Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh ARC-V. See Chapter 11 for details.
Two days later.
Yuya is still unconscious, lying in her bed, with Yuzu and Yoko standing next to her watching her with worry.
"Right when I entered Central Park... What happened there?" Yuzu mutters while glancing at her bracelet and trying to make sense of what happened that night.
"And why hasn't Yuya woken up in two days...? We couldn't find Sora either... Just why..." Yuzu questions lost before covering her face with her hands as she starts crying.
"Why did this happen?! What if Yuya never wakes up...?" Yuzu asks between sobs, afraid of what the answers to those questions might be.
Seeing her like that, Yoko instantly puts her arm around her shoulder and pulls her into a slight hug to comfort her.
"It'll be fine. Yuya isn't that weak." Yoko reassures Yuzu to which she stops crying.
"Ever since her father vanished three years ago she's kept herself trapped in her own shell. But just like when she woke up when she fought against Strong Ishijima, she'll definitely wake up again. She'll become even stronger than she was before!" Yoko exclaims calming Yuzu down while also washing away her own worries.
But the peace in the room didn't last.
"No! Darling! Don't leave Mieru alone!" Mieru dramatically yells while being plastered to the window, startling Yuzu and Yoko.
"Who is she!?" Yoko asks in shock and confusion.
"Mieru Hochun!" Yuzu exclaims surprised to see her and slightly irritated as well.
"Darling! Out of my way!" Mieru says as she manages to open the window from outside and jump in, pushing away Yuzu and Yoko before landing next to Yuya.
"No! I won't let you go! Now that I'm here, I'll definitely save you! I'll revive my darling with my fortune telling charms!" Mieru declares.
"No, she's not dead..." Yuzu says with a sweatdrop while trying to contain her anger toward Mieru.
"Blue curtains on the south side windows... On the west side, pink and orange! Around my darlings pillow, I'll place power stones of good health that will disperse any illness! Yes... Aquamarine and tourmaline will do nicely." Mieru rambles as she makes the changes to Yuya's room.
"Who is she again?" Yoko asks confused.
"Mieru Hochun, Yuya's opponent from her third qualification duel and a fortune teller. After their duel she started clinging to her calling her stuff like darling and fated person... Just thinking about it makes me want to throw her out the window she came in from." Yuzu says through gritted teeth at the end.
"Aha... Wait she called Yuya darling earlier, doesn't she know that you and her are...?" Yoko asks.
"Either she doesn't or she is too thickheaded to accept the reality of things." Yuzu says in annoyance.
"Well she should give up because I know for a fact that you are the only one Yuya would ever give her heart to. And the only one I'd give my blessing to." Yoko says, the last part as a teasing whisper, making Yuzu blush.
"Well if she thinks she can help Yuya then she might as well try. By this point I'm open to almost any suggestion to wake her up." Yuzu says after composing herself.
But a second later, Mieru pulls away Yuya's blanket.
"Hey!" Yoko says.
"What are you doing?!" Yuzu finishes more enraged.
"That's my line! If you have my darling wear these kinds of pijamas, she'll never get better!" Mieru replies.
"Gray drains away your fortune! If you don't want my darling to get any weaker change them right away! Green and white should be good!" Mieru explains.
"Green?" Yoko asks as she tilts her head fully confused by what she just heard.
"And white?" Yuzu asks as well as she tilts her head in confusion.
"Green has a detoxification effect, white has a purifying effect! Go on, it's for my darling! Don't dawdle! Hurry up and do it!" Mieru exclaims.
Despite their confusion, Yuzu and Yoko comply as they are willing to give this a try if it could actually help Yuya, despite being very unlikely, and change Yuya into a checkered green and white shirt.
"By the way, who told you that Yuya was stuck in bed?" Yoko asks after tucking in her daughter.
"Don't tell me you found that out with fortune telling too?" Yuzu asks genuinely curious.
"Of course! is what I'd like to say... Honestly, I just overheard the kids from your school talking about how worried they were at the tournament. So after that, I dropped everything and ran here." Mieru explains.
"But I'm glad I came! I never imagined she was being treated this badly!" Mieru says as she holds a hand to her head in exhaustion, her comment striking Yuzu's and Yoko's nerves.
"I think I'm starting to see why Yuzu is so annoyed by her." Yoko thinks at that.
"Wait a second... By everything, do you mean you forfeited your match?" Yuzu asks after gasping at the thought.
"Your Maiami Championship one?" Yoko asks as well.
"Of course! For Mieru right now, my darling is more important than dueling!" Mieru declares.
Hearing that, Yuzu and Yoko look at eachother to confirm they have the same idea before nodding.
"Well, that's wrong!" Yuzu and Yoko tell her.
"Yuya is a duelist! I'm sure that she, as a duelist, wants you to win in the tournament as well!" Yuzu says.
"Victory is the greatest medicine!" Yoko says.
"What's more effective in healing her than curtains, stones or pijamas is..." Yuzu starts
"Victory!" Yuzu and Yoko finish together, making Mieru gasp as the idea sinks in.
"If you win..."Yuzu starts
"Yuya will definitely wake up!" Yoko finishes.
"Th-that... might be right..." Mieru mutters as she starts sweatdropping.
"That's right!" Yuzu says.
"Now, hurry and get back to the tournament grounds!" Yoko says.
"I got it! For my darling! Mieru will do her best!" Mieru declares as she rushes out, to which Yuzu and Yoko sigh in relief that their plan worked.
Even in her dream, Yuya lies unconscious.
The plain in her dream had not just started reverting back to its ethereal state but it was also becoming better than before. The sky was clear leaving a brilliantly shining moon and dazzlingly shimmering stars on display. The grass field around had sprouted flowers of all colors everywhere and the surrounding trees where thriving.
But despite all the returning beauty, her monsters couldn't enjoy it one bit seeing as she was lying unconscious for two days now.
They were all gathered around her, looking at her with worry while her head was resting in someones lap while that person was stroking her hair.
Odd-Eyes who was the most nervous of all, exchanged looks with the person on whose lap Yuya was resting on and sighed at the confirmation that his worst fear hadn't come to pass.
Having that out of the way he turned his attention to his second problem which was under one of the trees in the distance.
In the shade the eel like dragon was now standing around staring at Yuya and her monsters with an observant look for two days, only making slight movements to get a better look at times though never leaving that one spot.
Odd-Eyes looked at him with a slightly threatening glare while growling, making it clear that he shouldn't try doing anything funny. Though the dragon barely acknowledged the threat and simply continued looking at the unconscious girl, trying to understand her.
A few minutes later, Yuya's eyes silently fluttered open. And she was met with the sight of Yuzu and her mother next to her.
When the two of them noticed her waking up they instantly shifted closer to her.
"Yuya!" Yuzu called to check if she's really awake.
"Yuzu... Mom..." Yuya muttered while shaking off her drowsiness.
A few minutes after that, Yuya was sitting in her bed with a tray of light food next to her.
"Two days!?" Yuya repeats shocked.
"Yes, and sound asleep too. You must have been very tired. Ever since your qualification duels to enter the Junior Youth Championship, you've been dueling nonstop without a break. It's understandable." Yoko exclaims.
"That's right! What about the tournament?! What happened?" Yuya asks.
"The first round of Junior Youth matches ends today. About right now Mieru Hochun from Unno Divination School should be... Huh?" Yuzu says before checking the live footage over her duel disk and seeing that another duel was about to start.
"What about Mieru's match...? It's over?!" Yuzu exclaims surprised catching Yoko's attention.
"Against Fuma Duel School's Tsukikage... She lost to a One Turn Kill!" Yuzu says.
"Mieru did?! The Maiami Championship really is a high level tournament... There are a lot of good players that we don't know about." Yuya exclaims and Yoko starts leaving the room.
"The Junior Class has already moved on to their Round Two matches, and yesterday Futoshi fought Reira from LDS, but..." Yuzu says.
"Reira? The one that beat Ayu?" Yuya asks.
"Yes. That time she used Fusion Summoning, but... This time... it was Synchro Summoning." Yuzu explains.
"Synchro?!" Yuya gasps shocked.
"Yeah. Even if it is Junior Class, that kid from LDS... She might even turn out to be just like Reji Akaba... And able to use Fusion, Synchro and Xyz." Yuzu says.
"Fusion... Synchro... Xyz..." Yuya mutters.
"What's wrong?" Yuzu asks after noticing Yuya's troubled look.
"That night... I met Yuto. He told me, our world is split into four different dimensions." Yuya exclaims.
"Four dimensions?" Yuzu asks.
"Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, and the one we live in, Standard. Sora came from Fusion. Yuto and Kurosaki came from Xyz. Their two dimensions are at war and in front of my very eyes, Sora fought against Yuto... And disappeared..." Yuya explains.
"Disappeared?!" Yuzu repeats shocked.
"Yuto said he was forcefully sent back to the Fusion Dimension." Yuya says.
"He said that?!" Yuzu asks.
"Yeah. After that, Yugo appeared..." Yuya continues.
"Yugo?" Yuzu repeats the unfamiliar name.
"Yugo is another guy who looks exactly like me. He showed up riding what looked like a motorcycle. Yugo is probably a Duelist from the Synchro Dimension." Yuya explains.
"Synchro... But Yuto said he was fighting against Fusion! In order to save Ruri, who was captured by them!" Yuzu questions.
"The one who did that may have been Yugo." Yuya says confusing Yuzu.
"Yuto said this... There is a Pawn of Fusion in the Synchro Dimension. Apparently the two of them had fought before, and maybe it was then..." Yuya says as she recounts most of that nights events, before walking to her table and picking up a card.
"That's!" Yuzu gasps when she sees it.
"Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon..." Yuya says.
"Why do you have Yuto's card, Yuya?!" Yuzu questions.
"He was... Protecting me... After an attack went toward me... he pushed me out of the way and took the hit for me... after that I went to check on him and he gave me this card and asked me to save Ruri." Yuya explains.
"I don't remember anything after that. Or what happened to Yuto." Yuya says.
"Actually..." Yuzu starts, getting her attention.
"When I found you in the park, Yuto was lying next to you, and Gongenzaka helped me bring him in, so Yuto is here, currently resting in the guest room. Your mother took care of his injuries, but he hasn't woken up yet." Yuzu explains.
"I don't get it! And it's not just Yuto! Who the heck is Yugo!? Why do they have the same face as me!? I don't understand anything anymore! I saw two guys with my face duel eachother, and after they summoned their dragons they started acting like they were possessed and tried to kill eachother while mumbling stuff about mass destruction! And for some reason every part of me was screaming at me to run away at that, but instead I tried to stop them and even though I snaped Yuto out of it, I almost got hit by an attack and killed, which didn't happen because he took the hit for me! And after I went to check on him I fell unconscious and woke up two days later and have to deal with all of this insanity and the fact that one of the guys involved in that insane duel is currently resting in my house! Just what is all of this?! Yuto and Yugo... Just why..." Yuya yells out her load as tears start bordering her eyes that she instantly tries to push away.
"It's not just you... I have someone who looks like me as well." Yuzu says surprising Yuya.
In the Fusion Dimension.
"Please let me go back to Standard again! There are some remnants of the Xyz resistance there! Please! Give me one more chance! This time, I'll definitely defeat every last one of those Xyz scum!" Sora yells while being contained in an examination room, his voice dripping of his desire for revenge.
Around the corner outside the room, a girl with indigo hair and two light blue strands, and most noticeable Yuzu's face, listens to his pleading and smirks.
"Just like you?! Yuto said that?! That Ruri looks just like you?!" Yuya questions shocked at the reveal.
"Yeah. I was shocked at first. That's why he called me Ruri originally..." Yuzu confirms.
"What the heck is with that... Yuto and Yugo look just like me... And now Ruri looks just like you! What is going on?!" Yuya questions, before looking at the card in her hand.
"Kurosaki might know..." Yuya says, catching Yuzu's attention.
"He's Yuto's comrade! With Sora gone, and if Yuto is still unconscious, Kurosaki is the only one who's left that I can ask! About the guys who look exactly like me from different dimensions. And Ruri... He's Ruri's older brother right?" Yuya points out, with Yuzu confirming the question at the end.
After getting dressed, Yuya and Yuzu are ready to head out, but as she passes the guest room Yuya glances inside not feeling ready to enter at the moment. She is met with the sight of an unconscious Yuto. His upper body, his forehead and a bit of his face wrapped in bandages, while his now cleaned clothes were lying on a chair close to the bed along with his duel disk.
Yuya is snapped back to reality by Yuzu's hand on her shoulder, the latter giving her an encouraging look despite her own confusion at everything going on. Seeing that, Yuya can't help but smile and takes her hand as they head down.
"I'll be going out for a bit!" Yuya tells her mother after sliding down the pole to the kitchen.
"Huh? Will you be okay?" Yoko asks.
"I'm off!" Yuya says as she rushes off before her mother can bring up the subject of their guest.
"Wait! Going out? Where?" Yoko questions, while Yuzu takes a slight bow before running after Yuya.
"Center Court!" Yuya answers, already at the door.
"Sheesh, even though she was sleeping for two days... The instant she thinks of something, she has to act on it... It looks like she's becoming more like you." Yoko mutters with a fond smile while looking at a picture of Yuya and Yusho.
A bit later on the street.
"Hurry!" Tatsuya says as he, Ayu and Futoshi rush toward Center Court.
While doing so Ayu catches a glimpse of a person on the other side of the rode, a girl wearing a dark hood, specifically the same one who was listening to Sora's pleads, but it is the girls face that catches her attention.
"Ayu, what are you doing? Hurry up!" Futoshi tells her.
"But I just saw big sis Yuzu over..." Ayu says, but when she looks toward the direction she saw that person, they're gone without a trace.
"There's no way she could be there!" Futoshi says.
"Everyone is already at Center Court!" Tatsuya says before he starts walking again.
"Keep dawdling and we'll leave you behind!" Futoshi says as he starts running after Tatsuya.
"Wait!" Ayu says as she runs after them.
At Center Court.
"Yuya!" Gongenzaka says with tears in his eyes as he pulls her into a bone crushing hug, while Yuzu stands by with an embarrassed smile and Shuzo with a genuine one.
"I, the man Gongenzaka, have never been this happy! Do you know how worried I've been these past two days?!" Gongenzaka exclaims.
"It wasn't that big of a deal..." Yuya says while trying to get out of her friends embrace.
"No, we all were really worried! Like, what would we do if Yuya doesn't wake up?" Shuzo exclaims.
"Big sis Yuya!" Tatsuya, Ayu and Futoshi exclaim as they rush in gaining their attention.
"Good, you're okay!" Tatsuya says after stopping in front of her and Gongenzaka lets her go.
"I'm so happy I've got shivers! Now if Sora comes back." Futoshi starts
"You Show Duel School will be back to normal!" Ayu finishes.
At the mention of Sora both Yuya and Yuzu lose their bright demeanor knowing that he might never return.
"That's right! We can't celebrate yet!" Gongenzaka exclaims.
"Sorry Yuya, we kept on searching after that but... We still don't know where he is..." Shuzo says, but before Yuya can say something
"Sorry!" Futoshi says catching her attention.
"I shouldn't be celebrating right now either... Actually, I lost yesterday..." Futoshi admits.
"I heard. Reira used Synchro Summoning this time, right?" Yuya says.
"I never thought she'd use Synchro too... I was so shocked I got shivers." Futoshi admits before Yuya puts her hands on his shoulders.
"Then next time, you give her the shivers! There's one year until the next tournament! Polish your Entertainment Dueling at You Show Duel Sch-" Yuya tries to encourage him but stops mid sentence as the memory of what Sora said about there not being second chances resurfaces.
"Big sis Yuya?" Futoshi asks seeing that she froze.
"What's wrong, Yuya?" Gongenzaka asks.
"N-nothing..." Yuya replies.
"Darling!" Mieru yells getting their attention.
"You've finally awoken, Darling!" Mieru says.
"My prayer... the prayer I risked my life for... It really worked!" Mieru says as she jumps toward Yuya attempting to kiss her, but Yuya just sidesteps out of the way causing her to crash face first into the ground, the sight of that leaving the You Show crew shocked while Yuzu smirks triumphantly.
After dodging Yuya goes straight toward the LDS trio Masumi, Yaiba and Hokuto, who she spotted behind Mieru a few seconds ago.
"Yuya Sakaki...? You came to watch my match? What were your thoughts after witnessing my full power? I'm on a different level from when we fought at-" Hokuto asks arrogantly but
"I want to see Kurosaki. I need to talk to him." Yuya says cutting him off.
"Talk to him?" Masumi questions.
"It's something we need to ask him directly." Yuzu says as she walks next to Yuya, catching Masumi's attention.
"I want to meet Kurosaki. There are a lot of things I need to ask him." Yuya repeats.
"Not happening. Kurosaki won't even give you the time of day. He hardly even talks to us." Yaiba says.
"Well, since you're here, why not watch the next match? It's my match against Isao Kachidoki! I won't disappoint!" Yaiba says as he and his friends start leaving.
"Wait! If you see him, can you at least try to tell him that his friend Yuto is okay?" Yuzu asks.
"We'll try." Masumi tells her before leaving.
A bit later.
"Everyone, it's finally time for the last match of Round One! The winner of this round will proceed to be the 32nd qualifier for Round 2! Will it be Yaiba Todo from Leo Duel School? On the other hand, will it be last years runner up, Ryozanpaku's Isao Kachidoki?!" Nico announcess as both duelists enter the arena.
"Both players are known for their great skill! I can guarantee this will be a match that will make your hands sweat!" Nico exclaims as the duel begins.
But the excitement in the stands and even more so in Yuya and her friends quickly turns to horror.
"Wha-! What is this?!" Yuya exclaims in disbelief and horror, at the brutal and dishonorable way Isao keeps physically attacking Yaiba.
"Yaiba!" Gongenzaka exclaims concerned for his fellow duelist and synchro mentor.
Masumi and Hokuto look at the scene in shock and fright, while Tatsuya, Ayu and Futoshi avert their eyes unable to take any more of this.
This wasn't a duel, this was simply Isao brutally beating up Yaiba without any mercy.
The duel ended after Yaiba couldn't get up anymore leaving Isao as the winner despite Yaiba still having life points.
"This is... Ryozanpaku's Dueling..." Yuya mutters while she recalls sensing the same brutality from Yuto and Yugo while they were out of it.
"Yuya!" Yuzu says as she notices her standing up.
"Wi-With this, all of the Round One Junior Youth matches are finished! We will be announcing the matchups for Round Two momentarily! All duelists who have advanced, please put your registration cards into your duel disks." Nico announces while Isao leaves the arena and the crowd still stares in shock at what they witnessed just now, all the while Yaiba is carried of the field by medical staff.
"I'm in the first match tomorrow. My opponent is Yuzo Tanegashima from Surprise School." Gongenzaka says after inserting his registration card.
"I'll be dueling Mikiyo Naname of Duel Girls Club in the second match two days from now." Yuzu says.
"Big sis Yuya, what about you?" Futoshi asks her.
Seeing that she doesn't answer Tatsuya, Ayu and Futoshi stand up and go look at her duel disk.
"Isao Kachidoki!" Tatsuya observes shocked.
"No way!" Ayu says scared.
"Yuya..." Yuzu says concerned after hearing that.
"Yuto told me to make people smile with my duels. I don't know exactly what he wanted to tell me with that, but... I'll do the dueling I believe in! Because I believe that will answer to Yuto's expectations of me!" Yuya exclaims.
"Yeah!" Yuzu says relieved that Yuya is so optimistic about this, which takes away her own fright.
While leaving, Isao turns around and sees that his next opponent is already up and prepared to face him.
"Isao Kachidoki. I won't accept how you duel! Dueling is for making everyone happy! I'll bring back the smile in your heart with my dueling!" Yuya thinks with determination as she looks at her opponent.
The next day.
Gongenzaka stands blindfolded by his own headband in a field that consists of optical illusions one would usually see in a piece of abstract art.
"I, the man Gongenzaka, won't be fooled by these tricks!" Gongenzaka declares.
"I attack directly with Susano-O!" Gongenzaka says as his synchro ace attacks his hidden opponent.
"How did you know?!" the opponent shrieks as the attack hits and wipes out his life points.
"It was nothing!" Gongenzaka says as he removes his headband.
"The transformational dueling style has been defeated! The winner of Round Two's first match is Noboru Gongenzaka, of the Gongenzaka Dojo! He has beaten Yuzo Tanegashima from the Surprise School!" Nico exclaims as the crowd applauds.
"He did it!" Ayu says, and while she is happy she is also scared of the next duel.
"Next is big sis Yuya's turn." Tatsuya says.
"Yeah..." Futoshi says.
"Coming up next is our second match. Let's get those introductions started! You Show Duel School's Yuya Sakaki!" Nico starts the introductions as Yuya walks into the arena.
"Go for it Yuya! I've been waiting for this!" people in the crowd say, looking forward to another one of Yuya's duels.
"Thank you! Thank you!" Yuya says as she waves at the crowd.
Though while the crowd is excited, the You Show crew is more concerned and frightened by what might happen next.
"Hey, come on, why're you guys getting nervous from just watching?" Shuzo asks when he notices his students expressions.
"Because her opponent today is, that, Isao Kachidoki! Weren't you watching yesterday's match!?" Yuzu exclaims worried about Yuya.
"It was so fearsome it gave me shivers!" Futoshi says.
"To think that the ace of LDS's Synchro Course, Yaiba Todo, would get beaten that badly..." Tatsuya says as he recounts yesterdays duel.
"On top of that, Kachidoki was the runner up for this tournament last year!" Yuzu exclaims nervously.
"The winner already moved up to Youth Class though. So it isn't strange to consider Kachidoki the number one candidate to win this tournament!" Gongenzaka says as he joins them in the stands.
"And her opponent is Ryozanpaku School's Isao Kachidoki!" Nico exclaims as from the section where Ryozanpaku's students and principal are gathered, which everyone avoids by at least 30 meters, the sound of a gong is heard as Isao enters the arena.
At that entrance the whole crowd is silent.
"They haven't even started and I'm already scared!" Ayu exclaims.
"Smiling and dueling don't belong together. That's how the Martial Arts School Ryozanpaku trains their students." Shuzo explains.
"Martial Arts..." Tatsuya wonders.
"To them, winning is everything. Just like you guys saw, their forceful Dueling is justified by their belief that anything goes if it leads to victory. Ryozanpaku School's Principal, Ryozan Godagawa, has always been criticized for his forceful and rough dueling style. But they've won loads of pro titles as if they were just brushing off their shoulders." Shuzo explains.
"He seems like a very strict person..." Futoshi comments.
"Yes... On top of that, it's a boarding school where students aren't allowed to go outside unless it's to attend class. I've also heard that they're not even allowed to see their parents until they become pros!" Shuzo explains.
"I'd run straight out of that place full of shivers!" Futoshi says.
"But even with such a strict training regimen, they have countless people wishing to join. They're only second to LDS when it comes to creating pros!" Shuzo reveals.
"And the one who stands head and shoulders above the rest of Ryozanpaku is Isao Kachidoki." Gongenzaka exclaims.
"Now that our competitors are facing eachother, let us select the Field Magic! Action Field On! Field Magic, Bamboo Forest of the Immortals!" Nico exclaims as the action field is generated, a network of islands floating above the clouds which are all covered by thick bamboo forests.
"I saw your duel yesterday." Yuya tells Isao impartly.
Isao, seemingly ignoring her, starts making strikes in the air that are directed at her while his gaze is locked on her.
"I'll never accept your dueling! That wasn't dueling!" Yuya declares.
"Duelists locked in battle!" Isao starts after straightening himself, still ignoring Yuya's words.
"Kicking against the earth and dancing in the air alongside their monsters! They storm through this field!" Yuya continues irritated that he completely ignored her.
"Behold! This is the newest and greatest evolution of dueling!" Isao says as he makes more strikes directed at Yuya.
"Action!" Nico finishes.
"Duel!" "Duel!" Yuya and Isao say as the action cards are dispersed and the duel begins.
Turn: 1
Yuya: 4000 LP
Hand: 5
Isao: 4000 LP
Hand: 5
Isao simply smirks and makes a hand motion for Yuya to go at him.
"Well then, it's my turn! I summon Entermate Silver Claw!" Yuya says as her monster appears next to her, and almost knocks her over when he nuzzles up to her legs.
Entermate Silver Claw (LV.4) (P.S.5) (1800ATK/700DEF)
"I guess you guys were all worried about me to. Sorry about that. Now then let's put on a great show!" Yuya thinks at that as her monster stops nuzzling her and she mounts it and rides off.
"That's it, Yuya! So cool!" the crowd cheers for her, to which she responds by waving at them with a smile on her face.
"Yuya is always herself no matter who she fights!" Shuzo exclaims at the that.
"Always herself..." Yuzu mutters.
"That night, she met Yuto... She learned about unbelievable things like interdimensional conflicts... There's no way it isn't bothering her..." Yuzu thinks worried.
"Despite that Yuya... Yuya is still standing up to face what she needs to." Yuzu mutters amazed by Yuya's resolve.
"I end my turn here!" Yuya says.
"Draw!" Isao says as he starts his turn.
Turn: 2
Yuya: 4000 LP
Hand: 4
Isao: 4000 LP
Hand: 6
"If my opponent controls a monster and I don't, I can summon Hayate the Earth Soaring Star without a Release." Isao explains as his monster appears.
Hayate the Earth Soaring Star (LV.5) (2000ATK/0DEF)
"There it is! Kachidoki has already summoned a high level monster!" Nico comments, while Isao stares down at Yuya riding her monster from his higher ground.
"Battle! I attack Silver Claw with Hayate!" Isao says as his monster charges in to strike.
After rushing into one of the bamboo forests, Yuya spots an action card.
"All right there's one!" Yuya says, but before she can reach it small cut bamboo pieces fly toward her with dangerous speed, luckily though Silver Claw dodges them successfully while an alarmed and agitated look remains on his face.
"That was close. Thank you." Yuya exhales while petting her monster who lets out sigh of relieve of his own.
When she looks up she sees a smirking and evily chuckling Isao walking up next to the action card.
"You're too slow. The battle is still underway!" Isao tells her as he picks up the action card, right before Silver Claw tosses her off him before being destroyed while Yuya skids through the dust.
Yuya: 4000 - 3700 LP
"Kachidoki is already dishing out the damage!" Nico comments.
"Destroyed Pendulum monsters are sent to the Extra Deck!" Yuya explains as she gets up while putting her card there.
"I end my turn!" Isao says as he gets into a battle stance ready to be attacked.
"That's so cheap!" Ayu exclaims.
"She would've gotten it if Kachidoki didn't get in the way!" Tatsuya says.
"That's so underhanded it gives me shivers!" Futoshi says.
Isao meanwhile just smirks and makes a hand motion for Yuya to come at him again.
"Are you going to keep dueling like that no matter what? If so then I'll also... Duel the way I believe in! My turn!" Yuya exclaims as she starts her turn.
Turn: 3
Yuya: 3700 LP
Hand: 5
Isao: 4000 LP
Hand: 6
"Here it is! Using Scale 4 Entermate Trump Witch and Scale 8 Timegazer Magician, I set the Pendulum Scale! With this I'm able to simultaneously summon multiple monsters from Level Five to Seven!" Yuya exclaims as her monsters appear in the scales.
Entermate Trump Witch (P.S.4) - Timegazer Magician (P.S.8)
"Swing Pendulum of the Soul! Draw an arc of light across the ether! Pendulum Summon! Appear my monster, with your heroic and dichromatic eyes, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!" Yuya chants as her ace appears with a mighty roar.
Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (LV.7) (P.S.4) (2500ATK/2000DEF)
"Here's Sakaki's Pendulum Summon!" Nico exclaims.
"The fun has just begun!" Yuya declares to which the whole crowd cheers.
"Big sis Yuya! Get him!" Ayu and Futoshi cheer.
"The fun?" Isao questions.
"Yeah! Duels should be fun!" Yuya says.
"I'm only here to win." Isao states.
"I also want to win! But that isn't all there is to dueling!" Yuya says.
"And now, I summon Entermate Poisonous Butterfly!" Yuya says as her monster takes the stage and waves at the crowd, making a bunch of boys blush.
Entermate Poisonous Butterfly (LV.4) (P.S.2) (1600ATK/1000DEF)
"Battle! I attack Hayate the Earth Soaring Star with Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!" Yuya says as her dragon charges at his target.
"I activate Hayate's effect. If it is the only monster I control, it can negate one attack." Isao explains as his monster fires a blast from his staff and fends off Odd-Eyes.
"Kachidoki responds to that attack splendidly! Nico comments.
"We didn't think that it would be that easy to beat you. Right?" Yuya asks her monster, from which she senses that they agree, before looking up to Trump Witch.
"This situation..." Tatsuya says.
"Since Trump Witch is in the Pendulum Zone, that means..." Ayu says.
"Just like in her first match with Sawatari...!" Futoshi says.
"I activate Entermate Trump Witch's Pendulum Effect! Once per turn, I can use monsters on my field to perform a Fusion Summon! I'll use Entermate Poisonous Butterfly and Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon as the Fusion Materials!" Yuya explains as Trump Witch casts her magic on the monsters.
"It's coming!" Yuzu says knowing which monster Yuya is going for.
"Dual colored eyes, unite with the seductive mistress of the night! Become a new power and shine as the guiding light in darkness! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Dragon that illuminates the midnight sky! Moon-Eyes Crescent Dragon!" Yuya chants as her fusion appears with a mighty roar in all of its mystic glory.
Moon-Eyes Crescent Dragon (LV.8) (3000ATK/2300DEF)
"There it is! Pendulum Fusion!" Nico comments as the crowd goes wild.
"The two Pendulum Monsters used as Fusion Materials are sent to the Extra Deck!" Nico exclaims.
Inside the LDS control room.
Reji is observing the duel along with Reira and Shun.
While everything is silent, Reji has his own thoughts and questions at that moment.
"It's the same monster that created that incredibly strong summoning reaction back then, and yet everything is within normal parameters this time. Just what was going on back then that makes it different?" Reji questions before noticing something on the monsters data that he was able to see this time.
"Moonlight... How exactly is this even possible?" he thinks as he notices the archetype required as one of the materials. An archetype he remembers well.
Back with Yuya.
Yuya slightly tilts her head while smiling.
As the sunlight is reflected from her goggles Isao's eyes widen as he recognizes their shine.
8 years ago.
A young Isao was walking behind Ryozan, whose Duel School he was admitted to.
"Here I come, Dad!" he heard a girl say.
"All right! Bring it!" he heard the father reply.
At that he turned toward the direction and saw the two of them dueling. The people he saw were Yuya as a child with her father.
"Come on, try and surprise me!" Yusho said.
"Here it comes! My Entertainment!" young Yuya declared.
Seeing their interaction made Isao smile.
"Do not think of dueling as fun." Ryozan said gaining Isao's attention.
"The path you are about to walk is nothing naive like that. The next time you'll be able to see your parents who bought that duel disk for you is when you become a pro. Until then, you will be walking a pitch black road of darkness." Ryozan said, making Isao lose his smile before he glances back toward the young Yuya seeing the light of the sunset being reflected from her goggles.
Back in the present.
"It must have been fated since then... for me to duel you now." Isao says after taking that trip down memory lane.
"What are you talking about?" Yuya questions.
"Face me!" Isao demanded and Yuya just smiled.
"Battle! I attack Hayate the Earth Soaring Star with Moon-Eyes Crescent Dragon!" Yuya says as her dragon prepares to attack.
"I activate the Action Magic, Great Escape. It ends the Battle Phase." Isao says as Moon-Eyes stops preparing its attack.
"Once again, Kachidoki avoids an attack!" Nico comments.
"What's wrong? Are you done with your fun, care free dueling?" Isao taunts.
"What?" Yuya asks.
"If you're done, hurry up and end your turn! Next, it's my turn! Hurry up and end your turn!" Isao says really wanting to crush her.
"Next time, I'll make sure you have fun! I end my turn." Yuya says.
"Draw!" Isao says as he starts his turn.
Turn: 4
Yuya: 3700 LP
Hand: 1
Isao: 4000 LP
Hand: 6
"If I control an Earth attribute monster, I can summon Tenma the Sky Rising Star without a Release!" Isao explains as his monster appears.
Tenma the Sky Rising Star (LV.5) (2100ATK/0DEF)
"With Tenma and Hayate as materials, I activate the Magic Card, Fusion!" Isao says as he reveals the card.
"What?!" Yuya gasps shocked.
"O stars racing through the heavens, soaring above the earth, now become one and shine as the star of the eternal conqueror! Fusion Summon! Come! Idaten the Conqueror Victory Star!" Isao chants as his fusion monster appears, its very arrival darkening the sky and causing thunder to crackle in the clouds.
Idaten the Conqueror Victory Star (LV.10) (3000ATK/2200DEF)
"What?! Kachidoki has also performed a Fusion Summon! After falling short of the championship last year, he's evolved even further!" Nico comments.
"Its Attack Points are the same as those of Moon-Eyes, but knowing Yuya..." Gongenzaka says.
"With an Action Card...!" Yuya says as she runs off.
"Let me tell you what Idaten's effect is. Whenever this card battles a monster with a lower Level, the opposing monsters Attack Points become 0." Isao reveals.
"If Moon-Eyes's Attack Points become 0, she'll take 3000 points of damage at once!" Yuzu exclaims worried.
While Yuya keeps running, Isao cuts a piece of bamboo bare handed and tosses it towards Yuya like a spear, hitting her leg and causing her to fall to the ground.
"I activate the Equip Magic, Magical Star Sword!, and equip it onto Idaten! By sending one Magic Card that I've added to my hand this turn to the Graveyard, the equipped monsters Attack Points increase by 100!" Isao explains as his monsters spear is replaced with a sword.
Isao jumps past Yuya, into another bamboo forest and picks up an action card.
"Ow..." Yuya winces as she holds on to her shoulder as she gets up.
"I send one Action Magic to my Graveyard. And increase Idaten's Attack Points by 100." Isao says as he walks in front of Yuya.
Idaten the Conqueror Victory Star (LV.10) (3000 - 3100ATK/2200DEF)
"Because Action Cards are Magic Cards, every one he sends to the Graveyard will increase its Attack Points!" Tatsuya points out.
After she gets up, Yuya looks around and spots an action card on a piece of bamboo.
She tries to go and take it but before she can make the jump Isao comes and aggressively elbows her and knocks her down before jumping up and taking the card for himself.
Yuya winces from the pain and looks up.
"I send a second Action Card to my Graveyard." Isao says as he holds the card in front of her face before discarding it and powering up his monster again.
Idaten the Conqueror Victory Star (LV.10) (3100 - 3200ATK/2200DEF)
"Third to my Graveyard!" Isao says as he takes the card by dropkicking Yuya.
Idaten the Conqueror Victory Star (LV.10) (3200 - 3300ATK/2200DEF)
"Fourth to my Graveyard!" Isao says as he snags another one by elbowing Yuya in the stomach.
Idaten the Conqueror Victory Star (LV.10) (3300 - 3400ATK/2200DEF)
"Fifth to my Graveyard!" Isao says as he takes another by dropkicking Yuya this time in the face.
Idaten the Conqueror Victory Star (LV.10) (3400 - 3500ATK/2200DEF)
"Sixth to my Graveyard!" Isao says as he gives Yuya another punch in the gut to get it.
Idaten the Conqueror Victory Star (LV.10) (3500 - 3600ATK/2200DEF)
"He keeps fighting so dirty..." Futoshi says.
"Big sis Yuya's life points are currently at 3700!" Tatsuya points out.
"If this keeps up, she's going to lose!" Ayu says.
Yuya keeps running through the forest despite the pain in her body.
"I will never let you get ahold of an Action Card!" Isao says as he appears sprinting almost next to her.
"What!?" Yuya says spooked that he appeared out of nowhere again.
"Up until now, you've lived your life strolling along a bright path without a single shadow falling over it." Isao says.
"What are you talking about?!" Yuya questions.
"I walked only a pitch black path of darkness. I will not lose to someone like you! I will attain victory!" Isao declares.
"You don't know that for sure!" Yuya counters.
"I'll definitely get that!" Yuya says as she spots an action card.
"I won't let you. Battle! I attack Moon-Eyes with Idaten!" Isao says as his monster goes in to strike Yuya's dragon who is running after her.
"Idaten's effect activates! Moon-Eyes Attack Points become 0!" Isao says as his monster activates its effect.
"Sorry but that's not happening! Moon-Eyes effect prevents him from being affected by your card effects!" Yuya reveals as her dragon remains untouched, making Isao grit his teeth.
"I'm not going to give up!" Yuya exclaims as she jumps for the action card while her dragon fires to try and counter Idaten's attack.
The clash between Idaten and Moon-Eyes creates an explosion of smoke.
"Hey..." Shuzo says.
"What happened?" Gongenzaka asks.
"Yuya..." Yuzu mutters worried.
"Big sis Yuya..." Tatsuya, Ayu and Futoshi say worried.
When the smoke clears it reveals, Isao standing with Idaten behind him, while Yuya lies on the ground, the action card in her right hand, and Isao's left foot on her right arm.
Yuya: 3700 - 3100 LP
"What's this!? Sakaki managed to get an action card, and thanks to her monsters effect still retains 3100 life points!" Nico comments.
"I end my turn. Looks like you survived this time... but the final darkness will soon be upon you. You'll be devoured by pitch black darkness." Isao exclaims, anger audible in his voice at dealing so little damage, as he walks away from Yuya.
As Yuya tries to get up, pain shoots through her whole body and she falls to a knee as she closes her eyes in pain.
When Yuya opens her eyes, she finds herself in a void, swirling between light and dark.
When she looks around she spots a monster that she knows all to well.
"Odd-Eyes... What is all this where am I?" Yuya asks her partner.
Instead of giving anything close to an answer, Odd-Eyes simply approaches her and leans his head down while whimpering.
"Its okay, I'm alright. What happened in that duel just now is not your fault." Yuya says in a soothing tone as she pets her dragons head.
But soon Yuya hears another sound from behind her. When she turns she sees Dark Rebellion standing there looking at her and Odd-Eyes.
Before Yuya can even ask a question, Odd-Eyes tail coils around her waist as if to keep her as far away from the Xyz dragon as possible.
While Odd-Eyes growls in a manner that's threatening toward the other dragon and protective toward Yuya, the two dragons lock eyes as a silent conversation happens between them.
After a moment Odd-Eyes stops growling and lets go of Yuya, before making a head motion for the other dragon to come closer as he takes a step back.
Not really understanding what is going on between her dragon and the one Yuto entrusted to her, so technically making him her dragon as well, she looks up at Dark Rebellion who now stands right in front of her.
"What are you trying to tell me?" Yuya wonders as the dragon keeps looking into her eyes before lowering its head.
Seeing that, Yuya reaches out a hand and puts it on Dark Rebellion's head sliding it around a bit as the dragon gives her a sound of acknowledgment.
"You want to fight alongside me...? Thank you, I'm glad and honored to have you with me." Yuya says right before her vision fades out.
When she opens her eyes again, she is back in the arena on her knee at the exact moment she blacked out.
"Devoured by pitch black darkness..., that's not happening!" Yuya declares as she gets up while smiling despite all of her pain.
"My turn!" Yuya says as she draws.
Turn: 5
Yuya: 3100 LP
Hand: 3
Isao: 4000 LP
Hand: 3
"I activate the Action Magic, Mad Hurricane. This card returns all cards on my field into my Deck." Yuya exclaims as the cards in her scales are shuffled into her deck.
"Sakaki has no more cards on her field!" Nico comments.
"Yuya... what are you trying to do?!" Shuzo wonders.
"Using Scale 3 Entermate Turn Toad and Scale 5 Entermate Cheermole, I set the Pendulum Scale! With this I'm able to simultaneously summon multiple Level Four monsters!" Yuya exclaims as her monsters reset the scale.
Entermate Turn Toad (P.S.3) - Entermate Cheermole (P.S.5)
"Swing Pendulum of the Soul! Draw an arc of light across the ether! Pendulum Summon! Appear my monsters! From my Extra Deck, Entermate Silver Claw, and Entermate Poisonous Butterfly." Yuya chants as her monsters are revived.
Entermate Silver Claw (LV.4) (P.S.5) (1800ATK/700DEF)
Entermate Poisonous Butterfly (LV.4) (P.S.2) (1600ATK/1000DEF)
"What is she going to do?!" Gongenzaka wonders.
"Ladies and Gentleman!" Yuya says as she spreads out her arms.
"As you can see my two monsters aren't able to measure up to my opponents monster. But they can help me bring out todays main even!" Yuya says gaining everyones attention.
"With Level 4 Entermate Poisonous Butterfly and Entermate Silver Claw, I build the Overlay Network! Formed from pitch black darkness to fight those foolish enough to oppose it with its treacherous fangs, Now, Descend! Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon!" Yuya chants as her new dragon appears behind her with a mighty roar.
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon (Rank.4) (O.U.2) (2500ATK/2000DEF)
"Ladies and Gentleman, introducing our newest cast member! Give it up for Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon!" Yuya exclaims.
"Th-this is?! A Pendulum Summon into an Xyz Summon!?" Nico exclaims surprised as the crowd goes wild.
"What?!" Isao says not having expected that.
"Yuya summoned Yuto's dragon!?" Yuzu observes surprised.
"Why does she have Dark Rebellion!?" Shun questions in rage and frustration at seeing his friends ace monster in someone else's possession.
"Interesting..." Reji thinks as he keeps watching.
As the crowd cheers, Isao composes himself again being sure he can overcome this new obstacle with ease.
Though when he looks at the dragon now standing in his way, his confidence starts wavering. Despite being the only one who noticed there is no doubt about it, he was glaring at him with pure hate and bloodlust, making Isao feel something he hasn't felt in years pure dread.
Aside from being a fusion user which on its own is already enough to enrage the Xyz dragon, Isao also made the foolish mistake of hurting its new mistress, triggering the Xyz dragon's wrath.
"I activate Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon's effect! By using one Overlay Unit, he can halve the Attack Points of an opponents Level 5 or higher monster until the end of the turn and increase his own Attack Points by that amount! Treason Discharge!" Yuya explains, snapping Isao out of his thoughts, as her dragon's wings unfold and Idaten is wrapped in purple electricity, powering him down and Dark Rebellion up.
Idaten the Conqueror Victory Star (LV.10) (3600 - 1800ATK/2200DEF)
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon (Rank.4) (O.U.2 - 1) (2500 - 4300ATK/2000DEF)
"And by using the remaining Overlay Unit, I activate Dark Rebellion's effect again! Treason Discharge!" Yuya exclaims as the electricity binding Idaten intensifies.
Idaten the Conqueror Victory Star (LV.10) (1800 - 900ATK/2200DEF)
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon (Rank.4) (O.U.1 - 0) (4300 - 5200ATK/2000DEF)
"5200 Attack Points?!" Isao observes shocked.
"Battle. I attack Idaten the Conqueror Victory Star with Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon." Yuya says as her dragon's wings gain a blue shine to them as he bolts up into the sky. As Dark Rebellion soars close to the dark clouds, spinning mid air, he lets out a roar as lighting clusters around him, and connecting with his wings intensifying their shine, mesmerizing the crowd, before looking down at Idaten.
"I activate Idaten's effect! If it battles a monster with a lower Level, that monsters Attack Points become 0!" Isao panickly exclaims.
"Sorry to disappoint, but Xyz monsters have Ranks not Levels. Therefore Idaten's effect doesn't work on them." Yuya explains.
"What?! If they don't possess levels then isn't their Level 0?!" Isao exclaims in panic and fear.
"Revolt of Lightning Disobey!" Yuya calls as Dark Rebellion shoots down at Idaten like a bolt of lightning, impaling him in his chest, and blowing away Isao.
Isao: 4000 - 0 LP
Winner: Yuya
"And the winner is Yuya Sakaki!" Nico exclaims as the action field deactivates and the crowd bursts into cheers and applause.
"We made it! Thank you, all of you!" Yuya thinks with gratitude at her monsters, including the new one, as she waves at the crowd with a smile.
But when she notices Isao slowly getting up, she walks over to give him a hand.
"Isao! Hey are you okay?" Yuya asks as she reaches down to help him up.
But instead of taking it, Isao slaps away her hand.
What shocks Yuya though is the expression of pure fear and dread in Isao's eyes that are locked on her.
After getting up, Isao bows toward the section where his teacher and comrades are gathered apologetically, but they had already left mere seconds ago.
"I won, and I made the whole crowd smile..." Yuya thinks as she looks at the cheering audience.
"But why does it feel so hollow...?" Yuya wonders as Isao's expression of fear comes to her mind, fear directed at her.