A/N: Thank you for the 1k reads.

Melo's POV

I was wondering around the city still in no sight on anyone from the resistance, couldn't find Yuto or Shay...man why does it happen to us? but I can't give up I have to continue on finding them.

-meanwhile-

Carl's POV

After we made it home Yuya asked me if he could come over for dinner since his mom will be out of town for a bit, but she won't be back until later tonight, we both don't know why though, I told him that he could come, just not to tell Sora, since he's probably finishing his duel. Well, I'm not used to cook for two people but is a start the first and last time I did was with Dad he said that my cooking was good almost thought that Mom was the one who cooked... Well, I guess being good at cooking runs in the mother side of the family speaking of family I found a book that I think is mom's family recipe book and most of them are Hispanic food and some Asian food I guess I'm half Hispanic well at least both lives have something in common. I decided to make some just a simple curry but with yellow rice with pigeon peas just to mix both cultures in a way so I'm not that good with creativity, but I can try.

-little time skip-

Once I'm almost finishing cooking, I hear the door knocking I lower the stove's heat and walk to the door and open it and then I see Yuya smiling at me which I give him back a small one 

"Hey welcome, come in" I said as Yuya walks in

"Your house seems nice" he said as he takes off his shoes.

I closed the door "thanks...Did you let your mom, know?" I then asked him.

"he nodded yeah, she told me that I might have to stay the night here since she probably won't be home till morning" he explained as he places his bag down "h-hope you don't mind" he said nervously.

I shook my head "not at all I would like that, I just have to take a call my parents since apparently they have to stay in work overnight... apparently their work has been tight these days from the upcoming attacks" I said.

"Speaking of jobs what your parents work at?" Yuya asked.

"Oh, he's a police officer and Mom's a hospital nurse" I replied.

"And they trust you enough to be home alone?" he asks me again.

"I took self-defense classes and can cook, speaking of cook take a seat I'm sure dinner is done by now" I said While walking back to the kitchen to check on the food and it looks magnificent, I begin to set the plates and place them on the dining table. 

"Well here you go" I said.

we both clap our hands together "Itadakimasu!" we both said. 

I took a bite of my own plate and my eyes widened with shock "Wow this is good" I said to myself.

"Wow...I think I'm in love..." I heard Yuya saying. 

I looked at him "what?" I questioned.

"What?" he repeated.

"Nevermind" I said as we continued eating our dinner once we finished, I took the plate, but Yuya grabs his.

"I-I'll help you" he offers.

I felt butterflies tackling my stomach heating that "Y-You don't have to, Yuya" I said to him.

"But I want to, you did the same for me" he said which I smiled and agree as we both washed out plates and let them dry.

"I'll take you to the guestroom" I said as we both walk towards the guestroom door "here you go" I said with a smile.

Yuya smiled "Thanks" he said as he walked in and looks at the scene with awe.

"Is pretty nice" he said before noticing the tv screen.

I smiled "thanks, it took us a half hour to set each room up if you count the bed set" I explained.

Yuya sits on the bed "is really comfortable" he said.

"Isn't your bed comfortable?" I asked.

Yuya pouts at me "that's not what I meant" he said.

I chuckled "I'm messing with you, thanks" I said sincerely.

"My room is a cross from this room if you need anything else and the bathroom is right next door" I explained as I went to my room and changed to my pajamas and I decided to check on my duel cards I have a feeling that the league is going to be big.

-little time skip- 

Curse my insomnia waking me up in the middle of the night, well that's not really the case I only woke up this early because I needed to use the bathroom. As I walk out of the bathroom, I was gonna go to the kitchen and get a glass of water, but I stopped my tracks when I heard groaning in the guest room could be something wrong with Yuya, was it Zarc I walk to the guest room, and I see Yuya rolling around the bed sweating that's when my eyes widen with shock realizing Yuya was having a nightmare.

-meanwhile in a dream-

Yuya's POV

I couldn't see anybody I was alone in the dark but suddenly the scene changes revealing to be some sort of Church and weird animal markings decorated in the church I see a man in black and pale white lining robe walking by me with a Dagger as I see him walking towards a table who there's a person who I kind of find it somewhat familiar. his hair black his eyes were close I couldn't say what color they are, what he's wearing is a somewhat revealing outfit, to be he wore an outfit which consisted of a black robe that was accented with orange stripes, leaving out a midriff, black fingerless gloves, a booty short that reveals most of his thigh along with a long cape which he unusually wore on the waist line and black boots.

The man in black and White pulls out a card that I'd never seen before "Now rise Earthbound Immortal Hhragyt!" the man stated (Pronounce Heragyht.) I look around and I see Yuzu, and the others there while as they screamed in agony while they turned into light, and they flew to a giant stone that is floating in the air as it glows brightly and "time for you to join them, Carl Carmine."

My eyes widen with shock and disbelief as the man raises the dagger, I tried to run but I was tackled by a few people trying to stop me from getting close.

"CARL WAKE UP! YOU HAVE TO WAKE UP! CARL!" I screamed as the man swing down the dagger to him before everything turned dark.

-dream ended-

"Yuya, wake up!" I hear Carl's voice echoing as I woke up, but I bolted up and panted heavily feeling the sweat rolling down my face "Yuya, is okay, is okay, you had a nightmare" I slowly turned my head and see Carl in front of me I couldn't help but burst into tears and I hug him tightly while burring my face to his chest so that he couldn't see my face "Yuya..." I heard his voice again but this time more calmly like he did back at You-show after Leo institute left I could feel a hand on my chin and forces me to look up and Carl looks at me in the eyes with his mesmerizing silver-ish grey eyes now that I see his face I'd realize that he's not wearing his glasses "Want to talk about it?" he asked me.

I blush and look down "I-is uh...hard to explained...but all I can say that it was terrifying...you were there, everyone was there as hostage as some dude is making a sacrificial cult that involved...I-Involved...killing you!" I cried again feeling Carl pulling me to a warm embrace once again I don't know why but... I really enjoy his warm hugs and wise words...damn it Carl what are you doing to me!? 

"Is okay Yuya, I don't want you to overthink it...if it didn't happen, it didn't happen, I'm still here...is going to need more than a cult to get rid of me" he said which I felt secured but feeling him letting go of me, but I stopped him,

"p-please... I don't want to be alone, right now" I said.

"do you want me to stay?" he asked me which I only nodded as a reply as he moves to the side and lays down next to me as I shyly wraps my arms around him again as I feel his hand on my lower back, I rested my head on his chest listening to his heartbeat as I am feeling more relaxed and safer in his arms. Maybe Yuzu was right I think I'm falling in love with Carl.

"Better?" Carl asked which I hummed and nodded "good... now sleep Yuya" he said as we both went to fall asleep; I really wish we could stay like this forever.

-the next day-

Carl's POV

I woke up and see Yuya still on me sleeping peacefully which in my opinion I find it funny because I thought I'd be woken up by loud snores which he did snored but weren't loud enough for me to wake up, And I'd never see Yuya as the...possessive type. I slowly get out of bed without waking up Yuya as I went to the kitchen and makes some pancakes since I can tell that he loves pancakes. I giggled to myself as I pulls out the ingredients and a fried pan before start cooking.

Once I finished cooking, I hears the door opening I was for sure Yuya woke up.

"I smell pancakes" he said half-sleepy which I find it adorable.

I giggled silently "that's right Yuya, I'd made pancakes" I explained as Yuya looks at the table with stars in his eyes.

"Wow they look amazing!" he said with awe which I sweat drop but laugh it off.

"Is just pancakes, but thanks" I said as we both went and sit down and eat the pancakes.

Yuya looks swooned by the flavor "Wow Carl, you're really a good cook" he said.

I laughed "thanks, I think we have to head to You Show after this, right?" I then asked.

"Yeah..." he responded as he looks at the plate with now half of the pancake.

I knew what is it about "Still thinking about that duel with Declan?" I asked which he nodded.

"Declan Akaba, he really surprised me" Yuya said.

I nodded "I can tell, David usually tells me how incredible Declan is when it comes to dueling" I told him.

Yuya then looks at me "David? do you guys...hang out" he asked trying to hide his jealousy.

I shrug "not often when you were dueling with Reed I happened to meet with David in the nearby cafe" I explained.

I heard a small groan from him "I see..." he said.

I want to light up the mood as I got up "Okay, I'm going to change I'll see you in a bit" I said as I was about to leave

"Carl wait" he said as I stop and turn my head to him and tilted my head "Uh...can you see without your glasses?"

I shrugged "well I can see you clearly because you're closer enough for me to see you but every around you is blurry but I know my house like is in the palm of my hand" I explained before walking back to my room and changed my pajamas into my Carly inspired outfit the white and cerulean stripped long shirt and orange vest blue jeans and orange converse shoes.

I walked out of the room as I see Yuya at the door putting his shoes on "Hey Carl, I'm gonna head out early I needed to talk with Skip about something" he tells me.

"Does it have to do with improving your Pendulum summoning?" I asked him which he nodded "then who am I to stop you... just be careful, kay?" I warn him.

He nodded as he grabbed his bag "I will, and also... thanks for letting me stay the night" he said as I nod back.

"No problem at all, also I might not be able to join you today, I'm curious and see how Sora and Yuzu are doing I heard that Sora's having his fifth match today, according to her" I explained.

Yuya nodded "alright, don't get into trouble" he said.

I laugh "I should be the one telling you that" I said before we both walked out of the house and went off to our respective ways, and I decided to text Yuzu about her address which I got a immediate response from her which I ran up to a... theater?

I see Yuzu and Sora walking out and they noticed me "Hey Carl, you showed up, you missed the duel though?" Sora said.

"is okay, can't blame you though since you're quite far from where I was" I explained before looking at Sora "so that's means only one duel to win, right?" I asked him.

Sora nodded "yeah! Yuzu here's fully understanding in when to fusion summon" he explained.

"Oh really? that's great! that also mean that I have to start taking you serious if we ever duel" I said looking at the pink hair female which she laughed nervously.

"You don't have to make that big of the deal" she said rubbing the back of her head.

-little time skip-

As we were walking to where I believe is where Yuzu and Sora trained for Yuzu to mastered fusion summoning Yuzu was telling Sora about fluffal bear but he should've used Leo instead

Sora then looks at me "Hey Carl how about have a practice duel you and I, you did beat six duelists in a row" he said.

I sweat drop before I could even answer someone else beat me to it "Julia?" I heard Yuzu muttering as Sora, and I look front, and we see Julia standing there facing us.

"Hey... Her name is Julia, right?" I asked looking at Yuzu who nodded.

"I want answers what do you three know about what's going on in Paradise City?" She then asked.

"What are you talking about?" Yuzu asked back.

I sighed "I guess she's still sour about the attacks that some of the LID people had faced" I explained to Yuzu.

"Attack what kind of attacks?" Yuzu then asked me.

Before I could answer Julia beat me to it "the victims are all connected to the Leo Institute, but nobody knows what's been happening to them or why because they all disappeared" she explained.

"They disappeared?" Yuzu repeated as I frown and nodded.

"Sylvio told us about it the other day" I reminded her.

"Yeah, every one of them from some of the top team members to Professor Maco, too" Julia explained as I can see the anger and frustration in her eyes for not being able to do anything to help "They were all attacked and they're all gone, and I know who's behind these attacks and so do you...Carl Carmine!" she stated glaring at me which I looked at her unfazed "Now tell me where he is, you must know where he is!" Julia demanded. 

"With all honesty Julia I feel sorry about what your institution has to face, but one thing that is for sure is that I have nothing to do with this" I said to her.

"But you dueled him" she said making my eyes widen a bit.

'How did she know that?' I questioned. 

'I wish I knew the answer' Fire replied.

"If I captured him then I could have stopped all the attacks it was you, Carl! You and Yuzu the one who let him get away!" she stated pointing at me angrily.

"Okay you can blame me as much as you want but leave Yuzu out of this" I responded defending my pink haired friend.

"Stop with the lies, Carmine! Professor Marco has always been there for me, and I have to make sure he always will be it's my turn to help him, I don't care what it takes I have to find him!" Julia stated with angry tears begins to wield up her eyes "Tell me where Professor Marco is!" she demanded once more.

"Even if I do know where he could be, he'll be on a move to a new hiding place, besides I don't even know his name" I did lie that last part, because I have a odd feeling that there's someone nearby 'Shay?' I questioned in my thoughts before being interrupted by Julia.

"If you won't tell me then I have to duel the truth out of you!" She stated as she pulls out her duel disk from her holster.

Oh, just in case if you guys don't know what Julia looks like Julia is a teenage girl with dark skin tone, shoulder-length black hair and red eyes. She wears a small blue shirt with her LID badge pinned on it over a cream one-piece long-sleeved shirt and shorts combination with black skin-tight shorts underneath ending above the knee, and blue boots. She carries her Duel Disk in a brown holster resembling that for a firearm.

"You don't have anything to worry about, Yuzu you're more than ready to take her down, you can beat her easy, trust me" I heard Sora saying to Yuzu.

"You want me to duel her? but she's challenging Carl" Yuzu said.

"Sure, just a minute ago you said you wanted to try your new skills out in a real battle, well your chance" he tells her which Yuzu looks down hesitantly.

"You can't defeat me. Don't you remember how I picked you apart the last time we dueled" she reminded Yuzu.

"Hey, don't you dare look down on her like that, sure you did beat her last time but that doesn't mean that you can beat her again, a duel is a game with multiple ways to play your cards, Yuzu may have been the unlucky one then but I for believe that she's more capable in become a better version of herself...and you Julia...Watch" I said as Yuzu looked at me with awe

"What's so different?" she asked me. 

"She's not intimidated by you like she was before not since I explained to her how pathetic Leo institute Fusion summon curriculum is" Sora answered for me which Julia didn't like that.

"You dirty little... You just insulted Professor Marco who taught me fusion summoning, now you'll pay!" she spoke.

"I'm gonna crush you first, then Carl and Yuzu" she threatened Sora who seemed unbothered.

"I don't think so Jules after you lose to me I doubt you'll have the guts to duel them" Sora taunted.

"Sora" I warned him.

"I'll show you guts when I'm through with you, you'll wish you never mess with the Leo Institute" Julia stated.

"Really? do I have to remind you who I defeated in my duel" I asked her.

"Did you say you're from the Leo Institute?" I heard Shay's voice as I gasped.

"Shit" I cursed.

I look back and I see Yuzu on the ground with her duel disk and cards on the ground as Shay ran pass them as Sora dodged and I only slide to the left I look at Sora "Sora take Yuzu out of here I have a bad feeling" I tell the cerulean boy.

"What about you?" he asked me

I shake my head "I want to be sure that my friends are safe when it happens, I'll catch up with you guys" I explained as Sora looked at me hesitantly "Is going to be okay, I promise" I assured him which Sora sighed and went to check on Yuzu as I look back at Shay "And what's with you?"

"If you're one of them, I'll battle you-" Shay before I cut him off with a duel card on his face.

"Hey, this is my duel, my problem" I said as Shay looks at me he looked shocked.

"M-Melo!?" he asked since I can tell by the tone of his voice that he's shocked to see me.

I sighed and shook my head "My name is Carl" I explained.

"h-how do you-" Shay was about to asked before I cut him off.

"Let me deal with her, you get out of here while you have the chance, tell Yuto too" I said.

"Yuto?" I heard Yuzu and Sora questioned.

"I'll explain in another time, go!" I yelled at Sora and Yuzu which they look hesitant. 

"Did You say Melo!?" I hear Yuto's voice as he jumps down from one of the warehouse and lands next to us.

"Speaking of Yuto?" I said as Yuto looks at me.

"Where is Melo!?" He asked me I can tell that he's worried by his eyes.

"How can we be sure that he's telling us the truth?" Shay asked Yuto.

"I'm aware, Shay, but I can tell that he's not lying, just like him" Yuto said looking at him.

Before I could even say anything "HEY! YUTO!! SHAY!" Yuto and Shay's eyes widen and they snap their head toward my direction as I look back over my shoulder and I see Melo running out of the alleyway "I-I found you guys!"

"Melo!" both Shay and Yuto yelled as they both ran towards Melo 

I looked at them with a small smile as I see Shay and Yuto hug Melo which he hugs them back.

"Are you okay?" Yuto takes of his mouth cover.

"How you escape?" Shay also asked as he takes off his mask. 

Melo takes off his goggles "is a long story, but we must go somewhere where we can't be found, let's go" he said before I noticed Yuzu's bracelet begins to glow as I covered my sight and once the light faded Melo, Shay and Yuto were no longer in sight.

'damn...' I thought.

I Julia also noticed as Dipper and Kit then appeared with Yuya following behind them "Julia where is he?" Dipper asked her.

"Come on Let me at him!" Kit stated sounding like he's ready to fight anyone with the kendo stick that he always carried with him.

Julia looked at where the Trio Xyz users were standing with a shock expression "h-he's gone" she said without looking at her comrades.

Yuya and I decided to help Yuzu picking up her cards and duel disk and that includes her new Polymerization card she has and Yuya hands Yuzu her duel disk while I handed her deck. 

"Here there's the LID truck!" Dipper stated as Julia ran past us I look at Yuya and the others.

"We don't have any more business here, let's just focus on getting those last two matches to win Yuya, and you with your final Duel, Sora" I explained before the four of us then left without them noticing us leaving.

-Meanwhile-

Melo's POV

We're now stuck in a alley way as I heard Yu sighing "now where are we?" he asked himself.

"Some kind of random alleyway" Shay said before looking back at me "Melo, how did you get out where's Lulu?" he asked me

I looked down in sadness was taking over "I-I'm sorry...She...She saved me... but not herself, s-she let herself get caught before she could get out with me, she told me to keep going and find you guys... I-I'm so sorry you guys..." I apologized as I cried as I could feel the shock and sadness and anger from the both of them.

"Carmelo... please...look at me" I hear Yuto's voice gently as I slowly move my head and look at Yuto who slowly placed a hand on my face "you did everything you could" he tells me.

"I know...but it wasn't enough" I said hearing my voice breaking.

"But still Lulu did tell you to come and find us, right?" Yuto then asked me in which I nodded "Then is okay, you know that Lulu's a strong girl don't forget who was the one who taught you to trust others... regardless of where they came from..." he tells me.

"Y-Yuto-" I said before being cut off by Yuto pulling me down and he presses his lips on mine which my eyes widen with shock as he slowly pulls away.

"You used to be afraid of expressing yourself the last time you acted that way is when you told us that you were a Barian, and that you thought that we were going to see you differently, but still...you're still you Melo" Yuto looks at me with a warm smile as cupped my face with both hands this time "the Melo I'd fall in love with" he said which made my heart skip a beat.

"Yuto..." I said before smiling back at him as we both lean in for a kiss but we were interrupted by Shay who fake coughed.

"Okay lovebirds hate to interrupt your tender moment but don't make me feel single here" he said

"Don't worry Shay, I'm sure you'll find someone out there" I assured him which Shay laughed.

"Hope you're right because usually your gut feelings were never wrong" he said surely remembering the times he had before the whole invasion happened.

"I know..." I said as I look at Yuto before giving him a peck on the cheek before head off but Yuto hands me a mouth cover mask.

"So People don't get to see your face" he said as I nodded and take it and put it on before I felt pulled down again "just so you remember that only one person has assessed to use that mouth of yours for their...needs~" Yuto said in a dominant tone which it made me shivered and turn red before feeling his hand groping my ass which I yelped as he smirked and walked a head.

"S-Seriously i-in front of Shay" I questioned myself completely embarrassed.

'Don't deny it you know you love it' I heard a familiar Duel spirit which made me groan.

'You know I love you... but you are not helping me at all!' I responded annoyingly.