Hikaru sped down the road with Serena, and occasionally a few Fusion Dimension officers would spot him, but they would quickly look away and busy themselves with something else, pretending not to notice. Along the way, Hikaru also rescued people being targeted by the Fusion Dimension forces, telling them to get out quickly.
Although Shinji, one of the instigators, had "died," the resistance didn't have only Shinji leading them. Besides Shinji and Kalin, there were two other leaders, so even without Shinji, the rebellion would not stop.
Hikaru drove on, heading in Yusei's direction.
In the distance, a giant was swinging its massive hand, but in the next instant, a green gale blew through, and a mechanical-looking dragon streaked across the sky. Hikaru looked up and saw a rather striking dragon.
"Activate when an opponent's monster declares an attack, that attack is negated!" A passionate voice seemed to carry on the wind.
It was at that moment that Hikaru finally saw the full form of that strange dragon.
Its overall silhouette was somewhat similar to Stardust Dragon, but sturdier. In addition, most of its body was composed of metal, making it look more like a machine than a dragon.
Oh my, Shooting Star Dragon T.G. Expansion?
Oh...
That's right.
Hikaru began to reconsider.
What he'd assumed before was a bit off.
Indeed, Yusei had accepted modifications from people of the future, becoming something of an artificial god, but this didn't mean he would abandon his soul, Stardust Dragon. Moreover, the help from the future probably wasn't limited to just the Timelords.
Without the assistance of the Crimson Dragon, instead relying on himself and scientific evolution to create Shooting Star Dragon T.G. Expansion... it made sense.
Hikaru recalled that in the original story, Yusei defeated Kalin by Synchro Summoning Majestic Star Dragon with the power of the Crimson Dragon. But in this world, Yusei had voluntarily relinquished the power of the Dragon Mark, so he likely couldn't use Majestic Star Dragon.
But obviously, no matter how power and gods changed, Yusei would always be the Yusei who wanted to connect everything, save the world, and create the future.
He thought for a moment, then decided not to go watch the duel. Instead, he turned and drove in another direction.
First, he needed to get Serena somewhere safe.
"Huh? Master, aren't we going to watch that duel?" Serena asked curiously.
"As comrades, we have to trust our comrades. Although we chose different paths, that's how duelists are. Yusei trusted that I could awaken Crow, and I think I shouldn't worry about Yusei anymore either, so, you troublemaker, why on earth did you go to the Fusion Dimension? Explain every detail to me!
You can't create dimensional gateways, so how did you get to this dimension? Did someone try to capture you?"
The only method Hikaru knew of for Serena and Ruri to use dimensional transfer was through the bracelets on the wrists of their counterparts, Zuzu and her alternates. These were special items capable of transporting people between dimensions, but to activate them, at least two of the "Four Counterparts" had to be nearby, dimensional counterparts who looked exactly alike, like Yugo and Yuto.
Yugo obviously couldn't be in this world, so had Yuri happened to run into Yuto or Yuya while trying to kidnap Serena?
It felt too unlikely to be a coincidence.
"Uh... well, I used the academy's..." Serena said, somewhat embarrassed.
Hikaru gasped, his hands nearly losing their grip on the handlebars. "Do you have any idea why Duel Academy's Red Dorm had to replace its dimensional gateway last time? You're practically destroying school property!"
"Hahaha. Hikaru, at least it proves Serena's practical skills are quite impressive," Tierra said, seated atop Shaddoll Dragon and flying alongside them, laughing. "Last time the Red Dorm replaced its equipment, it was because of Banner, right? You two are cut from the same cloth, aren't you? How are you going to face Crowler when you get back?"
Hikaru felt his fists clench.
"Ah, well..." Serena squirmed awkwardly.
If it had been a short trip, it would have been fine. If she'd gone and come back quickly, and cleaned up the dimensional gateway immediately, there definitely wouldn't have been a problem. But if she didn't return for a long time, that gateway would surely be pulled for inspection, and then Vice-Chancellor Crowler would have another headache.
And he would definitely worry about her because of it.
The silver lining was that because she'd used the Red Dorm's dimensional gateway, only one person could use it per month.
"I'll explain everything to the Professor when we get back," Hikaru said, practically through gritted teeth. "None of that matters right now. Tell me, why did you foolishly go off to save people alone?!"
"I felt it was my business. I shouldn't trouble the seniors..."
"I discuss all my headaches with Vice-Chancellor Crowler, why don't you know to talk things over with Jaden or Chazz?" Hikaru couldn't help but say. "As a duelist, forget being rational — at least be a little wise. Serena, at the very, very least, why didn't you call Jaden at the time?
You wouldn't have run into any of these dangers, and I might even have praised you.
As for now, heh, you're going to summarize the entire incident for me. From the moment you first saw Ruri until now, every step, every detail, and write it up as an analysis report!"
A written punishment.
Serena's face immediately fell.
Even getting hit wouldn't have been a big deal, after all, her master couldn't possibly beat her to death, and besides, conventional methods couldn't kill her anyway.
But a written punishment? An incident analysis report? That would truly be the death of her.
It felt even worse than being forced to duel, worse than facing Tierra herself!
"Ah, Si... Sister Tierra," Serena said, unprecedentedly turning her not-so-bright little head at this critical moment, changing the subject to address Tierra. "So your true form is that enormous? That's really super cool!"
"Hmph hmph hmph, amazing, right? Cool, right? A god, right?" Tierra's eyes lit up at Serena's words, and she immediately played along with the subject change. "But even so, that was actually only a semi-complete state, you know."
Appearing in person in such a grand duel, even though she hadn't landed the finishing blow, she had laid the foundation for victory, and she'd gone head-to-head with the god who had previously prevented her from saving people. It felt very good.
Especially since her figure should now be imprinted in the hearts of countless people across this dimension. That made her even happier.
Although it was just a fleeting feeling of satisfaction and wouldn't change anything, she was usually so bored that even a slight mood boost was welcome.
"It's not even in its complete state yet?" Serena couldn't help but exclaim, then asked curiously, "Then why do you usually look like this?"
Tierra chuckled. "To me, appearance is the least important thing. If you want to see other forms, I can change at any time."
As she spoke, she snapped her fingers. The puppet body suddenly transformed, becoming flesh and blood, looking like a living, grown-up Winda.
Before Serena could express her surprise, Tierra gently snapped her fingers again, and in the blink of an eye, Serena saw Tierra transform into... herself.
She couldn't help but gasp.
Immediately after, Tierra shifted through various female monsters, including the Lunalight monsters Serena was familiar with, and Dark Magician Girl, whom she also knew.
Finally, Tierra transformed back into Winda.
"But my favorite is still this form. After all, I personally modified and selected it, it's perfect in every way." She turned gently and glanced at Hikaru again. "Besides, appearance has no meaning. To me, essence is what matters."
Hikaru nodded.
For duelists who pursue card strength, artwork is always the last consideration.
Moreover, having spent so much time with Tierra, their relationship had evolved from stiff to relaxed to their current collaboration, and none of that was because of Tierra's "costume."
Screech
Hikaru shook off all his pursuers and finally stopped in the Commons district.
He let out a sigh of relief, waiting for Yusei to return, and casually pulled out his deck to look through his cards, and that was when he found a few extras.
"Oh, those are cards that the local god slipped into your deck on the track when he carried you and that human," Tierra said, noticing the three cards.
Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper, Earthbound Prisoner Line Walker, and finally, what appeared to be a Synchro Monster belonging to Wiraqocha Rasca, similar to the Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken that had previously belonged to Chacu Challhua, Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon.
Which meant...
Hikaru calculated quickly.
He was only one Earthbound Immortal Wiraqocha Rasca away from collecting the entire set of Earthbound Prisoner cards?
This seemed to be the archetype he was closest to completing first.
...
Any Stones?/