Chapter 23: Arcadia Secrets

Sayer stood in his office, staring down into the streets below as the door to his office opened, and his assistant came in.

"Are our guests in the holding cells?"

"Yes, sir. What should we do with the boy?"

"Keep him. Perhaps we can use him to convince his twin to join our cause. And Miss Izinski?"

"Restrained and ready to talk."

"Excellent, bring her in."

The assistant nodded, stepping aside to allow two guards to drag Akiza in, kicking and screaming.

"Let me go!"

"It's alright, you can let her go."

The guards nodded, tossing Akiza into a chair.

"Leave us be. We have a few things we need to discuss."

The guards nodded, silently exiting the room.

"Welcome, Miss Akiza. We've been expecting you for a long time."

"Stuff it, you freak! Where are Leo and Luna?"

Sayer chuckled. He would enjoy breaking her spirit.

"Your friends are fine. I apologize for my…rough treatment, but I find psychic powers don't normally reveal themselves without a little push."

"A little push? We could've died!"

"I assure you, I never would've allowed that. We always have medics with plenty of healing cards on hand to make sure things never get that intense."

Akiza narrowed her eyes. She didn't believe anything he said for a second.

"What do you want from me?"

"The same thing I wanted all those years ago: to help you."

Sayer turned towards the windows behind his desk, gazing down into the streets below.

"You see Akiza, I was once just like you: scared, alone, and shunned. My parents tossed me out on the street, calling me a monster and a mutant. I was only 10 when I learned the harsh reality of the world we lived in: that people hate things that threaten their sense of normal. And people like us, Akiza? We're above normal."

"So what did you do?"

"What I'm sure you did in the Satellite: I survived. I found people like me and formed a gang. We stole food to survive, and used our powers to stop anyone who tried to get in our way. Our actions may have been harsh, but necessary to survive."

"And this Arcadia Movement is supposed to be some kind of evolution of that gang?"

"A simplified way of putting it, but yes. I knew that if I wanted to make a change in the world, I would need help to do it. As we got older, our crimes got bigger and bolder. Once we'd stolen enough cash, I founded the Arcadia Movement so that we could help Psychic duelists on a global scale! So that one day we won't have to hide in the shadows. And I can't do it without your help."

"My help?"

"You're the runner up of the Fortune Cup, and a powerful duelist in your own right. Not only that, but you've tamed your Psychic Powers all on your own! If the world knew you were a Psychic duelist, thousands would flock to our doors."

"So you want me to be a billboard?"

"Think of it more as a role model, an inspiration. You could change the world, Akiza. Be more than your parents ever thought you could be."

Akiza remained silent for a moment, before she gave her answer.

"No."
"Excuse me?"

"You heard me! Do you really think I'm buying your bullcrap about wanting to make the world a better place? You're just a power hungry maniac who's willing to use people who have been discarded by society to achieve your megalomaniac goals. You're not a savior, you're a madman! I only wish Misty's brother realized that sooner."

Sayer scowled.

"I should've known you were too smart for your own good. Guards!"

Sayer's guards rushed in through the door, grabbing Akiza once more.

"Escort our guest here to my lab. Maybe a few private sessions will open her eyes and help her see the light."

Akiza struggled to break free, but her assailants held firm, and dragged her away.

"You won't get away with this! Goodwin will come looking for me!"

"Oh, I wouldn't be too sure about that. Goodwin knows better than to cross me…"

With that, the door shut, allowing Sayer to slump down in his chair and let out a weary sigh. The day had been a long one, but not without some success. Once they had the little girl completely under control, the Spirit World would be his for the taking.

He was just about to head off to the lab when something on the monitor caught his eye. Someone was in his study. Someone who didn't belong there.

"Well, well, well, look who decided to pay a visit."

With a frustrated groan, he stood up and made his way out the door. Akiza would have to wait, for now he had a pest problem to deal with.