#dear spirit schools sorry for what arc 1 did to you

[zorphie]

hcs and drabbles on the way schools interact with their counterparts??? Yeah. eating that up . can't stop thinking about it . wizards are so

[aurora-313]

For the Fanfic Writers meme!

🎁 Have a piece of a WIP you want to share? 🤩 What led to your interest in the fandom? 🎯 Do you have a writing milestone you’re working towards?

🎁 Have a piece of a WIP you want to share?

From Once More To See You Again.

For context, Teen Kaien lost a bet at school. As a result his mullet is gone and he's got an undercut that's slowly growing out. This snippet takes place after his powers are restored and memories reawakened (just in time for Rukia to be kidnapped and SS arc to kick off luckily enough):

"Stop it, that tickles!" Kaien jumped, chuckling with a hand resting protectively over the fluffy scruff of his undercut (feels weirdly short since he remembered the hair being a lot longer as a Lieutenant.)

Nejibana blinked once. Then she leaned in, predatorial look in her eyes and it out Kaien on edge (dear god, he prayed she doesn't turn back into a dragon hollow again. Being bitten nearly in half once was quiet enough, thank you.)

His unease compounded into abject fear when mischief danced across that sun-kissed face. A look that reminded Kaien far too much of a younger Kukaku when she was on one of her pranking sprees.

"Ticklish, you say?"

"Nejibana..." Kaien warned reproachfully, but his Zanpakutou spirit already leapt into action.

"Neji-NO!" Next thing Kaien knew, Nejibana has him in a headlock and her claws ruffling his stubby do. "S-stop it-haha!!"

"Never~!" Nejibana trilled happily, Kaien squirming and laughing hysterically in her grip.

Most fics I read pose Nejibana as this prim and proper yet fierce woman to balance out Kaien's rough and tumble attitude. My Nejibana is a chaotic gremlin and Kaien's enabler/partner in crime. I've described her to my beta-readers as 'Kukaku-lite'.

🤩 What led to your interest in the fandom?

My sister-in-law actually. When I wasn't even a teenager, a tween, my sister-in-law pointed my brother and I to this series as a fun monster-of-the-week story before we got hit with the Soul Society arc. We were blown away by Aizen's reveal as a traitor and it was so cool. Admittedly all of our interests flagged quite a bit, I stuck around until the end because of sunk-cost fallacy but my siblings+in-laws departed.

What got me interested again was the TYBW being animated. I was perhaps a bit too optimistic about how they might change it for the better (I'm sorry to say so far I'm not impressed.)

But as a magic system and a world, its an awesome sandbox to play in and the concept of your power manifesting as a life-long companion is romantic in a lot of ways. The idea of 'You will never be alone, whatever trials you face you will have a companion at your side, no matter what.' - it speaks to me.

The fandom itself has seen better days. The years since Bleach's abysmal unsatisfying conclusion has firmly split it down the middle.

Then again, that's most fandoms these days.

🎯 Do you have a writing milestone you’re working towards?

Not milestone so much as, I just want to write more content for a character I'm really in love with and was cast by the wayside in the canon.

I mean, think about it - the last we ever see of 'Kaien' is a psychotic Arrancar Puppeting his corpse. What thing to send him off on! What a horrific final impression to leave! I want to explore what the story would be like if certain scenarios allowed him to survive. Which spawned BB verse, OMTSYA (although he did die, he has reincarnated) and in other upcoming stories I have on the back-burner.

I think the potential relationship between Kaien and Ichigo would've been exactly what Ichigo needed throughout most of the story.

Although if I have to give a tangible milestone? I'd like to finish Part 1 of Black and Blue this year. But I'm running out of steam a bit on that one, so that might be pushed to next year instead.

[themanicgalaxy]

SPN 1X15 The Benders

FINALLY THE WEEKEND I HAVE TIME TO WATCH MORE DEMON SHOW

WHEEEEE

I’ve heard this one is Disturbing, so maybe a second episode isn’t gonna be needed who knows

ok spooky vibes at the beginning 

JUST FUCKING DRAGGED OUT UNDER THE CAR I SEE HOW IT IS

where in the goddamn fuck did they get these uniforms

Dean nerds out with the child and Sam shoots him a Look

No Dean we have Important Business Sam cmon let the kid be less traumatized please

Sam is Important Business Mode, which is an interesting shift? I can’t remember that happening before or at least him being as annoyed and wanting to hunt more than Dean

I was so scared till the Evil Kittie came in and scared Sam

This really does stress the Nowhere is Safe vibes, rly scratches my paranoia

oboi and Sam is TAKEN OH GOD

ah and they’re named after the rifle/haunted house thing

Fun Fact so many things in the Midwest are named Winchester it’s wild

Oh right Dean is technically “Dead” that’s one wheee

“I’m bringing him back” Well that’s not foreshadowing now is it(it probably is)

He used the pseudonym GREG?? BUDDY

The engine thing? ooooo that’s pretty neat

Sam’s trying to parkour his way out good for you kiddo

This man is a solid four years older than me but eh

“I’ll be damned” They both said it 

They’re so surprised it’s not an evil spirit damn

This woman’s eyes are so incredibly blue

Oh my fucking god and he gets caught AGAIN IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME

Nice job Greg

LoOk inTo mY eYeS DEAN DOES THAT EVER WORK 

HOW IS THE PERSUASION THING WORKING EVEN A LITTLE BIT 

ah yes a legendary “Don’t call me Sammy” line

“It might be a trap” he’s right though it was Way too easy for how well prepared this cage was

this dude really finds a knife and expects it not to be a trap?

yeah I wouldn't be thinking more rationally at this point but listen 

Jesus christ for people this is a lot worse than like ANY of the others

And she got him coffee HOW DO THEY ALWAYS GET COFFEE OUT OF THIS DEAL

*promises he won’t get involved* sir

LMAO AND SHE HANDCUFFS HIM TO THE CAR GOOD SHE’S SMART

Please dear god tell me she��doesn't die

This kid is terrifying WHY IS SHE SMIRKING LIKE THAT SHE’S LIKE 10

and he got kathleen GOD FUKICNG 

EYYY YA BOI GOT THE ANTENA OFF AND FOUND EM

Aw they had a Moment about Brothers and whatnot

ok but seriously how did they hook up an industrial grade prison with no one noticing? doesn’t that take some kind of specialized parts?

the “they’re just people,” like guys people do bad shit too come on now

I have NO idea what vibe they were going for for this house, it’s just a mess

IS THAT A FUCKING CRADLE OF BONE

the ragtime music to the cutting up a person is making me physically nauseous I’m gonna throw up

stop sawing bone stop sawing bone PLEASE DEAR GOD PLEASE STOP 

NO 

WHY DOES HE KEEP THE TEETH

THIS IS LIKE THE WORST OF ALL THE MIDDLE SCHOOL NIGHTMARES INTO ONE THING 

SHE FUCKING STABBED HIM OH MY GOD

THIS FIGHT SCENE IS JUST FUCKED

also red baseball cap was that a Thing? a Reason?

hey look Dean’s gagging too, same bro

“eat me wait you actually might no don’t”

Takes Sam because Sam has a fighting chance?

SHOOT THEM BOTH??

oh thank GOD for Sam 

Did they get Kathleen out??

FROM ABOVE? HOLY HELL NICE JOB KATHLEEN

is this a bad time to mention early seasons sam looked good in a t shirt

“Why” “because it’s fun” well that’s horrific

and she fucking shoots him I feel like that’s not good to do, but also like...yeah I see it 

heyyy she let them go

“sorry about your brother” af;ihsia

“I thought it would be easier if i knew but it isn’t” parallel? important?

“don’t go missing again” “you were worried” Awwww

and Sam gives Dean shit for getting taken down by a 13 year old ok i like that

Wrap-up!!

1. That was disturbing. Genuinely disturbing I think I threw up in my mouth a little

2. Both of them are very capable hunters in their own way and damn was it cool seeing both of them figure some shit out alone

3. I actually REALLY like Kathleen as a character, and she got an arc about her brother+got to live! too bad she will never be seen again but

4. cop thing had troubling implications but honestly i think in this case it was deserved 

this was good. Not fun, but very very good episode. OOO next one is plot ok yknow what who needs sleep

[makeste]

BnHA Chapter 184: JP Hero Billboard Chart

Previously on BnHA: We spent the whole chapter enjoying the cultural festival. Class B entertained with a fantasy play that drew inspiration from no fewer than four separate intellectual properties, proving that it’s not just Monoma who likes to copy stuff. Hounddog handed out some of the most terrifying discipline we’ve seen since Orca’s EXTRA GUIDANCE. Eri regaled Deku with her enthusiastic recap of the concert in vivid detail including sound effects and both Deku and Mirio were thrilled to see her so happy. Those jerk upperclassmen from before apologized for their bad attitude. Everyone was grateful to class 1-A for lifting the school’s spirits. Hadou won the Miss Con competition at long last. Bakugou conquered the warped wall. Shinsou traumatized several class A students for life. Mei successfully wowed people with the support team expo and then promptly passed out afterward. Deku presented Eri with a handmade candy apple and bid her farewell. And lastly, over at the police station, the cops processed Gentle and La Brava and seemed to be taking steps to rehabilitate them. All in all it was the most wholesome chapter ever and I’m almost sorry to see this arc end, but the plot must go on.

Today on BnHA: Aizawa brings Eri back to U.A. and is all “oh yeah by the way, she lives here now.” We learn that Tokoyami interned with a hero named Hawks and YOU ALL KNOW WHO THAT IS. The Pussycats visit the 1-A dorms and announce that they’re coming off their hiatus and that Ragdoll will be supporting them as an OL which is some bullshit but at least she’s okay. Pixie-Bob explains that shockingly, All for One was not inclined to just give her quirk back just like that! We learn that the JP Hero Billboard Chart, the organization that ranks active heroes, will be presenting the new official rankings -- the first without All Might -- shortly. Right now, in fact! We then travel to Kamino for the live presentation. The top 10 heroes are introduced, the highlights of which are Ryuukyuu at #10, Kamui Woods at #7, my new bunny fave Miruko at #5, Edgeshot at #4, Best Finest Elite Superlative Jeanist at #3, and THAT MAN, Hawks, at #2. Oh and Endeavor at #1. With a new suit. I WONDER WHO THIS ARC IS GOING TO BE ABOUT.

(As always, all comments not marked with an ETA are my unspoiled reactions from my first readthrough of this chapter. I’ve read up through chapter 207 now, so any ETAs will reflect that. Just to clarify real quick, my stopping right smack dab in the middle of my boy’s big fight isn’t by choice, lol. I’ve been sick for the past few days, but I’m finally starting to feel a bit better, so hopefully I’ll have the energy to resume soon.)

GASSPPPPPPPP

IT’S THE THING. THE THING WITH THE RANKS. THE HERO RANKINGS!!

omg. are we going to get to see how they do it finally? AND ARE WE FINALLY GOING TO MEET FORMER NUMBER THREE AND CURRENT NUMBER TWO HERO IDOL HAWKS?? THE MYSTERIOUS HAWKS WHO HAS WINGS, AND I ASSUME HE HAS THE POWER OF HAWKS. MAYBE. EXCEPT THAT’S KIND OF A LAME POWER TO SOMEHOW GET HIM ALL THE WAY TO NUMBER TWO ABOVE PEOPLE LIKE EDGESHOT AND FUCKING BEAST JEANIST. HAWKS WHAT ARE YOUR SECRETS

maybe I should READ THE CHAPTER and find out. hmmm

anyway so November is ending! that means we’re entering December! which also means I think Bakugou is going to get a new costume soon! and also he and Todoroki have only one month left before they get to retake their exam oh gosh. so much excitement so little time

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

ERI GOT ADOPTED BY EVERYONE!?!??!??!

AIZAWA IS OFFICIALLY HER DAD. OH MY GOD. I’M GOING TO CRY. LOOK AT HIS NONCHALANT FACE. “hey Deku meet my new kid”

(ETA: and he says “U.A.” but we all know it’s really just him. I don’t see anyone else from the school stepping up. Aizawa it’s okay you can admit that you’re completely incapable of turning your back on a child in need and so you stepped in and took responsibility for her and only afterward actually went and asked Rat Principal if it was okay and thankfully he said yes because he’s also a pretty cool guy. just like you. my god I love you)

ERI’S SO HAPPYYYYY

LOOK AT ALL OF HER NEW BIG BROTHERS AND SISTERS!!!

THE FULL STORY IS YOU ALL ADOPTED A KID, DEKU!!!

Nejire put her hair in pigtails omggggg

and Tsuyu, she is your sister now. GET USED TO IT

so now Aizawa and Mirio are leaving her with Tamaki and Nejire and calling the 1-As outside to talk

so they found out that Eri was abandoned by her parents, and that her grandpa is the comatose Precepts boss

and Mirio says that her horn, which you recall had shrunk quite a bit after the Overhaul battle, started to grow again recently. although it’s still pretty small

so they figured U.A. would be the safest environment for her, rather than a foster home

GOOD. I’M GLAD YOU ALL FIGURED THAT OUT

AHHHHHH

(ETA: btw Mangastream’s translation says “teachers’ dormitory” rather than lounge, which makes a great deal more sense)

HE REALLY DID ADOPT HER IT’S OFFICIALLLLLLLLLL

oh my god. he cares so much. obviously it’s not something he had to do, but he obviously grew fond of her and knew it was going to be the best option for her

so now you have a six-year-old daughter, Aizawa. good thing your twenty other kids can help babysit

and also this guy!

so Mirio is now a full-time live-in nanny. I approve

omgggg

yesssssss

but that’s not to say that this the only reason he’s doing this. that will be the happiest ending but he still loves her regardless

“it’s been a while since we did anything gay, Mirio. how bout it”

yes. pretty neat

now Aizawa is asking if the third years can take Eri for a little bit. I guess he has to go and take care of some teacher things. he’s such a busy guy

Mirio says they’re happy to, and he’s saying they should all play Othello

apparently this is not referring to the Shakespeare play but it’s another name for the board game Reversi. that was really confusing for a sec lol. I’ve never heard of this game before

Deku’s asking if they can join in, but Aizawa’s telling them to go back to the dorms

ah??

OH? DO TELL

and now we’re cutting to the dorms and Tokoyami is suddenly sneezing quite forcefully

LOOK AT THESE CUTIESSSSS

why is Kiri wearing a button down shirt. are you going on a date. none of your usual suitors seem particularly dressed up

(ETA: and what is going on with Kami and Momo there oh my. you two sure look mighty cozy)

Kaminari is teasing Tokoyami about the old superstition that if you sneeze it means someone’s talking about you somewhere

AHHHHHH WHAAAAAAAT

THE FUCK!?

fuck me, what? Tokofuckingyami interned with the former number three himself and no one fucking said a thing?!

and was this his actual internship or his work study? I wonder how many other kids had actual internships that we didn’t hear a damn thing about

also why does Ochako look about 8 years old in that panel. holy shit her eyes are big

anyway, Toko is flatly saying he doubts he has any fans yet and that it’s too early

and now the door is cracking open and Iida is announcing that their guests are here!

EYYYYYYYYYYYY

IT’S BEEN A WHILE YOU ASSHOLES

Ragdoll! ❤❤❤ glad to see they didn’t dump you and that you’re keeping your spirits up even after everything that happened

DID THEY BRING KOUTA. THEY SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT KOUTA. he’s probably in school now though. damn

-- NO HE’S HERE!!!

BE CAREFUL WHEN GREETING HIM YOU KNOW HOW HE GETS!

I love that everyone’s so happy to see them and Mina and Hagakure are even running over for hugs. that’s so heartwarming to see, especially given how the camp ended and the scared and sad terms they must have parted on last time

speaking of those events!

it’s nice that he apologized. even though it wasn’t their fault (mostly). but I’m sure Bakugou doesn’t particularly like to be reminded of it and would rather just pretend like nothing happened. so I hope they take their cue from him and try not to make him uncomfortable

something like 90% of AO3 is convinced Bakugou has Secret PTSD from this incident, and while I tend to stick to Confirmed Canon Only and thus am more on the side of he probably doesn’t, I’m sure that it’s not something he likes to think about all the same and the subject probably does put him on edge

(ETA: and! come to think of it, the one thing we do know he came away with for sure is a lot of guilt! so it’s more than possible that he actually blames himself for being the cause of the attack and for indirectly being the reason why Ragdoll lost her quirk. so to have them come up and apologize to him when from his perspective he’s the one who caused all the trouble to begin with... now that is something I can see really bothering him, actually. oh Bakugou)

Jirou, who as you recall was also injured during the attack, says that they’re all doing well

and meanwhile Tora brought bread for all of them and Mina’s waving it around excitedly and Ochako looks over the moon. she always loves sweets

YESSSSSSSSSS

MY TINY ANGRY SON

LMAOOOOO

DEAR MIDORIYA I’M REALLY SORRY

lmaooooooo

look how much better he’s gotten now, though! he’s graduated from groin punching to handshaking! he’s actually super thrilled to see Deku again and you can tell and he’s trying so hard not to show it and I fucking love it omggg

OH MY GODDDD

HE MATCHED DEKU’S SHOES HOLY SHIT. HOW DOES THIS SERIES KEEP OUTCUTEING ITSELF!?

oh my god. Deku really is his hero. I can’t. why do I suddenly want to cry omggg

anyway! so now Satou’s asking why they’ve come to visit U.A.

and Pixie says they came “to celebrate her reinstatement”

???! Ragdoll???

:(!!!!!!

OH COME ON WHAT THE HELL

okay but like. her quirk was all mental anyway. physically she’s still just as strong as she ever was. I don’t see why she couldn’t be out there fighting crime even without the pokedex quirk. sure, it leaves her a bit more vulnerable not being able to track people or knowing their moves and stats ahead of time, but there’s still a lot she could do goddammit

and now Pixie says they got a report from Tartarus omg!

(ETA: okay so I posted Mangastream’s translation here as it makes much more sense than Jaimini’s version. so you can ignore all the confused commentary below. this makes it clear he’s just taunting them and saying “why sure, I’d love to give back all the quirks I stole, but I can’t do that while you’ve got me all tied up :’) too bad.”)

oh my god sudden All for One holy shit. I don’t think we’ve seen him since like chapter 116?? oh snap

so I’m not quite sure what he’s saying here. is he saying he physically can’t return the quirk, or that it’s use it or lose it type of deal? or is he just saying he doesn’t feel like returning it, sorry, too bad so sad?

I’m going to assume it’s that last one, seeing as he’s a dick

but like, there was never really any chance of that happening anyway. we all know the only way that quirk is coming back is if Deku does in fact turn out to be his kid and he takes the quirk himself and gives it back to her

AHHHHHHH

OKAY BUT. THE SHOT OF KACCHAN’S FACE THOUGH! Kacchan being part of the inner circle yesssssss. holy shit. I’ve been waiting so long for this?? thank you, manga, for this friendly reminder that he is the only other one who knows the full story of All for One and his connection to Deku. I love how serious and somewhat apprehensive they both suddenly look just at the mention of him

anyway, so Mandalay is saying it’s going to be broadcast soon, but that on the most recent JP Hero Billboard Chart they were ranked 411th

holy shit what?! weren’t they in the top 50 before?! that’s an insane slide. I know they lost a member and also had a kid get kidnapped on their watch, but still

AHHHH DETAILS ABOUT THE JP HERO BILLBOARD CHART YESSSSSSS

lol actually this is all stuff that we already knew

BUT LOOK AT THAT SILHOUETTE IN THE NUMBER THREE POSITION THOUGH! fucking Rawk Hawk is about to be revealed at long last omgggg

okay yeah, Deku says the Pussycats were previously ranked at #32

so Kiri says oh, that’s why they’re starting things up again, so they can fight their way back to the top after such a steep drop

oh my god

“NO YOU GUYS DON’T UNDERSTAND, WE FUCKED UP REALLY BAD”

they’re saying that the fact that they didn’t drop even lower means that there are still fans rooting for them, and so they have to work hard

lol Kiri’s sobbing into his arm at how manly they are

and now the kids are all “oh yeah come to think of it, the second semester rankings haven’t been presented yet” and that it’s probably because of all the crazy shit that’s happened recently

are they usually presented before now? I just figured it was a twice a year June-and-December type thing

“exciting” isn’t quite the word I’d use, but okay. sounds more depressing than anything :(

ahhhh now we’re cutting to the presentation!

they’re broadcasting from Kamino of all places

so there are a ton of people and a bunch of stretch limos and such, and it seems to be like an Oscar-level event

oh, but apparently it’s not normally like this

RYUUKYUUUUUUUU

HEY WHAT THE FUCK

WHAT FUCKING GIVES. THERE HAD BETTER BE AT LEAST ONE MORE BADASS LADY IN THE TOP TEN THEN OR I’M GOING TO BE REALLY FUCKING PISSED THAT THE TOP TEN RANKINGS GO “GUY GUY GUY GUY GUY GUY GUY GUY GUY, AND I GUESS WE’LL THROW IN A GIRL HERE AT THE END NOW BECAUSE WE’RE SO GENEROUS”

ffff

number 9 is some old samurai asshole

go fuck yourself Yoroimusha. what makes you so special that you’re ranked above my dragon queen

number 8...

...okay he can stay

oh shit Kamui fucking Woods made it all the way to number 7!

fffffff they showed Mt. Lady and for a moment I thought it meant she was at no. 6! but noooooo she’s all the way at #23. despite having participated in the same missions as Kamui. do you know what, the JP Hero Billboard Chart can go fuck themselves

who the hell

“Crust” lmao. toast hero. sandwich hero

OH GOOD

so now women make up a full 20% of the top ten rankings rather than a measly 10%. we really smashed that glass ceiling, y’all. gender equality has been achieved. you’re welcome

(ETA: I feel like this needs more :/ faces to get my full feelings across. :/ :/ :/ :/ :/ :/ :/ okay that’s better)

anyway if she’s in the top 5 she must be pretty cool and I hope we get to see what her power is someday

(ETA: seems to be your basic run-of-the-mill animal-themed super strength, but damned if Dabi did not want to fuck with her though. you go Miruko)

Edgeshot is at number 4, which is expected since he was previously in the number 5 spot before All Might’s retirement. good boy Edgeshot

except for Mt. Lady apparently

AHHHHHHHHHHHH

BEAST JEANIST

GET WELL SOON YOU SEXY PUNK

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH

IT’S HIM!!!!!

RAWK HAWK

HOLY SHIT HE’S SO FINE. LOOKS JUST LIKE I REMEMBER FROM ALL THE FANART. HAWKS YOU SEXY BITCH

“HOW EXCESSIVE”

IT’S LIKE AIZAWA’S FACE AND ATTITUDE WITH ALL MIGHT’S HAIR, OH SHIT WHAT A LEGEND

BUT DON’T THINK YOU CAN JUST AUTOMATICALLY WIN MY APPROVAL OVER JUST LIKE THAT! YOU STILL NEED TO PROVE TO ME WHY YOU DESERVE TO BE RANKED ABOVE MY BOY BEST FORKING GODDAMN ONE AND ONLY JEANIST

and of course, number one is Endeavor

lol what he gets the whole last page to himself. why. just because he got a new costume?? I honestly didn’t even notice the difference lol

but okay fine let’s take a look

well, he’s definitely trying! did he make himself a fire antennae thing. and does he have a cape now I can’t tell

god there’s so much fire. just turn it off when you’re not in action and be fucking normal you asshole

and so that’s it. I guess

what I took away from this chapter is that the people of Japan voted in a washing machine over a fucking dragon. given the choice, they would rather have him on the scene, tossing in red shirts with the villains’ white loads to turn all of their clothes pink. I mean, sure then. whatever

BONUS: Miruko’s profile!

OH SO YOU LIKE CARROTS HUH. I don’t know what I was expecting lol

so her last name means “rabbit mountain.” I guess the mountain part is just cuz she’s strong as hell? idk

and I wonder if her first name has any meaning since it’s just written in katakana. I know the notes say something about it being a reference to a professional fighter, but I have a feeling that’s talking about her hero name rather than her given name

I fucking love her. I wish to god there were more than two fucking female heroes in the top ten, but at least the two we have are pretty badass

[real-life-pine-tree]

Seed of Darkness: How It All Begins (1/?)

All it takes it one bad seed to spoil the whole bunch. An AU collab with @violetganache42.

"So, you wish to not let this path be your destined fate."

"Of course! I'll do anything!"

"Then perhaps I can help. I'll give you the power you need to break from the chains you wear, but in return, you must join me."

"Join you? Why would I do that?"

"Because in my perfect world, you can do whatever you want. You're not restricted by chains. You can be anything you want to be."

"Anything?"

"So what do you say? Do we have a deal?"

"...Alright."

"Excellent. Now stay quiet for now. When the time comes, we will strike, and your destiny will finally be your own."

Two Years Later...

"Clear Wing, attack Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon! Spinstorm Sky Strike!"

It was the night of the Arc League Championship in the town of Paradise City. The first set of matches were over, and as of now, a lot of crazy stuff has been occurring, beginning with an intense duel heating up between Shay Obsidian from Heartland City and Sora Perse of Duel Academy, who was forcibly teleported back there right as he was in the middle of dueling two look-alikes: another XYZ resident and member of the Resistance named Yuto and the Pendulum pioneer known as Yuya Sakaki. After Sora’s sudden teleportation and the duel ending with no result, Yuto explained to Yuya about his hometown was also a place full of smiles until the Invasion struck, resulting in the carding of so many innocent people at the hands of Duel Academy. He also went on to mention that there are four dimensions in this universe: Standard, XYZ, Fusion, and Synchro. Despite his skepticism, Yuya knew that dueling should never be used as a weapon for fighting but to bring happiness among others, something he learned from his dear father Yusho.

Before the two counterparts could continue talking, a Duel Runner suddenly appeared, with the driver revealing itself to be Yugo, who looked like the formers and was anticipating his duel against Yuto since their last encounter. Before Yuya knew it, the two began their duel and it was quickly shown that Yugo is the Synchro counterpart to Yuya and Yuto when he Synchro Summoned Hi-Speedroid Kendama. Pretty soon, they brought out their respective ace monsters—Clear Wing Synchro Dragon and Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon—and fell into a berserk state, with their eyes shotting open and glowing aqua green and periwinkle. A concerned Yuya helped Yuto get back into his senses when he feared that the hatred he has for Yugo was getting to him and dueling shouldn’t be used to express hatred. As a result, he ended his turn.

Yugo initiated his turn, and thanks to the effects of Speedroid Razorang and Clear Wing, he was about to claim victory as he declared his attack with his 4500 ATK dragon to destroy Yuto’s 3000 ATK Dark Rebellion. To make matters worse, Yuya was caught in the crossfire and it looked like he was the one receiving the attack until…

"GAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

Yuto used his cape to shield his eyes from a sudden flash of red light. "What the...?" he muttered to himself. He had tried to push his Standard counterpart out of the way to avoid getting hit from the attack, but something had just happened that prevented him from doing so, but what? What exactly caused this red light to flash out of nowhere?

At that very same moment, Yuya had just felt a sharp, stabbing pain pierce him through his heart. The penetration wasn’t lethal thankfully, but it was far from lethal; it felt too painful to even describe with words alone yet it would seem meaningless to even try to because a simple agonizing scream that was heard through the red light was all that was needed to even describe what happened.

Suddenly, Yugo's eyes stopped glowing as he regained his senses. At the same time, Clear Wing stopped the attack. "What is it, girl?" the banana-banged Duelist asked his dragon.

Clear Wing let out a soft growl, causing Yugo's eyes to widen. "Holy crud, you're right!" he exclaimed. "The Friendship Cup! I completely forgot about that!" He removed the remaining cards in his Duel Disk, ending the duel as both dragons vanished.

Yuto ran over to Yugo. "Where do you think you're going?" he asked.

"Look, I'm so sorry for the misunderstanding," Yugo said. "Somethin' was clouding my judgement and I completely thought you were someone else."

"Who?" Yuto asked, surprised by the change in Yugo's personality.

"I don't have time to explain," Yugo said. "Right now, I have to get back to my home dimension." He held up Clear Wing's card. "Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, let's head back to New Domino City!"

With a purring sound of agreement, a bright light flashed from Clear Wing’s card covered Yugo in its rays until he was gone, leaving Yuto more confused than he was a few seconds ago. First off, it looked liked his Synchro counterpart was talking to his dragon almost like if it was his pet. Does that meant he can also talk to Duel Monsters spirits too? But was he even aware about the high possibility of people saying cards can’t talk? Then again, Yuto was kind of a hypocrite since he can also hear their voices and communicate with them too, most particularly Dark Rebellion. Secondly, New Domino City was Yugo’s hometown in the Synchro Dimension? If so, then he needs to find him to try and gain more information about his misunderstand because whoever this person is, he must have the same facial traits as the two and Yuya…after this Friendship Cup event he mentioned. Speaking of Yuya, third of all, was he going to be alright after this abrupt ordeal? His head and body shifted to where he was only to find him still standing even after the red light faded away, which was rather peculiar. Did he really endure this combination of the light and the force of Clear Wing’s attack?

"Yuya?" Yuto asked. "Are you alright?"

But Yuya didn't respond. Instead, he fell to his knees, a blank gaze in his eyes.

"Yuya!"

Off in the distance, a pink-haired girl in pigtails ran to where the two Yu boys were. Yuto immediately recognized her as Zuzu Boyle, whom he had encountered on multiple occasions prior to the Arc League Championship. Right as she arrived, something even stranger was in the air: Yuto wasn’t sent back to Heartland this time. But why? With him and her so focused on Yuya, they didn’t even noticed that the bracelet that she had ever since she was a baby had vanished from her right wrist. Did that meant it had some kind of connection with them? As if there was a reason to keep them away from each other at all costs?

However, Zuzu was more concerned about Yuya, who had just lost consciousness. "Yuya, what's wrong?" the Melodious user asked, shaking the tomato-haired teen's body. "What happened?"

"I'll tell you what happened," Yuto said. "A Duelist with blonde and dark blue hair named Yugo challenge me to a duel, but things got so crazy. Not only was Yuya caught in the crossfire, but there was a sudden flash of red light coming from his body. Then Yugo said something about a 'friendship cup' and disappeared."

Zuzu was alarmed. "Are you saying Yuya got hurt?" she asked.

"Judging by his loud, pained scream, I think he did," Yuto said.

Zuzu looked deeply concerned. "Yuya..."

Meanwhile, in a different location, there was a remote island located nearby from a city that was surrounded by a large body of water. On the island was a large structure that looked like it was integrated onto the island itself. This was without a doubt Duel Academy, a duel school from the Fusion Dimension run under the Professor’s control where he has his students learn how to duel and use Fusion Summoning as a way to fulfill his plans; in fact, he executed the Invasion of Heartland City, which initiated the Interdimensional War as a result. It was also the same place where Sora was forcibly transported back to and was now resting in the infirmary due to the injuries he received from his duel against Shay. But his loss and revelation of his true colors weren’t on his mind right now; all that he could of was the students.

He remembered seeing his eyes locked into deep stares at each and every faces as he was being escorted indoors, including a pale-skinned, spiky black-haired Obelisk Force soldier maintaining his composure, a mathematically intelligent Ra Yellow boy deducing what’s going on, and two Slifer Red girls—one with long blue hair and brown eyes and one with tealish-blue eyes and brown hair that has gotten longer over the years—comforting each other. All he heard as he struggled to regain consciousness was the sounds of terror among those indoors and out. Mass hysteria and panic was around every corner no matter where you turned. Terrified screams echoed through the long halls and tall walls of the Academy. It felt like the paranoia went on forever and seemed like there was no end to it at all. Sora wasn’t sure if what he witnessed was all but just a bad dream…or if it was all too real.

Suddenly, a 14-year-old boy with slicked back purple and pink hair wearing an elite soldier's uniform slammed the infirmary door open. "Sora, we have to get out of here!" he exclaimed, speaking in a slightly high-pitched voice.

"Yuri?" Sora asked. "How come?"

The boy, Yuri, seemed a bit hesitant to answer. "Well... You see..."

"What's wrong?" Sora asked, sounding a bit serious.

"I don't know how to explain it," Yuri admitted, brushing a hand through his hair. "It all started when the Professor was murdered-"

"What?!" Sora interrupted, sitting up in the provided bed. "The Professor is dead?!"

"Yes, but that's not all," Yuri continued. "Every person we carded is being restored. Yet while all of the non-Duelists are returning to their home dimensions, the others...well..."

"What happened to the Duelists we carded?" Sora asked.

"They came back different," Yuri further explained. "At first I thought them attacking the other students was merely just payback, but they kept on winning. And whoever they defeated appeared to have joined their side, even our most elite Obelisk Force soldiers."

"But who killed the Professor?" Sora asked.

"Who else?" Yuri asked in response.

Sora looked deeply alarmed. "You don't mean..."

"Precisely," Yuri answered.

Sora got off the infirmary bed. "We have to do something to stop this!"

"I'm already ahead of you," Yuri said. He took out his Violet Flash Spell card, his preferred mode of transportation. "We must gather as many allies as possible and warn them about this sudden takeover."

Knowing what was going to happen, Sora strapped on his Duel Academy Duel Disk, put his deck in the Duel Disk, and grabbed on to Yuri's arm. "So where to?" the Frightfur user asked.

"Our first stop is the Standard Dimension," Yuri explained. "If my suspicions are correct, our dear friend Dennis McField is already there. No doubt he will be a prime target. Now then, shall we bring peace back to our home?"

"You bet!" Sora cheerfully replied. "Onward to the Standard Dimension!"

In a bright flash of violet light, Yuri and Sora dematerialized and vanished from the infirmary to the Standard Dimension to search for Dennis, leaving the room empty and leaving behind a horrifying viral outbreak that was only going to get worse if it’s not dealt with.