Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V.

Author Note: Even thought the challenge ended years ago, rekindled interest in the fandom lead me to publishing my unfinished works. Please enjoy them.

Day 8: Reunion

First it was Selena with Layra. The former Academia soldier had been extremely worried for this little boy ever since she met him – even more so, now that they were in this ruthless and unfair Synchro Dimension. And yet, even through all the fog that clouded her vision and the white-hot weakness that ran through her veins and forced her on her knees, Layra was so strong…

Seconds later was her reunion with Tsukikage, the ninja who had saved her life countless times in the past. He offered them both a way out, away from the greedy clutches of Roget's hands and his maddening manipulations behind the scenes, away from the place that was supposed to be the entrance to Hell. It was an offer she gladly accepted.

It felt like hours later, when her reunion with Yuya happened. He came in crashing on his Duel Runner, shocking the Obelisk Force soldiers, and with a move that seemed to echo Reiji himself, he managed to summon Odd-Eyes, Dark Rebellion and Enlightenment Paladin on the field at once. She wondered briefly if she could ever become this strong.

Yet in sharp contrast, whereas Yuya had brought her joy, this man brought her guilt and pain. Barrett. He walked into the abandoned subway station looking as determined as ever. He came in with a single order: retrieve Hiiragi Yuzu and Selena. He also told her that if she were to surrender peacefully, he would ask the Professor to allow her to fight in the front lines, just as she had always wanted.

If she had the strength to laugh, she would have done so. To think that a mere week ago this had been her wish! How could she fight against Kurosaki now that she knew his pain? How could she sell out Yuzu when she had risked her life to help her? How could she invade the Synchro Dimension when they had offered her their homes, when they were fighting for the same things she had always fought for; freedom and equality. How could she betray the Lancers when they were the only people who had ever truly cared? How could she fight with the Academia now that she knew the truth?

Selena wanted to share all those thoughts with Barrett. She really did, but that nerve gas stripped her of all the strength to do so. Therefore, she summed all up, she put all of her thoughts in one phrase. "I refuse to be the underling of the devil.".

Barrett was a painful reminder of her past, of the dreams she used to have. Barrett was the only person other than the Lancers who had ever cared for her, and to see him overpower Yuya so completely, yet still acknowledge him as a honorable warrior for his resolve… Just how determined were those two to protect her?

So much guilt…

The Obelisk Force advanced towards her. Layra could not fight any longer. He had already fought for long enough as it was. It was over.

And then Shiun'in Sora jumped in. The last time she had seen him, he acted every tiny bit like the cruel hunters that the Academia soldiers were said to be; when in the world did he become an ally?! And why did he choose to betray the Academia? A new thought occurred to her: Selena herself was precious to the Professor, so they had to get her back unharmed even if she had betrayed them and joined the Lancers. What would happen if she were anyone else…?

"Oh? So that means that you've betrayed the Professor?". Who. Is. That? A complete stranger. She could hear Yuya exclaiming in shock that he had the same face as himself. The new arrival was wearing a purple Academia uniform – the highest rank, those who only took orders from the Professor and reported directly to him and him alone. She overheard Barrett say "tch" in dislike. "To betray the Professor while wearing an Academia uniform…", continued the teen, sounding almost lazy as he said it and not paying the slightest attention to everyone else present. "Do you think that would ever be forgiven?"

The statement sent a chill up her spine – and she was not the only one.

He continued taunting her, turning to her all of his attention. He wanted to duel and he did not care for anything else. And worst of all, she had this nagging feeling that she knew him…

And then Yugo crashed in, seeking for revenge. The duels went to hell very fast after that.

And as the sky filled with lightning and a portal swallowed it whole, as the boys chanted like possessed, as Yuzu came out of nowhere and then that insane man who almost murdered her, Serena not for the first time wished that they had never been separated.