before placing a monster onto his duel disk.

"...Deal with him, Armed Wing the Shadow Master."

The winged-warrior flew forward and swatted the man into a wall. A large crack echoed throughout the room, causing the three members of Team Satisfaction to stop what they were doing.

"...Oh no..."

The screen showed Crow standing there in shock while Jack ran over to the man and checked his pulse.

"He's alive...but he needs a hospital. Let's-"

"No. Absolutelynot. We'll be arrested for sure."

Kiryu and Jack argued for a moment while Crow simply stood there, looking back and forth between the man and his monster.

After some back and forth, Jack ended up agreeing with Kiryu and took Crow by the arm.

"We're leaving, Crow. Security probably heard the commotion, so we'll let them take him to the hospital."

"...B-But...it may be too late..."

"We can't get arrested, Crow. It's all over if we are. It's not worth the risk.The people of the Commons need us to protect them."

The screen showed Crow nodding at Jack. The trio made their escape, but not before Crow glanced back at the man one last time.

"...Crow...you..." Yuya couldn't finish the sentence before tears formed in his eyes.

"...Even Jack..." Yugo grunted under his breath, remembering the tired eyes of his hero that he only noticed from up close.

"Before they became a widely loved team of duelists, Team Satisfaction were treated as feared criminals. It didn't matter who you were, if you got in the way of their justice..." Ushio trailed off.

"Most people forgot about or chose to ignore the crimes of Team Satisfaction after we became champions." Jack explained.

When Crow made eye contact with Yuya, the tearful look on the boy's face broke something within the orange-haired man. He could stay silent any longer.

"I...I wasn't strong enough to stand up to them." Crow admitted, balling his hands into fists. "It didn't start out like that. We genuinely wanted to help change things and bring some form of justice to the Commons. But in the process, we became bitter. We hated everyone and everything for the longest time. B-But I found a fix...at least...I thought I did..."

"The Friendship Cup..." Yugo realized.

"...Yeah. I proposed the idea, saying how it'd be our ticket out of hell and that we'd be able to change everyone's minds that Commons aren't worth as much as Tops if we won. Then, we won and had to become kings..." Crow grumbled before grabbing his head in pain. "...When the time came, I backed out because I didn't want to sit on a throne as a Top. All I wanted was to show people that Commons were just as capable as Tops. Kiryu agreed with me. But Jack...he said that this was the only way to accomplish our dream. Kiryu and Jack fought about the right thing to do...and instead of taking a side...I walked away."

"...What do you mean?" Yuya asked.

Crow squeezed his head as the memories flooded his brain.

"Crow, Kiryu, this is the only way to change things! We'll change their minds as leaders, not as criminals!"

"That's bullshit, Jack! All those foolish Tops want is a spectacle! They'll never follow you! They only respond to violence! Right, Crow?"

"I...don't know...I can't do this anymore...I'm tired..."

"Where are you going, Crow?!"

"Don't leave! We need you here!"

"...No...I'm done...this isn't my problem anymore..."

If he picked a side, they never would've separated like they did. At least, that's what he believed.

But he couldn't choose. He didn't know which of his brothers were right.

He was tired of picking sides and trying to make his voice heard, so when his voice mattered the most, he didn't speak.

Despite his talkative personality, he simply stayed quiet, like he always did in those situations.

"If...I had been strong enough to speak up, Jack wouldn't have been a lone king, and Kiryu wouldn't have been Roget's dog. Hell, we wouldn't have hurt nearly as many people if I convinced them back then that what we did was wrong. They're fates are my fault-"

"...You're wrong!" Yuya shouted, cutting off the man off. "Crow...I understand why you didn't tell me any of this...because my goal is to stop dueling from being used as a tool for violence...and you were once the type of person that I swore to fight against. But you're not that person anymore! When I took a life...you encouraged me to keep moving forward because one action doesn't define your life! Well, that applies to you too! Don't let the guilt from your past affect your future! Gather yourself and focus on winning!"

"Yuya..." Crow snapped out of his funk and turned to his opponent. "...Right. Your cheap tricks won't work on me, jerk."

"...My turn, draw." Jack coldly stated as he drew. "By the way, Yuya Sakaki's earlier statement was false. You haven't rid the field of my strongest monster yet."

'What the hell? His Level 12 dragon is clearly in the graveyard...unless he's saying that...his strongest monster is something even stronger...could he have access to triple tuning as well...?' Crow's eyes widened as Jack went to activate the card he had just drawn.

"I activate the Spell Card, Dragon's Mirror! By banishing monsters in my graveyard, I can use them as materials for a Fusion Summon of a Dragon-type!" Jack explained, shocking all those present for the duel.

"F-Fusion?!" Crow gasped.

"I banish Jeweled Demon Dragon - Red Daemon, Jeweled Demon Dragon - Red Daemon Belial, and Jeweled Demon Dragon King - Red Daemon Calamity!" Jack shouted as his three menacing dragons briefly appeared before swirling into the fusion vortex. "Three demonic kings. In a storm of darkness and fire, merge your souls into a single vessel! Set those who oppose your rule ablaze! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 12! Jeweled Demon Dragon God - Ultimate Red Daemon!"

Out of the fiery vortex, a giant three-headed dragon with bright orange and red armor. Flames and lava covered the dragon's body, which had three pairs of oversized wings as well as three pairs of arms.

Jeweled Demon Dragon God - Ultimate Red Daemon (4500/4000) LVL:12

"Ultimate Red Daemon cannot be destroyed by the opponent's card effects. And when this card is Fusion Summoned, all cards on the opponent's field have their effects negated and are destroyed!"

"Damn it...!" Crow grunted while the field was consumed by a cloud of smoke.

"Now, your fate will be sealed with this next direct attack." Jack spoke in a cold tone.

"Tch...I won't give up! The monster summoned using Typhoon the Rapid Wind gains an additional effect! When destroyed, I can special summon its other Synchro Material besides Typhoon the Rapid Wind! Come back, Assault Black Feather - Kusanagi the Gathering Storm!"

Assault Black Feather - Kusanagi the Gathering Storm (3000/1800) LVL: 9

"Alright, he isn't defenseless anymore!" Yuya cheered.

"It seems you were also prepared for that move. I commend you on your efforts, but in the end, they're futile. When Ultimate Red Daemon attacks a monster, it can inflict piercing damage. And during the Battle Phase, the opponent's monsters on the field cannot activate their effects."

"W-What?!" Crow panicked.

"If it can inflict piercing damage...!" Yugo gasped.

"...No...!" Yuya uttered in horror.

"Battle! Ultimate Red Daemon, end this duel! Attack Kusanagi the Gathering Storm!"

"CROW!"

"...I activate the effect of Black Feather - Shield Wing in my hand! It's effect reduces an instance of battle or effect damage to 0 and then I can special summon it!" Crow countered as a small bird with metal wings flew in front of the blast.

Black Feather - Shield Wing (0/1000) LVL:1

"He had one last counter..." Yuya sharply sighed in relief.

"Stop giving us heart attacks!" Yugo growled at the orange-haired man.

"As if...I'd lose in front of my younger teammate." Crow said, regaining a bit of his normal demeanor due to surviving such a deadly situation.

"You're safe...for now. I set a card facedown, turn end." Jack concluded.

"With that dragon's effect, Crow won't be able to use his evolved dragon or his Level 12 Assault Black Feather, since they both rely on activating their effects during the Battle Phase. Not only that, it can't be destroyed by card effects." Yuya noted.

"That makes it sound impossible for him to win..." Yugo nervously said.

"It's not impossible...there's still one monster that he can summon to turn the tides." Yuya smiled.

"...Shinji, Amanda, Tanner, Frank, Yugo, Serena, and Yuya..." Crow softly spoke with a smile before steeling his resolve. "With this one last draw, I'll channel the feelings of all my friends and family who are counting on me to win this duel! My turn...DRAW!" Crow confidently shouted as he drew. "From my hand, I summon the Tuner monster, Black Feather - Necro the Dark Wind!"

Black Feather - Necro the Dark Wind (600/600) LVL:2

"When this card is normal summoned, I can revive a Black Feather monster with its effects negated! Revive Assault Black Feather - Kunisada the Fogbow!"

Assault Black Feather - Kunisada the Fogbow (1000/1000) LVL:3

"Now, I tune my Level 2 Necro the Dark Wind to my Level 3 Kunisada the Fogbow! Synchro Summon! Take off! Level 5! Assault Black Feather - Sohaya the Early Summer Shower!" Crow shouted as an another copy of the blue monster appeared.

Assault Black Feather - Sohaya the Early Summer Shower (1500/2000) LVL:5

"Sohaya the Early Summer Shower's effect activates! When this card is Synchro Summoned, I can revive an Assault Black Feather monster from my graveyard! Revive, Assault Black Feather - Raikiri the Sudden Shower!"

Crow's Black Feather ace returned to the field.

Assault Black Feather - Raikiri the Sudden Shower (2600/2000) LVL:7

"Are you attempting to bring out your Level 12 Synchro Monster, Crow Hogan?" Jack questioned.

"Nope! While I control a Black Feather monster, I can summon Black Feather - Foehn the Humid!"

Black Feather - Foehn the Humid (900/300) LVL: 2

"Foehn the Humid's effect activates! By releasing up to two Black Feather monsters on my field besides this card, I can draw a card for each monster sent to the graveyard. I release Black Feather - Shield Wing!" Crow shouted as he drew. "Sohaya the Early Summer Shower can be treated as a Tuner! I tune my Level 5 Sohaya the Early Summer Shower to my Level 2 Foehn the Humind! Wet those pitch-black wings! Along with the drizzling rain, bring forth one strike of lightning! Synchro Summon! Pierce Through! Level 7! Assault Black Feather - Chidori the Rain Sprinkling!"

A sword wielding warrior with pitch-black wings and green armor appeared on the field in a flash of lightning.

Assault Black Feather - Chidori the Rain Sprinkling (2600/2000) LVL: 7

"Yes, he brought it out!" Yuya cheered.

"Alright! He can win!" Yugo yelled.

"Chidori the Rain Sprinkling gains 300 ATK...for every Black Feather monster in my graveyard!" Crow shouted as his monster raised its sword to the sky as it powered up.

"It's going to surpass Ultimate Red Daemon!" Yugo cheered.

"Not if it's destroyed." Jack interjected before his face down card flipped up. "Trap Activate! Demon's Trap Hole! Since I control Ultimate Red Daemon, and the opponent special summoned a monster, that monster is destroyed and then banished!"

Suddenly, a fiery pit appeared below Chidori, who was then sucked down into hell. Crow's eyes widened as his seemingly final hope was eradicated.

"That was...his one way to win...!" Yuya gasped.

"You put up a fight, Crow Hogan. But you simply aren't a match for me. You never were." Jack's eyes narrowed at his opponent.

"...You're right...I might not be a match for Jack Atlas...but you aren't him! Chidori the Rain Sprinkling's effect activates! I can special summon a Black Feather monster from my graveyard since this card was destroyed! Revive, Armed Wing the Shadow Master!" Crow shouted as the black and orange winged-warrior returned.

Assault Black Feather - Armed Wing the Shadow Master (3000/3000) LVL: 10

"That monster is yet another one of your monsters that's effect activates during the Battle Phase, meaning it's useless." Jack stated.

Crow ignored the comment and looked up at his Black Feathers with a smile on his face.

"While Dark Storm is my undisputed partner, I've always felt a connection to these cards. Armed Wing the Shadow Master is the portrayal of my past with Team Satisfaction, when I allowed my friends to go down dark paths because I failed to change their minds. Raikiri the Sudden Shower represents the new life I made after that, helping Shinji, Damon, and Tony protect the streets of the Commons while raising Tanner, Amanda, and Frank. Both sides of my life make up who I am...which is something I'm able to accept now. That's why...I'll use their combined strength to win this duel! I activate the Spell Card, Monster Reborn!" Crow shouted, activating the card he had drawn through Foehn the Humid's effect. "Revive...the monster that will bring me victory...Black Feather - Sirocco the Dawn!"

Black Feather - Sirocco the Dawn(2000/900) LVL:5

"That monster...!" Yuya gasped in shock.

"Sirocco the Dawn's effect activates! Once per turn, I can target a Black Feather monster on my field and it gains the ATKs of all other Black Feather monsters I control! However, none of my other monsters can attack this turn! I target Raikiri the Sudden Shower!"

Both Shadow Master and Sirocco the Dawn flew around the black and white-winged swordsman, causing it to be surrounded by a powerful tornado of black wind.

Raikiri (2600/2000)-(7600/2000)

"..." The man emotionlessly stood there, before lowering his arms. "I cannot win this duel."

"Damn right, face stealing bastard!" Crow shouted with a grin. "BATTLE! Raikiri the Sudden Shower, attack Ultimate Red Daemon! Lightning Speed - Shadow Slash!"

Suddenly, the warrior's sword began to absorb the dark tornado, causing it to extend outwards and gain a dark purple color. And like a strike of lightning, the monster sped forward, slashing the titan-like dragon down the middle.

The demonic dragon exploded in front of its owner, which engulfed him in the ensuing flames.

JACK?: 1200-0 LP

WINNER: CROW!

With that, Crow let out a sigh.

"Man...that felt cathartic..."

"Crow!" Yuya cheerfully shouted as he ran over and hugged his teammate. "I didn't expect you to win like that! That was awesome!"

"I guess you can say I took a trick out of your book, kid." Crow smirked.

"Eh?"

"Oh come on, I've watched you win a million different ways. Most people rely on the same monsters and strategies every time, but you're always trying some new strategy or bringing out some new monster." Crow pointed out.

"Yeah, I guess that's true." Yuya said with a bit of embarrassment while he scratched the back of his head.

"At the end there, that guy locked off all my normal ways of winning duels, which definitely made me sweat. But after watching you duel so many times, I decided perform my own kind of miracle. So thanks for the inspiration, I owe you one."

From getting chased by Security, to getting in thrown in jail, to dueling psychos like Frost, Sergey, Barrett, and Yuri, it was pretty clear that his time in the Synchro Dimension hadn't been all that great.

But if he hadn't came to Synchro, he never would've befriended Crow, someone who he saw as an older brother figure. He may never have strengthened his bonds with Serena if they never became teammates. He never would've have gotten to partake in the duels with Team Unicorn and Yugo, two of his best performances to date despite him losing in the latter duel.

"Crow...about the things that happened in the past...I want you to know that I don't think any less of you. In fact, I really respect that you had the strength to leave that life behind and carve out a new path."

Crow felt tears manifesting, so he quickly took a deep breath to hold himself together.

"...You're the best, kid. I look forward to fighting with you as a Lancer from here on out."

"Yo, come check this out!" Yugo called from the other side of the room.

"Woah...that's..." Yuya's eyes widened as he and Crow approached.

The Jack Atlas that previously dueled Crow moments ago was now lying face up, with several parts of his body charred from the last attack.

What shocked the group was the sparking wires that protruded from the man's skin, as well as the unnatural way that his limbs had been contorted from the landing after the explosion.

"...A robot..." Crow said, almost in a relieved tone.

"Looks like Roget's toys are pretty fragile." Yugo smirked.

"Why would the director have created such a thing..." Ushio said in confusion.

"The answer to that question is easy."

The group's eyes collectively widened as they turned to the largest screen in front of the throne-like chair.

"Roget?!" Yuya gasped.

"Where are you?!" Yugo yelled.

"Like I'd tell you, puny king." Roget smirked before continuing. "That robot there was a fail safe, in case Jack Atlas ever tried to get in my way. I always thought he'd be the only one to ever oppose me like this. And in the event that I had to defeat him, this body double would fill in as king to keep the public happy. Besides, it served as good training against my...heheheh...you'll see soon."

The screen went black.

"Wait...I recognize that background...I know where he is!" Ushio shouted before sprinting off.

"Well...doesn't seem like we have a choice! Let's go get that asshole!" Yugo roared, following the man out of the room.

"You ready, Crow?"

"...Always."

Yuya and Crow shared a fist bump before exiting the room.

In a different section of the building, Serena's group were in a stare down with two of Roget's elite officers, Duel Chaser 227 and Frost.

"How lucky! They brought the priority target right into the lion's den! Hilarious!" Frost laughed.

Serena looked at the officer, who may have only been a year or two older than herself. The last time she had seen him was during the first duel in the Friendship Cup.

'Did he always seem like he had a few screws loose? Wasn't he a bit more serious back then? Maybe losing to Yuya caused him to go a little crazy...'

Serena shook her head, deciding it wasn't the time to think about the enemy.

"About time. Per the orders of Director Roget, we won't allow you to proceed any further. Also, you'll be coming with us, missy." Duel Chaser 227 seriously spoke.

"You're the guy I beat during the Friendship Cup, right?" Serena asked, her attention turning to the other officer.

"You just got lucky last time. Flukes don't happen twice." 227 shouted, activating his duel disk. His partner grinned and did the same.

"If you even think about trying something to get past us, I won't hesitate to freeze you in a block of ice for the time being." Frost grinned, waving his Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier around.

"Tsukikage, let's duel them. We can't afford getting stuck here." Serena said, activating her duel disk.

"Y-Yeah. Let's-"

"No..." Tsukikage shook his head, cutting Sora off. "Roget intends to stall us for as long as possible. It'd be illogical for all three of us to stay here and duel, as that gives Roget more time to further secure Yuzu and Rin. We need to press onwards since time is of the essence. If you back track a bit, you can take the secondary route that leads to where Yuzu and Rin should be. I'll stay here and hold them off while you two accomplish the mission."

"...I should be the one who stays, not you." Sora finally made eye contact with the ninja, stepping towards him. "Let me do this, Tsukikage. You should be the one carrying on with Serena, not me."

"...My role is to keep Serena safe and to reclaim Yuzu and Rin, no matter what. By holding these two off, I'll be contributing to that mission. Don't allow your guilt for what you did in Standard make you lose sight of the lives at stake."

"...I..." Sora's mind drew a blank.

"You're stronger than me, Shiun'in. That's why you should proceed without me and use that strength to save Yuzu Hiragi. Isn't that your only reason for being here?"

Sora paused for a moment, realizing that the ninja had stuck around for his earlier conversation with Roget.

There was something that he wanted to say.

I know words can't make up for it, but I'm truly sorry for what I did to your brother. I'll inherit your resolve and protect Serena with my life.

But unfortunately...

"...Yeah, that's right. Let's go save Yuzu, Serena."

...he couldn't bring himself to say it.

"This is crazy! We aren't leaving anyone behind!" Serena shouted as Sora began to walk away. "I'm done being treated like a prop that needs to be protected! I'm strong! I've proven that, haven't I?! I don't need people to sacrifice themselves to protect me!"

"You're right, Serena. None of you are props, but you're all essential to Academia's plans." The ninja spoke, placing his hand on Serena's shoulder. "Right now, saving Yuzu and Rin is something we have to prioritize for the betterment of everyone. I'll happily do what I can to save them, even if it means staying here."

'Damn it...this guy is always running around saving everyone's asses...that's why it's so hard to put the burden on his shoulders like this...' Serena thought to herself before locking eyes with the ninja. "Ok...I'll go. But you better win, Tsukikage."

"Let's not waste anymore time." Sora told the girl.

"...Right." Serena begrudgingly nodded, before glancing back at Tsukikage one last time.

"...Good luck." Tsukikage said to his allies before turning around to face his opponents.

"...Don't lose..." Sora softly said, just loud enough for the ninja to hear.

Sora and Serena exited the scene, leaving the ninja alone with the two officers.

"That was a mistake." 227 said, activating his duel disk.

"You just signed your death warrant." Frost grinned, doing the same as his teammate.

Tsukikage silently activated his own duel disk, glaring at his two opponents with determined eyes.

FIELD SPELL: CROSSOVER

"DUEL!"

TSUKIKAGE: 4000 LP vs FROST: 4000 LP / DC 227: 4000 LP

"I'm going first. I activate the Spell Card, Potion of Greed! I draw two cards! Next, I activate the Spell Card, Ninjitsu - Technique of Shadow Splitting! By discarding a Level 4 or lower Ninja, I can add two copies of that monster from my deck to my hand!"

The blue ninja placed the cards in his hand before grabbing two different ones.

"With the Scale 2 Twilight Ninja - Igen and the Scale 10 Twilight Ninja - Kagen, I set the Pendulum Scale!" Tsukikage shouted as the ninjas with orange and purple scarfs respectively appeared.

Igen 3 - 10 Kagen

"With this, I can simultaneously summon monsters with levels 4 through 9! Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my monsters! Twilight Chunin - Ninchirin! And two copies of Twilight Ninja - Shingetsu!" Tsukikage shouted as the muscular ninja appeared along with the two blue ninjas.

Twilight Ninja - Shingetsu x2 (1500/100) LVL:4

Twilight Chunin - Ninchirin (2300/1000) LVL:6

"Twilight Ninja - Shingetsu's effect prevents the opponent from targeting other Ninja monsters for attacks. And since I control two copies of this card at the same time, you won't be able to target any of my monsters for attacks!" Tsukikage exclaimed.

"Good going. You're more interesting than I thought you'd be." Frost admitted.

"That'll make things all the more satisfying when we take you down." 227 grinned.

"I won't be defeated so easily. I set a card facedown, turn end." Tsukikage concluded.

"I'll go next. My turn! From my hand, I summon Jutte Lord!" 227 shouted as the warrior appeared.

Jutte Lord (1600/1200) LVL:4

"And through its effects, I summon the Tuner monster, Jutte Knight!" 227 shouted as the tuner appeared beside his other warrior.

Jutte Knight (700/900) LVL:2

"Now, I tune the Level 2 Jutte Knight to my Level 4 Jutte Lord! Shoot down evildoers with your crushing cannon! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 6! Goyou Catapult!" The first officer shouted as a small warrior with a cannon on its back appeared.

Goyou Catapult (800/2800) LVL:6

"Even if we can't attack you, that doesn't mean you're safe! Goyo Catapult's effect activates! Once per turn, by discarding a monster card, you are inflicted 600 damage! Take this, ninja!" The officer shouted as his monster fired a blast from its cannon.

TSUKIKAGE: 4000-3400 LP

"I activate the Equip Spell, Goyou Arrow! By equipping this spell to Goyou Predator, you take damage equal to its level times 100 once per turn! Take this!" 227 pointed at the ninja once again.

TSUKIKAGE: 3400-2800 LP

"I set a card facedown, turn end." 227 concluded.

"During the End Phase, I activate the Trap Card, Ninjitsu - Self Healing Wound! At the end of the turn where I take effect damage and I control a Ninja monster, I gain back the life points I lost!"

TSUKIKAGE: 2800-4000 LP

"Tch..." Frost clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Guess it's my turn next! I activate Graceful Charity! I draw three and discard Warlock of the Ice Barrier and Revealer of the Ice Barrier! Then, I summon the Tuner monster, Cryomancer of the Ice Barrier!" Frost shouted as a man carrying a wand with a snow flake on the top appeared.

Cryomancer of the Ice Barrier (1300/0) LVL: 2

"When I control an Ice Barrier monster while my opponent controls a monster, I can special summon General Wayne of the Ice Barrier from my hand!" Frost shouted as a bulky warrior in crystal blue armor appeared while holding a silver blade with a blue handle.

General Wayne of the Ice Barrier (2100/400) LVL: 5

"Wayne's effect activates! When summoned, I can add a Ice Barrier Spell or Trap card from my deck to my hand! I add the Spell, Medallion of the Ice Barrier to my hand and then I activate it! This card allows me to add a Ice Barrier monster from my deck to my hand! I add Mage of the Ice Barrier to my hand! Now, I tune the Level 2 Cryomancer to the level 5 General Wayne! Ruby of the aurora, shine your red light across the field and appear in a blinding storm! Synchro Summon! Level 7! Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier!" Frost shouted as a red and blue dragon appeared that was made from crystals.

Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier (2500/1700) LVL:7

"Quick Play Spell, Quick Summon, activate! This card lets me perform an additional normal summon! I summon the Tuner monster, Mage of the Ice Barrier!" Frost shouted as a woman in a blue cloak appeared.

Mage of the Ice Barrier (400/1200) LVL:3

"When this card is normal summoned while my opponent controls more cards then I do, I can special summon a Level 4 or lower Ice Barrier monster in my graveyard! Revive, Warlock of the Ice Barrier!" Frost shouted as a boy in orange and blue clothing appeared.

Warlock of the Ice Barrier (400/1000) LVL:3

"Now, I tune the Level 3 Mage to the Level 3 Warlock! Sapphire of the aurora, shine your crystal blue light and command the frozen winds! Synchro Summon! Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier!" Frost shouted as a dragon seemingly made out of ice that glowed light blue appeared.

Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier (2300/1400) LVL:6

"Now, let's get rid of your pesky attack lock! Gungnir's effect activates! By discarding two cards, Ninchirin and Shingetsu are destroyed!" Frost shouted as his dragon fired shards of blue and red crystals from its wings at the ninjas.

Tsukikage instinctively leaped through the Action Field and grabbed a card, but didn't use it. Subsequently, his two monsters were shredded to pieces.

"And since this card is now the only card in my hand, Supplier of the Ice Barrier's effect activates! By discarding it, I draw three. Brionac's effect activates! By discarding a card in my hand, the remaining Shingetsu is returned to the hand!" Frost shouted as dragon flapped its wings, creating an icy storm of wind that ejected the ninja from the field. "Then, I activate the Continuous Spell, Crystal Wall of the Ice Barrier! When activated, I can special summon a level 4 or lower Ice Barrier monster from my graveyard! Revive, Mage of the Ice Barrier!"

Mage of the Ice Barrier (400/1200) LVL:3

"Next, I activate the Spell Card, Icy Reflection! I can target an Ice Barrier on my field and then I can look at the top three cards of my deck! If any of them are Ice Barrier monsters with the same level as the target, I can special summon them! I target Mage!" Frost shouted as he checked the top three cards of his deckand grabbed one of them. "Alright! Come on out, Shock Troops of the Ice Barrier!"

A man in a blue cloak with a staff appeared.

Shock Troops of the Ice Barrier (1500/800) LVL: 3

"Now, I tune the level 3 Mage to the level 3 Shock Troops! Fangs trapped in the frozen ice! Use your frozen claws and rip through your enemies! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 6! Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier!" Frost shouted as a tiger with blue and white fur appeared. The tiger had a black chest plate that had golden lining on it.

Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier (2000/1400) LVL:6

"Three Synchro Monsters...!" Tsukikage gasped.

"Dewloren's effect activates! Once per turn, I can return cards on my field to my hand and this card gains 500 ATK for each one! I return Crystal Wall to my hand so Dewloren gains 500 ATK!" Frost shouted. His tiger roared loudly, causing the Continuous Spell to dissolve. The tiger was then enveloped in a bright blue aura.

Dewloren (2000/1400)-(2500/1400)

"Battle! Gungnir, direct attack! Omega Blizzard!" Frost commanded as his monster fired a blast of red and blue energy.

"Igen's Pendulum Effect activates! Once per turn, when I'm attacked directly, I can special summon a Ninja monster from my graveyard in defense mode! Then, the attack target becomes that monster! I'll special summon Twilight Ninja - Shingetsu from the graveyard to intercept the attack!"

Twilight Ninja - Shingestu (1500/100) LVL:4

"And when the summoned monster is destroyed by battle, I can add it to my hand instead of sending it to the graveyard." Tsukikage explained.

"Nice move, but you got nothing else to defend against these next two attacks! Brionac, direct attack! Alpha Blizzard!" Frost commanded as his dragon fired a blue stream of energy at Tsukikage.

"Once per either player's Main Phase or Battle Phase, Twilight Ninja - Kagen can copy the Pendulum Effect of the card in my other Pendulum Zone! Therefore, I can use Kagen to copy Igen's Pendulum Effect! I'll special summon Twilight Ninja - Shingetsu from the graveyard to intercept the attack!"

Twilight Ninja - Shingestu (1500/100) LVL:4

The ninja was obliterated by the attack and Tsukikage added it back to his hand.

"Tch...Dewloren, direct attack! Frost Claw Slash!" The tiger's claw was coated with ice before leaping forward and striking the Lancer.

TSUKIKAGE: 4000-1500 LP

"With that, I end my turn. You're pretty good at surviving, but can you do anything else?" Frost asked with a hint of boredom in his tone.

Dewloren (2500/1400)-(2000/1400)

"...My turn!" Tsukikage shouted, ignoring his opponent's taunt. "I activate the Continuous Spell, Support Ninjustu - Advanced Tactics! Next, with the set scale, Pendulum Summon! From my hand, three copies of Twilight Ninja - Shingetsu!"

Twilight Ninja - Shingetsu x3 (1500/100) LVL:4

"Now it's a three way attack lock..." 227 grunted.

"How boring. I guess all you really can do is defend." Frost disappointedly frowned.

"Support Ninjitsu - Advanced Tactic's effect activates! Once per turn, when a Ninja monster is special summoned to my field, I can pay 500 life points to draw two cards!"

Tsukikage took a shock from his duel disk before drawing.

TSUKIKAGE: 1500-1000 LP

The ninja duelist's eyes narrowed at the cards he had drawn. He planned to take things defensively and stall for as long as he could.

His deck, however, had other plans for him.

"...I release the two copies of Shingetsu to Advance Summon!" Tsukikage declared, causing the two ninjas to dissolve. "Come forth! Level 9! Twilight Nukenin - Akatsuki!"

A tall and menacing ninja appeared on the battlefield. Besides the long red scarf around his neck, the only part of his body that wasn't covered in black clothing was his left eye, which gave off a red glow. The ninja carried a red katana with a black hilt.

Twilight Nukenin - Akatsuki (0/0) LVL:9

"This monster is always treated as a Ninja monster. Akatsuki's effect lets it gain the ATK points of the monsters released for its summon!" Tsukikage explained as the ninja's red blade began to shin.

Akatsuki (0/0)-(3000/0)

"I activate the Spell Card, Ninjitsu - Shadow Clone Attack! By releasing a Ninja on my field, I can target another Ninja on my field and it can attack every monster the opponent controls, but no other monsters can attack this turn! I release Shingetsu!" Tsukikage explained as his muscular ninja dispersed into particles that flowed into the black and red ninja.

"Attack all of our monsters at once?!" 227 gasped.

"Battle! Akatsuki, attack all of the Ice Barrier monsters! At this moment, Kagen's effect activates! Once per turn, when my Ninja monster attacks, it gains 500 ATK until the end of the turn!"

Akatsuki (3000/0)-(3500/0)

The ninja weaved a few hand signs before summoning three clones. Each clone dashed forward and slashed through the icy creatures with their red katanas.

"Ghh...!" Frost grunted while struggling to stand through the three explosions.

FROST: 4000-3000-1800-300 LP

"Action Spell, Battle Draw! Since my monster destroyed another monster by battle, I can draw two cards. Akatsuki, attack Goyou Catapult!" Tsukikage shouted before vanishing in a blink of an eye.

"Where did he-"

Duel Chaser 227's eyes widened as he saw Tsukikage now standing directly above him on a platform.

"Action Spell, Flame Power! My monster gains 400 ATK!"

Akatsuki (3500/0)-(3900/0)

"But my monster is in defense mode, so I won't take any damage!" 227 exclaimed.

The rogue ninja summoned another shadow clone, which rushed forward and sliced the Synchro Monster in half.

"And through Flame Power's effect, the opponent takes damage equal to the destroyed monster's DEF!" Tsukikage shouted as the two halves of the Warrior-type exploded into flames that engulfed the Duel Chaser.

DC 227: 4000-1200 LP

"Wow...I guess you do have some firepower behind your moves, huh?" Frost said with an excited smile.

"I set two cards facedown, turn end." Tsukikage concluded.

Akatsuki (3900/0)-(3000/0)

"My turn! From my hand, I summon Jutte Supporter!" 227 shouted as a new monster with a purple coat and carried a jutte appeared.

Jutte Supporter (1100/100) LVL: 3

"When this card is normal summoned, I can special summon a tuner monster in my graveyard! Come back, Jutter Knight!"

Jutte Knight (700/900) LVL:2

"Now I tune the Level 2 Jutte Knight to the Level 3 Jutte Supporter! Chase them to the dephts of Hell! Behold this soul of justice! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 5! Goyou Chaser!" 227 shouted as a warrior clad in brown and red along with a large Jutte appeared.

Goyou Chaser (1900/1000) LVL:5

"When Jutte Supporter's is used as Synchro material, I can draw a card. I activate the Spell Card, Miracle Synchro Fusion! I can banish cards from my field or graveyard for the Fusion Summon of a monster that requires a Synchro Monster as material! I fuse Goyou Chaser on my field with Goyou Catapult in my graveyard! The insatiable soul of the chaser and the cannon of justice! Now become one and sublimate! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 10! Successor of the majestic predator's lineage! Goyo Emperor!" 227 shouted as the warrior in yellow and blue clothing appeared which had red patterns on it. The warrior had a white mask and was sitting on a red chair.

Goyou Emperor (3300/2500) LVL: 10

"Battle! Goyou Emperor, attack Twilight Nukenin - Akatsuki! Goyou Judgement!" 227 shouted as his monster breathed out a wave of fire.

Tsukikage dashed through the field and grabbed another Action Card before wincing. He then placed the card in his hand before tapping his duel disk.

"Continuous Trap, Ninjitsu - Technique of the Cicada Shell, activate! I target a Ninja monster on my field and it cannot be destroyed by battle!"

In a puff of smoke, the ninja was replaced with a piece of wood, which was incinerated by the attack.

TSUKIKAGE: 1000-700 LP

"Tch...I set a card facedown, turn end." 227 begrudgingly concluded.

"You're actually a pretty interesting, huh? Who knew you'd be so strong when you started to cut loose! Let's keep things exciting! My turn! I activate the Spell Card, Pot of Greed! I draw two! Next, I activate the Continuous Spell, Crystal Wall of the Ice Barrier once again! Revive, Revealer of the Ice Barrier!"

Revealer of the Ice Barrier (1700/1000) LVL:4

"From my hand, I summon the Tuner monster, Mirror Magic Master of the Ice Barrier!"

A long black-haired sorcerer in blue and gold robes appeared.

Mirror Magic Master of the Ice Barrier (1000/400) LVL:2

"Mirror Magic Master's effect activates! By releasing Revealer of the Ice Barrier, I can special summon three Ice Barrier Tokens!"

Ice Barrier Tokens x3 (0/0) LVL:1

"And then Mirror Magic Master's level increases by the released monster's level!"

Mirror Magic Master LVL:2-6

"Now, I tune the Level 6 Mirror Magic Master to the three Level 1 Ice Barrier Tokens! Dragon frozen in the deep depths of the arctic, break free from your glacier prison and bring forth the most powerful blizzard! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 9! Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier!" Frost exclaimed as the three headed white and blue dragon appeared.

Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier (2700/2000) LVL:9

"Because of Mirror Magic Master's effect, I can now add an Ice Barrier from my deck to my hand. Trishula's effect activates! When Synchro Summoned, I can banish a card from your hand, a card from your field, and a card from your graveyard! You don't have a card in your hand, but you do have monsters on your field and graveyard! I'll choose to banish Akatsuki on your field and Shingetsu in your graveyard!"

Tsukikage grunted as Akatsuki became ice and then shattered. Also, Shingetsu's card popped out of the graveyard slot before turning into ice and shattering.

"I activate the Continuous Spell, Aurora of the Ice Barrier! Once per turn, I can target face up Spell and Trap cards on your field and negate their effects for every other Ice Barrier card on my field! I control Trishula and Crystal Wall, so Igen and Kagen have their effects negated!"

Tsukikage's eyes twitched as the two ninja were frozen in place.

"This is the end! Battle! Trishula, direct attack! Glacier Impact!" Frost shouted. The three headed dragon launched a powerful blue blast from each of its head towards the dragon.

"Continuous Trap, Barrier Ninjitsu - Wall of Smokescreen, activate! Once per turn, when the opponent declares a direct attack, I can send another Ninjutsu card on my field to the graveyard, such as Ninjitsu - Technique of Cicada Shell, to negate the attack!" Tsukikage countered as his field was engulfed by smokescreen, causing the attack to miss its target.

"You really are tenacious...I set a card facedown, turn end." Frost concluded.

"My turn! With the set scale, Pendulum Summon! From my hand, Twilight Ninja Shogun - Getsuga!" Tsukikage shouted as spear wielding ninja appeared with two green flags on its back.

Twilight Ninja Shogun - Getsuga (2000/3000) LVL: 8

"Getsuga's effect activates! By switching this monster to defense position, I can special summon two Ninja monsters from my graveyard! Come out, two copies of Twilight Ninja Shingetsu!" Tsukikage shouted as his ninja took defensive stance while the two blue ninja appeared.

Getsuga (2000/3000)-(2000/3000)

Twilight Ninja - Shingetsu x2 (1500/100) LVL:4

"Support Ninjitsu - Advanced Tactic's effect activates! Once per turn, when a Ninja monster is special summoned to my field, I can pay 500 life points to draw two cards!"

TSUKIKAGE: 700-200 LP

Tsukikage's eyes widened at the sight of the card he had drawn.

'This is...!'

Tsukikage hesitated for a moment. At the moment, his attack lock was set up once again. During his last turn, he threw it away to pursue an offensive strategy that worked, but his field ended up being wiped clean after that.

Now, he was presented that same choice again.

He could stall for as long as he could to give Sora and Serena enough time to rescue their friends.

Or he could try to defeat his opponents and possibly eliminate the threats to the mission.

Reiji Akaba normally gave him specific instructions.

"If something occurs, keep Reira safe and rendezvous with me. The other Lancers can handle themselves."

Tsukikage was pained to leave his comrades to be captured in nets, but he had a mission.

"We've gathered enough information on Dennis as we're going to get. Allow Team Wings of Victory take the lead so that your team will most likely be defeated."

Tsukikage not going all out against Yuzu during their duel made him feel dishonorable, but he had a mission.

"During the invasion, don't engage Academia directly. Your top priority must be getting to Yuzu and Serena. No matter what, they cannot be captured."

Tsukikage had ran past several hordes of Obelisk Force and felt guilty for not stopping them from reigning terror on the civilians of this dimension. He hated the fact that he left Masumi and Sawatari to duel an Academia Elite, but he had a mission.

"Tsukikage, you have the most important missions of all. Yuzu and Rin must be secured and Serena must be kept out of Roget's hands. I trust your discretion to accomplish the mission."

Reiji's change in attitude since the invasion was subtle, almost unnoticeable to the other members of the Lancers, but not to him.

Their leader was putting his trust in him to complete the mission, so now, he had to make the best possible choice.

"I..." Tsukikage closed his eyes while his hand hovered over his hand.

He knew what he should do.

He had to stall, even if he'd end up losing.

He knew the responsibility he held as a warrior of the Fuma Clan.

He knew the choice that Reiji would have wanted him to make.

But he couldn't take it anymore.

"I...summon the Tuner monster, Twilight Gennin - Mikazuki!"

A smaller yellow ninja holding a kunai appeared. The ninja wore a headband with a crescent moon symbol in the center.

Twilight Ninja - Mikazuki (500/100) LVL:2

"Tuner monster? That means...!" Frost's eyes widened before grinning.

"Now...I tune the Level 2 Mikazuki to the Level 4 Shingetsu!" Tsukikage exclaimed in a resolute tone. The yellow ninja turned into two green rings that flew around the blue ninja. "From a far away ancient land, hop through the smoke that hides your form and reveal yourself to the world! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 6! Twilight Ninja Beast - Sage Toad!"

A orange-skinned and yellow-eyed toad appeared on the field. The toad wore a black vest and carried a large wooden staff.

Twilight Ninja Beast - Sage Toad (2100/2300) LVL:6

"Wow, you can actually Synchro Summon? I didn't see that coming at all!"

Tsukikage looked up at his monster with a somber look in his eyes.

It was because of his brother's death that he ended up making a request to Reiji for something more than Pendulum Monsters. And in the time they had been in a dimension where Synchro Summoning was as common as a Normal Summon, it came all too easy to teach himself.

"...Sage Toad's effect activates! For every Ninja on my field, I can target monsters on the field and their battle positions are switched! I have three, so I'll target your two monsters and my own Getsuga!" Tsukikage yelled as the toad breathed in a large puff of air, causing its stomach to expand outward. He then breathed out a dark cloud of smoke that consumed the field, causing the three monsters to change positions.

Getsuga (2000/3000)-(2000/3000)

Trishula (2700/2000)-(2700/2000)

Emperor (3300/2500)-(3300/2500)

"Then, a Ninja monster on my field gains 300 ATK for each monster that switched positions." Tsukikage explained, pointing at Getsuga.

Getsuga (2000/3000)-(2900/3000)

"And through Sage Toad's other effect, all Ninja monsters on my field can inflict piercing damage!" Tsukikage shouted.

"W-What?!" 227 stuttered.

"Battle! Getsuga, attack Goyou Emperor! Shogun Slash!"

"Nice try! Trap Activate! Goyou Arrest! When a Goyou monster is attacked, I can destroy the attacking monster!"

"Action Spell, Magic Burn! A Spell or Trap that was activated during the Battle Phase is negated!" Tsukikage countered, using the card he had picked up earlier but couldn't use.

The large ninja spun its staff before slicing through the Fusion.

DC 227: 1200-800 LP

"You're finished! Shingetsu, direct attack!" Tsukikage commanded as the blue ninja jumped forward with its katana in hand.

"D-Damn you!" The officer shouted in anger before the ninja appeared above him.

With one swift strike, it was all over for the failed Duel Chaser.

DC 227: 800-0 LP

"Wow, that was pathetic. I would have been better off without you, but our boss just wouldn't listen." Frost sighed as he walked over to the fallen man.

"P-Please...don't do it...!" The defeated man pleaded.

"Sorry comrade, but you lost to that banana-haired brat, the moon girl, and now this no-name ninja. That's three strikes, so you're out. So long!" Frost waved before raising his duel disk.

Suddenly, a purple flash of light engulfed the field, shocking the ninja.

When the light disappeared, all that remained of the man was a card with the image of the officer.

"You...carded your own teammate...but how...?"

"Did you already forget that my boss comes from the same place as the people who card other people? And besides, that guy was a total waste of space. If Director Roget wasn't so concerned about manpower, he would've lived out his days on the streets. In a way, I showed him mercy." Frost jeered.

"...You're a monster. I'll defeat you right now." Tsukikage glared at his opponent before pointing at the dragon. "Sage Toad, attack Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier! At this moment, Kagen's effect activates! Sage Toad gains 500 ATK!"

Sage Toad (2100/2300)-(2600/2300)

Tsukikage's fist subconsciously clenched as he thought about every time he blindly followed orders. In the end, Reiji's orders had always proven to be right.

But this time, this one time, he wanted to follow his heart without fear of jeopardizing the mission.

That's why he had to win.

"Trap Activate! Synchro Barrier! By releasing my Synchro Monster, I don't take any damage during this turn!"

But he failed to do so.

"Hahaha! I never expected you to Synchro Summon! You almost had me!" Frost laughed before regaining his composure. "But unfortunately, that's not enough to beat me. I already lost to that clown and that emo, so this will be my third strike. I can't afford to fail here, pal."

"...Neither can I. I set a card facedown, turn end."

Getsuga (2900/3000)-(2000/3000)

Sage Toad (2600/2300)-(2100/2300)

"Throwing away your defensive combo a second time was pretty gutsy. You have my respect...but not my mercy. My turn!" Frost shouted before drawing. "From my hand, I summon Merchant of the Ice Barrier!"

Merchant of the Ice Barrier (900/200) LVL:2

"Merchant's effect! While I have no other cards in my hand, I can shuffle Ice Barrier cards on my field into my deck to draw the same amount. I shuffle my two Continuous Spells back into my deck to draw two." Frost explained, sending the two cards back into his deck before drawing. "Wow, either my luck is extraordinary, or your luck is godawful...because I just drew the exactly what I needed to decide this duel. While I control another Ice Barrier monster, I can special summon the Tuner monster, Georgius, Swordsman of the Ice Barrier!"

A feathery swordsman with white wings appeared on the battlefield.

Georgius, Swordsman of the Ice Barrier (2000/1200) LVL:6

'2000 ATK...more than enough to attack Shingetsu and end the duel...' Tsukikage thought to himself before glancing at his set card from the corner of his eye. 'But Illusion Ninjitsu - Hazy Toad will grant my monster 1000 ATK during battle. If he attacks, I win.'

"Georgius' effect! I can special summon a Level 5 or lower Ice Barrier from my graveyard! Come, Warlock of the Ice Barrier!"

Warlock of the Ice Barrier (400/1000) LVL:3

"Now, I tune the Level 6 Georgious to the Level 3 Warlock and Level 2 Merchant! Dragonic soul frozen in oblivion! Break through the ice that binds you and reawaken as the ultimate blizzard! SYNCHRO SUMMON! Come forth! Level 11! Trishula, Subzero Dragon of the Ice Barrier!" Frost shouted as his evolved ace appeared, which looked similar to its original form but with red energy coursing through it.

Trishula, Subzero Dragon of the Ice Barrier (2700/2000) LVL: 11

"Trishula's effect allows me to choose up to three cards on your field to be banished! I choose your set card, Twilight Ninja - Igen, and Twilight Ninja Shogun Getsuga!"

The dragon's three heads violently roared, summoning a storm of ice shards.

Tsukikage's eyes widened as his set card, his seemingly last hope, was vanquished in an instant.

"There goes your only chance of beating me! Battle! Trishula, attack Twilight Ninja - Shingetsu!"

"No...it isn't over yet...there's still one thing I can do...!" Tsukikage declared before vanishing.

Leaping from platform to platform, Tsukikage desperately searched for an Action Card.

"SUBZERO-"

The dragon began charging a blast in its three mouths. At the same time, Tsukikage saw a card resting on a platform in front of him.

"-IMPACT!"

The dragon fired a spiraling blast of blue and red energy at the blue ninja. Tsukikage dove for the Action Card as the blast connected.

The powerful explosion created a field of smoke that covered the area.

But from the smoke, the figure of Tsukikage and his ninja could be seen.

Shingetsu (1500/100)-(2700/100)

"Don't tell me..." Frost grumbled.

"Action Spell, Mirror Match." Tsukikage explained, pointing at the card he had activated. "Through this card's effect, my monster's ATK becomes the same as the opposing monster's ATK."

"And since they're the same ATK...!" Frost's eyes widened in realization.

"Both will be destroyed!" Tsukikage shouted before turning to his ninja.

Tsukikage then looked towards the monster he considered his ace, despite being a low level monster. The two exchanged a nod before Shingetsu dashed forward.

The ninja jumped high in the air, slashing the dragon through the middle with its katana. The dragon exploded, taking Shingetsu out with it.

'You've always served me well. Thank you.' The ninja thought to himself as he witnessed his ace get caught in the explosion.

"What luck..." Frost grumbled while grabbing his forehead.

"I still control my Synchro Monster, Twilight Ninja Beast - Sage Toad. Once you end your turn, I'll attack you directly and finish you off. This is the end for you." Tsukikage said, looking down at the officer from the platform he stood on.

"...HeheheheHAHAHA! You must be a brain dead ninja to think that I'd actually go down to the likes of you! I went toe to toe with the most powerful members of your Lancers, and for some reason, you think I'll lose to you? Hilarious!" Frost couldn't help but laugh like a maniac. "Trishula, Subzero Dragon of the Ice Barrier's effect! Final Ragnarok!"

A dragonic roar from the beyond echoed throughout the hall, serving as the catalyst of a monstrous storm of snow that consumed Tsukikage's field.

"When Trishula, Subzero Dragon of the Ice Barrier is destroyed, all monsters on your field have their effects negated and their ATKs halved!"

Sage Toad (2100/2300)-(1050/2300)

"And then, I get to special summon this card back to the field!" Frost exclaimed as a card popped out of his graveyard. "Dragon frozen in the deep depths of the arctic, break free from your glacier prison and bring forth the most powerful blizzard! Revive, my ace monster! Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier!"

The three-headed dragon of the arctic let out a powerful roar.

Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier (2700/2000) LVL:9

"Your efforts are pointless! Go, Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier! Attack Twilight Ninja Beast - Sage Toad!"

Tsukikage's eyes widened as the dragon began to charge its attack.

But he refused to falter in the face of death.

Pushing his legs to its limits, Tsukikage jumped through the field until he found an Action Card once again.

"Action Spell, Bi-Attack! My monster's ATK doubles!"

Sage Toad (1050/2300)-(2100/2300)

He continued to make his way through the field, his eyes narrowing as he spotted another Action Card.

"Do it...GLACIER IMPACT!"

"Action Spell, Flame Chain! Your monster loses 400 ATK!"

Before the dragon fired its attack, it suddenly became engulfed by flames.

Trishula (2700/2000)-(2300/2000)

After the fire subsided, the dragon fired its icy blast at the toad.

'One more...just one more...!'

Tsukikage paused for a moment, scanning the platforms for one last miracle.

That's when he saw it.

From the highest platform, Tsukikage dove towards the ground, grabbing the Action Card off a platform while midair. The ninja grabbed another platform with his empty hand and used his moment to flip through the air and landed on the ground.

"Action Spell-"

Tsukikage's throat closed up as he went to activate the Action Card.

Through the rush of adrenaline, he failed to realize the card that he had grabbed.

"...Acceleration..." Tsukikage struggled to say as his monster was consumed by the blast.

The warrior of the Fuma Clan wanted to look down in defeat, but instead, he held his head high before he too was consumed by the blast.

And then...everything faded to black.

TSUKIKAGE: 200-0 LP

WINNER: FROST!

After some time, when Tsukikage opened his eyes, the blue-haired officer was standing above with a sinister grin on his face.

"Oh good, you're awake. If you stayed unconscious for much longer, I would've just carded you in your sleep. But you proved to be a warrior in that duel, so what kind of person would I be to not give you the opportunity for some final words? So, what will they be?"

Tsukikage remained silent, locking eyes with the one who defeated him.

"So that's how it is. You know, you proved to be quite the hassle for my boss. Escaping capture multiple times, sneaking out of the underground, and even starting a prison break down there, those were all things that put a dent in his plans. And from the footage I saw from the subway tunnels, you saved your comrades from Academia by knocking out a horde of Obelisk Force. You may not be like the brat who won the Friendship Cup or your stone cold leader, but you're certainly a driving force for the Lancers. It's a pity that after all you've done for your comrades, not a single one of them is here to help you at the end."

"...I never wanted nor asked for their help." Tsukikage stated, surprising the officer.

"Oh? Care to elaborate?" Frost asked, his brows raising in intrigue.

"...My role wasn't to be a shinning hero who swayed the hearts of people. I was the soldier that slipped through the shadows casted by the light of those heroes. My role was to support and carry on the mission, so that my comrades could have a fighting chance at accomplishing our goals. Until the very end, I succeeded in my role. My comrades will save Yuzu and Rin, stopping both Roget and Academia's plans for them. My other comrades will bring Roget down for good."

"I see, I see. Got any regrets?" Frost asked in a somewhat playful tone.

Earlier, Tsukikage had thought about all the times he second guessed the orders Reiji had given him, leaving him with one simple question on his mind.

Could he have done more?

"No?" Frost impatiently said.

"...No. I've done all I can. It's up to them now." Tsukikage managed to get up on a knee, looking away from the older teen.

"So be it. It's been fun!" Frost grinned, hovering over the Lancer with his duel disk raised up.

"Tsukikage!"

From a long way down the hall, an out of breath Sora Shiun'in desperately ran towards the scene.

Why was he here now?

Did he have some sort of change of heart?

Did his guilt for what he had done still control his actions?

These were all questions that went through the ninja's head in a tenth of a second.

How ironic, Tsukikage briefly thought after realizing that he was never going to get any answers to his questions. To think the last thing he was ever going to see was the last person his brother saw before his death.

And yet, that's not who was running towards him in an attempt to save him.

No...Sora was not that same soulless person.

"Don't do it!" Sora desperately cried.

Tsukikage looked at the boy, his face relaxing as if the weight of the burdens that had been placed on him finally disappeared.

He locked eyes with the smaller boy who continued to run towards him.

Sora's eyes widened as Tsukikage gave the boy a resolute nod while light began to emanate from Frost's duel disk.

Tsukikage finally closed his eyes, letting out a deep breath of air that he had held in for what felt like ages.

"NO! S-STOP IT! YOU DON'T HAVE TO-"

The light engulfed the defeated Lancer.

A card fell to the ground as Sora made it to his destination.

Sora dropped to his knees with eyes full of regret and sadness while gasping for air.

"...No...this wasn't...I was supposed to..." Sora choked in between breaths, unable to convey his thoughts.

"You're the Academia spy, yeah? Or I guess the other one, since there's that red-headed clown. Anyways, would you like to be next?"

Sora's hand came across something of Tsukikage's that had been spared from the execution, causing his eyes to water.

"Aww, were you two close or something? That'll make what comes next all the more entertaining!"

At that moment, something broke within Sora.

Because of this guy, Tsukikage was gone and he'd would never truly be able to atone for killing his brother.

"So...you like carding people, huh?" Sora lowly asked, darkness covering the boy's face.

"Huh? Yeah, it's great! Really effective!" Frost psychotically grinned and gave a thumbs up.

As Sora looked up, his green pupils shrank and his lips curled upwards into a sadistic smile.

One final time, Sora would allow himself to become the monster that Academia created.

"...In that case, I'll just have to show you the true horror of being turned into a card!"

Hey guys, hope everyone's summer is getting off to a good start. Pretty long chapter today despite it only being two duels that weren't super long. This chapter was definitely a more character driven one, with some spotlight being casted on Tsukikage, Sora, and Crow.

It's kind of funny that both Sora and Crow, despite being drastically different characters, go through a similar situation. In the past, Crow didn't speak up to his friends, partially leading to them splitting up and him feeling guilty in the present. Sora also decided not to speak up and get things off his chest to Tsukikage, and now he has to live with the guilt of not taking that opportunity (part of the reason I decided to have both of these duels in the same chapter).

"I don't plan on losing any of my Lancers."

Poor Reiji had to jinx things, huh. RIP Best Ninja. As underrated as he was, I never planned for Tsukikage to make it out of this arc. There are a few reasons why I chose for him to go, with the main being that he's kind of been a plot device before this chapter. Not having him available to do the Lancer's dirty work will make things more interesting later on. Another obvious factor was the impact it'd have on Sora, which we'll see next time. I wasn't sure who would be the one to do the deed, but I ended up landing on Frost. I hoped that I've conveyed that he was a strong duelist since he had a close match with Yuto, beat Crow, then would have beat Yuya in the same duel if it wasn't for Synchro Ex Machina. Those were all feats that almost all the Lancers wouldn't be able to pull off. So having him plus DC 227 would surely beat enough to beat Tsukikage. I did decide to give him some cool moments and focus before his demise. Akatsuki and Sage Toad were straight up Naruto references. Having Tsukikage lose by not getting the right Action Card honestly felt like a fitting ending. On the other hand, Crow managed to get some closure by beating up a Jack clone. We also got to see the final puzzle pieces of the backstory of Crow's backstory with Team Satisfaction. I decided to give robot Jack the manga versions of Red Daemon since giving him the anime ones didn't really work. Also, that last dragon he brought out was an obvious nod to Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon.

Reviews:

Kaiser Younes: I actually already gave Yuri a Kuriboh already during his first duel against Yuto back in Scale 12. Yugo and Yuto might possibly get their own in the future.

Jessie Yuki: I plan on adding an ending in the next season/arc as well as a new opening.

Bia1230: I was hoping readers would be surprised, since most wouldn't expect Yuto to have two Synchros.

Guest: For this, I'm going to exclude any of the filler duels from my least favorites since that'd be a cop out. And instead of saying Favorite and Least Favorite, I just say best and worst for simplicity.

DM - Best: Yugi vs Atem, what an emotional duel. Worst - Joey vs Siegfried, what a disgrace of a last duel for the first best friend.

GX: Best - Dark Jesse vs Hell Kaiser, absolute banger. Worst - Manjoume vs Judai (Season 4), what a disappointing ending to a one-sided rivalry. Why couldn't Manjoume be like his Manga Counterpart?

5Ds: Best - Jack, Rua, Ruka vs Aporia, I'll never forget the tension I felt the first time watching this duel. Worst - Team 5Ds vs Team Unicorn, I know I used the same formula as that duel in this fic, but I did that to have Serena grow as a character as well as to give Yuya a crazy big win since he was going to eventually go berserk in the semis and then lose in the finals. Aki got shafted in her one and only WRGP duel and then did nothing for the rest of the series.

Zexal: Best - Yuma vs Nash, might just be my favorite duel of all time. What didn't this duel have? Worst - Mirag and Durbe vs Vector, I feel like Rio literally became a Barian just to do nothing and Durbe was my least favorite of all the Barians since he didn't have a whole lot going on. Still love Vector though.

Arc V: Best - Yuya vs Reiji (round 2), my favorite rival battle. Seeing Yuya finally duel without worrying about smiles while not going berserk was so satisfying. And Reiji beating him made it even better. Worst - Lancers vs Battle Beast, not only did they kill off Crow and Tsukikage horribly, they butchered Gongenzaka and Sawatari and made Yuya look really weak despite this being at the end of the show. Plus, the duel lasted too long for being in the middle of the final arc.

Vrains: Best - Playmaker vs Ai, this duel was so cool and I love how Yusaku beat Ai (this was the inspiration for how Yugo beat Yuya in this fic). Worst - Blue Girl vs Soulburner, why did they have her lose her only duel before becoming Blue Maiden. Soulburner is cool but it wasn't necessary for him to solo the entire cast besides Playmaker and the big bads. That was the perfect duel for Aoi to prove she wasn't a joke and she failed miserably.

Sevens: Best - Yuga vs Nail (round 2), an awesome duel that showcases how cool Maximums were before Fusions took its spotlight. Worst - Yuga vs Tiger (round 2), this duel made me ill. How the hell does the PROTAGONIST lose to some side character HE ALREADY BEAT so badly? Makes zero sense. Yuga was robbed of so many wins.

Go Rush (so far): Best - Yudias and Yuga vs The Luge, it's so awesome that we got to see two protags team up in a Yugioh anime. Worst - Yudias vs Rovian, this made no sense. Rovian beat Yuamu and Yuhi in a 2 v 1, but loses to Yudias while he can only use two monster zones? Not only does that make Rovian look incompetent, but it also makes Yuhi and Yuamu look like losers.

Wow, I put a lot of effort into that reply lol.

Belzemon1449: I had a lot of fun with both Yuto and Kiryu's characterization during this duel, so I'm glad you enjoyed it.

T.V. 2000: I'm glad you liked Reaper Dragon. I had a bit more fun when thinking up a design, which is why I ended up giving it a handheld weapon. As for Roget's deck...you'll know if your prediction is correct soon!

Neptunian Unicorn: In this fic's cannon, having the power of pendulum allowed Yugo and Yuto to branch out and learn other summoning methods easily. Since Yuri now has it...and since his base level was already higher than the other boys without pendulums...we'll just have to wait and see how much of a monster he becomes.

Neo-Warkid64: Yuzu and Rin will make their move soon enough, I promise you that.

charly12: I appreciate you noting the difference in development between Yuya and Yuto. This contrast will definitely play into the next arc.

Thanks for the continuous support! Please keep reviewing!

Preview:

Sora wrestles with his inner demons while attempting to avenge Tsukikage by defeating Frost. Meanwhile, Serena comes across a familiar face, who tests her drive to fight. Will the former Academia duelists be able to make it past their opponents and save their comrades? Find out next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V: Altered Destiny! The fun has just begun!