Reviews from previous chapter:
Ulrich362:
Fair enough Sora but I wouldn't sell yourself short, you're a pretty skilled duelist... and I'm sure you'd do well against most people either way.
Also you didn't have to let me pick the theme for your duels bopdog, you should pick a theme that you think fits the duel you've written. With that said this chapter... oh boy Shay is not happy about seeing Dan use Paladin of Photon Dragon and especially Tachyon Dragon... he is not someone you want to make mad and considering Shay was already pretty angry Dan might have made a huge mistake there. It is nice that he likes Tachyon Dragon though. Yup, Shay isn't holding anything back... Going for Revolution Falcon turn one seems like the kind of thing he would do. Though it is interesting he doesn't know Galatikuriboh... even if he never played it you'd think the strongest duelist would have owned that card considering he also owned Kuriphoton... then again Shay's relentless attacks and powerful Rank-Up-Magic spells combined with his incredibly strong Raidraptors won't make it easy for Dan... Satellite Cannon Falcon is bad enough but Ultimate Falcon being unaffected by other cards effects is really going to mess things up for Dan. Well then... Admiration of the Thousands... that's not going to improve Shay's already poor opinion of you Dan, then again it is a pretty useful card if a bit strict in its requirements, Yup, that was a bit overkill from Shay... Wiping out Dan with Rising Rebellion Falcon, but it's definitely something Dan will never forget... though he's lucky that light shield showed up in front of him because... I would not doubt Shay was trying to kill him there. Thank goodness Yuto was there to shout some sense into him... because yeah killing an innocent kid is not going to help get Lulu back and she will not be happy to learn he did that. A bit surprising Yuto left Dan Shadow Veil but I wonder if he'll make use of it later on. Also Ray Akaba is connected to Dan and wants his help with a Demon Duelist... Well I'll say this much Dan is not ready for that by a long shot... and if he learns everything is he going to try and redeem that Demon Duelist? I guess only time will tell. Awesome chapter, looking forward to the update.
Oh but I think you made a mistake by having Dan say he had Heliopolis on the field instead of Neo Tachyon when Shay brought back Brave Strix.
Okay here are the questions:
Question 1 from Ulrich362:
(To Ray)
Oh, and as for a question of the chapter... for Ray herself: Do you have any idea why Dan specifically was the person who was able to connect to you, and also if you don't mind me asking what kind of history do you have with the Demon Duelist? Will you be sharing that with Dan or keeping it to yourself for now?
Ray: No, I don't know why exactly. As stated before he was the only one who I can sense from his world, I don't know why. As for my history... I will be keeping that to myself, from you at least. Painful memories. You will learn here, or most of it.
Now onto a somewhat new chapter. It has half of the original chapter of Challengers Assemble, but it some differences like that Dan won't be dueling Grizzlepike, and won't be half between the Junior, and Junior Youth Divisions. And originally this is where that Zuzu, and Declan would duel each other with Zuzu using some new cards that she should've have from the beginning but the chapter's word count was beyond what the new updated ones are, so I decide it be better if I split this chapter into two. So sorry that Zuzu vs Declan won't be shown in this chapter but you can see other cool things instead. Like over 13,000 words without any dueling involved to bloat up the word count.
Summary: Despite being defeated by Shay, Dan still qualifies completely for the Arc-League Championship. Alongside that he had met a new friend, the same person who had brought him to the Arc-V world, Ray Akaba, who had introduced herself as the half older sister of Declan. Ray had brought him here so that he can assist her with her growing struggle against a Demon Duelist by the name of Zarc, who had wished for grand destruction. To train him, Ray had suggested something that Dan had never thought of doing. When the tournament begins, and Zuzu asked Julia why Shay, and Yuto is with them, Julia only offered an answer that confuses her. Seeing Declan alone, she decides to confront him to learn of the truth. That'll be a melodic performance both of them won't forget anytime soon!
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! as a whole but I own any OCs! ENJOY!
Date: 3/2/25
From within Dan's mind he, and Ray had been discussing a lot of things regarding what she had told him so far. She had explained to him that the world Dan is in had been split in a different kind of sense where now there are separate Dimensions. It's better to explain that she is from all of them back when they were still whole. This of course surprised Dan from never thinking the world of Arc-V was in separate Dimensions, or there is even someone who lived at them all, technically, while they were whole from the beginning.
"Whole? So does that mean the Dimensions were split from the beginning?" Ray nodded from Dan's question while he stared at her before shrugging. "After all the stuff with the Duel Monster Spirit Word, Barian World, and Astral World, I don't know why I should be surprised by that... So what exactly is the whole Dimension like?"
"My home, the Original Dimension, was once whole full of nurturing Duelists who were all living peacefully. I was the daughter of a scientist who had made Duel Monsters real enough to where we can touch them, and interact. That was the ARC-System you know of. And naturally that set off a lot of fun duels back then, and my childhood friend used them lots of times with five different dragons together. He was a one of a kind Duelist, wanting to entertain the crowd, and wanting everyone to smile and have fun."
"That sounds like Yuya..." Dan could sense that the Duelist she is referring to is similar to Yuya if he wants to entertain the crowd, and have everyone smile. Although, if that was the case, then what was the reason why they were all split apart in the first place?
Ray looked down like she was saddened about something before she then looked over towards him. It's right he knows what had happened back then, and it's so that he can assist her against the kind of threat on the horizon. "In one duel my childhood friend injured his opponent by accident. While in shock he then hears something, I was last expecting... Cheering."
"Cheering?" Dan couldn't believe what the crowd's reaction was when the opponent was injured by accident. A visage appeared above Ray where he sees what he remembers as Odd-Eyes Dragon smacking its tail into a charging Ignition Beast Volcannon. The controller of the Fusion Monster who had been smiling, and cheering like the crowd was bashed into by the beast, and it broke his arm, and shoulder as he laid on the ground holding his injured limb in pain. The controller of Odd-Eyes Dragon was staring in horror for what had happened, never expecting this to happen. Dan blinked seeing the person... doesn't he find this person familiar? But he was cut-off from his thoughts when he started to hear cheering, and so did the young man who blinked looking over at the crowd. The person looked around surprised from this not expecting the reaction from the crowd... but pretty soon, the young man began smiling despite this. Dan widens his eyes seeing this. "Is he... smiling?"
Ray explains over more while she lets out tears of light. "The audience who had been cheering him on were only more riled by what had just happened. They did not care for the injured opponent only for more violence, and action. It had changed my childhood friend as he realized that's what the crowd wanted. The more duels he got into the more damage he had done to an aggressive, and brutal dueling style."
Dan watches as the visage changed where he can see the young man battling, and dueling more but overtime he had changed from a lighthearted, and entertaining dueling style to a more brutal, and ruthless style to answer the demands of the crowds for more violent duels. He also sees that the young man eventually decided to be the best Duelist within the world rather than answering to the crowd to where he became obsessed to be the strongest Duelist while still being ruthless, and violent. "Didn't... didn't someone do anything?"
"There were at first, a few people, alongside the chief of a special Police Force that duels criminals." Ray spoke over before then shrugging with a frown. "However he was powerless to stop him, as he technically doesn't do anything that would get him arrested as assaulting someone during a duel isn't against the rules." Which is a terrible thing... no matter how injured, or broken the opponents are, said Police Force doesn't have the warrant, or legal issues to take any action against him, and as the crowd welcomes it wholeheartedly, they can't stop it by banning the ARC-System as it would cause a huge backlash, and decline in sales. And her father also wasn't able to cancel his project, as his stockholders were really happy from how it was going, and were also fans of the young man so he was powerless to stop him from injuring opponents further like the Police Chief. "Pretty soon no-one was able to challenge him, now known as a National World Champion, and one who is a Dueling Master. The audience wanted more despite no more opponents..." The visage shows the young man out by himself on the Dueling Field spreading his arms while he has a large smirk on his face. Dan stares over watching as Ray explains this. The next bit then reveals a much darker turn. "Then desiring more power he unleashed his dragons on everyone turning cheers to screams."
If Dan didn't believe that, then he most certainly did now from seeing the young man summoning five dragons Odd-Eyes Dragon, and Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon included as they all attacked the crowd, and audience as they screamed moving to escape from the destructive power of the dragons. Dan just stared horrified as he watched this... This was the Demon Duelist that Ray had mentioned? This person who had been corrupted by the dark powers of the crowd, and he just attacks everything within his home for more power than ever?
(Cue Theme: Can You Feel The Power)
Hey! Hey!
Can you Feel the Power!?
You vs. me competition for the victory, (Wull!)
I could be the best one day and make history. (Go!)
Swing into action, are you ready to play? (Go!)
Challenge anyone, anywhere (Go!), any day. (Come On!)
You wanna take a chance? Go ahead and roll the dice. (Ok!)
See if it's in your cards, if you'll pay the price. (Wull!)
Activate the Spell, let your powers come to life. (Go!)
It's showtime, who will win the fight? (Wow!)
I'm ready to duel, go ahead and make your move.
(Go! Go! Go! Go!)
I'll win this duel,
You can't beat my moves.
I'm in that groove,
I know I can't lose.
Your turn, your tricks,
Now what will you choose?
Can you feel the power!?
I'll win this duel,
You can't beat my moves.
I'm in that groove,
I know I can't lose.
Your turn, your tricks,
Now what will you choose?
Can you feel the power!?
Dan just kept staring at the visage seeing the destruction that the young man, and his dragons are doing. Did the guy get so corrupted by the crowd wishing for more violence that it ended up changing him to be the person he is right now? But how'd this guy get Odd-Eyes Dragon, and Dark Rebellion, they are Yuya, and Yuto's cards aren't? But taking a close look, he blinked... that face rings familiar, and his appearance as well... he can't help but think that something is up with the resemblance... it's like...
"Wait, he has the same face as Yuya, and Yuto... and I saw him. Before Yuto dueled me that night, I saw him from the stars as a vision." Dan had realized by now where he had seen him. Not only is his face like Yuya, and Yuto's, it was also the same teenage boy he had seen before he had left where Yuto encountered him. Is this another situation of mistaken identity due to the similar faces?
"His name is Zarc." Dan couldn't help but shudder hearing the name of the guy. Zarc... sounds menacing. "There is a reason why his face matches some of your friends. Alongside faces between Zuzu, and Lulu, who I'm sure you heard about already." Yeah Dan had been told a while back that Lulu is the reason why Shay, and Yuto are fighting the Leo Students, and why Shay brutally defeated him in the first place. Ouch, his head hurts every time he thinks of that... near death experience, and all. "Yes Zarc used his dragons on the audience when he craved more power... but it was only later when the situation was made into something worse."
What could be worse then-Dan looked over while he started thinking this only to see something that burns into his hand for probably the rest of his life, or his time here in the Arc-V Universe.
"Astrograph Sorcerer who governs spacetime! With your abyssal power overlay our desires!"
Dan watches stunned as a galaxy blue like magician raises a clock like staff as a large portal opens where the five dragons alongside Zarc himself moved into the portal forming together into something new, and devastating. "He fused himself with his dragons?" He is unable to believe that such a thing can be possible. There are monsters that also become one with their duelists like Paradox, and Malefic Truth Dragon, but five separate dragons to one duelist as well?
"Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, Ritual, all of those powers are combined into him with the mightiest powers of all four methods combined into one. Together they are, Supreme King Z-ARC!" The visage reveals what the new being was a huge black, and green, red-eyed dragon attacking a desolated city causing destruction, and sparing no-one throughout as Dan watched on in horror. Ray looked visibly frustrated with tears in her eyes. "I was about to give up hope to get him back, but my father found the way." The visage shows a tanned man wearing a white scientist coat, gray gloves, and having brown hair looking around through the destruction. "Even throughout the destruction the forces of Nature lived on through the energy of Earth in the form of the Winds, the Birds, the Flowers, the Moon, and even the power of the Sun itself. In theory if he could harness all the energies of those five things then it can be enough to combat Z-ARC."
"Using the Forces of Nature to combat a great evil..."
"With my help, my Dad managed to complete five Spell Cards to do just the thing." Ray said as they saw the tanned man had finished making five spells as he smiled seeing them showing their cards with artworks of crystal windows like iterations of a flower, a bird, a wind, a moon, and a sun. "But those cards come with great risk. He's my childhood friend, so I took the cards from my father, and went after him myself." It shows a long, maroon and dark red haired woman with hair clips. Her clothes are a Duel Runner Suit, she also wears a thigh strap running in, and swiped the cards running out.
The man had started chasing after her to get the cards back just running to chase her. As soon as Ray can see Z-ARC in the distance she takes a breath, and stops turning around towards him. "Dad, I'm going to stop Zarc, not you! The people need you to rebuild this city!"
"Ray, don't be silly, I created Zarc, so I, not you, will defeat him!" her father protested this. The power of the cards will be too much for her to handle, and if he loses her, he don't know what he will do... he understands where she is coming from as Zarc is a good friend of hers from the past, but he can't afford to let Ray give her life to correct his mistakes. "Now give those cards back. I will not let you risk your life. I don't want to lose you, Ray."
"And I don't want to lose you either, Dad!" the woman, Ray, argued before activating a card that sparked lighting at two collapsed buildings separating Ray, and her father as she ran off with him unable to chase her while Dan watched. So Ray had taken the cards from her father, and to stop Zarc while also keeping him safe, she moved to confront Zarc herself with those cards. If the cards are really that powerful, she doesn't want anything to happen to her father which he feels the same to Ray.
"I had made sure that my father wasn't going to get hurt so he could rebuild the city. Meanwhile, I had managed to reach my childhood friend, and challenged him to a duel using the five cards we created." Ray continued explaining towards Dan as he watches as the visage turns to past Ray raising her arm as five cards appeared above her started to glow bright causing the nature forces to gather at the duel powering up the cards.
Her father managed to reach the duel from a large detour. He tries to interfere but ends up hitting a barrier that prevents him from getting closer. He can't do anything to stop anything at this point as he watches in horror when Ray begins using the Five Cards of Nature that they created together to stop Zarc. "Ray no! Those cards contain all the forces of nature! Your body can't withstand all that energy! Stop it, Ray! Please! You aren't going to survive!"
Even if she wanted too, Ray can't stop the card's powers at this point. It was all or nothing, either Zarc is stopped or their entire world will be in ruins. Five Bracelets formed at Ray's arm with different symbols on them as their gems all glowed bright while the dragon roared in agony as a scream was heard before it starts spasming where five dragons exited it as silhouettes of Odd-Eyes, Dark Rebellion, and the others several times as if threatening to be split apart forcefully. Zarc, himself who is blackened on the dragon with glowing yellow eyes, glared towards her in a distorted voice. "Stop it! Stop it now! Or you will suffer the consequences!"
Ray stayed silent not stopping before finally the dragon shattered leaving the five dragons who split off while Ray also into multicolored versions one heading into the same direction as the dragons as a bright light occurred around the Dimension as the image faded showing Dan was in silent shock. He turned over towards her slowly from the story as she had light tears in her eyes again. "Using the cards had split me, him, and all the Dimensions into different pieces. Yuto, and Yuya, are a part of him... similarly Zuzu Boyle, and Lulu Obsidian are some of my counterparts, they both wield 2 of the Bracelets you have seen."
"Wait, so that's why Yuya, and Yuto both have Odd-Eyes, and Dark Rebellion? Cause they are parts of Zarc?"
"Yes." Ray confirmed this nodding. "As both the Standard Incarnation, and Xyz Incarnations for him. Zuzu, and Lulu are my Incarnations from those same Dimensions. You can tell which are which not only from the same faces but also from the dragons Zarc's incarnations used, and the Bracelets that my incarnations always wear. I have managed to manifest my incarnations close to Zarc's so they will never get a chance to reunite, and allow for Zarc's return."
"So was that why...?" Suddenly recalling all the times that Zuzu's Bracelet lit up where Yuto vanishes when Yuya was approaching Zuzu, that must've been Ray's doing why it was happening.
"I was keeping them from reuniting. Zarc can't be allowed to return, or else destruction will be imminent." she suddenly frowned looking down. Something appears to be troubling her, which Dan notices. "But recently, it has been getting more frequent... I sense a change of Dimensions, it started with a lot of battling towards where Yuto, and Lulu's home world was at, and the next people from the Fusion Dimension had been crossing through towards the others where only the Ritual Dimension wasn't touched." The visage appeared again where Dan can see soldiers in masks having gems on them going around attacking people, and a cloaked person kidnapping some girls before quickly leaving in purple light. "I fear that if continued like this Zarc will return, and doom will be upon us all. My incarnations are unable to do anything as most of them are staying in the Fusion Dimension which prevents my intervention to keep Zarc's counterparts away from each other."
The visage then reveals five boys, and girls each. Dan can see Zuzu, Yuya, and Yuto clearly but the others can't be identified due to being silhouettes of different energy colors of purple, green, light blue, and black before five versions of Earth appeared that each of those 2 people gathered as if showing what world they are from before the green, and black girls were moved from their homes towards the purple Earth as if showing their current location at the moment.
"Whoa... that's really heavy." Dan couldn't help voicing those words over. If all of this really was true then it could mean that this could be Universal, or Dimensional Global Conquest involved if the counterparts of both Zarc, and Ray are moving around all over from the Five Dimensions. And it also means that Zarc will be reunited, and return to carry out his long conquest of total destruction. Ray really needs his help to prevent Zarc from returning, and stopping whoever is having this be possible.
"Humanity are the real monsters. They made Zarc the way he is now, and... And I just did nothing but watch!" He looked over and saw Ray was crying really frustrated. She had been present as a fan of Zarc, and a longtime friend of his but when he really needed her most to get him out of the darkness he was subjected towards, she only stood back. She won't be standing back anymore to stop Zarc for good but from these kinds of circumstances, that can't be possible now, so she needs his help to keep Zarc from returning. "I watched my home get destroyed, I watched as my friend became a monster, I watched as he harmed others... I want the old Zarc back before all of this happens."
"..." Dan looked down from this. He can completely understand what she is telling him, so she had brought him here to stop Zarc from returning as a result of the events that had been happening from Yuto, and the way how Zuzu's Bracelet reacts whenever Yuya is getting closer to Yuto. However, from the kind of origins that he, and Supreme King Z-ARC had, maybe Zarc can really be returned back to the Duelist he once was. Yuya is a counterpart of him, and he was Zarc's past as a benevolent Duelist who wants to entertain the crowd, so maybe he is the key to having Zarc be back to normal. So he gave a soft smile towards her. "And you will."
"Huh?" Surprised, and confused, hearing that Ray looks over towards him with light tears in her eyes as he rises up. "Dan?"
"I know how it feels to lose someone special. I had a friend back then, she was a close friend of mine..." Dan's heart tugged with painful memories as flashes of a burning building appeared in his mind, and Dan was kept from moving as the building collapsed down onto the only resident that was in it was a girl. "I didn't help her, and I wanted to change that by helping others. So now Ray, I promise... We will bring Zarc back to normal." He walked over, and hugged her gently. "But we'll do it together."
Ray started crying from this, touched from his promise towards her. While she is crying the gold light faded from around her body revealing the appearance she had back as the visage allowing Dan to see her face like before. "Oh Dan!" She hugs him tight close to her. With that promise in place, there could be a chance to restore Zarc back to normal... but that path will be difficult, that much they can acknowledge. Of course, they will do so, and restore Zarc back, and keep him from destroying everything.
They stood there still hugging close for a few minutes before Dan pulled back smiling towards Ray. "I don't know how we can do it. But it ain't impossible to find a solution. And whoever wants your counterparts for something, I don't know but they aren't going to have you."
"Thank you..."
"And Ray? You're really pretty."
Ray blushed with a smile from this. "Well now you know everything. What are you gonna do?" That is a good question to ask... What can Dan do here right now? Now that he knows the truth with her, and Zarc, what can be the first step onto this whole journey the two together will have?
"I'll continue going through what Arc-V's plot is about... I'll also find a way to have Zarc back to his senses, and also somehow restore you back. And as long as we're together we can do that."
"Thank you Dan." Ray smiled towards him from this. She then examines over the sky before then looking over at him. "Well Dan, first things first, I had been examining your duels for a while since you began by dueling my brother. Although there is something I noticed from them." Dan perked up looking curious what exactly it was she had noticed. All of Dan's Decks from her eyes were all pretty well balanced, and being 60 card Decks are really capable of using a lot of moves, and advantages. However she had noticed that... "How come you only use 1 summoning in each Deck beside Red-Eyes, and Galaxy-Eyes since you're using two?"
"Well... all of them were made to be the summoning methods they were. And I can't imagine what to do next after them."
"Have you given thought of adding more summoning methods to your decks? Using just 1 method, or only focusing on 1 in a Deck will only be limiting their true potential." As someone who uses all the summons (minus Pendulum) she should know this.
"I... Well you see I..." Dan began but couldn't form words as he paused realizing what Ray had been saying. He never actually gave thought on using more than one method for his Decks. He now understands that with his Decks where they are now they wouldn't evolve for the better, and be stuck unless he does something.
"I didn't think as much." Seeing his expression Ray has her answer shrugging. Then he smiled over towards him. "But I got a solution for it." He looked over towards her as she closed her eyes before his Decks all appeared glowing. He widened his eyes, surprised before Ray soon opened her eyes, and smiled towards him. She hands him his Red-Eyes Deck as he takes one of the cards out, and blinks seeing that the card he has was a Pendulum Monster.
"How'd you do that?" Although he had already known that Ray had brought his Galaxy-Eyes Deck, and had been giving him new cards without card packs, and other things, he still wonders how exactly she can do that.
"I am able to give you any card you need whenever you edit your Decks. I can also give you new cards, and new Extra Deck monsters for you to duel." Ray explained, smiling towards him. She then frowned before shaking her head. "Although, I do admit this ability is not perfect... it can only replicate cards that exist in your world for real. Not the versions of them that had been known before, just versions that had been-" Seeing his confused expression she just sighed before snapping her fingers. "Or more simply..." A visage appeared where Dan sees a large armored being with a spear, black dreadlocks, and a shield using numerous effects on a turn while a card generated beside it that is the TCG released version of it.
Oh now he gets it. She can only summon cards that exist in his world rather than the anime, or manga versions. Which is gonna make things difficult as the anime Card of Sanctity, and such cards like those can't be used. But if he is able to use any card he wants or needs without the need of using card packs then it would be he wouldn't need to hunt for a gamble. Although, he should not take too much time looking.
"And you also need to do some training. From that last attack that Shay's Rank 13 had done, your Duel Disk malfunctioned somewhat, and you are now able to qualify." What? He is still able to qualify for the Arc-League despite losing to Shay? That means he had technically cheated but not on purpose, and Shay had done it rather than he did. Although he doesn't like to cheat, it's needed for up ahead, so he needs to keep going at this pace, and hopes things will be alright. "So Dan, let's get to training." Dan nodded over determined. He will do what he can to help Ray against whatever is kidnapping her counterparts, and keep Zarc from returning.
So it took the rest of the night as what it had been from this but Dan, and Ray together had worked hard into the night with Dan trying to get used to his Decks changed to where he added new cards, and practice using the different Summon Methods into them. It took a good bit of trial, and error, alongside discovering new additions that Dan was unaware of. Soon it was time for Dan to awaken, and qualify for the Arc-League. He smiled towards her, and left by vanishing as Ray stared over smiling as he left. She isn't sure what this can go over but with Dan she's confident that together they can right the wrongs, all those years ago.
Now it's an early morning, and now everyone is gathered at You Show to discuss the plan of the Arc-League. After Dan had woken up, he explained he's alright, and can still make it for the Arc-League. They suggested that he take it easy, which he promises but he isn't going to drop out of the tournament because of it. Now comes to the time where they will be leaving for the Championship, and over discussing what they will all be doing together, all seven of them. Yuya had managed to win his last duel which he had explained to Dan while he was unconscious that Gong was his final duel, and had displayed using Synchro Summoning from personally asking Kit to teach him, and won over him while everyone was watching in a different spot as Nico wanted Yuya to duel on his own without others.
"Sure, we only have seven students here at the You Show School. But what we lack in numbers. we make up for it with guts." Skip was going over a speech towards them while Yoko was behind them to join them towards the Championship. Ray was also with them but only Dan can see her. He had been surprised to see her but didn't voice it unless he wanted to be seen as crazy. "I knew you kids were talented, but who'd have guessed you'd all qualify for the Arc-League Championship!? It's the proudest moment of my duelist career! Let's bring it to everybody!" With tears in his eyes tried to embrace them which they all but Dan moved out of the way as Skip embraced Dan who looked startled, but did smile hugging him back.
"Shouldn't we make a beeline for the area?"
"Right you are Allie. But first let's have a quick refresher." Skip cleared his throat to discuss the plan for them. Always a good idea for refreshers, or reminders especially since Dan never been to the Championship himself. "As you may remember, this championship will be sectioned off into three age brackets, beginning with the Youth Division. That's where Tate, Allie, Frederick, and Dan are competing."
"Right!" the three called with Dan nodding. The Junior Youth Division probably doesn't have that many strong duelists (no offense to them) but he shouldn't get cocky or worried cause Frederick, Allie, and Tate can be tough themselves.
"While Yuya, Zuzu, and Sora are competing in the Junior Division."
"Yeah./Okay." the three teens nodded. They each have some scores to settle mostly Zuzu as Julia will be in the same Branch as they will.
"Unless you've been asleep for the last decade, you know that these League Championships are a titanic deal! Of course, all the top schools will be represented by their best and brightest, including the Leo Institute. But there will also be incredible duelists from across the globe!" A flaming background appeared behind Skip as he continued on. "So this is our chance to show the world that You Show's Dueltaining Style of combat is the best. You've all been terrific teammates to each other, but starting now it's gut-check time, and I want you to think of each other as potential rivals. Torch all your competitors! Burn up the field! Feed the flames! Keep turning up the heat on your rivals till you reach victory in a blaze of glory!" While he continued Dan noticed the six with Yoko were heading to the small van that is apparently their bus. "Attack in a relentless inferno of fiery fury!" When he noticed only Dan was listening he looked over towards the bus before he sighed. "Thanks for listening Dan."
"Hey, listening is respectful, and polite. Nothing gets gained from being disrespectful." While he speaks of this both Dan, and Skip together walk into the bus themselves, Skip in the driver's seat while Dan sits beside Tate, who on the other side from Sora (before Dan himself) was the most recent student of You Show.
"Alright we're all in." Yoko smiled.
"Let's get rolling." Zuzu decided for them.
"All right, next stop, the Arc-League Championship!" Tate, Allie, and Frederick all cheered from this as Skip started the bus. "Time for the You Show Express to get underway! Onward to Victoryville! There's no stopping us now!"
"Aaahhh!" Not even 5 seconds, and the van made a sudden stop when Zuzu let out a scream.
'So much for 'no stopping us'.' Dan thought to himself with Ray nodding in agreement beside him.
"What's wrong, Zuzu?" Skip turned over towards his daughter worried that something had happened as she's staring at a spot shocked.
"Sorry, Dad, but we're one passenger short."
"Who's missing?" they all looked at the spot as they looked among each other. They realized that... Yuya is gone.
"Where's Yuya?" everyone asked in shock.
"Yuya!" Skip let out a yell seeing this. This is SO not what they wanted right now, for their Pendulum Wonder, and Sakaki Heir of Yusho to pull a disappearing act before the tournament can begin!
Meanwhile at a arena island was the large crowd gathering for the Arc-League Championship buzzing in excitement with shop stalls all around. The tournament they had been waiting for all year long has finally arrived! Duelists, and Duel Schools from all over the world had all gathered here to see what kind of matches they can expect. They also came to witness the miracle that is Pendulum Summoning that had been rumored to be one of the newest sensations within Dueling History, and hope they can see it in person. They can't wait to start this tournament off, and wonder how much longer it's going to be.
"This is Joy Jeever reporting live from Paradise Square. The Whole City is sizzling with excitement. And why? Because one of the year's most exciting events is just about to kick off. I'm talking about the Arc-League Championship." a female reporter stated in the arena talking to the camera. She was the reporter lucky enough to manage to get into the Institute at Declan's permission as most of the paparazzi are often asked to leave, or had to be kicked out. "Crowds are filling the arena, eager to see their favorite duelists face-off in the fantastically realistic environments generated by the Leo Corporation's Augmented Reality Combat system. This remarkable technology has revolutionized Action Dueling, placing duelists directly in the thick of battle. It's no wonder this pastime has the world's most fanatic fan base. They can't wait for this tournament to start." She, and her cameraman moved into the area themselves over a railing. "Neither can I! Any minute now the opening ceremonies will begin, and we can expect this crowd to go wild."
That was when she, and her cameraman heard the crowd cheering as they turned over to see what the fuzz was about. "Huh? Is the ceremony starting?" Her cameraman suddenly notices something as he can see Declan along with the woman that was from his match with Dan walking to the sponsor chairs as the crowd cheered for them. "No, wait, he's here. We have a major celebrity sighting. It's the one and only Declan Akaba, President of Leo Corporation, the main sponsor of this competition. Listen to that crow as they welcome one of the dueling world's greatest stars! What an electric moment! It seems like ages since Declan made a public appearance at a dueling event."
"Declan! Declan! Declan! Declan!" The crowd chanted his name as Declan waved to them.
"You suspect that boy would be here?"
"If Dan is as skilled as I think he is then yes." Declan spoke towards the woman with crossed arms. He had been watching Dan's progress carefully, and had also known of his duel with Shay. He wasn't sure what exactly stopped that last attack from killing the kid, but he is glad because Declan definitely wants someone of Dan's caliber into the Lancers. Not to mention all he had seen in his Duels to qualify for the Arc-League. "I don't have a doubt he would lose easily."
The woman nodded from that. She has doubts if Dan really can be as her son claimed but he has been a child prodigy when he was young, and had managed to enter the national circuit when he was 15. So if he is sure Dan can really be a Lancer, then she shouldn't get him wrong. While thinking of this she notices something looking around. "Where's Riley?"
"Riley is making sure her deck is ready for the tournament, and seeing if it needs any changes." She only nodded from this. Riley needs to get herself together, this will be minor, she has trained for this, and will qualify as a Lancer.
At the gathered students as the ones qualified for the Arc-League from the Leo Institute, they all are waiting for the chance to head out of the area for them all to be shown to everyone. Hector is among them as well alongside Kit, Julia, and Dipper. It had been a while back since they all had recovered from their Duel with Shay, and the memory wipe they had suffered at Declan's orders to keep things from getting really complicated. But although he had told Declan he won't say anything, it doesn't mean he can't be nervous about it. Especially Shay... Declan had told him he will be joining them as right now their goals align with each other.
Although Hector is nervous about being near someone like Shay. And his comrade someone named Yuto, who has the same face as Yuya does... he isn't sure what they are here for, or what kind of goals they have but they are now working with Declan instead of being interrogated, and captured for all of their actions against LID like sealing Professor Marco, and several other students of the Fusion Course. He has all the right to know as Declan spoke but it was for his safety he can't know for now... why exactly should his safety be concerned when Shay, and Yuto are there with them?
"What are you so nervous about?"
Hector jumped yelping as he turned to see Dipper behind him with his hands on his hips wondering why Hector seemed nervous, a bit more than usual. Said boy sighed over before then speaking to him. "Don't scare me like that Dipper! I'm already dealing with enough as is..."
"What's up with you? You can tell us if something is bothering you."
Hector turns blushing slightly when he sees Julia is talking to him before he gulped looking back over towards Shay, and Yuto. "It's just those two, Shay, and Yuto... there is something about them that isn't right."
"What are you talking about? They have been with us since last semester." Kit, with his memories altered, didn't exactly remember the duel he, Dipper, and Julia had against Shay under the guise that he, and Yuto had always been with the school last year. Hector can't exactly say what is up as their memories were altered, and Declan told him to keep what happened under tight lips. Something that undoubtedly won't be easy... he's not exactly a good liar.
"Well... I think they're hiding a secret." Instead of outright lying, he instead speaks of something that is technically true.
"Let's not worry about it. There isn't anyone more skilled for LID's Xyz than I am." Dipper grinned over under a sense of irony that as Shay is now an LID Student, he is no longer the best student within LID's Xyz Course. But right now he doesn't need to know that. Their attention was caught when a staff member told everyone, it was time for them to head to the arena soon.
Dan, and the others arrived at the arena themselves just looking around for Yuya. They haven't found him, and assumed he had gone on ahead to the arena but they can't find him anywhere. Sora soon walked in, and he was asked if he had seen Yuya.
"No, not a lick of him." he answered.
If Yuya isn't here then he will be disqualified. Where could he be? They are all worried he must've left somewhere without telling them but where could he have wandered off too at this point? Dueling in this kind of arena was his dream to be a Professional Dueltainer like his father, and if he isn't here, he'll face the same ridicule that Yusho had been dealt with behind his back.
"No problem!" Hearing the voice they all turned over seeing Aura herself had arrived, and had seen their troubles at unable to find Yuya. They haven't seen her after Dan's duel with Ron, and she was already qualified for the Arc-League so they knew they should expect to see her. They just didn't know about how they will find her as she is still fixated on Yuya. "If my boyfriend is lost, then I'm the one to find him."
"What do you mean, boyfriend?" Zuzu gained a death stare as fire engulfed her sparking fear in the three You Show Kids, and Dan.
"Zuzu, chill out!"
Aura then sighed dreamlily as she started having a daydreaming sequence. "I know where Yuya is. I'm having a vision of him right now as he visits my parents to ask them if he can take me out." She is dreaming of her vision of Yuya kneeling on all fours of shadows of her parents. Seeing this she started shaking dreamlily. "Oh, Mommy and Daddy, please say yes."
Zuzu with a major irritated look pulled out her paper fan with a hostile growl. "I'll be happy to take you out now with one whack!"
"Save that fury for your first opponent, Zuzu." Tate said meekly to her.
"What should we do?" Allie looked worried not only will blood be shed in the literal sense but that Yuya will be disqualified if he doesn't show up soon. "They're gonna start the championship soon."
"Have no fear." Aura grinned over towards them more than ready to take on this task. "If my clairvoyant powers can't locate Yuya, then the power of my love will." That said she laid a napkin on the floor, and placed her Crystal Apple on it as she waved her hands on it to try doing her powers. "Where are you, my darling sweetie pie?" With her back turned, Zuzu looks like she's ready to swipe her paper fan with the three You Show Kids, and Dan to try to calm her down, and stop her. "Where are you my honey dearest?" Then she gasped, smiling brightly at something. "I see him!" The five kids gasped, stopping what they were doing when they heard those words. Has she really found Yuya?
"Where is Yuya?" Allie couldn't help asking.
"That way." Aura pointed out the window as they turned over. They didn't see Yuya anywhere but Aura explains why exactly. "He's way over there on that bridge."
'Over on the bridge huh...?' Dan thought, looking out to the bridge. "He might have wanted some time alone to get ready. This is a big tournament, and he might want to put his mind at ease." It makes total sense now... Yuya needs a while to prepare his mind so that he can be ready. Despite already being prepared, and doing all he can to secure his place in the Arc-League, he would want some time to clear his head for his mental state to be ready at that time. This will be the largest crowd Yuya will duel in or maybe even more, so he would want to be mentally prepared. "In the meantime while we wait for Yuya, I should better grab one of these Championship Packets so I can learn what schools we're against."
"Are you sure?" Dan moved as he turned, nodding with a smile towards Allie that he was. He is wondering what kind of other Duel Schools can be there, and see what exactly they can do. Also a chance to see any potential opponents he can face. Dan was running to find them passing a corner, and saw someone walking in the opposite direction as he gasped, unable to stop them bumping into each other in the lonesome hallway as both of their Decks were scattered to the floor. "Ah!"
"Ow, ow, ow." Dan looked over to see who he bumped into and widened his eyes. It was a girl his age that has on a gray hoodie with long bluish gray hair, and had on a yellow, and blue striped shirt, with gray shorts, and had on big gray sneakers rubbing her head. "O-Oh I'm sorry miss!" Moving to help her up, he gets up, and offers a hand towards her as she looks up blinking. She takes his hand getting up before pausing as she pulls her hood up.
"Please forget that you know I'm a girl."
This naturally confuses Dan to hear that. Pretend that she isn't a girl? "Uh why?"
"..." She only looked around, not answering his question. When she doesn't see who she thinks is around she turns back towards him. "Who are you?"
"Dan Kizami. A student at You Show Duel School. And you are?"
While surprised that he is the same Dan that Declan told her about, she stares before slowly answering by saying her name. "...Riley. Riley Akaba. Student of the Leo Institute of Dueling."
Dan widens his eyes hearing that. "Akaba?" Riley nodded slowly before he noticed the scattered cards. "Oh geez, sorry I scattered your Deck." He kneeled down to start picking them up as Riley moved down to help him as well. Declan has a little sister then? Well he didn't expect that, but suppose it makes sense. Although he wonders where she had been the whole time since if it was anything like Kite, and Hart or Kaiba, and Mokuba they would be close together. He doesn't see Declan with her, and that he never saw her when he dueled Declan that time back. She probably must've been qualifying for the Arc-League herself, that's probably the best guess. When they finished gathering the scattered cards, they handed them to each other.
"Thanks." Dan smiled at her.
"Your welcome..." Riley stood up for herself quietly.
"Are you... Declan's little sister?" Riley froze from Dan's question before nodding slowly. "Well... He was a tough duelist. I hope I can have a chance to duel him again." He smiled bright from this. He is more than eager to duel Declan again sometime soon hopefully, he is willing to show Declan how much he had grown as a Duelist, and that he will also not be easily pushed like last time. "Well tell your brother I said hi okay? Because you're lucky to be his sister."
That made Riley blushed as Dan patted her shoulder, and walked off the original goal of finding for the Tournament Packet forgotten, leaving Riley there in the hallway as she stared off at his retreating form. She stares at him as he walks off. Now that she had the chance to meet him herself, he's a kind guy, and was also energetic at facing Declan again should the chance arise. But also... '...I think I'm in love.'
"Actually Ray... even if we can't tell Declan, or Riley, of your existence, shouldn't we ask them where your dad was? We haven't seen him at all, and we are very sure that he is the founder of the Leo Institute, and your father." Dan was walking back towards where You Show is with the Tournament Packet finding pretty much gone at this point since the Championship is about to start. He began conversation since they are alone in the hallway, and in case anyone comes in he is pretending to talk in his Duel Disk as it functions as a phone so people won't think he's talking to himself.
"As much as I want to see, and find out if dad's okay... it's probably better if we don't ask." Ray's voice was full of regret, and hesitance at the chance to learn about the whereabouts of her father, however there are several reasons why they can't exactly talk to Declan, or Riley about it. Not only is she probably not known to them, but also... "They will be too suspicious why you will be asking for him... and I haven't seen or heard about a lick of my father since I came to this world. I have no idea where he is exactly, but I can sense him from within the Five Dimensions... he's alive, but out there somewhere..."
As much as it pains Ray, and Dan also, it does make total sense... if they went around asking for where Declan's father is they will probably get no leads of the location, or status. Not to mention, they will also be arousing suspicion why they want to know about him. So for now they should pretty much hold the questions where he is, or how he is doing later on. While training Dan had gotten to know about Ray, and her father from what she discussed to him about.
About Ray, she is a high ranking professional Duelist but her father's job requires her to move around a lot. As such she wasn't able to stay in one city, and keep the friends she makes. She only kept 1 friend with her, and was close to her when they were kids. She assumed she must've died, or gotten lost when the Dimensions were split or if Z-ARC was the one who destroyed her. From moving around a lot she became cold, and doesn't duel for fun much. It was when she had met Zarc again after years that reignited her personality.
Her father meanwhile is a kind, and caring man who sought to connect Duelist, and Duel Monsters in ways that they dream. He was a brilliant scientist, probably the ways that Dan only knows can outclass some of the best scientists he had known within Yu-Gi-Oh's history. His name is Leo Akaba, and was a top scientist for Duel Monsters, and his Arc System project that took the Solid Vision to new ways that Kaiba never was able to develop on his own. It is also where monsters are able to be touched, and interact with together, like in matches such as the Shadow Games only without the lethal, and risks that came from those duels although it is still dangerous if used like how Zarc does. With the Arc System he became a large celebrity sensation, and wished for no fame, or wealth, only desiring for Duelists, and Monsters both to bond like how they were bonding like how they imagined.
They were also fans of Zarc when they saw him duel. But when he injured his opponent by accident, they were horrified, and more horrified when they started to hear the cheering while Zarc fed on his audience's demands for more violent matches. From seeing the catastrophic damage that his Arc System was causing, he had tried to cancel the project but his stockholders who are also as guilty as the other fans are for more violent duels refuse to do so, and from what she founded out later, they had threatened Ray's life if he tries to stop the project by force. They later learned that the Chief of the Police Force also tried arresting Zarc but he had broken no rules technically, and hadn't done any malicious acts outside of a duel so he was unable to secure a warrant for Zarc's arrest.
In the end, they ended up letting Zarc becoming the Demon Duelist he is today, and Leo had hoped to fix his mistakes by having himself be destroyed by using the Natural Energy cards he, and Ray created to stop him but Ray took the hold instead where they, and the Dimensions were split apart. Ray knows her father must've survived, she hopes so.
"...just like your wimpy old man once did."
Hearing this they looked over, finding themselves back at the lobby where someone big as Gong was in front of Yuya with a smirk wearing a black vest, and gray shirt alongside a small ponytail of black hair, and a pink tuff at his hair.
"What'd you say?" Yuya looks visibly offended by that remark.
"I still can't figure out how the son of a despicable coward beat Sledgehammer." the tall boy sneered while Sora asked You Show who this guy was but they didn't know either. The tall boy leaned down, poking Yuya's forehead with a smirk. "No Sakaki is worthy of dueling in this stadium. Now, how's about I show you and your lousy cards where the exit is?" He gives a malicious chuckle as he says this smirking at him while Yuya glares over really offended that this guy who is his old bully is insulting his father.
Dan frowned seeing this clenching his hands. If there is one thing he hates more than people getting hurt, it's bullies. Some people think too highly of themselves because of what status they're in, and that their thinking gives them the right to boss people around. Well he is not gonna let it happen, consequences be damned. So deciding to stop this he walked over towards them, and spoke once he's in earshot. "The only coward who isn't worthy of dueling here is you."
Overhearing this Yuya, and the bully turned over seeing Dan glaring over towards the bully. Gong was also nearby, and had been approaching to stop his former fellow senpai but paused when he saw Dan walking over. He had been about to tell Dan not to interfere but the look in Dan's eyes stopped him when he saw them. The burning fire of conviction burns within them, and seeing them knows he shouldn't get involved. So Gong instead stopped approaching instead just watching as this plays out wondering how the little guy will handle this situation.
"What? Are you talking to me?" the tall boy rose up now sneering towards Dan in disgust stepping in front of him. "Are you talking to me?"
"Who else am I talking to?" Despite this guy being way taller, and bigger then he is, Dan refuses to let that intimidate him just kept glaring over at him refusing to break.
"Oh, you're getting smart with me? You know, if someone gets smart they need to be taught some manners. So case in point, know your place." the tall boy gave a warning while smirking at him. "Unless, you want me to show you where that is?"
"Well fortunately, I don't know my place. You know why? Cause I won't stand by, and let you belittle others because of your own stupid reasons." Dan spoke over quite calmly but his voice carries serious devotion. Yuya, You Show, and Gong all blinked surprised from what they were seeing. They've never seen this side of Dan before only knowing him as carefree, and ongoing but never knowing he had this in him where if someone is bothering someone because of their prejudiced ideals, then Dan won't tolerate it, no way, no how... It's really surprising to see this kind of side from him. "So you have no right to harass Yuya like you are doing right now."
"Tch, so you aren't aware of his father pulling a coward's way out then?"
"Of course I know." Dan answered that he isn't stupid he knows that Yusho was never present when his duel with the Sledgehammer was starting, and never appeared again. Although he isn't sure where Yusho was, or why he never came, he knows it isn't like Yusho to run away from an opponent. The Sledgehammer wasn't an impressive opponent but while the new Battleguard cards are neat, it's just classic beatdown with nothing original about them. He could learn originality, and creativity from Tristan, and Joey who both use the original Battleguard cards. "But Yusho wouldn't run from the Sledgehammer, he has his reasons why he left. Reasons we will probably never know... but above all else, he isn't a coward like so many claimed."
"Ah, what does a kid like you know? You are probably saying that because kids like you, refuse to see the bigger picture, not understanding the world we live in." the tall boy spat leaning down towards him. "Now, how about you hightail it out of here before things are already getting ugly as is?" Dan just stares with an unbreaking gaze unintimidated by his threat standing his ground.
But Gong ultimately decided enough's enough, and walked over placing a hand on the tall boy's shoulder. "Back off Grizzlepike!" The tall boy, Grizzlepike, alongside Dan turned over seeing Gong had his hand on his shoulder with a stern gaze.
"Gong!"
Seeing him Grizzlepike laughed over. "Ha! What the shrimp wasn't enough, so you're the bodyguard of this kid as well, eh?" He then turned over with a sneer towards his former classmate. "That figures. Once a coward is always a coward, especially if they're working together."
"I'd be careful what you say about my best friend, and Little D here." Gong warned him, closing his eyes. Then he opens them staring sternly into Grizzlepike's as they stare at each other unable to break each other's gaze just standing still while everyone watches the tense exchange between them.
"The opening ceremonies will kick off shortly! All duelists, please take your places behind your team banners!"
Grizzlepike hearing the announcement shook his shoulder off of Gong's. Time for the tournament to start, he can show what he can really do here, and prove to everyone that cowards are here. "Heh, tough talk means squat to me. Let's see how tough you all are on the field." He then turned over to Dan. "And as for you little man, best as well move before the big kids can play." He turned walking to where his own Duel School is to join them before the tournament can begin.
"That guy gives skunks a bad name..."
"I'm glad to see you, Gong." Yuya's voice told him as they looked over where all of You Show walked over to them. Yuya smiled over Gong, as he had thought that Gong wouldn't be able to compete in time after they dueled each other in their final qualifying match together back at the Strong Dojo. "I was worried you wouldn't make the cut."
"Ha, you can't keep a good duelist down." Gong grinned pointing a thumb at himself. "Just before the registration deadline, Gong got just enough wins to make it." So he must've somehow managed to make it by the deadline by winning 6 duels in a row in just 1 single day. Dan wonders how exactly Gong manages to pull that off, that probably would've been useful earlier for his case.
"You did?" Yuya asked with a smile, "All right! Put 'er there, buddy!" He held his hand out while Gong chuckled, taking his hand as they held them tight. They looked over towards Dan which Yuya asked worriedly. "You alright though Dan? Grizzlepike was pretty close to you, you must've been afraid."
"I'm not." they blinked surprised hearing that from Dan honestly. "I always hated those kinds of people, who think that because they have money, power, or status, they can belittle, or look down on those who are really struggling. They have no right to do those kinds of things, and especially don't have the right to call Yusho a coward just cause he wasn't there at the duel between him, and Sledgehammer. We all know he isn't a coward, and we will prove it here at the Arc-League to show that Duels are meant to be taken with a smile." He then gave a smile towards Yuya. "That's You Show Duel School's way, isn't it?"
Yuya stares before then smiles at himself nodding. Yeah no need to worry, they are all doing this with smiles, and entertain the crowd all together.
Meanwhile at the large stadium was Nico approaching the large stand for him to be the Arc-League's announcer. He tapped on the microphone a few times to make sure it's working right. As soon as he's sure it's working, he starts the starting announcements. "Greetings to all my fellow dueling fanatics both near and far. The day we've been yearning for has arrived as we flip the 'on' switch for this year's Arc-League Championship! My name's Nico Smiley and I'm thrilled to be your ceremony host from coast to coast. So let the Arc-League Championship begin!" A large spotlight shined on him as he moved around as light showers like fireworks erupted above him with fairies flying around. "And now let's kick off the Arc-League Championship! Our daring duelists will march in by school. Take it away, Joy."
"Thanks, Nico. First off, the Leo Institute of Dueling. Last year, Leo dominated the championships by winning all three divisions. With the largest contingent of duelists in this year's championship, they're a hands-down favorite to make another trophy sweep!"
While it's being announced, You Show could see that Kit, Dipper, Julia, Hector, and Sylvio were among the Leo Students just baring grins, serious looks, or a nervous look by Hector. But Zuzu, Yuya, and Dan all noticed that among them also was Shay, and Yuto as well from their agreement with Declan at joining at representing the Leo Institute for them to battle their common enemy. Dan stares over at Shay silently as he watches... he still remembers that duel that he had with Shay, and knows that he had meant to kill him at that time with his Rank 13. He would be afraid of Shay but no he doesn't have time too... if he has to duel Shay again, he's ready this time.
Although for Yuto, Ray looked worried. Now the Xyz Incarnation of Zarc is here, and present at this tournament... which would mean if he, and Yuya duel each other, Zarc would be a step closer to be complete, and resume his brutal conquest. She hopes that with Dan alongside her, they can prevent that from happening.
"Our second group is determined to chop it's way to victory. It's the Bandit Warrior Academy, the most powerful proponents of martial arts style dueling. Their best student, Iggy Arlo, finished second in the Junior League last year and is now out for revenge." From the next announcement they watch as students wearing martial arts Gi with Iggy himself being a purple haired young man with a hard demeanor alongside a sleeveless green/brown Gi walk to the field.
While more are being announced, Dan stares over at Bandit Warrior but at Iggy in particular. Revenge is never the answer... and from the looks, and hearing about this Bandit Warrior Academy, they probably must be people who also do what Zarc did when he answered the wishes of the masses for more violent duels such as attacking duelists during duels... which would mean that they are an unintended foreshadow of what is to come by then if Zarc does get revived. He also sees Ron, Ricardo, and Garret, his past opponents from the time he is qualifying for the Arc-League, are also competing.
He then thought more about this competition. Out of most of the tournaments he saw they get mixed up in heated events, and oftentimes make way for evil events happening. At the Duelist Kingdom was Ghost Kaiba, PaniK, and along with Pegasus when he was bad back then. At the GX Tournament came again the Light of Destruction, and the Society of Light. The WGRP is the three Pure Nobles, and Aporia. And the World Duel Carnival is the Arclight Brothers, Vetrix, and Dr. Faker.
"Dan. Come on."
Hearing Sora he looked to see them up next which he ran over joining them onto the field as they were displayed as they walked forward. "Walking into the spotlight now are students from that small training facility for Dueltainers, the You Show School!" They walked in the arena as they heard the crowd cheering them on while Dan himself looked around with a smile. 'This is one of the events I dreamed of one-day! And now I'm in it! I hope it doesn't go to chaos soon...'
"Don't tempt fate." Ray warned him which he winced nodding from hearing that.
As Dan looked around ignoring the Chairman of Dueling speaking, and for Yuya's displeasure for him to recite the Duelist's Oath he was cautious, and saw Riley with Declan, and the woman. Dan smiled, waving at them as Riley blushed as Declan's glasses had a small glint, and the woman nodded acknowledging. Then Dan turned his attention to where Nico announced. "Now it is time for our duelists to learn who they will be facing in their first matches. Okay, wannabe champions, time to slot your competition data cards into your Duel Disks."
Dan takes a look at the card as he recalled what they are for from Ray telling him about it. Within a central computer, it will tell the Duelists who the first opponents will be while also with the officials keeping score of who wins for the next rounds. So he inserted his card into his Duel Disk as it was randomized. During the time he learned the opponents of his friends.
For today it's these:
Frederick vs Trevor.
Allie vs Riley.
Zuzu vs Julia.
Tomorrow are these:
Gong vs Grizzlepike.
Yuya vs Sylvio.
Tate vs Kai.
Sora vs Shay.
"And you Dan?" After Dan got over his shock from seeing the kind of opponents his friends he will be facing, he's up last. He checked to see his own duel which was against a boy named Hector. "Looks like I'm against someone from Leo. Against this guy named Hector." He shrugged over after saying that. Probably a duelist that's unfortunately a background character from how these kinds of duels, or animes can take in some directions.
"Well, there you are Zuzu, my first victim of the tournament."
They all turned over seeing Julia, Dipper, and Kit alongside Hector approached them. Seeing them Zuzu moved to try warning Julia. "Julia, those guys Shay, and Yuto, they have infiltrated the LID Tournament Team!"
Julia for some reason doesn't look threatened or alarmed from her next words. "What you mean, those two had been within the institute all year. They were in the Advanced Dueling Classes last semester." That surprises that blinking from this. What is Julia talking about, wasn't she after Shay cause she wanted to avenge Professor Marco? Why are they now allies or classmates towards those two? But Dan soon recognizes the last boy with them as he widens his eyes looking back towards his Duel Disk.
"Wait, are you Hector?" Said boy who looked a little bothered from what Julia told them turned to Dan blinking. Dan looked back up towards him. "You're my opponent tomorrow." Hector looked at his Duel Disk seeing Dan's image on it against his.
"Oh... so you're the one who I am up against. Alongside being the duelist who had dueled President Akaba, and Kit using Synchro Summoning." Hector realizes who this kid is for real.
The other three representatives that are staring grew interested from this. So now the youngest of their generation is now against the duelist who defeated Kit, and also done a lot against Declan. This could be interesting, Hector is the best of the Ritual Summoning Course, and his first test would be against this same kid. You Show have yet to know about Hector's own abilities, so this'll be a nice surprise.
"And meanwhile rivals are again at each other!" they turned where Sylvio had approached them, and grinned over towards You Show but at Yuya in particular. "Isn't it Yuya? We are both destined rivals, and the dueling field is gracing us once again! But unlike last time, I won't be losing against you." Yuya stares towards him in a serious gaze as he says this more than ready to take on Sylvio right now if need be.
"What're you doing here near us Sylvio?"
"Oh, I suppose Declan, and little Hector never told you." Sylvio spoke towards Dipper with a grin. "For you see, LID's Pendulum cards are now complete, and as I have the most experience, and skill to use them, he qualifies me to be the newest addition of us LID Summon Representatives of its Pendulum Course!" What? LID had finished their Pendulum cards, and now Sylvio has them with him? And he has the skill to prove that it seems if Declan gives that order. Hector knows about it since Declan already informed him beforehand. "But before the curtain can fall on me having Yuya's face on the ground, there is the matter where Julia, and Hector of the five of us, LID Quintet, will be representing us on day one. So give the crowd something to scream about, okay you two?"
Who is he to order them around? Still he is right they will give the crowd something to scream about as Julia will get Zuzu back where it hurts like last time, while Hector shows everyone how skillful the disregarded method can be toward others. And the name he referred to them as LID Quintet, huh? Has a nice ring to it...
Meanwhile nearby Shay was staring at his Duel Disk where he sees his opponent who is Sora Perse of the You Show Duel School. Declan had informed him, and Yuto that they will be his eyes, and ears at the tournament to scout duelists who are worthy of joining them at his fight against his father, and only agrees to duel Shay if he competes where there is not only a powerful Fusion Duelist, someone who can perform a new summoning method, and a boy who can use almost all of the methods like himself who is Dan that he, and Yuto already defeated. Declan told Shay that Sora is that same Fusion Duelist, and is eager to see what he has for him to dish out.
That in mind he turns over towards Yuto. "And you Yuto?"
"Just against someone named Iggy." Yuto shows him his opponent which is against Bandit Warrior Academy's ace himself. "Not someone, I can't handle." Shay nodded from this. Doesn't matter who exactly they duel as long as they do what Declan tells them to do, and duel like how they usually do, they can see if these duelists can really be mutual allies for their battle against Duel Academy. Their duels won't be till tomorrow however so they should wait until then.
Zuzu meanwhile sees Declan, Riley, and the woman walking out of the stands to head to a room to watch the tournament from a lot of cameras. She frowned over as she watched them leave. She knows something wrong is going on, and from the kind of secretive kind of person Declan is, he probably knows what is going on. Julia doesn't seem to remember what had happened in her duel with Shay alongside Kit, and Dipper so he must've done something to them to have Shay, and Yuto be in LID's Tournament Team.
Deciding to get some answers she moved starting to run catching her classmates off-guard. "Zuzu!" Yuya held a hand out towards her. "Zuzu, where are you going!?"
"Need to talk to someone, I'll be back!" was his only response as they blinked wondering what's got her so worked up. They just hope whatever it is, she needs to talk to someone about it and won't be worrying. On Zuzu's mind though, she has a mission: Confront Declan, and see what she can learn about what happened to his students, and why Shay, and Yuto are now on his side despite them being in opposition against him. She will find out today!
Well here we are where the Arc-League is now beginning, and we had seen Dan meeting with Ray learning about the Original Dimension, Leo Akaba, and most important Zarc earlier then back at the Synchro Dimension. For a plot point later on this is necessary as Dan had no reason to interfere in a duel that had kept Yuto from getting absorbed by Yuya. In addition, we now see where Dan's Deck is also changing to include more stuff such as the different summon methods, and especially Pendulum Summoning.
As Sylvio stated over, he, and the other 4 now the LID Quintet are some of LID's strongest Duelists, and from me, and Ulrich's personal opinions regarding their strength, we vote him as the strongest out of the five as from how the TCG version of the Deck he used from the Arc-League onward is, makes him really strong but he ended up being the butt-monkey of the show for comic relief. Now Zuzu, and Declan will be against each other next chapter, and she's gonna need all the luck she will need next chapter. Declan has almost all of the summon methods like Dan, and more, and Zuzu has Fusion Summoning alongside a secret weapon she has. What secret weapon? Well we will find out. Be sure to ask questions, and be sure to review!