Kias: Thank you for reviewing, glad you liked it! :) That's exactly what I'm looking forward to writing, because, honestly, Serena isn't really aware of what duelists like poor Zane in the future can be lol. I won't spoil much about that, but I think she'd take everything back if she saw Zane lmao.

Anyway, this chapter takes place during 'Sad But Truesdale'.

I only own my OC's!

"I think I'm going crazy." A girl's voice echoed. "Why?" The boy's voice asked curiously. "I… I keep seeing some weird spirits whenever I take these things in my hand. It's scary." The girl explained, fear in her voice present.

The boy let out a laugh. "Why's that funny to you? I wasn't joking!" The girl exclaimed. "I know you weren't." He told her reassuringly. "So, you don't think I'm crazy?" She asked hopefully. "If you were, then I'd be as crazy as you." The boy started laughing. "Wait…" The girl stopped him. "That means…" "Yes, I can see them too." He confirmed her suspicions.

Sun rays coming through the room's window woke me up. Rubbing my eyes, I sat up in the bed. Thankfully, we had no classes today… I could stay in bed whole day if I wanted. Unfortunately, I couldn't, since I was pretty much back to my senses by now.

Standing up, I stretched out my arms for a few seconds. Then I grabbed my hairbrush and walked into the bathroom. I started brushing my hair.

Pretty much nothing changed since the day Aster Phoenix came here (a few days ago). Ben was still kind of pissed with me, and I kept trying to avoid people here on campus. Since we had no classes, I decided to go outside and do something productive. I might as well go around exploring, and collect some flowers from this island…

Third Person's POV

It was a busy day in Domino City. Sun was shining brightly. People were walking through streets. They were either running to their jobs, or hanging out with their friends and colleagues. There was also a lot of tourists, who wanted to see the King Of Games' hometown.

Even though Maria Accardi lived and worked in California, she was in Domino City for one day. She had just finished running an errand for the president of company where she worked. Right now, she was dressed in her blue business suit for women.

Just as she was near the centre, the woman noticed Domino City Plaza was unusually empty. It was a bit odd to her. When she visited this place a few years ago, it would always be filled with tourists or duelists. There wouldn't be a day the City Plaza was empty. Then again, it's been quite a while since she last visited Domino City…

This place held a lot of memories for the Italian woman. Back then, she would visit it quite frequently. It's here that she met some of her closest friends. Here, she met Sarina and Sartorius, and other two people she used to be close to. Since then, a lot of things changed. She lost contact with those two first, and now with the siblings as well.

It's here that her niece was born, which was another reason why she had visited this place so often. But then, life got in the way.

Maria let out a sigh while reminiscing of those times. Things really changed as years went by… However, she always cherished those memories. She knew there were also bad memories, but she paid no heed to them. The best thing to do was to always remember good things. She couldn't ignore bad ones, but she didn't want to remember them either. The woman would acknowledge them, and focus on good things.

Just as she was walking through the Domino City Plaza, Maria stopped to look at the clock in the middle of the place. Right now, it was 12 o'clock. The woman took a moment to enjoy how quiet everything was.

"Maria?" A female voice gasped. The Italian woman quickly turned around in confusion. She had no idea who was calling her.

Right there, next to the clock, stood a woman. She was dressed in a white, short-sleeved shirt with a collar and long, black skirt. Her eyes were brown, and her short, blond hair was loose. A look of disbelief was on the woman's face.

Her eyebrows furrowing in thought, Maria walked closer to her. "You don't recognize me?" The woman guessed with a small smile. Scanning her from head to toe, Maria looked in woman's eyes with a frown. "Wait a moment…" She finally trailed off.

Finally, a look of realization appeared on her face. "Naomi Suzuki?!" A huge grin replaced the previous look. "Long time no see, Maria Accardi." The woman grinned back. "I… I can't believe it!" The Italian woman exclaimed, dropping her briefcase to the ground. She immediately hugged the woman tightly, who hugged her back the same way.

"It's been nine years since I last saw you!" Maria pointed out once they pulled away. "Far too long." Naomi sighed. Her eyes landed on the briefcase. "You're going to work?" She asked disappointed. Maria shook her head. "I was running an errand for Maximillion Pegasus." She explained.

The blonde woman looked up in surprise. "You're still working for Industrial Illusions?" She then smiled, earning a nod from the other woman. "Then I guess you have to get going?" "I've just finished it. I think I can sit down to talk, since my flight's leaving in four hours." Maria stated.

A grin appeared on Naomi's face. "Then let's sit in the café over there." She pointed at the nearest place next to Domino City Plaza. "Deal." Maria grinned back.

Once they found an empty place inside the café, two women looked at each other. "I can't believe we're in this place again…" Naomi smiled. "Except that few people are missing." Maria noted with a sad look on her face. "You're right." The blonde woman let out a sigh.

"I haven't heard from Sarina or Sartorius for few years," She then stated. "What about you?" "I was in contact with them until last year." Maria explained while folding her arms. "What happened?" Naomi gave her a perplexed look. "That's what I'd like to know as well..." Her friend trailed off.

She noticed Naomi staring at her. "For some reason, they just stopped calling. Even their old house is on sale. It's as if they disappeared." Naomi rubbed the back of her head once she heard those words. "Odd…" She commented.

"Things just haven't been the same since Hiro disappeared. It's from then things started getting worse." Maria put a hand on her forehead, brushing away her dark brown bangs. "Have you heard anything about his son since then?" Naomi wondered.

The Italian woman nodded. "When Hiro disappeared, Kyle Jables became his son's legal guardian." She put her hands on the table. "Kyle Jables?" Naomi repeated, knowing she had heard that name somewhere before. "He's better known as 'The D'." Maria told the woman the man's stage name.

Naomi's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait… It's that professional duelist?" She asked to make sure, earning a nod from her friend. The blonde woman frowned. "Who let that man become his guardian? He was a famous duelist even back then! How could he look after a child and duel in the Pro League?" She demanded.

Maria rolled her eyes. "That's what Sartorius and I've been wondering ever since then." She replied coldly. She could still remember that day. Even though she did her best to try to become a legal guardian of her son's friend, for some reason, the judge deemed it a better decision to give that role to 'The D' instead.

She had met Hiro's son a few times when he was a kid. The poor child had only his father to look up to. Back then, the child was happy whenever he saw him. However, it all changed when Hiro disappeared. The day they discussed who his legal guardian should be, the poor boy was sitting on the bench and crying his eyes out.

Since then, Maria's time of seeing her friend's son became limited. Other problems appeared in her life, combined with full-time job at the Industrial Illusions. It's there that she met Hiro in the first place. He used to be one of her closest colleagues.

Sartorius, on the other hand, kept visiting the little boy. He even tried to take him in, but The D didn't allow that. From what Sartorius described to Maria, she knew The D wasn't looking after the boy the way he was supposed to.

The child had no friends; he wasn't even allowed to go outside without The D. He wasn't allowed to have any contact with other people that weren't approved by the duelist. It was only luck he approved of Sartorius to keep visiting him and keep the poor child from going insane in the building. Whenever The D was absent, he would remain alone. And that happened a lot.

From the way he behaved, both Maria and Sartorius were convinced the famous duelist had mental illness or something. However, seeing the judge was insane as well, there was nothing they could do.

Naomi let out a sigh. "If I remember correctly, the child's name is Aster?" Maria nodded. "And now he's a top-ranking duelist in the Pro League." She added. The woman's eyes widened. "A pro duelist at such young age…" She trailed off. "That's impressive." "It is." The Italian woman had to agree with her. "It would be even better if I somehow managed to remain in contact with him…." She put hands on her head.

"There was nothing you could do. The D must have probably paid the judge, or something." Naomi put a hand on her shoulder in comfort. "Most probably," Maria agreed. "But I still wish I could have stayed in contact with him, for his father's sake at the very least." She then said sadly.

"Well, from what I heard, he's the Duel Academy's freshman." Naomi commented. "Where did you hear that?" The woman looked up; her eyes wide. "It was all over the news a few days ago. Chancellor made sure for it to come out in every newspaper possible."

Maria rolled her eyes. "Why doesn't that surprise me…" She wondered aloud sarcastically. "To be fair, Aster attending school is a good publicity. Not that they should use him or students for that, but still…" Naomi let out a laugh. "In other words, it's a circus down there in Southern Japan." The dark-brown-haired woman concluded. "Pretty much." The blonde one agreed.

"I heard Aster and a new pro named Zane Truesdale should have a duel soon." She then said quietly. "When's that?" Maria asked in surprise. "In about two weeks." Naomi guessed.

A small smile then appeared on her face. "How's Serena doing?" At hearing those words, the Italian woman looked at her hands sadly. "Not well, I'm afraid." She said simply. "What happened after that day?" The blonde woman asked her with a sympathetic look on her face.

Maria looked up, right into her brown eyes. "As soon as they got a chance, her parents forbade her from playing with Duel Monsters. Chiara even ripped her cards apart." She stated, making Naomi look at her in astonishment. "Then they forbade her to play with anyone who possessed Duel Monsters. Seeing everyone had them, they practically isolated her from the rest of the world."

She quickly brushed off few brimming tears. "I told them not to do it. Even Luca tried to make his brother see reason. However, they refused to listen." She sighed. "And so, Serena started hating Duel Monsters and anyone who had them. Her hatred for the cards slowly became hatred for everyone." Maria continued. "She started judging the whole world, deeming them as fanatics. She never wanted to make any friends after that."

"Wow…" Naomi whispered in shock. "It's crazy what isolation can do to people. When she was a kid, she just used to be so happy all the time." She put hands on her chin while looking at the table. "It's always easier to hate something than to grieve over it. When hatred gets the better of you, it's hard to let go." Maria agreed sullenly. "And at such young age…" Her friend trailed off, still not wanting to believe this. "So she grew up without friends?"

"Yes. Sartorius and Sarina were there to look after her during her parents' absence. She considers them a family, so it doesn't count. Ben, Luca and I were there from time to time, but that's pretty much it. Ben went to different school, so she was all alone during school." The woman nodded.

Naomi frowned. "But then where is she right now?" She demanded. "Right now, both Ben and Serena are at the Duel Academy." Maria explained calmly. Her friend looked at her wide-eyed. "What?!" That only earned her a nod. "I didn't know…" "Serena's just transferred there as a second-year. Ben's been at the Academy since the beginning."

Seeing Naomi was quiet, Maria knew the woman was trying to process the newfound information. Finally, she looked up. "But what is she doing there if she hates it so much?" "Her parents forced her to attend it, saying it'd be good for her. As soon as she graduates, she'll be able to do whatever she wants." The Italian woman frowned.

"What about Roberto and Chiara? How are they?" Naomi asked. Maria couldn't help smiling. Even after everything, Naomi still cared about their wellbeing… Sometimes, she wished the whole world could be as compassionate as her friend. "They're doing as well as they're able to." Maria finally said. "I'm sorry." The blonde woman sighed. "And your husband? And Ben?"

Maria looked up. "Luca is not doing well with his job… He's getting sick a lot these days." That earned her a concerned look. "Ben loves Duel Academy, and he's enjoying his time there. Before he and Serena had left though, I asked him to help me." Those words got Naomi's attention. "I asked him to try to get Serena to socialize with other people. But, from what I heard, it isn't going well. He's angry with her."

"Ah, yes. I know about his sulking." Naomi nodded in understanding. "But even though he's angry with her, he had hoped him ignoring her will show Serena that being alone doesn't help anyone. Again, no luck though."

Then, a small smile appeared on her face. "What about Ken? How is he doing?" Naomi sighed. "He's fine," She started. "And what about him?" Maria suddenly asked. "He... He's doing as well as he's able to. A lot better during the last few years though." She stated while looking at her nails. "I'm sorry." Maria apologized sincerely. "It wasn't your fault back then, so stop apologizing." The woman looked at her sternly.

Maria sighed. "Forget about that now, I'm just glad to see you again." Naomi stood up and walked to where her friend was sitting. Maria stood up and pulled the woman into yet another tight hug.

Serena's POV

By the time I got downstairs, I could see Chazz walking closer with a camera in his right hand. "The Chazz presents: 'The Lame Life'!" He declared, his camera zooming in on me because I was in front of him. I raised an eyebrow with a frown.

"Princeton, what the hell are you doing?" I demanded in annoyance. "Isn't it obvious, Accardi?" The black-haired guy demanded, stopping in place. I looked at him and his camera back and forth incredulously. I hated being filmed… He'd better turn that thing off.

"No, it's not obvious." I glared. "I'm pitching my life as a reality show!" He shook his head in disbelief at my lack of knowledge. I was staring at him incredulously. Reality show? He was serious?! "Wow…" I trailed off sarcastically.

"In that case, turn off the damn camera!" I then shouted, covering it with my hands. "Hey, hands off my camera!" Chazz objected while pulling it out of my reach. "Then turn it off!" I repeated angrily. "Or maybe you could get out of my way while I'm filming?" The guy pointed out as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

By now, I was willing to agree with that, if it meant he'd delete the previous footage of me. "That could work too." I glared. "If you want drama, then go film the Trio of Maniacs up there! They've been arguing about showers and nightlights for an hour now, and everyone can hear them!" I then added while folding my arms in annoyance.

"You mean, Slacker and his two best buddies?" Chazz raised an eyebrow at me. "Yes." I nodded with a frown. "That, I ought to see." He smirked, getting ready to turn on the camera… Only for me to grab it. "Hey, what's your problem?!" He demanded. "I'll give you back the camera if you promise to delete footage with me." I declared.

Chazz groaned in annoyance. "Fine, I'll do it. Just give me back my camera!" He shouted. I quickly did so with a frown on my face. Then I walked away from the dorm to avoid hearing more arguing from those fanatics.

By the time I was back from my little walk, I could see… Ben in front of the dorm, along with the girl from their group.

"Ben, what are you doing here?" I asked in surprise, making both of them turn around. The girl looked at me, and then at my cousin. "You go in, I'll come in five minutes." He told her. She nodded and started walking upstairs with a bag in her hands.

My eyes landed on the suitcase Ben was pulling along with him. "What's going on?" I demanded with a frown. "Alexis and I are moving into the Slifer Red dorm, that's what's going on." Ben explained impatiently.

By now, I was utterly astonished. What business did two Obelisk Blues have at this dorm?! I didn't understand a thing… But, the new roommate of Jaden and Syrus wasn't exactly a Slifer either, he was from Ra Yellow… I couldn't help rolling my eyes. Why everyone wanted to be here, I had no idea. I bet Ra Yellow and Obelisk Blue dorms had better rooms, better bed, better food, better everything!

"Why?" I demanded. "Because Crowler has officially lost his mind." My cousin rolled his eyes. I knew about that information the moment I came into his office… Therefore, I still didn't understand what exactly he was referring to. "Care to elaborate it?" I folded my arms expectantly.

At that moment, Ben's cheeks turned red. By now, I was even more confused. Why in the world was he blushing?! "Crowler wanted Alexis to form a pop singing duo with her brother. He wanted me to sing as well." He finally said in one breath.

I was looking at him for a few moments, taking it in. Then I burst in an uncontrollable laughter. I couldn't control myself, the whole idea sounded just ridiculous!

"It's not funny!" Ben hissed at me, his whole face turning red. "So Crowler wants you three to be singers instead of duelists? He really did lose it!" I literally screamed from laughter. "He wants us to sing while dueling." He corrected me. That only made me burst in laughter yet again.

"I wouldn't be laughing if I were you," Ben commented with annoyance in his voice evident. "Since Crowler pretty much mentioned you as well." Those words made me stop laughing immediately. "What for?" I asked perplexed.

Ben sighed. "He wanted you to sing along with me." WHAT?! I was staring at my cousin as if he had grown two more heads. This was ABSOLUTELY CRAZY…

"YOU'RE SERIOUS?!" I shouted in shock, making him flinch and cover his ears. "Yup," He nodded with hands still over his ears. "He wanted you and I to team up, or even make a quartet with Alexis and Atticus. Actually, I'm not sure anymore, since he might come up with something even crazier." He shook his head in disbelief.

I kept looking at him. "Have you told him I'm a terrible singer?" I asked slowly. "I didn't," Ben responded, making me groan. "You don't sound bad when you sing. It's me who's an even worse singer!" He argued. "You should have just told him both us are bad at singing!" I retorted.

I couldn't help panicking. First, I was forced to attend stupid Duel Academy. Second, a professional duelist wanted to duel me for an unknown reason. And third, the Chancellor wanted me to freaking sing for whatever damn reason he had! The third thing was so messed up… I really wanted either to either jump into the ocean, or get off this island…

"I told him I didn't want to take part in it, and I said the same for you." Ben finally said. "Thank you." I looked at my lifesaver. "It's nothing, as long as we're far away from Crowler." He shook his head with a small smile. "Does… Does that mean we're on speaking terms again?" I asked, realizing he wasn't ignoring me anymore. "I guess we are." He shrugged.

I knew that meant he forgave me, so I ignored that shrug. The most important thing was we were talking again. "Why did Crowler want that anyway?" I asked. "Most probably for the school's publicity." Ben guessed.

"Now, I've got to ask others whether there's some space left for me in the dorm." He took his suitcase. I followed him upstairs, just as the girl, Chazz, Jaden, Syrus and the other guy came out of the just renovated part of the dorm. I haven't been inside, but I was thankful I didn't have to listen to noise anymore.

"Hey, Ben." Jaden greeted. "Alexis has just told us about what Crowler wanted to do with you and her." Syrus said sympathetically. "Please don't remind me, I just had to explain it to Serena." Ben shivered at the thought of him and I singing. Not that I could blame him, since it would be awful. Imagine me and Ben just dueling there, and singing Italian songs when…

NO. I couldn't imagine that. I quickly shook my head to get rid of those embarrassing thoughts.

"What did you tell him?" Chazz wondered. "I told him I wanted no part in it, just like Alexis. I was hoping I could also come into your dorm…" Ben rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Alexis is already in the new part of the dorm, and all the other rooms are full." The black-haired boy told him.

Ben let out a groan. "Great…" He face palmed. "Maybe we could find a pull-out bed or something. Then Ben could stay with Syrus, Hassleberry and me." Jaden suddenly suggested. At hearing his friend's words, a smile appeared on my cousin's face. "You think that could work?" He asked hopefully. "The more, the merrier!" Jaden grinned. "Then great!" My cousin grinned back, dropping his suitcase (with a loud thud that made all of us jump back).

"Although those two could learn to get along first…" Jaden then mused, glancing at Syrus and the other guy. "Is it that bad?" The girl raised an eyebrow. "Accardi said literally everyone could hear them arguing about showers and nightlights. My recording just proves it." Chazz said while looking at me. I huffed and folded my arms while looking away.

Before anyone could say anything else, I could hear someone shouting. "GUYS!" Bastion's voice made us turn around in confusion. He ran upstairs to where we were. I noted that he seemed to be in a hurry…

"Is something wrong?" Jaden asked curiously. "I was looking for Syrus." Bastion explained, making the short guy's eyes widen. "Me? What for?" He questioned in confusion. "For a duel." He got his answer from Bastion.

My eyebrows furrowed. The rest of them were looking at the British guy, and they looked as perplexed as me. "Let's just go inside and I'll explain everything." He told us. The rest of them nodded and started walking towards the renovated part of the dorm.

I, on the other hand, decided not to go with them. I had nothing to do with those fanatics; I was there during their conversation only to keep Ben company.

"Are you coming?" My cousin turned around to look at me. "No, you go inside." I put a forced smile on my face. "Serena…" He trailed off with a frown. "Just go, and we'll catch up later. Okay?" I urged him to go inside. "Fine." He finally sighed.

I sighed in relief once he walked inside after the rest of them.

Then I ran to my room.

That night, I joined other students for dinner. When I sat there, Chazz, the girl, the guy, Bastion and Jaden sat inside. Ben sat right across me. "What do you usually have here?" He asked me curiously. "Fried shrimp." I smiled and started baring my hands. I just wanted damn food to come already, since I was starving…

However, I accidentally took one part of glove off my hand, revealing the bracelet under my glove. Frowning, I slowly pulled the bracelet down so I could put the glove on again, when…

"Now you'll never forget me, cause' you'll always have it with you!" Those words suddenly flashed through my mind.

I was looking at the bracelet in astonishment. It was that hallucination again… But why did it appear once I touched the bracelet?

"What's that?" Ben suddenly asked me curiously, looking at where my glove had been. "Oh, it's nothing!" I yelped and quickly put the glove on my hand.

My cousin raised an eyebrow at me. However, before he could say anything, food finally arrived. That was when Syrus walked in, now dressed in the Ra Yellow outfit for some reason (none of my concern, really, I was just observing).

Since he and the other guy started arguing about a seat, I decided to eat my shrimps as fast as possible. I couldn't listen to their arguing anymore; they had been close to giving me a headache earlier!

As soon as I finished eating, I said 'good night' to Ben and ran out of the room. Just in time, actually, since it looked like the fight between those two was about to become quite ugly.

Letting out a sigh, I took the glove off my left hand to look at the bracelet on my wrist. "Now you'll never forget me, cause' you'll always have it with you!" Those words were echoing in my head yet again. This happened after I had touched the bracelet…

Up until now, I didn't know what to think of this. It could have been some sort of a hallucination, which is what I considered it to be until this moment.

The voice said 'you'll never forget me'… What if I was forgetting something? It definitely made more sense than the idea of hallucinations… If me forgetting something was the case, then what was it, and why couldn't I remember it?

Another chapter done! We got some more insight on certain characters, and the introduction of another one… I hope you liked it and until next time! :)