Media Essays: Rewriting Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V Part 2

Continued from Part 1

Arc 2: The Synchro Dimension

This arc will be DRASTICALLY shortened from the original version. There is no tournament arc this time and all of Crow's screentime is given to Rin instead.

The arc opens up with Yuya and the strange other boy waking up to find themselves back in the Synchro Dimension. Yuya also gets to meet the boy's girlfriend, who's name is Rin and Yuya notices she bears a striking resemblance to Zuzu, Lulu and Celina. The boy, who's name is Yugo, is also weirded out that Yuya bears a huge resemblance to him only he's got a tomato head. Yuya just shoots back that he's got a banana head. Rin explains where Yuya is and he's shocked to hear that life in the Synchro Dimension is this bad with the Tops and Commons classes separating the world and making everything so miserable like so. Yuya also asks what Yugo meant by making Yuri pay for what he's done. Yugo explains that Yuri invaded his dimension and tried to kill Rin. Yuya mentions how the Fusion Dimension has tried to kill Zuzu, Lulu and Celina, which has him wondering that their deal is with these four specific girls that all happen to resemble each other. He also wonders why they want all the boys that look like him, something Yugo has no idea about either. However, they don't have time to dwindle on that as Sector Security comes after them and Yugo and Rin have to duel their way to safety. Observing the match, a man known as Director Roget takes note of the strange new boy that's with Yugo and Rin...

Meanwhile, the Lancers also arrive in the Synchro Dimension, but with no way of knowing where Yuya could be. Unfortunately, no sooner have they arrived, they end up being confronted by Sector Security. They instantly realize that these strangers are not people they've seen before and try to arrest them, only for the Lancers to make incredibly short work of them. Sector Security calls for back up, but then a mysterious blonde woman races onto the scene with a Duel Runner and strikes them down with a monster called Cyber Slash Harpie Lady. Taking advantage of the distraction, the Lancers escape with the woman leading them to her hiding place.

The woman identifies herself as Mai Valentine and she asks what the Lancer's deal is. Zuzu explains the situation thusly, that she and her team are here to stop the Fusion Dimension and find her friend Yuya. Mai hasn't seen Yuya and finds the whole multiverse thing crazy, but she believes them since "she's seen enough crazy in her world to believe anything". However, with Sector Security on the lookout for them, the Lancers will have to keep a low profile from now on. Meanwhile, Director Roget is informed of the intruders and he takes particular note of Yuya and Zuzu. This has him worried. He is secretly from the Fusion Dimension and worries that they'll come to the Synchro Dimension and tear down everything he's built up, so he wants Yuya and Zuzu captured immediately so he can dispose of them. The Fusion Dimension won't come if they're sent away after all. But after he gives Sector Security the order to arrest the two, he suddenly gets a call from a certain Frightfur duellist who has a message for him. Yuri wishes to make a deal with Roget, a deal that will benefit him in the long run...

Meanwhile, the Lancers are given a place to stay at Mai's hideout and they plan to resume the search for Yuya once things have settled down a bit. Unfortunately, Celina lets it slip that she carded Dipper, which infuriates Julia and Kit. Julia forces Celina to duel her in spite of Zuzu's protests and the duel only catches the attention of Sector Security. The Lancers are forced to duel against them as well, only this time they're not so lucky and end up arrested. Declan and Riley are the only ones to get away. Yugo, Rin and Yuya see the commotion happening nearby and plan a prison break to get Zuzu and friends out of the Facility.

The Lancers are taken to the Facility and all placed in their own cells. However, Zuzu is instructed to be brought directly to Director Roget, which makes her nervous. Celina and Julia blame each other for the mess they're in, but Mai tells them to knock it off. They have to work together if they have any chance of getting out of this place. The girls realize Mai is right and put aside their differences for now. Lulu begins to formulate a plan with the others. Meanwhile, Zuzu meets with Director Roget. Zuzu attempts to plead her case with Roget, warning him about the Fusion Dimension and that the Lancers need allies in order to fight them off. Roget just reveals that he's from the Fusion Dimension and wormed his way into power in this dimension so he could have a place to call his own. He reveals to Zuzu that the Fusion Dimension have made a deal with him: he hands her and her friend Yuya over to them and they won't invade the Synchro Dimension. As he says this, Sora emerges from the shadows, declaring that Zuzu will come home with him and he'll get the pleasure of watching her die at Yuri's hands. Refusing to be taken in so easily, Zuzu bludgeons Roget in the head with her handcuffs, knocking him clean out and she's able to free herself by taking the key to her cuffs from his unconscious body. She and Sora then duel with Zuzu's freedom on the line. During the duel, Zuzu attempts to get through to Sora, insisting that he's not really evil and that he must've enjoyed is time as their friend. Sora denies any of this, insisting it was all an act to keep up his cover, but Zuzu remains unconvinced. She believes that there is good in Sora and that she'll bring it out somehow. During the duel, she ends up creating a new Fusion monster, Bloom Prima the Melodious Choir, and uses her to win the duel. With Sora taken care of, Zuzu sees to helping her friends.

Meanwhile, the Lancers stage a prison riot that they use as a means to try and escape the Facility. On the way, they also get some outside help from Yuya, Yugo and Rin. Everyone meets up again with Zuzu, who explains that the director tried to use her as a bargaining chip to keep the Fusion Dimension from invading. As they escape the prison, Sector Security is about to come in and foil their attempts. But then suddenly, they're ordered to stand down and the Lancers are ordered to come and meet the council. It turns out that Declan and Riley met up with the council and pleaded their case to them. The council are disturbed by the possibility of an invasion from another world, so they wish to hire the Lancers to keep their world safe. However, they want a demonstration of their power, so they stage an exhibition match between Zuzu Boyle and their star duellist, Jack Atlas.

Zuzu meets up with Jack, who isn't impressed with her but otherwise is keen to see her in action. He hasn't had a challenging opponent in a while, so he hopes Zuzu will give him one. The Lancers and the council watch as the Turbo Duel begins and Jack gets an early lead with his destructive strategies and the fiery power of his Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend. However, Zuzu is able to catch him off-guard with her Pendulum tactics as nobody in the Synchro Dimension can do that. Jack still proves to be a tough challenge and as Zuzu begins to make a comeback, he unveils has true ace: Tyrant Red Dragon Archfiend. It looks as if Zuzu may be destined to lose the duel, but a lucky draw leads to her summoning Bloom Diva the Melodious Choir and using its effect to deal damage that she would've taken during an attack to her opponent in order to win. Jack is mortified by the loss, but otherwise impressed that Zuzu pulled it off. The council are also impressed too and agree to aid the Lancers. Mai and Jack are indoctrinated into the group along with Yugo and Rin.

But then all hell breaks loose as suddenly, the Fusion Dimension invades. Yuri is displeased with Sora's failure to bring Zuzu to him and how Director Roget failed to live up to his end of the bargain, so he feels he should just do it himself. The Lancers take on Obelisk Force and fight hard against the Fusion Dimension, something which inspires and rouses up the people of the Synchro Dimension. The Tyler Sisters show up again and duel against Zuzu and Yuya, Sora duels against Shay and Lulu, the latter two wanting revenge on him for kidnapping Yuto, Barrett duels Celina and Yuri ends up taking on Yugo. Yugo gives it his all, but even the might of Clear Wing Synchro Dragon pales compares to the toxic terror that is Starving Venom Fusion Dragon. Yugo is defeated and Yuri has him warped away back to the Fusion Dimension. Rin watches in despair and tries to duel Yuri next in order to get Yugo back. Yuri accepts the challenge since Rin is another counterpart of Zuzu and she has to die as well. However, with most of Obelisk Force, Sora and the Tyler Sisters defeated, Yuri can see that he'll get very quickly overwhelmed if he stays any longer, so he retreats. However, it's not a total victory for the Lancers as not only did Yugo lose his duel and get kidnapped, but Barrett defeated Celina and he warps her away too. Zuzu feels distraught that they've lost two friends and teammates already, but Yuya reassures Zuzu that they'll get them back.

The council thanks the Lancer's for their efforts in stopping the Fusion Dimension and wishes them luck in stopping them from conquering the multiverse. The Lancers bid farewell, but not before Zuzu gives the council a stern lecture about the classism system they've put in place and that the Synchro Dimension needs to change its ways if life is to be better for everyone. No more Tops and Commons, everybody should live equally. The first step in making a change has to include arresting Director Roget. The council agrees, but before the arrest can be made, Roget reveals his last gambit. Not wanting to be beaten, he activates a machine that will open up a gateway between dimensions and he'll drop New Domino City into the void. However, the machine goes haywire and Roget disappears into the void. Unfortunately, Yuya is also sucked away, leaving Zuzu even more distraught now he's gone again. Declan reassures Zuzu that they'll find Yuya again. Chances are, he's in one of the other two dimensions, so now they're done in the Synchro Dimension, they can move on to the XYZ Dimension next. Zuzu hopes Yuya's there and not the Fusion Dimension. Shay and Lulu feel a little uncomfortable since although they're going home, this'll only remind them of what they've lost...

Meanwhile, Yuri gloats over the Fusion Dimension's latest victories and that he now has two out of three. He declares that they still need Yuya in order for his plan to come to fruition. Sora asks him what his plan is all about, but Yuri refuses to explain himself, telling Sora he just has to keep being an obedient little soldier for him and not question orders. This causes Sora to feel suspicious about his master and he secretly begins to doubt whether he even wants to work for him anymore...

Arc 3: The XYZ Dimension

This arc is increased compared to the original version with more episodes spent there compared to last time.

The arc begins with our heroes arriving in the XYZ Dimension. Upon arrival, Zuzu is horrified to see what's become of Heartland City. Shay and Lulu confirm this is theirs and Yuto's home, or what's left of it anyway. They recount how the Fusion Dimension invaded the city and left everything in ruin. Not much remains of their world thanks to Obelisk Force. Lulu and Shay naturally take being here the hardest as this was their home. Zuzu comforts them, promising that they'll make the Fusion Dimension pay for all their crimes here. As they look around for any signs of Yuya, they come across survivors of the attack, including two kids named Allen and Saya, both of whom Lulu and Shay are familiar with. They give the Lancers a place to stay for now and Zuzu explains what their mission is. The two sadly haven't seen any signs of a boy named Yuya at all but offer to help anyway they can. Zuzu appreciates it and come the next morning, they resume their search for Yuya.

On their way, they come across another XYZ duellist named Kite Tenjo. Shay and Lulu recognize him as part of the rebellion and also an old friend of theirs. The two note they haven't seen Kite in quite some time and are relieved he's still alive. However, Kite seems to be employing the same tactics as Obelisk Force, that is sealing his opponents into cards after he beats them, which isn't Kite's style. The two confront Kite on his behaviour. Kite is glad to see Shay and Lulu are still alive, but he refuses to back down, saying they have to become the enemy in order to win this war. Zuzu disagrees with him and says they can't stoop to Obelisk Force's levels or else they're no better. She duels Kite in an attempt to snap him out of his villainous phase, but Kite obliterates her with his fearsome Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon. Shay and Lulu take over and put up a better fight. While Shay is defeated, Lulu ends up taking the win in the end and she pleads with Kite not to become the enemy. While Kite still seems aloof, he is clearly won over by Lulu's kind heart and he agrees to put a stop to his actions. Relieved, Lulu offers him a place in the Lancers, but Kite declines, preferring to go solo. He does agree to provide help should they need it though, and he leaves to look for more survivors.

Unfortunately, the Tyler sisters make their return. They're here to finish Yuri's mission by searching for Yuya and also to kill Zuzu, Lulu and Rin. They duel against Allen and Saya first as in the original show, and they win but are stopped before they can make them into cards. They're confronted by Kit and Julia, who do put up a better fight but end up losing and they get carded for their troubles. Zuzu finds out about this and enraged by this, she challenges the sisters to a duel with Lulu beside her. Lulu wants some payback for what the sisters have done to her people and world. It's a tough duel, but the girls are able to win and they retrieve the cards of Kit and Julia so they can find a way to un-card them later. Zuzu also notices that when she and Lulu duelled together, something felt...weird, as if they were somehow duelling together in perfect sync, like they were sharing one body. Lulu notices too and wonders what that was all about.

But soon, the Lancers have more trouble to deal with as the Fusion Dimension sends another of their own to take them down. This time it's Aster Phoenix, another duellist whom Shay and Lulu especially hate after what he did to their world. Aster takes on Gong Strong first and despite Gong's best efforts, he's no match for the power of his Destiny HERO deck and is defeated and carded. Zuzu steps in to help and this time, she's aided by Rin who wants to get Yugo back. Aster Phoenix keeps the two on their toes for the whole duel, but Zuzu and Rin's combined efforts are able to take the victory in the end. Like with before, Zuzu and Rin felt as if they were sharing a single body as they duelled together. They along with Lulu wonder what all this could possibly mean...

Suddenly, they're confronted by one last duellist. To Zuzu's surprise and disgust, it's Sora. But Sora isn't actually here to duel. Instead, he's here to switch sides. Lulu chomps at the bit to take him down, but Zuzu wants to hear Sora out. Sora explains that his time at You Show Duel School changed his perspective on life and how he no longer wants to just be an "obedient little soldier" for Yuri. He admits a part of him actually liked the life he was living with Zuzu and friends at the time and he'd rather go back to that. Also, Yuri being cryptic and vague about his plans doesn't exactly fill him with a desire to stay loyal to him. He has a feeling his plans involve something that will doom everybody, and he wants to put a stop to that. Shay and Lulu think he's lying, but Zuzu trusts him, noticing how he seemed conflicted back during the attack on the Synchro Dimension. As a sign of trust, Sora gives Zuzu important information: He knows where Yuya is. To Zuzu's horror, he's in the Fusion Dimension. But luckily, Sora has kept him hidden so Yuri has no idea that the last piece of his plan is quite literally hiding under his nose. Shay and Lulu think he's leading them into a trap, but Sora shows video footage he filmed of himself and Yuya getting along nicely together to prove his innocence and that he really is hidden safely. Relieved, Zuzu pleads with Sora to take them to the Fusion Dimension so they can retrieve him. Sora agrees and the remaining Lancers are whisked away to the Fusion Dimension. On the way, Sora also promises to help them uncard Julia, Kit and Gong.

Meanwhile, Yuri talks to a card and gloats about how his plan is close to completion and that "he" will be back whole again, while "she" will not...

This was going to be a two-part essay, but I think I'll make it a three part one instead.

Come back next week for the conclusion as we cover the Fusion and Ritual arcs...