Carl's POV

It's been a day since I went with Yuya on that duel with Aura, but I couldn't help but being a bit distant from Yuya don't get me wrong I know that he doesn't like her like that, I know...is just the jealousy that I felt in that moment it was just a hug I shouldn't be jealous for small harmless things like hugging anyone can hug each other with consent obviously, I'm so lame.

"You're sure you don't want to go..." I hear Fortune Lady Water asking me.

I sighed "Yeah... don't you remember the last few duels he had he was barely surviving his duels... Yuya can manage to keep himself strong without having me around if he did it with Reed, Pierre, and all those previous duels he faced, I'm sure that he can handle be alone in this final duel" I said to her. Yuzu did call me asking me if I'll come but I told her that I couldn't I just can't look at Yuya without wanting to kill anybody who touches him like Aura did.

"I see... yet you care about Yuya, huh?" Water then asked which I only nod as a response before hearing by Duel disk vibrating pretty sure is anyone, Which I'm sure they all went to Gong's Dojo and wondering if I'm coming so I decided to let it vibe as since I have nothing better to do, I went to do house shores doing the dishes Hanging the clean clothes, etc. 

I wipe my forehead from the sweat after being home alone I look at the clock and it says that is three and thirty, I sigh and get up and decided to have a walk around town.

"Hey you!" I hear someone calling I look around to find the source of the voice "yeah you the cute nerd looking one!" the voice continue as Carl looks front as he sees a young woman with light pink hair and pink and blue eyes running towards him. She wears a white top with gold buttons that clips to a black choker, as well as a loose pink and blue overcoat. She also wears a blue and white pleated skirt with a black vest around her waist, her camera attached at the hip, as well as black and blue boots and an archery glove on her right hand.

Third Person's POV

"Don't mind if we borrow you for a second, thank you!" she said before dragging Carl without letting him answer. as they arrived at a stadium and the girl drag him there as they arrived to where another female was sitting on the bench with bandages on her left ankle "Hey Stelle I brought a backup plan" the pink hair female stated.

The female who Carl heard her name is Stelle has grey hair and hazel-gold eyes. She wears a white inner shirt, a black short-sleeved jacket, and a black tight skirt.

She looks at the two and sighed "really March, you thought it was a good Idea to bring someone who we don't know to substitute me is a good Idea?" Stelle asked in which the pink hair female laughs nervously "were you Planning to!?" She angrily questioned. 

then a tall red hair female appeared "hey did you brought the sub?" she asked.

"Himeko did you approve to this?" Stelle asked with disbelief.

the red hair female nodded "yes come on we don't have time we have five minutes to perform" she informed as she walks backstage.

Carl's eyes widen "P-Perform?" Carl questioned with panic before being dragged again.

Stell sighed at the scene "Now I feel sorry for the guy, hope he knows Korean" she said to herself.

-time skip-

Carl now in disguised as Stelle when you see him you can't even tell that is Carl 'good thing I was using contacts' he thought he looks at himself and admire the outfit 'Is actually not bad if I'm honest' I thought.

then Carl hears the door open, and he sees a tall young woman walking in the room "Hello I'm here to meet Stell's substitute before the performance" she said before seeing the performance from Carl's duel disk "I see that you're a duelist, sorry where are my manners. I'm Karina but everyone calls me Kafka which is my stage name, I'm the lead rapper and leader of Trailblaze, and I can tell you never heard of us " she introduces herself.

Kafka is described as being very beautiful and charming—a young woman with red wine-colored hair that she ties in a messy ponytail with two loose bangs hanging on either side of her face. Her eyes are of a similar, lighter color, and she wears dark pince-nez sunglasses on top of her head along with a pearl earring in her right ear. She wears a white dress shirt along with a black jacket that hangs off her shoulders. There's a silver butterfly pin on its left lapel, and on the back, there is a large, spider-like pattern in the center, along with webs on both shoulders and a burgundy inside. There are also wine-colored straps with golden accents on both her jacket and thighs, and gloves of a similar shade. She wears black, high waisted shorts and nylon tights, with a thigh garter on her right leg. She also wears black boots with two different lengths: the right goes over her knee, while the left goes slightly over her ankle.

"Is nice to meet you, I'm Carl Carmine" he said.

"Oh, you're that kid that my cousin, David has been non-stop talking about" she said.

"David talked about me?" he questioned as Kafka nodded.

"He did he was amazed that he met someone who was able to defeat him in a duel" she then said, "You're ready?" she then asked Carl.

Carl shrugged "with all honesty I'm scared, I used to have stage fright, although I'd faced it, is just I'm not used to be in front of thousands of people" he admits.

Kafka smile and petted his head "don't focus on the people watching you, focus on yourself like you're singing to yourself when you're home alone, got it?" she advice the younger male who nodded.

"I'll keep that in mind thank you Kafka" he said as she nods and walks out which then Carl then noticed the missed call from Yuya 'I'll talk to you later, Yuya...I promise' he thought before walking out of the changing room and meets up with Himeko, March, and Kafka taking a deep breath.

"Nervous?" Himeko asked the disguised male.

"I'd be lying if I say no" he responded.

March looks up at him with a smile "don't worry too much about making mistakes, the fans will think that is part of the choreography no one but us knows" she assures Carl.

"What March's trying to say is...have fun, and don't forget what I told you in the changing room, Carl" Kafka said as Carl sighed again but this time more relaxed.

"Thanks guys...I needed that" he said.

the three girls nodded at Carl before getting to position as then they were risen up.

"Now give it up for TRAILBLAZE!" they hear someone shouting as the fan cheered.

Kafka grabs her mic and places it in front of her face "Paradise City, are you ready!?" she asked as the crowd cheered louder as the music started.

(A/N: Brunette: March, Blonde: Stelle(Carl), Short: Kafka, Braids: Himeko)

https://youtu.be/_yo6S8O72RM

when they finished the crowd went silent before they burst in to cheering as the four performers were then send down from the stage

Carl falls on his knees and sighed with relief "Man that was something" he said.

March tackles him to a hug "you did awesome!" she cheered as the real Stelle walks up to them with crutches.

"Not bad Carl, thanks for saving our butts out there" she then said.

Carl smiled at her "means a lot, that was really something out of my comfort zone, and the fact that I manage to learn a whole choreography in one day is tougher that it sounds" he confessed.

"You should do more performing like this even thought I could tell you have other plans" Kafka said which Carl nodded.

"Yeah, I do have other plans in mind, but I have a feeling this is not the last time I do something like this" he said.

Himeko nods "well then you better get going then" she said.

Carl nodded back "yeah" he said before bowing to the four girls "thank you for the opportunity" he said before leaving to change and leaves the stadium.

As Carl was walking home, he's walking pass Gong's Dojo... since he know that Yuya and the others are probably there cheering for Yuya but in secret.

"Yuya there are going to be times when you won't have anyone around just remember than even in the distance, I'll be cheering for you" he muttered before continuing walking home.

"Hey is Carl!" the Raven-color hair male hears Sora's voice before he stops walking and slowly turns around and stares at them for a moment Carl sighed and turn away and walks off.

'I'm sorry, but I can't face you right now' he thought.

"Carl, wait!" Carl's eyes widen hearing Yuya's voice and tries to run off but was stopped when he torso wrapped by a pair of arms "Don't go! I can't bear to have another day with you avoiding me, since our duel with Aura" he said.

Carl feels guilty for avoiding Yuya as he slowly turns around again "I'm sorry, is just... I was jealous and insecure, although I shouldn't be, but I was... I couldn't steal the spotlight from you because you have to be the one to finish the duel..." he explained.

Yuya looks up at Carl "You were...jealous?" he questioned.

Carl nodded "I tried to avoid the fact of being jealous by distancing myself, but I only made it worse from Jealous to lonely" he explained.

Yuya pull Carl down as he hugs Carl again but this time his arms are over his shoulders "I'm sorry you were feeling like that, I thought you didn't like me anymore" he admits.

Carl slowly hugs him back "I'm sorry for making you think of me like that" he said.

Yuya smiled and buries his face on Carl's shoulder "I'm glad I get one of my best friends back" he said.

Carl's eyes widen and smile forcefully "Yeah... me too" he replied.

-meanwhile-

Yuzu, Skip, Tate, Allie, Frederick, Yoko, Gong, and Sora facepalmed 'He did not friend-zoned Carl' they all thought.

-at LID-

David's POV

I'm currently in De's office and Claude walk in the office "it's confirmed, Yuya Sasaki, and Carl Carmine are qualified to enter the Junior Arc Leage tournament" Claude said which I get excited to know that my rival's going to participate.

"Good, now all the duelist, I wanted to qualify are participating" De said.

Claude nods "Yes sir, and regarding the Leo institute students Julia Krystal, Kit Blade and Dipper O'rion" he responded.

De looks at Claude "were you able to accomplish what I requested" he asked, which is something I didn't know.

"Yes, the procedure we performed was a complete success" Claude. informed.

"Procedure?" I questioned as I looked at De who wasn't looking at me before I look back at Claude.

"Those three won't remember who Shay and Melo are or anything they did" Claude explained.

"So basically, you give them amnesia?" I questioned "Isn't that too much?" I asked De who didn't respond "Declan" I called him, but he didn't reply, I sighed since there's no point in talking to him.

"Good, now Shay will be able to participate in the Championship with a clean slate, I was planning of getting Melo to participate as well but he's nowhere to be found, I could tell that he was holding back, just like Carl Carmine" De said "and We'll find out what's he truly capable off the same with them. We'll see which duelists are worthy to fight for the future of our world" he said.

I got up and looked at De "I'll be heading out, De" I told him before heading out.

"Not without a goodbye kiss?" he asked me.

"You don't get to have one, wiping someone's memories is very awful even if is for good intentions" I said before I leave "goodbye Claude" I said while walking out of the office.

-time skip-

Carl's POV

We're gather outside of You Show with Skip.

"Sure, we only have seven students here at You Show School, but what we lack in numbers we make up with guts. I knew you kids were talented, but who'd have guessed that you all qualify for the Arc League Championship" Skip said as I push up my glasses and look away when I see Skip getting too emotional "here's the proudest moment of my dueling career, let's bring it-" he said before I cut him off.

"Hey, Skip uhm...I didn't mean to interrupt your proud father moment, but can you please explain about the beeline for the arena?" I asked before he looked at me and nodded. 

"Sure thing Carl I was getting there" he responded, "but first let's have a quick refresher, as you may remember will be sectioned off into three different age brackets, beginning with the youth division, that's where Tate, Allie, and Frederick are competing" Skip explained which the mentioned nodded in understanding "While Yuya, Yuzu, Sora, and Carl are competing in the Junior division" he said as Yuya, Yuzu, Sora and I nodded while Sora still licking his lollipop "Unless you're asleep for the past decade, you know that these league championship are a titanic deal! of course, all the top duel schools will be represented by their best and brightest, including the LID, but there will also be incredible duelists from across the globe, so this is our chance to show the world that You show's duel-taining style of combat is the best!" Skip then said, "You've all been terrific teammates to each other" Skip finished.

"Yeah, but once we walk into the arena...it's every duelist for themselves" I then said before looking at Yuya, Yuzu and Sora "so don't be surprised if any of us will end up being each other's opponent" I then warned them who then looked at each other and nod as well, the youngsters looked at each other and nodded determinedly.

As I look at Skip who seemed to be having a inner monologue I sighed as I dragged him in the bus, and we drove off but surprisingly not really surprising...the bus stopped... because we'd realized...Yuya's not in the bus... I like Yuya, but how the fuck though?

-time skip-

I only sit chilling in the lobby only to be approached by Yuzu and the others "Carl have you seen Yuya?" Yuzu asked me.

I shook my head "If only I knew where he could have gone to, I could have told you guys immediately" I responded.

"Now what Yuzu we asked Sora earlier" Allie asked Yuzu.

I got up and petted Allie's head "don't worry I'm for sure Yuya will arrive, for that I'm sure" I assure her.

"No problem" A familiar voice is heard as we look over and we see Aura standing there.

"Aura!" Yuzu stated shocked to see her here, honestly same.

Aura looks at me with a small smug only for me to notice "If my boyfriend's lost then I'll be one to find him" she said only for me to glare.

"What do you mean...boyfriend?" I hear Yuzu asking as she gets surrounded by a fire-like aura which flinches the others.

"Yuzu Chill out!" Tate tells the pink hair female.

"Uh guys Yuzu's not the only one" Frederick stated while pointing at me.

Aura happily gasped "I know where Yuya is! Oh, I'm having a vision of him right now, he's talking to my parents asking them to take me out Oh mommy and Daddy say yes!" She stated making me twitch my eyes 

"I'll be happy to take you out right now with one whack!" Yuzu said.

'She's so lucky if she's a female because if she wasn't I'll-' I thought before I get called out

"Carl help us with Yuzu!" Tate called me out as I place a hand on Yuzu's.

"Yuzu...put the fan...down" I slowly tell her as Yuzu lowers her giant fan 'Even if I do want you to kick her ass, I don't want you to get disqualified for it' I added in my mind.

-time skip-

Finally, Yuya arrived and ran to me and buries his face on my pecs "I'm sorry I'm late!" he apologized with his face between my pecs.

I petted his head "Is okay Yuya, I did had a feeling that you need time to reflect, although I was worried at first, but I couldn't help but feel trust and believe that you'll be able to arrive also Yuzu's going to whoop your ass for doing something like this without telling anyone or answering everyone's calls" I explained which I could tell that he flinched as he hugged me tighter.

"We better get moving, we don't want to be late, Carl" he tells me.

I sighed "Wait, Yuya aren't we supposed to meet up with Yuzu and the others?" I asked him as I follow behind him and quickly pulls him back close to me when Yuya's about to get bumped into a taller guy who seem bulky like Gong.

"Careful, Yuya you almost bumped into this guy" I told Yuya as the guy turns around.

"Watch where your waddling small fry" he said.

Yuya's eyes widened to see who it is "Grizzlepike" Yuya stated.

Grizzlepike appears as a tall and muscular young man with a build comparable to that of Gong. He wears a pair of blue pants and what appears to be a red sash on his abdomen, with a purple shirt with thick pauldrons along a blue jacket. Noteworthy he also wears a pair of steel bracers and sandals.

"I'm shocked, that you didn't decide to hide tailed out of the championship just like your wimpy old man did" he said to Yuya as I frown and about to walk up to them, but I was stopped by Yuzu who shook her head at me.

"I think is best not to get involved" she said to me.

I look back at the two as I see Gong walking up from behind Grizzlepike I sighed because she was right, I can't get myself involve so much or else Yuya will lose his shine as the Protagonist.

"What you say?" Yuya questioned not liking what he's been told one bit.

"I still can't figure out how the son of a despicable coward beat sledgehammer" the taller male asked.

Sora looks at Tate "who's he?" he asked.

Tate looks back "Don't know" he responded

"Grizzlepike Jones, Yuya's childhood bully" I explained as Tate and Sora looked at me shocked, I then poke Yuzu's shoulder who then looks at me "Yuzu...May I borrow your Fan?" I asked with a smile.

"No!" Yuzu, Tate, Allie, and Sora replied immediately.

"Shivers!" Frederick chanted.

I shrug "worth to try" I muttered.

'True' I hear Fortune Lady Dark reply.

"Most Sakakis aren't worthy of Dueling in this stadium now how about I show you and your lousy cards where the exit is" Grizzlepike said trying to poke Yuya.

That lit something in me as I can feel my eye flashing a bit "that's it, I'm not standing with arms crossed" I said as I walk up to the two and slaps the taller male's hand away "keep your hands to yourself, buddy" I warned him.

"Carl!" Yuya called me.

I looked at Yuya "is he bothering you?" I asked him.

"Back off Grizzlepike!" Gong's voice is heard as he places his hand on the other tall male shoulder.

"Gong!" Yuya stated.

I smirked "about time you show up" I said.

"Ha you're still this shrimp's bodyguard-AAAH!" I cut Grizzlepike off by grabbing his hand and twisted it behind his back.

"I would rather be careful on who you're calling a shrimp if I were you" I warn him "You're nothing but a dog who's all bark but no bite, this is your first and final warning from me, You wouldn't like me when I'm fully angry" I added before letting him go which he hold his wrist and glares at me "which is why we're in this championship in the first place, let's just let our decks do the rest of he talking" I said before Grizzlepike leaves.

'Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh! Let me at him too!' I heard Fire cheering completely fire up about the tournament can't blame her, is in her name.

"The Opening Ceremony will kick off shortly, All Duelist please take your places behind your team Banners" the voice said before I decided to leave Gong and Yuya have their talk while I get ready for the entrance.

I push up my glasses, but I get called out by someone.

"Excuse me are you Carl Carmine by any chance?" a woman in a suit asked.

I nodded "I am?"

"Good, Divin requested me to get you, please follow me" she said.

"David wants to see me?" I questioned myself, as I follow the woman.

-time skip-

Third Person's POV

"Greetings to my fellow dueling fanatic both near and far! The day we've been yearning for has arrived as we flip the on switch for this year's Arc League Championship. My name is Nico's smiley and I'm thrilled to be your Opening Ceremony host from coast to coast! So let the Arc league Championship, begin!" Nico smiley announces as the crowd begins to cheer.

https://youtu.be/WFkZjTCxVPc

Meanwhile Yuya was looking around "hey have you guys see Carl?"

Yuzu looks at him "Some random woman in a suit call him and wanted him for something, I didn't catch up what she wanted him for" she explained.

on the set they see a Tall tanned man with no shirt wearing a jean jacket pops up from the stage and begins to rap 

Moving too fast, life is moving in slow-mo
I'm a God, better ask if you don't know
Homie, better put your pride aside
I'm a Benz and you're more like a Volvo
Your best stuff looks like my worst
Synapses fire and burst
Got the whole crew with me.
'Bout to deal damage, you know we ain't average.

I ain't gonna say this again but this is my time
Better look in my eyes, I'm a genius in disguise
Wear my heart on my sleeve
And you forced to oblige to a king in his primeEverybody get in line
Sit back, watch the stars align
I finesse live my life on the line!
Was a diamond in the rough and now I shine!

The guy point to the side and Shows David sitting on a ring as the crowd cheered louder as Declan watches with a smirked from where he's sitting Henrietta seemed a bit surprised that David's involved in the opening performance now realizing the reason why David won't be competing in the tournament.

David: Ay, no one can stop us, they'll try but they won't.
Ay, nothing's gonna stop us now, oh, no!

We're wide awake now, our eyes are wide open,
We're running this world, we keeping it turning,
We're living like giants, yeah, giants,
We're bigger than giants, we giants, oh!

David/& ???: Sleeping giants.
Sleeping, sleeping giants, yah

The You Show kids were caught off guard hearing a third voice over David's meaning thar they are making their appearance but when they're trying to find them the source of the voice is now where to be seen.

???: Shutting it down, been underground.
Now my people all up in this place
Spinning this thing, gold on my ring,
Royalty up in my veins.
I'm loco, think I'm so cold,
I stay stunting, ain't no goin' back,
Now they ask where the actions at?
I'm like, you can't hang with that.

everyone went silent as they see someone wearing a black cloak as they take off the cloak revealing to be Carl wearing a tight sleeveless crop top marking Carl's pecs and orange leather jacket over the top, he wears white ripped jeans and orange combat boots surprising everyone from You Show, Nico, Gong, and Declan.

"Carl!?" they questioned with shock seeing Carl on stage.

'So that's your surprise Dove?' Declan thought before chuckling.

"You know Declan...Your boyfriend is a lot of surprises" she said.

Declan nodded "I told you he's amazing" he said while seeing what Carl's gonna do.

Carl grabs the mic, and the music starts playing.

Carl: 쏟아져 빛이 멀게 돼 눈이
멈추진 않아 once we go
날카로운 날로 뭐든 베어
빨리 달려 넌 못따라 와
True damage, we do it
True damage 보여줄게 뭐든 쉽게
이기든지든
My crew make the beat drop.

Ay, no one can stop us, they'll try but they won't.
Ay, nada nos puede parar, oh, no!

"What Language is that!?" Allie questioned with shock.

"I think he raped in Korean and at the end he sang a bit of Spanish" Tate explained.

"Shivers!" Frederick stated.

David walks up to Carl and they both begin to sing the chorus together while they vibe the song making two certain duelists turn their faces red at their movements.

David & Carl: We're wide awake now, our eyes are wide open,
We're running this world, we keeping it turning,
We're living like giants, yeah, giants,
We're bigger than giants, we giants.
Ya thought that we were weak but we coming right back,
This time ya gonna see how we do it like that,
We're living like giants, yeah, giants,
We're bigger than giants, we giants.
Sleeping giants
Sleeping, sleeping giants

The two walks off stage as they were finishing singing the Chorus. As the same rapper from earlier jumped into the stage as the words Xander appeared behind him as he starts rapping again.

Xander: I keep on shattering time,
I might just leave you behind,
Homie, you stuck on rewind,
You should quit sleeping on mines,
You got your back on recline,
When I damage your delicate spine
Please don't act all shy and surprised.

They be like, they be like, what you mean?
What is your winning scheme?
I got a giant team, big as my self-esteem,
Run it back, run it back, running man,
They think they go hard, I'm like, come again,
You ran out of time when I'm bustin' in while you stumbling,
I got these cards in my hand for your punishment.

David and Carl run back to the stage as they sing while Xander vibed with the other two males.

David & Carl: We're wide awake now, our eyes are wide open,
We're running this world, we keeping it turning,
We're living like giants, yeah, giants,
We're bigger than giants, we giants.Ya thought that we were weak but we coming right back,
This time ya gonna see how we do it like that,
We're living like giants, yeah, giants,
We're bigger than giants, we giants.Sleeping giants,
Sleeping, sleeping giants.

The Crowd erupted with cheers and the duelists who were watching the performance applauded.

Meanwhile Shay who was with the other Duelist 'Carl's like Melo...yet so different at the same time' he thought.

David makes gestures to Xander and narrow his eyes to Carl who the tall, tanned man nodded understanding what the blonde meant as both he and David made gestures to the crowd to cheer for Carl louder which the crowd did as the raven hair male was caught off guard as he received a standing ovation from the crowd.

-Meanwhile-

Yuzu watched the moment as Carl shyly waved and bowed and waves at the crowd as he leaves the stage.

"Wow, who would've thought that Carl could sing like that, do you think Yuya...Yuya?" she turned toward Yuya who's on the ground with a pink face, hearts in his eyes, and nose bleeding.

"S-So hot" he muttered as Yuzu sweat dropped.

'And you friend zoned him about a week ago' she thought.

-little time skip-

Carl's POV

I quickly changed my clothes managed to catch up with Yuya and the others as they were about to make their entrance.

"I made it" I said as they all smiled brightly at me which I sweat drop "was it bad?" I asked for no reason.

"That was amazing!" they all stated as I smiled nervously.

I chuckled nervously "t-thanks" I shyly replied.

"Walking to the spotlight our students from that small training facility for dueltainers You Show Duel School!" the announcer said as the crowd cheered.

Yoko and skip where cheering like crazy and by them, I mean Mostly Skip

"This crowd has its radar screen tuned to You Show's Yuya Sakaki His Pendulum summoning has become the talk of the dueling world, I expected to see him unleash it early on in this tournament, and Carl Carmine since he stole the show hearts of fans with the opening performance along with Xander and Divin!" the Announcer said as I notice Yuya staring at Declan who stares back a him I decided to get his attention by tapping his shoulder.

"don't mind him, Yuya" I said as we get to the positions.

-small time skip after the speech-

After Yuya's speech Nico continued on explaining on finding out who are our first opponents. I pull out the cards Nico told us to put into my duel disk. Yuya seemed to be confused about it, but I didn't need to explain anything because Yuzu explained to him.

once I inserted my duel disk... it shows... Aura?

I look over at the others, I see that Yuzu's Facing Julia, Yuya will face Sylvio tomorrow, and Sora...oh God he's facing Shay also tomorrow.

"And You Carl who are you facing?" Yuya asked.

I look at the disk "Aura" I said.

"Aura!?" they repeated as they all look at the screen of my duel disk That's good to know..