A/N: I just want to say thanks to all those who have read this far. I plan to post all I have to the end of the Earthbound Immortal Arc and at that point, I will revisit and revise the beginning of this story. So I take in any constructive criticism which will help me improve in whatever style of writing I am trying to use. So with that said, hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Also in this chapter, the italics with quotes means a flashback scene between characters.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Yugioh characters nor events in this chapter besides my own addictions.

Chapter 10: A Red Rose

"Her curse has her captive inside a small cage. Her powers are what keeps her enjoying life. The pain, the suffering; like friends to this human soul. Only he can set her free."

Luna's POV

Luna knew something was wrong when her right arm began to hurt like crazy. It wasn't a pain like before when she dueled with Kevin. No; Kevin was fighting and she needed to know what was going on. Dexter came back to their seats in the middle of Leo's duel worried and scared. "It's Kevin. He fainted." He took her to him. Tanner and Yanagi decided to stay back to root for Leo. She finds Kevin in bed with nurses who are trying to figure out what happened to him.

"We were walking and talking when out of a sudden, he stopped talking and fainted," Dexter explains to the nurses.

Luna didn't know what to do or think. After the nurses leave, Luna goes to Kevin's side and grabs his hand. His hand is cold… It's like he's not even here in this room.

Did his soul leave his body? Just like me when I traveled to the spirit world when I was little?

"Kevin…" She squeezes his hand. "Please come back." Again pain surges through her right arm and her mark begins to glow brightly.

"Luna, what is that?" Dexter questions noticing the glowing tattoo on her arm. Kevin's mark also glows and Luna begins to feel warmth in his hand again.

"It's our marks," she answers, smiling. "It's our connection we have." Kevin's eyes open and Luna exclaims, "Kevin!" She hugs him hard.

Kevin seems confused, but then he replies, "Hey, Luna." When she pulls away, he notices her softly crying. "What's wrong?"

She shakes her head, wiping the tears away. "You just scared us, that's all. Dexter said you just fainted. My mark started to hurt again. It wasn't like before."

"You felt it too... " He responds. "Then what happened wasn't in my dreams. Luna, I traveled to The Spirit World.

Kevin's POV

I explained everything that happened. My confrontation with Blade Knight. The intense duel that we had. The Princess's mysterious voice and what I need to do to free her from the evil control of Chaos. The State of the kingdom and how we planned my capture to get to Princess Eclipse.

"Wierd… No one remembers who the Queen and King are. Not even their own daughter," Dexter points out.

"Chaos should know." I make a fist. "I will get to him and will stop his reign."

"I will go with you," Luna says. "I traveled to The Spirit World before and I know I can do it again."

"Really?" I ask surprised. "Then why didn't you go with me when I went to Spiritus?"

"I don't know. But when I was little, I fell into a coma for months. In that coma, I was in the Spirit World. With Kuribon and Ancient Fairy Dragon."

"Oh…" Luna was also in the Spirit World before. Does that mean someone wanted me there and took me to Spiritus; Just like Luna when she was little?

"Guys, look." Dexter points to a screen on the wall and we see Leo laying on the ground. Dexter grabs a remote and turns up the volume.

"We can't just believe what just happened!" The announcer exclaims. "After what seemed like a total loss, little miss Luna claims the victory against Greiger. But folks, she just fainted. The duel must have been heavy on her. There is no need to worry, we have the medics already checking on her."

"No…" Luna says with her hands on her mouth. "Leo…"

"We'll talk more about this later. We should go check up on Leo." I stand and suddenly feel dizzy.

"Woah." Dexter grabs my arm. "You okay, Kevin?"

"Yeah, sorry. Come on." I take Luna's hand in mine and we leave.

Location: Snowing

White slowly walks hearing the crunch below her feet. Snow begins to fall and she holds out her hand. She smiles as snowflakes fall on it.

Just then, Blue appears in front of her, asking, "What's wrong?"

"Team 5d's timeline has changed. What exactly are you doing, Blue?" White questions. The mood has changed.

"Trust me, White. I know things are twisting right now, but in order for things to work out, I needed to change a few things. Luna was a signer, but not anymore," he explains. "In order for Kevin to free us, we needed her part of Kevin's storyline."

"And why did you have Leo win against Greiger? You know Yusei would have gone against Greiger in the semi-finals."

"Yes, that's why I placed Leo in a coma. I'll have him be in the Spirit World for a bit. So don't worry, Leo won't face Yusei. I have something else planned." He grins.

White nods looking at the setting sun. "I better not regret this. I don't want another reset."

"No one does, White. No one does."

No one's POV

Leo was taken to a room. The whole gang stands by quiet and worried as a nurse checks on him.

"You doing okay, Kevin? I heard you also fainted," Yusei says to him. He notices him and Luna holding hands.

"Yeah, I'm okay now. I'll tell you more about it later."

He nods. "The way Leo handle his duel against Greiger was surprising. He wasn't adapting to his opponent at first, but he changed mid-duel. He managed to win."

"That kid knows his things," Tanner adds.

"He's in coma…" The nurse reports. "I don't know how or why, but besides that, he seems okay."

A small man with purple spiky hair enters the room. He wears red lipstick and has two red lines running vertically over his eyes. He's dressed in a red coat with a black collar and gold trim, underneath a white shirt with gold lining, gloves, and black and gold boots.

Goodwin also enters. "Thank you, Tea. You may be excused now." He orders her. She gives a small smile at Goodwin and leaves.

"Goodwin…" Yusei carefully watches him.

"Oh, what do we have here. A green-haired girl and another one in bed. We got played, very nice." The small guy says with a smirk.

"What do you want?" Yusei questions.

"Pardon my manners, I am Lazar, Director for Mr. Goodwin. We came to see the current state of the young one."

Kevin notices Goodwin carefully looking at him and Luna.

"In different circumstances, we would punish those for the crime that was committed, but this young boy-"

"Was the one we were looking for…" Goodwin finishes for him.

"What do you mean? Is he going to be okay?" Kevin speaks up. Luna looks at him worried. He softly squeezes her hand for comfort.

"And you are?" Lazar asks suspiciously.

"I'm Kevin. A duelist with amnesia and a lot of questions," he answers him. "Specifically, towards you, Mr. Goodwin."

"Mr. Goodwin?" Lazar asks waiting for his response

He nods. "What is it that you want?"

"I want to know who I am and where I come from. By the way, you look at me, I feel like you know stuff."

"I do," Goodwin answers.

"But that information is classified," Lazar steps in.

Goodwin raises up his hand. "I'll make you a deal, Kevin. Step in for Leo, participate and I'll give you answers."

Kevin feels Luna squeeze his hand. "Kevin…"

"And why don't you duel alongside him, Luna," he adds. "I reassure you, your brother will be in good hands. Take it as a twist for the crime your brother committed."

"Goodwin…" Yusei begins.

Kevin nods. "If that's what it's going to take to set things right, then I will accept. Luna?" He looks at her for approval.

"If you are dueling, I will duel with you," she agrees.

Goodwin smiles. "Very well. Let's go, Lazar. The next duel needs to commence.

"Good luck, boy." Lazar gives him a grin and they both leave.

"I don't trust him," Tanner comments. "He took Yusei's friends so he would duel in this tournament."

"For real?" Kevin asks shocked. "Why would he do that?"

"For his games," Yusei says. "I got to settle things with Jack. Are you sure you want to do this, Kevin?"

He nods. "Yes, I want to know who I am. I need to know where I came from." He looks at Luna. "With her by my side." She smiles and blushes.

Yusei reaches for his belt and takes out two cards. He offers it to him. "You got my support."

Kevin nods looking at the cards. He smiles. "Thank you."

Kevin's POV

Luna, Dexter, Yusei, and I walk down the hallway.

"It's strange how Goodwin offered you a deal… You should be careful, Kevin. Don't trust him," Yusei tells me.

I nod. "I'll be careful."

"Excuse me!" Akiza hurries up the hall going the other way; she sounds cross and impatient. As she passes Yusei, they meet eyes for a charged moment. She then meets my eyes and stops for a moment. Suddenly my mind travels to a memory where it's me and Akiza. We're dueling and she seems happy. There's also a guy in the room with red hair, who's carefully watching us.

"You can do this, Kevin. Trust your cards and counter my moves. Know how to respond back and you'll always find way."

My mind clears and I notice Akiza in tears. "I'm sorry…" She shakes her head confused and walks away.

"Kevin, you okay?" Luna asks.

"I know her, Luna. She knows me too. I just had a flashback where we were dueling and she seemed so happy. There was another person watching us. He has red hair, but I don't know who it was." I close my eyes feeling a bit of a headache.

"Don't stress, Kevin. We'll figure this out soon with time," Yusei tells me.

"Yeah…" I nod. Luna squeezes my hand with hers and I smile at her. She smiles back.

"You three should head back to the stands. I'll catch up with you guys later."

We wave at Yusei and head back to our seats.

"Welcome back!" The Announcer begins. "The next duel is about to begin! And now entering the arena; a knight in shining armor; it's the one and only. Gill Ransborg!"

He enters the arena via the elevator and he lifts his sword high. "Hyah! Good people of New Domino! Thou show knowest my blade and my deck from the attacks thee shall witness!" The crowd cheers.

"While we wait for a Shakespearean scholar to translate all that, let's get ready for his opponent."

"This guy can't be serious," Yanagi says.

"Don't get me started on that big faker, grandpa I wore that costume last Halloween," Tanner adds.

"Now, entering the arena, his opponent; with a record of- well, it appears we don't have any record for her. But we can say she's, um, uh," he then whispers, "are you saying we have no information for her?! Hum… Well, Domino City, let's hear it for Miss Akiza Izinski.

Just who is she?

She's frowning grimly, eyes closed, as though preparing to endure something unpleasant. When the lights come on, she raises her head and faces her opponent with a calm, blank expression.

"Ahhh!" Luna suddenly says. She's staring at Akiza.

"What is it?"

"There's something with her deck. It's like I can feel it in pain."

I nod. I can feel it too. Like she's suffering; caged with no one to help her get free.

"So, this be thy opponent I am to battle. You'll find no mercy here, sorceress! But you will find defeat!"

"Let's duel!"

No one's POV

"Ready, fair maiden?" The Knight begins. "Behold! I summoneth a level-three masked knight!" A knight with 1500 attack and 800 defense appears on his field. "Thee shall suffer this- it's ability most special!" It blasts Akiza, and the blast connects with her as though hitting a solid wall. She doesn't twitch.

[Akiza's LP: 3600]

"Thou loseth four hundred life points. Forthwith, I shall call upon mine spell- 'Level up'! Thee hath served nobly, but be banished to thy yard of graves, for thou brother-in-arms now be summoned! Masked Knight, level the fifth!" Another Knight takes its place. "And this, like thy comrade in abilities most special, thou shalt feel the sharp sting as forces align against thee! Lifepoints most foul, begone!"

[Akiza LP: 2600]

"I shall yield with a facedown. Thine turn."

"Can our mysterious duelist come back from this? Does she have a chance! Will I understand anything Sir Ransborg says in this duel?" The Announcer declares.

"She took damaged twice," I say. "Though, not even a twitch of any kind." Luna nods, looking a bit worried.

"Fear not, maiden of darkness! Defeat is soon!"

Akiza doesn't say anything.

"A silent tongue? Or hath a viper take hold of thee?"

Akiza draws a card. "No! I'm getting tired of having to listen to your bad accent!" She summons "Wall of Ivy" in defense mode.

"That card is great if you're looking for some defense," Dexter points out.

"Huh?"

"And next, I'll activate a spell card, 'Seed of Deception!' With this, I get the power to summon another level two plant monster from my hand! Or in some words you can understand, thou are about to be royalty played!"

"Copy Plant" appears with 0 attack and defense points.

"Now, that it's on my field, it gets to power up to the level of a monster on your field. And I can't think of anyone more perfect than your level-five knight! This fair maiden would like to thank you for all your help!"

"Hm."

"I'm not sure I follow what she's doing Tanner, " Yanagi points out confused.

"She's going to synchro summon…" Luna answers a bit scared. Kevin grabs her hand and he feels her shaking a bit.

"I fear you not, My Lady," Ransborg pridefully says.

"You should. Because I'm tuning my Copy Plant with my Wall of Ivy! It's time you stopped playing with plastic swords and dice, Ransborg. Now I summon to my field- Black Rose Dragon!" With wings of red petals and black, thorny vines lashing from its sides, the largest of which is its tail, Black Rose Dragon roars its fury and a strong wind begins to blow. Backstage, Yusei winces, gripping his right arm.

"What's with all the wind?" Tanner asks as Kevin gasps.

"Kevin?" Luna's worried.

"I know that dragon. I know…" Kevin's scenery blurs once again and he's taken to one of his past memories.

Kevin's POV

Pain surges through my body. Why am I in pain? What's going on? Where am I?

I hear screaming. All around me is total darkness, but the pain feels so real. Lights flash in my eyes and I begin to hear voices.

"Sir… The test subject has woken. He's in pain," a girl's voice says.

"Raise the levels. We got to know how much he can withstand," a man's voice orders.

"Okay…"

"Ahhhh!" It's me! I'm the one who's screaming in pain. But why?

"Raise the level!"

"Sir the subject-"

"Do it!"

The pain is too much. I can feel unconsciousness setting in.

"NO! Sayer! Stop please." The explosion breaks the glass in front of me and a young version of Akiza takes me in her arms. "It's okay, Kevin. I got you now. Come on." With all my strength that's left, I climb behind her back and we leave the room. Akiza's running fast and I manage to whisper, "Why?" I'm trying to stay awake.

"I can't believe him. I won't let him hurt you anymore. No! I will take care of you from now on. No matter what!" She's softly crying. "You won't suffer anymore like I once did."

As fatigue overtakes me, I smile and whisper, "Thank you… Sister Rose."

My vision clears to purple flames below me and I see Akiza standing alone on the field. Ransborg is laying on the ground all beaten up.

"What happened?" I ask confused.

"Akiza won. Are you okay? You spaced out and kept staring at the duel," Luna tells me.

"I remembered a bit between me and Akiza. She saved me from someone named Sayer and we were running. He was doing some tests on me and the pain… It felt so real." Luna squeezes my hand. I smile and continue, "She carried me on her back and I called her Sister Rose before I fell unconscious." Then, my arm begins to hurt. I notice Luna also gripping her arm.

"You feel it too?" She asks me.

I nod as I turn to look at Akiza. "Rose…"

"Well New Domino, don't go anywhere because in a few we will begin our next duel in the fortune cup; Yusei Vs Shira!"

A/N: Thanks for reading. I have big plans for the characters between Kevin and Akiza. So, stay tuned. Rate and review of any kind would be highly appreciated and until next time. Peace!