Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Faithshipping One-Shot Collection

by JCHudson

Just like the title says. I'll be posting Faithshipping one-shots every once in a while. Try to get back into the swing of things before taking on larger projects. There'll be a little bit of everything here, maybe even a little steamy, if I feel confident enough. For the really erotic stuff, I'll probably just post them on Ao3, since I now have an account there, with the same name

9. Two of a Kind

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Faithshipping One Shots

Chapter 9

Two of a Kind

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N/A: Happy New Year, everyone. I know it's been a while, but I haven't had the motivation to write anything between Christmas and the new year. I thought about doing another Valentine's day chapter like last year, but instead, I'm going to be doing another chapter like the previous one, where it's based off of an idea I had years ago that I never got around to doing. Last time it was what if Yusei attended Duel Academy. This time, it's what if Yusei had psychic powers. Again, just like last time it'll just be a one-shot, but something I might expand on as its own story in the future. With all that out of the way; onto the story.

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Sirens and alarms could be heard all throughout the Facility as a massive explosion rocked the foundations of the building. Prisoners were up in a riot, guards were running amuck, spread too thin to keep everything and everyone in check, and the Warden? Passed out, knocked unconscious from being too close to the blast radius. The cause for such an explosion? A new prisoner, now an escaped convict and wanted criminal, Yusei Fudo. As to how this turn of events came to be, we must first take a look from a number of days ago…

---

Days Prior to the Prison breakout

Yusei had just defeated Trudge for a second time, and had escaped Satellite through the trash pipeline, just to be confronted by the very same man he had been holding a grudge for, for almost a year now, his former friend, and brother, Jack Atlas, the current King. It was one year ago, almost to the day, when Jack betrayed his friends for power and glory. Manipulating Yusei into saving Rally, allowed Jack the opportunity to steal his Duel Runner, and his Stardust Dragon card, before taking the same path that Yusei would make in the future.

Goading Yusei into a duel, Jack initially returned Stardust to Yusei, however, surprisingly, Yusei threw it back, claiming he would defeat him without Stardust, and take it back once he had won their duel. Said duel was a grudge match between former friends, brothers and rivals, with neither duelist giving an inch. However, towards the end, when Yusei reclaimed Stardust Dragon, and clashed against Jack's Red Dragon Archfiend, something bizarre happened.

A crimson birthmark that Jack's had since he could remember began to ignite with a burning sensation, just as astonishingly, another birthmark appeared, one Yusei's never seen before, branding itself into the skin of his arm. As the clash of the dragons continued, both duelists had heard a sound that neither could have comprehended. Descending from the sky, was a long serpentine, crimson dragon, and just before the climax of the duel, the energy the majestic creature was giving off knocked both duelists out, ending the duel in a no result. Shortly afterwards, Sector Security came and arrested Yusei for illegally crossing over into New Domino, all the while he and Jack continued to stare the other one down.

As Yusei was being processed, his arm ignited in pain once again, as he was branded with a criminal mark, forever printed alongside his face. As the pain coursed through his body, Sector Security had to hold him down, as strangely, the device keeping him from moving and the machine used to brand criminals was malfunctioning, until finally the pain was too much, and Yusei passed out.

During his short period of time in the Facility, Yusei had met an old man by the name of Yanagi, a self proclaimed treasure hunter of rare and mysterious cards, albeit not much of a duelist himself. Yanagi was the one that had informed Yusei of the Crimson Dragon and what its sudden appearance may mean, and how that birthmark that Yusei now has permanently etched into his arm makes him one of the Signers; a mysterious group of individuals that's supposedly prophesied to help save the world at some point in time.

It was during this time that Yusei had begun to believe he had powers that he didn't have before, not until he had received his mark. During a duel with one of the inmates, Yusei could feel and see things in the cards he played that he never noticed before. Yusei had heard of such people, but he had never met one before. A psychic duelist; people born with the power to bring duel monster cards to life in various ways and forms.

He had questions about this phenomenon, for one, how is it that he somehow has powers, but he could never recall Jack having any? Was it because he was "gifted" with this birthmark, whereas Jack was seemingly born with it? Yusei didn't know the answer, but he knew he wouldn't find them locked away in a cage. Hours before the exhibition duel between Yusei and Takasu - the warden and Chief of the Facility, Yusei received a letter from one of the guards.

Opening the blank envelope, Yusei was surprised and shocked to have learned what was inside - Stardust Dragon! But just as it fell out, so too did a small note, that simply said, 'Good Luck. You'll need it.' As the day of the duel arrived, due to the Warden's sick mistreatment of the inmates, shock collars and ankle and wrist bracers were attached to both duelists, dealing an amount of real damage through volts of electricity equal to the amount of life points both duelists would take. Through the shock and pain, Yusei's emotions got the better of him, and when he activated his trump card, he put a little bit more oomph into his powers than he normally would have; which leads us to the present moment…

---

Present Day

Just as the Facility's alarms and sirens were blaring throughout the structure, similar alarms and sirens were going off in KaibaCorp Tower, but for different reasons. Waiting patiently, the director of the Sector Security forces and director in chief of the city, Rex Goodwin sat in his chair and was unsurprised as Zigzix - his official scientist and engineer on EnerD and Momentum - reached out to him.

"Report."

"Ahhhh, Director Goodwin, sir I've detected a spike of energy that has the same signature that was present just a number of days ago in the Kaiba Dome! Just as you predicted!"

"Good. Thank you for letting me know, is there anything else that you've detected so far?"

Spinning wildly around, Zigzix's excitement died down a little as he informed Goodwin, "Unfortunately, no. I haven't seen anything else, or heard about another energy spike with a similar signature as to the one from Jack's duel. If I may ask, sir, what is it that you seek to accomplish by having me run these tests? Oh, ho, oh, don't get me wrong sir, THIS is what I live for! But one can't help but be curious, sir."

"All in due time, my friend. For now keep monitoring the energy signature, and let me know if others like it begin to pop up."

After spinning wildly once again, Zigzix bows to his master, and turns off the terminal, just in time for Jack to waltz into his office like he owns the place, just before slamming his massive hands on Goodwin's desk. If the wisened director was intimidated, he didn't let it show.

"Why did you have me do that?! Because of you, Yusei's just escaped! What's the meaning of this!? Why have me steal his Stardust Dragon, if you wanted him to get it right back?!"

Calmly standing up, Goodwin turned his back to Jack, infuriating the already pissed off King, gazing out the window to his city. "Because I have a theory about your former friend, Jack, and in order to test that theory, I have to let the rat out of his cage first."

Leering at the man, Jack stood beside him and crossed his arms across his chest, also peering out to the city below. "What is it you're planning, Goodwin? Why set all of this up? What're you playing at?"

Turning to look at the King, Goodwin eerily grinned, and asked his ward, "Tell me, Jack, what do you know of Psychic duelists?"

---

At the same time, across the city, another individual interested in the power of Psychic Duelists - a man simply known as Sayer was sitting in his luxurious office, reading reports on some of his "students" when he heard a knock on his door.

Sayer was a tall, handsome young man, who is the leader and founder of the Arcadia Movement; on the surface, it's supposedly a place for Psychics to better learn and use their powers, and a refuge for those that have been shunned by society, but in reality, has a dark secret.

Shelving the reports in a drawer to be further reviewed later, Sayer threads his fingers together, obscuring the lower half of his face as he announces, "Enter."

Opening the door was one of many of Sayer's "teachers" hired to help aid the many students in the building. All of them are dressed similarly, in green, sometimes blue robes, with a high collar and a white, long sleeve shirt underneath. The man before Sayer seemed to have an urgent message, as the leader of the Arcadia Movement notices that the man seems out of breath, and is just barely standing.

"Excuse me for the intrusion, sir. But we've just received reports from our spies within Sector Security that a prisoner has escaped the facility."

Raising a brow at his subordinate, Sayer, speaking in his suave, velvety tone, questions, "And? Is that all? While impressive, it's of no consequence to us, if that old fool can't keep his rats in their cages. If that is all, leave. I have more important matters to attend to."

Taking a deep breath, the man doesn't leave, and instead surprises Sayer with more information. "I apologize, sir, but that's not all. The man that escaped was reported to have been able to cause a massive explosion in a duel with the warden of the Facility."

Catching his boss by surprise, Sayer is quiet momentarily, before responding again, "Interesting… do we know the name of this individual? Or any facts about him?"

"Unfortunately, we couldn't get a name, but he's apparently a Satellite native that escaped, had a duel with the King, and was sent to the Facility when the duel was interrupted by that odd blackout some time ago."

"Hmm… a psychic from the Satellite… While not unheard of, it is a surprise that one of them managed to get into the city… and to duel that puppet of Goodwin's… Jack might be a tool for the old man's machinations, but he's still a strong duelist in his own right… Besides myself, there's only one other Psychic here who could give Goodwin's lapdog a run for their money… having another duelist of that caliber in my ranks wouldn't hurt, and could bring me closer to my ultimate goal…"

Standing up from his office chair, Sayer tells his subordinate, "Follow up with the rest of our friends at Sector Security, and keep monitoring for any more information about this 'Satellite Psychic'. In the meantime, I think I need to have a little chat with our Black Rose. If this duelist is as strong as I think he is, we'll need someone with a lot of firepower to bring him to our side."

With that said, the man in the robes bows slightly to Sayer and exits the office room, leaving Sayer behind, to look out his high rise windows down to the streets below. "Soon… Very soon, I'll get what I want… and no one will be able to stop me! Hahaha!"

---

Days Later

After the breakout, Yusei was gone into the wind. Knowing that he'd be on Sector Security's radar, he used some of the connections he had made in the Facility, reaching out to a modern-day "fence" by the name of Saiga. At first, the grizzled, young man was hesitant to help Yusei, not just because he didn't trust him, but also because he knew how he had broken out of the Facility, and anyone who affiliated themselves with Yusei would find themselves receiving the same punishment that Yusei will, if ever caught.

However, eventually, Saiga conceded, and gave Yusei the means to temporarily shut down the locator chip embedded in his criminal mark, which allowed Sector Security to track his every move within the city. After breaking into the Vault, and using his new powers, Yusei escaped with his cards and runner, and eventually shook Sector Security off his trail.

Although Yusei was grateful for Saiga's help, he knew he couldn't return to him, less he wanted to drag Saiga down with him, when he eventually would get caught. However, Saiga's generosity surprised Yusei, as the grizzled, young man gifted Yusei one last morsel of good will, a safe house on the outskirts of the DAMION AREA of New Domino; a place where the downtrodden, former criminals, and the poor folks of the city make their home.

During the last few days, Yusei knew he couldn't be riding around on his runner, nor walk around the city as he looked now. Sector Security may have gotten off his back - for now - but his face and his runner has been plastered all over the city and the news. If he steps one toe out of line, he'll be sent back to the Facility faster than he can say, "Let's Rev it Up!".

So during that time, while scavenging around for food and supplies - the safe house was stocked with enough food and essentials for a couple of months, but Yusei wasn't fond of his odds living in the city for that long - Yusei had overheard that there were underground, illegal dueling "arenas" that people participated in. The question of their legality comes from the fact that a majority of the people that participate in these duels are criminals marked like him, and in addition to the gambling and betting that many people use these duels for.

While it was risky, Yusei could potentially find someone who could lead him in the direction of Jack and Goodwin, no matter how small the possibility might be. On that note, Yusei fashioned himself a worn, long cowl and robe with a high collar, covering up most of his body. As for his face, using the limited supplies and technology at his disposal, Yusei created a rudimentary helmet, with a face mask, similar in design to his runner's helmet, only that the colors were inverted, and in addition, as long as he wears it, it can mask his signal, protecting him from being found by Sector Security.

As this went on, Yusei was also learning more of his powers. While he wasn't a telepath, or had telekinetic powers like he had read in some manga and comic books when he was a kid, he did learn that his powers could sort of affect technology. In fact, it was because of his experience of being held down and forced to be marked that he realized he could disrupt electrical signals if he focused hard enough. With that knowledge, and his already incredible mind combined, he was able to use that to create the chip that could match Sector Security's frequency, and jam it.

Using his powers like so at first did drain him physically and mentally, but overtime with constant practice, as long as he wore his mask, he could do it almost subconsciously. However, the biggest thing he learned was that he could make duel monsters and their cards and effects come to life in real time. While the newest technology in solid vision made these things as realistic as possible, it had nothing on Psychic powers. He was in awe as he summoned Junk Synchron and could understand the little beeps it made, as if he could talk to the little guy about anything.

He tested this with other cards as well, such as Quillbolt and Sonic Chick. The safe house was big enough to allow these monsters to be summoned in their full forms, but weren't nearly large enough for Yusei to call forth cards like Junk Warrior and Stardust Dragon. Speaking of, even though Yusei was still puzzled why he assumed it was Jack that somehow gave Stardust back to him, he wasn't complaining.

---

A few days later…

Looking down at the street below, a figure garbed in a dark violet cloak, wearing a plain white face mask, with red "tear drops" just below where the "eyes" of the mask would be, could only click their tongue in annoyance at the position they found themselves in.

"Tsk. Sayer knows I come to these places to unwind and vent. Sending me here to find some so-called 'Satellite Psychic' is a waste of time. If this person really is a psychic AND wanted by Sector Security, they wouldn't be out in the open, all willy-nilly. If they are out here, they're probably in a disguise like me.

And he wants me to 'recruit' them? Pfft. I would have better luck reconciling with THEM than I would trying to get someone to join us. On the other hand… I could make it a wager in a duel… If this guy is supposed to be as good as Sayer claims he is, it would provide me with a decent challenge. Hopefully…"

As the figure continues to lament about their current situation, their thoughts come to a halt, when the hairs on the back of their neck stand up, and they get the feeling that they've been spotted. Gazing around quickly, the cloaked figure catches a brief sign of movement from something before they disappear into a building known for holding illegal duel tournaments.

Leering behind their mask, the figure whips out their rose, pink duel disk, before announcing aloud to themselves, "Gotcha."

At the same time, a small group of teens managed to sneak into said building. Two of the children look to be fraternal twins, as one is a boy, and the other is a girl. Besides their obviously different genders, the two look nearly identical. They both have teal blue hair, light brown eyes, and wear similar clothing. The boy has his hair done up into a ponytail, whereas the girl's hair is done up in pigtails. The other boy accompanying the twins is a short kid, with brown hair, glasses and carrying a small briefcase with him.

Huddled in a dark corner of the room on the second floor, the children could just barely make out a few of the "contestants" trying and failing to find the so-called "Black Rose Witch", a duelist known for causing destruction and chaos by turning duel monster cards real.

"Hey, Dexter, do you see her, yet?"

"No, not yet, Leo, and try to be discreet and quiet. We'll get into some real trouble, if we're found out here."

Giving his friend the side-eye, the boy with the teal hair now known as Leo tries to speak up to defend himself, only for a hand belonging to his sister stops him. "Shhh. The both of you be quiet. I can't believe I let you two rope me into this mess. We just need to be patient."

The small group of children immediately shut up when they hear the door on the first floor open, just as the other "patrons" also stop muttering amongst themselves. Peering over the railing, the children watch as someone in a dark, worn cowl and cloak, wearing what appears to be a metal helmet, with a face mask, obscuring everything but his eyes, and strapped to one of his arms, is what looks like a custom-made duel disk.

"Whoa… who is that guy? Have you ever seen, or heard about him, Dex?"

Shaking his head in the negative, Dexter is just as surprised as Leo. When the boys turn to Luna - Leo's sister - they find that she's clutching her arm kind of tightly. "Sis? Is something wrong?"

Shaking her head, Luna closes her eyes, as she tells the boys, "Something doesn't feel right. I think we should leave. Now."

The boys look at each other for a moment, before turning their attention to Luna. "What do you mean, leave? We just got here, sis. Are you getting bad vibes from metal face over there?"

Opening her eyes, Luna looks desperately at her brother before saying, "No… but I feel like there's this tension in the air, and if we don't get out of here quickly, we will all be caught up in the storm when it eventually snaps."

The boys looked worriedly at each other, but before the children could come up with a decision, the ground shook for a moment. Just before it settles, the door to the hideout explodes off its hinges, as the Black Rose Witch waltzes through the gaping hole in the side of the building, before lifting a manicured finger, pointing at Yusei in his disguise, "I challenge you to a duel!"

---

"This is unexpected…"

Moments ago, Yusei in his disguise had just arrived at one of the designated illegal dueling arena hideouts, when he noticed a dark figure up on the roof of a faraway building, seemingly peering down at the street below. They were too far away for Yusei to make out who they were, or what they were doing, but before he could ascertain such thoughts, before he knew what he was doing, Yusei left to enter the building when he managed to see a subtle change in their demeanor.

Years of living in the slums of Satellite had taught him how to spot a potentially dangerous individual, and when to book it, so as to not get caught. Unfortunately, in this case, Yusei wasn't quite fast enough, because the person that he had spotted was the very same one that just blew a gaping hole in the wall, and challenged him to a duel.

Looking at the person now, Yusei could tell that they were a woman, and possibly had red, burgundy hair from the bangs framing her mask, but not much else, as just like himself, she too is in a disguise. Although he hadn't crossed paths with her until now, Yusei had heard rumors of a duelist wearing dark robes, and a white face mask that could cause cards to come to life and wreak havoc and destruction. They called her…

"So… I assume you're the Black Rose Witch I've been hearing about?"

Lowering her hand, only to put it right up to her chest, slotting her deck into her duel disk, and activating it, she coldly responds, "And what of it? I didn't come here to chit-chat. I came here for a fight. I don't appreciate being spied on, especially by people I don't know. Normally, I wouldn't bother and I'd just crush you and be done with you, but a 'friend' of mine seems to have an invested interest in you, assuming you're the one he talks about."

Although she couldn't see it, Yusei was getting a little unnerved. For one, her power was far beyond anything he could have imagined; just being in her presence was enough to get him to shake almost involuntarily. Secondly, who was this friend of hers, and just how had he learned about him? Unless he was someone in connection with Sector Security and/or high up on the corporate food chain, Yusei's powers shouldn't have been released to the public. While his face and information was released to the public eye, the question of how he truly escaped the facility was kept under wraps.

"Unfortunately, I have no way of knowing without accepting her challenge. Either this 'friend' of hers is a higher up in Sector Security, or has access to information that they shouldn't… Either way… this is the best lead I have on how to get to Goodwin and Jack… I just have to hope that I and my powers are ready… Compared to hers… as I am now… it's like comparing a river to an ocean."

Standing across from her, the two duelists eye each other like hawks, as Yusei takes his place on the duel field. The few people that didn't run away from the Black Rose's entrance, including the kids hiding up on the second floor, tremble with anticipation. This is the first time any of them have seen someone brave and/or stupid enough to accept a challenge from the Black Rose Witch, and whether or not they want to see her beaten, or this nobody to be splattered across the field, will surely be a spectacle to watch.

"Just before we begin, I didn't catch your name, or whatever you call yourself. I'm a bit at a disadvantage, you see, and that's hardly fair, or sportsmanlike. Wouldn't you agree?"

Scoffing at her obvious sarcasm, Yusei replies, "Fair? Sportsmanlike? From the rumors I've heard of you, you're not the type. You can call me Phantom for now."

"Phantom? Pfft. What kind of name is that? Whatever. It doesn't matter what you call yourself, because you'll just be a phantom of a memory when I'm done with you!"

""DUEL""!

---

Akiza/Black Rose Witch vs. Yusei/Phantom

Turn 1

Drawing a card from her deck, the Black Rose takes the first move. "Since I challenged you, I think it's only fair if the lady gets to go first! I draw!"

Akiza/BRW: Hand: 6 cards. LP: 4000

Yusei/Phantom: Hand 5 cards. LP: 4000

"I'll start off by summoning Evil Thorn to my field!"

The kids up on the second floor as well as the spectators that decided to stick around, and Yusei watches as a shriveled up, dying plant sprouts onto her field. However hanging from the bud of the flower, is a rather large, and menacing looking pod, with hundreds of tiny little spikes poking out of every inch of the pod.

Evil Thorn

DARK/Level 1/ ATK/ 100/ DEF/ 300

Plant/Effect: You can Tribute this card; inflict 300 damage to your opponent, and if you do, you can Special Summon up to 2 "Evil Thorn" from your Deck in Attack Position, but their effects cannot be activated.

"However, it won't be staying around for long! By sacrificing my monster, it explodes in a shower of thorns, dealing 300 damage to my opponent!"

"Shit! She doesn't even care if these people get caught in the crossfire! I have to focus if I don't want to cause any unnecessary casualties!"

Just as the spectators took to running, or trying to use the tables as cover, the plant explodes into a shower of deadly thorns, promising to rip apart anything that comes into contact with them. However, the Black Rose and everyone watching is surprised when the exploding, ricocheting thorns seemingly stop in midair, before slumping to the ground, harmless as can be.

Yusei/Phantom: LP: 4000 - 300 = 3700

Even Yusei is somewhat surprised. Not only did he manage to save the few remaining spectators, but he also managed to stop the thorns from impacting him as well. Unfortunately for him, although he can't make out the Black Rose's facial expression, he can tell by her body language that she's none too pleased with this turn of events.

Growling behind her mask, Akiza wasn't pleased in the slightest by what she just witnessed. "So it's true… he IS Yusei Fudo and he does have powers… But why would he save these… 'people!?' If he's a psychic like me… like Sayer… then why the hell would he try to save people that've only ever been afraid and ridiculed by those like us!?"

"So… you're a psychic just like me… Why would you save them from that attack? People like that have only ever brought pain and suffering to those like you or me. And yet you willingly put yourself beside them? Don't you realize that no matter what you do, or how many times you do it, they're just gonna treat you like the rest of us with powers!?"

Yusei wasn't quite prepared for a speech like that, and for a moment he was stunned silent. While he hadn't had these powers for long, and always tried to keep them hidden when he went out, on the few occasions people had seen him using his powers, he had noticed the dirty and uneasy looks that they gave him. Besides that, Yusei knew all too well about prejudice and ridicule. His time in the satellite and in the facility were proof enough of that. Being treated like less than trash by Sector Security and by those few in Satellite that could go to and fro from the island and the city were experiences that he wouldn't want to wish on his worst enemy. He can't deny that there is a small part of him that wants to use his new "gifts" to punish those that wronged him and his friends, but he knows he can't go down that path because he knows that not everyone in the world that's from the city, or part of Sector Security are like everyone else; they're innocent people that don't understand, and Yusei tries to reach out to the Black Rose to tell her as such.

"You ask me, why do I defend them? It's because they're innocent people that don't understand these powers that we have. I know very well what it's like to be shunned and ridiculed for being different. For not being normal. And I won't lie to you, there are times where I've wanted to use my powers like you just used yours; to punish those that have wronged me. But that's a skewed way of viewing things. It's wrong to want to bring harm to those that have hurt you because then by that point, you're no better than they are. People are afraid of things that they can't understand, and sometimes - a lot of times, they react negatively to something that's different from the norm, but it's not fair to put everyone else in the same boat as those people. There are those out there that aren't afraid of people that are unique and different. There are people out there that will accept people like us, and who won't judge us, or belittle us for being who we are…"

However, his words only seem to anger the young duelist instead, "ENOUGH! You're wrong! Everyone I've ever met has had nothing but disdain for me, and those like me! My peers, my so-called 'friends'! Even my parents wanted nothing to do with me! Only one person in my life has ever shown me kindness, and acceptance, and he's just like me! So you can take your way of viewing things, and shove it! I don't want to hear another word about it out of your mouth! Or so help me, I'll show you what I can really do!"

Just as she finished her sentence, a wild whirlwind of pure, raw energy began sweeping across the arena. Throwing up his hands to protect himself, Yusei was awestruck by her display of power. It was as if what he felt before was the ocean being blocked off by a dam, and now that dam has been broken through, letting all of that rushing water flow and burst. Yusei watched as the remaining pedestrians on the ground floor ran out of the building with what little strength they had left as furniture began flying all around the two duelists.

Everyone, but a small group of kids on the second floor gripping onto the railing as hard as they can, unbeknownst to the duelists below them.

When the rushing winds finally calmed down, the small group of kids were holding onto one another for dear life, but surprisingly none of them got up, or moved. Too stunned by what just happened, there was a moment of silence amongst the three, until Leo bravely whispered, "... I think I just peed my pants a little."

Down below, the angered Black Rose continued with her turn, "Now that you've shut up, I can continue with my turn. When Evil Thorn is released by its effect, I can summon up to 2 copies of it from my deck in Attack mode, but they can't activate their effects."

Two thorns that had embedded themselves into the ground were actually seeds of the Evil Thorn. Quickly, two more copies of it, albeit smaller in stature sprouted to her field.

"Next, I'll activate the Spell Card, Closed Plant Gate!"

Closed Plant Gate

Normal Spell Card/Effect:

If you control 2 Plant Monsters with the same name; your opponent cannot declare an attack during their Battle Phase next turn.

As the card's name suggests, the two Evil Thorns roots grew and intertwined with one another, until a blockade of roots stood between them, nearly obscuring the Black Rose from Yusei's point of view.

"With that, I'll end my turn. If you know what's good for you, you'd best keep your mouth shut, and finish your turn quickly, or I'm afraid you'll be sent to an early grave."

Turn 1 End

Akiza/BRW: Hand: 4 cards. Field: 2 Monsters. GY: 1 Spell. LP: 4000

Yusei/Phantom: Hand 5 cards. LP: 3700

---

Turn 2

Akiza/BRW: Hand: 4 cards. Field: 2 Monsters. GY: 1 Spell. LP: 4000

Yusei/Phantom: Hand 6 cards. LP: 3700

"My turn, draw!"

Taking a moment to scan everything around him, Yusei comes to the conclusion that there isn't much that he can do from here.

"Seems like I struck a nerve… I'll have to be careful from here on out, if I want to avoid another outburst like that again. There might not be any other people in the building, but her powers appear as if she was holding onto them by a mere thread, like shackling a shark with a leash. I can't just let her run rampant, or she might just end up destroying everything around her."

Gazing at his opponent once again, Yusei feels as if there's something else at play here. Almost as if he can sense some kind of connection with her. "Maybe I can try to get through to her after all? This sensation… it's almost as if we're connected by something… Is it possible that she's also one of these 'Signers' like me? Or maybe it's something much more mundane… maybe she's just trying to find someone that can help her…? In either case, I can't sit by and do nothing… I just hope that this all ends well once this is over."

"Due to your Spell's effect, I can't declare an attack this turn, so I'll summon Shield Wing in defense mode! Then I'll set 3 cards face down, and pass the turn to you."

Shield Wing

WIND/Level 2/ATK/0 DEF/ 900

Winged Beast/Effect: Twice per turn this card cannot be destroyed by battle.

Appearing on Yusei's field is a larger than average, lithe, green bird with large wings and feathers in the shape of blades. Crossing its wings in front of itself, it crouches into a defensive position. As Yusei ends his turn 3 cards placed face down appear briefly, before disappearing entirely.

Turn 2 End

Akiza/BRW: Hand: 4 cards. Field: 2 Monsters. GY: 1 Spell. LP: 4000

Yusei/Phantom: Hand: 2 cards. Field: 1 Monster, 3 set S/T cards. LP: 3700

---

Turn 3

Akiza/BRW: Hand: 5 cards. Field: 2 Monsters. GY: 1 Spell. LP: 4000

Yusei/Phantom: Hand: 2 cards. Field: 1 Monster, 3 set S/T cards. LP: 3700

Drawing the top card of her deck, the Black Rose Witch doesn't waste any time analyzing her opponent. Instead, she immediately slaps down a monster card onto her duel disk. "You might think you're safe from harm if you hide behind your defenses, but unfortunately for you, I have just the card I need to get around your pesky monster. First, I'm going to summon Rose, Warrior of Revenge!"

This immediately gets Yusei's attention, as he realizes she's just summoned a tuner monster. "A tuner? I wonder what she plans on synchro summoning."

Rose, Warrior of Revenge

FIRE/Level 4/ATK/ 1600/DEF/ 600

Warrior/Tuner/Effect: When this card inflicts battle damage to your opponent: Inflict 300 damage to your opponent.

Jumping into the fray is a redheaded young woman, wielding a sword and garbed in a black combat suit, and wearing a white scarf.

Next, plucking another card from her hand, the Black Rose activates the Spell Card, Mark of the Rose. "With this card, your last precious defense is mine! By banishing a plant monster in my graveyard, this card steals an opponent's monster, and forces it under my command!"

Mark of the Rose

Equip Spell Card/Effect:

Activate this card by banishing 1 Plant monster from your GY, then target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; equip this card to it. Take control of the equipped monster. Once per turn, during your End Phase: Negate this card's effect until your next Standby Phase.

Thrusting her hand forward, the Black Rose uses her powers to literally mark Yusei's Shield Wing with her own special brand…

"Unfortunately, for you miss Rose, I can't allow that to happen! In response to your spell's effect; I activate one of my own! Go, Double Cyclone!"

…Or that is what would've happened if Yusei didn't have a trick up his sleeve! Thrusting his hand outward, one of his face downs is revealed to be a Quick-Play spell. "By destroying one of my own Spells or Traps, I can destroy one of yours as well!"

Double Cyclone

Quick-Play Spell Card/Effect: Target 1 Spell/Trap card you control and 1 Spell/Trap card your opponent controls; destroy them.

Not expecting Yusei to have a counter to her own card, the Black Rose and the kids on the second floor - silently cheering for the newcomer - watch as two typhoons rip apart the duel field; destroying not only Mark of the Rose, but Yusei's set card, Limiter Overload in the process.

As the gale force winds tear across the field, the Black Rose withstands the oncoming storm unfazed. However, despite not reacting outwardly, on the inside, the Black Rose can't help, but reflect that Yusei does have potential to be a powerful psychic duelist; if he stops holding back. "Interesting… Maybe Sayer wasn't exaggerating. If he's correct, this guy just recently unlocked his powers, but he seems to be handling them pretty well. But I get the feeling that he's holding back. I can't tell if it's intentional or not, but I can sense a deep well of strength within."

As this is going through her mind, her thoughts turn slightly bitter and jealous. She's been struggling containing her powers and keeping them under lock and key for as long as she remembers, but some nobody she's never heard of until just days ago who just recently had their powers awakened seems to be in almost perfect control. "Tsk. Of course he just has to be good at controlling his powers as well as being a half decent duelist! I've struggled nearly my entire life just to be able to keep a handle on my powers, but this Satellite-Psychic nobody just awakened their powers, AND already seems to have some level of control over them!? ARGH! I'll show him what REAL power is!"

Unconsciously, the Black Rose lets a little bit more of her control of her powers slip, and shocks Yusei and the hidden spectators above as she cancels out Yusei's cyclone with one of her own! "I don't know who you think you are, but if you think you can lecture me about how I use my powers when I've struggled all my life to learn how to control them, while you, whose never had these powers until just a couple of days ago can seemingly use them at your command -! URGH! I'll throw you back to whatever hole you crawled out of!"

Throwing up his hands once again, Yusei uses what power he can summon up to block the Black Rose's onslaught, but the gap in their powers prove to be too great, as some of the winds that she unleashes lashes out, ripping holes and tears into Yusei's cloak and cowl and taking bits and pieces of his helmet and face mask with it.

"Urgh! This duel can't go on much longer if I expect to get out of here in one piece! But I can't just leave her like this. Whether she's aware of it or not, that leash she has around her powers is stretching to its limits, and sooner rather than later it'll snap. But I don't know if I can't talk her down enough to calm the coming storm. She obviously needs some kind of help, but I don't think she'll listen to me… She already seems to despise me enough as it is. Unfortunately, I'm all that's left… I HAVE to try something…"

Breaking the spell that she would have put on his monster, once the field settles and the dust clears, the Black Rose is surprised when she sees another monster summoned to Yusei's field; Speed Warrior. Noticing her shocked demeanor, Yusei explains. "The card I destroyed with Double Cyclone on my field was a Trap card called Limiter Overload. When it's destroyed, I can special summon a copy of Speed Warrior from my deck."

Limiter Overload

Normal Trap Card/Effect: If this card is sent to the Graveyard; Special Summon 1 "Speed Warrior" from your hand, deck, or Graveyard.

Speed Warrior

WIND/Level 2/ATK/ 900/DEF/ 400

Warrior/Effect: Once per Battle Phase, if this card was Normal Summoned this turn (except during the Damage Step): You can make its ATK become double its original ATK, until the end of the Battle Phase.

Crouched in a defensive position next to its comrade, is a lithe, wiry fighter with roller blades as feet, wearing a black jumpsuit and a fighter pilot's mask with gray armor covering a majority of its body.

Up on the balcony, the trio of kids watch at the edge of their metaphorical seats, as they continue to stare as this new guy they've never heard of before seems to be matching the Black Rose blow for blow. Leo, especially, is amazed, and silently cheering him on. Dexter is just as excited, taking notes as he continues to watch the duel, hoping that when they get out of this, he can speak to the man in the metal mask for pointers and tips.

All except for Luna. While she too is cheering for the man to win this bout, she still has this strange feeling that something bad is going to happen soon, but the three of them can't leave without exposing themselves and putting themselves into even more potential danger. But that's the least of her worries, as unbeknownst to her brother and their friend, Luna is getting a familiar sensation in her arm, the same one she felt when she first laid eyes on the man. "This is a recipe for disaster… We can't leave without drawing the Black Rose and the man's attention, potentially putting us in even more danger. But what worries me the most is this strange sensation I'm feeling in my arm… Specifically my Marked arm… I don't know what it means… but nothing good has ever come from it when it feels like this."

Once the room settles completely, the Black Rose simply continues on with her turn. "Hmph. You might've stopped me from using your monster, but luckily for me, I still have a trick up my sleeve. While I was aiming for something a little more destructive, this will do just as well. I tune my level 4 Rose, Warrior of Revenge with my two level 1 Evil Thorns!"

Raising her hand to the skies, as the Black Rose chants, "As the chilling flames engulf the world, a Queen sits upon a bed of thorns, waiting to be set into bloom! Synchro Summon! Queen of Thorns!" Rose, Warrior of Revenge turns into four golden rings, just as the two copies of Evil Thorn become silhouettes of themselves with one bright star representing them both, before being engulfed in a green stream of light. Once there were three, now stands one.

Queen of Thorns

LIGHT/Level 6/ATK/ 2200/DEF/ 1800

Plant/Synchro/Effect: 1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner Plant-Type monsters

Each player must pay 1000 LP for each monster Normal or Special Summoned from their hand, except for Plant-Type monsters.

Standing guard in front of her mistress, is a beautiful woman whose body seems to be made up of numerous species of plants and vegetation with what appears to be venus flytraps as hands.

Giggling eerily, the Black Rose announces, "Due to my monster's effect, if either one of us attempts to normal or special summon a non plant monster, we must first pay a cost of 1000 Life Points before doing so. I was hoping to have finished you off this turn, but your pesky spell thwarted my plans. However, not all is lost. I activate the spell, Wonder Clover!"

Wonder Clover

Normal Spell Card/Effect: Target 1 Face-up monster you control and send a Level 4 Plant monster from your hand to the Graveyard; Until the end of the turn, that monster can attack twice during each battle phase this turn, but other monsters you control cannot declare an attack this turn.

"By sending a level 4 Plant monster from my hand to the graveyard, like this Lord Poison I have here; my Queen can attack twice. Which under normal circumstances would have been enough, but your Shield Wing prevents that due to its effect. However, that pesky bird won't be shielding you for long, as I activate another Equip Spell; Thorn of Malice!"

Lord Poison

WATER/Level 4/ATK/ 1500/DEF/ 1000

Plant/Effect: If this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard: Target 1 Plant-Type monster in your Graveyard, except "Lord Poison"; Special Summon that target.

This takes Yusei by surprise, as he's just learned exactly why she's referred to as the Black Rose Witch. "Thorn of Malice!? Wait, that's why she wanted Shield Wing! She was planning on using it and one of her Evil Thorns and her tuner to Synchro Summon the Black Rose Dragon! With Wonder Clover and Thorn of Malice, it wouldn't matter if I had Speed Warrior or not, her monster could just its effect to force whatever I had defending me into attack with 0 attack points, effectively attacking me directly twice, ending the duel!"

Thorn of Malice

Equip Spell Card/Effect: Equip only to "Black Rose Dragon" or a Plant monster. It gains 600 ATK. If the equipped monster attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent. If the equipped monster attacks a monster, after damage calculation: The attacked monster loses 600 ATK/DEF. An opponent's monster that battles with the equipped monster cannot be destroyed by that battle.

Queen of Thorn's ATK: 2200 + 600 = 2800

As the combination of the Black Rose Witch's effects take hold, hundreds of deadly thorns sprout all across her Queen's body, as the spirit of Lord Poison emboldens her monster, creating a menacingly golden aura around her, amping up her power.

Entering her battle phase, the bangs of the Black Rose begin to rise as an aura surrounds her body. Winds that weren't present before pick up suddenly as even more of her power is unleashed. "Now my Queen, put this rat in his place! Attack Speed Warrior! Whip of Hatred!"

Lashing out a thorny whip, Yusei braces himself as the vine rips and tears through the ground, destroying the field, while rapidly approaching his defenseless monster. "I might not be able to stop both attacks, but I can still mitigate the damage! Either way, this is still gonna hurt!"

Just before the wicked vine could connect, Yusei flips his last card face-up, "Just before your attack connects, I'll activate the trap card, Scrap-Iron Scarecrow! Once a turn, I can flip this card face up to stop 1 attack! However, instead of sending it to the graveyard, it resets itself, so I can use it on a later turn!"

Scrap-Iron Scarecrow

Normal Trap Card/Effect: When an opponent's monster declares an attack: Target the attacking monster; negate that attack, then after that, Set this card face-down instead of sending it to the Graveyard.

Appearing in the Black Rose's Queen's path is a rusted up, pile of junk pieced together to look like a makeshift scarecrow, warding off the attacking monster. Unfortunately, the Black Rose commands her monster to attack a second time, and lashing out whipping the defenseless Speed Warrior, as at the same time, her attack breaks through Yusei's defenses again, whipping and tearing into his body, wearing him down, and breaking apart his disguise even further, this time revealing part of his criminal mark, and one of his piercing, blue eyes, stunning the psychic duelist for a moment.

Queen of Thorn's ATK 2800 - Speed Warrior's DEF 400 = 2400

Yusei/Phantom's LP: 3700 - 2400 = 1300

Hesitating for a moment, the Black Rose stares back into Yusei's one revealed eye, and takes a step back as he looks at her, not with hate or anger or rage, or any of the emotions she would have thought he would hold against her. Instead she sees something she never thought she'd see in another person besides Sayer. Understanding. But also sheer determined willpower. And that thought frightens her more than anything else so far. "What the… I-I don't understand what I'm seeing… What I'm feeling as I look at him, and he looks at me… Perhaps I was mistaken… Maybe he DOES know what it's like to be shunned away and persecuted for something that's outside of his control… But that look of determination and willpower… just what is it about that stare has me shaking so much… I thought I would feel something as connected with my attack, but instead I feel just like I did when THAT happened…"

As the dust settles, Yusei remains standing, but just barely. Stumbling, he catches himself, before he kneels to the ground, breathing harshly as he continues to stare down his foe, muttering to himself, "That… hurt… a lot more than I thought it would…"

Surprising the Black Rose and the kids still hidden up on the second floor, Yusei grips his free hand onto his knee as he struggles to push himself up on his feet. As he stands and rights himself, the Black Rose realizes why his look of determination and willpower have shaken her to her core, "I-I realize it now… why I'm so shaken up… It's fear… Even though he stands at the edge of the brink… he's still willing to get up and fight despite the overwhelming odds stacked against him… something that I don't have… something that I've never been able to do… to stand on my own power…"

Before ending her turn, for the first time in a long time, the Black Rose pleads for her opponent to stop. Speaking softly, it takes a moment for Yusei to hear her, "P-Please… j-just stop… D-Don't push yourself any further… I can't guarantee that I can stop what happens next if we continue."

Taking a moment to himself, Yusei makes a decision right then and there. Reaching up with his free hand, he grips onto what's left of his helmet and mask, before dropping it to the ground, revealing himself fully to not just the Black Rose across from him, but the kids still in hiding. "I have just a few minutes before this place is swarming with Sector Security… even if I don't win this duel, I just need to reach out to her… nudge her in the right direction…"

"I'm sorry… but I can't quit… not just yet… From our duel so far… I could tell that something's been holding you back… You're powerful… far more powerful than I imagined when I willing stepped into this… knowing you would follow me here… demanding to have a duel with me… As I've said… I know betrayal. I know pain. I know what it's like to be thought of as nothing more than trash… to be seen as different. I wasn't trying to insult you… or to imply that I know better… Truth is, I'm just winging it as I go… I don't know where I'm going with all of this… but from one psychic to another… the best advice I could give you is trust in yourself. Trust in your powers. They're a part of who you are. You don't need to be afraid of them… And you don't need anyone to tell you otherwise… You can use these powers for more than just destruction and pain… If you put your mind to it… you could do great, unimaginable things with them. You just have to love yourself enough to realize it…"

Standing there silently, the Black Rose contemplates all that's been said, before lifting her head, staring back at Yusei before mirroring him just moments ago. Taking her free hand, the Black Rose removes her mask, revealing all of her true self for the first time in public. Stunning Yusei by just how beautiful she really is, she replies in a soft spoken voice that reveals how she truly feels.

"I… I don't know how… All my life, since I was a little girl, ever since I had these powers… I've relied on my hatred, my rage… my sadness to use these… 'gifts'... for so long… I - I relied on that 'friend' I mentioned before to guide me… to think for me… to let me be free to do whatever I wanted to do… But… every time I used my powers to harm or hurt others… I felt… sick inside, like whatever I was doing was wrong… So I created the Black Rose as a separate identity… A mask I could hide behind, so I didn't have to face all of the destruction my powers have wrought… I wish I could see my powers the way that you do yours, but… I can't forgive myself for all that I've done."

Turn 3 End

Akiza/BRW: Hand: 0 cards. Field: 1 Monster, 1 Spell. GY: 4 Monsters, 2 Spells. Banishment: 1 Monster LP: 4000

Yusei/Phantom: Hand: 2 cards. Field: 2 Monsters, 1 set S/T card. GY: 1 Spell, 1 Trap. LP: 1300

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Meanwhile, somewhere in New Domino City

As Yusei's duel with Akiza continues, alarms and sirens begin wailing in Zigzix's laboratory. Quickly spinning around, the mad scientist runs over to one of his computers, and after rifling through the city, finds two large energy signatures and a small third energy signature within the Daimon area of New Domino's underbelly. Without even looking, Zigzix calls in directly to Director Goodwin, and he isn't disappointed when his "friend" answers.

"Director Goodwin, sir! I simply have some spectacular news! Just now I've received readings that match the energy signatures of Signers and Psychics in the Daimon Area, relative to the last known location where Mr. Fudo was spotted!"

Raising a brow in response, Goodwin replies, "Oh? How many of them are there?"

Quickly typing in several commands, Zigzix reveals that there are 3 signatures in total. Two rather large ones, both matching the energy signature of that of a Signer and a Psychic, while the third, smaller energy signature matches that of a Signer as well.

"3 Signers!? And all of them in relative proximity?! This is marvelous! One of them must be Yusei Fudo! The one across from him has an even higher Psychic energy output than him. That I can only guess is this 'Black Rose Witch' I've heard so much about. The little one is unknown… it doesn't match any Psychic energy signals I've seen before, but there is something strange about it… Perhaps it's something similar like Jack? Where they were born with the mark? Either way, I MUST gather them to my side, or else HE might get a hold of them first!"

Clearing his throat, Goodwin congratulates his scientist for this achievement, "Thank you, for bringing this to my attention Zigzix. I'll take care of everything else from here. For now, keep tabs on those three, and inform me of any new information."

Bowing deeply from over on his side, "Of course, sir. It shall be done by your will." Before spinning wildly and rapidly then logging off to continue his master's work.

Leaning back in his chair, he catches a glimpse of Jack's most recent victory on screen, before dialing Sector Security's number, informing them of the possible location of Yusei Fudo and the Black Rose Witch…

"Soon, very soon I'll have all the pieces in place. Then, the real fun can begin!"

---

Back to the duel

Turn 4

Akiza/BRW: Hand: 0 cards. Field: 1 Monster, 1 Spell. GY: 4 Monsters, 2 Spells. Banishment: 1 Monster LP: 4000

Yusei/Phantom: Hand: 3 cards. Field: 2 Monsters, 1 set S/T card. GY: 1 Spell, 1 Trap. LP: 1300

Continuing with the duel, Yusei realizes that while he seems to be on better terms with the young woman he's dueling, he learns that the problem with her powers, or part of the problem she has with her powers is that she's never seen them as anything good in her life so far. "How can I get her to see that her powers don't define who she is? Besides that, it seems like genuinely doesn't want to hurt anyone, but she's obviously haunted by whatever she's done in the past as the Black Rose…"

Drawing his card for turn, Yusei closes his eyes, and pictures how with the current cards in his hands plus the card he just drew, he might not just be able to win this duel, but also shed some light on this young woman's troubles.

"Before I take my turn, would it be okay if I asked your name? Your real name, that is? I'm sure that without my disguise, you've probably seen my face plastered all over this city."

Taking a quiet moment to herself, the girl figures, "Why the hell not? He's correct in knowing that I already know who he is, just not for the reason he thinks, but I don't need to tell him that. Not yet, at least."

Replying shyly, she answers, "It's… Akiza. Akiza Izinski."

"Akiza huh…?"

Attempting to ease the girl, Yusei smiles and responds, "That's a pretty name. As I'm sure you're aware, my name's-"

"-Yusei Fudo. Yeah, I know. Look, I… appreciate what you're trying to do, but… trust me. I've tried everything from meditation to reading self-love help books… I don't know why exactly I can't control my powers. I know part of it is because of my emotions, but the rest… What I'm trying to say is, don't push it, okay, Yusei? I don't want your blood on my hands too…"

Puzzled by this turn of events, Yusei replies, "Akiza… I don't know you, and I don't know what you've done in the past. But everything I've seen from you today, suggests that you genuinely don't want to bring harm onto others. I can't tell you how to love yourself enough to forgive yourself for situations that are outside of your control, but I can tell you that your powers, and whatever you've done, or will do with them doesn't have to define who you are. Earlier, I said that our powers are only a part of who we are; what I'm trying to say is, there's more to us than just our powers. We aren't defined by them, but they can be more to us than just weapons or tools to be used."

As Akiza continues to listen to Yusei's speech, she shakes her head, letting her hair fall loose from the hood of her robes, before a sharp pain rings inside her mind causing her to grip her hair tightly. "AHHH!"

Yusei was just about to jump in to check on her, when a blast of wind nearly knocked him back. He doesn't even have to look back to feel a tremor in the building, as the wind created a crater in the wall. "Whoa! That was stronger than any gust of wind prior. I might've poked the bear too much… I need to end this quickly."

With all of her hair let down, Akiza's powers rip apart her disguise, revealing her to have been wearing some kind of hair band that acted as a power dampener. Unfortunately, with her powers out of her control, the excess surge of energy disintegrates the device into nothing. As Yusei stares her down, he recalled earlier just how beautiful and pretty she looked. However, now he realizes she's not just deadly beautiful, but also deadly gorgeous. Wearing a dress that seems to be inspired by Victorian era clothing, she's also wearing dark-red/violet, fingerless gloves, with matching stockings connected to her skirt. He also notices that the top half of her "dress" was more like a jacket, and was unbuttoned to allow a generous, but not exceedingly amount of cleavage to be seen. It was at this point, Yusei also realized how voluptuous she appeared. However, despite all of her physical beauty and attractiveness, Yusei never leered at her lecherously.

What he was more focused on was her eyes, and how dangerous and wild they appeared to be. The light that had been in her eyes seemed to have been snuffed out by the darkness of her hatred and her rage. There was also this manic look about her, as if a part of her really did enjoy the destruction she was causing. Snarling at him like a rabid dog, Akiza announces, "I warned you, Yusei, but you wouldn't listen! Now I'm going to CRUSH you, where you stand!"

Staring her down, Yusei resolutely states, "Whatever you throw at me, I can take it! I won't turn my back on you! If you need to lash out, then focus on me, but I won't lie down and do nothing, while I know there's something I can do to help you, Akiza!"

Taken aback by his response, Akiza has nothing to say as he finally moves on to take his turn.

"The first thing I'll do is activate the spell card, Tuning! With it, I can search my deck for a tuner monster and add it to my hand! Afterwards, I send cards from the top of my deck to the graveyard equal to the level of that monster!"

Tuning

Normal Spell Card/Effect: Add 1 Tuner monster from your deck to your hand, then send cards from the top of your deck to the graveyard equal to that monster's level.

Rifling through his deck, Yusei finds just the monster he needs. "I'll add the tuner monster, Junk Synchron to my hand, then I'll mill three cards from my deck, since he's a level 3 monster."

As Yusei mills his cards, Akiza breaks out of her funk, while laughing maniacally, "HA! So what? In case you haven't noticed? You've only got 1300 life points left! You don't have the life points to spare to be able to use Junk Synchron's effect, or to perform a Synchro Summon!"

"Normally, you would be correct, but just like how I know that there's more to you than just your powers, there's more to my cards than meets the eye! I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Forbidden Chalice! With it, I can target one monster on the field, and increase its attack points by 400. In exchange for that however, all of its effects are negated for a turn!"

Forbidden Chalice

Quick-Play Spell Card/Effect: Target 1 face-up monster on the field; until the end of this turn, that target gains 400 ATK, but its effects are negated.

As a chalice appears in front of Akiza's monster, she's compelled by a mysterious force to drink from the cup, but as she does so, while her power increases, her abilities seem to have diminished. Although Akiza is displeased by this, she's not overly worried. "Even so… because of that little stunt, you've ironically made my monster all the stronger, increasing her attack to 3200!"

Queen of Thorn's ATK: 2800 + 400 = 3200

"Unfortunately, it won't matter! First, I normal summon, Junk Synchron! And with this little guy, I can then use his effect to bring back a level 2 or lower monster from my graveyard; however, its effects are negated."

Jumping onto the field is a short, diminutive orange robot with a scarf wrapped around its neck, and what appears to be engines built into its back with a whip cord tied to them. Immediately after its summoned, it thrusts its hand forward calling out another miniature robot. This one appears to be an animated gasoline tank with a face, arms and legs.

Junk Synchron

DARK/Level 3/ ATK/ 1300/DEF/ 500

Warrior/Tuner/Effect: When this card is normal summoned: You can target a level 2 or lower monster in your graveyard; special summon it in defense position, but its effects are negated.

Nitro Synchron

FIRE/Level 2/ATK/ 300/DEF/ 100

Machine/Tuner/Effect: If this card is used for the Synchro Summon of a "Nitro" Synchro monster; draw 1 card.

"Say hello to another little friend of mine, Nitro Synchron!"

"Two tuners huh? This could be problematic… However, from what I've seen so far, this guy only uses weak monsters. I don't expect him to have anything that has power exceeding 3000. But he doesn't seem to be too perturbed about that… Just what is he planning?"

"Now that everything is set, I'll tune my level 2 Nitro Synchron with my level 2 Shield Wing, for a level 4 Synchro Summon! Come forth, and rise up, Armory Arm!"

Armory Arm

LIGHT/Level 4/ATK/ 1800/DEF/ 1200

Machine/Synchro/Effect: 1 Tuner + 1+ non-tuner monsters

Once per turn, you can either: Target 1 monster on the field; equip this card to that target, OR: Unequip this card and Special Summon it in Attack Position. While equipped by this effect, that target gains 1000 ATK. If that target destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the GY: Inflict damage to your opponent equal to the destroyed monster's original ATK.

As the two monsters become one, standing, or rather floating in the air is a massive one-armed, silver and black gauntlet with gold accents and red clawed fingers. However, before Akiza could remark on this new monster, Yusei proceeds to perform a second Synchro Summon.

"Next, I tune the level 3 Junk Synchron with my level 2 Speed Warrior, for a level 5 Synchro Summon! Gathering stars will call upon a new force! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Show yourself, Junk Warrior!"

Junk Warrior

DARK/Level 5/ATK 2300/DEF/ 1300

Warrior/Synchro/Effect: "Junk Synchron" + 1+ non-tuner monsters.

When this card is Synchro Summoned; it gains the total ATK of all level 2 or lower monsters you control

Synchronizing with one another, the newly formed Junk Warrior bursts onto the scene, with a body made up of purple armor, with a scarf wrapped around its neck, glowing red eyes, flying onto the field with jet engines built into its shoulders and blazing across the field onto roller skates, wielding a massive right arm, Junk Warrior descends onto the field ready for a fight.

"Impressive display. You managed to Synchro Summon twice in turn. Unfortunately, that display was for nothing. If it hasn't occurred to you, yet, let me remind you, both of your monsters pale in comparison to my Queen of Thorns, because of your doing! If you had simply given up and listened to me, you wouldn't be experiencing this pain right now! But oh, no! The brave little Satellite-Psychic tried to be a big hero, and save the day! Well, news flash! I don't need saving! I don't want or need your help!"

As Akiza's emotions and state of mind continue to reign in control, her powers do not, and at her outburst a wave of energy ripples across the building, causing the kids that have been hiding up there to finally reveal themselves, crying out for help.

Hearing the commotion, Yusei snaps his head in their direction, while also protecting himself from taking as little collateral damage as possible. "What the- there's kids here!? Dammit, how did I not notice before!? This duel REALLY needs to end now, if those kids have any chance to survive this!"

Calling out to Akiza, Yusei makes a desperate plea to get her to try to control herself. "Akiza! We've got to stop this! There's children trapped on the upper floor! If this continues, there's no guarantee that they'll survive! Do you really want that on your conscience!?"

Snapping herself out of her breakdown momentarily at Yusei's shouting, Akiza shudders with a realization that he's right. "No… no! N-Not again! Yusei, do whatever you have to do to get them out of here! I-I can't… P-Please… M-My powers… They're too far gone, I can't control THEM!"

However, before Yusei has a chance to ask her what she meant, the Black Rose Witch persona takes over once again, and this time, she's holding nothing back! "Hehehahahah! So what are you gonna do now, hero?!"

Hardening himself, Yusei replies, "This! I activate the effect of Armory Arm! Once a turn, I can equip him to another monster, and that monster gains 1000 attack points, just barely beating out your Queen of Thorns!"

"WHAT!?"

Thrusting his hand forward, Yusei puts everything he has in this attack. "Please… let this work!"

"Go, Junk Warrior, attack her Queen of Thorns with Scrap Fist!"

As the red clawed gauntlet combines with Junk Warrior, the Synchro Monster's attack increases from 2300 to 3300. With its thrusters engaged, Junk Warrior speeds across the battlefield at surprising speeds, kicking up all manner of dirt and dust. Queen of Thorns tries desperately to fight back, but Junk Warrior easily dodges her attempts, spins around her vines, cloaking himself in purple and gold energy, creating a massive silhouette of its right arm, before smashing through Akiza's monster, dealing the first damage that Yusei has been able to inflict on Akiza this whole match.

Junk Warrior's ATK: 2300 + 1000 = 3300

Queen of Thorn's ATK: 3200

3300 - 3200 = 100

Akiza's LP: 4000 - 100 = 3900

As Akiza's Queen and her Thorn of Malice is destroyed, she stands unfazed by the little bit of damage that Yusei was able to inflict. However, before she can mock his efforts, Junk Warrior stands in front of her with his Armory Arm cocked back and ready to fire.

"What the-"

"When a monster equipped with Armory Arm destroys an opponent's monster in battle, it then inflicts additional damage equal to the destroyed monster's original attack power!"

Before Akiza has time to react, she takes the full force of 2200 points of direct damage point blank, amped up by Yusei's psychic powers. Launching her across the room, Akiza skids to a halt just before being slammed into the opposite wall. Grunting in pain from the blast, Akiza watches as her life points dip and take a nosedive.

Akiza's LP: 3900 - 2200 = 1700

As she stands up, and dusts herself off, she sees on the other side of the duel field that Yusei isn't looking too hot right now. "This must be the first time he's ever had to use this much of his power for such an extended period of time. I can see why Sayer wanted him. If he could be trained, he'd be a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately for him, he's earned my ire. I apologize for this Sayer, but he's not getting out of here in one piece!"

On Yusei's side of things, he's amazed he had that much left in him, but he's more surprised that Akiza is seemingly fine, minus a few scrapes and bruises. "Heh. Damn. If I wasn't in so much pain right now and wasn't exhausted, I'd be pretty pumped to find someone who can push me this far… I've got one last card to play, it'll all end with this. Hopefully, those kids will make it. As do you, Akiza…"

As she retakes her position, the voice of reason in the back of her mind tries to tell her that she doesn't want to do this; however, the Black Rose banishes that thought with a stomp of her foot, proclaiming, "He must be punished! I don't care whether he's innocent or not! He's pissed me off for the last time! As for the kids though…"

Taking the last card in his hand, Yusei sets it face down, before ending his turn.

Turn 4 End

Akiza/BRW: Hand: 0 cards. Field: 0 cards. GY: 5 Monsters, 3 Spells. Banishment: 1 Monster LP: 1700

Yusei/Phantom: Hand: 0 cards. Field: 1 Monster, 1 set S/T card, 1 Equip card. GY: 5 Monsters. 2 Spell Cards, 1 Trap. LP: 1300

---

Turn 5

Akiza/BRW: Hand: 1 card. Field: 0 cards. GY: 5 Monsters, 3 Spells. Banishment: 1 Monster LP: 1700

Yusei/Phantom: Hand: 0 cards. Field: 1 Monster, 1 set S/T card, 1 Equip card. GY: 5 Monsters. 2 Spell Cards, 1 Trap. LP: 1300

With Akiza's menacing aura increasing, the very foundations of the building begin to tremble. As this is going on Akiza, Luna, and Yusei's marked arms begin to glow a crimson red. Up on the second floor, Luna's worst fears have been realized. "Oh, oh no! My mark! Leo, Dex, we've got to find a way to get out of here!"

Leo, having seen this happen before, quickly goes from crybaby mode to protective brother mode, helping his sister off her feet, as the place continues to shake and rumble around them. "Okay, Luna, I've got you! Wrap your arm around me! Dex! Can we escape through the way that we got in here!"

Surprised by the turn of events, Dex is stunned for a brief moment, until he shakes himself out of it. Nodding his head he turns around towards the windows when he can faintly hear sirens approaching fast! "Uh, guys? That might be a problem! It looks like Sector Security is coming this way, and they're coming in fast! The only other ways out are through the front door or through the hole in the wall, but either way, we'll be in the way of the duel if we go down there!"

"Crap! We're screwed either way! We're too young to die, or go to prison! What do we do!?"

Luna holding onto her brother looks him dead in the eye, even though she's trembling with apprehension and fear, she states, "We'll just have to brave the storm! If we stay, we won't make it! We have to at least try!"

As the three kids stare at each other wondering what their options are, the three eventually nod towards one another before carefully making their way to the staircase that leads to the exits on the first floor.

Meanwhile, Akiza is shocked to find that Yusei is also a Signer, someone that Sayer had warned her about, because others might be looking for her to join Goodwin's cause, reigniting her anger and hatred at Yusei, further causing her powers to grow out of control.

"Y-You! That wretched mark!You were only trying to deceive me, to make me join you and that fool Goodwin! Well no more! I've had ENOUGH of your mind games, this ends here and now! I activate the card that'll spell your doom! Shining Renewal!"

Before Yusei could get a word in edgewise, Akiza slams her spell card onto her duel disk, revealing its powerful effect, "With this card, I can take a Synchro Monster and another monster from my Graveyard and banish them to Summon another Synchro Monster from my Extra Deck whose level equals to the total levels of the monsters that I banished! In addition, not only is the non-Synchro monster treated as a Tuner monster in this case, but the performed Special Summon is also treated as a Synchro Summon!"

"Oh, no… She plans on summoning THAT?! With her powers as they are now, she'll level with this whole building!"

Shining Renewal

Normal Spell Card/Effect: Activate this card by banishing 1 monster and one non-Synchro monster in your graveyard; Special Summon a Synchro monster from your Extra Deck with a Level equal with the combined levels of the banished monsters (This is treated as a Synchro Summon). The non-Synchro monster is treated as a Tuner monster. The Special Summoned monster cannot be destroyed in battle, or by card effects. You cannot summon other monsters, nor can you declare an attack with other monsters you control if you activate this card.

Banishing one of her level 1 Evil Thorns, with herlevel 6 Queen of Thorns, Akiza plans on Synchro Summoning the level 7, Black Rose Dragon. Raising her hand to the sky with her palm facing upwards, she closes her eyes, and ignores the sounds of the approaching Sector Security guards, ignores the sound of Yusei calling her name, ignores the sound of the stairs creaking in the room, ignores everything else around her as she focuses all of her considerable might into chanting her creature's summoning:

"Chilling flames engulf the entire world. Pitch-dark flower, set into bloom! Synchro Summon! Appear now, Black Rose Dragon!"

Black Rose Dragon

FIRE/Level 7/ATK/ 2400/DEF/ 1800

Dragon/Synchro/Effect: 1 Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner monsters

When this card is Synchro Summoned; you can destroy all cards on the field. Once per turn: you can banish 1 plant monster in your graveyard; Target 1 monster your opponent controls (flip effects are not activated), and change its battle position to attack (if it's in defense position) and it's ATK becomes 0 (even if it isn't in defense position).

As her monsters disappear from her graveyard, they are engulfed by a blinding purple light. Akiza's eyes open as she unleashes her most powerful beast! Ascending from the earth, Yusei comes face-to-face with Akiza's persona's namesake. A beautiful black scaled dragon, adorned with large red rose petals, and large spindly vines, whipping about in the air, roars a threatening battle cry that nearly knocks Yusei off his feet, and out of the corner of his eye, he sees the kids nearly stumble down the stairs leading towards an exit. Outside the gaping hole, numerous officers attempt to get close, but are blasted off their feet by Akiza's dragon's mere presence.

"It's now or never! I have to stop this, even if it kills me!"

Unhinged laughter fills the space around them as Akiza spreads her arms wide open declaring, "This is where it ends, Yusei! HAHAHA! Due to the power of Shining Renewal, the monster summoned by its effect can't be destroyed! I now activate the effect of my dragon! When Synchro Summoned, I can wipe out every single card on the field! But because of her protection, my dragon will be safe! This is goodbye! Black Rose Gal-"

"Not so fast, Akiza! You might not have noticed, but I've got one more trick! I activate the trap card, Starlight Road! When a card or effect is activated that would destroy 2 or more cards on the field, I can use this card to special summon a Stardust Dragon from my Extra Deck, negate the effect of the card and destroy it! I might not be able to destroy your beautiful dragon, but I can stop it from wiping the field!"

"WHAT!? Stardust Dragon?! How did he acquire that card!?"

Raising his hands to the skies, Yusei chants aloud, "Clustering wishes will become a new shining star! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Soar, Stardust Dragon!"

Stardust Dragon

WIND/Level 8/ATK/ 2500/DEF/ 2000

Dragon/Synchro/Effect: 1 Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner monsters

If your opponent activates a card or effect that can destroy cards on the field: (Quick Effect): You can tribute this card; negate the activation or effect, and destroy the card. At the end of turn, if this effect wasn't negated: you can Special Summon this monster from your Graveyard.

A beautiful dragon's cry rings out, as an equally massive, silver and blue dragon descends upon the field. Everyone, including Akiza and the officers outside are too stunned by Yusei's dragon's appearance to make do with the current situation. It's only when Akiza's eyes finally land on the scared children, that she seems to have an out of body experience, as time feels like it slows to a crawl, and she sees all of the destruction she's laid waste to, and all of the people she has hurt, and those that will be hurt if she can't control herself.

As her mind catches up with her, Akiza's manic aura dissipates, as she crumbles to her feet, exhausted and drained. But her powers are still out of her reach, so she looks to the one person who's been trying to help her this whole time, and amid all the chaos, by some stroke of luck, or a miracle, he hears her silent plea, "Please, Yusei… Help me!"

Standing stoically and resolutely, Yusei pours all of his remaining power into Stardust Dragon and commands, "Stardust Dragon, use Victim Sanctuary!"

Roaring and crying out to Black Rose Dragon, Akiza watches as Stardust seems to almost console her dragon, as she attempts to fight him off, but no matter what she does, Stardust Dragon doesn't let go, instead he holds her closer, before the dilapidated and nearly destroyed building is engulfed in pure starlight. The last thing Akiza sees before everything becomes too bright is her hand reaching out to Yusei, before she, him, their dragons, and the kids disappear in a flash of light.

Duel Result: No Winner

---

Hours later

The first thing she's aware of when she regains consciousness is the feeling of worn cloth; not like the plush velvety silk sheets at the movement, or the even more extravagant fabrics from her childhood home. The next thing she's aware of is multiple voices whispering above and around her, almost as if they're too afraid to wake her up, but not having the awareness to talk in private. As she shifts around, she hears a young voice cry out, "Look she's waking up!"

Groaning awake, rubbing the tiredness out of her eyes, Akiza finds herself in a dark, dingy room, lying down on an old worn out couch. As she takes note of her surroundings, she finds herself left wanting, and wondering where she is. The place is small, a one, maybe two bedroom "home". However, calling it a "home" would be generous. It has all the necessary faculties and barest of functions that a person would need to live off of, not to mention the house was quite dirty and old.

It's at that moment that Akiza thinks she's in a safe house somewhere within New Domino's underbelly that her memories catch up to her. Sayer tasking her with looking for Yusei Fudo, finding him and dueling him in that rundown building, her powers getting the better of her - yet again - putting herself, three children, Yusei and a squad of Sector Security officers in danger, then a bright light, calling out for help, before everything turns white.

Shaking her head of those thoughts, she goes to stand up and leave, to try to figure everything out when she remembers she isn't alone. Sitting in a half circle, three kids - no older than 12, or 13 - are watching her with fear and apprehension, and maybe a little bit of intrigue as well. Raising her hands slowly, she isn't surprised when the two boys flinch slightly, but she is puzzled why the little girl doesn't seem to be as afraid.

Rising slowly from her position, with her arms raised up, Akiza politely tells the children, "I apologize for everything that's happened, but could any of you tell me where we are, or how we all got here?"

For a long, quiet moment, Akiza wonders if she has to ask again, as the boy and girl that look like twins come to some sort of an agreement as their friend continues to stare at her - perhaps to make sure she doesn't try anything funny? - when suddenly the little girl walks up to her and tells her, "We don't k-know what happened. O-One moment we were trying to escape the building… a-and the next… w-we w-were engulfed by that light. When we w-woke up, we found ourselves here. Then you woke up about five minutes after that."

Lowering her hands, slowly, she thanks the girl before crouching down to her level, and asking them, "I guess that answers that, thank you for telling me. Do you mind me asking who the three of you are, and why on Earth, you would want to sneak into a place like that? All of you could have been seriously hurt, or worse…"

Curling into herself at Akiza's tone, the psychic is about to apologize, when she's interrupted by the person that she presumes is the girl's twin brother speaks up for her, "Hey! Don't talk to Luna like that! A-and d-don't blame her for what happened! I-It was mine and D-Dexter's fault. W-We wanted to see the Black Rose Witch - u-uh y-you in action - and built decks to try to see if we c-could b-beat y-you in a duel…"

The boy seems to have lost his bravado as soon as he started speaking up for his sister. It was then that the boy Akiza assumed was "Dexter" took over speaking for their little group. "W-We were there to s-study y-your dueling prowess, a-and s-see i-if we could try t-to c-challenge you t-to a duel. But b-before y-you got there w-we saw the m-metal masked man enter the building. T-Then that w-was when y-you s-showed up."

"They're still afraid of me… Not that I blame them. If it wasn't for me losing control, we wouldn't be here in this mess."

As she thinks on this, she realizes that the boy let a piece of information pass her by. "Wait, you mentioned a 'metal-masked man'? Do you know where he is? He would've been transported here just like the rest of us."

Luna nudges her brother and Dexter when the two boys can't seem to make up their minds, "C'mon, Leo. Dexter. If she wanted to hurt us, she'd have done it by now. Let's show her where he is."

Smiling at the girl, Akiza's surprised again when the girl grasps her hand and pulls her along as the boys follow in behind them. "She's scared of me, no doubt, but she's willing to help me even after I nearly tried to…"

Shaking her mind from such thoughts, she tells the girl, "Luna, is it? That's a very pretty name. I'm sorry if it sounded like I snapped at you earlier. But I was worried for your parents and for your own wellbeing. That's not a place that children should be trying to get into."

Luna blushes at the compliment, before she reveals, "Leo and I live in the Tops. Dexter's a friend of ours from Duel Academy. He had heard rumors online that you were spotted in the Daimon area, and he and Leo, as they said earlier, wanted to see if they could beat you in a duel. At first I was a little hesitant, but because our parents work overseas so much, there's not much for us to do, so the idea was exciting. But we were naive, and didn't think about the consequences."

As Luna continued to lead Akiza to what she believes is Yusei's "room", she can't help but feel sympathy towards the twins, and anger at their neglectful parents. "I know it doesn't look like it, but I sympathize with you and your brother Luna. What kind of parents leave their 12, 13 year-old children to fend for themselves? Even if it is for 'work'?! And I thought my parents were bad. Maybe I could talk to Sayer about…"

However, Akiza's thought processes screech to a halt as Luna reaches their destination. Lying on an old, raggedy bed was Yusei's unconscious body. As the boys enter the room, Akiza's hands fly to her mouth as she slowly approaches the bed, before crumbling to her knees beside him. "W-what have I done?!"

Looking over at him, Akiza can see numerous lacerations and bruises across his body. The cloak and cowl he had worn resembled something more akin to torn tissue paper than anything else. He looked pale, but he didn't appear to be in pain. The helmeted mask he had worn was sitting on the nightstand beside his bed. Half of the face mask was destroyed, with bits and pieces of wiring and metal sticking out at odd angles.

As for his clothes, while torn and ragged, they seemed to be holding together. Luna, seeing how distraught Akiza appeared, began speaking, "Just before you awoke, we explored the house a little bit, and found him lying here like this. We wanted to try to move him, or wake him up, but he's too heavy for the three of us to move, and no matter what we tried, we couldn't get him to awaken. He's alive and breathing, but we don't know how serious his condition is."

Akiza could hear Luna speaking, but all of it was just white noise as she continued to look at all the damage she had done. "Dammit! I'm a danger to everyone and everything around me! Why can't I control THIS!?"

Shakily standing up, Akiza thanks the kids for helping her, but then tells them, "I-I s-should go. H-Having me around is dangerous…"

However, as she turns to leave, the kids are stunned, when for just a brief moment, Yusei, lying on what Akiza believes to be his deathbed, unconsciously reaches out with his scarred hand, and gently grasps her own. A wet hiccup escapes her mouth, just before Yusei's hand limply falls back down into place. It's then that Akiza realizes that somehow, someway, he was the one that brought them here.

Taking a deep breath, Akiza wipes the unshed tears from her eyes, as she comes to a decision. "For once in your pathetic life, help someone who helped you!"

Crouching beside Yusei again, a resolute Akiza takes a more clinical look at Yusei's body and injuries, muttering about his condition underneath her breath, but just loud enough for the others to hear. "All of his wounds seem superficial, meaning they haven't delved any deeper. Minimal amount of bleeding, but nothing that can't be healed. Deep exhaustion, caused from extensive use of his powers and pushing himself past his limit…"

Leo, having sat back with Dexter since coming into the room, bravely approaches the Black Rose Wi- Akiza, sitting next to his sister, and asks her, "Is he going to be okay?"

After rattling off a few more of Yusei's injuries to herself, Akiza answers the boy, "He needs proper medical attention. Nothing's too serious, yet, but if left unchecked he could be worse off. Better to be safe than sorry. Unfortunately, because he's a marked criminal, we can't just take him to a hospital; he's still wanted for breaking out of the facility. Besides that, while I could transport him with my powers, it would cause a lot of unwanted attention. And finally, there's the matter of the three of you. If I show up in front of a hospital riding a dragon, with three children in my clutches, some people might get the wrong idea. There's also the matter of Sector Security outside. While I'm surprised they haven't found Yusei's location yet, it's only a matter of time before they come barging in here, and that's the last thing that Yusei needs right now."

A troubled look crosses over the young boy's face before it lights up, and says, "Hold on! When we were looking around, we found a Duel Runner in the back with a tarp covering it! It must be his!"

"A duel runner, huh? Unfortunately, I don't know how to ride one of those death traps on wheels. But, Leo may have given me an idea."

Sighing and nodding to herself, Akiza turns and tells the children, "Okay, I've got a plan, but I'll need your help to do it."

---

Several Minutes Later

As Sector Security surrounds the perimeter of the safe house, Trudge - the leading officer - feels triumphant and vengeful for what this Satellite brat has put him through in the past month. "Fucking Satellite trash. Before I met you, I was on the highrise of a lifetime. But then you just had to show me up! Not once, but twice! When we finally caught you and put you in that hole that you belong in, I couldn't tell you how happy it made me. The only thing I would have wanted more was if it was ME who had finally put you down. Well, here's my chance!"

Reaching down for his microphone, Trudge was just about to inform Yusei of his impending arrest, when suddenly a dragon's cry roared throughout the night air! "Yusei Fudo! We know you're in there, come out with your hands - WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!"

From the back of the building, a large dragon covered in red rose petals flew up into the sky, with what appeared to be a red runner clutched tightly in its claws. Reaching for his binoculars, Trudge was surprised to find a young woman with red hair riding the dragon, with three children huddled around her, clutching her as if their lives depended on it (which they did). Scanning to the dragon's clawed feet, Trudge's eyes would've bulged out if they weren't seething with rage as in the dragon's feet was a very familiar red duel runner, and somehow, precariously held up by the creature's plants was his self-proclaimed nemesis; Yusei Fudo.

Growling aloud, Trudge crushes part of the device in his hands as he angrily tosses the broken machine as far as he can towards the dragon, yelling and screaming from the heavens to hear him curse aloud, "YUUUUUUUSSSSSSEEEEEIIIIII!"

All of the other officers present shared one, singular, identical thought, "I don't get paid enough to deal with this bullshit."

---

Moments afterwards

As the kids direct Akiza to their home, she has half a mind to bring them with her and Yusei to the Arcadia Movement, but Luna assured her that while it was lonely just being with her brother and their friends, she wouldn't have it any other way, because the siblings always had each others backs. After dropping them off, Akiza promised to visit, if she could find the time. In the short time she's known the twins, she had developed a particular fondness for the children, like an older sister would to her younger siblings. The thought made her smile, if a bit melancholic, wondering if she did have siblings that cared for her like Leo and Luna do for each other, would she have ended up where she was now?

Disbanding the thought, she commands her dragon to bring Yusei up onto her back, carefully winding her vines around them both, to keep his unconscious body from falling hundreds of feet in the air.

As she's flying through the night air, she feels Yusei's firm body pressed up against her, with her dragon's vines wrapped securely around them, it's almost as if he was hugging her. The thought brings a blush to her face, and a small, genuine smile appears on her face, but she quickly banishes the thought, chiding herself in thinking such things when she's only met the young man, less than 24 hours. Eventually, she sees her home waiting for her, and unsurprisingly, she sees the silhouette of Sayer's visage standing on the rooftop waiting for her.

"Home, sweet home."

She isn't sure why, but that phrase doesn't ring within her the way it used to…

---

2 Days Later

After informing Sayer of what he already didn't know from the reports he had learned from his acolytes within Sector Security (not that Akiza knew where he got the information), he placed Yusei in one of their healing facilities. However, what the Arcadia leader wasn't expecting was Akiza to sit with the unconscious man for hours at a time, just watching him recover from his injuries, until there was such a time that she was needed elsewhere.

After one such length of time, he asked her in his velvety tone, "You know Akiza, in all your time here, I don't think I've ever seen you care for such a person before. Especially after such a duel with them. Tell me, love, did something happen that I should know about?"

Before she met Yusei, hearing Sayer's voice soothed her, calmed her from her rage. When he would call her his pet names for her, "love" or "rose", she felt like she could conquer anything the world could throw her way, but now… She doesn't know what to feel, she only knows that it feels… wrong. Ignoring her conflicting emotions, Akiza told him, "Nothing I haven't already told you before. I feel like I owe him, is all. If he hadn't done what he did, it's possible that I'd be sitting in a cell right about now. Plus, I did do a real number on him. I just want to tell him thank you, and hope there's no hard feelings for putting him through the ringer like that."

Slightly squinting his eyes at her explanation, Sayer isn't sure if she's telling him everything. Brushing a stray band of her hair away from her face, he cupped her cheek, rubbing his thumb just below her eye, just like he did when he knew she was troubled, but what puzzled him even more than the answers she wasn't telling him, was the way she reacted to his touch. Before, she would lean into him, as if he were the only warmth left in the world. However, now, while she wasn't running to escape his touch, she did turn her face away from his hand, not towards.

Realizing something must have happened during their confrontation to shake her up so much, but not wanting to push her uncomfortably, Sayer removed his hand, and watched with a fury he hasn't felt in a long time as he saw how relieved she appeared to be as he removed his hand. Not noticing the change in Sayer's demeanor, or maybe reading too much into it, Akiza announces, "Well… if you'll excuse me, Sayer, I must head to my room to read upon my studies."

Before he could respond, Akiza turned away from him, and briskly walked back to her room. Crossing his arms across his chest, he looks out the visitor's window, as he glares at Yusei's unconscious form, lying in one of their hospital beds as he continues to recuperate. "Just what you have done to MY Akiza, Mr. Fudo. But I plan to find out."

---

A/N: And that's it! I wasn't expecting this to take until the end of March to be finished, but better late than never. Part of the reason is I haven't been feeling up to writing much lately, and another big part of it is that I've been feeling a little down since earlier this month. As I would think most people are aware now, Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dr. Slump, Chrono Trigger, Dragon Quest, and most likely his most popular created series, Dragon Ball has sadly passed away the first of March. I don't write Dragon Ball fanfiction, but Dragon Ball and Yu-Gi-Oh! (R.I.P. Kazuki Takahashi) were the "gateway" basically for me that introduced me to the world of anime and manga.

When I was a kid, I would catch an episode of Dragon Ball Z here and there on Toonami every once in a while, but what really got me into the series were the video games, specifically Dragon Ball Z Sagas and Budokai 2. If it wasn't for Dragon Ball I probably wouldn't like arena fighting/2D fighting games as much as I do (even though I suck at the latter) and I wouldn't have practiced sketch art as much as I did when I was younger. It and Yu-Gi-Oh is also why I've made many friendships along the way, and was part of the reason why I pursued martial arts as a kid. (Something I regret stopping, once I got my black belt, and wished I had been more productive in, like competing in tournaments). I just want to say that he brought generations of children into the video game and anime community, and if it wasn't for his work, the Shonen that we know today, probably wouldn't exist. Thank you, and rest in peace, Toriyama-sensei.