Chapter 1

The rain pounds down over New Domino City. The clouds scorn the sky with luminous lightning and announce their rage with growling thunder. The citizens ponder peacefully in the nightlife, enjoying the restaurants and entertainment bars.

Meanwhile, deep in the back alleys, a red-haired girl is running, attempting to find a place to hide. She knows that the person she once trusted is after her and that he wants his revenge on her for leaving him. She never truly loved him, but obviously, he didn't see it that way. She begins to think back to the day she left her old life behind.

Flashback:

"Akiza, what are you doing?"

Her so-called 'savior' was leaning against the doorframe of her room.

"Sayer, I'm leaving. I don't want to be a part of this anymore."

"Akiza, why would you want to leave? You belong here with people who appreciate your powers, who don't shun you out. No one out there could possibly understand you the way I do."

"You're wrong, Sayer. I've seen that the only way people can truly understand you is to open up to them and not be frightened of what could be. Yusei showed me that when I dueled him at the hospital. He showed me that all I have to do is push past my fear and forget the past, then I can move forward."

"Yusei? Come now, Akiza. Do you really think that he understands you? I was the one who took you in a showed you the true potential of your power. I was the one who saved you."

"Sayer, I'm grateful that you have given me a home for so long and taught me about my powers. But now, I want to move on and make a life for myself, surrounded by the friends I've made."

"Like Yusei?"

She turned her head back to her suitcase in an attempt to hide her blush. However, he knew exactly what was going on, and he didn't like it.

"Oh my, you're in love with him, aren't you? What about me? I saved you and this is the thanks I get!?"

He grabbed her arm swiftly, digging his nails into her flesh.

"Sayer! Let go of me! I'm leaving and you can't stop me!"

"NO! I won't let you leave! You belong to ME Akiza!."

His vice-like grip tightened, bringing tears to her eyes. She knew what she had to do.

Closing her eyes, she focused her thoughts on the vase on top of the dresser, slowly lifting it off the surface. Then in one quick snap movement, the vase collided with Sayer's head, knocking him to the ground. Seeing her chance, she grabbed her suitcase and fled from the room.

End of Flashback:

She stops briefly, seeing a way out to the main street. As she makes for it, a strong force pulls her back. Soon, a strong hand is covering her mouth while another is holding her arm twisted up behind her back. She attempts to free herself, thrashing her legs in the hope that she will be able to hurt him a break free but her captor only pulls the arm behind her back tighter, bringing tears to her eyes.

"Shh, it's only me Akiza.."

The sound of Sayer's voice sent cold shivers down her spine. He quickly pulled her into a side alley, pinning her up against the damp wall.

"I tried to make you stay with me, but your a stubborn bitch aren't you Akiza?"

She scowled in defiance, being unable to reply with Sayer's hand still covering her mouth.

He smiled in amusement, clearly not phased by her scowl. He began to run his hand across her smooth flat, stomach, his face holding a sinister smile.

"You left me you ungrateful little bitch, after everything I did for you. I should've known that you would drift toward that damn Yusei after you dueled him at the fortune cup, and clear you have fallen for him. However..."

In a swift movement, he tore her black tights she was wearing down her legs along with her underwear. Akiza knew what was going to happen and attempted to get away by using her elbow to throw him off balance. Of course, Sayer saw this coming and used his own elbow to hit Akiza in the stomach, causing her to fall into his arm. With a quick motion, he had her back against the wall at his mercy.

"...I can think of a suitable punishment. You betrayed me, Akiza. And now you're going to pay."

He unzipped his pants and began to take out his rage on her.

Akiza's body screamed in pain with every movement. She couldn't do anything at this point for Sayer had her arms pinned above her head and with the noise in the streets, there wasn't a hope in hells chance that anyone would hear her screams. She squealed in agony, begging for the pain to stop, but to no avail.

After an excruciating 15 minutes, Sayer finally decided to let go of her arms, throwing her to the floor. Akiza's eyes filled with tears and as she lay there, sobbing out of pain and shame, Sayer zipped up his pants and walked away holding a sickening smile.

Akiza remained on the ground, unable to move. Her body was screaming in pain and her stomach and arms bore bruises from Sayer's actions. The rain intensified and she realized she needed to get somewhere safe. Despite the immense pain she was feeling, she brought herself to a standing position and pulled her tights and underwear back up, which were now soaking wet. Shaking as she stepped she made her way out of the alley and onto the main street, which she recognized.

"If I can get to the other side of town, then I can get some help. I just hope he's not out tonight."

She pulled all her strength that remained together and stumbled through the streets heading towards the other side of town.

Yusei sat in the light of the lamp, continuing to tinker with is duel runner. His eyelids were becoming heavy but he knew that he had to finish this test before he retired to bed. The thunder crashed loudly outside, waking him up.

"Wow, that storm is brutal. I feel sorry for anyone stuck out there."

He walked up to the window and stared out at the deep gray sky. He couldn't help but feel like something was wrong. Maybe it was all the stress they had gone through with the dark signers but he still never just brushes off any feeling he had, even before all this crazy stuff happened.

As he continued to watch the storm rage, the luminous lightning revealed a figure coming out of the shadows toward the workshop. Yusei immediately had his guard up. He knew that there were many people out there who wanted to blame him and his friends for Goodwin's disappearance after they defeated him and they all often received brutal comments from the public when they went out. It often ended with them getting things thrown at them, which deeply angered Jack and Crow resulting in Yusei having to prevent them throwing punches. But then, why would they come alone? What could they hope to gain?

The figure continued to approach but briefly stopped under a street light. It was then that the figure lifted its head. It was then that Yusei saw who it was.

"Akiza.."

His voice had gone dry from shock.

He quickly ran out of the workshop and across the street, ignoring the fact that he was in only his shirt and jeans. He kept his eyes on Akiza, forcing his legs to go faster.

Akiza saw Yusei running toward her and instantly felt relieved. He was here and could help her. She suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of exhaustion and slowly began to slip into darkness. Yusei got to her just in time as she collapsed into his arms, her soaking wet clothes and hair dropping around her body.

"Akiza, wake up! Akiza, look at me!"

He shook her body firmly in an attempt to rouse her but was unsuccessful. He quickly noticed the deep purple bruises that inhabited her wrists and lower arms and panicked. What had happened to her? Who had done this? All he understood was he had to get her some help.

Gently picking her up bridal style, he took her inside and rang an ambulance. Before long, he was on his way to the hospital with her.