Yugioh Arc V: Legends of the Red-Eyes

Legend of the Red Eye

Authors note I don't own Yugioh or any of its characters. This Fanfic follows a boy with a red eyes deck.

Hope you enjoy

Last Chapter: Chapter 18

His gut churned with unease. Were Yuto and Shay okay? Had something happened? He had been too busy dealing with these damn Leo goons to find out.

With a frustrated growl, he stomped forward, stepping over the defeated duellists without a second glance. His jaw was clenched so tight it ached, his mind racing.

'Yuya… Kai… I swear If you Duel Academy bastards did anything to them, I will personally make your lives a living hell.' As he started running towards the place he felt the battle.

"Hold it!" a voice came out. Yuma froze. 'Another one'

Yuma turned around to face the man who dared to interrupt him in chase to find answers. Standing there stood the man he had been looking for upon arriving to this dimension.

"Declan Akaba." Stated Yuma coldly, recognising the man.

Declan raised his glasses with his hands, as he stared intently at the powerful duellist in front of him.

"I believe, I have the answers you seek. In exchange, I want you to do something for me."

Chapter 19: Secrets of the Heart!! Return of the xyz Remnants Part 7

An awkward silence filled the kitchen as Yuya and Yoko watched me sprawled dramatically across the kitchen table like I'd just lost a duel to destiny itself. "Mmmnnn…" I groaned, dragging out the sound like a tragic soap opera star. My moans of despair hung in the air, heavy with theatrics. The two spectators sweat-dropped.

"What's up with him?" Yoko finally broke the silence, scratching her head in confusion.

"Yuzu slapped him," Yuya said with a sigh, looking at me sadly in sympathy.

It had been two days since the duels between Yuya, Yuto, Shay, and Yuzu. And somehow, Yuzu and I were back to not speaking again. I groaned, running a hand through my hair. What the hell did Shay say to her to make her hate me this time? The question gnawed at me, over and over, like an itch I couldn't scratch. I didn't know why it bothered me so much, but it did. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get her out of my head.

Then, like a cruel joke, my mind drifted back to that night—the night she kissed me before I left to make amends with the Yusho family. My face burned, and I instinctively buried it in my hands. Damn it. Why was I thinking about this now?

Before, I had been too caught up in everything—duels, enemies, survival—to even process it. But then she slapped me, and suddenly, it was all I could think about.

Did I… like her?

No. No way. That couldn't be it… right?

I tried to shake the thought, tried to convince myself it was ridiculous. But the more I denied it, the more I realized I couldn't stop thinking about her.

"Ok! This is ridiculous!" Said Yuya as he made his way to me. I barely had time to react before Yuya grabbed my wrist and started dragging me out the door.

"Where are we even going?" I grumbled, digging my heels into the ground like a stubborn child.

"You'll see," he said with a grin, completely ignoring my resistance.

A few minutes later, I found myself standing in front of a noisy, flashing arcade. Neon lights flickered, reflecting off the glass windows, and the sound of buttons mashing, coins clinking, and players shouting filled the air.

I stared blankly. "You've gotta be kidding me."

Yuya clapped a hand on my back. "Come on, I guarantee this'll be better than sulking at home."

I let out a sigh but followed him inside. He immediately made a beeline for a claw machine and pointed at it like it was some grand challenge. "Alright, let's see if you've got the skill to win something."

I crossed my arms. "You seriously dragged me here for this?"

"Yep." He shoved a coin into the slot and grabbed the joystick with laser focus. The claw jerked forward, hovered over a plush dragon, then slowly descended. It gripped the toy, lifted it up, and… dropped it right before the prize slot.

Yuya groaned. "Come on!"

I smirked. "Some entertainer you are."

He shot me a look. "Oh, you think you can do better?"

I sighed. "This is a waste of—"

"Just try it."

I rolled my eyes but stepped up, inserting a coin. The claw moved smoothly under my control, and I pressed the button without thinking too much about it. The claw lowered, grabbed a small chibi dragon, and—somehow—actually held onto it. The plush tumbled into the prize slot.

Yuya gawked at me. "No way. You're actually good at this?"

I picked up the plush, staring at it as if it held some deeper meaning. "Huh… beginner's luck, I guess."

Yuya grinned. "Now you have to try the racing games with me."

I rolled my eyes, but he was already pulling me toward the machines. One game turned into another. I didn't even realize when I stopped resisting and just… started playing.

Laughter erupted from both of us, blending with the flashing lights and the chaotic sounds of the arcade. My heart pounded, not from stress or battle, but from the pure thrill of the game.

"Quick! Shoot that alien!" I shouted, barely holding back a grin as I pointed at the screen.

"Almost got ittt!" Yuya yelled back, his voice full of excitement as he frantically mashed the button.

The game rattled as we fired in sync, our virtual spaceship weaving between asteroids and enemy fire. The aliens exploded in bursts of neon colors, the score skyrocketing at the top of the screen. Yuya let out a triumphant cheer as he landed a perfect shot, and I couldn't help but laugh, caught up in the rush of the moment.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn't thinking about battles, betrayals, or the weight of my past. Just the flashing lights, the exhilaration of the game, and the ridiculous grin on Yuya's face as we fought side by side. For once, I wasn't thinking about Yuzu. Or Duel Academy. Or anything else. Just the flashing lights, the challenge, and the satisfaction of beating Yuya's score.

After an hour of arcade games, Yuya wasn't done dragging me around. The next stop? A bowling alley.

I sighed as I watched him excitedly grab a bowling ball. "You're seriously making me do this too?"

"Come on, Kai! It's not like you have anything better to do." He flashed his usual grin before stepping onto the lane. "Besides, I need to see if you're as bad at this as you are at claw machines."

I scoffed. "I won that plush, didn't I?"

Yuya rolled his eyes and took his turn, sending the ball rolling down the lane. A perfect strike.

Of course.

"Beat that," he challenged, stepping back with an obnoxious bow.

I grabbed a ball, lined up my shot, and rolled it down the lane. It veered slightly to the side, knocking down eight pins. Not terrible.

"Not bad!" Yuya admitted. "But not good enough."

The game went on, and somehow, I actually started getting into it. We traded strikes and spares, mocking each other the whole time. When I finally managed to beat Yuya by a single point in the last round, he dramatically collapsed onto the bench.

"This is rigged," he whined. "I demand a rematch."

I smirked. "Can't handle losing?"

"I can handle it," he grumbled, crossing his arms. "I just don't like it."

After finishing up at the bowling alley, we grabbed food from a nearby burger place. I bit into my burger, enjoying the rare moment of normalcy. It had been too long since I'd had a simple meal like this without worrying about the next battle.

Yuya sipped his drink and leaned back in his seat. "So," he started casually, "are you finally gonna talk about what's been bothering you?"

I tensed slightly, pretending to focus on my fries. "What are you talking about?"

Yuya gave me a look. "Come on, Kai. You've been acting weird ever since Yuzu slapped you."

I sighed. "It's nothing."

"That's a lie."

I stayed silent.

Yuya stirred his drink with his straw. "You know… if it's about Yuzu, you can just say it."

My grip tightened slightly on my cup. "What makes you think it's about her?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Because you've been moping about it all day?"

Damn it. He wasn't wrong.

Yuya sighed. "Look, whatever Shay said to her, I'm sure she'll figure out the truth eventually. You and Yuzu… you guys fight a lot, but you care about each other, right?"

I hesitated, then muttered, "I don't know anymore."

For a while, neither of us said anything. The sounds of the diner filled the silence—sizzling grills, quiet chatter, the occasional laughter from another table.

Then, before I could stop myself, I asked, "What about you?"

Yuya blinked. "What do you mean?"

I shifted uncomfortably. "You and Yuzu… you guys have been close since the beginning. Do you—?" I paused, regretting even bringing it up. "Do you like her?"

Yuya nearly choked on his drink. He coughed, setting his cup down before looking at me in shock. "Where did that come from?"

I shrugged, pretending I didn't care about the answer. "Just curious."

He scratched the back of his head, suddenly looking awkward. "Yuzu and I… we've been together since we were kids. She's always been there, pushing me, believing in me—even when I didn't believe in myself."

I waited for him to continue.

Yuya sighed. "I don't know if I've ever really thought about it like that. Maybe I just assumed we'd always be together in some way." He glanced at me. "But if you're asking whether I like her, like that… I don't know."

For some reason, I felt a strange mix of relief and something else I couldn't place.

"She likes you, though," I muttered.

Yuya looked at me in surprise. "What?"

I sighed and leaned back in my seat. "Forget it."

But Yuya didn't drop it. He looked at me carefully, as if he was starting to piece something together. "Wait… is that why you've been acting so weird?" His eyes widened slightly. "Kai, do you like Yuzu?"

I nearly knocked over my drink. "What? No! Of course not!"

Yuya stared at me for a moment, then smirked. "You're a terrible liar."

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "Shut up."

Yuya just laughed, shaking his head. "Man, I did not see this coming."

Neither did I.

"You know it is getting late." I said, trying to change the subject. "We should start heading back."

"Ye, your right." Said Yuya a little sad. He had been enjoying spending time with me at the arcade. Honestly, I was too. We had not had a lot of time to hang out together in a long while. Last time we did something like this was last week, but honestly, it felt like a month ago. Not to mention Sora had been with us.

Suddenly Yuya looked up at me like he just thought of something brilliantly. "Hey, I got an idea. There is supposed to be a meteor shower, why don't we go to the park and watch it."

I raised my eyebrow. I didn't hear of any meteor showers happening today on the news. How did Yuya, who doesn't even watch the news know this.

"Sure, not like I have anything better to do." I responded, sceptically. Hearing this, Yuya clapped his hands in happiness.

"Alright, just give me a second to call mom to tell us where we are going, won't be long!" Said Yuya as he quickly rushed to the direction of the toilets to make the calls. I didn't question it as I decided to just play along with whatever he was doing, at least for now.

I looked out towards the windows. My mind wandering to a past memory as I did so.

Flashback

The air was thick with anticipation as Yugi Muto stepped out from the shadows of the dark corridor, the soft echo of his footsteps the only sound breaking the silence. As he emerged, the world before him exploded into a riot of light and sound. The blinding stadium lights shone down, casting an almost ethereal glow over the massive arena. The crowd's screams and shouts erupted like a tidal wave, a mixture of cheers and gasps filling the air. Thousands of voices, all rooting for their chosen champion, created an electrifying atmosphere.

At the centre of it all stood Seto Kaiba, unwavering, his gaze fixed ahead with that same, unshakable confidence. His eyes locked with Yugi's, the tension between the two palpable as the crowd's frenzy only grew. Yugi felt the weight of the moment settle on his shoulders, the enormity of the battle ahead sinking in. Yet, amidst the chaos, there was a calm that washed over him—a focus that had carried him through countless duels before.

As the arena buzzed, all eyes were now on Yugi and Kaiba, two titans preparing for a showdown that would be remembered for ages. The stage was set. The crowd was waiting. And the duel was about to begin.

For Yugi and Kaiba, the world seemed to stop as they gazed into each other's eyes. The determination not to lose present in both. For the first time in a long while, their duel wasn't about life or death, it was about proving who was truly the best and Seto Kaibe would be dammed if he lost this chance.

"Kaiba," the famous Duel King said calmly, his voice steady and unwavering. His golden duel box was gripped firmly in his hand, and his duel disk sat perfectly aligned on his right arm, ready for battle.

"Yugi," responded the man who had slowly become the face of the Duel Monsters card game known as Yu-Gi-Oh!. His long white jacket fluttered behind him like a banner in the wind, a symbol of his unwavering resolve as he stepped forward to face his legendary rival. "I hope you came prepared, because I'm not going easy on you, Yugi. This duel is going to show you just how far ahead I really am."

"Arrogant as always, Kaiba." Smirked Yuya as he looked up at the tall man. "I hope you can back up the nonsense sprouting out of your mouth."

"Hm, you've certainly gained a lot of confidence ever since you gained that title. I remember when you where still just a small twerp, barely on my level." Said Kaiba as he grinned back at his life-long friend.

"Strange. I seem to remember this twerp beating your ass several times. If I'm not mistaken, you got beaten by 5 cards said to be impossible to play. I guess that goes to show the difference in our skills." The whole audience was quiet, as if taken notes on how legends banter.

"Please. Skill had nothing to do with it. That was all luck and fortunately for me, my superior intellect doesn't need to rely on silly things like luck to win duels."

"Typical Kaiba, trying to use logic in something his teeny brain can't comprehend."

"I'll tell you what I can comprehend. Your defeat at my hands." Said Kaiba as he raised his deck towards his rival. "Shall we dance!"

"Very well," said Yugi as he opened the golden box in his hand, revealing a deck. "May the heart of the cards guide us."

The whole cards erupted in cheers as the battle was about to begin. From the stance stood a young boy, smile etched from each corner of the deck as he held up two flags. One of the legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon and the other of the legendary Dark Magician.

End Flashback

"KAI!" Yelled a voice. I suddenly snapped out of my daze and turned my attention to Yuya, who was standing their impatiently. "Geez, I called your name at least five times."

"Sorry, was a little lost in thought." I said shaking my head of the lingering thoughts. "What about you? What took you so long?"

"Oh well I had to give mom a little uuuh convincing, ye convincing." Answered Yuya not sounding very convincing himself.

"Uuh ok." I said, deciding to ignore it. "So, are we going or not?"

"Yeah, quick come on lets go. Don't want to miss it."

At the park

When Yuya and I finally arrived, we looked for a nice place to site. Deciding to site on the hill going downwards we made ourselves confident. I put my hands behind my head, tempted to go sleep. That thought was interrupted however when Yuya said "I uhm gotta go to the toilet. I'll be right back don't leave."

Not even bothering to respond I just nodded. Closing my eyes as he left. My mind drifted back to the dream.

Flashback

"Allow me to show you what a real duellist looks like," Kaiba declared, drawing his card with a confident smirk. "First, I summon Maiden with Eyes of Blue!"

The field shimmered as the beautiful maiden appeared, her eyes glowing with a soft, ethereal light, her long white dress billowing gently.

"Next, I activate the field spell Mausoleum of White!" Kaiba continued. "I'm sure you're familiar with this combo."

Maiden With Eyes Of Blue LV1 (ATK 0/DEF 0)

Yugi raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Yes, it lets you target a monster to send a normal Dragon monster to the graveyard, and with Maiden with Eyes of Blue's effect, you can summon a Blue-Eyes White Dragon instantly."

"Exactly," Kaiba replied with a sharp grin. He reached into his deck, adding two Blue-Eyes to his hand. One went to the graveyard, and the other emerged with a mighty roar: the majestic Blue-Eyes White Dragon, its powerful, piercing eyes glaring down at Yugi. "Say hello again to my heart, my soul, MY DRAGON! BLUE-EYES WHITE DRAGON!"

Blue-Eyes White Dragon LV8 (ATK 3000/DEF 2500)

"Next, I activate the monster effect of Sage with Eyes of Blue," Kaiba continued, his voice full of certainty. "By sending it and Maiden with Eyes of Blue to the grave, another dragon worthy of a king will rise. Arise, my second Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"

Blue-Eyes White Dragon LV8 (ATK 3000/DEF 2500)

The ground trembled as the second Blue-Eyes White Dragon emerged—its body even more imposing than the first, scales gleaming like polished silver, wings unfurled in an intimidating display of power.

"And now," Kaiba said, "I activate this spell card Chaos Form! With this, I can use one Blue-Eyes monster to Ritual Summon

the dragon of endless wrath,

Unleash your power, tear through the path!

With eyes that burn and strength untamed,

Shatter all that dares to be named!

A force of chaos, pure and supreme,

Blue-Eyes Chaos Max Dragon!!"

Blue Eyes Chaos Max Dragon LV8 (ATK 4000/DEF 0)

A surge of energy filled the air as the terrifying Blue-Eyes Chaos Max Dragon materialized. Its form was colossal, with its sleek blue body surrounded by menacing energy, the sharp spires of its wings cutting through the air like blades.

"Finally," Kaiba smirked, "I'll finish this turn with my ultimate card—Ultimate Fusion!" His voice dripped with arrogance as he shuffled his three Blue-Eyes monsters back into his deck.

"From the depths of the sky to the heart of the storm,

I call forth the legendary beast in its ultimate form!

Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, rise to the fight,

Show your power, let your roar ignite!"

Neo Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon LV12 (ATK 4500/DEF 3800)

From the shadows of the arena, a monstrous, three-headed dragon emerged—its scales an iridescent white, its three glowing eyes locked onto Yugi with an almost predatory gaze, each head capable of unleashing devastating blasts of energy.

"Let's see what you can do in the face of my most powerful monsters. King," Kaiba taunted, his voice filled with mockery as he ended his turn.

Yugi drew his card. A single word escaped his lips, calm but resolute: "Gladly."

End Flashback

"Kai." I snapped my eyes opened instantly as the voice of a familiar female spoke out. I looked back to see Yuzu, standing at the top. The moonlight bathed her in a soft, ethereal glow, casting delicate shadows that made her seem almost otherworldly. Her hair, like a cascade of midnight waves, shimmered under the silver light, and the gentle breeze played with the strands as if it were trying to keep her in its grasp.

The way the light kissed her features made her beauty seem even more surreal, as though she were a vision summoned from the very night sky. Her eyes sparkled with an emotion I couldn't quite read, but I didn't need to—her presence alone left me speechless.

"I should have known this was what Yuya was planning," I muttered under my breath. Even though my voice was barely a whisper, Yuzu still heard me. She sighed in response.

"Yeah, same," she said, walking toward me. "Yuya said he wanted to talk to me, but I didn't even guess he meant you." She sat down next to me, the weight of her words lingering in the cool night air.

I eyed her cautiously, a nervous laugh escaping me. "You're not going to slap me again, are you?" My tone wavered slightly, though I tried to mask it with humor.

Yuzu let out a soft laugh, her usual fiery demeanor melting into something more gentle. "No, I won't. Don't worry," she said with a reassuring smile. But then, her expression shifted—an unfamiliar heaviness shadowed her face. She looked down at her hands, taking a slow breath.

"I want to apologize for that, by the way," she added quietly, her voice filled with an unexpected sincerity.

I blinked, surprised. Yuzu, the girl who had always been so bold, now seemed to be carrying the weight of something deeper. She met my eyes, and I could see the regret in them, something I hadn't expected.

"I know I overreacted... I just... I don't know what came over me," she continued, her words soft but heavy with emotion. "But I realize now, I should've trusted you more." She paused, as if gathering the courage to say the next part.

"I never wanted to hurt you, Kai. You mean a lot more to me than I showed, and I... I'm sorry for how things went down before."

I was quiet for a moment, her words sinking in. This was different from the usual Yuzu. The walls she had built around herself seemed to crumble just a little, and I couldn't help but feel something stir in me—something I hadn't expected.

"You where right." I suddenly said, disrupting the awkward silence that had arose after her apology. Yuzu looked at me in surprised and confusion. She probably had not expected me to respond. She looked at me for clarity, so I continued. "About me keeping so many secrets from you. I was wrong. I shouldn't have ever kept secrets from you." I looked at her. For the first time in my life, I felt genuinely vulnerable. All of my life, I had been forced to constantly be on the guard. However, it felt almost different when I was around Yuzu. She had been there more then almost anyone else had and it made me want to break down in front of her like a little child.

It scared me! I needed this to stop… but I couldn't.

As if sensing my thoughts, Yuzu turned her head slightly, a small, knowing smile playing at her lips. "You're surprised, aren't you?" she asked, the light teasing tone in her voice offering a sense of comfort. "I could ask you a million things, but I think sometimes... it's nice just to be. Just for a moment."

I didn't know how to respond right away. The idea of just being with her, no pressure, no questions—it felt strangely freeing. I let my gaze drift upward, following her line of sight to the sky.

"We don't always need answers, Kai," she added softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Sometimes, the answers come on their own."

I felt my heart settle into a rhythm I hadn't known I needed. Her words felt like a balm, and for the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to relax.

"Yuzu, I just wanted to say, I think I really like—"

"I know, Kai," she interrupted softly, her voice gentle but certain. She turned her head to meet my gaze, her eyes filled with a kind of quiet understanding. "I've known for a while now."

I froze for a moment, the words caught in my throat. My heart pounded a little faster, unsure of where this conversation was going. Yuzu's smile softened, almost as if she were preparing to explain something delicate.

"It's not that I don't appreciate how you feel," she continued, her voice almost a whisper against the backdrop of the night. "But… my heart belongs to someone else."

I sighed, already having expected that answer. "Yeah… I figured."

Yuzu looked at me sadly, scared to lose a friend. "Kai, I don't want to hurt you. I really don't. You're important to me, more than you know. But Yuya… he's the one I want to be with."

Her words were soft, but they carried a weight that I couldn't ignore. A part of me wanted to retreat, to bury my feelings and pretend like it didn't matter. But the other part of me—one that was more honest—knew better.

"I understand, Yuzu," I said, managing a small, genuine smile. "I guess it's just… hard, you know? But I'm glad you're being honest with me."

She nodded, a relieved look crossing her face. "Thank you, Kai. I'm really glad you're not upset." She reached out, placing a hand on my arm in a comforting gesture. "You deserve someone who feels the same way about you. And I hope you find that person."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, nodding as I looked back at the sky. "Maybe I will," I murmured, though part of me wasn't sure. But one thing was clear—I wasn't going to let this moment, this connection, tear us apart.

I looked at her again as she gazed up at the sky, her eyes soft and contemplative. The stars above seemed to reflect in her expression, giving her an almost ethereal quality. For a moment, it was like the rest of the world had faded away, leaving just the two of us under the vast, open sky.

Though I just got rejected I wanted to say something—anything—to break the silence. But the calmness between us felt... right. There was no need for words, no need to fill the space with anything other than the quiet sound of the night.

"You really like the stars, don't you?" I finally asked, the question slipping out more naturally than I expected.

Yuzu smiled; her gaze still fixed on the heavens. "Yeah, I do. They remind me that even in the darkest moments, there's always light somewhere up there. No matter how far away it is, it's still there, waiting to shine through."

Her voice was soft, almost like a secret, and I couldn't help but be drawn to her words. There was a depth to her, a resilience that came from something more than just her tough exterior. She was stronger than she seemed.

"I guess that's why you don't ask a million questions," I said, smiling a little. "You already know not everything has an answer right away."

She turned to me, her smile gentle but full of warmth. "Exactly," she said. "Sometimes, we just have to trust that the answers will come when they're meant to. And until then, we can find peace in the waiting."

I nodded slowly, absorbing her words. Maybe, just for tonight, I could do that—find peace in the waiting. With her. Under the stars.

The first meteor streaked across the sky, its tail a bright flash against the dark canvas of night. I watched in awe as it disappeared, leaving behind a trail of light. Yuzu let out a quiet gasp, her eyes lighting up with wonder.

"Did you see that?" she asked, her voice filled with excitement.

"Yeah, I did," I replied, smiling. "That was amazing."

And for that brief moment, the universe felt smaller, as if time had slowed just for us to witness something beautiful together. We didn't need to say anything else. It was enough.

I laid on my back with my hands around my head. I was content. Everything was the way It was supposed to be. Yuya and I acting like real brothers. Yuzu and I back on speaking terms and Yuzu and Yuya hiding their feelings from each other.

Despite my rejection, I smiled. Maybe things weren't exactly how I had envisioned them. Maybe I didn't get what I wanted, but in the end, it was okay. Life wasn't about forcing things into place; it was about letting them fall into place when the time was right.

I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling the cool night air against my skin, and let out a quiet sigh. Whatever came next, I was ready for it. I didn't need to rush or force anything anymore. I had my friends, and that was enough.

The future was bright, yet my mind still lingered to the past.

Flashback

The tension between the two legendary duellists was palpable. Yugi stood his ground, unwavering and brave, facing down Kaiba and the two formidable dragons that loomed before him. Despite the immense power Kaiba commanded, Yugi's stance remained firm, his expression calm and determined. It was his turn to make a move, and though the odds seemed stacked against him, there was no trace of fear in his eyes. It was clear that he was not intimidated.

"I guess it's my turn," Yugi said, his voice steady as he reached for his deck. "Before I draw my card, I'll activate Black Luster Soldier – Legendary Swordsman from my hand. By giving up my draw phase, I can add one Ritual Spell from my deck to my hand."

He carefully drew the Ritual Spell, revealing it for Kaiba to see. "Now, I activate Super Soldier Ritual. By sacrificing my Dark Magician, I can ritual summon this legendary warrior."

With a flash of blue light, a massive circle appeared before Yugi, glowing brightly. A coffin rose from the ground, surrounded by swirling blue energy. Yugi's Dark Magician materialized from the ether, standing tall and proud before being drawn into the coffin with a loud crack. The coffin trembled as though something powerful was trying to escape. The earth shook, and with a burst of energy, the coffin exploded, sending waves of blue power into the air.

Standing tall, clad in glowing Armor and wielding an enormous blade, the new warrior emerged. "Black Luster Soldier – Legendary Swordsman!" Yugi declared; his voice strong.

Black Luster Soldier – Legendary Swordsman LV8 (ATK 3000/DEF 2500)

Kaiba sneered, folding his arms. "Hmph. You must be getting rusty, Yugi, if you think that can beat my dragons." His confidence was unwavering as his dragons towered behind him.

But Yugi wasn't fazed. He met Kaiba's gaze with a smirk. "Patience, Kaiba. Who said I was thinking that far ahead?" Yugi raised a card high above his head, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "I activate the spell card Destruction Swordsman Fusion! With this, I can fuse Buster Blader and Timaeus the United Dragon together."

The ground beneath them trembled as a golden light surged from the earth. Yugi clasped his hands together, channelling his energy into the fusion. The light enveloped the two monsters—Buster Blader, his sword glowing with ancient power, and Timaeus the United Dragon, a majestic, fiery dragon with the body of a serpent, wings blazing with energy.

"Forged in fury, shining bright! With every strike, a dragon falls, A warrior rises, bathed in light! The time has come, let darkness quiver, The dragon's bane, the blade that delivers! I fusion summon… Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman!" Yugi called out; his voice filled with determination.

Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman LV8 (ATK 2800/DEF 2500)

The air crackled as Buster Blader landed on the field, his sword gleaming with the power of the dragons he was meant to destroy. As the sword came down, it surged with energy. Buster Blader's attack points rose, now bolstered by the dragons Kaiba controlled.

"Thanks to his effect, he gains 1000 attack and defence points for each dragon on the field. You have two, so that makes 2000!" Yugi declared with a satisfied smirk.

Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman LV8 (ATK 4800/DEF 4500)

Kaiba's expression soured, his arms folding in annoyance. "Tch. Just my luck—of course, you'd summon a counter to my dragons."

Yugi didn't flinch. He knew he had Kaiba exactly where he wanted him. "Did you think I was done?" Yugi's smirk deepened. "Far from it."

He gestured dramatically, and the fusion wheel appeared once again, spinning with dark energy. "Now, I activate Red-Eyes Fusion! With this, I can fusion summon using monsters directly from my deck."

The field shimmered as a dark vortex opened before Yugi. Shadows swirled around him as the air grew thick with ominous power. Yugi clasped his hands together again, his voice rising as he channelled the energy. "Feel the power of darkness rising! The shadows themselves bend to my will, summoned from the depths of the forbidden! The flames of destruction shall consume all in their path! With every fiery breath, every crushing strike, this is the ultimate force of devastation!"

A deep roar echoed through the field as flames erupted from the dark portal. The shadows twisted and pulsed with energy, forming into a terrifying figure—its crimson Armor gleaming with dark power.

"I fusion summon… Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon!" Yugi shouted, the fusion complete.

Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon LV8 (ATK 3000/DEF 2500)

From the depths of the shadows, the towering figure of Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon emerged, a warrior clad in dark red and black Armor, wielding a massive staff that crackled with dark magic. The dragon spirit within him roared, flames licking at the edges of his form.

Kaiba's eyes widened slightly, his confidence faltering. "What...?"

Yugi stood tall, his hand on his deck, ready for whatever Kaiba could throw at him next. "This is the power of darkness, Kaiba. And it's not something you can easily defeat."

Three of the King of Games most powerful boss monsters was on the field. This was only the start of the duel and things where already going crazy.

End Flashback

The next day (afternoon)

Dinner was loud. The chatter filled the room, with everyone talking over each other, laughing, and enjoying the warm meal in front of them. Yuzu was telling some story about a mishap at the amusement park, and Yuya was trying (and failing) to one-up her with a tale of his own. Tate and Fredrick were debating the best type of cuisine, while Shuzo and Yoko were laughing about some joke from earlier in the day. The sound of clinking plates and the occasional burst of laughter filled the air.

But there I was, sitting at the end of the table, not saying a word. I wasn't hungry. My mind was elsewhere—on a conversation I knew was coming. I could feel it in my bones. Declan. He was going to call, and I was already bracing myself for whatever cryptic message he had this time. It wasn't like I was surprised. Declan had a way of making everything feel… inevitable. As if nothing I did could change the fact that we'd always be tangled in some kind of mess together.

I pushed my food around on the plate, lost in thought. The noise from the others seemed to fade into the background.

I knew it.

The sudden buzz of my phone jolted me back to reality. My heart skipped a beat as I saw the name flash across the screen. Declan.

I stared at the phone for a moment longer than I should have. My hand instinctively reached for it, even though I was already certain of what was going to happen. It was as if I had been waiting for this call, expecting it, and now here it was.

I stood up, the scrape of my chair breaking through the conversation. The others barely noticed, still caught up in their own chatter.

"Excuse me," I muttered, my voice sounding almost hollow to my own ears. I turned and walked into the other room, not waiting for anyone to ask where I was going. I had to take the call. There was no avoiding it.

"Declan." I said as I answered it.

"Kai, its time. We got them right where we want. Now its up to you." He said. I sighed, this battle had to happen. It was a battle that had been destined the moment those XYZ remnants appeared. But this time, fear was nowhere to be found. I had something more to fight for now—my family.

I quickly ran upstairs.

Five minutes later

I came back downstairs, fully dressed and ready. A backpack hung over my shoulder, the weight of it a reminder of the challenge ahead. I was prepared—no hesitation. It was time to face my foe.

By this time, everyone had realised I had disappeared from the table as they all looked towards me, confusion written all over their faces.

"Everything okay, Kai?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

"Yeah," I said, though my voice sounded almost too calm. "I just… I need to take care of something."

Shuzo looked up, sensing the change in the air. "You're leaving already?"

I nodded, my movements slow and deliberate. "Yeah. Something came up. I'll catch up with you guys later."

Tate raised an eyebrow. "You sure? You don't look okay, man."

"I'm fine," I muttered, already heading toward the door. The last thing I wanted was to explain any of this to them. They didn't need to be dragged into my problems.

Yuzu jumped to her feet, her eyes wide with realization as she pieced everything together. She didn't need me to say anything—she already knew what was happening. Yuya, too, didn't move, but I could feel his gaze on me, heavy with understanding. He didn't try to stop me either. It wasn't that he didn't care; it was just that he knew this was something I had to do.

Yoko's eyes flicked between the three of us, her expression tightening with concern. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but the words never came. She could feel the tension, the weight of the situation pressing down on us all.

If she had been his real mother, things might have been different. She would have stood firm, demanded I stay, maybe even grounded me like any mother would. But she wasn't, and that knowledge hung between us. All she could do was watch, her hands trembling slightly at her sides, helpless as I moved toward the door.

The silence was deafening, and as I reached for the handle, I heard footsteps rushing towards me.

"Kai!" Shouted Yuzu. I turned my head slightly, looking at her. She just gave me a thumbs up and smiled. "Good Luck!"

I smiled back at her, tears threatening to leave. "Yeah, it will be quick, promise." I replied as I made my way out the door.

The problem was, could I keep that promise?

Authors Note: Welp like always, it took way longer than I thought. Hope y'all enjoy. We got a bit of Yugi vs Kaiba and their legendary decks clashing. Yuya and Kai having the time of their lives, and Yuzu and Kai have no made up. A little rejection for our boy Kai unfortunately. Was tough to write as I even I was becoming a fan of their ship, but I already made my mind.

What's going on at the end? Why is Kai so nervous about, and where is he going? Is he going to duel someone? To settle the score? Comment down your guesses or just wait for the last Chapter of this Arc. Yup that's right we now at the end of our second book. Make sure to be getting those collections up, we are aiming for 500!!

I know I haven't been giving much update on the discord server, but I'll tell you know it should be ready by the time the next chapter comes out. If not, then shortly after. More news about it will come soon so stay tuned!! Peace!

Next Chapter: Battle Of Destiny!! Return Of The xyz Remnants Final Part!