Angela surveyed the crowds around her, quietly taking in the confusion splattered across their faces. Some were demanding the security guards for answers for why they were suddenly forced out, though most were just waiting patiently for the drill to be over. As usual, reporters gathered around Sector Security, the accusation so clearly written in their eyes. Bright flashes coated the vicinity, along with questions upon questions piling up against each other, each more intimidating than the last. Though the officers, were calm, stoic, in the end she could see them nervously backing away, all the while trying to act like the heroes everyone expected them to be. It was hard, that job.

Angela took a deep breath, never once bothering to join in on the fun. Alexis had just left the cafe when Angela told her what was going on. Apparently, the incident didn't affect them, and since she had better things to do, she went ahead and left. It seems Yuki felt the same way. In all honesty, Angela couldn't blame them; after all, why waste their time one something as mundane as this. It's not like this'd be the end of the world, and chances are this evacuation would only last for a couple more hours.

Still, Angela was a bit curious. It's not like there was anything major happening, and from what that stupid intern told her, it seems all this was is just an emergency drill. And if that was the case, she should've just stayed at the cafe; these days, the reporter found it harder and harder to respect her editor's desires.

Already she could hear the theories circulating through the bodies, drifting aimlessly from one person to another. By this time tomorrow she was probably going to get a dozen calls, talking about some stupid conspiracy theory the government's involved in. Who knows? Maybe the editor would rather have her report on that then the murder case. Maybe that's why Angela was called here.

From the corner of her eyes, she could see Jack Atlas standing there, with some of his still adoring fans staring at him so very obsessively. There was another man with him, orange-haired, a former resident of the Satellite, judging by the marks on his face. Huh, those twins weren't with them; maybe they were still being evacuated. As is Izinski, and Yusei Fudo too. They, out of everyone here, were probably going to be the most pissed. Perhaps that's her next story, right there, screaming in front of her, the King and the other Fortune Cup participants, missing in action.

The same names from the files swirled back into her brain, as she stared up at those scarlet skies, the flaming orange piercing those normally serene clouds. Violent, with tense, golden shadows filling up the skies ahead, like an ominous warning whenever a storm drew near. They were beautiful, those skies; if she could, she'd reach up and touch the crimson, never bothering to let go of the melancholy. If someone stood there, the only thing she'd probably see was a silhouette, an archaic one, from long, long ago.

She smirked to herself then. Alexis doesn't remember anything; either that, or she's a really good actor. Still, though Angela tried again and again to find an explanation pertaining to the pictures' frightening similarities, from look-a-likes, to plastic surgeries (no record), she couldn't shake off her own suspicions. She remembered seeing Izinski there, in that room, wallowing in a sea of drugs, saw the photographs of Yuki, and Alexis, and Yusei Fudo, all of whom were seared into her memory. No matter what anyone said, Angela couldn't brush this aside; there was that same nagging feeling she got from when she saw the "suicide" in front of her, and the hijackers, who just kept shooting at everyone. This seemed to elaborate to be a joke, and though Angela knew she could show the files to Sector Security, it seems they've already their hands full. And besides, what with the spectacle they've created between themselves and the hospital, Angela was afraid she might damage any chance she'd have in getting clearance.

Ah, Alexis never showed her the pictures of the bodies. Did Angela want them later? Who knows?

The reporter looked back at Atlas. He was starting to get anxious about something, though she didn't know what. The orange-haired man was calming him down, but only barely, and already they were receiving attention from some very interested reporters. She could see the frustration on their faces, the agonizing wait as Security blew them all off, if only to come back to them a few moments later and ask them the same questions. Those two will never get anywhere like that, but she didn't say anything; it wasn't her problem to begin with.

"Calm down!" she heard the guards scream.

Calm down.

What a peculiarly haunting phrase.

Angela stared back up at those red skies again. Funny; even from here she couldn't see where the sun was. Just red, and red, and red, and red.

Atlas was making a fuss about something, something about Yusei. Ah, so he wanted to know where his friend was, right? He still wasn't back?

It's not like Yusei, to keep everyone waiting.

She caught a tiny raven, flying off in the distance, its dark feathers fluttering lightly to the ground. If she stayed still, she could see that tiny feather fall, dancing to the whims of that gentle, yet chaotic breeze. Her eyes followed it down, a strange melancholy settling at the pits of her stomach.

Just in the distance, she could hear the sounds of an alarm, ringing unpleasantly in the back of her head. Like an unwarranted wake-up call, from a wonderfully constructed dream.

Akiza felt a stinging pain glaze over her cheek, the force of the bullet flying past her so easily. She was about to stumble, but managed to catch herself, all the while staring at Jaden, her eyes wide with shock. Cold sweat dripped down her forehead, any traces of fatigue quickly leaving her without hesitation. She blanched at the gun pointed at her, at the cruel, callous light in his eyes, at the haughty smirk he had on his face.

"J-Jay?" was the first thing that came out of her mouth.

He was dressed in a single, tattered black sweater, with black jeans to go with it. Heavy silver chains cascaded down his legs, all of which clung to his pocket. He wore combat boots, with the very same chains wrapped around it, a small, red skull dangling from the side. When she looked down at his neck, she saw a stringed collar adorn his throat, with a tiny, black rose latched onto the side.

He looked just like the hijackers she saw on TV.

"Wow," he snickered, as he tore the gun away from her, twirling it around in his fingers. "You really are sad. Takes just that much to get under your skin, huh?"

Slowly, Akiza regained her senses. She clutched her chest, as she stared at Jaden, hoping that this was just some sick prank he was playing. She barely managed to smile, the playfulness mood gone from beneath her. "What're…what're you doing?"

"Hmm? Come on, now you're shaking? Seems like the witch really has gotten soft"

He spun away then, with that same, amused grin on his face. "Still, I guess it's natural. I mean, he's been interested in you for a long time now-"

"Stop it."

"-but is he serious?" he sneered, the scornful tone entwined within his words. "You're just a weak little girl who can't even fend for herself. But what'd I know? It's not like he's going to listen anyways."

"Jaden!"

He paused for a brief moment, the disbelief clouding his eyes. It wasn't long before he began snickering, his eyes darkening after only a few seconds. "You're really slow, aren't you?"

Akiza clenched her fists then. There was no way, no possible way-

"What, you don't like this face?" Jaden asked then. "Well, what'd you expect from some damaged garbage anyways? You want to see someone else?"

Then she saw Alexis there.

Alexis, whose bright, innocent eyes were tainted in just the same way, her bright, lovely features darkened by the arrogant smile on her face. She had on a white, tattered dress, with tiny little pearls cascading down her sleeves. The skirt was puffy, almost like a delicate tutu aimlessly wandering around in its majesty. Her hair was tied into two, neat ponytails, with pink ribbons cascading down her bare shoulders. That same, black rose was strapped to her throat, the thorns more prominent with each second Akiza stared at it. She looked down then, Alexis, and whistled. "Huh, not bad. I kind of like this form; looks cute, right?"

Akiza gripped her sleeves tightly. "Who are you?" she asked finally.

That strange person stared at her for the longest time, before bursting out laughing. "Oh man!" it howled, as it swung its gun around in its hands, the utter hilariousness of it all greedily eating away at its breath. "W-wow, I guess I deserved that. I mean, I did almost kill you and everything-"

"W-what're you-?"

"-doing here?!" it finished easily, traces of humor still embedded in its tone "Ah, just my way of saying hello." It cleared its throat, and straightened, ready to, at the very least, be taken seriously. "My master wanted to know if the Black Rose received his invitation yet."

She narrowed her eyes. Her duel disk was in her room, as was her deck. Her chest was starting to burn again, and the headaches were coming back. Still, she managed to brush it aside, as she regarded the creature. "Invitation?"

It blinked. "Oh, he didn't get it?"

"What're you talking about?" she tried, only to heave heavily at her own words.

"How unusual," it continued, as it placed one hand on its cheek, all the while shaking its head. "I was sure to send it to one of the Queens. They should've gotten it at the morgue by now. Not good; he won't be happy about this at all. Not one bit…"

"W-wha-?"

"Well, can't do anything about this now, can I?" it stated, imitating the same smile Alexis smiled. It cocked its head, scrutinizing Akiza, but before long, it simply nodded. "Please inform the witch to meet the Rook at the Loreli Graveyard, on the night of the Worm Moon, before the witching hour. I understand he's a busy man, but surely he can make time for one of his precious nobles. I'm sure you agree."

Akiza gritted her teeth. Before she could open her mouth, she stopped, her vision becoming more and more blurry within the second. She took a deep, painful breath, before regaining herself again, the determination settled within her eyes.

And yet, somehow the creature kept on with its useless chatter. "No?" it asked incredulously, as it walked toward her, Alexis's sweet face still plastered over it. "Come now, I don't like repeating myself girl. You know, I think you did get all that; you just like messing around a lot. I'm right, aren't I?"

She can't see.

"Hey, you hearing this?" it asked, as it hovered just a few inches away from her face.

She was clutching her chest.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you."

She was losing her balance.

It caught her, just when she was about to fall. She felt its hands against her cheeks, as it cradled her face upwards, with a frustrated smile painted over its lips. Blue eyes stared down at her, intense blue eyes, eyes she knew somewhere before. It repeated its instructions, all the while holding her burning body in its arms. And when it was done, it thrust her away, with a disgusted look on its face.

"Man," Yusei said coldly. "I've no idea what he sees in you. Pretty worthless, in my opinion."

When she blinked, he was gone.

Yusei narrowly dodged the attack, the wings beating against him as he did. The shock resonated throughout his body, all the while stumbling back, his hands groping the air for something, anything. The roars were piercing, the devastating nightmare already aiming for the killing blow. He stared up at it, and before he knew it, he leapt away again, only for the wing to smash into the duel runners. He landed with a hard thud against the garage door. It's coming.

Before he knew it, he ran out of the way, only for the monster to blow away the garage door, smashing itself into tiny little bits.

He clenched his fists, turning toward the person on the staircase.

Sayer.

The same, arrogant smirk was on his face. Olive green eyes scrutinized Yusei menacingly, with his own, red hair covering the other part of his scarred face. Bruises nestled along the lines of his neck, and when he rose his arm, Yusei could see a single, gold-platted duel disk strapped to the side. He donned a brown trench coat, and when Yusei looked down, he could already see an elongated shadow lingering nearby; another monster.

Yusei narrowed his eyes, and stood, the adrenaline fading from his system. "Been a while, hasn't it?" he heard Sayer say.

"What're you doing here?" he growled.

"My, you're in a good mood," the man said sarcastically, as he placed one hand on his hip. "So tell me, how does it feel?"

"What?"

"Oh don't tell me; you're really going to play this game?" He descended down the stairs, never once taking his eyes of Yusei. That same shadow began entwining around him, carefully splaying itself out just a mere inch away.

Yusei bit his lip, as he slowly stepped back, the image of his ruined duel runner seared into his brain. There's no way he can get to it, at least, not without that thing around him doing something. And he was already out of the garage. "What'd you mean?" Yusei asked coyly, desperately searching for a way out of this situation.

Sayer scowled, the smile completely vanishing from his face. "I'm getting a little tired of your games. Still, I've got to admit you're a pretty good actor. You even had Goodwin fooled, didn't you?"

Yusei clenched his fists. "What the hell are you-?"

He was suddenly forced back, landing on the hard ground. All the breath was knocked out of his body. Yusei gout down a wince, as he looked up, Sayer stopping just a few yards away. "And to think; Akiza bought your little facade. What'd you want from her anyways?"

There was a painful throbbing in Yusei's leg, though in the end, he still managed to stand, the resentment so bluntly written all over his face. "Oh yeah?" Yusei pressed, as he watched Sayer draw another card. He needed to get that deck away from him. "You manipulated Akiza into doing your dirty work. You really think she deserves being around creeps like you? And besides, how're you even here? Last time I saw you, you were being hauled away by Security."

"Funny," he muttered, as he placed yet another card along the edges of the duel disk. "Let's just say someone saw through your lies, and asked me to handle it. Personally."

At that instant, a fireball came raging toward it missed, familiar sounds of destruction echoed behind Yusei, the flames scattering all over. Processions of silhouettes danced around him as he looked on, his mind racing.

"I know that look," Sayer said quietly. "You're desperate; I've finally got you cornered. And if you're thinking about hiding behind everyone here, you're too late. This area's already been evacuated."

Yusei stared up at Sayer uneasily, yet another fireball formalizing just in front of him. He bit the inside of his cheek, as he dodged the fire, the embers scorching his skin. He could hear the monsters already behind him, with Sayer's dark chuckling just trailing behind. Cold sweat came down his forehead, the panic thundering throughout his chest, as he searched the area, trying to get out of the way.

When Yusei turned back, he could see Psychic Commander behind him. A barrage of bullets instantly sounded against his eardrums, and without thinking, he rounded the corner. Sayer's shadow stayed behind that corner, as the monster continued firing, destroying every little thing in sight. Yusei stared at the two monsters, knowing full well the dead end behind him. From the corner of his eyes, he saw a glass window there, and just under it, a broken, rusted pipe.

"Sorry Zora," he muttered, before taking the pipe and breaking the window. He leapt inside, just as the bullets started firing. His eyes darted rapidly for any place to hide, before ducking beneath the table, and waiting for the range to end. It was then Yusei replayed what Sayer had said in his brain, the fear finally crashing down on him.

What was he talking about?

Everyone was evacuated? What happened to Jack, and Crow, and Akiza, and the twins? Were they alright? Yusei knew what Sayer was capable of, but he thought Security could hold the madman down. The Arcadia Movement, the Dark Signers, the prejudice between the Satellite and Neo Domino; everything was gone from the moment they defeated Goodwin.

What's Sayer after anyways? What was he hoping to accomplish, just by coming here and attacking him? Was it Akiza? Did he want to bring back the Movement?"

"Come out!" he heard Sayer screech. "Nikolai, I know you're in there!"

Nikolai.

Nikolai Izinski.

That was the name, wasn't it?

Yusei clutched his fists. Slowly, he regained his senses, as the fear subsided. Unpleasant memories came forth, all the while his deep, dark eyes flickered towards the monster just drifting in the house.

The bullets stopped then. And with that, the Commander's eerie silhouette slowly drifted forth, quietly searching the room. Yusei kept his eyes down, his breathing gradually coming to a close. The alarm died down, and from then, he looked up. That shadow was with Sayer now, wasn't it?

Yusei carefully reached for the pipe, then quietly made his way out from underneath the table. So is that what this is? Sayer couldn't handle losing Akiza, as well as the rest of his precious Movement, so now he's hunting him down, if only to avenge his sullied pride. Nikolai did something to Sayer; more than likely Sayer was just looking for someone to blame, a person who probably had more influence than he ever will. Was the man jealous? Yes, considering how blindly he decided to attack Yusei. Though what he said before was a bit strange, in the end Yusei could dismiss the statements. Judging from the way he's wrecking everything, it's easy to say he could slip underneath him easily.

He lifted the pipe, and smashed it into the Psychic Commander. Yusei never bothered watching it getting thrust back, the crack in its helmet already evident of its weaknesses. He came out of the window again, hissing in pain at the glass embedded in his palm. He raced out from the house, and saw that shadow getting ready to attack. Sayer narrowed his eyes. His lips started moving, though as of that point, Yusei ignored him; all that mattered was that stupid shadow.

He dragged the pipe down onto the ground. The shadow unwrapped around Sayer and charged, its beady little eyes darkly reflecting the flames around it. It kept zigzagging along the ground, trying to follow the sidewalk, while concentrating on Yusei at the same time. He grunted, as he dug the pipe into the ground, and shot it into the sky, the familiar sight of crimson adorning the air. He saw the tiny thing frozen in its tracks, and without another thought, he dug the pipe into that same shadow. From what he heard before, there were just two monsters Sayer summoned, that Archfiend and the Commander. When he turned back, he saw the man coming toward him, the Psychic Sword in hand.

He regarded Sayer evenly, as he tore the pipe away from the shadow and blocked Sayer's attack. Never once did he move his eyes away from the man, as he focused on the sounds, the flames already starting to die out. He was taking a step forward. Left. Then right.

Yusei dodged accordingly, stealing a glance at the man's duel disk. Sayer swung the sword left, right, slashing it wildly in mid-air, trying to cut Yusei. He easily made out where the sword was coming from, and it was through that did he thrust the pipe into Sayer's hand. Then, in that same moment, he knocked the sword away from Sayer, and moved in. Off-balance; if he was as childish as Yusei guessed he was, he was probably expecting that shadow to catch him, right? The moment Sayer turned back, trying to see if his tiny companion was still there, was when Yusei smirked. He dug the pipe into the disk, then swiped it away, shattering the disk with all his might.

Then, a searing pain erupted from his shoulder.

From the corner of his eyes, he saw Magical Android standing right behind him, with an emotionless expression on her face.

Yusei grimaced at the pain, but in the end he kept silent. He turned back, and saw Sayer standing there, clutching his arm, the blood running through his fingers. "Just give up," he muttered.

Sayer was a psychic duelist, just like Akiza.

"Don't try to deny it; I've got all the evidence I need."

A psychic duelists's prowess is determined by the level of concentration they put into bringing their cards to life.

"So don't make this harder than it has to be."

Even if it was linked to emotion, in the end, if the duelist isn't putting their all into damaging their opponents, what good can come of it?

Sayer chuckled. "Nikolai-"

It was at that precise moment Yusei found Sayer groveling on the ground pathetically, with the Magical Android disappearing before him.

Darkness enveloped him then.