It was finally the end of the school year. The students have finished their schoolwork and are rewarded with summer vacation. A time where teenagers enjoy their youth to the fullest. It was certainly true for a certain new couple in the form of Kuromu and Asuka.
They dueled their hearts out on the school rooftop, with Kuromu emerging victorious and the two made it official with their first kiss. All went well…
…until they heard a certain mutt sneeze and found out that nearly all their friends, and Kuromu's parents, were spying on them.
Everyone but Koji and Rika had fled the scene, leaving the two friends to their ill fates.
"Oww…" the battered duo groaned as the disco fan grumbled at the others, "Thanks a lot guys… for being such great deserters!"
"I'm just glad that we mostly got off scot free." Junko said.
"Outside of us having to be Asuka's maids for the summer?" Momoe pointed out.
"What's wrong with that?" Junko raised an eyebrow.
"You remember when one Obelisk girl pissed Asuka off?" That made the two shiver in fear, recalling the ojou-sama laugh Asuka made after landing an FTK from that duel.
"E-Even so, we get to spend more time with Asuka-sama for the summer," Junko pointed out.
"Wish Misawa was that lucky. The only reason Judai and Rex got out of getting their asses handed to them was because the summer homework they still had to do was, and I quote, 'punishment enough' for them." Koji recalled, "That and he didn't want to end up like PaniK if he tried anything with Sho."
"I remember Annette did help keep herself and Jun out of trouble." Rika grumbled. "And Marufuji-senpai is graduating, so Kuro can't beat him up for that."
"What about Fubuki and Kuromu's parents?" Junko asked.
"Obviously, Kuromu didn't want to kick the crap out of his parents." Koji said, "Fubuki on the other hand…"
"Ow! Uncle! Uncle!" Fubuki pleaded while Kuromu held him in a Boston crab.
"I think he said to give it more torque." Asuka childishly told the Rider Duelist.
"Got it~!" Kuromu smiled impishly as he lowered his body, almost sitting on Fubuki's back. The elder Tenjoin felt a jolt of excruciating pain on his lower spine, causing him to wail in agony and tap out repeatedly.
Koji shivered in fright, as did Rika, Junko, and Momoe.
"It's almost scary to think that they're made for each other." Rika muttered.
"Yet you've been groping her all your life," both Junko and Momoe told the chef.
"T-That's different!" Rika stammered before looking away with a heavy blush.
"Ugh, finally… all done…" Rex and Judai sighed in unison.
It took them the whole night, and with some help from Sho to make sure everything was correct, but now both the Elemental HERO and mutt could enjoy summer. The mutt especially as he had to make absolutely sure that he got all his summer homework right, lest he end up spending his time on Academia Island like it was his own personal prison.
"So, did you two slackers finish your w-oh…" Jun winced as he walked in and saw Judai and Rex, hunched over their desks, looking worse for wear, their clothes disheveled, their hands covered in patches of pencil lead and their faces looking absolutely exhausted. "Nevermind…" the ace turned tail and left as soon as he entered.
"Hey, get your ass back in here…!" The mutt groaned like a zombie.
"Oh hell no, I ain't sticking around with you two looking like that!" The ace pointed out from the other side of the door, "Clean yourselves up at least!"
That's when he heard snoring as Jun opened the door to find both Judai and Rex fast asleep.
"Huh… already fast asleep eh?" Jun muttered.
"They've been at this all night." Sho pointed out.
"Guess so." The ace said as he hauled the two to bed. Afterwards, the two went outside to sit on the edge of the cliffside behind the dorm, taking the time to reflect on this year.
"A lot has happened here." Sho said.
"Yeah, I can't imagine looking at these loons and calling this place home." Jun chuckled.
"You've definitely changed from when we met you at the start of the year." The Roid Duelist agreed.
"Probably." Jun shrugged.
"You definitely did. Especially since Kuromu called you out on all the crap you put us through." Sho added.
"Yeah, I deserved that…" Jun noted, "Do you think Annette would want to still be with me when I was an arrogant prick?"
"If Kuromu was unable to correct you back then, she'd probably do it instead." Sho answered, "Don't underestimate what love can do for someone. I mean, look at Kuromu and Asuka-san."
"Fair point, I guess." Jun agreed.
"Well, maybe I could have helped you?" Judai said, now rested up, as did Rex.
"How did you two-" Jun began.
"That nap did a lot to get us back into shape." The mutt said as he dusted his hands off, removing the pencil lead from them.
"We just put you to bed not even five minutes ago." Sho sweat dropped. Rex's "Really? You're gonna tell us that?" look gave Sho the message. "Right, you guys are something else." The Roid Duelist chuckled.
Rex and Judai then sat down with them.
"What a year this has been." Judai said, "And I can't wait for next year! I mean, what else could go wrong?"
"Don't jinx it man…" Rex deadpanned. "We got lucky fending off an entire evil organization hellbent on conquering all of reality. Do you really wanna push our luck?"
Judai looked sheepish. "Right, sorry. Still, I wonder what next year has in store for us?"
"We've found them, all of them." An unknown voice told a person in shadow currently watching the Duels of Judai, Sho, Jun, Rex, Kuromu, Koji, Misawa, Ryo, Fubuki, Asuka, Rika, and Annette. "Do you want to transfer to this school?"
"Yes." The person answered, "I think it's high time anyways."
"I see." The voice said, as this figure then looked towards a table of tarot cards spread out before them before flipping one of them over, revealing it to be the Wheel of Fortune. "Fate is starting to turn."
"And I'll make sure to shut them down. All of them." He said as he looked towards a Duel Monsters deck that had one card face-up, one of a winged demonic hero.
"Well whatever it is, I'm sure we can get through it." The mutt said before he did a quick limber up, "But yeah, can't wait to test out my new speed."
"Speaking of next year, your cousin is going to enroll isn't she?" Sho said.
"Looks like it. Here's hoping that Asuka, Rika, and the others can treat her well." Rex hoped.
"She's gonna be 15. She'll be fine." Jun said.
"I mean, it's not like our dorm or Ra Yellow is equipped for the job." Judai shrugged off.
"About that…" Kyoshiro retorted, walking in with his new dorm head uniform, similar to Kuromu's coat but red.
"Mr. Kyoshiro?" Judai blinked. "Wait, what's with the jacket?"
"Starting next year, I and another person will be co-heads of the Osiris Red dorm." The Kururugi patriarch revealed, "I heard Ra will be getting another dorm head too."
"Whoa, what?!" Everyone gawked.
"That's right." Kyoshiro grinned.
"Wow, that's great!" Judai cheered.
"Does that mean… Daitokuji-sensei named you as his successor?" Jun asked, now realizing the implications.
"Not just, but we'll get to that when we get to that." Kyoshiro waved off.
"So then what exactly did you mean by, 'About that'?" The mutt asked.
"Oh yeah, Osiris Red and Ra Yellow dorms are getting a huge upgrade." Kyoshiro said.
"Oh sweet! We got more room!" Judai cheered as the four celebrated… only to notice Kyoshiro was still smirking. "Wait, there's more to it?"
"Oh yeah, when I mean upgrade, I mean that it's a complete makeover of the two dorms." The Kururugi patriarch revealed.
"But who's gonna take up the other dorm? Most of the new bloods and rejects?" the ace asked, briefly looking towards his friends and saying, "No offense."
"None taken." the Elemental HERO Duelist reassured him.
"Yeah, what's the second dorm for?" Rex asked Kyoshiro.
"Hmhmhm… you don't understand." Kyoshiro chuckled. "I said that the Osiris and Ra Dorms are going to have complete makeovers. That means tearing them down, and building a new one from the ground up. And they can house both genders."
"Oh that's goo-wait, BOTH?!" the mutt gasped.
"Both." Kyoshiro confirmed with a nod.
Judai, Sho, Jun, and Rex all looked at each other, then back to Kyoshiro, then back to each other, then back to Kyoshiro again; all with the same bewildered expression on their faces.
"Why are you all so surprised?" Kyoshiro laughed. "Afraid of getting your butts kicked by girls in the same dorm as you?"
"Not that. I'm just… I thought only girls got into Obelisk Blue?" the ace pointed out, "That's been a thing since the school was founded."
"Yes, until today." the Kururugi patriarch stated, before looking at the mutt. "And congrats Rex, your cousin is going to be the first girl enrolled into Osiris Red."
*THUD!*
"I think his overprotective older cousin senses overloaded him." Sho noted while Judai tried to revive the currently unconscious mutt.
"So, you finally got together with Asuka?" Kagurazaka asked Kuromu as the two were having late dinner at the Ra Yellow cafeteria, "Man, you really are the Ra King."
"Is that what they're calling me now?" Kuromu asked sheepishly, scratching his cheek with a finger.
"I mean, you're in Ra Yellow, you're dating the Obelisk Queen, and you pretty much turned the Fusion Deck into the Extra Deck with those Transformation Monsters!" the mimic stated, "Of course, people are calling you the Ra King."
"Huh… honestly, I haven't really been paying attention to that kind of thing." Kuromu chuckled nervously.
"Ra King huh? You know, alongside Judai being called Osiris' Hero King and Ryo's former title of Kaiser, you three were technically the three kings of Central Academia."
"That's a bit of a stretch, even for me." Kuromu admitted.
"Hey, nothin' wrong with being our dorm king." Koji pointed out as he and Misawa arrived with their food and drinks in tow on their trays and sat down with them.
"Here for a late night dinner too, huh?" Kuromu mused.
"Very much." Misawa affirmed.
As the four of them dug in, they took the time to reflect on this school year and how much they've grown for the past year. Especially more so for Kagurazaka. He had given up his mimicking ways and actually evolved his Warrior-type Deck into something he would call his own.
"Wow, you based your Deck around the Three Face Knights?" Kuromu asked in surprise.
"Yeah, though I do feel like I'm still mimicking your father given he's just as famous for using that archetype." The former mimic confirmed.
"Nah, you're using cards he's never had in his Deck before. So you're not really mimicking him." Kuromu waved off, "I mean, you've got a few support cards he's never had before."
"Hmm, that's true, I guess." Kagurazaka shrugged.
"But man, what a year this has been." Koji said. "Lotta crazy things happened."
"Yeah, and it's only going to get crazier from here." Kuromu chuckled.
"Speaking of," Koji grinned. "How crazy is it that you finally got to hook up with your Sweet Thang?"
Kuromu could only smile fondly. "It's been a long time coming for sure. I've dreamt of this day for two years, and now it's finally come true. I just never expected to win her heart from the very beginning."
"I mean, we all called you dense at one point or another." Koji said.
"Really now? I thought his affection was obvious?" Misawa asked in a teasing tone.
"Okay you two, I get it. I should've done it sooner." Kuromu rolled his eyes with a wry smirk.
"Come on, we could see it from orbit." Kagurazaka joined in.
"Not you too!" The Rider Duelist faux whined, before all of them laughed for a while. After that moment, Kuromu sighed. "Still, I hope these next two years at this school will be fun from here on out. At least while it still is."
"Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." Koji agreed. "Especially since you-"
"Yeah, I know. Kadoya-sensei and Kaa-san will train me." Kuromu said, before he decides to raise his glass. "But until then, here's to defying expectations and overcoming challenges in the years to come."
"Hear, hear." Misawa said, as the other three then raised their glasses and clinked them together, before drinking.
"Ugh, my back is killing me…" Fubuki complained.
"You shouldn't have spied on your sister and Kuromu." Ryo said.
"You were in on it too!" Fubuki argued.
"And did they attack me like they did you when you stumbled?" The Kaiser asked mockingly, a rarity for someone like him.
"Because you're the Kaiser!"
"Exactly." Ryo smirked. "That's why they don't want to attack me. And I'm graduating. Plus, they made sure not to target my brother either."
"I- you- mmmmm…" Fubuki pouted, looking away. He knew the Kaiser was right. He just didn't want to admit it.
"Are you happy though?" Ryo asked, making the elder Tenjoin look at him. "That your sister finally found someone to be with?"
"Well yeah, clearly." He said, "I didn't think I'd end up in a Boston Crab though. Bloody hell, what's that mutt been teaching him?"
"I guess being in the Obelisk Blue private gym did wonders for him." Ryo chuckled before looking towards these halls one more time. "I'll miss this. These three years were the best of my life."
"Same here. It was nice spending this last year with you." Fubuki agreed.
"Yeah. Though I wish Yusuke were here to see this…"
The two made a moment of silence for their classmate, likely lost forever.
"One day…" Fubuki said. "One day… we'll find a way to free Yusuke from the World of Darkness."
"Hopefully…" Ryo agreed before looking towards the elder Tenjoin, "Take care of my brother for me, okay?"
"I will." Fubuki said, before the two shook hands.
Asuka was outside of her room's balcony, looking up at the night sky as the day ended. She couldn't help but smile all day. She and Kuromu made it official and she couldn't be any happier. He finally kept his promise and was now his girlfriend. Even though it took an evil organization bent on conquering all of reality to get them together, everything turned out for the best.
Well… almost, in all honesty. Their friends spying on her and Kuromu wasn't exactly the best way to end on a high note. But she did somewhat feel cathartic when Kuromu put her brother into a Boston Crab. Still, there was still a nagging feeling in her heart, like things are going too well.
"Asuka-chan, what are you doing out here?" Rika's voice asked. The Obelisk Queen turned to see Rika in her pajamas. It turns out that she, Junko, Momoe, and Annette were having one last sleepover before heading out tomorrow morning for home.
"Hey Rika. Just… thinking about things." Asuka smiled softly, before looking back out to the horizon. Rika stood next to her.
"More like thinking about Kuro." Rika smirked.
Asuka giggled at that, "Well, there is that too."
"Was it everything that you've hoped for?" Rika asked.
"Definitely." She giggled. "I've dreamt of this day for a long time, and now it's become reality."
"So… does that mean you can stop whining and complaining to me that he's too dense to notice the signs you're giving him anymore?" The chef asked with a catlike grin, taking in Asuka flinching and blushing hard.
"H-Hey! I never complained!"
"Sure, you didn't. At least not on screen."
"Did you talk to Vice again?" Asuka asked, only to flinch when she saw Rika smugly wave her Duel Pilot that had hundreds of texts showing otherwise.
"Hehehehehehehehe~ a certain mutt told me allllllll the deets."
'When I get my hands on that stupid dog!' Asuka growled in her mind, her hands clenching up to strangle someone.
Rex shivered in fear, to Judai and the other's confusion.
"What's wrong?" Judai asked.
"I don't know why… but I feel like I'm in danger." The mutt answered cautiously.
"Rika, give that back now!" Asuka roared as the chase around the balcony ensued.
"Yada~ Buu, buu~" Rika taunted back.
"Hey you two, quit running around!" Momoe called out.
"Yeah, Annette is giving Minerva and Shizuka cute pajamas!" Junko added.
"Sorry, I'm a little busy right now!" Asuka shouted as the chase continued.
"Are humans always like this?" Minerva asked Shizuka, tilting her head in confusion.
"You get used to it." Shizuka reassured her, shaking her head with a soft smile.
The next day had finally arrived. It was time for the students to go home. The school year is done. The third year students are leaving for the Pro League and the underclassmen can't wait for next year.
The attention was focused on the Ra Yellow Dorm, specifically Kuromu's dorm room. He had everything packed and ready for the trip home. Looking around the now empty room, the Rider Duelist sighed, feeling rather melancholic that he was going to leave this place. Granted, he has two more years here at the school, but it didn't make leaving his home away from home any easier.
"I'm gonna miss this place…" He said as the Kamen Riders appeared.
"I sure ain't! I'm ready to get off this crazy island!" Momotaros exclaimed, "Civilization, here I come!"
"Still as energetic as ever, senpai." Urataros sighed.
"It certainly wasn't a boring year, for sure." Kintaros gruffed.
"Wai, wai, we're going home!" Ryuutaros cheered.
"The furniture at my new residence better be up to my standards." Sieg added.
"Not this again…" Shinji sighed.
"Everything's on file, Philip?" Shotaro asked.
Philip nodded, sitting at Kuromu's computer desk, now empty. "Indeed. Everything is documented and accounted for. We don't want to lose those precious memories."
"Did you encrypt Kaa-san's data too?" Kuromu hoped.
"Down to the last binary code." Philip winked.
"That's good. Although…" Kuromu reached into his pocket and pulled out the remains of the flash drive. "As much as I'm glad Oogumo isn't getting his hands on this any time soon, I was hoping to at least have a backup on this thing. If we ever get a chance of countering what he has planned."
"I highly doubt it. I think it's better that we dispose of the remains of that." Eiji advised.
"He's right. At least Oogumo can't salvage what's left." Sento said.
"Good point." Kuromu nodded, before pocketing the broken flash drive.
"On a brighter note, I can't wait for summer vacation!" Gentaro cheered.
"Definitely, it's gonna be a breeze." Sougo agreed.
"It gives us time to play a lot of video games." Emu grinned.
"You realize that all of us will be training him, right?" Hitoshi pointed out.
"Hitoshi-san is right." Wataru said. "He's a new Rider who just joined our ranks and we need to teach him all that we can."
"Pretty much. Don't worry, you'll get there in time." Kouta reassured Kuromu.
"No rest for the weary as they say." Kivat said.
"Pyun pyun, but have some time for relaxation too." Tatsulot added.
"We should probably ask Yukina-san how your powers work. Maybe you have something related to Transformation Summoning?" Shouichi pondered.
"Right, your girlfriend has Ritual Duel Energy inside her so there's no telling if you have Transformation Duel Energy in you." Haruto agreed.
"Isn't that already obvious with my transformation as Dueler?" Kuromu asked, "Though I guess having powers out of the suit would be cool. Maybe I can get some cool rock powers."
"Given how you transformed via a summoning method, I highly doubt that." Shinnosuke stated.
"Exactly. But no need to worry, we'll analyze and compile all the data from your training." Krim added.
"I hope you're prepared." Souji said, before pointing his finger in the air. "Obaa-chan ga itte ita: 'Work is as sticky as natto'."
"It'll be fine. I won't slack off in my training." Kuromu nodded assuringly.
"Good. Make sure you work really hard." Kazuma said.
"You must train as if it could be the last day of peace." Takeru added.
This got Kuromu to flinch in fear.
"Hey now, you said you wanted us to train you. We never said we'd go easy on you." Takumi pointed out.
"Do you best, Kuromu." Yuusuke gave a thumbs-up.
*KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK*
"Huh?" Kuromu said as he went over to his door and opened it. Standing at the door were Tsukasa and his parents, with Pharaoh in tow. "Kadoya-sensei, Tou-chan, Kaa-san." He recognized, upon seeing them.
"Yo. Ready to head out?" The dimensional Rider asked him.
"Yeah, I just finished packing." Kuromu nodded with a soft smile.
"Welp, guess that means it's time to go." Kyoshiro figured. "I'll get your bags." He said, before Kuromu allowed him to pick them up. Tsukasa assisted him in the effort as they left the room. Meanwhile, Kuromu took a look at his room one last time with a sigh.
Yukina placed a hand on her son's shoulder. "Everything alright, dear?" She asked.
"Yeah, just… taking it all in." Kuromu said, just looking at the room that he knows will likely be gone by the time he and everyone else return for their second year.
"You'll be back. It's summer vacation after all." Yukina assured, "Besides, we'll have Aruto-chan and the others keep the vibes of the original dorms. So it's not like it's going to change completely."
Kuromu nodded, "Yeah… you're right." He smiled softly at her. "And we could really use that time to catch up on everything."
Yukina smiled and soon ruffled the Rider Duelist's hair. "Yes, we definitely do. Saa… let's get going. We don't want to be late for the boat."
"Okay. You go on ahead, I'll catch up." Kuromu said, to which Yukina nodded before she left.
It was then that Kuromu grabbed his backpack and walked out his room before turning around seeing it one last time before saying, "Sayonara, Duel Academia. See you next year." With that, he finally walked out of the room, closing the door.
BGM: The Next Decade by Gackt
*Instrumental*
When Kuromu walked out from his room and locked the door, the very first person to greet him was none other than the undefeated Kaiser, Ryo. "Finished packing?"
"Yeah. Just about done." the Rider Duelist confirmed.
"I see." Ryo said, before gently bumping his fist on the Rider Duelist's chest, confusing the latter. "Live up to the name of Ra King, Kuromu. Your legacy may be starting, but how you shape it will define who you are. Always stay true to yourself."
"Senpai…" Kuromu muttered, before nodding with a smile, "Hai, I'll do my best."
Yoko ichi retsu no Chase hirundara dake~, haji~ maru~ REESU
(If you're afraid of being chased to the side, you'll lose your first race.)
Takamaru aseri to tsumetai ase kyou~fu ga, kimi~ no tsutsu~n~de
(There is a sense of urgency. The sweat feels cold, the fear swallows you up.)
"Kuromu! Help, your girlfriend's on my ass!" they heard a panicking Rex scream as he zipped past the two like a rocket.
"GET BACK HERE!" the Obelisk Queen roared, in hot pursuit, while throwing fireballs at the running mutt.
"Yikes!" The mutt cried out before zipping away with a lightning trail behind him.
"Yare yare…" Kuromu sighed with an exasperated smile, "I better go after her."
With a nod from Ryo, the Rider Duelist ran after his girlfriend as the former looked on with a smirk, 'I know you'll do great things from here on out, Kuromu. With you around, the school is in good hands.' He thought before walking out of the dorm as well.
Tachi mamoru nara kokoro ni nido to hi wa tsuka~ndai sa
(If you stop, you'll never ignite your heart again)
Migite ni yado shita sadame~ daite~
(Embrace the fate in that right hand of yours!)
Meanwhile, Koji is sharing a goodbye to his girlfriends as he embraces the two, before letting go. "I'll miss you, my Sweet Thangs. But don't worry, we'll stay in touch."
"Be sure to call us every day." Momoe said.
"And we'll send pictures of the two of us in those maid outfits." Junko winked.
"Nice…" he said before spotting Rex running away from Asuka, with Kuromu in tow, "Hey, where's the fire?" The disco fan jokingly asked before he and the girls joined the chase.
You're the Neeeeeeeeeext! Next Decaaaaaaaaade (Hey!)
GOORU yori~ sono saki ni aru SUTATTO RAIN
(Beyond the goal is a start line)
Mezase~ kanata e
(Set your sights on the other side!)
Hashitte yuke~ kizu darake demo
(Keep riding… even if you're covered in wounds)
Kono sekai no mirai wa ima… kimi no te ni
(Right now, the future of this world is… in your hands)
Misawa was walking on the dirt path, having just left the dorm. In his hands, he was carrying a set of papers, one that had formulas and notes for a brand new archetype. "Truly my finest work yet." He said to himself with a smile. He hoped that when Synchros became a thing, people could use his creations for good rather than evil. He then looked up towards the sky.
'This will no doubt be my magnum opus. When the day that Synchro Monsters thrive, it will surely change Duel Monsters for the better. Isn't that right, Processlayer?'
Upon hearing the mutt's cry for help in the distance, Misawa placed the papers away, shaking his head with a smile, "Never a dull moment…" He said, before heading towards the sound.
*Instrumental*
Instructor Chronos, who was wearing his Obelisk Blue jacket again, Kabayama, Ayukawa, and Principal Samejima were at the Osiris Red dorm. They were standing before a grave made by the students for the late Daitokuji.
"Signore Daitokuji, may you rest in peace." Instructor Chronos said.
"It's a shame that he will likely never see his students graduate." Kabayama lamented.
"Nonsense." Ayukawa shook her head, before looking up at the sky as did the others. "Wherever he is, I'm sure he's watching right now."
Unknown to them, the spirit of Daitokuji watched on from within Pharaoh.
Zenryoku de Keep on Top, hashiri tsuzukeru kimi~ no SU~PIIDO
(You use all your might to keep on top, Keep riding at your speed)
Nuki-satte shimau kuroi kage ga mie~ tara~ kimi~ wa dou~ su~ ru~?
(When you see the black shadows completely overtaking you… what will you do?)
"Ah, mou~! Wait up!" Rika shouted as the Obelisk Queen chased after the mutt. She was at least able to catch up to Kuromu.
"Hey Rika." Kuromu grinned. "Ready for summer vacation?"
"Oh definitely. I can feel the summer rush already!" She affirmed. "I just hope my parents fed my hamster while I was still here!"
Kuromu laughed as he said, "Knowing them and food, I'd be more worried if they fed your hamster too much!"
"Hey~!" Rika whined before shaking her head, "By the way, did you hear? Ayano might be enrolling next year."
"Really? That's great to hear!" Kuromu smiled. "It'll be like old times again."
Idomu kokoro wo~ naku shitara mou kachi wa na~i darou
(If you lose your adventurous soul, you probably have no chance of winning)
Migite ni tsukanda hokori~ komete~
(Use all the pride in that clenched right hand of yours!)
Meanwhile, Fubuki stood in front of where the former Abandoned Dorm was. He placed a rose on the ground, before bowing his head for a silent prayer. Afterwards, he looked up at the place. "Yusuke… one day I'll get out of the World of Darkness… and Reggie… just wait for me a while longer… I'll save you…"
He then heard the gaggle of students in the distance, no doubt that some kind of shenanigan was happening seeing the birds fly off. The elder Tenjoin smiled at this.
You're the Neeeeeeeeeext! Next Decaaaaaaaaade (Hey!)
Chiheisen~ nemuru taiyou mitsuke ni
(Find the sun lying dormant at the horizon)
Yami wo~ kirisaki
(Cut through the darkness!)
Hashitte yuke~ hitorikiri demo
(Keep riding… even if alone)
Tsugi no sekai ga matteru no sa…
(The next world is waiting for you…)
Jun was currently on a date with Annette, something he wanted to do for his final day of school before the summer. He looked towards the Obelisk Blue male dorm and silently recalled who he used to be. But now he was a different man.
"Everything alright, mon ami?" Annette asked.
"Nothing, I just…" he then smiled, "Thanks for not forgetting about me, even when I forgot about you."
"I'm just glad that you remembered me at all." Annette snuggled up to his arm. "And I'm glad that you've become the man that you're supposed to be."
This made the ace smirk with pride before the two heard the mutt scream bloody murder.
"Ugh, what now?" He groaned.
"Ufufu, seems the mutt got himself into trouble." Annette giggled. "You better go save him."
"Do I have to?" Jun raised an eyebrow.
"Wouldn't be you if you didn't." The thief winked.
Jun merely rolled his eyes before the two went towards the source.
*Instrumental*
At the docks, Rex finally stopped running and saw that he had finally got Asuka off the trail. The boat had not arrived yet. When he looked up, he saw the endless ocean before him. It was almost awe-inspiring to him, yet at the same time he felt right at home.
'I'm free. After so long, I'm free.' He thought to himself, thinking back to his days running in fear of not having a home due to his past mistakes. But now… he has a place where he belongs. A place where he could always return to.
"Yo!"
The mutt turned around and saw Judai and Sho running up to him. The three stood there as they shared that same feeling of friendship between them.
"Guessing you're heading back to New York?" The Elemental HERO Duelist asked.
"Pretty much. Someone's gotta reform the Wild Ones." The mutt confirmed as the two saw he was wearing his old gloves again.
"But you are coming back, right?" Sho asked.
"Of course, I can't leave my buddies behind!" Rex reassured them, "Besides, I gotta say hi to Wally."
He dug into his pockets and revealed something. It was Wally's Six Warmen deck.
"You still had that with you?" Judai asked.
"Pretty much. I need to make this final delivery to Pegasus and then, I'll give this back to Wally when he gets out." Rex confirmed before looking a bit sad, "It'll be the last delivery the MDC will ever make."
"It doesn't have to be." Judai said, much to Rex's surprise. "You can rebuild that too, after you graduate of course."
"Heh, I guess so…" the mutt said before putting the deck away.
Migite ni chikatta inori~ towa ni~
(The prayer sworn in your right hand is forever)
Judai, Rex, and Sho then did a triple fist bump together.
"All for one?" The Elemental HERO Duelist asked.
"One for all." The mutt and Roid Duelist answered.
You're the Neeeeeeeeeext! Next Decaaaaaaaaade (Hey!)
GOORU yori~ sono saki ni aru SUTATTO RAIN
(Beyond the goal is a start line)
Mezase~ kanata e
(Set your sights on the other side!)
Hashitte yuke~ kizu darake demo
(Keep riding… even if you're covered in wounds)
Kono sekai no mirai wa ima… kimi no te ni
(Right now, the future of this world is… in your hands)
"Oi, you three." A voice said, as they looked to see Yukina, Kyoshiro, Pharaoh, and Tsukasa standing there at the docks with them.
"Meow~!" Pharaoh meowed as the Osiris Trio approached the adults.
"Sup!" Judai greeted the three.
"We're waiting for the rest of the children to show up." Yukina smiled.
"Where are they anyway?" Kyoshiro asked, looking around. "They should be here by now."
"Oh they'll be here soon." Tsukasa smirked, checking his watch as he did so.
Before anyone could ask what the dimensional Rider meant…
"There you are, you stupid dog!"
Rex flinched as he looked and saw Asuka barreling towards him with everyone else in tow. It didn't take long before the mutt turned tail.
*Instrumental*
"You get back here and delete everything!" Asuka shrieked.
"Asuka, calm down!" Kuromu cried out.
"Hey, Rika asked me to grab that stuff!" The mutt said in his defense.
"Like crap she did! Now face my wrath!" Asuka snapped back. Before he could run again, the Obelisk Queen quickly leaped at the mutt. As she did, during the hangtime, Tsukasa smirked as he took out his signature camera, aimed it at the scenario that was about to happen and-
*CLICK!*
A flash of light shined, changing the scene to the finished product, the camera panning out while the voices slowly faded out. It showed a picture of Kuromu, Koji, and Rika stopping Asuka while Rex hid behind Judai and Sho, with Kuromu, Asuka, Rex, and Judai at the center of the image.
Their other friends were all in the background, but as they were running, it captured them in the moment of all of them tripping over themselves, tumbling towards them with Koji saving his girlfriends Junko and Momoe from falling, Jun falling flat on his face while Annette regained her balance, Misawa leaping to catch the papers that flew out of his hand, and Ryo and Fubuki walking towards the scene. All while the adults watched on.
However what was surprising was the appearance of the different Duel Spirits across the image. Winged Kuriboh was flying by Judai's side, Shizuka was amused while Minerva giggled. Shotaro was watching in disappointment while Phillip merely studied the scene. Dicaerii, Bestrouli, Laquer, Murmullo, Vespasius, and Alexander all collectively facepalmed at their pilot's antics. Disco King was laughing at the scene, while Omelet was holding onto Rika for dear life, and the Ojama Trio laughing their butts off while Armed Dragon and Light and Darkness Dragon watched on with just as much disapproval.
All in all, this was one year to remember.
THE END!
"As one chapter closes, another opens up." Woz said, as he closed his book, and looked towards you: the readers. "But of course, Kururugi Kuromu and his friends will return to Central Duel Academia, and when they do," He then stopped himself, holding up one finger. "Oh, but that's in the future for you readers out there." He then bowed towards the readers, "On behalf of Waga Maou, I thank you all for reading thus far. We will see you in the next installment."
In Domino City, an Aurora Curtain suddenly appeared as someone leaped out of it. He looked around as he held an unknown object tight.
"Che, look at this joker." One person shouted as a random civilian, clearly a couple of thugs, wearing a Battle City Duel Disk laughed. "Hey buddy! The cosplay convention's that way!"
"Boss, think that guy's got some kind of fancy toy with him." Another thug observed.
"Heh, how about you hand that over and we'll just pass on by?" The head thug laughed, pointing towards the object in hand.
"Tsk, I don't have time for this." He sighed before gripping the device and placing it on his wrist.
Immediately, the screen on the device read aloud DUEL MODE and created an insect wing-like energy blade, alongside a Deck slot.
"What the-" The thug leader said, before the user drew two cards and slapped it on the energy blade of his Duel Disk, summoning an unknown monster.
"Sic'em…"
*SLASH!*
When the head thug fell to the ground, headless, and blood pooling out of the body, his goons ran away in terror before the unknown Duelist… and a huge golden insect monster hunching over.