Security Bureau – Roget Office

"How did you lose all of them?!" said an angered Roget. He was sat in his office and talking down to a subordinate on his screen. It was a man in a suit.

"Well we have little CCTV in the commons area due to vandalism and they jumped our officers, they were knocked out somehow." replied the man.

"And the fugitives on the D-Wheel?! They escaped from Tops, how could we not track them?!"

"They left the Tops area before we could block their route out, they were too fast."

"Well it's not good enough! I want a full Security package present in Commons, now! I want no one thinking they can escape Security, you hear me?!"
"Yes sir." said the man. Roget stood up and the call ended. He looked out from his office.

"These boys… and that bracelet…, they're two things the Professor wants for his goal to happen if I remember correctly…." Roget thought. Roget picked up a chess piece and gripped it hard. "I don't know much on them, but if Leo Akaba wants them… so do I!"

Commons

Rin, Shingo, Dennis and Tsukikage had made it away from the Security in the Commons area and were now out of sight from Security. The four had been running for a further twenty minutes.

"How much longer must I run for?!" cried Shingo.

"Quit your moaning, we're almost there!" Rin replied.

"Where exactly are we heading?" Dennis said.

"My orphanage, my home." she replied.

A little while later the four were outside a large building which had walls around it. The building, like the rest of Commons, was damaged with the outside walls missing all its paint. There was a big yard and to the right of the place, was a smaller building.

"And we're here." Rin said as they stood outside the closed gate.

"This IS a dump!" Shingo yelled. "A world class duelist like myself deserves a six star hotel and not somewhere like this!"

"Then feel free to try and get into the Tops!" Rin angrily replied. "I'm sure you would looooove the facility!"

"The… facility…" Shingo stuttered. Before Rin could respond, a voice could be heard coming from within the fenced wall.

"Is… is that you Rin?!" a female voice said. Everyone turned around and Rin's face lit up. "It is you Rin!"

"Martha!" Rin shouted back.

"Martha?" questioned Dennis. A long black haired woman who had tanned skin appeared, she was wearing a long red and white gown. Martha made her way to the closed gate and opened it.

"Where have you been?!" she said as she ran up and hugged her.

"Yeah… I'm…. fine…" Rin replied as Martha almost strangled her.

"But where did you go?! It's been weeks!"

"Long story…"

Inside the Orphanage

The four had been let into the orphanage and were inside the wasting away building. Inside, the four were sat at a table while kids were running around and playing. Martha was stood up and bringing the four food and drinks.

"So you're the one who's in charge here?" Dennis said.

"Yes, I run this place for all orphans in Commons." Martha replied with a big smile. "It's not much but we make do." Martha made her way and sat down as well, giving the four plates of food and drinks.

"This is mine and Yugo's home. We grew up here and we now live in the side rooms, in the other building." Rin replied.

"But where have you been Rin?" Martha stated. "It's been weeks and Yugo is missing?! We've been putting up flyers and asking all the Commons?! We thought you had been taken in by Security?! Have you escaped from the facility?!" Rin looked at the ceiling for a minute, not knowing what to say.

"No Martha, it's nothing like that." Rin replied. "I…. went to another world."

"AN-Another what?!" Martha said. Dennis and Shingo all looked stunned at Rin for saying the truth.

"Yes, another world Martha, another dimension!" Rin stood up and placed her hands onto the table

"Another dimension?"

"I was transported there via a portal, Yugo as well. These three come from the other world, the Standard Dimension." Rin said.

30 Minutes Later

Rin had just spent the last half an hour explaining to Martha. Dennis, Tsukikage and Shingo all had a Pendulum Card out and showing it to Martha as proof. Martha had no idea what to say.

"So… you've been in another dimension for all these weeks and you have counterparts who look like you. There are other summoning methods and boys who look like Yugo…. and some school wants your bracelets and Yugo as well as his counterparts…? ….Is that right?"

"Yeah…" Rin said bluntly.

"Oh thank goodness." Martha said reviled.

"You believe me?!"

"Of course I do Rin. I raised you since you was a newborn who appeared on the doorstep in a basket, I could never not believe you. Plus we all know the rumours from Arcadia… if there is such a thing as a Psychic Duelist, then another world isn't hard to believe." Martha replied.

"Arcadia… Physic Duelists?" Dennis questioned.

"Yes." Martha responded. "Duelists who can inflict much more pain than any form of Real Solid Vision. They are in the Tops and are incredibly dangerous."

"So you have corrupt police and duelists with that power…. wow this world sucks." said Shingo.

"Shingo!" Rin said. Martha laughed.

"It's fine, it does suck." she replied. "We Commons are all struggling in this unfair world… but…. the children… you say a war is coming… there going to turn the children in cards?!" Everyone paused before the silent Tsukikage spoke.

"Ma'am, I swore an oath. I and my fellow Lancers will protect the worlds. I will put myself before anyone else in the way of battle." he said. "We will do our upmost best to stop Academia."

"I only just met you three but I can tell you're all kind and caring people. I trust you to the full extent. You protected my dear Rin from trouble." Martha said with gratitude. "But Yugo…."

"I don't know where he is." Rin said. "He disappeared."

"Could these Academia people have him?"

"It's… a possibility." Rin replied with sadness.

"I shall go and look around." Tsukikage said.

"No you can't." Rin replied. "Security will have heightened alerts out for us."

"I am quick and quiet, I shall be fine." the ninja replied. He looked at his fellow Lancers as there wasn't any further objection. "It is decided, I shall return soon." Tsukikage stood up and left the building, closing the door behind.

"I'm glad you told me the truth Rin." Martha replied.

"Yeah, I'm sorry I've been away though."

"I'm just glad you're safe." Martha looked at Dennis and Shingo. "Well I guess you'll be staying here indefinitely then, you guys can stay in our outer building for as long as you like."

"Outer building?! You mean that pigs sty?!" Shingo exclaimed.

"Be grateful." said Dennis to his partner. "We're guests." Martha laughed at Shingo's outburst.

"You say what you think, I like that!"

Commons

Yuya and Yugo were now in an alleyway, they had spent the night on the floor of the streets as the duel with Ushio before had taken all their energy away. Yugo had hoped to get the orphanage as well.

"That… was rough…" said Yuya as he stretched.

"Yes it was, but many people have to do that here… I'm lucky I had Martha and the orphanage to provide me a home." Yugo replied.

"She sounds nice."

"Yeah, she took me and Rin in as newborns. She is basically our mother." Yugo said.

"Do you not know your true parents?"

"No." Yugo shook his head. "Neither me or Rin know anything, there is no clues."

"I'm sorry Yugo." Yuya said with sympathy.

"It's fine! I have Rin! She's as bossy as a mother!"

"And your girlfriend?"

"G-girlfriend?!"

"Yeah, well the way you speak about her…. you must be a couple." Yuya said innocently.

"We… er… well… did she say anything in your dimension…?" said a now blushing Yugo.

"Well I know she cares deeply about you." Yuya said.

"Yeah and I lo-…" Yugo paused awkwardly. "I like her too!" Yuya innocently laughed.

"How far off the orphanage are we?" Yuya asked.

"I have no idea where we are…"

"You what?!"

"I haven't been in this part for a long time…" Yugo said. "Directions never were my strong point…"

"Well we better get moving then, it's getting dark." Yuya replied.

"If only we had a signal or something…." Yugo said as he looked into the air. Yuya looked around as well, he had no idea what to do next.

Tops

Ruri, Yuto and Mina had arrived also in Synchro; they had landed in the rich and luxurious Tops. The three had arrived in a park. People in posh outfits were walking around, looking at Ruri and Yuto in their tattered clothing with a sneery look.

"So this is Synchro?" Yuto asked.

"I guess so." Ruri replied. "Though… I feel kinda out of place here with our war clothes… they're all looking at us."

"It makes no difference as to what we're wearing." Yuto said.

"I don't know, these people are all dressed up." Ruri replied.

"Well we had better get you guys dressed and housed!" Mina said with reassurance.

"Dressed.. and housed?" Yuto replied.

"Yes!" Mina said confidently. "I just need a ATM…"

"ATM?" questioned Ruri.

Tops Market

The three were walking around the busy market place of the Tops. There were people eating outside cafes and many shops selling various items. As the group walked, more and more looked at them in disgust.

"Are they those filthy Commons?"

"They must stink."

Ruri and Yuto heard the comments and just walked on. Both were street-wise enough to know picking a fight in an unknown dimension would be a bad move. Mina kept moving and saw an ATM outside a bank. Mina ran up to the bank with the other two following.

"Finally." Mina opened her yellow coat and inside were many pockets filled with many gadgets. Mina made sure Yuto and Ruri couldn't see everything. Mina took out a small credit card and placed it into the machine.

"Mina… what are you doing?" Yuto asked.

"Something illegal if that's what you're wondering." she replied.

"ILLEGAL?!" Yuto shouted. Mina turned back and put her finger over his mouth to silence him.

"We don't know what this world is like… we need to be careful. We're on the run from Academia… we have to break a few rules." Mina replied.

"She's right Yuto." Ruri replied.

"Fine…" Yuto begrudgingly said.

"Good." Mina went back to the machine. "Fools. I know all about this dimension because of our mole. I hope I can count on him and his goons turning up for me!" she thought. The ATM beeped and suddenly the machine begun to shootout many bills of the banks money. They were flying out and into Mina's hands.

"So much money?!" said Ruri in shock.

"Here take this!" Mina said as she shoved the money into Yuto's hands. "Hide this in your coat and run. Find a hotel and new clothes!"

"But Mina?!" Ruri replied.

"Just go, they will come after us, I will hold them off!" Mina said.

"Why?!" Yuto snapped back in shock.

"You're needed by Academia, who knows where they are in this world! Just go!" Mina said. Yuto slowly took a step back but stopped once more. Ruri did the same. "GO!" Before saying anything else, Yuto and Ruri ran for it as Mina smirked, she could hear sirens in the background.

"COMMONS!" shouted a man as Ruri and Yuto ran. "Get Security!"

"Commons? Security" said Ruri. "What is this place?!"

Shop

Yuto and Ruri had picked out some clothing and took it to the shop till. In their still battered clothing, they got a weird look from the big, ugly, female shop keeper.

"You're not… Commons are you?" she asked.

"Er…. no." said Yuto.

"Please, we just want to buy some clothes." Ruri begged with politeness.

"That sounds like something a Commons would say…." the woman said. She put her hand under the counter and pushed a button. Yuto was aware of her suspicious behaviour and grabbed the clothes from the desk and grabbed Ruri's hand, he quickly ran to the surprise of Ruri.

"Yuto?!"

"We have to go!" he yelled. Yuto and Ruri quickly ran out of the shop. The shop keeper looked annoyed.

"STOP THOSE COMMONS!" she yelled as members of the public all stood in shock as the two made their way down the street.
"STOP YOU SCUM!" yelled a man in a suit who, along with others, were catching up to Ruri who was lagging behind.

"Come on Ruri!" Yuto said. The man had caught up to Ruri and grabbed her red Resistance scarf. He pulled it, stopping her from moving any further. Ruri was caught up in the moment and didn't know what to do. Yuto looked back and panicked. "Ruri!"

"We will show you what we do to Commons scum!" said the man.

"Please… leave me!" Ruri said as Yuto charged up to the man and slammed a fist into his guts. He was hit by such power, his hand released Ruri. Yuto grabbed Ruri's hand and quickly made off with her. The man fell to the floor in pain.

"Yuto… thank you." said Ruri.

"That's what friends are for Ruri." Yuto smiled back. "Now let's get changed into these clothes, we need to find somewhere quiet." As the two looked around, the angry mob was getting closer. They looked around and couldn't see anything or anyone to help.

"Come with me." said a female voice from up ahead, much to the shock of the two. Yuto and Ruri looked and saw a figure in a hoodie and black pants. Ruri and Yuto looked at each other and quickly followed.

The figure had taken Ruri and Yuto around a brick wall and they saw the angry mob run right past them. Seconds went by and the group had left the scene. Ruri and Yuto let out a sigh of relief.

"How can we ever thank you…." Ruri said. The figure was turning away from the two to hide her face.

"It's nothing." she replied. The girl placed her hand into her pocket and took out some keys. She threw them at the ground and Yuto looked at them before picking it up.

"What is this?" he asked.

"It's your new home. I look after Commons in trouble." the figure said.

"But we're not Commons." Yuto replied.

"Well you need to be somewhere safe otherwise Security will find you." the girl replied. "Get changed here and up ahead, down this road is a block of apartments. Use that as your temporary home until the heat dies down."

"O…ok thank you." said Ruri. "Who… who are you?"

"Just a friendly person in an evil world." Before the figure was a fence, the figure quickly begun to climb it with style and grace, leaving the two behind. As the figure jumped down, her hoodie slipped down, revealing green hair. She quickly put it back up and left the scene. Yuto and Ruri had no idea what was going on.

Apartment

Yuto and Ruri were now wearing their new clothes. Ruri had a red skirt on with black shoes. She had a simple white shirt on with a black collar. Yuto wore a blue shirt with black collar and black pants.

Inside the apartment was a well furnished room. It looked similar to a hotel room.

"Who was she?" Yuto asked.

"I don't know but should we trust her?" Ruri replied.

"We shouldn't trust anyone really, except each other." Yuto said.

"Mina?"

"I don't know, she seems genuine." Yuto said.

"Yuto… there is some things I need to say… you've been away for months." Ruri said.

"What is it?" Yuto replied.

"Back in Standard when we went looking for Reiji Akaba… I… I had to card someone."

"You did?" Yuto said with concern.

"I had no other choice… I feel guilty about it now but I know I had to…" Ruri said with sadness in her eyes.

"If you had no other choice Ruri… then you had no other choice." Yuto said as he sat next to her closely.

"I know but I also learnt another bad thing…. when I lost my bracelet… I was told that the Resistance carding people would help Academia in powering up their goal… we've been feeding them." Ruri said. "I told the Resistance but… I don't think they have any other choice."

"I had expected that the Resistance was powering Academia's goal… however the Resistance didn't have much choice. I didn't agree to the carding… it's a vile and evil thing we took from our enemy's… I have so many regrets from those moments… I tried to think of alternatives but… I fell to the same low level as Academia."

"No you didn't." said Ruri as she took Yuto's hand into her own. "Listen to your own advice, you had no other choice. I carded a worker doing his job… you had enemies on you. We all have carded someone as members of the Resistance, we all tried to talk them out of it but they wouldn't listen, we need to do some bad things from time to time. A war is a war, it turns all into soldiers. We had no choice; there is only so much talking you can do. " Ruri said.

"Even though we had to… the guilt, it eats at you." Yuto said.

"I know Yuto… but we're survivors in a war we didn't start, we are fighting and doing this for the right reasons… something Academia doesn't share with us. I do struggle to see the good in people now though…."

"You're not losing faith in people are you Ruri?"

"I… er… let's just say I struggle nowadays…"

"Ruri, you have the biggest heart of anyone… please don't lose that." Yuto said.

"We all have changed through this war…" Ruri said. The two stared at each other and embraced in a hug as they shared their deep problems.

Security Bureau

Roget looked at his screen; he was observing the recently arrested people. He had to approve all of them to enter the prison. As he went through the list he looked in shock at one.

On his screen was Mina in handcuffs, she was being transported to the Facility.

"Mina… what the hell are you doing here?!" Roget thought as she stood up. Roget pushed a button.

"The girl in a yellow coat, I want to speak to her now, send her to my office now!"

A little while later, Mina entered Roget's office with red handcuffs on and her coat locked away. Mina wore a simple long-sleeved purple shirt on. Two Security guards bought her in.

"You may leave us." said Roget. He looked at Mina as the guards disappeared.

"Long time no see…. Jean!" Mina said with a bright smirk afterwards.

A/N

Thanks to Romadrox once again, had some great ideas here.

Royal2- We will find out soon about Rin's reaction.

LilUsagi – Thank you, your comments are very kind.