Hi guys chapter 6 Part 1 Is here.
Now Green_Phantom_Queen and I would like to go over several things

First
Yes I did change my name.

Second
The two of us really really love and enjoy writing Yoko in this fic

we still regret nothing, not even Shun who's duel with Sora we moved earlier so the timeline is a bit mangled for convenience of story telling

Warnings: Shun

Serena couldn't sleep.

Then again, she always had trouble sleeping thinking about why she was never given the attention she wanted from the Professor. The only thing she could think about at night was what she needed to do in order for the Professor to finally look at her as a soldier, not a princess. The strategies, how many victories against the weaker students who tried to hide their abilities with fake bravado...anything she could do to finally get the Professor to listen she would take it.

But this was different. Much more different than that. Her talk with the Professor's son Reiji, and the Xyz user from Heartland Yuto had her entire world flipped on its head. Her fellow Academia students would harm, card and hunt every citizen in the Xyz dimension as if it was a game and even now after talking more with the Xyz user his friend or… boyfriend. Ugh, one more thing Serens needs to wrap her mind about.

That's when she felt something was off. Sitting up in her bed, and feeling the wind breeze come in from the open window, her eyes turned to the window to see someone there. A man sat there on her windowsill, wearing a cloak, white and green with black outlines. He also wore a similar colored mask that covered his sparkling golden eyes. All in all, he looked ready for a masquerade instead of trying to...

...Wait a second, how did he get in here? Wasn't she on the 31st floor?

"How the hell did you get - ?!" Serena began to yell, searching for her duel disk and ready for a fight...before she took a good look at the stranger underneath the moonless sky. She squinted. "What the...who the hell are you?"

The strange masked figure chuckled. "Hello Serena," he said, voice quite pleasant and soft. "I've heard quite a bit about you."

Serena gasped. "W...what?" she asked, hopping out of her bed and now in a defensive stance. "How did you get here? How do you know my name? What do you want?!"

He chuckled and put a finger over where his lips would be in a hushed gesture. "All in good time, little luna. Just be a bit more patient with me, please."

Serena blinked. "Little what?" No one ever gave her a nickname like that before. The usual ones were "Princess" and "Kitty", but those were all mocking used by Academia students due to her status as the Professor's "baby girl" or the fact that she frequently mauled her opponents with Lunalight Cat Dancer.

The cloaked figure smirked, giving Serena a feline grin like the one on the face of Lunalight Blue Cat. "You see, Yuto and Yugo told me about you, told me how you were treated like a fragile princess by that Professor Akaba and how you wanted a chance to prove yourself. I can see it just by looking at you. You're strong, I see a lot of potential in you," he came closer and kneeled to be at the same level as her, giving her a soft charming smile.

"So did Reiji…" Serena muttered, looking away.

The cloaked stranger nodded his head. "But unlike him, I want to make you stronger. Help you walk your own path. Prove yourself to everyone whoever doubted you. For you see…" The expression on his face turned grim, as if he had just heard news of an execution. "You are in danger, Serena."

"Danger?" Serena frowned. "So what? I can handle danger just fine. Nobody can hold me down."

But when she saw the stranger's golden eyes soften, this caught her off guard

"Serena, do you know the reason why the Professor kept you locked up and hidden away?" The man questioned.

"I...I always wondered about that." Serena admitted. "Why...does he though? Does he think I'm weak or something?"

"No, it's something even more despicable than that. It's because he didn't want to lose his sacrifice."

"Sa-sacrifice?! What are you talking about?"

The man sighed. "Before the world split into the four dimensions you know today, Professor Leo Akaba had...a daughter, Ray, whom he loved like no other. When the world split into four pieces, she was the center of it, and from that you along with three others make the four pieces of Ray Akaba, each of them forgetting your past life as her and gifted with one of her bracelets. The professor wants to gather you and the other counterparts; Yuzu Hiragi, Ruri Kurosaki and Rin in order to bring Ray back to life.

"You already know that Obelisk Force will be chasing you down, but the Professor now knows of Yuzu's existence and will be tasking Yuri to retrieve her."

"And the Professor already has Rin and Ruri," Serena added, remembering what Shun, Yuto and Yugo told her. "But...but if Obelisk Force gets their hands on me and Yuri captures Yuzu...then that...that means…"

It all came crashing down on Serena.

"He...wants to...the Professor...he…wants to..." Serena stammered.

Then it felt like Serena's heart stopped beating.

No...no….nononononoNONONONONONO!

Serena gripped her head in shock, feeling her heart pounding in her chest as she came to the realization just what was coming to her.

In the eyes of the Professor, she was not a warrior, not a princess, not even a human being. She was nothing more than an animal about to be slaughtered.

The man sadly nodded his head. "He cares for no one except himself. He uses the idea of a 'united utopia' as an excuse to bring back this one girl. One girl he will offer up the lives of you, Rin, Ruri and Yuzu. For one girl he made a school into a training camp and converted wide-eyed children wanting to duel for fun into soldiers who have fun hunting people down for sport. For one girl, he destroyed Heartland and placed a tyrant in that of the Synchro Dimension. For one girl, he will turn all those who are carded into an energy source! Is this the man you seek approval from now, Serena? Is he ?!"

Serena's pupils shrank and she backed away from the man with fear. No, this can't be...this can't be!

"The Professor...no…" she said in one of the few times she has ever shown fear. "No…!"

"Yes," The man stated sadly.

Serena looked down at her bracelet. This bracelet was the only possession she ever had before she was 'adopted' by the Professor. And now she wanted to chuck it out of the window and hoped a car ran through it, crushing it into pieces. Instead, she shook her head.

"If what you're saying is true, that means...Barrett….he's also deluded," she said, now pitying him. She knew bits and pieces of his past - like how he obtained the burns over his left eye - but to find that he was also a blind fool to Akaba's schemes, protecting her until she was ready to be sacrificed to the gods…This made her want to go to Barrett and warn him about what he's done.

Serena was breathing hard now, almost as if having a panic attack. Everything, everything she thought she knew was now proven a lie. And the man who she wanted to impress the most, to get his approval, cared nothing for her, but saw her as a sacrifice for someone else.

Strong arms wrapped themselves around Serena, and she couldn't help but cling to them, trying her hardest not to show the tears forming in her eyes. They were the only thing keeping her steady and felt real around her right now. "Shh, I know, I know how scared and angry you must be feeling right now. I got you, it's ok." The stranger ran his black gloves through Serena's hair. "I know it's not fair, you don't deserve this, to be hidden away, only thought of as a tool, sacrificed and not even thought of as your own person.

"But I don't see you like that, I see you for who you are, Serena. Not as a delicate flower, or a fragile princess, not a sacrifice for a cruel and uncaring god. I see you as a true warrior, one who can fight beside the dragons themselves, and I would love it if you joined me in battle against the Professor. You can grow stronger, and be protected by your own powers from Academia, from the professor. Be free of the walls he imposed on you for so long."

"..." Serena hugged this man tighter and sniffled a bit.

"You don't have to give me your answer now. However, I do have a special gift for you. Consider it a show of my faith in you," the man reached into his belt where a pouch was before producing a card, giving it to Serena. "I hope he serves you well," he said as she took the card from him with shaking hands.

"T...thank you…" she whispered.

"You're welcome." The stranger turned and headed towards the window. Just before he was about to step on it, he paused. "Oh and one more piece of advice."

"What's that?" Serena wondered, afraid to ask just what type of news she was about to hear now.

The figure turned around, his face appeared stern. "Do not trust any of the Akabas, Little Luna. Not the Professor, not Himika, not Reiji. They will lead you astray."

"Wait, what do you mean by.."

But before Serena could finish, the cloaked man jumped out of the window which made Serena's eyes widen in more shock, considering how high they were. She jumped up and went to the window, looking everywhere for the man...but he was neither on the ground in a crumpled heap of broken bones and blood nor was he clinging to something on the building.

Serena took several breaths to calm herself down before looking at the card she was gifted with by the stranger. Blood Moon Fusion Dragon.

Something about this card called to her, like she could hear the ocean from a seashell (which she never did, given where she lived, but it did sound kind of nice). She placed it close to her heart as she laid down in bed, recalling what the man told her.

"I see you as someone who can fight beside dragons themselves." .

And that phrase was still on Serena's mind as she drifted off to sleep.

Morning came too soon for everyone.

And as soon as everyone freshened up for the day and Yoko prepared a meal in her slow cooker and fliped enough pancakes to feed an army, she and her sons would begin finalizing the plans for the Battle Royale.

"Morning Mom," said Yuya, heading downstairs to the dining room, excited to eat breakfast. "Pancakes smell…"

He stopped when he noticed how his mother was already seated at the dinner table, waiting for him. She wore a red top along with a long white jacket and matching pants with a red belt. She also wore black leather boots and was currently looking up something on her tablet. She looked out of place in comparison to the set table, the three plates of pancakes, the syrup bottle and bowl of berries and the pitcher of milk.

"Mom…" Yuya whispered, eyes wide.

"Yoko-san…" Yuto said, Yugo behind him. "We're ready for...whoa…"

Yoko looked up from her work and then took notice at the astonished looks on their faces. "How do I look?" she asked, giving her sons a wink.

"You look amazing !" Yugo said in surprise.

Zarc was laughing in agreement. It seemed as if Yoko was like a matryoshka doll - revealing outer layers to show a brand new side of her. Yuya, your mother is just full of surprises!

And he was still laughing as everyone had breakfast; it was going to be a light affair since Yuya would be running about and didn't need to be distracted by throwing up everything at the side. Yugo happily indulged in pancakes and Yoko was happy to see his humongous appetite after how solemn he was the night before.

Yoko finished early - she always ate light before she got on her motorcycle; a habit she had because one never knew when she had to be out in a brawl - and showed her tablet to her sons.

"All right then," she said, showing a drawing on her tablet that was a rudimentary sketch of the city. "The Battle Royale will take place throughout the entire city with an Action Field divided into four quarters, right?"

"Yes," said Yugo.

"And while the duelists go out and collect Pendulum Cards to bet again, Reiji has you, Yuto, Shun and this…'Serena' go out to keep an eye out for these Academia soldiers before they cause any trouble."

"They call themselves, Obelisk Force," Yuto explained. "They're all about attacking in packs of three and using Ancient Gear monsters to prevent the opponent from using Spell or Trap Cards when they attack."

Yoko nodded her head. "But they can't do anything in regards to monster effects...ugh, it's times like these that I wished I decided to pick up an online dueling course."

"And while I'm out dueling and you're out patrolling, Yuri will be nearby," said Yuya.

"But how are we going to locate him?" asked Yoko. "I mean, Reiji is going to be monitoring the city, but he'll be more concerned about people being kept in the dark about the invasion than finding your brother. He...doesn't know that you're all brothers, right? Nor does he know that I'm in the know about this?"

"No," said Yuto.

"Good. Now...how are we going to figure out where he's hiding?"

The four thought about it for a moment; Yuri would be looking for Yuzu, but he'd be discreet about it and wait until the pink haired girl was alone so that he can get her without much of a fight. By the time they figured out where he would be, Yuri would have returned with his target to the Fusion Dimension. So they have to make sure to find Yuri long before he could locate Yuzu.

But how will they be able to locate him in such a short time? Who could help them -

Then, Yuya's eyes widen and he slammed his hands on the table. "Mieru!" he shouted.

"Mieru Hochun?" Yoko asked. "The girl that you dueled with the crystal apple? The one who lost her duel to Tsukikage on the first turn?"

"She has the ability to track people down with her crystal apple," Yuya explained. "Yuzu told me that Mieru used it to locate me before the tournament started."

"But considering what Zarc said about Yuri, not to mention those soldiers running about, is it a good idea to keep her out in the open?"

"I'll tell her to hide as soon as she helps us locate Yuri," said Yuya.

"Then it's settled," said Yoko, clapping her hands. "Now then, Yugo. After breakfast, perhaps you can explain how you built that bike of yours?"

"Of course, kaa-san!" Yugo said cheerfully without thinking.

Yoko raised her eyebrow. " Kaa-san ?"

"Y-yeah," Yugo said, realizing just what he said. "I...never had a mother before. And you treat us and call us your sons. I thought...I thought it would be okay if I called you that. Y-you don't mind do you?"

Yoko smiled and shook her head. "Of course not, dear," she said, ruffling his hair, causing Yugo to smile in response. She then turned to Yuto. "It's okay, you can call me 'Mom' too."

"...I will, kaa-san ," Yuto said with a small smile on his face.

And Yoko just watched as her sons happily finished off their breakfast.

After breakfast, the four entered the garage. That's when Yoko pulled off the tarp off of something that had been hiding in the corner for years...revealing a white motorcycle with red trim.

"Whoa…." Yuya whispered. "You rode on this?"

"Yep," Yoko smiled. " Ningyo has been by my side ever since I was old enough to ride." She then turned to Yugo's D-Wheel with its silver body and black stripes. "Do you have a name for her?"

"Uh…I was going to let Rin name it," Yugo answered, recalling how he and Rin dueled over the right to name their life's work. "She...she's the one who was better at stuff like this."

"You really have high praise for Rinrin, don't you?"

"Yeah I - Rinrin?!" Yugo asked with a blush.

Yoko chuckled. "Tell me about her. She really seems so precious to you; she must be something else."

"She...she is," Yugo said, looking at the D-Wheel. Was it really three years ago when Yugo first showed off the crayon drawing to Rin about what they wanted to build? The days reading through manuals, bargaining for the best quality parts, the days where Yugo would duel in order to obtain as much cash as possible...and just when they were about to make their dreams come true, Rin was taken away from him!

"Yugo," said Yoko, noticing the look in his eye. "It's going to be okay," she said, hugging the boy to her. "You're going to be reunited with her soon I'm sure of it."

Yugo threw his arms around Yoko, hugging her tighter as tears started to fall down. "I miss her...so much, I just...I just want her back, safe in my arms forever. She's always, she's always been so strong, and stubborn and beautiful! The look in her eyes could kill, or freeze you in place but I loved it so!"

"From how you describe her, I could imagine that she's a proud maiden of the ice. I'd love to challenge my skills in dueling against her one of these days."

Yugo sniffled and wiped his tears on Yoko's blouse. He chuckled. "No, not ice. She's like...like a raging storm, powerful, always moving. Nothing stands in her way, beautiful and deadly all in one."

Yoko placed a firm pat on Yugo's shoulder. "She'll be back. I'm sure your Father is already planning on something that probably has to do with that bracelet on your wrist."

Yugo's eyes widened as he looked at his bracelet. 'How did she…?" "Wh-what do you mean by that?" he asked tilting his head

Yoko sighed. "Rin, Ruri, Yuzu and Serena were all based on Ray. They have two things in common from what I noticed: similar faces and a silver bracelet on their right wrist. Right?"

"R...right…" Yuto began, also looking at his bracelet. ' She already…'

'Figured something out?"

Zarc couldn't help but smirk. Nothing escaped Yoko's watchful eye.

At the awkward silence, Yoko sighed. "Now what exactly would your Father want to do with a bunch of bra-

"Oh darling~ I came as soon as I - WHAT THE?!"

Everyone in the garage turned to look at the person who had arrived. Mieru Hochun with her crystal apple looked in confusion upon seeing Yuya and then at Yuto and Yugo.

"T...two more...darlings?" Mieru stammered, noticing Yuto and Yugo. "W...what...the?"

Yuya smiled and rubbed the back of his head. "It's...kind of a long story. Mieru, the one with purple hair is Yuto and the one with blond bangs is Yugo."

"S...so that's what my tarot reading was warning me about!" Mieru exclaimed. "The card I drew for today was The Sun that means that whatever I am searching for is about to come soon. That, combined with Five of Wands that talks about people coming together for a goal of some sorts…."

Yugo and Yuto blinked as Mieru rambled on and on about her fortune reading. "She's really that good?" asked Yuto.

"Yeah, you should've seen my duel with her, just the coin toss itself had a meaning. Looking back at it, the dragon and the devil from her coin flip...it really should have triggered something back then." Yuya replied, sensing Zarc searching through the memories of that particular moment.

This girl has talent, that is for sure. Zarc admitted. If I had her skills back when Ray roamed the Earth, that would've been able to save us plenty of heartbreak.

"This is our second chance, Father, we're not going to waste it," Yuya thought back, and Zarc smiled, kissing his forehead.

That's right, my little Shooting Star, that's exactly right.

"Mieru," said Yuya, approaching the fortune-teller. "I need you to listen very carefully."

"Anything for you, my love!" Mieru exclaimed. "But first, could you explain why there are two more people that look just like you?"

"It's kind of complicated," Yuya explains. "But that's not the point. Mieru, there is another boy that somewhere in this city who has my face."

"Haah? Another one that looks like my Darling! How amazing !" Mieru squealed.

"Is she mind controlled too?" Yugo asked with a bit of annoyance.

"No...sort of...she has a crush on me. She's been acting like that ever since I beat her in a duel, she's just...mostly controlled to not fear Father's Darkness." Yuya explained.

"Oh, that's just swell…" Yugo muttered.

"What does he look like? What are his favorite interests? What type of monsters does he duel with?" Mieru questioned.

"Um, he has purple hair and pink eyes, he likes gardening and he uses Fusion," Yuya hastily answered."Anyway, I'm gonna need you to locate him during the Battle Royal, okay?"

"Yes of course! Anything for you, Darling!"

"But be very careful," Yuya added. "He's very dangerous. The minute you locate him, contact one of my...brothers or my mom. Once we find Yuri, get as far away as you can. Things are going to get dangerous."

"Brothers... dangerous ?" Mieru looked at both Yugo and Yuto and then back at Yuya. "Oh...alright, Darling, if you say so," she said with a nod.

Yoko raised her eyebrow. Mieru seemed too accepting of the idea that alternate versions of her son were really brothers, crush on Yuya or not.

Nevertheless, despite the high probability that Zarc probably charmed the little girl, that wasn't the issue at hand.

"Right so, the plan is Yuya duels like he knows nothing, Yuto is there for back up while Serena and I back Yuzu if she needed us. Meanwhile, Mieru-chan looks for Yuri and, in that case, Yuya duels him, that right?" Yoko clarified.

"Essentially yes," said Yuto with a nod. Yuya nodded as well.

"Let's head out then," Yugo said, putting his helmet on and getting on his D-wheel, Yuto riding behind him (and still refusing to wear that pink and white helmet Yugo offered him. He instead gave it to Mieru to protect her from injury).

"Do your best, Yuya!" Yugo shouted.

"Don't you dare lose!" said Yuto playfully. The two of them resisted the urge to give Yuya a good luck kiss, and sped off to the LDS tower and to Reiji's office.

Yoko revved her motorcycle, loving the purr it gave off. "You want a ride to the stadium, sweetie?" she asked, slipping her helmet on.

"No, I'll walk," Yuya said. He always liked walking and running anyway.

"Shame. I mean; back when you were younger, you always wanted a ride with your babysitters…"

Yuya blinked. "Huh?"

"Oh, it's nothing," Yoko muttered. "Come on Mieru, ride with me."

"Right! Thank you Yoko-san," Mieru replied, hopping onto the motorcycle..

She slipped her crystal apple into the coin purse strapped to her side. She then turned to Yuya, a blush on her cheeks.

But just as Yoko sped off, Mieru thought she was seeing things...but did Yuya's shadow…grow larger?

No...she was just seeing things...wasn't she?

Amongst the other finalists for the duel - Michio, Tsukikage and another ninja, two exchange students from LDS and two students from Ryozanpaku School who looked ready to lynch Yuya, a fisherman, three knights, Dennis, Gongenzaka and Yuzu - Yuya felt jittery being stared at by the entire audience.

Even though he's had the audience stare at him before, this was different. He knew that Yuri was out there, that Obelisk Force was coming after Yuzu, that Dennis Macfield, someone Yuto knew from the Xyz Dimension, was somehow a student of LDS, that Reiji wanted Yuri apprehended and his memories erased…

To quote Futoshi, Yuya Sakaki had "the shivers".

Yuzu took a glance at her friend, at the smile on his face and the worry in his crimson eyes. Something was wrong, and she still had her doubts about what happened that night with Sora. Not to mention that there were no signs of Yuto...

"Yuya…" Yuzu began, turning to her friend. "Have you…"

"Hmm?" asked Yuya. "Have I what?"

"I...remember what I said about Yuto?" Yuzu began. "I haven't seen him in days. Have you heard anything from him?"

Yuya blinked, she was really worried about his brother. He wanted to tell her, but he didn't feel like it was the right time yet, besides if he said anything now, all the new information would overwhelm Yuzu and she wouldn't focus on the battles ahead. "No, I don't think so, but I'm sure Yuto is just fine, There's no need to worry," he said with an encouraging smile.

"Yuya…"

"Hey," Yuya said, putting his hands on her shoulder and giving her an encouraging look. "Don't worry about anything except winning and entertaining the crowd, ok? This is a Battle Royal and I know how bright you can shine! It's time to show the world what Yuzu Hiragi can do."

"Yu-Yuya," Yuya stammered, her cheeks went red at the praise. She smiled gratefully, her eyes shining as she nodded. "Right!"

And Yuya's smile widened. This must have been how Yuto and Yugo felt about Ruri and Rin. About their treasures...Yuza Hiragi was such a beautiful treasure, Yuya's treasure, and he'll do anything to keep her.

"Oh, speaking of Yuto…" said Yuzu. "Yuya, that dragon you summoned...Black Mirror Xyz Dragon…"

"Yeah?"

"How did you obtain that monster? When did you learn how to Xyz summon?"

"Oh… Well I was...secretly practicing, and found Black Mirror in a booster pack. That's all," Yuya answered, darting his eyes back and forth. "Uh...why do you ask?"

"O-oh...well, it's just it was a really powerful monster, and it just looked so much like Dark Rebellion and it had a similar effect too…"

Quite the curious little one isn't she? Zarc noted, sensing his son's guilt and worry.

"She's just worried for us. I'll tell her eventually." Yuya answered.

She might not accept what she hears, my Shooting Star, and you refuse to use any method of...persuasion on her. She is a part of Ray after all; she might turn on us.

"But you said it yourself; Yuzu, Rin, Ruri and Serena...they're not Ray. Yuzu is my treasure Father! Please let me handle it myself."

Zarc sighed. Very well…

Yuya nodded his head as Zarc took a glance at Dennis Macfield. There was something familiar about this boy; he knows he has seen him somewhere else other than the Xyz Dimension. But...where?

Yuya blinked, Father was worried again...but just as he was about to ask why, the timer counting down reached zero and the door to the stadium opened.

Don't worry about me, shooting star. said Zarc. Go. Duel. Perform and make people smile. Make me proud.

Yuya shivered as he readied his mind for what was about to happen. "Yes Father."

Zarc chuckled and ran his claws through Yuya's hair. I know you. You'll do great.

And that was the last thing Zarc whispered before Yuya raced out of the stadium and into the city.

Once Yuto and Yugo reached LDS tower, and got off of Yugo's D-wheel, Shun was standing outside waiting for them to arrive alongside Serena. who still looked troubled with the events and information that she had received last night, not to mention the lack of sleep.

Yuto's eyes had zeroed quickly in on Shun, as he smiled and walked immediately towards him, giving him a kiss, which Shun had immediately and happily returned.

"Hello my treasure," he greeted the older boy.

Shun smiled. "My Prince, I missed having you in my arms." Yuto broke the kiss and caressed Shun's cheek lovingly. "I saw the mark you placed upon my bare flesh last night. It was glorious ."

Serena shivered at the display, eyes wide as she looked at both of them.

Yugo sighed coming to stand beside Serena. "It's best to just ignore them while they're in that mood...which has become always," Serena glanced at Yugo who removed his helmet with a sigh and nodded. Yugo tilted his head sensing something...different yet familiar about Serena. .

"Are you okay?" he asked. "You look...rattled, I suppose."

"It's...it's nothing," Serena answered, a hand behind her back, clutching the Fusion monster she received the night before. "I'm just...thinking about what I learned about the invasion of the Xyz dimension. I can't believe I was fed those lies!"

Yugo put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a smile. "It's okay, you're better off now, and you don't have to live with the guilt of doing anything wrong yet...Furthermore.." he leaned in to whisperer, "Now you can take your revenge on the professor, and he would be none the wiser, right?"

Serena nodded her head, but she still looked somewhat worried. "Yeah...he won't be." Yugo smiled and patted her shoulder once more.

The four entered the office and rode the elevator in silence. Yuto slipped his hand into Shun's and gave it a squeeze, but other than that, none of them were in the mood to talk.

Inside Reiji's office were Reiji himself, Reira, Nakajima and the nine members of the LDS Youth Division. Shun, Yuto, Yugo and Serena knew what they had to do - to move out and patrol the city for any Obelisk Force soldiers that could cause any trouble while the finalists of the tournament distracted the audience with the Battle Royale. Reiji boasted that the LDS Youth Division would be able to fight off the invaders...

But Yuto didn't know whether to laugh or to look in shock at the nine students that would be 'fighting' Obelisk Force.

"These are going to be the guys stopping his father's soldiers?" Yugo questioned, looking at the nine duelists. " This is Reiji's great plan?"

"He spends three years planning for an invasion and he only has this as a result?!" Yuto agreed.

"Father…All of the Akabas are idiots." Yugo grumbled.

You have no idea, my dear.

Yuu Sakuragi took a glance at Shun and sneered. "Just make sure you don't chicken out."

At that comment, Shun wished that he could be like his prince and transform into a dragon. If only to use his claws to slice that smug bastard's throat out.

"I'm betting that he'll be the one to run away like a coward, my prince." Shun snarled.

"You're betting? My, my...what will you bet if you lose, my treasure?" Yuto asked playfully, his hand sneaking up on Shun's back and resting right under the mark

Shun shivered, wanting the current of pleasure to pulse through his body. "Perhaps you'd...want me to...dance for you?"

Yuto blinked. "Dance?"

"I...had a strange fantasy last night…" Shun began, recalling the dream he had the night before. "You on your throne in your glorious dragon form, me adorned in silks and veils and gold, the room smelling of frankincense, drums and cymbals clanging, me dancing and twirling, staring at you with golden eyes, doing all I can to get you off your throne so you can run your hands all over my - "

"YUTO WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO TALKING ABOUT NOW?!" Yugo shouted sensing the lust that was building inside Yuto.

Both of them froze and Yuto blinked, taking a deep breath and releasing it in order to gain a little control. "Uh...nothing?"

" Gods! Just please contain your urge to fuck yourselves stupid at bay for one second!" Yugo fumed, gritting his teeth. "Yuri is out there and so is Obelisk Force. We have to get ready!"

"I know, I know." Yuto replied with a groan.

"If you know what we have to do, then WHY THE HELL ARE YOU - "

"Would you guys just stop it!" Serena snapped. "Shun still has to play his part in participating at the Battle Royal, we don't need any distractions."

"Did she just…" Yugo took a good look at Serena before his eyes widened. "Oh...oh!"

"What is it?" asked Yuto.

"Well aside from the fact that she noticed you, me and Shun talking, there's a faint aura that feels like Father around her, it's not strong at all, but it's there, almost accepted."

"What?!" Shun thought. "Lord Zarc approached her?"

"He seems to...can't you feel it, Yuto? It's faint but it's there."

"I…yeah, I do see it, she's not Father's yet, but he has plans for her, I feel it."

"Right," Yuto nodded. "You're right Serena, we should focus."

She glared but nodded, satisfied, the nagging feeling in the back of her head gone now.

Reiji raised an eyebrow at the interaction between the four of them, feeling like he was out of the loop on some cosmic joke. But that would come for later. Stopping whatever his father was doing was the top priority at the moment.

Reira gulped; the aura surrounding Yuto and Yugo now spread on Serena and Shun.. A shiver fell down her spine. Something wasn't right…

Yet, why was she the only one who noticed this?

Yoko didn't realize how much she missed traveling the streets on her motorcycle until today.

After dropping Mieru off at a safe place between the Jungle and Ancient Ruin quadrants, Yoko sped off to the Volcano quadrant to watch her son duel. She was confident that Yuya was going to win, but that didn't mean she wasn't concerned over what was going to happen next.

The Ryozanpaku School of Dueling was notorious for having some of the most savage duelists leave its doors. And just because Yuya didn't turn violent in his battle against Kachidoki, that didn't necessarily mean that it wouldn't happen again.

Yoko watched as her son was gang up by Makoto Takeda and Ken Umesugi of said school, gritting her teeth. These two made Kachidoki act like Shingo with the way they ganged up on her son in obtaining Action Cards. If she had her way, she would personally beat them up with a steel pipe until they apologized...and then beat them up some more so that they learned their lesson.

Yuya was down to 200 lifepoints and just one turn away from losing. But before the effect damage of Makoto's Fujin the Breakstorm Star could hit Yuya and deplete his lifepoints to zero, the boy was rescued by Dennis Macfield entering the duel...and being electrocuted due to the Battle Royale's "intrusion penalty" for doing so.

(Somewhere Yuto's eyes narrowed as he sensed Dennis come onto the scene)

What?! Dennis Macfield? Yoko gasped, eyes wide. I didn't know he was going to be in the finals too! And his dueling style reminds me of…of...

Her eyes widened as Dennis's image was briefly replaced by that of Yusho. "Did...did Yusho teach him too? But ...how?" her eyes narrowed at the LDS student from America. Something didn't add up at all.

She watched as Yuya and Dennis won the duel, thanks to Dennis's ability to Xyz Summon and Yuya's use of Black Mirror Xyz Dragon (the baby dragon chirped happily upon "playing" with Makoto and Ken) and Yuya ran off to another duel. Yoko kept her distance, something not settling in her in regards to Dennis's dueling style.

Not to mention that he used Xyz Summoning ...and Yusho Sakaki was last seen in Heartland…

Yoko grit her teeth as she texted something to Yuya. "Yuya, did Yuto say anything about Dennis being in Heartland?"

Seconds later, she got her reply.

"Yeah. Dennis was a street magician in Heartland and was really inspired by Yusho's way of dueling, even becoming a student under him. Why do you ask?"

Yoko narrowed her eyes; why would Dennis coincidentally be in this dimension as a student of LDS? And better yet, with how long Shun and Yuto have been about - and with Shun being in the tournament - why didn't Dennis make contact with these two sooner?

Better yet, how the hell did Dennis even transport himself to this dimension? Unless…

"You! What are you doing here?"

Yoko's head snapped to the sound. Approaching her was a girl in a red jacket and brown shorts, a silver bracelet with a dark blue gem on her right wrist. She had indigo hair tied up with a yellow ribbon and fierce blue eyes. That face reminded her so much of...

"Yuzu...no, Serena, right?" Yoko asked. "Of the Fusion Dimension?"

Serena froze, readying her Duel Disk. "Wh...how do you know that? Who are you?!"

"I'm Yoko Sakaki, mother of Yuya Sakaki, Yuto and Yugo," Yoko began, shaking her head in disbelief. It was already bad enough to know of Yuto and Yugo looking similar to Yuya but seeing a copy of Yuzu changed a lot. She could hardly imagine Shuzo's reaction to seeing another girl with his daughter's face. "I'm on your side. I'm keeping an eye out if Yuri or the Obelisk Force arrives."

"You are?" Serena asked. "Wait, you know about Yuri and Obelisk Force too? About the other dimensions? How?!"

"Let's just say that I'm open-minded about these sorts of things. Now listen, do you happen to know anything about him?"

She pointed to Dennis Macfield currently engaging in a duel with Yuzu on the bridge. Yuzu was about to fall into the lava, had it not been for Performage Trapeze Magician saving her in the nick of time.

Serena looked back at Yoko before shaking her head. "He's an Xyz user right? Shouldn't he be warned about Obelisk Force coming? Sora...you know about Sora right?"

Yoko grit her teeth, trying to push the sweet innocent boy who gobbled up her pancakces out of her mind like shoving an old car off a cliff. "Unfortunately."

"He said there are refugees from the Xyz Dimension hiding here. This guy could be a target."

"I would have to agree with you but," Yoko sighed, shaking her head before looking back at Dennis and Yuzu shaking hands. Normally she'd be gushing at how handsome he was and how he dazzled her with his dueling; now she just wants to slam him against the wall and ask him some questions. "I just can't shake the feeling that something is off about him."

The two watched as Dennis and Yuzu shook hands, along with Yuzu handing Dennis a Pendulum card before Yoko continued. "So I think the best thing to do is - hey! Serena, what are you - "

As Serena approached the two, Yoko stopped. Something passed through her peripheral vision. Hopping off of her motorcycle, Yoko peered behind a large rock and raised an eyebrow.

"What the…" She whispered, watching several lights appear. Then, people started appearing from said light. From a glance, Yoko couldn't distinguish one from the other because they all wore the same blue jacket, had similar builds and wore the same mask with the only variation being the color of the jewel in the center. But from what Yuto told her, this could only mean one thing.

"Obelisk Force…" Yoko whispered and cracked her knuckles. She wouldn't be carded without putting on a fight and Serena would be there to protect Yuzu if everything went wrong. Her suspicions about Dennis would have to wait.

And besides, it's been a while since she had a good brawl.

In the Ancient Ruins section, Yuya ran towards one of the pillars, seeing Shun fighting students wearing knight costumes. "They're from the Knights of Duels Duel School" he remembered from what Nico Smiley said at the beginning of the tournament. Shun seemed more than capable of taking on all three of them, going by how he had Raid Raptor - Rise Falcon deal damage that knocked their lifepoints down to 0.

"And stay down," Shun muttered. As he was about to walk away, he sensed a presence and snarled. "Show yourself…"

Yuya gulped as he approached Shun. He heard stuff about him from Yuto, and remembered how he first appeared to Yuzu and mistaking her for Ruri...but this would've been the first time they actually met face-to-face.

Shun's eyes widened a fraction when he saw who it was. "Prince Yuya," he greeted, bowing.

Yuya blinked. "W...what did you just say?" he asked, hoping that there weren't any cameras recording this.

"Your name, my prince," Shun answered. "You are Yuto's…Prince Yuto's brother, after all."

Yuya's eyes widened as he dragged Shun to a nearby pillar. "Dear gods...how much do you know about us? How much did Yuto tell you?!" Father what is going on here?!

Shun sighed, golden eyes darkening slightly. "Prince Yuto told me everything, more specifically your lord Father did," he explained

"WHAT?!" Yuya yelled. "Father, Yuto...I'd like someone explain now please!" he sounded just a bit hysterical even to his own ears. "Why would you tell him?"

"Shun is ...my treasure now," Yuto answered. "He had to know for his own protection."

Yuya shivered. "Why do I have a foreboding feeling about that answer?"

"Be glad you didn't actually see Yuto claim Shun as his treasure, Yuya." Yugo said. He was currently exploring the Iceberg section of the Action Field, or rather he was stuck in a duel against those smug Ryozanpaku duelists whom dueled Yuya earlier. "Or sensed just what type of sick and depraved things are in his mind."

"...Huh?" Yuya asked, tilting his head.

"Oh stop it, it's not that bad! We're just having fun, he's my treasure after all! And I get to do anything I want with him. Shun is mine now...Mineminemineminemineminemine~"

" ...And I'm suddenly scared for my brother's mental health. Yuto! Focus! That does not answer my questions. I'm now even more at a loss." Yuya stated.

"Don't worry," a voice whispered behind Yuya's ear. "I'll explain everything."

Yuya's eyes widened as he felt a firm yet gentle grasp around his waist. "Y...Yuto?"

When Yuya turned to look at his brother's face, he was puzzled. Yuto looked normal, even had a gentle smile on his lips as if he hadn't just had a litany of possessiveness going through his head… was that what Yuya himself sounded like when he thought about Yuzu? Or when Yugo thought about Rin?

Shun looked up, golden eyes glowing upon seeing his Prince. "My prince," Shun whispered with a tender voice, filled with love and affection before leaning in over Yuya to give Yuto a kiss, which Yuto gladly returned.

Yuya's face turned red as he blushed at the display, the two Xyz users not caring who sees them.

"Yuto! Explanation now!" Yuya whined. Yuto rubbed Yuya's side to pacify him, hugging him closer to his side.

"Well, Shun's mine and Father helped me keep him." Yuto replied, wishing to rest his claw against Shun's mark here and now.

"I still don't understand what that means and would YOU JUST BREATHE!" Heat was rising up making Yuya's head spin. Yuya could feel his brother's desire and lust like fireworks going off in his mind but now wasn't the time!

Eventually, Yuto broke the kiss and licked Shun's lip. "Our bet's still on, right?".

"It is," Shun stated. "Sakuragi has no right to call himself an Xyz user. I'm going to love laughing at seeing him fall."

"Shame~ I really did want to see you in that fantasy with the silk and veil and -"

I AM NOT HEARING THIS RIGHT NOW! Yuya screamed, covering his ears with his hands, blocking the flirting with an old song he used to focus when it came to dueling, trying to look past Shun and onto the details placed into this Action Field. He had to admit; a city-wide Action Duel for the finals was ingenious and lots of fun. He hoped that this could be used for future tournaments.

As Yuya did his best to ignore these sensations and the mental images of Shun adorned in silk and a veil, he saw something behind Shun. Three soldiers in blue military coats and Duel Disks racing down the highway…

And Sora following behind them.

Something about those four caused Yuya to grit his teeth. Sora for betraying his trust, and those soldiers for destroying Yuto and Shun's home...

Those monsters! Yuya growled. He's going to pay...he's going to pay, they're going to pay! The Fusion Dimension and every single resident in it are ALL GOING TO PAY!"

The anger from Yuya snapped Yuto out of his lust filled haze, which in turn made Shun do it as well. Yuto followed his brother's line of sight to see Sora and three Obelisk Force students

" Academia..." Yuto growled low and dangerous, his pupils subtly changing into slits. "They're here…"

"And they have to pay!" Yuya replied, teeth lengthening into fangs, his nails growing into claws..

(Thankfully Reiji was too busy cutting off the feed of the Ancient Ruins to the stadium to notice the transformations)

"Yuya, Yuto... what's going on?!" Yugo questioned, having just defeated those Ryozanpaku students and now feeling the double force of both his younger brothers being this angry and wrathful. This blend of dark emotions hit him full force and this worried him. Yuto. he could understand...but Yuya was never this angry before. Not even in the past when Yugo accidentally broke one of Yuya's toys after crashing into them by flying around their bedroom was he ever this pissed off.

"It's Obelisk Force," Yuto answered, voice cold and harsh like a blizzard. "They arrived."

"They have? Shit! Gotta tell Yoko kaa-san now…" Yugo muttered. His side of the link went silent for a few seconds. "Damn it; she's not picking up my calls! I'm gonna make sure she's okay."

"Be careful Yugo," Both his brothers warned as one, making him shiver, their voices were...priming with power...it reminded him so much of Father.

" ...R-right I will."

The boys' eyes returned to the four Academia students, Yuya took Yuto's hand in his and squeezed it tight to comfort him.

Shun turned around and noticed the familiar cyan hair of Sora, understanding just what made his princes so furious. He could feel that fury too; how Sora betrayed Prince Yuya's trust, how Obelisk Force was coming back to card them…

He wanted to do something...he had to do something.

"My prince," said Shun. "Go after Obelisk Force. I'll take care of Sora myself."

Yuto exchanged a glance with Yuya who nodded. "Go," Yuto commanded. "Make sure to make the little candy troll pay with his life."

Shun nodded, "As you command," he answered, going after Sora.

As Shun chased towards his target, Obelisk Force was already making quick work on their targets: Ashley, Bram and Carl. The Knights of Duel were unprepared for the relentless attacks and had nothing to defend themselves when they became carded.

Yuya's eyes widened. No...how... how could this be happening?!

He could feel it. Yuto's emotions of hurt, agony, pain, rage...images of people running in fear before they were transformed into cards...Ancient Gear monsters turning buildings and roads into rubble...and for what?! For some claim that this was all for a mighty utopia?!

Was this all fucking worth it?!

Zarc watched his sons approach Obelisk Force, narrowing his eyes. His children's minds were becoming clouded with rage and hatred. He grit his teeth, making sure not to amplify the anger in their hearts so that they transformed into mindless beasts wanting to tear into these foolish humans and become coated in their blood. It wasn't worth it.

He closed his eyes; they will have their vengeance later he was sure. Now Yuya and Yuto should defeat these three with a clearer mind than they have right now.

"Academia! You're gonna burn for all that you've done," Yuto snarled, as both him and Yuya approached the Obelisk Force students activating their duel disks and snarling. But this threat didn't do much to intimidate Obelisk Force.

"We won't allow you to do what you want," Yuya added, baring his fangs.

The three Obelisk students chuckled and smirked activating their duel disks as well. "That's fine then, lets see what you can do," the soldier with the red gem taunted.

Yuya and Yuto narrowed their eyes. They were going to have so much fun showing Obelisk Force, and by extension Academia, just what they could do.

"DUEL!"

Yuya: 4000

Yuto: 4000

Obelisk - Red: 4000

Obelisk - Green: 4000

Obelisk - Yellow: 4000

"Is that all you got?"

That's what Yoko asked as she caught a punch from an Obelisk Force soldier with the red gem on his mask. She grinned before she delivered a swift knee to his stomach, sending him flying.

"Come on, you pansies!" she said, cracking her knuckles. "I haven't had this much fun in a long time, so make it good!"

And back in the stadium, Nico Smiley gulped as everyone in the audience wondered what was going on just before the feed was cut off.

"Yoko-san?!" Ayu gasped.

"She's...she's a fighter?" Tatsuya added.

"She's making me shiver all over!" Futoshi shuddered.

"Who...are you?" The Obelisk Force soldier with a green gem asked. Sure they were trained to fight off any and all combatants, but this was on another level.

"You can call me 'Shooting Star Yoko'," Yoko replied with a smirk while cracking her knuckles. "And I can call you 'target practice'.

Just as Yoko was about to take a step forward, there was a loud explosion. She turned around; at the bridge where Serena, Dennis and Yuzu were at, now there was smoke covering them.

"What the -?" Yoko asked, just as her instincts told her a punch was coming her way. She moved her head to the side just in time before grabbing the punching arm and lifting the soldier over her head. The scream and thud when he landed on his back was music to her ears.

"Come on, boys...if you're all boys," She stated, beckoning them with a hand. "You're starting to bore me !"

(If Zarc was there to watch this, he would honestly take Yoko into his arms and kiss her. She just kept surprising him more and more!)

"You, fall back now!"

Yoko turned around, seeing eight or nine duelists approach her. She looked at the one with the red and black diamond handkerchief sticking out of his pocket and raised her eyebrow. "Yuu Sakuragi, was it?"

"This is our fight," Sakuragi explained, narrowing his eyes. "Get to safety."

Yoko glanced at the three Obelisk Force soldiers gritting their teeth at her before looking at the ragtag bunch of duelists that were about to be sent to their doom. "Fine. I've gotta cool off anyway. Have fun, boys."

She then returned to her motorcycle, slipped her helmet on and sped off, keeping an eye on things. Whoever threw that smoke-bomb meant that it was there to protect Yuzu and Serena from Obelisk Force.

Now she needed to find them and make sure Yuzu and Serena were really protected. Dennis would, once again, have to wait.

Yoko rode across the bridge and noticed a missed call notification on her Duel Disk. From Yugo.

Returning the call and placing it on speaker, Yoko lifted the visor of her helmet to make it easier to talk. However, when all she got was the answering machine, she sighed.

"Yugo," she said. "If you're getting this, Obelisk Force is at the Volcano section. Get there. Now."

Then she hung up, slapped the visor back on, and continued following her targets.

"I'll take the first move," said Yuto, drawing a card. "And I start by summoning The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves in Attack Mode!"

A black portal appeared in front of Yuto. Rising from it was ghost of blue flames with grey armor, large round pauldrons and massive metal gauntlets. It groaned like a creaky gate that lead to a haunted house. (LV 3, 1000 ATK)

"And that's not all," Yuto continued. "Now that I have a 'Phantom Knights' monster on the field, I can Special Summon The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots!"

Emerging from another portal of shadows was a ghost in a ragged black cloak decorated with skulls on its hood. Its body was made of cyan flames with two eyes peering back at Obelisk Force And, just like its name stated, it also wore a pair of leather boots. (200 ATK)

"And now that I have two Level 3 monsters, I'll use them to unleash the Overlay Network!" Yuto exclaimed.

The Overlay Network appeared in front of Yuto, spinning round and round as his two monsters turn into black plumes of fire and enter it. Yuya knew what Yuto was planning; after all, he saw this move for himself three days ago.

"Souls of knights who fell on the battlefield. Revive here and now, and become the light that breaks the darkness! Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 3, Phantom Knight of Break Sword!"

Then, in a pillar of azure flames, Yuto's Xyz monster rose. It was a headless knight in streamline black armor on a mechanical horse, wielding a massive sword in his right hand, ready to carve Obelisk Force's monsters into pieces. (2000 ATK)

"When Ragged Gloves becomes an Overlay Unit for a DARK Xyz Monster, he increases that monster's attack by 1000!" Yuto added, ready for anything Obelisk Force could unleash.

The spirit of the Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves briefly materialized before a black aura manifested over the Xyz monster.. The Phantom Knights of Break Sword cackled, its attack score now at 3000.

"I end my turn with two cards face-down," said Yuto, slipping two more cards into his Duel Disk. "Your move."

"Alright Yuto!" Yuya cheered as his brother Xyz summoned easily. But then he frowned as he heard the Obelisk Force cackling, all of them having an identical smirks, as if mocking both of them. Yuya's eyes narrowed, he could feel his brother's rage and weariness rise and intensify. Father watched with a solemn expression, quite letting both his sons fight.

"That pathetic monster is nothing against us," The one who had a green jewel on his mask said, Yuya and Yuto both wanted to rip it off of their smug faces.

"We'll show you what true power is. My turn!" The one with the red jewel yelled drawing his first card.

Both brothers gritted their teeth, taking a ready fighting stance, their bodies were reacting as one without noticing.

"First, I play the Spell Card Ancient Armageddon Unit," Obelisk Force - Red announced.

A Continuous Spell Card appeared, showing some strange tank that towered like a birthday cake and covered in cannons instead of candles.

"And next, I summon to the field my Ancient Gear Hunting Hound!"

Rising onto the field was a mechanical hound colored a military green color. It had sharp white bottom fangs and fierce white claws on each paw. (1000 ATK)

"And when Ancient Gear Hunting Hound is summoned, I can inflict 600 points of damage! Go after the Xyz user! Hound Flame!"

The mouth of Ancient Gear Hunting Hound opened, revealing a cannon that fired a blast which struck Yuto's Duel Disk. Yuto dropped to his knee, gritting his teeth.

Yuto: 3400

"It's going to be fine," said Yuya. "They can't Fusion Summon without Polymerization...right?"

"That's the bad part." Yuto replied. "They can!"

"Wait WHAT?!"

"I activate my monster's effect," Obelisk Force - Red continued. "Once per turn, I can Fusion Summon an 'Ancient Gear' Fusion monster! So I fuse the Ancient Gear Hunting Hound on the field and the one in my hand!"

A second Ancient Gear Hunting Hound appeared before the two leapt into the air. Yuya's eyes widened in fear; that must have been how Obelisk Force was able to decimate Heartland.

"Mechanical hounds who carry on the ancient spirits, flock together and become one with new power! Fusion Summon! Appear now! Level 5! Double Ancient Gear Hunting Hound!"

With two howls, the new monster appeared: a larger two-headed version of Ancient Gear Hunting Hound. (1400 ATK)

"When Double Ancient Gear Hunting Hound is summoned, I can place a 'Gear Counter' on any monster on the field. And there's only one now."

A gear appeared above Phantom Knights of Break Swords' head.

"Then I attack! And if my Double Ancient Gear Hunting Hound attacks a monster with a Gear Counter, that monster is automatically destroyed!"

"NO!" Yuya shouted.

But he could do nothing as both heads of the Fusion Monster clamped onto Yuto's own, tearing it apart like the target was a steak.

"When Phantom Knights of Break Sword is destroyed, I get to Special Summon two 'Phantom Knight' monsters in my graveyard," said Yuto. "And when they're Special Summoned, I get to increase their levels by 1. So come back from the dead Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves and Silent Boots!"

The two Phantom Knights monsters rose onto the field, three small blue fireballs circling around them quickly becoming four. (LV: 3 -) 4 x2, Ragged Gloves: 500 DEF/Silent Boots: 1200 DEF)

He's going to try and summon Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon on his next turn! Yuya thought. But how will he protect his monsters if he can't activate Spell or Trap effects when Obelisk Force attacks?

"So you're trying to Xyz Summon again?" Obelisk - Red questioned. "That's only if you get a next turn. The effect of my Ancient Armageddon Unit activates! Since your monster was destroyed, I can inflict damage to your lifepoints equal to that monster's attack!"

Yuto's monster had 3000 attack points! Yuya gasped That means!

Yuto was hurled back by a large fireball launched from the Ancient Armageddon Unit Spell Card, flinging him back a few feet as he screamed in pain.

"YUTO!" Yuya screamed, seeing how low Yuto's lifepoints were.

Yuto: 400

"You...won't…win!" Yuto grunted, rising to his feet. This was nothing compared to the agony of seeing his home destroyed.

"We'll see about that," Obelisk Force - Red replied. "I end my turn."

"My move!" Obelisk Force - Green shouted, drawing his card. "And I summon my Ancient Gear Hunting Hound!"

A second copy of the mechanical canine appeared, baring his fangs. (1000 ATK)

Oh no….! Yuya thought. He'll use that monster's effect on Yuto to -

"And you, tomato head!" Obelisk Force - Green snapped, pointing to Yuya. "You're about to lose 600 points of damage!"

Yuya: 3400

"What?" asked Yuya, confused. "Why didn't you do it on Yuto? You could've dropped his lifepoints all the way down to 0."

"I could, but that means less fun for my partner here," Obelisk Force - Green answered, pointing to Obelisk Force - Yellow. "It makes the hunt much more fun ."

At the word 'hunt', Yuya's eye twitched and the pupils shifted into slits. Not that Obelisk Force noticed this.

"Now, I activate my monster's ability and fuse it and the two Ancient Gear Hunting Hounds in my hand!" Obelisk Force - Green continued.

Two more copies of Ancient Gear Hunting Hound, glowing red and blue, appeared with the one on the field burning with a yellow aura. They leapt into the air with a trio of howls.

"Mechanical hounds who carry on the ancient spirits, flock together and become one with new power! Fusion Summon! Appear now! Level 7! Triple Ancient Gear Hunting Hound!"

Then, two heads emerged on the sides of the on-field Ancient Gear Hunting Hound, the six eyes of the monster glowing white, electricity coursing through its body. (1800 ATK)

"Triple Ancient Gear Hunting Hound is allowed to attack three times per turn!" Obelisk Force - Green. "Now go and destroy that Xyz duelist's monsters!"

Two of the heads of the monster began to glow with power as Yuya looked in fear. After this attack, he would be defenseless!

But before the monster could attack, a loud roar caused it to whimper in fear.

"What?!" Obelisk Force - Green shouted. "But how?!"

"My face-down card, Threatening Roar!" Yuto proclaimed, pointing to one of his face-down cards, flipping over to reveal Manticore of Darkness roaring at Behemoth the King of All Animals. "When I activate this card, you're not allowed to attack this turn."

"Tch," Obelisk Force - Green spat out. "That won't save you for long. I end my turn."

"My move," said Obelisk Force - Yellow, drawing his card. "And I play - "

"Your Ancient Gear Hunting Hound, we know," Yuya interrupted with a snarl.

Obelisk Force - Yellow frowned as he summoned his Ancient Gear Hunting Hound (1000 ATK) and wordlessly commanded it to fire its attack on Yuya. Yuya blocked the attack with his Duel Disk, gritting his teeth at how annoying these attacks, and the duelists, were starting to become.

Yuya: 2800

"And I'll fuse my Triple Ancient Gear Hunting Hound now! Come forth, Triple Ancient Gear Hunting Hound!" Obelisk Force - Yellow added, ignoring how both brothers were becoming irate.

Two heads emerged on the sides of Obelisk Force - Yellow's Ancient Gear Hunting Hound, the Fusion Monster preparing to end the duel with its triple attack. (1800 ATK)

"Before you get any ideas," said Yuto, looking at Obelisk Force - Red's Ancient Armageddon Unit on the field. "I play my other face-down card, Mystical Space Typhoon!"

Yuto's other face-down card flipped, and the well-known Quick-play Spell Card formed a blue tornado that struck the Ancient Armageddon Unit, shattering it into pieces.

"That won't stop me!" Obelisk Force - Yellow snarled. "Triple Ancient Gear Hunting Hound, attack The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves!"

The mechanical Cerberus opened its mouth as beams of blue, red and yellow light formed in its mouths. Then, the beams converged and struck Yuto's monster, knocking it off of the field.

"When you destroyed my monster, this allows me to Special Summon The Phantom Knights of Fragile Armor from my hand," said Yuto. "And his defenses are too high for your monster to penetrate!"

With a loud cackle, a set of navy blue armor with silver trim rose onto the field, held together by a large ball of azure flames. The remains of a green cape was draped upon its shoulders. (2000 DEF)

Obelisk Force - Yellow clenched his teeth. "Fine! Second attack, lock on The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots!"

Another beam struck Yuto's second monster. Thankfully it wasn't doing Piercing Damage else Yuto would've lost there and then.

"And third attack…" Obelisk Force - Yellow glanced at Yuya. "Attack him directly!"

NO! Yuto thought.

But he could do nothing but watch as Triple Ancient Gear Hunting Hound's final attack flew straight towards Yuya, and Yuya was thrown back a few feet, rolling backwards until he landed on his back with a groan.

Yuya: 1000

"YUYA!" Yuto yelled at his brother in worry all while Obelisk Force laughed. That's it, they were all going to pay!

"...is that all you got?" Yuya growled as he rose to his feet. "If that's it, then fine! I draw!"

Yuya drew a card, his pendulum glowing madly with a bright teal light that it was almost blinding. Upon seeing what he drew, a crooked grin formed on his face before he revealed two cards to Obelisk Force.

"I set the Pendulum Scale with my Scale 3 Dragon Mage of Determined Winds and Scale 8 Dragn Mage of Sorrowful Waters!" he shouted.

Yuya swiftly placed the two Pendulum Monsters onto his Duel Disk and the word PENDULUM lit up in its rainbow font. Then, rising onto the field were his two monsters with the numbers '3' and '8' shining beneath their feet.

Yuto looked at the two monsters Yuya had set in the Pendulum Zones, his eyes widened as he saw who these two resembled. The Dragon Mage of Sorrowful Waters looked exactly like him, with tears streaming down his face, fog surrounded his feet, black wings, and gnarled horns hidden under a silver cloak with black highlights. In his right hand was a black iron staff with three small silver crystal balls imbedded in it. His wings surrounded him, shielding him from some otherworldly horror like he was a child afraid of the monsters hiding under his bed.

The Dragon Mage of Determined Winds on the other hand, looked exactly like Yugo. His cloak was a shade of pale green, the colors resembling Clear Wings' own wings along with black stripes all over, hiding the white ice-like horns beneath, and bone-white wings spread as if ready to attack, a white and black striped staff in his hand.

Yuto's breath hitched a bit. They were beautiful .

"Swing, pendulum of my soul! Draw an arc of light across the ether! Pendulum Summon! Appear now my Level 7 Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon and Level 4 Dragon Mage of Jubilant Flames!" Yuya chanted as a large version of his pendulum swung back and forth between his Dragon Mages.

Two bolts of lightning struck the field. The first one revealed Yuya's faithful dragon, red and green eyes glowing. The second one was the more interesting one: A boy with a bright smile on his face with a red cloak trimmed with orange covering red horns, and matching red wings spread as if on display, with a sparkler in his hand that he was playing with, red and green sparks showering him. (Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon: 2500 ATK/Dragon Mage of Jubilant Flames: 1500 ATK)

Yuto gasped softly when the mage that was on the field turned around to look at him over his shoulder with his mismatched eyes of green and red, like beautiful jewels. The mage looked just like Yuya, and Yuto could also see the hints of a silver circlet placed delicately over his forehead like he was a prince.

"I activate the effect of Dragon Mage of Jubilant Flames!" Yuya shouted. "When it's summoned to the field while I have a Pendulum monster in play, I can inflict damage to your lifepoints equal to half of the attack of an Extra Deck monster you control! That means one of you is going to lose 700 lifepoints and the other two lose 900!"

Dragon Mage of Jubilant Flame let out a childish giggle before the joyful expression on his face swiftly morphed into an expression of crazed glee. The sparks from sparkler in his hand exploded and in its place was now a mighty wand, topped with three jewels of red blue and green. Cackling at how he was going to set the world on fire, he twirled the wand and aimed it at his targets. A tornado of flames struck the Obelisk Force soldiers, knocking them off of their feet.

Obelisk - Red: 3300

Obelisk - Green: 3100

Obelisk - Yellow: 3100

The fiery Dragon Mage bowed in a showmanship fashion as the other Dragon Mages applauded him. Jubilant Flames smiled, sending both of his brothers air kisses before he appeared beside Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon once more, scratching the dragon's scales.

"Now Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon," Yuya said. "Attack Double Ancient Gear Hunting Hound! Spiral Strike Burst!"

Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon unleashed a large blast of fire that easily disintegrated the target, shattering it into pieces.

Obelisk - Red: 1100

"Wait," said Obelisk Force - Red. "I should've lost 1100 points on that last attack!"

"Any battle damage I inflict with Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon is doubled," Yuya explained. "Which means that your lifepoints are low enough for my Dragon Mage to deplete!"

"What?!"

"Go Dragon Mage of Jubilant Flames! Attack directly!"

With a sweep of his wand, Dragon Mage of Jubilant Flames unleashed a whip of flames that hit the Obelisk Force member directly, sending him flying until his back struck a pillar.

Obelisk - Red: 0

"I end my turn there," said Yuya. "Finish this off, Yuto!"

Yuto nodded his head, feeling his rage rising throughout the duel. Sparks of anger hit his bond with Yuya and ignited their emotions like a bonfire. The more they dueled the more painful emotions and memories from Heartland hit both, threatening to consume them!

"I draw," said Yuto, drawing his card. These bastards; they were all going to pay! "And I'll start by banishing my Phantom Knights of Silent Boots to add a 'Phantom Knight's Spell or Trap Card from my deck to my hand."

The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots briefly appeared as a ghost before Yuto took a new card to his hand.

"Then, I summon The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm in Attack Mode!"

Appearing on the field was a knight's helm with a red feathery plume. It 'wore' a red scarf around its 'neck' and a pair of metallic hands surrounded by blue fire. (1500 ATK)

"And again, with my two Level 4 monsters I shall unleash the Overlay Network!"

Another Overlay Network appeared in front of Yuto and his two loyal monsters entered it. Yuto's eyes glowed lavender, feeling his dragon wanting to appear on the field to unleash vengeance.

"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!"

The dark violet dragon with purple wings and whip-like tail emerged, lightning crackling around its body. (2500 ATK)

Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon took a glance at its Xyz sibling and roared in approval. Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon roared back. Both Dragons' roars sounded together, and electric shots went through Yuya and Yuto's veins, all the memories and emotions, anger the hatred, it went from one brother to the other, the anger, the sadness, the hurt, the worry, the uncertainty, the need to protect, the need to defeat, the need to destroy.

Inside their minds, a pendulum swung between them. They felt it, the bond intensifying, memory and thought becoming one.

Both the brothers' eyes snapped open, eyes glowing red, a black aura surrounded them both, their hair raising up, both brothers looked at the two remaining Oblesk Force soldiers and grinned, their appearance radiating with malice and murder.

"Wh-what's going on?" the one with a green jewel asked.

Yuya giggled, doubling over, his entire body shook with it. The laugh...it was both sinister and childish like he was having too much fun stomping on an anthill. He raised his head, and stood as tall as Yuto, both boys sprouting identical manic smirks. The Obelisk Force soldiers began to back away...something was wrong.

The Dragon Mage of Jubilant Flames looked between Odd Eyes and Dark Rebellion several times before he snapped his fingers as if finally getting what's going on. Both the Dragon Mages of Sorrowful Waters and Determined Winds also looked at Yuya and Yuto, getting in on the little joke..

"It's time to teach these scum a lesson isn't that right, Yuto?" Yuya asked, grinning madly and licking his fangs in anticipation.

Yuto's smirk widened before picking a card from his hand - the one he took from The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots' effect - and slamming it into the slot on his duel disk. "I play the Spell Card Phantom Knights' Possession! This allows me to give my Xyz Monster the same level as another monster on the field!"

"Wait, did you say Level ?!" Obelisk Force - Green gasped.

"That's right!" It was Yuya who had said that in a rumbling voice. "So Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon changes from a Rank 4 to a Level 7 like Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!"

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon roared as a spectral image of its card appeared above its head. Its black border became orange, its black stars indicating its rank moved to the right and three more stars were added.

"It's time to unleash the Overlay Network once more!" Both brothers yelled as one, extending their arms as if giving a command.

The two dragons became black streams of light as they entered the Overlay Network that swirled around and around. Then, a burst of darkness and flame erupted and a roar could be heard throughout the area.

"What the?!" asked Reiji, noticing the strong Xyz Summoning energy appearing from the duel. Reira shivered in fear; she could tell something dark and dangerous was about to emerge.

" Dragon with dual colored eyes! Resurrect from the deep darkness and burn everything in the world with flames of anger! Xyz Summon! Come forth, Rank 7! The blazing dragon called by calamity! Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon!" Both Yuya and Yuto had insanely gleeful grins on their faces, remembering how they channeled their anger to create this fearsome monster.

Rising onto the field was a dragon, red as blood and sharp pincers instead of fangs. Its wings and horns gave it the appearance of a demon, especially with its black talons and green eyes staring into its targets, just waiting to devour flesh and bone. (3000 ATK)

"Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon's effect activates!" Yuto shouted.

"By detaching an Overlay Unit, it can destroy as many cards you control - " Yuya carried on.

"And then gain 200 attack points per card destroyed!" Yuto finished.

An Overlay Unit shattered as Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon opened its mouth before its wings stretched out, burning bright as the sun. Glowing tendrils struck the Fusion monsters, the two exploding into shrapnel. (3000 -) 3400 ATK)

"W-what?!" Obelisk Force - Gold whimpered.

"Now Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon," Yuya commanded, extended his claws clear as day. "Direct Attack!"

Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon roared, its wings glowing like that of a bonfire, ready to swallow its opponents whole and burn until nothing remained but ashes scattered in the wind.

"You're not going to win," Obelisk Force - Yellow stated, sweat falling down his forehead. "We...we have the cards needed to destroy you on of our next turn! You won't win, Xyz Scum! YOU WON'T WIN!"

Yuto and Yuya turned to each other, tilting their heads in confusion. Then, they chuckled, and the Obelisk Force soldier took a step back before the two started laughing once again. Before suddenly turning to look at their opponents.

"There won't be a next turn," Yuya stated, that mad smirk still on his lips.

"What do you mean?" Obelisk Force - Green asked. "You can only attack one of us!"

"If Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon is Xyz Summoned, he can attack twice!" Yuto explained with the same grin like his younger brother.

"Wait WHAT?!"

"GO! Odd Eyes Raging Dragon, end this duel! Destruction Burst of Rage!"

The dragon roared, lifting its head to the sky as flames wrapped around its body. Yuya and Yuto grinned, the flames giving their faces an ominous glow that made them look like they were demons rising from the pits of Hell itself. The two brothers pointed at their targets and shouted,

"Off with their heads!"

And the dragon complied, covering the entire area in a bonfire.

Obelisk - Green/Yellow: 0

Mieru panted for breath. She had been searching throughout the entire city for three hours and there was still no sign of this boy, Yuri, her Darling wanted her to search for, going from street to street and through several corners as she raised her crystal apple over her head and in several directions. All she could see was static.

"Why is my apple not working now?!" she whined. "Where could he be hiding?! WHERE ARE YOU HIDING YU - GAH!"

She finally bumped into Noboru Gongenzaka, which stopped her in place.

"Watch where you're going, you big oaf!" Mieru snarled. "You nearly made me drop my -"

She stopped when she looked at what Gongenzaka was staring at. It was the scene of both Yuya and Yuto dueling Obelisk Force.

The two watched in horror as Yuya and Yuto started acting in scary synchronization, anger and blood lust. Shivers of fear went down their spines when Yuya summoned his new Pendulum monsters - Dragon Mages that, if Mieru didn't know better, looked similar to Yuya's "brothers"!

There was also the two monsters Yuya Pendulum Summoned: Odd-Eyes, Mieru was familiar with. The Dragon Mage of Jubilant Flames? Not so much.

"D...darling?!" Mieru gasped, seeing the Dragon Mage grin with absolute glee at setting Obelisk Force on fire. The look on that monster's face mirrored the one Yuya gave. "W...what's going on?"

it wasn't the Darkness surrounding Yuya that she feared. No, the Darkness was fine. It was the ruby blood mixed with stormy grey eyes and the manic smirk mirrored on both boys' faces that made her feel like she wanted to run. Now.

"That's the same look Yuya sported yesterday," Gongenzaka muttered, recalling how Yuya's duel with Kachidoki ended with Yuya unleashing that Xyz Dragon to chase the smug Ryozanpauk student around in a twisted game of "Fetch". "And who's that boy who looked similar to him?"

Gongenzaka briefly took his eyes off of the duel to take a look at Shun in the temple being knocked back by some attack.

"What? What's Shun doing here?!" he asked.

Everything came to a halt once the two boys Xyz summoned… and it was terrifying. Swiftly making a win, the phrase "Off with their Heads!," shouted by both boys made Gongenzaka even more worried for his friend. This was not like Yuya, not like him at all. He needed to find someway to help his friend snap out of it and return to normal.

"Mieru," Gongenzaka said, turning to the girl, his voice calm. "Get going. This isn't safe."

"I can't!" Mieru exclaimed, looking at her crystal apple. "My darling is in danger...and there's something I have to do!"

"What do you mean?" Gongenzaka asked. "What type of danger could Yuya be in right now?"

Yugo's observations about Reiji's 'attack force' could be summed up in two words.

Utterly abysmal .

One by one, Obelisk Force's hounds tore through each of their best monsters with a combination of Ancient Gear Double Hunting Hound and something called Ancient Armageddon Unit and then carding the defeated duelists with glee. Then, all that was left was the ringleader, Yuu Sakuragi alone with his Xyz monster..

As much as Yugo disliked how Sakuragi claimed how Shun would chicken out, he knew that stopping Obelisk Force was more important.

So without wasting any time, Yugo had stepped in beating the Obelisk Force by using their own tactics against them with Clear Wing Synchro Dragon and the Synchro Cracker card Rin gave him for his birthday a few months ago. Even when they were apart, she was still looking after him.

Upon seeing the defeated Obelisk Force soldiers, Yugo sighed. "That could've been worse."

Yuu Sakuragi trembled in fear, seeing eight cards in front of him. This...this was not what he was expecting at all!

"Hey," said Yugo, turning to the panicking Yuu Sakuragi. "You okay?"

What Sakuragi said next surprised him and Reiji.

"No...g...get away from me!" Sakuragi cried, running away, nearly stumbling on his feet all while screaming his head off.

(And Reiji couldn't help but facepalm. This was last year's champion ?!)

Yugo sighed as he stared at all of the carded duelists scattered across the bridge. "...Yuto?"

"Yeah?"

"Sakuragi bolted. I think you and Shun had a bet or something?"

"Damn it! I really wanted that dance."

"WHAT?!"

"Do I wanna know?" Yuya asked.

"...Well..."

"No!" Yugo shouted. "You know I wouldn't even care what you and Shun do in private but please just stop doing it infront of people!"

"..."

"Got nothing to say? Well, that should - "

Yugo groaned as he felt more and more emotions through the link. Emotions of happiness and pride and desire…

...Oh...oh that was just swell.

"YUTO!" he yelled. "What are you and Shun going through now?"

"...Yugo...What did Yuto do to Shun?" Yuya asked bewildered.

"...Are they making out again?"

"You could say that…"

"How...HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?!"

In the Ancient Ruins, Sora and Shun were reaching their limits.

The duel was intense and both duelists were down to their last play. Sora at 300 lifepoints, Fluffal Mouse and Edge Imp Sabers on his side of the field while Shun was at 2100 lifepoints and had two copies of Raidraptor - Vanishing Lanius, two copies of Raidraptor - Fuzzy Lanius and one Raidraptor - Force Strix on the field currently at 2100 ATK. He had one card in his hand left.

"This duel ends here," sais Shun. "I play the Spell Card Rank-Up-Magic Skip Force and offer up Raidraptor - Force Strix to summon an Xyz Monster two ranks higher than it!"

"You're going to summon Revolution Falcon again, huh?" Sora questioned, seeing a Spell Card with two Raidraptors logos, cyan and red, surrounded by lightning..

"No," said Shun. "I'm summoning something else, something better. Now, go! Time to build the Overlay Network!"

The black Overlay Network emerged as the Raidraptor Xyz monster leapt into it. Lightning and fire erupted from its center as Shun smirked and Sora grit his teeth.

"Prideful falcon, prepare your arsenal to lead us all into a glorious revolution! Xyz Summon! Rank 6! Raidraptor - Revolution Falcon - Airraid!"

Rising onto the field was Shun's newest monster. It looked similar to Revolution Falcon except its body was a jet black color and it looked ready to bomb everything in sight. (2000 ATK)

"You just Xyz Summoned a weaker monster," Sora laughed. "And you can't attack this turn so what's the point of going all this way to summon it?"

"Airraid's effect activates!" said Shun. "When he's Xyz Summoned, I can target one monster you control and destroy it! Then, I inflict damage to your lifepoints equal to that monster's original attack. I shall destroy Edge Imp Sabers!"

No! Sora thought, eyes wide. I only have 300 lifepoints left! That means -

"Go my monster!" said Shun. "End this duel!"

Raidraptor - Revolution Falcon - Airraid flew as far as it could without hitting the ceiling before dropping three bombs onto Sora's Edge Imp Sabers. Sora could do nothing except scream when smoke engulfed his field, he was knocked onto his back and his lifepoints dropped to 0.

"How...how is this possible?" Sora said as the holograms faded. "I lost again to the same Xyz scum?!"

Shun descended on Sora before kicking him in the stomach. Sora coughed. Even after going some medical check-ups at Academia and all the training he had to go through, that still hurt.

"Let this be a warning, Sora Shiunin," Shun said with a snarl. "I will not show mercy to those who anger my prince or those he cares about."

"P...Prince?" Sora repeated. Shun grabbed Sora by his ponytail before slamming his head onto the temple floor and stomping on it for good measure. Sora cried in pain as Shun pressed his boots on Sora's head over and over again.

"You have no right to talk about my Prince in such a manner!" Shun barked, eyes glowing. The mark on his back pulsed, causing him to shudder. "You must pay for your crimes against Yuya Sakaki."

"What crimes?!" Sora spat out. "I've done nothing to him!"

"You lied to him, tricked him, took advantage of his heart and wormed yourself into his and his mother's good graces. But all you were was a spy, Fusion Scum. You pretended to care about him, yet cared nothing for him. That is what you have to pay for."

"..."

"Oh?" asked Shun. "You did care for Yuya?"

"I...I told Yuya not to get involved in my affairs with Yuto," Sora stated. "T...that's caring right? And I taught Yuzu how to Fusion Summon, no strings attached! I was really proud of how she kicked Masumi's ass! She did it like a pro!"

Shun grit his teeth. "You wouldn't know what caring is if every single person in Academia was carded and your little school transformed into rubble! You don't care about anyone except yourself! How would you like to be on the receiving end of every single person that was carded as part of your little hunting game ?"

Shun lowered his Duel Disk and pressed a few buttons. Sora's eyes widened as he struggled to stand up, but Shun pressing his boot on Sora's head prevented him from moving. In just a few seconds, he was going to be turned into a card and no one would be there to save him!

But just as Shun was about to finish Sora off, he paused.

He felt something in his mind, something powerful, strong, rising into his mind lie and causing him to shiver as if he had been washed by the tide. It was a familiar feeling...He noticed his Prince's mind was clouded, that he could realise. He ran and left Sora in order to find his prince, to know that he was alright.

After scrambling down the steps of the temple, he rushed out to hear the roar of dragons that seemed to shake the earth. What he saw shocked him, sent electric shocks through his entire body, his jaw become unhinged, eyes widened, as he exhaled at the exhilarating scene.

Prince Yuya and Yuto stood side by side facing three Obelisk Force soldiers. Yuya's eyes redder than blood and Yuto's eyes like a storm across the ocean at sunset, shining with fury, hatred, a need for destruction and chaos it radiated power , the will to kill and destroy all which stood in its way.

Shun's knees felt like they couldn't support him much more. He shivered as the brothers spoke in unison. It was uncanny, raw, their voices rang in his ears as if a bomb has gone off. Then that smirk they both wore, their laughter of utter dominance at how they destroyed their opponents. He swallowed, wanting to fall on his knees in praise and worship even more, he let out a shuddering breath...

"Off with their heads!" Both brothers commanded their dragon, who gave a mighty roar and decimated the Obelisk Force with no trouble.

And the duel was over, his princes won with a beautiful blood-red dragon that seemed to radiate with power.

"So beautiful…" Shun thought, seeing the fury and hatred surrounding Yuto and Yuya. His eyes grew wide at the fiery attack that defeated the last two Obelisk Force soldiers. They never stood a chance! "MusthavemusthavemusthavemusthaveIwantwantwantwantwant…."

Both princes still acted in unison, as they both snapped out of whatever they were in, clutching their heads for a few seconds, eyes half laid as they fought the pain. Shun marched towards them, heading straight to Yuto, a glint in his golden eyes.

"What the - " Gongenzaka questioned.

The chanting from Shun inside his mind, the feeling of lust need and desire were a little...overwhelming for the Xyz Prince, especially since he had just woken up from resonating with Yuya, not that he ever knew he could do that. Oh well, live and learn. But the emotions from Shun, oh they were delicious . He had no defense against them; a shiver ran down his spine, and he didn't notice when Shun had arrived by his side.

The Raidraptor user reached out in awe to his prince. "Sh-Shun? What is it?" Yuto questioned, confused. "Why are you so…?"

And the older boy crushed their lips together. He broke the kiss only to look at Yuto as if the Xyz prince was his everything . Yuto shivered in delight, when he saw the lust in Shun's eyes. He wants that look on Shun's face every time he looked at him, always…

"I saw you both, my prince," he whispered huskily. "After defeating that Academia spy, I watched you and your brother unleash your wrath upon Obelisk Force. Both of your dragons forming a beast that embodies the rage of the people that were carded against those who destroyed our homes. The look in your eyes filled with blood lust...the way your lips curled in utter delight at the carnage...how you laughed at their pathetic attempts in trying to save themselves like trying to stop yourself from falling to your death! It was breathtaking …. intoxicating…"

Shun shivered. "Please my prince, I need you. Unleash that fury unto me, let me feel your passion and wrath. Let me burn with the ecstasy of your will made from the fires of hatred and rage!"

Grey eyes grew wide, lips parted as Yuto processed what Shun had just told him, he let out a shaky breath, before his hand shot out and grabbed Shun's hair, pulling it hard making Shun gasp, and fall on his knees.

"Yesyesyesyes please, pleasepleaseplease take me yes!" Shun's mind chanted with more need and a wanton desire to be taken, ravished, owned.

"MinemineminemineMINE!" Yuto thought, pulling on Shun's hair harder...much to the shock of the three people watching this.

"Y-Yuto…" said Yuya, surprised at what he saw. A shiver went down his spine as he felt his brother's pleasure and anticipation, how pleased he was at Shun being so...submissive. This was definitely not how Shun acted in the past, not even around Yuto when they were alone. Let alone other people.

"Yes?" Yuto purred and Yuya flinched. It reminded him of...it reminded him of those times Yuri and Father were in that mood - where one of them would put the siblings in an utter haze of pleasure and control. The boys would always gasp and writhe and lose sensation of everything except Father or Yuri. He doesn't remember Yuto having that side to him before.

"There...are people watching…" Yuya reminded him. While in normal circumstances Yuya would never deny his brother any sort of enjoyment or pleasure, he really didn't think it was a good idea to do it in the middle of the streets. He shivered again as Yuto's eyes turned to him, his mouth went dry, his cheeks red.

"...So?" Yuto asked, looking at Shun's flushed face, glassy golden eyes, how he was panting for breath. "Look at how beautiful he looks right now, Yuya. How could I resist?" A primal growl sounded before Yuto attacked Shun's lips and the older boy moaned with no restraint.

(And in the Volcano section, Yugo was screaming his head off)

"Y-Yuto..." Yuya shivered. "When did you…"

Yuto could not hear anything, nor did he want to. All he focused on was giving Shun what he wanted. With every kiss, lick, or touch he gave, he could hear Shun beg and whine for moremoremoremore more !

"Tear me apart, my lord!" Shun pleaded, hands nearly ripping Yuto's shirt in half. "Please, I wish it, I wish to see it again! Your rage, your wrath...but upon me and only me, your beloved treasure! Pleasepleasepleaseplease!"

(And in Reiji's office, many of the female workers were doing their best not to show off their bleeding noses at the scene. Reira was hiding her face in Reiji's scarf and Reiji just glared, that really did not seem anything like the Shun Kurosaki that he'd met before.)

"What in the name of - " Gongenzaka questioned, covering Mieru's eyes with a hand.

"What are those two doing?!" Mieru exclaimed, trying to move to the side.

"I, the man Gongenzaka, request that you do not ask," Gongenzaka answered.

(This didn't stop Mieru from getting her phone out to record everything; she had to contact Yoko on anything that happened to Yuya and his brothers)

Sora, who had hidden behind a pillar, looked in utter confusion. This Xyz scum was acting like a lovesick puppy in front of Yuto. Where was that duelist who utterly decimated him minutes ago?! Why was he calling Yuto his "prince"?

But that wasn't what scared Sora the most. It was the fact that he saw how Yuya and Yuto looked so terrifying against Obelisk Force with their dark auras and their Xyz monster. That... that was the power of Xyz Summoning?!

And Yuya now looked confused more than horrified at the way Yuto was acting rather than Shun as the other boy's eyes were on his look alike.

Sora shivered. It was best to go back to Academia for the time being; if this is what Yuya was like facing Obelisk Force, who knows what would've happened if the two made eye contact?

A part of him froze; he didn't mean to lose Yuya's trust. He liked being friends with Yuya and Yuzu. He liked not having to worry about being part of Academia. He loved eating all those sweets and having Yoko make him breakfast whenever he entered the Sakaki residence...

But at the same time, there was that anger to go after those from the Xyz Dimension, for the glory of Academia! For the goal of unifying the dimensions! There were no need for friends, only success in the Professor's goal and destroying the enemy!

Yet...why couldn't he just get rid of the guilt in his heart?

….

Sora pressed a button on his Duel Disk and teleported himself back to Academia. He'd think about this later.

"Yuya," Gongezaka began with a firm voice that was like a growl, and Yuya jumped out of his haze "Would you mind explaining why there is another boy with your face and why this boy is making out with Shun Kurosaki ?!"

"WHAT?!" Mieru stated, pushing Gongenzaka's hand to see exactly what he was saying. It was true. Yuto was currently roaming his hands over Shun, kissing him, licking him, biting him and Shun was gasping, pleading, begging with tears in his eyes at how good it felt that he was Yuto's valuable treasure. At how he wanted Yuto to unleash this rage without a care in the world.

"Eeeehhh!" she screamed as her face turned red. She could see something in her crystal apple though, as she raised it towards them...there was a symbol of some sort. It looked like a black coat of arms, a shield with a serpent biting its tail and crossed with a feather and spear. "What the - "

"YUTO!" Yuya yelled and rarely does he ever raise his voice in situations like these.

"Yuya!" Gongenzaka yelled, "Just what exactly is going on?"

"Darling, can you explain what this symbol in my crystal apple?" asks Mieru, raising her crystal apple into the air.

Yuay began to splutter; he had no idea how to explain this. "Well I... I mean...I..."

He shivered again. His link with Yuto was raw and his brother was out of control. Yuya felt lightheaded from the feedback he was getting. He shook his head trying to clear it, but it just kept on coming as if he was being washed down by waves and waves of undiluted pleasure. Yuya whimpered; he needed his brother to stop immediately before he lost it!

"Papa!" Yuya screamed, almost on the verge of collapsing from these feelings.

Yuto, that's enough playing around! Zarc stated with a firm voice.

The Xyz prince froze immediately and stopped, panting for breath. At this point, he already had Shun's scarf in his hands, and the coat was already pulled apart so he could tear into Shun's shirt. Mieru's face was so red that one could see it reflected on her crystal apple.

Shun whimpered when Yuto stopped touching him, and tried to move closer. "M-my Prince," he said, hand reaching out towards Yuto. "W...why did you stop?"

Yuto panted, trying to take control through all the lust clouding his mind. "Father commands us to, Shun," And Shun immediately understood. Lord Zarc's commands were absolute, never to be disobeyed. His body and mind still cried for Prince Yuto's touch though, and he just needed more and more and more….

"I know, I know," Yuto caressed Shun's face tenderly, and Shun leaned into the touch with a soft smile on his face. "We will play later my darling, I promise."

"P...play…?!" Mieru repeated. "They're gonna…play...la..."

At this point, Mieru had fainted. Thankfully, Gongenzaka had half a mind to snatch her crystal apple before it shattered, but he was also curious about that strange seal that she kept talking about.

Yuya regained his breath. "Thank you Father," He looked back at Gongenzaka and Mieru. Just what he needed; his best friend and the girl with the huge crush on him seeing all of this and he himself had no clue just what the fuck Yuto did with Shun ! If Father hadn't stepped in Yuya was pretty sure he would have done something he regretted.

"I, the man Gongenzaka, am waiting," Gongenzaka stated, tapping one of his steel getas with impatience.

"Ok first I can say with all certinity I have no idea what the fuck is up," Yuya grumbled. "But I'd fucking like an explanation now, Yuto!" He yelled at his lookalike with...annoyance. Gongenzaka blinked.

"Wait - " he stated, raising an eyebrow. "How do you know that lookalike's name is Yuto? Hold on; wasn't he the one who attacked Shingo at the warehouse?"

"Yeah, yeah that was him," Yuya answered with a sigh. "In his defense he really had no idea the repercussions of his actions. And Reiji is just an all around bastard anyway. He would've found any excuse to try to buy the school." Yuya spat out, still angry at learning at how low the Akabas would stoop to get what they want.

(At this, Reiji narrowed his eyes. He was going to have a personal talk with Yuya after this was over)

At this point Yuto joined back to Yuto's side, Shun right behind him. Yuya gestured wildly at him, as if he was yelling at Yuto whose face became red at how he acted.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?" Yuya screamed.

"Well…" Yuto began.

"Yuto, I swore for a moment I saw Yuri instead of you with how Shun was acting! I want some explanations RIGHT NOW!"

Shun on the other hand, calmly began to button his coat and tie his scarf back on as if none of this ever happened. (Although he was excited for when he and Yuto could be like that again)

"And another thing," said Gongenzaka. "How did you learn to Xyz Summon like that?" Yuya was snapped out of his screaming at his older brother to look back at his best friend. The bonds between him and his siblings were making him more irritated especially with Yuto's anger and lust and fear and Yugo's...everything else. His eyes were glowing red, the murderous aura surrounding him, incisors sharpened into fangs and nails morphed into talons…

And Shun was so close to asking Yuya to unleash it on him. So so close.

"That...is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, NOBORU GONGENZAKA!" Yuya roared with enough force to knock a lesser man off his feet. But Gongenzaka was not like that. He noticed the fangs and talons and looked with wide eyes at Yuya, wondering what had happened to his friend, he even swore his red eyes became slited...like a monster...

"Yuya Sakaki…" Gongenzaka stated with a voice like ice and a grip on Mieru's crystal apple that could've crushed it if he wasn't careful. It was rare for anyone to call him by his first name like that, let alone Yuya of all people. That's it, something was wrong here.

Yuya panted, the aura and glow in his eyes dying out. "I...I'm sorry," he tried to calm down, feeling like he was going to collapse. "Just everything...everything is…" Yuto's claws ran in Yuya's hair, caressing his red and green locks, making Yuya have some semblance of peace. They weren't Father's claws but they calmed him down all the same.

"There is a lot we are going to talk about," Gongenzaka stated, kneeling down and placing the crystal apple in Mieru's hands. "Unless you want me to knock some sense into you with a duel."

Yuya shook his head, and breathed out a sigh. "No, no, I can explain but..I need you to have an open mind Gongezaka. Trust me, even I myself didn't believe it at first."

At this point, Mieru slowly woke up, hand on her head. "Darling...I just had this really crazy dream…about your brother and Shun making out…"

At the utterance of that word "Brother", Gongenzaka narrowed his eyes. "Brother?" he repeated.

Yuya sighed. "Brother, counterpart, one of three others. Recently I learned that we live in one of four dimensions, Standard, Xyz, Synchro and Fusion. No one knows why they were separated like that."

(Well, that's a lie but Yuya digresses.)

"In each world, we discovered Yuzu and I have counterparts. We're not sure about why yet either. The dimensions never crossed over but everything changed when the Fusion Dimension, suddenly launched an invasion. The leader, Leo Akaba, waged a war on the Xyz Dimension where Yuto and Shun are from. Now they're here to look for allies against the Fusion Dimension - also known as Academia - and are looking for a way to bring Shun's sister back, Ruri who, like Yuto to me, is identical to Yuzu."

"...Is this true?" asked Gongenzaka, not sure which was the real Shun: the stoic warrior who fought off Sora or that...one who got turned on by whatever Yuya and this Yuto unleashed.

Shun nodded. but Yuto was the one who spoke up.

"We needed help." he said. "And after I was attacked by Sora, who is also from Academia, Yuya offered it."

"We were grateful, but he was too kind. He made me and our other counterpart stay in his home, so we started to jokingly refer to ourselves as brothers." Yuto looked down, still running his hand (claws) through Yuya's hair.

" Other counterpart?" Gongenzaka repeated.

Yuya nodded. "Yugo from Synchro, and we're looking for the fourth, Yuri, from Fusion. Yuri was the one who kidnapped Ruri and Yugo's friend Rin, now he's going after Yuzu too."

"What? Yuzu?!"

"Yeah."

"What are we waiting for? We have to get to her now!"

"No," said Yuya. "There might be more of these soldiers coming. You and Shun have to stop them before they start carding the other duelists. Mieru, have you located Yuri yet?"

"I was trying to, then I bumped into Gongenzaka, then I saw you duel…and then this appeared!" said Mieru, pointing to that black seal that made Yuto and Shun uneasy. "What's this all about?"

"...Yuto...explain what the hell you and Shun have been doing right now or I swear I'll be plotting something deadly tonight!" Yuya stated, growling at his brother.

Yuto stuttered before running his claw in a certain place that made Yuya freeze and calm for a moment. Yuya's eyes lowered half-way and it looked like he had just 'deactivated' - not even aware of his surroundings, half-asleep. Yuya smiled a little, loving how his mind had just blanked out for a moment in this strange state of tranquility.

"It's...it's not important right now," Yuto explained in a hurry. "Mieru, is Yuri here right now?"

Mieru looked into her crystal apple, eyes almost glowing ."I...I think he's going to the Iceberg area," Mieru answered. "And last I checked, Yuzu was in the Volcano section. Oh wait!" she looked at her crystal apple, the image of Yuri vanishing and now showing her Yuzu located at... "Yuzu's also in the Iceberg area!"

"That's bad." Yuto thought. Most likely Yuzu somehow traveled there all by herself. And without backup, who knows what that bracelet of hers would do to Yuri!

"Right, we need to confront Yuri," Yuto removed his hand from Yuya's hair before cupping his chin gently, which made him flinch and snap out of the nice haze he was in, and shook his head to clear it.

(Reiji's eyes narrowed at that interaction, Gongenzaka and Mieru probably did not fail to notice Yuya's reactions either)

"We have to trust Serena and Yuzu to get out of trouble themselves while Yugo, Yuya and I confront Yuri," said Yuto. "Come on Yuya, Mieru. Let's go."

"Never do that while we're in public, Yuto!" Yuya screamed at his brother and was about to actually scream out loud at him, before taking several breaths to calm down.

"Ok, I'm sorry, I just wanted you to calm down."

"...Just so you know, you are going to pay for this."

Yuto gulped. Yuya's powers were creating illusions be it in the real world or just in a certain person's mind...He's probably screwed if Yuya stays angry at him.

…

...Scratch the probably, Yuto was definitely screwed once he revealed the truth.

"W...what?!" Yuzu gasped under the setting sun. "That's what's going on? That's why they're here?!"

Serena nodded her head, looking at her Standard counterpart with pity. She took a glance at Tsukikage standing there, not once turning around to question or comment about her story before continuing. "If we don't do something soon, the two of us and Rin and Ruri are going to end up…"

She let the sentence hang in the air as Yuzu dropped to her knees, tears in her eyes.

"But why?" asked Yuzu. "Why did Yuto and Shun have to go through this? Why would someone do such a thing?!"

"I'm not sure myself," Serena answered. "All we can do is fight against him," She firmly placed her hands on Yuzu's shoulder, shaking her, and make her look Serena in the eye. "We have to stay strong, got it? We need to survive, and fight with everything we got."

"Dueling...dueling is supposed to be about having fun and making people smile…" Yuzu sniffled. "Why would someone preach that dueling is used to destroy people ?"

Looking at her own counterpart crying like that didn't set well with Serena at all. All she could do was hug Yuzu close before looking her in the eyes once again. "We can't change what happened, but we can fight it, Yuzu. We have to. Got it? Pull yourself together and get ready because the only choice we have is to fight."

Yuzu wiped the last of her tears away, remembering what Yuya said to her before the Battle Royale began. That it was time for the world to know what Yuzu Hiragi was capable of.

"Good," said Serena, looking around. The hairs on the back of her hair stood up. "Because we're gonna be fighting very soon."

Dennis watched this with a frown on his face. Bad enough seeing Serena so soon, but now she was spouting out nonsense about the Professor's plan?

This certainly wouldn't do at all.

Suddenly, a violet light made him turn. When it died down, he could only smile at who stood in front of him.

"Well, well, well," he said. "About time you showed up, Yuri."

"Dennis, update?" Yuri asked curtly.

Dennis pointed to Yuzu and Serena about to confront three Obelisk Force soldiers. "It seems as we'll be killing two birds with one stone soon enough. Be careful though; Serena isn't the only girl who can Fusion Summon."

"Oh~ that's just fine," Yuri smirked. "Soon, it will be time for me to play~"

Dennis chuckled, eyes darting back and forth. While he never really met Yuri, he heard all the rumors of the Professor's watchdog. How no one has ever won a victory over Yuri; how he slaughtered his opponents without a care in the world. Dennis was very glad he was on "good terms" with him else he'd be also on the list of people who have been critically injured by Yuri's sadism.

"Well, save me a seat then," he said. "I do love a good show."

And while the two conversed, neither of them paid attention to the biker with a white coat recording this on her phone, her hand trembling at what she saw and heard.

That son of a bitch! Yoko snarled. She was gonna kill Dennis herself, and she would not allow Zarc to step in. He's not from Standard or Xyz at all...that no-good kiss-up is from FUSION!

She had half a mind to upload the video so that everyone knew the truth about Dennis, exposing him for the person he truly was. He was no better than Sora; using his looks to make people turn the other cheek, only to backstab everyone who cared for him when their defenses were down.

She looked at the 'Share' button...just one press of it and Dennis's cover would be blown.

…

…

...No.

There were several holes in this plan, and as Yoko took a deep breath, she began to list them.

First, there was the fact that there were only a few people who would understand what this conversation was about. Only she, Yuya, Yugo, Yuto, Shun, Serena, Reiji and whoever else is in the know about the Four Dimensions and the attack on Heartland.

Second, there was the fact that Yuri's face looked similar to Yuya's. If she uploaded it, people would question why Yuya Sakaki was dressed up in some military getup and might not understand the idea of there being other dimensions.

And third, uploading this clip would probably put her sons in danger. Obelisk Force could come and hunt her down, card her up, or even go after her boys!

And after everything she has learned yesterday, that is something she would not allow!

Yoko saved the recording and sent a message to Yugo ( "Yuri's in the Iceberg section. Come here now.") . Once it was sent, she watched as Serena and Yuzu were locked into battle, praying that these girls would make it out okay.

But nothing could prepare her for what happened next.

Serena glared at the three grinning Obelisk Force soldiers and their Triple Ancient Gear Hunting Hounds on the field, while Yuzu had Bloom Diva on hers. And Serena had already tried Fusion Summoning Lunalight Cat Dancer with Lunalight Fusion, but Obelisk Force was prepared with a De-Fusion, splitting her back into Lunalight Blue Cat and Lunalight Purple Butterfly.

And with Tsukikage gone to who knows where, there was no way to get back-up in time.

This is bad... Serena thought. From her observation of Yuzu's duel against Dennis, Bloom Diva would be able to destroy those Hunting Hounds with ease. But Serena? No, she had nothing she could use to defend herself.

"I see you as someone who can fight beside dragons themselves."

Serena's eyes widened as she recalled that phrase from the night before, that man in the cloak…

"Time to play the card, little Luna."

She heard his voice again in her head and then remembred his gift. Yes, why shouldn't she use it? It was her monster now; it didn't matter where she got it. She looked at the cards in her hand and made her decision.

"You may have stopped my favorite Fusion monster, but I still have a trick up my sleeve!" said Serena. "I play Polymerization and fuse Lunalight Blue Cat and Lunalight Purple Butterfly once more!"

"Big deal," Obelisk Force - Red huffed. "We know all your moves, Serena. There's nothing you can use to stop us."

At that, Serena smirked and her eyes…somehow flickered to the color of gold.

Yet Yuzu was the only one who noticed this.

"Let me prove you wrong ," Serena hissed.

As her two monsters turned into beams of cyan and purple light, the Polymerization portal behind them suddenly changed color. Instead of soothing shades of blue, it changed into a red like a setting sun. Serena smirked as she clasped her hands in front of her.

"Dragon that bathes in the crimson glow of the night, come forth and let us turn the tide of battle into a glorious victory! Fusion Summon! Come fourth Blood Moon Fusion Dragon!"

From the fusion summon a dragon appears, black scales with red stripes like scars all over its body, a pair of horns that looked like a crescent moon and topped with a crown of a large red circle and matching red eyes that seemed to cover the field with a light as if everything was bleeding. Its wings stretched out, black with a pale yellow membrane that seemed to sparkle as if sprinkled with stardust. (1800 ATK)

Serena's eyes widened as she looked at the dragon the she had summoned. It looked powerful, glorious, terrifying. She smirked looking at Obelisk Force, how their hounds looked like they wanted to run away with their tails between their legs.

"Surprised?" she asked. "Oh well, looks like the cat's out of the bag now."

A shock formed in the back of Yuri's head as soon as the new dragon was summoned. Something felt off, and since when did Serena use anything but Lunalights, let alone a Dark Attribute Dragon like this one? Something just didn't add up. Yoko also had the same realization too.

"Now then!" Serena announced, her eyes turning into a very familiar shade of gold. " The fun has just begun !"

Dragon Mage of Jubilant Flames/ FIRE / LV 4 / Spellcaster / Pendulum / Effect /1500 ATK / 1200 DEF/ Scale 1

Pendulum Effect: To be revealed

Monster Effect: When this card is Normal or Special Summoned while you control a face-up Pendulum monster, target one monster your opponent controls that was Special Summoned from the Extra Deck. Inflict damage equal to half of that monster's ATK.

Dragon Mage of Sorrowful Waters/ WATER / LV 4 / Spellcaster / Pendulum / Effect / 1000 ATK / 1800 DEF / Scale 8

Pendulum Effect: To be revealed

Monster Effect: To be revealed

Dragon Mage of Resolved Winds/ WIND / LV 4 / Spellcaster / Pendulum / Effect / 1800 ATK/ 1000 DEF / Scale 3

Pendulum Effect: To be revealed

Monster Effect: To be revealed

Notes:

The Dragon Mages and Blood Moon Fusions Dragon are OC cards that belong to both me and Green_Phantom_Queen