A,N: I am so sorry to all of you who has been waiting for the next chapter. I have had major blocks, and even had to ask for guidance for one of my good friends to make this chapter even getting up. So terribly sorry. Hopefully this story will be back in action now. Or so I hope. Have fun reading it.

Everyone in this dark world wants freedom. Freedom to do their own choices. Freedom to live their own lives. However what people had forgotten is that freedom is not something you just can wish for. Freedom is something you have to create with your own two hands.

Thoughts from Ace.

Resistance member.

Tara's P.o.v.

"Cyber space?" Tara uttered stunned "What do you all mean with Cyber space?".

"It means digital reality" Lorenzo replied slowly and sighed "Like our training grounds is a little bit virtual, so is this place...".

"They took my equipment" Kaiba sneered "An old prototype and made it better. Those blasts they fired, sent us here. Trapped in a virtual reality, with no escape!".

"Why?!" Tara said in a confused tone "Father you are an expert on computers and all that. Why can't you fix this?". Freya tsked a little at that.

"Let me guess, it can't be done from the inside" she then said, "You are all so pathetic". Kaiba eyed her a little, which surprisingly made her shut up.

"True, we need someone from the outside to break the lock" he sneered out "So Lorenzo give me a status report. Who is still in that stupid game of theirs?".

"Sir, yes sir. As I made count earlier, only Syrus, Aster Phoenix, Dimitri the copycat, and the girl Ace are outside at the moment" Lorenzo said and sighed "None of them are capable of any science or technology skills at all. Which means we are trapped here for all eternity. Or at least until the rulers gets their hands on us Badabing".

Tara's eyes widened in horror. Her thoughts instantly went to Zane. Trapper had mentioned he would pick her up after all. By the sound of it, he was on the way already. Tara wanted to see Zane again, but not this way. Not when she knew she had nowhere of escaping Camula's clutches. She wanted to meet that devilish female on her own terms. She wanted to free Zane and Jaden from her. Kaiba growled now.

"I don't think everything is lost yet" he mused out in thoughtful "That Ace girl. There is something about her. That and she comes from Banner's kingdom. Maybe she is hiding her true potential". Axel shrugged a little.

"Well we might as well have faith" he then replied, "We can't do much in here than wait".

Tara sighed deeply and nodded. They were apparently trapped in this spacious bubble. They had to see how things progressed. Tara just hoped they escaped before the rulers claimed them. If not, there were not much resistance left to oppose them.

Aster's p.o.v.

Aster was running and running through this annoyed maze as fast as he could. He needed to get away. His eyes fixated on the monster beside him. Aster had thought he been rather clever. This game of the Paradox was clearly brain power and not brute strength. If brute force had been the case, Kaiba had already blasted this maze to shreds. However, instead he had got taken away, along with a lot of their other members. Aster was not even sure who was left in this maze, but as long as he was not captured, there were still hope. Or so did he believe. He had no idea on how to save the others as of yet, but hoped he would know what to do, when he saw it. For that reason, he had summoned 'Doom lord' to his field instead of any of his more stronger monsters. Doom lords eff, could sent him two steps ahead, if he was ever cornered. Sadly, there was a risk by it. Aster had no idea where he would be sent off too, but he didn't care there. That ability had saved him more than once from the paradox brothers. Sadly, that didn't keep them away, which was the reason he was running like hell for now. Aster took a deep breath and stopped up. He was gasping for air. He was at the end of his limits now. Doom Lord's arms were protectively around him now. Aster had never heard any of his monsters talk yet, and he always wondered if they were just the silent types of monster, or if it was because he didn't have the gift to talk to duel monsters alias spirits. Tara, and properly her brother, had the gift, as well did Yugi Muto and sort of Atticus, but Aster figured it was because of his powers as former shadow rider. However, in that moment, no words were necessary. Aster knew what Doom Lord was trying to say.

"I am alright Doom lord" He reassured the monster and began walking again "You don't need to worry about me". Doom lord tilted its head, in some way saying it wasn't agreeing with him, and that he was worried.

"Come out, come out wherever you are" a mocking voice could suddenly be heard.

"We won't bite" another voice added, in the same annoying tone "Or maybe just a tiny bit".

Aster groaned in annoyance at that. He was not sure what was worse. The paradox when they were riming or when they weren't. Aster looked at Doom lord. His monster was capable of sending him into 'the future' as he called it but was it worth risking. Aster sneered a little. He didn't have that much strength to run right now. He was agile, but not suited for a marathon here. Doom lord nodded in agreement. Apparently, he was agreeing on this.

"Do it!" Aster said firmly, and his monster nodded.

Doom Lord placed his hands on his shoulders and teleported, in some way, two turns forward. Aster just hoped they ended far away from those annoying brothers. When Aster was capable of using his eyes again. Such a teleport always made him rather dizzy, Aster found himself in some strange place. Some kind of clearing. He looked around. Was this still inside this weird labyrinth of theirs. Aster bit his lip a little. If they for some reason weren't... Aster prayed this was not some kind of trap. Laughter could be heard in the background now.

"Yes, I knew it would work" One of the brothers' voices could be heard.

"Tracking the jerk" the other replied and chuckled "Other genius...".

Aster hissed angrily. This was really a trap of some kind. Doom lord couldn't use his ability right away, and Aster couldn't see any way out of this clearing at all. He was trapped! Aster sighed deeply. What should he do? He had lead Tara and the others down. He slammed one of the hedges in here. He was pretty angry. Then without warning, arms appeared behind him suddenly, and Aster, and Doom lord were pulled backwards inside the hedge in some way. Aster was now staring face to face, with himself. A smirking version of himself though. It took Aster some second to realize who it was.

"Dimitri?! Why are you looking like me?" The destiny hero uttered rather confused. Dimitri chuckled.

"You should see your face. It is priceless" Dimitri/Aster replied and slowly changed back to Dimitri's normal appearance. Aster sneered. He didn't like Dimitri's stupid tricks. Especially since he changed into his appearance without asking first.

"Stop your arguing for another time. They are here" A female voice now said and surprised him a great deal.

Ace was sitting close at what looked like a glass window of some kind. Aster didn't know why but he had a hunch that this window was magical. They could look out on the clearing, but people on the outside couldn't look in. That was pretty convenient, and weird at the same time. But they all three went silent when Para and Dox suddenly were standing in the clearing as well. They both looked rather annoyed.

"I don't understand, the phoenix resistance member should be here" Para sneered.

"Here, where, there?" his brother questioned "I can't see any Brother. Maybe you calculated wrong".

"No, I didn't" Para sneered "Two steps ahead like usual, but it seems like he is gone".

"Or maybe he teleported two steps backwards, to throw of us off" Dox added with a smirk "Born with the talent of a Phoenix seems correct".

"Will you shut it. I am sure he is not that smart. He can't be resurrected" Para sneered "But we might as well check".

His brother smirked confident at that. Maybe he loved that his brother had been wrong in this case. Soon they were gone. Dimitri sighed deeply.

"Man, I thought they would never leave" he said and sighed again. "They give me the creeps with their rimes".

"Yeah tell me about it" Aster said and sighed.

He was about to ask Ace why they both knew of this place, but when he turned around, a weird scene meet him. Ace and Doom lord was having a weird conversation. Both of them talking in their own different language. Ace in normal human tongue, Doom lord... well Aster was not really sure. Sounded like some weird squeaky noises from his throat. Like an animal talking. However, Ace listen very careful to what he was saying, and added her own input like "I see" and "Really". Aster and Dimitri looked puzzled at each other. No one of them had any idea on what was going on here.

"Um hu?" Dimitri said rather confused and made Ace and Doom lord stop talking "You understand what he is saying".

"Oh, um yeah I guess so" Ace said and scratched her hair sheepishly "A gift I have had, since I was really young". Aster hummed at that.

"That is interesting, because even if you could talk to spirits, no one have been able to understand my destiny heroes" he then proclaimed "And I tried, believe me I tried. Tara, who had heroes in her deck, doesn't understand them either. So, who are you really? You can heal others and summon one of Yugi's magicians without duel disk. I want to know the truth".

Doom lord suddenly looked very proud, as it flew over to Aster and placed protective hands on his shoulder. In some way saying, tell him. Ace sighed deeply, but then she nodded.

"Might as well tell you. I couldn't keep it hidden forever anyway. At some point I would have told you, so why not now" she said and sighed "Please don't feel bad about me though. I am Kagemaru's granddaughter".

"Wait what?!" Dimitri and Aster ended up shouting in unison. Dimitri "How and when? This doesn't make sense at all. So, you are one of those stupid nobles who lives the sweet life, while we and everyone else suffers in this world".

"I was one of them, but not any longer" Ace tried defending. Dimitri was still rambling around about how unfair his life has been, so in the end Aster and Ace kinda ignored him a little. Aster's eyes narrowed a little though.

"So, you are related to Kagemaru? That doesn't make sense to everything else. Bastion saved you from Banner if I recall? How can you summon monsters without duel disk, or are you having a sacred beast in your pocket?!" Aster asked.

"You have really only lived the sweet life" Dimitri added "And then you are helping us resistance members? Makes no sense. You are no double agent, are you?". Ace shook wildly her head.

"No, I just realized my grandfather and families mistakes" She mused out "You see Kagemaru is not favoring anyone. Not even his family. So, when the taxes and all that pay up happened, Kagemaru also requested that true loyalty to our family, and I was selected...".

"So, what you were sent to the slave tribes as well?" Aster questioned in a puzzled tone. Ace surprisingly shook her head.

"No, it is even worse" she replied "I, along with a group of kids were sent to a special facility to pay our tasks. I was at first proud to be selected. After all I believed I was doing something good for my family. That was the only thing they told us. Which we soon discovered were completely wrong. We were lab rats. Lab rats for Banner and his people. They were working on a special project and we were the first test subjects". Dimitri and Aster looked stunned at her now.

"What was that project?" Dimitri questioned "If I may ask? Was it the one Bastion saved you from?".

"No, when Bastion saved me... they are working on a new project..." Ace stopped herself a little "Well let's just say I was selected for two projects. The first one I survived, as the lone survivor in it".

Aster and Dimitri looked confused at her. Ace sighed deeply and looked over at Doom lord before she talked again.

"The first project explains a lot of things" she then mused out "Banner were working on a new kind of fusion. A fusion between humans and duel monster".

"So, wait you are a fused with a duel monster?" Aster uttered confused "That is why you can talk to doom lord here? The reason you could summon without duel disk?".

"And heal, and whatever you have done to this place" Dimitri added and pointed at this place "You should have seen her Aster. We were running, and she grabbed me, and then we were suddenly inside the wall of this maze". Aster lifted an eyebrow.

"And you didn't question her on that?!" he sneered. Dimitri shrugged.

"Thought she had found a hidden entrance or something" he defended.

"Yes, I am fused with a spellcaster..." Ace said and sighed "And that gives me certain abilities. I can summon spellcasters, or other duel monsters, but only if I have a strong bond with the duelist. I can heal and do a little magic, but like your Doom lord, I can't use them all the time. It drains me". Aster hummed at that.

"So, your conversation with Doom lord..." he then began.

"Seriously, we are in the middle of a crisis and you ask her that" Dimitri uttered.

"What? What else do you want me to ask her?" Aster replied annoyed "I always wanted to know what my destiny heroes thought of me". Dimitri rolled his eyes.

"What about... what is the second project Bastion saved you from?" Dimitri replied and looked firmly at Ace "That I really want to know". Ace bit her lip a little.

"Actually, you are right Dimitri. We are in a crisis. We need to save the others" Ace said and ignored the dagger eyes she got from both Aster and Dimitri. She sighed again. "I promise I will tell you, when we are at a place who is more secure". Aster and Dimitri looked at each other, but then nodded. The others safety was more important.

"So how do we save the others?" Dimitri questioned "Where are they actually?".

"Bastion and I have been around Banner and the lab a lot, so... well Bastion taught me a little while we were on the run" Ace replied slowly "Right now we are in cyber space. That is the only explanation to why a labyrinth suddenly appeared in here, and we can't find the way out. I believe this whole theme is too keep us locked in until the rulers kinda claim us". Aster and Dimitri looked puzzled at her.

"Cyber space?" Dimitri questioned "Oh Kaiba is not gonna be happy about that. Banner must have stolen his technology". Ace nodded in agreement.

"That he has, and a lot more" she then said "But what we need to do now is to shut Cyber space down. If we do that, the system will release us all".

"Shut it down, how? We are in the middle of it" Aster mused out slowly.

"Not completely" Ace replied firmly "There is always an emergency shut down. Banner wouldn't chance that. After all henchmen are hard to come by, and the Paradox brothers are in here, and so are we. The risk of us trapped in here will not please any of the other rulers after all". Aster hummed at that.

"That might well be, but where do we find that emergency shut down then?" He questioned "It is not like it pops up whenever we need it".

"True, but it shall be easy enough for the idiotic riming brothers to find it" Ace replied "Have any of you noticed anything unusual since we meet up here? Anything who doesn't fit in here?". The boys went thoughtful for a little while then...

"Now that you mention it. I saw some strange Chinese letters. Maybe that could be the shutdown system" Dimitri then said "Aren't those brothers from china? As a copycat, if I were them, I would place it under something I know, but who are not too noticeable, and they are riming idiots so...".

"Well symbols are a little farfetched" Aster mused "But might as well try, but how to get there? You properly just stumbled over them while running in labyrinth, right?". Dimitri looked a little embarrassed now, but he nodded firmly.

"But do you remember how they look like? Can you think about them right now?" Ace questioned slowly "If you can, I might be able to teleport us there... of course with Doom lord's powers. I am not strong on my own".

Doom lord let out a squeaky voice, and his eyes fixated on Aster now. Ace nodded at that.

"Doom lord says, you should decide if we should use his power or not" Ace then said and smiled "After all you are his master".

Aster looked a little stunned at Doom lord at that. Yes, he was the owner of the destiny heroes, but their master? Aster noticed that everyone was looking at him now. Then he nodded.

"Let's just do it" he then replied and soon they all teleported away.

Alexis's p.o.v.

In the meantime.

"But Alexis, why can't I come with you?!" Blair shouted rather offended. "I am strong enough, and this is only a tracking mission, right?".

Alexis sighed deeply and looked at the teenage girl beside her. Blair had mentally and physically grown a little since they had taken her in. She had gained some weight and some muscles and were even dressed in some better outfit than the one she had on when she was slave in the tribe. A yellow top, some black shorts, long black socks, red boots and a red west over that. Alexis rolled her eyes at Blair's outfit. The red she was carrying, was surely to resemble a certain Slifer red student, who had been at duel academy 7 years back. Too bad Camula had taken him along with Zane that dreadful day. Alexis wished Blair would just forget him already. Jaden was a vampire now. One of the night's creatures who ate peoples blood. He couldn't be more revolting! But sadly, Blair still believed Jaden was a good guy. Even after he scared her at the hunting game some time ago.

"Alexis please!" Blair now begged and looked at her with puppy eyes "Let me come with you. I am strong enough to fight with you on this tracking mission".

Alexis rolled her eyes and placed a bag at the giant soul tiger, Tania had let her borrow. She gave Blair a firm look now. She had been training eagerly since Tania had given her Blair after the hunting games. Tania had claimed her after all, and she decided what happened to the slaves they had claimed. They were having a hierarchy here, which Alexis didn't mind at all. Only the strong survived here in this world after all. Most of the slaves they claimed, had stayed slaves, or servants for lesser workers. Warriors here were valued at the highest top, while everyone else were below that. Tania had instantly seen something in Blair, like she had seen in Alexis, the day they crossed paths years ago, and therefore she had given Blair to Alexis as some kind of student or protégé. Alexis had of course complied. She could see the same kind of shine in Blair as the amazon queen had, and hard training exercises soon followed. Alexis knew Blair had approved on many levels, but mentally she wasn't ready. Especially not for a mission like that. Not that she was gonna tell her the truth about what kinda mission this actually was. She could believe this was a simple tracking mission, if she wanted to. Alexis kissed her on the forehead.

"Blair, I am sorry, but I can't take you with me. It was milady's order that I went on this mission alone" she then said. Blair scowled angrily at that.

"But I don't understand, why you have to do this alone" Blair then pried "Isn't the amazons all about unity, and be there for each other? So why are we letting a sister go into hunting alone?".

Alexis smiled and rubbed her cheek. Blair was leaning their traditions and rules pretty quick here, but still. She couldn't come.

"This is not just a simple mission" Alexis then said "You do know amazons gets tested once in a, while don't you? It is that kind of test Blair. I have to go alone!".

"But I... You are strong Alexis" Blair said rather confused "Why do you need to be tested? You are milady's second in charge". Alexis chuckled at that and jumped up on the soul tiger's back with ease.

"Even the second in charge needs to prove themselves Blair, or their position might be taken from them one day" she then said "Now stay back and take care of the kingdom for me. You might one day become the third in charge, if you keep up your training, and are a good amazon to the people. See you later". Blair sighed deeply but nodded seconds later. She saluted to her now.

"I know you can do it Alexis" Blair then said with a big smile "Go get them!".

Alexis nodded and encouraged the soul tiger to rush forward. Soon she found herself in the air towards her destination. Alexis really hated lying. This was the same lie her and Tania had told the whole kingdom. That she was on a tracking mission in order to prove herself. In reality, Tania had sent her on this mission, to pick up loose ends. The only shame who had happened to this kingdom, who she was one of the few even knowing this. Alexis sneered angrily inside. She couldn't believe anyone could turn traitor to their kingdom and their own sisters. She sneered again. Freya, here I come!

Aster's p.o.v.

Aster was standing in front of this giant plate of a sign of some kind. It was a Chinese sign, so Aster had a hunch that they were at the right location. This had to be the emergency shut down system. If they just could activate it, it would supposedly reset everything as it was before Cyber space got activated, and furthermore the ones trapped in here would be free. That was at least what Ace stated.

"So how do we reset it?" Aster questioned slowly. Ace studied the sign closely.

"There should be some sort of mechanism somewhere" she stated "Clicking it should reset everything but be careful. Lyman Banner build this".

"Oh, I am happy Kaiba didn't hear you say that" Dimitri replied and chuckled "He did create Cyberspace first after all and... wait is this the one?". Ace and Aster turned quickly towards him, to find a button underneath the plate.

"Yes! Yes, it couldn't be anything but it!" Ace uttered happily and clapped in her hands. "Now we just have to activate it...".

"Aye, aye. Activate it I will..." Dimitri replied and smiled.

"Wait, no don't hit the button!" Aster and Ace uttered, but it was too late. Dimitri had already hit it. He looked puzzled at his companions.

"What? What? You said we should activate it!" he said in a confused tone.

"Yeah and we also said you should be careful!" Aster sneered "Banner build this thing. There is surely some kind of security system or...".

"Or a hand scanner..." Ace mused and pointed at the button "Only the Paradox brothers is allowed to activate it, it seems".

"Then what happens when they don't touch it..." Aster questioned.

"My guess is it has something to do with that light" Dimitri interrupted and looked fearfully at them "As in the light surrounding us right now".

Aster and Ace looked down at themselves and just as Dimitri had explained, light appeared all around them now. Aster had no idea what it was or what to do here.

"We are being digitized" Ace mused slowly "As in more that we were before entering this world. I think we are send somewhere. Listen, wherever we are send to, act fast. I don't think we have many minutes before the Paradox or Banner notices. If he hasn't already. I just hope we are send to the same place".

That was the last Aster heard, before the light engulfed him completely. He had a hunch that happened to Dimitri and Ace as well.

When Aster woke up again, he was someplace entirely different. Everything was digitized and green. It was like he was inside a computer. Or parts of a computer. He was just minimized quite a bit. Aster looked confused around. What was he supposed to do? He did remember Ace's warning in that they had to act fast, so he was quickly on his feet's. He needed to find the exit as fast as possible.

"If I were the exit, where would I be?" he questioned as he wandered around.

A light ball suddenly appeared 100 meters away. If an exit was in here, that would be it. Sadly, that was not the only thing that was in here. As Aster tried approach it, he was stopped by a dude with mask and a weird costume. Chucking laughter could be heard.

"I cannot let you pass, ha-ha" the dude said and laughed like crazy. It gave Aster goosebumps.

"Who in the world are you?" Aster questioned. The dude chuckled again.

"Laughing mask of the three masked knights. He-he. That is at least what they call me now. I forgot my real name" the boy replied thoughtfully while laughing. Then he shrugged "It doesn't matter. Ha-ha. You activated the system, so you are gonna be my prisoner. Unless you can vanquish me in a duel that is".

"In a duel? Does it look like I have a duel disk or deck here?" Aster growled angrily. "Just let me pass you annoying clown". The boy chuckled again.

"Annoying clown. Ha-ha. That was a good one" he then replied and smiled "But my orders are to keep you and your friends here. Ha-ha. Unless you beat me. As for duel disk and deck, we are in cyber space dude. Ha-ha. You can create anything. But let me warn you. You have 10 rounds to defeat me in, or the system keeps you here forever. Ha-ha. I would make it count on what deck you select".

Aster hissed annoyed. Stuck with this laughing idiot forever. That would be horrible beyond belief. However, Aster already knew what deck he wanted, and soon a duel disk with selected deck appeared on his arm. His destiny hero had never let him down after all. He just hoped the others were better off than he was.

Aster: 4000 Lp's.

Laughing mask: 4000 Lp's.

Aster started off. He drew and summoned "Destiny hero Diamond dude" and activated his effect right away. By sending his top card of his deck to the grave. If it is a normal spell card he can use it next turn. His deck didn't fail him, and he soon send the spell "Destiny blast" to the grave. He could activate it next turn. Then he activated "Polymerization" and fused together his Diamond dude and "D. H. Decider" in his hand to summon...

"Hero who shapes our destiny in crystals, and a hero who decides our destiny will now become one and reign over the bleak black future" Aster now shouted and clapped his hands together. "I fusion summon Destiny hero Dystopia".

A massive monster dressed in a blue and golden suit appeared, and he looked really impressive since he had 2800 att and 2400 def point. Aster activated the first effect of Dystopia. Since Dystopia was special summoned, it could target a destiny hero in the graveyard, and deal his opponents damage equal to their attack points. Aster choose decider since it had more att and soon 1600 points of damage got send towards laughing mask. Aster smirked confidently as he ended his turn with a face down. He could see for his inner eye Laughing mask now a little beat on the ground, but soon he got very surprised as the smoke got cleared. Laughing mask was still standing. The only thing showing that he even got hurt, was Laughing Mask brushing off his clothes from the ash he had got on them. He was also still laughing!

"Wow, wow easy dude. 1600 point of damage! That's hilarious!" Laughing mask said and grinned like crazy. Aster's eyes narrowed darkly.

"What's so funny?" He questioned in an annoyed tone.

"You trying to defeat me. It's hilarious!" Laughing mask replied.

"I am not Trying!" Aster sneered "I Am defeating you!".

"You really should chill. Ha-ha. Ever heard that laugher is the best medicine" L. Mask responded and chuckled again. Aster was already hating that laughter with all his might. He couldn't wait to take him out with Dystopia.

"What in the world is wrong with you? Is it so funny to get ones butt kicked?" he then asked. The masked boy grinned of course again.

"Oh, this is so funny! You really don't understand your situation, do you?" he then questioned and laughed again "I am part of the masked knight trio and we are send here to deal with you. Ha-ha. As I am the least favorite aspect of your emotions, I got send to you Aster phoenix. Ha-ha. When is the last time you even laughed? You should really crack a smile Ha-ha".

Aster growled annoyed. So, this is some kind of emotional test or trap? Just what we needed. But I guess Banner and his crew doesn't want us to escape the penitentiary. At least not without their agreements. That is just perfect! He growled again. The words from Laughing mask before did sting a little. When was the last time he had smiled? A real smile and laughed. He couldn't remember. That didn't happen often in the resistance head quarter. Maybe that was one of the reasons Dimitri always was so positive and trying to be funny even though he annoyed everyone around him. To well lift their mood. Aster froze a little. Wait if this test is following our least favorite emotions, then... This trial is gonna be tough for Dimitri. Wonder who he is facing? Aster turned his attention to Laughing mask who hadn't done a thing yet, besides laughing.

"Hello, clown boy. Get it in gear! It is your turn" Aster sneered.

"Clown boy? That was a good one" Laughter replied and chuckled. He went thoughtful once again "But I feel like there was something important I forgot to mention. Ha-ha. Oh well. Here goes!".

Aster could see how laughing mask drew, and summoned "Fool clown" to the field in att mode. Aster's eyes narrowed a little at this. Beside that it was a clown and a lv 1 dark attribute monster, it also had zero att points. Figures, laughing boy here, uses a clown deck. He is clearly dueling on the aspect of his showing emotions here.

"Ha-ha, since I have summoned fool clown to the field, I sadly have to discard my entire hand to the grave because of its effect. Isn't it hilarious!" L. Mask then said.

"Wait what? Where is the fun in that?" Aster replied rather grumpy as laughter sends 5 cards to the graveyard. He had no cards in his hand now.

"Oh, it is fun. Fun for me that is Ha-ha" Laugher replied and chuckled again "Since three of my cards were the monster 'Rough exploder', and I have 'Fool clown' on the field, I can remove them from play and deal you 500 points of damage for each of them. That's 1500 points of damage. Isn't it hilarious?".

"No, I actually don't. That is why I activate the effect of D.H Decider in my grave" Aster replied firmly "Since I am getting hit by an effect that deals me damage, Decider protects me, by returning to my hand. He makes the effect damage zero".

"Oh, that is a bummer" Laughter complained annoyed, even though he was still grinning like crazy, and he ended his turn.

It was Aster's turn once again. He drew and started off activating Diamond dude effect from last turn. He could get the discarded spell "Destiny blast" from his grave to his hand now. Then he activated his facedown card. The trap "Urban demise" which increased Dystopia att points by 100. Since it's att points changed, it's second effect automatically activated. It could destroy a card on the field and add their att points to its own. However, since it was fool clown it destroyed, it didn't gain anything since its att was 0. Aster didn't care though. At least one fool had gone from the field.

"Av man, what had that clown ever done to you? Ha-ha" Laughter questioned and chuckled once again. Aster glared him down.

"A lot. And I am not done yet" He then proclaimed and activated his "Destiny blast" spell.

With it he could add a destiny hero from his deck to his hand, as long as he banished another hero from his grave. Aster banished Diamond dude to add "D.H. Drilldark" to his hand. (1600 att, 1200 def) He quickly summoned it to the field in att mode. Since it was summoned Aster was also allowed to summon another destiny hero from his hand as long as it had less or equal att as Drilldark. He special summon "D.H. Decider" to the field.

"Ha-ha that is a nice trick, but I also have a trick up my sleeves" Laughing mask responded and chuckled like crazy "Remember when I discarded my entire hand? Ha-ha. Well a certain spell card was there too called 'Poltergeist vengeance'. It allows me to banishing fool clown from my grave, and by doing so, I can summon 'Archfiend Joker' from my deck in att mode. Isn't that funny? Ha-ha".

Aster was staring in disbelief when a giant fat clown who was twice the size as Aster appeared onto the field. On its head it had a joker hat shaped like a crown, and had red, black and white clothing. Aster hissed. No matter how ridiculous it may be looking, it still had an att of 2500 and def of 2000. It was not to take likely. Aster groaned a little inside. He was guessing this was this idiots ace?

"Isn't it hilarious?" Laughing mark asked and laughed hysterically.

"No!" Aster replied in a firm tone. He really wished this clown would stop laughing. Of course, he didn't, which didn't help on the situation.

"Really? Then what about this? Once per turn it halves your life point. That should crack a smile on your lips" Laughing mask replied and grinned like crazy. Aster let out a scream as his life points got reduced down to 2000.

"Ha-ha that is funny alright" Laughter proclaimed with a big smile "Oh, and just so you know, my Archfiend Joker gains 1000 att points for every spell in my grave. Ha-ha. So, what are you gonna do? You are ending your turn, right?".

"Not quite" Aster sneered. He was far from done. Who cares that his monster gained 1000 att points and now had 3500. He would beat it anyway. He continued his move by activating "D-fusion" to fusion summon Dystopia and Decider together to form...

"Hero born from a world of darkness and a hero who decides our destiny will become one and reign over an Utopic twilight" Aster now shouted and clapped his hands together once again "I fusion summon D.H. Dusktopia".

A shiny new hero in now a golden impressive suit appeared onto the field in att mode. Its golden armor was shining and with an att and def on 3000 even laughing mask were staring in awe. That and Dusktopia cannot be destroyed in battle or special effects the turn it was summoned with D-fusion.

"Oh, impressive monster. But not as impressive as my Archfiend joker" Laughter stated and grinned again. Aster send him a cold glare.

"Let me show you something hilarious this turn" he then stated.

"Hu? What's that?" laughter questioned and chuckled.

"Your defeat" Aster replied and surpringly smiled. Laughter looked puzzled at him.

"Hu? I don't get it" he then replied. Aster just smirked confidentially.

"You will" he then stated.

He continued on his move by activating Dusktopia's eff which allowed him to fusion summon an extra time this turn. He fused "D.H. Drilldark" and "D.H. Dynatag" in his hand to fusion summon...

"Hero who drills towards the inevitable destiny, and hero with a heart of fire and destruction, become one and share your vision of destiny" Aster now said and clapped in his hands "I fusion summon 'Vision Hero Adoration'".

Another hero appeared, and this time he was dressed in a black suit. He had crossed arms and it showed just how much confident his monster was. With an att at 2800 att and 2100 def, you could understand that. That or the monsters had confidence in Aster at least.

"Ha-ha You think summoning another one would make a different?" Laughter questioned and chuckled evilly "I don't know what you are planning, but just for safety, I activate another spell from my grave. 'Jokers magic'. Ha-ha. With it I can send three fiend types from my deck to lower your Dusktopia att with 300 for each monster send to the grave. Ha-ha. Isn't that hilarious?". Aster's Dusktopia now had 2100 att points now.

"Not as funny as you. Do you really think that would make a different?" Aster snorts.

He activated Vision hero adoration effect. He targets one of the opponents face up monsters, as well as one of his destiny heroes, and the opponent loses att strength equal to that destiny monsters att. Aster of course chooses "D. H. Dusktopia" so Archfiend Joker loses 2100 att points. (3500-1400). Then activated Dynatag's eff from the grave. By banishing this card, he could target one destiny hero on the field and it gained 1000 att points. He of course chooses Dusktopia (3100/3000).

"Well isn't this funny?" Aster now mocked. Laughing mask didn't look happy.

"Eh, um no! Ha-ha. I can't stop laughing" Laughing mask uttered in a fearful voice.

"Well that is just too bad" Aster proclaimed and attacked with his vision hero adoration and thereafter Dusktopia which reduced his opponents life points to zero. Aster had won the duel.

For once Laughing mask got send flying as soon as the duel got finished, but soon he also disappeared without warning. Aster didn't think much of it since this was cyber space. Instead he walked quickly over to the light. He had to get out here as fast as possible. Just as Ace had told him to. However, when he reached the light and was about to enter, he got repelled for some weird reason. Laughter could once again be heard all around. There was no doubt in who it was.

"Ha-ha. I am impressed Aster Phoenix. You defeated me in three turns flat, but just by defeating me you won't get access to the outside world. Ha-ha you crack me up" he could hear laughter say. His voice rang as an echo all around him.

"What do you mean? I just vanquished you in a duel!" Aster sneered angrily.

"Yes, you have. However, I am not the only one dueling in here. Ha-ha. Your two companions have to win their duels as well. Since you used three turns to defeat me, 7 turns remain for your companions to defeat mine, or else you are all stuck in here" laughter replied and grinned "I finally remembered what I had to tell you ha-ha. Isn't this hilarious?".

Aster growled angrily. So that was the catch. They didn't have 10 turns each to defeat their opponents. They had 10 turns in total meaning...

"We are so screwed!" Aster growled out. He had no idea in how good a duelist either Ace nor Dimitri was, but there was no way they could defeat their opponents that fast. To make it out they have win in at least three turns each.

"Aw don't be so down. Remember laughter is the best medicine" Laughter now mocked and grinned "Let's just see how your companions progresses shall we?". Out in the blue two screens appeared. One showing Dimitri, the other Ace.

"Good luck" whispered Aster out in the blue.

A,N: And I will sadly stop here. This chapter was getting too long and yeah. There is still a lot of duel and stuff afterwards, so had to split up again. So sorry. To be honest, I didn't think this act would take so long. Hopefully it isn't boring right? The next chapter is of course the rest of the duels, and the escape hopefully. :D you never know what I plan. Lol. However, hope you like this chapter. Please comment on what you think. That and I would like to give out a shout out to my friend RobertDimascio on Wattpad. If it wasn't for him and the duel advice, and help he offered, I wouldn't have been able to make this or the next chapter. He was also the one creating the duel details and made card in the duels. I will NOT take credit for that. So, go out and check his site. He makes good stories, and we might have some collaborations there too. ;D