Author's Note:

It's here, Chapter 29! After some delay, because writing duels always takes me forever…I hate writing them.

I hope this chapter isn't too confusing, but there are three story lines here.

First: Carly, Rua and Ruka – I wanted to bring these guys back into the mix, as they're all necessary for the next chapters.

Second: Yusei's and Dark Aki's duel, watched over by Crow and Sherry.

And finally, Aki's original memories from Fortune Cup days, as they're flashing in front of our villain's eyes and getting it all distracted from the current duel with Yusei.

I hope it's not too terribly written! But let me know your thoughts (including if you think it sucks, it's okay I can take criticism and can use it to improve the later chapters! ). Importantly, thank you for reading, for viewing, reviewing and favouriting this story. And all your support after all these long years! You're all simply amazing!

NineInchNailed.

"I mean, I have the feeling that something in my mind is poisoning everything else."

~Vladimir Nabokov.

Back at Poppo Time, Carly Nagisa sat at the kitchen table and absently stared at the cup of tea she was holding in her hands. The beverage was long cold but she hadn't noticed. It was almost 11pm.

"Carly, we're going to bed – good night," Ruka said as she peaked in through the door.

"Oh, right, it's late," the girl in glasses tried to smile and nodded. "Good night, guys."

Ruka bit her lip, hesitated, and then walked in, pulling up a seat at the table. "Carly. I've never said much…I can't presume to know what these things are even like… but I'm really sorry. What happened with Jack."

"I know, Ruka-chan," Carly raised her glasses and wiped her eyes.

"He'll be back though," Ruka said. "Aki-san too. The Team 5D's will be back together in no time."

"But…"

"It will happen. We just…we just have to believe. We just have to try our best."

"We have to try," Carly agreed. "But…" she trailed off and looked into her cup again. "We're not doing anything right now."

Ruka winced and looked down.

"Yes, none of us are doing anything," Rua agreed. He had been standing by the door, having also stopped by to wish a good night. He had already changed into pajamas but the boy didn't look like he was up for sleeping, at all. "But what can we do?"

"Yes, what can we do?" his twin sister agreed. "Go out there and fight Aki-san and Jack? Yusei asked all of us to give him some time. Then…maybe soon…we will all have a plan."

"But why not go now?" her brother asked, a little excitedly. "Why not go out there and fight? Isn't that what Yusei and Crow are doing right now?"

"Rua is right," Carly said. "Yusei and Crow left with Sherry. I heard them. They were going to FDA. Probably to duel."

"Yeah," Ruka stared at the table. She knew that Crow and Yusei did that…and that they also left them behind. The three of them weren't asked to come along or asked to help. They weren't needed. Team 5D's without Aki-san or Jack, and further distanced by their own captain. Team 5D's divided.

"Yup and we're here," Rua sighed, also pulling up a seat at the table. "I guess Crow and Yusei didn't feel like they needed us."

"Well, doesn't help that the three of us are unable to get into that place," Carly reminded. "Banned from day one."

"So?" Rua snorted. "Yusei and Crow aren't allowed there either, anymore. And they've still gone. I know Bruno has been helping them with that."

"Then should we ask Bruno to help us?" Ruka suddenly suggested.

Carly and Rua glanced at her.

The girl looked up, serious. "Our friends are out there, probably fighting to rescue Aki and Jack and we're moping and getting ready for bed. It's not right. We need to go, too."

"Today? Right now?" Carly asked.

"Yes!" Rua joined in. "YES! We need to go!"

"Really? But…but what's the plan?"

"We can be there to support Yusei and Crow," Rua said and Ruka added: "We can help save Jack and Aki. We can be there by our friends' side. Team 5D's until the end!"

Carly had to smile at this. Mood suddenly elated. Ideas forming. "Okay…okay! Let's do this!"

The three friends got up together and rushed downstairs where they found Bruno snoring on a mattress in the corner of the garage. After waking-up the bewildered mechanic and sharing their plan, they've asked him to help them with fake IDs and whatever else he had procured when he helped the other Signers.

Finally, just around midnight, the two Signers and Carly set-off in her car in the direction of Free Duelists Association. Their simple plan? To sneak in and try to find others. As for Carly…she didn't share this with the younger friends, but she was planning to go find Jack by herself again. She would try speaking to him again, try to rekindle their memories. And she decided, to herself, that she wouldn't leave tonight unless she was able to reach him.

She wasn't returning home unless Jack was with her.

"I'll take the first turn, Osiris," Dark Aki proclaimed. "Let's get this over with, quickly."

[Dark Aki]

[Beginning of Turn One: 0 Monsters; 0 Cards on Field; 6 Cards in hand; LP4000]

"I summon Vampiric Leech in Attack mode," she said and a Level 4 insect monster appeared, pale and veiny. Its Attack points were at 500 and Defense at 1200.

Why Attack mode, on first turn? Yusei frowned.

"Vampiric Leech is really fun!" Dark Aki exclaimed. "It can attack on the first turn. Enjoy!"

"What?" Yusei gasped and shielded his face with his arms as suddenly the disgusting insect smashed into him and threw him good three metres back.

"Yusei!" worried Crow and Sherry called-out in unison.

The head Signer began scrambling up to his feet, gritting his teeth. What a sneaky tactic. His Life Points dropped to 3500. The Solid Vision damage completely real. Aki's power.

His opponent was laughing. "Wasn't that great? Right from the start," she sent a card from her hand into Graveyard. "Also, during the turn that Vampiric Leech attacks you, I can discard 1 card to the Graveyard to change it to Defense mode." The monster changed to Defense stance, at 1200 points. "Finally, I'll set a card face down and end my turn."

[Dark Aki]

[End of Turn One: Vampiric Leech (Lvl.4) ATK500/DEF1200 in Defense Mode; 1 Face down Card; 3 Cards in hand; LP4000]

Okay, I can do this. I can fight and I can win. "My turn," Yusei announced and drew.

[Yusei Fudo]

[Beginning of Turn One: 0 Monsters; 0 Cards on Field; 6 Cards in hand; LP3500]

Yusei studied his draw. Lots of choices. He just had to start and he knew he could do that, at least.

"I summon Speed Warrior, in Attack mode," he announced and his loyal Speed Warrior made an appearance.

"Only 900 attack points," Dark Aki smirked.

"Yes, but on the turn that it's summoned, Speed Warrior's Attack doubles," Yusei said and directed the monster at her, as its Attack grew to 1800. "Speed Warrior, destroy Vampiric Leech."

"Come on now, Fudo Yusei," she groaned. "Trap card open: Nightmare Mirror. By discarding one card from my hand, the mirror reflects and you become the attack target and receive 1000 points of damage."

No! Yusei's eyes widened and he barely had the time to shield himself before the energy beam smashed into him. Heat enveloped him and he only felt the airlessness; he was thrown. Then the impact of the ground, the bright flash of pain at the back of his head and a dip into Nothingness.

"Yusei!" both Sherry and Crow cried out.

He heard the panicked echo of their voices, the distant laughter of the person he loved more than anything in this world. His cloudy eyes opened to the spinning night sky.

"Are you finished?" Aki's voice reached him. Is this all you're capable of doing?

Maybe, Aki, he thought, disoriented. Maybe I'm not strong enough for this. Maybe there are battles we're not meant to win.

Will you give up already without trying? Aki's voice or Crow's, both in one. Or maybe the voice of his still beating heart. Fight, it beat relentlessly. Fight, fight, fight!

He blinked rapidly and began getting up to his feet.

Dark Aki was doubled over with laughter when he finally succeeded, Life Points down to 2500 during his first turn.

"Just terrible, Osiris," she mocked, wiping a sleeve across her nose. "What are you doing? Is this all you're going to do to me? Don't I deserve more? Is this body not begging you to do more?"

"Yusei, are you okay?" Crow called out to him.

Yusei nodded at him.

"It's no problem," his loyal friend said and grinned. "Such a strong Trap, wasted on first turn. That thing doesn't know how to duel. Real Aki would never have gone for such a stupid strategy."

"Hogan Crow," Dark Aki piped into their conversation, smile evaporated. "I have unfinished business with you. After our first duel, where I didn't get a chance to collect the life you owe me. You poor, sacrificial lamb. After this duel I'm coming for you and I'm killing you and-"

"Oh fuck off, Madhi," Crow flipped their enemy the middle finger. "I don't care what you have to say, an imposter in our friend's body. You're nothing more than a parasite that Yusei will purge by winning this duel."

"You bastard…" Dark Aki hissed. Eyes slit, almost shooting lighting.

But Crow ignored her and paid attention only to the fellow Signer. "You can do this," he mouthed silently and Yusei knew he had boundless strength to draw from, with his friends by his side.

"I'll set two cards face-down and end my turn," the captain of Team 5D's concluded, and Speed Warrior's attack returned to its original 900 points.

[Yusei Fudo]

[End of Turn One: Speed Warrior (Lvl.2) ATK900/DEF400 in Attack Mode; 2 Cards on Field; 3 Cards in hand; LP2500]

"Huge mistakes," Dark Aki mumbled. "Massive mistakes. I'll make you all pay and-" she stopped suddenly and pressed a hand over her eyes. "…Again? Stop. I don't care."

"Are you talking to me?" Yusei asked.

"It's not all about you, Osiris!" she muttered. "Fuck! It's my turn. Draw!"

[Dark Aki]

[Beginning of Turn Two: Vampiric Leech (Lvl.4) ATK500/DEF1200 in Defense Mode; 0 Face down Cards; 3 Cards in hand; LP4000]

"I summon Newdoria, in Attack Mode," she said and a familiar Level 4 monster appeared, hunched over with its arms touching the ground, a spiked helmet on its head. Yusei was sick and tired of this monster but at least he remembered its hidden effect after his previous encounter – when destroyed by battle it can target one of his monsters and get rid of it also.

Her monster's Attack points were at 1200 and Defense points were at 800.

"Newdoria, attack Speed Warrior!" she ordered and gestured, laughing: "Enjoy real damage!"

"I won't let you," Yusei said. "Trap card open! Forceful Stop! By sending 1 card on my field, I can end the Battle Phase of this turn." He discarded one of his face-down Traps while Dark Aki's monster stopped half way and retreated to her side of the field. But she didn't appear like she was too distraught or actually even paying attention. She was looking elsewhere; as if listening to something.

"Anything else?" Yusei prompted.

She winced, as if waking up, and shook her head. "Whatever, so you've saved yourself from damage this turn. Big deal. I'll set a card face down and end my turn."

[Dark Aki]

[End of Turn Two: Newdoria (Lvl.4) ATK1200/DEF800 in Attack Mode, Vampiric Leech (Lvl.4) ATK500/DEF1200 in Defense Mode; 1 Face down Card; 1 Card in hand; LP4000]

"My turn," Yusei announced and drew. Are you in there, Aki? he thought, studying the distracted opponent in front of him, seeing how it appeared to be mildly disconnected from it all. Do you know what's happening, what he's using you for? Do you watch from underneath and fight every minute of every hour?

Or are you simply…gone?

In the days leading up to the Fortune Cup tournament, Aki Izayoi rested, dueled in her Black Rose Witch persona and thought of only the upcoming battles.

Divine prepared her. He took the time to go through the profiles on all the duelists who were chosen for the tournament. He studied their strategies and laughed at them all. "Useless, some of these," he commented, handing her a tablet with their profiles and strategies that he's come up versus their decks. "One of them is a child! This girl has a hospital record for twenty pages and duel history for one paragraph. I don't know what Godwin was thinking when he selected the participants for this one."

"It says at the end of her duel history that this girl can apparently speak to Duel Monsters," Aki commented as she lingered over the girl's profile. The girl looked sad and innocent in her photo, blue hair in neat ponytails. Ruka, was her name, and she had a twin brother named Rua.

Divine waved his hand dismissively. "I saw that but I won't believe anything like that unless we see her duel. But if that's true, she could be a great addition to the Arcadia team."

Aki studied the recommended strategy and odds in the event she was to face the little girl, and flipped to the next profiles. A guy in glasses – Kodo Kinomiya – a pretty good duelist, known for profiling his opponents. A somewhat creepy-looking guy named Professor Frank. A guy in knight's gear, Jill deLauncebeaux. Bommer, an angry-looking man with long hair, with a very powerful deck and preferred specialty in Turbo Duels. "This is the main one to watch out for, before King Jack," Divine commented offhandedly.

Aki nodded and skipped to the next duelist in queue. A photo flashed and she gasped out loud.

It was him! That guy she saw that day.

Criminal marker on the left cheek. Dark wild hair. Serious blue eyes. Yusei Fudo. Underneath there was a very small paragraph about his duel deck: mechanical, junk-based monsters. Nothing else on background or history.

"Oh that one," Divine looked over her shoulder. "Yeah, I didn't bother digging much. Fudo Yusei, is his name. A competent duelist I hear but he's still and always will be Satellite scum." He spat the last word with bitterness, surprising her. She didn't know he held such prejudice against the poverty-stricken island. "They call him the Shooting Star of Satellite. The garbage of Satellite, is more accurate. I don't even know how or why Godwin invited him to the tournament. Can't believe they're letting these criminals into Neo Domino. But who cares – he won't make it past first round. He has this so-called "junk deck". Where did he even get cards? The garbage dump?" Divine laughed hysterically.

"Mmm," Aki nodded absently, still staring hard at the picture. So this was the one with the same red mark as her. What was their connection, exactly?

The thing was that she'd forgotten all about him. Just as Divine had asked of her, she obliged. She had forgotten all about this mysterious duelist she'd seen at the Daimon Area. It was easy to get busy with Arcadia's objectives and to forget what was insignificant; and she had also accepted that the shared mark was but a fluke.

But now, here it was again, staring back at her. Yusei Fudo – so this was his name. He was going to be at the Fortune Cup too. She might have to duel him.

"Everything okay?" Divine piped in and she snapped out of her thoughts with a jerk.

"Yes. It's nothing," she quickly flipped forward towards the next duelist - Mukuro Enjo, a biker with spiky orange hair, multiple piercings and sunglasses. She…lied to Divine just now, didn't she? Well no, because it was true. It was nothing. Why should she have said something if there was nothing to it?

Divine observed her carefully and his eyes narrowed.

[Yusei Fudo]

[Beginning of Turn Two: Speed Warrior (Lvl.2) ATK900/DEF400 in Attack Mode; 0 Cards on Field; 4 Cards in hand; LP2500]

"I summon Shield Warrior in Attack mode," Yusei announced and a mechanical warrior appeared on his side of the field. Its Attack points were at 800. "And then, by releasing a warrior-type monster on my field, I can special summon Turret Warrior," he said and released Shield Warrior to summon a Level 5 monster in Attack mode instead, with 1200 attack points. "Finally, Turret Warrior gains the attack points of the released monster, so it obtains 800 extra points." His warrior's attack points reached 2000.

"Will you attack Newdoria?" Dark Aki smiled.

"Yes," Yusei nodded and pointed. "Turret Warrior, attack!" The monster flew and smashed hers into pieces.

She laughed, completely undisturbed by any damage – keeping any effect materialization one-sided, of course. Her Life Points went down to 3200. "How stupid. Have you forgotten? Newdoria special effect activates: when destroyed, I can target one monster on the field and annihilate it also. I select Turret Warrior."

The smallest of smiles appeared on Yusei's lips. "I haven't forgotten. Shield Warrior's special effect activates from the Graveyard. By removing it from play, one of the monsters I control won't be destroyed by battle. Turret Warrior is here to stay."

"Yes!" Crow and Sherry cheered.

Dark Aki frowned. "I see."

"Then I play two cards facedown and end my turn," Yusei concluded.

[Yusei Fudo]

[End of Turn Two: Turret Warrior (Lvl.5) ATK2000/DEF2000 in Attack Mode; 2 Face down Cards; 2 Cards in hand; LP2500]

"It's my turn," Dark Aki announced.

[Dark Aki]

[Beginning of Turn Three: Vampiric Leech (Lvl.4) ATK500/DEF1200 in Defense Mode; 1 Face down Card; 2 Cards in hand; LP3200]

She paused suddenly and rubbed her forehead. "Fucking hell," she mumbled under her breath. "Stop showing this to me. I. Don't. Care. What are you even trying to achieve?"

"What are you talking about?" Yusei asked. Aki, I believe you're in there. And I believe you're fighting. And today, I'm going to win this duel and I'm going to try to save you.

She ignored him. "I have a fun little idea. I activate my Magic card – Arduous Decision. I get to pick two cards from my deck and have you, Osiris¸ select one of them at random. If you pick a monster card, I can Special Summon it and add the other card to my hand. Well, if you pick something other than a monster card, both of them get sent to the Graveyard. Let's play!"

She picked up the two cards, studied them and smiled. Then she strutted to the middle of the dueling field and held them out towards him in a fan.

Reluctantly, Yusei approached.

"Now. Which will you pick?" she asked sweetly.

He looked at the two hidden cards she was holding. "If one of them is a monster, you get to summon it," he repeated. It could be of any level. No summoning restrictions, she'd get to summon it on this turn. What if she drew Winged Dragon of Ra?

"That's right," she repeated. "Choose wisely."

He reached slowly, hesitated. And grabbed a card to his left. Turning it over as he unconsciously held his breath… and saw that it was a Trap card and a vicious one, at that. Coffin Seller, where each time his monster is sent to a graveyard, he'd receive 300 points of direct damage.

He returned the card to her.

"Huh, pity," she shrugged and sent both cards into the Graveyard. "Guess I'm not that lucky today." Then she looked up and appeared to look him over. "Poor Osiris. You already look a little rumpled. Those 1000 points of damage hit you a little hard, huh?"

Yusei scowled at her. "Are we done here?"

"Oh yes. Don't worry, I won't hold back. It will hurt more. A lot more. Soon," she promised and walked back to her side of the field.

Yusei returned to his own spot, deciding not to let her words get to him but knowing he needed to be on high alert.

"Anyway! I continue with my turn. Actually, you've done a favour for me. You may not have picked a monster card but the one I've sent to the Graveyard can be special summoned to my field."

Great, Yusei frowned.

"When in Graveyard due to special effect, this monster – Beiige, Vanguard of Dark World – is reborn!" A creepy skeleton monster appeared, Attack points at 1600 and Defense at 1300.

"So thank you very much, Fudo Yusei!" she went on. "As a result, I tribute Beiige and Vampiric Leech to summon this," she showed the last card in her hand. "Belial, Marquis of Darkness!" A dark angelic figure appeared, wielding a massive sword. A level 8 creature and its Attack points were at 2800 and Defense at 2200. "Belial – attack Turret Warrior!" She concentrated and materialized both Belial and Turret Warrior to create real damage as a result of battle.

"Trap card open!" Yusei announced. He wasn't going to let anymore damage occur. "Scrap-Iron Scarecrow! I negate your attack and set this card face-down again."

"Damn it, you made me waste effort," she growled and Yusei saw it then, for the first time. A trickle of blood escaping her nose. And seeing that made hairs stand up on the back of his neck. Something…something was wrong. For some reason it made him remember of the time Aki had tried to stop Crow's duel with Mahdi. The way she had materialized the monster outside of duel rules. How ill that made her, how she had fainted afterwards. It's what happened when Aki pushed too far with her powers, when she tried something that shouldn't have been possible.

And suddenly Yusei felt afraid. What if this was happening again? What if Mahdi was pushing Aki too far, using too much power? What if that explained the gauntness, the frailty, the slightly sunken look that Aki had acquired and which she never had before? No…no…

Dark Aki was already wiping away the nosebleed. "Okay, doesn't matter. I'm still in the lead. Turn end."

[Dark Aki]

[End of Turn Three: Belial, Marquis of Darkness (Lvl.8) ATK2800/DEF2200 in Attack Mode; Vampiric Leech (Lvl.4) ATK500/DEF1200 in Defense Mode; 1 Face down Card; 0 Cards in hand; LP3200]

"Why were you bleeding?" Yusei asked, carefully. The chilled feeling had settled deep inside his chest and he couldn't shake it off. "Are you sick?"

She chuckled, pressing the heel of her palm against her forehead. "You're concerned about me? That's sweet. But no, I'm not sick. Fuck off with your sympathy."

"I don't care about you, Set," Yusei said, tone of voice – dangerous. "But if you're doing anything to harm Aki…anything at all. Then you will pay for it."

"Ha," she snorted. "My body now. I do as I please. Besides, what are you going to do, Signer? Threaten me with Stardust Dragon again? Ooooo I'm so scared."

"You should be," Yusei promised, quietly. "Draw!"

[Yusei Fudo]

[Beginning of Turn Three: Turret Warrior (Lvl.5) ATK2000/DEF2000 in Attack Mode; 2 Face down Cards; 3 Cards in hand; LP2500]

"Kick its ass, Yusei!" Crow cheered him on.

"You can do it!" Sherry joined in.

"Have no libido unless your cheerleaders are present, huh?" Dark Aki taunted. "I couldn't believe how useless you were during our last Riding Duel, Osiris. Guess it's because you were alone."

Yusei tore his eyes away from her and glanced over at his friends by the sidelines.

"I hope you're not listening to that thing, Yusei. It's pathetic," Crow laughed. "It's like a cartoon. A caricature of a villain."

"Hogan Crow, I swear. This duel is over. I'm coming after you!" she screamed, hysterically, having had enough of his confident jeering. "I will rip you apart into pieces! I will wipe that smug grin off your face! I will-" she stopped suddenly and wailed, pressing both hands to her head. "My fucking head. Stop. STOP."

The day of the Fortune Cup had arrived.

The first day was strange. Everyone applauded when the duelists were introduced but started gossiping and freaking out over Yusei Fudo's criminal mark. It didn't surprise Aki though: she had many first-hand experiences to the stupid and mean behaviours people were capable of. People were capable of truly heinous things to those they deemed beneath them. But then one of the chosen duelists – Bommer – came to defense and shamed all those cruel idiots in their prejudice. Good. Aki was glad to see that at least one of the people in this tournament was a good and just person, not brainwashed by Yliaster.

Afterwards, all the duelists were placed together in a big conference room where they could watch Bommer's and that girl Ruka's first duel of the tournament. All of the participants kept to themselves. She wondered if Yusei Fudo would maybe try talking to her – what if he suspected that she was the Black Rose Witch he saw that day – but nope. He paid zero notice to her and they didn't exchange a single look or word. It was okay then. He didn't know or suspect that she was the one with the mark. Then maybe this was nothing to worry about, after all. It was time she's forgotten about this guy. There was no connection between then.

The first duel was over, with Bommer coming out as a winner. Aki's duel was the second of the day and the opponent she had to fight was the one obsessed with knights – Jill deLauncebeaux, was his name.

Aki was on the way to the duel arena, walking through the hallway. She saw three kids standing in the middle there, talking amongst themselves, the duelist girl Ruka one of them. It was only as she approached them that she saw that they were chatting to Yusei Fudo. He was standing there, leaning against the wall, hanging out for no reason. And normally none of this would be worth mentioning except that, as she walked by the group of friends, she felt an uncanny sensation. And that was when she looked over and saw it; him – he was staring at her.

Yusei Fudo was staring at her and he wasn't just looking. It was purposeful. It was cross-examination, almost. It looked like he had something to say. And it occurred to her that maybe the reason he was hanging out here in this hallway was because he wanted to talk to her. But then the three kids came along…

However, why? Why was he staring and why may he have wanted to speak to her? Did he suspect something after all? Did he think she was the Black Rose Witch? What the hell, she fumed and had nearly halted her stride. She wanted to confront him and ask him what his problem was. Isn't it a rude thing to do, to stare at people like that and not say anything?

She tore her eyes away and walked past them, continuing on her destination; passing by that strange Yusei Fudo and those three kids like they were empty spaces. Which they were. She didn't care an iota about them. She had a mission that she had to fulfill.

Her duel versus the knight-man went with great success. "Show them what they had asked for, Aki," Divine whispered to her. "Godwin asked you here to test the psychic power. Well then… give him what he wants."

She had taken a deep breath and calmed down. She felt no nervousness.

During the duel Jill deLauncebeaux called her creepy, kept challenging her, kept trying to provoke her. He looked at her with loathing. Alas…he had made huge mistakes, fighting her. She had won that battle, stoic as a statue, having revealed her psychic power to everyone in the stadium and her identity as Black Rose Witch by summoning her precious Black Rose Dragon. And as everyone screamed in fear and called her a witch, she listened without hearing. It was all okay, it was all okay. She had advanced to semi-finals, due to face a duelist known as Profiler tomorrow.

That night Divine congratulated her and hugged her. She felt warm and safe within his embrace. And she thought that if he'd try to kiss her now that she would welcome it.

Her second duel against the Profiler went successfully but not quite the way she had wanted it to.

The Profiler guy did a lot of stupid things. He dug into her background and revealed her past and secrets (my parents have abandoned me, I have no one else) to everyone in the stadium during their duel. He insulted her, called her a freak and a monster. Those shameful, hurtful things he exposed…how dared he!? So she made him pay for what he did. The duel ended with the Arcadia pin on the ground, her hair free and wild, and Profiler unconscious, face planted on the ground. She had watched as rose petals had finished attacking him. The whole stadium was screaming, chanting for her prosecution and she began to feel…nothing. She was numb, inside and out. She did not let anything bother her. At times like this she was but a stranger, watching her body from far away. No emotion, no attachment. It was easier, not to feel.

"You did a good job, Aki," Divine congratulated her afterwards. He had dared to put both his hands on her shoulders and she let him. "Jack Atlas almost around the corner! Fudo Yusei is next. Be careful, he is a strong opponent after all. But you mustn't worry: you can do it."

"Yes," she nodded, still hearing the stadium chant for her to be disqualified. How much of it was still happening and how much she heard within the echo of her heart, she couldn't tell.

They were given two hours for a break between duels, due to the paramedics needing to tend to Profiler. Divine wanted to take her to Arcadia's compound right away but she asked to be excused for a few minutes. Then she went inside the stadium and – trying not to pay attention to anyone she walked past (some people jumped away, one mother even grabbed her child and shielded him as if Aki was a wild monster attacking everything as she passed) – she found the washroom. There she locked herself in a stall and stood there for some time, fighting off nausea. It would bubble up and then dissipate. Her hands trembled but she took deep breaths until she was able to calm down. I'm okay, I'm going to be okay, she told herself. Before departing, she spent a few minutes fixing her hair and pinning it with her metallic roller. There, she looked a bit more presentable.

She exited and made her way through the hallways, so she could meet up with Divine outside. She was halfway there when, from behind the corner, Yusei Fudo had appeared. He was also walking somewhere. Their eyes locked and he halted his stride. And here they were now, face-to-face, for the very first time. Their duel, today.

Is he going to talk to me now? Aki wondered, studying him, clutching to her arm. He's seen my two duels. He knows who I am now, what I am capable of. The two of us are next. Is he afraid like everyone else? He was peculiar, this one. There was something different about him. Something almost…special.

His eyes dropped to look upon her forearm and then came back, digging into hers. "Why is it a detestable mark? What does the mark mean to you?"

Aki involuntarily took a small step back (I had to make more space between us, he was already getting too close then). This wasn't what she was expecting to hear – why did he want to know?

"I hate people who have this mark," she answered him defiantly – challenging him to connect the dots with this statement – and cringed (I hated myself more than anything then). He was still staring at her. His eyes seemed to be staring through, somewhere deeper than anyone should be allowed to look. And – the worst part was – she thought that he could see. Into what she had hidden, into the truths of her heart, into all her fears and insecurities. How ridiculous…how could he...and yet… "I hate them," she repeated, forcing herself not to back down from his gaze. This mark brought me only pain and destruction. What did it bring you, the Shooting Star of Satellite?

And it was in that very moment, that she had become aware of something strange. Here they were, soon to duel for the honour to face King Jack, two complete strangers who shared the mark of the Crimson Dragon and with nothing at all in common, her telling him that she hated him directly to his face… And yet, this was the time she acknowledged that she was fascinated by this guy's eyes. The rare colour, the thought process behind them, the intensity… Yusei Fudo could actually be considered handsome.

This Yusei appeared be thinking over what she'd blurted out to him. Then, just as he seemed about to say something else, the girl Ruka and her twin brother (Rua, was it?) ran over to him, notifying that it was soon time for the finals.

Then the two kids saw her, realizing that they had interrupted them and froze. "It's the witch!" the boy yelped, stepping back in fear. His twin sister gasped in that same scaredy way, all the while gaping at her like she was a freak at a carnival's display.

These two were nasty and mean children too, Aki realized. She didn't know why this had affected her more than what had already happened today but somehow it did. Maybe it was because they were close with this mysterious Yusei Fudo and that up until now he didn't shout mean things at her or looked like he feared her. She almost thought that he and his friends may have been different. How wrong she was. She should have always listened to what Divine and her heart had been telling her: everyone hated her and was afraid of her.

She stared at the little girl, unable to hide a moment of deep pain and turned to walk the hell away from this trio, when a high nasal laugh sounded and a voice said: "There you are Izayoi-sama. Your duel was impressive."

It was that odd little man Yeager, who bore some creepy clown-like resemblance. He came out from behind a corner. "Before the finals, Director Godwin wants to talk and thank you. Can you please come with me?"

She glared at him, clearly not wanting to do that.

"Aki is tired," sounded a familiar, protective voice and Aki turned to face it (and to embrace it with her heart). It was Divine, who thankfully had come to her rescue. He appeared with other Arcadia representatives and asked to escort her away before the finals. She needed to rest after all. She obliged and was only too happy to be leaving with the people she knew were her home.

Later on, as she changed into a comfortable one-piece and rested in calming water before the finals, Divine screen-called her and asked how she was. "I'm okay," she responded mechanically. She had calmed down and felt almost medicated. Everything was going to be fine – she didn't need to worry about the next battle, she had it in a bag. She needed to save her strength for the upcoming fight with Jack Atlas.

"You understand that by revealing ourselves in this tournament we've greatly increased our risk," he said. "People like the ones you just met will keep trying to confuse you."

"They're wasting their time," she intoned indifferently. "My mission is to let the world know about the ideals of the Arcadia Movement. Their nonsensical words will never enter my ears. Divine, you lead my heart in the proper direction." She had long learned to say what Divine wanted to say. She was a fast learner.

"That's good Aki," Divine said. "You are smart. Yliaster's goal is to resurrect the Crimson Dragon, the symbol of all evil." Arcadia movement were the only ones who knew the truth about this, because of their abilities. Finally, he said, "It's almost time for finals. Your opponent – Fudo Yusei – may also be part of Yliaster."

This touched something in her, triggered and broke through her numbed state. She winced. Was it the implication that Yusei Fudo was part of Yliaster? She'd heard Divine say that about him before. Or was it simply the sound of that guy's name? Neither of these should have been so triggering. She forced herself to calm down.

"But you'll be fine, Aki," Divine added, not noticing anything out of the ordinary over the TV screen. "After you defeat Yusei and Yliaster's puppet Jack, the people's jeers will change to cheers. It's almost time for our ideals to come true."

"Yes," she nodded and the screen disappeared.

She lay after for a bit, remembering the first time the mark appeared on her, the fire and the pain she caused her father. Then all the times she used her powers in Duel Academy. And then how she saw the same red, despicable mark on Yusei Fudo's arm.

She gripped her forearm and shivered. She hated that mark. It ruined everything. It was evil and it branded her with it. And she hated Yusei Fudo who had it, who forced himself into her life and tried to talk to her like he understood. Whoever he was, he knew nothing – NOTHING.

When she was finally ready for the finals, she stopped by Divine's on the way. "I'm going," she said.

He approached and was surprisingly gentle with her. He picked a piece of lint from her shirt, touched her hair. Almost as if he was trying to soothe her. Then he adjusted the hair accessory. "When you feel like you're succumbing to your own power, this piece will stabilize your power. You're going to win. Now go."

"Yes," she whispered and closed her eyes. She was ready. She would duel Yusei Fudo, that stranger who meant nothing at all to her, and she would be victorious.

"What's wrong with you?" Yusei demanded of his primeval opponent. First the nosebleeds and now a headache so strong it made it scream out loud? What the hell was that thing doing to Aki? Stop it, stop it, LET HER GO!

"Just a little headache, Osiris," Dark Aki bothered with an answer and let her hands down, glaring at him. "Never had one? Nothing some pills can't fix later. Don't you worry, the duel isn't over. Nice try though."

"Crow," Sherry whispered to the guy next to her. "You need to tell me what happened here. What you know. Why Izayoi is acting this way, why Jack betrayed you guys, why Yusei had been in the hospital. All related events, I presume?"

"Yes," the Signer nodded, eyes glued on the duel before them. His face revealing the same concern over Aki's condition, as Yusei's.

"Tell me, so I know. So I can help all of you in any way I can."

Crow began murmuring to her, everything he knew.

In the meantime, Yusei tried to continue with the duel. And, having seen what was happening with Aki, he wanted to finish it as soon as possible.

"I summon Junk Synchron, in Attack mode!" he announced and his forever loyal monster – a small robot – appeared on his side of the field. Level 3, Attack points at 1300 and Defense at 500. "When Junk Synchron is in play, I can Special Summon a Level 2 or lower monster from my Graveyeard in face-up Defense mode. So I bring back Speed Warrior and on the turn it is summoned, its Attack doubles."

Speed Warrior, reborn, appeared in Defense Mode, Attack points at 1800.

Dark Aki began laughing. "Oh okay, I can guess what's happening next."

"Level 3 Junk Synchron tunes to Level 5 Turret Warrior!" Yusei exclaimed and began chanting: "Clustering stars become a shining new hope. Become a light that reveals itself. Appear, Stardust Dragon!"

The magnificent silver dragon took flight and roared. Attack at 2500 points, Defense at 2000.

Crow paused from briefing Sherry to shout: "YES, Yusei! Great job! Show 'em how it's done!"

"Still weaker than my Marquis of Darkness, I'm afraid," Dark Aki pointed out.

"I'm not finished," Yusei said. "I activate a Magic Card – Strike From the Dead Ground. I can select one face-up Defense monster you control and increase the Attack of one of my monsters by the Defense power of that monster. Thanks for keeping Vampiric Leech around."

Stardust Dragon's Attack increased by 1200 points. It now held 3700 attack points.

"Well done, Yusei!" Sherry gave him a cheer.

"Ha…ha…so afraid…yeah right…" Dark Aki was giggling, a hand placed over the forehead again. A headache returned?

"Stardust Dragon! Attack Belial, Marquis of Darkness! Shooting Star Sonic!"

The red-haired girl in black riding suit stood there, completely undisturbed, as her monster was obliterated and her Life Points dropped to 2300. She looked disconnected, again. But Yusei didn't care, he was going to get this over with as soon as possible.

Aki, Aki are you watching? Are you seeing this? I'm going to defeat that thing. I'm going to save you. "I'm not done yet! I switch Speed Warrior to Attack mode and I attack Vampiric Leech. Go, Speed Warrior! Sonic Edge!"

"Yusei…" Dark Aki suddenly whimpered and Yusei froze. He heard something… There was something different in her voice.

She looked up at him, eyes watering. "Yusei… Yusei, what's happening?"

Yusei's eyes widened and his heart felt like it had collapsed, somewhere deep inside. Speed Warrior continued with its attack and destroyed Vampiric Leech into pieces of Solid Vision, the way it had tried to destroy it at the beginning of this duel.

"Yusei…I don't know what's happening. I'm so scared. Help me."

Cliffhanger!

So what happens next? Has Aki been able to fight off Mahdi momentarily? Is Yusei going to win the duel? Are Carly, Rua and Ruka going to get into the Free Duelists Association? Is Carly going to get Jack back?

Stay tuned and you (might) find out!