Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's – Reverse of Arcadia

by Yusei

Summary - "As a member of Arcadia, Rena begins to learn of the organization's secrets as a war begins to unfold. The present and the past begin to clash, unleashing a future of doubt as the Signers rise up to battle the darkness".

Disclaimer - I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's or any of the characters.

A / N – Firstly, I'd like to thank those who gave their opinion in the poll on my profile. Because of the preference among the people who did vote, this variation of Reverse of Arcadia will follow Rena as a member of Arcadia and travel through the game. In the game, I've just defeated Demak with Ruka, so I've notes on that far, which means that I should be finished before long and have a complete set. I can say now that any feelings between Rena and Yusei will be different from Sutādasuto Accelerator will be different because of the alternative past of the game. An extra note is that Okita uses a card made as Healing Wave Generator's twin after confusing the effect, and a little too late to rework the duel. Hope you enjoy, and thanks for looking. Please read and review.

「Neo - Domino」- Detention Centre

The ice-blue haired man panted, clutching to life numbly. Was there any point in continuing to live in this dreary world? In this wretched place? Perhaps not. Perhaps he should peacefully slip out in this disturbed place and move onto the next world. Nobody cared, after all. The voice spoke in the same low tone as it had in the past; beckoning him to its shapeless arms.

That was a lie; someone cared.

His eyes closed and his body slumped. Death embraced him with welcome arms as the final chilled breath clambered from his still throat.

「Spirit World」- Ancient Forest

The innocent cry of a youngster filled the forest, swaying peacefully. She was running. Running with them. Three young mages sprinted as quickly as their short legs could carry them from the monkey creatures clutching the dreaded staffs. The needles spun in place like the hands of a clock, freezing the lagging pair. The third, leading them with a large purple hat resembling that of the legendary Dark Magician from the tales of the King of Games, just ran on, fearful of his own life. Nobody was safe; nobody could afford to put others before themselves.

Fear ruled this world now.

The cerulean-haired girl stumbled, landing on her knees, the pigtails and fringe hanging obscured any view of her face. But she remained there, on her hands and knees, panting. This wasn't where she was supposed to be.

"Someone…" she whimpered. "Someone please… help me…"

A name came from her lips, but sound had somehow ceased. Like a poor stream on a television channel, there was only half of the story revealed. And then darkness overcame the glorious place.

-遊戯王5D's-

Arcadia ~ Chapter 1 – Opening of the Movement. The World of Psychics ~ Arcadia

Seria / Divine -「Neo-Domino」- Arcadia Movement

The room was cold, the blips of various machines pushed against the wall broken the silence without any rhythm. The man smirked, his auburn hair styled in a large quaff above his right eye. Dressed in a black shirt and a sage green vest with a white tie over his torso accompanied with grey trousers beneath, he gave the impression of a professional within the building. The truth being that was the case. His hands, covered by black gloves, hung as a couple behind his back, his dull grey-gold eyes scanning the subject before him. Dressed in the standard uniform of the Arcadia Movement, she laid in a pod, a glass roof open over her still body. Hair somewhere between titian and caramel in colour hung over her shoulders, resting on the front of her blades.

Over his shoulder, another woman stood, wearing the same uniform as the subject. A wide navy collar surrounded her slender neck, lined with fabric of a murky gold shade. The collar was only the top of a long robe, the shoulder pieces and edges the same darkened shade of blue surrounding a teal centre stripe that continued until the bottom of the piece hanging lower than her knees, lined with the same dim shade of gold. Beneath the piece, she wore a white shirt, accompanied with trousers of the same colour – the standard Arcadia uniform worn by all Psychic Duellists under the roof of those in charge, such as the man. Her hair was of a brighter shade, pushing it into the territory of titian with hazel eyes.

She stood at a panel of flashing keys and data stretching across the monitor in front of her, the tips of her slender fingers touched the keys gently, but hard enough to push them down. She turned to the man with a neutral face contrasting his devious smirk as he observed the records of data on a small transparent monitor in his hand, held in place by the metal rod in his palm.

"Divine" she spoke. He turned to face her. "There's a change in the subject's body".

"What do you mean, Seria?" Divine questioned her, cocking an eyebrow.

The woman pointed to a curved pattern repeating itself across the monitor, some kind of measurement. "This pattern seems to indicate that the subject may be communicating with the Duel Spirit World".

"So… it seems that they were talking truthfully" Divine mused, grasping his chin with forefinger and thumb, his eyes falling. "Fine, it seems that our research hasn't been wasted on delusions. I was beginning to really question the value of this one".

"Sir, what are you saying?" the woman asked gently, her eyes plastered onto the face of her superior's head.

"I'm saying that we should finally accept this one into the majority of the Arcadia Movement" Divine replied, lifting his eyes to meet her face. "She's been here for some time now, undergoing tests to see what worth she has to Arcadia and trying to contact the Duel Spirit World. Everything has been erased in periods as well, she has very few memories regarding this place, and now that she's achieved what we've been waiting for, I believe it's time we move her into Arcadia with the others".

"I'll trust your judgement, Divine" Seria murmured, bowing in front of him. "I'll make the preparations for the transfer".

Divine smirked; everything was going according to plan. Sure, contact with the distant world considered a fable had taken far longer than he had hoped, but it had finally happened regardless. He glanced at the girl in the corner of his eye, technically, there was something wrong with her in comparison to the others, but the gift was valuable, and another under investigation had a similar tale. In his eyes, that made them Psychic Duellists, those that would be isolated by society if their truth was uncovered. Just like those he embraced as family.

"None of the others are to learn of this one's ability" he added. "Technically, she doesn't count as a Psychic Duellist, but like the others, she has a gift and she needs caring for properly. There is no guarantee that she would be accepted into society any more than those we already have here".

"Yes sir" Seria responded, bowing once again.

"Good. For now, I'll make preparations for tomorrow" Divine continued, setting his eyes onto Seria's still and obedient face. "When this one wakes completely, take her to a room".

The orange-haired woman said nothing as she watched Divine cross the room, and the recovering subject, towards the steel blue door which slid open automatically. He didn't glance over his shoulder at either of the females as the younger and inexperienced figure opened her azure eyes slowly. Seria smiled and parted from the monitor in front of her, her fingertips leaving the keys. Instead, her focus fell upon the girl pushing herself up into a sit on the base of the pod. A step, then another, and she was where Divine had been standing, drawing the girl's eyes as her legs hung over the edge.

"Are you feeling alright?" the standing female asked, leaning forward slightly, pressing the palm of her hand against her chest. "My name's Seria, if you need anything".

The girl said nothing, but smiled somewhat; she felt more comfortable waking up to the sight of the warm and friendly face of the woman than after previous experiments when Divine had been the one; his face filled with curiosity and eagerness to learn of what it was she had found in the depths of blackness. Regardless, after a series of failed weeks, the girl's memory of Arcadia would be wiped clean and she would be informed of everything as though she had arrived for the first time – there was even a backstory to go with it.

According to the Arcadia version, the girl had suspected she had Psychic powers, which drove her away from her family as rejection settled into every aspect of her life and left her with no alternative than to flee and seek somewhere that would accept her. Divine would then have met her on a dark and cold night under a bridge as a train clattered overhead, the moonlight lit his face to prove his kind intentions. Each and every time, she had brought the tale, what other choice did she have? Divine had used his power to seal her true memories beneath a layer of brainwashing.

Seria herself had been proven not to be under the same influence, as could pretty much any other member of the Arcadia Movement. This girl was different, she was a test subject, as Divine would commonly refer to her.

And finally, he had hit something as his patience wore thin. She would be accepted into Arcadia as a Psychic Duellist. The girl tilted her head, she knew the story this time.

"Seria-san?" she asked meekly.

"What is it, Rena?" the older woman inquired.

"Could I have a glass of water please?"

Seria smiled; from what she had seen of the girl during her shifts under Divine's command in the secret area, she preferred to request small things, something well within the power of the one asked. And without knowledge of the past, she kept quiet a lot of the time she was awake.

"Sure, I'll just get one for you" she replied with an amused smile.

She turned her back on the girl and made for the door leisurely, Divine would be long gone, so his eyes wouldn't be focused on the area. It wasn't uncommon for the girl to be left alone, but it was something he despised; even without her memory, she could wander anywhere, she could easily uncover something she wasn't supposed to.

It only took two minutes to fetch the glass from a nearby room and return, finding the girl still seated on the pod's bed-like bottom, her eyes trained on the door. Seria smiled, prompting her to smile. She handed over the glass; Rena's hands slowly clamped around the clear cylinder and began to take small sips of water gratefully. It had become slightly warm with all the active monitors, Seria gripped her collar in discomfort and turned her eyes back to Rena.

"Would you like me to take you to your room?" she asked.

Rena lowered the glass and nodded. As far as she knew, she had arrived at Arcadia just a couple of days before and was just being ushered in as a member – the latter was truth. Whenever asked about the missing past, the answers would always be the same – her memories were wiped because of the incidents that haunted her, the story would be retold in order to remind her why she was there rather than leave her trembling and clueless.

Seria returned to the threshold when Rena rose from the pod, standing still and observing her uniform; exactly the same as Seria's with one difference being the navy blue centre matching the outer edges rather than a teal one to match the other's outfit. Perhaps it was a rank thing. She followed Seria to the door and tipped the rest of the water down her throat; Seria smiled once again and gently took the glass from the girl's hands.

"Come on, I'll take you there" she muttered.

Beginning, she turned away and led Rena along the corridor. One became half a dozen, an elevator ride further up the tower to the living quarters. Together, they passed several Psychic members of the Movement, each busy with their roommates or flicking through their Duel Monsters decks. Each grabbed Rena's curiosity; they had all been like she had, as far as she knew, and now they had found somewhere safe and comforting. Somewhere they could call home.

Eventually, Seria paused outside a room, prompting Rena to stop immediately, watching the older female obediently. Seria turned to face her finally.

"This'll be your room for now" she stated, opening her left hand to the door by her side. "I know what you'll think when we get inside, I'll explain then".

The door slid open, revealing the quaint room with three beds cloaked in yellow sheets. The carpet was of a pale green, almost like grass, and the walls of a pale beige colour. Within the walls, two young men stood, each clothed in the same uniform as both Seria and Rena, lilac stripes down the centre of their attires. The brunette was first to turn to the pair, smiling brightly with his eyes no more than closed slits, small spectacles gleaming as they sat on the bridge of his nose. His burnt umber hair was curled into a miniature quiff like the one Divine had sported earlier on. The other possessed dirty blonde hair, hanging either side of his forehead, his dull eyes watching the new arrivals with a somewhat bored and uninterested look. The brunette was first to step towards the two.

"Hello, Seria-san" he chirped.

"Okita" Seria replied; then turned to the blonde. "Liquid. This is Rena, she's just come to the Arcadia Movement and all the paperwork's just been sorted. She's going to be staying with you two for a while".

Okita turned to her first, smiling still, as though those curved lips had been painted onto his face. Liquid, also, wore the same face as he had a moment before.

"Pleased to meet you" the brunette responded after half a moment of uncomfortable silence. "I hope we can make you feel welcome to the Arcadia Movement".

"Yes, we'll show you what this place can really offer" Liquid added.

Seria turned to Rena, fishing something out of the concealed pocket of her white clothes and moving the possession to her. Rena's eyes fell upon a deck of Duel Monsters cards; forty in all, the standard size, yet she had yet to comprehend why Seria was handing her them.

"You can use these to duel and harness your powers" she elucidated. "Duel Monsters is how a lot of matters get settled in Neo-Domino, it's also how our powers come out. Many people in this institution have yet to fully control their powers like Divine, but these cards and duelling will help you overtime".

The girl blinked as she continued to stare at the deck, as though lost over what she was supposed to do with the cards. Her hand, however, did rise, and fell upon the deck, gripping it tightly before Seria's palm withdrew. The cards remained sealed, the tips of Rena's fingers beneath them; locking them into place.

Once her arm fell by her side, Seria retreated towards the door, gripping the frame with her slender hand and watched over her shoulder at the trio once more.

"I'm trusting you two with her, you should all prepare for training" she called. "In about an hour, you'll begin your first exercise. There's a meeting later regarding tomorrow as well".

With that, she slid through the door that hummed shut behind her. Rena turned back to Okita and Liquid, both watching her with friendly eyes. Okita was, once again, first to step forward and speak.

"Well, welcome to Arcadia" he chimed. "I hope that you'll be able to control your powers while here, that's certainly what Liquid and I are aiming for".

"We've recently moved in here ourselves, so we don't know much about this place" Liquid added. "But we know enough for the three of us get by".

"We could always meet with some more experienced members if you'd prefer" Okita suggested, twitching his head between Rena and his friend.

"I don't know, Seria did just say that we have a training session in an hour" Liquid bemoaned apprehensively. "Perhaps it would be a better idea to hang around here for a while".

"It sounds like a better idea, so that we don't miss the session. She did say it was our first" Rena added meekly. Still shy and adjusting to the new surroundings, with people who knew each other.

Okita turned to face her, smiling. Then, without words, he retreated to the bed that must have already been assigned to him and removed a large grey and blue device from beneath the supported mattress, something positioned between the four legs. He held it up to show her, smiling over the top of the gleaming gem-like centre.

"We've all got these Duel Disks, how about we have a game to get to know each other and kill some time?" he chortled lightly.

Rena grabbed her chin with the empty hand and observed the device; basic information had been implanted in her about it, along with the basics of the game. She knew how to work both, but being any good at it was an entirely different manner. Liquid's eyes shifted to his friend.

"Seriously? You use that as a means of getting to know someone?"

"I didn't use it on you" Okita chuckled slyly. "There's nothing wrong with a little fun".

Seria had said Duel Monsters was the way many matters were settled in the City, perhaps it wouldn't hurt. And she could see just how she coped with the instruments. She moved to the bed tucked into the corner opposite the empty corner beside the door; Okita's bed was opposite the entrance, Liquid's was parallel to his, which left Rena with the bed turned horizontal against their with the bottom end pointed in the direction of the door built into the end of the wall. Beneath it, she, too, found a Duel Disk. She climbed down onto her knees, stretching her arm and snatching the end of the flattened zones.

Liquid sighed as it was revealed and removed his own, he would need it in time. His eyes returned to the sight of Okita's pleasant face.

"Fine, but don't think you're getting away with this, when you're done, it's my turn" he declared.

A droplet of anxiety swelled on Rena's forehead, a string of challenges was something she hadn't expected. Nevertheless, she would comply with the laws of Arcadia and Neo-Domino, fixing the machine over her left wrist, the metallic clamp latched on. Okita followed suit, drawing five cards from his deck, Rena then copied him.

"You remember how to play, right?" Liquid asked, cocking an eyebrow. "Assuming you just joined, that should be the case".

Rena nodded briefly and set her eyes firmly onto Okita. It was true that she knew the game, but only the basics. Any advanced play that may have unlocked her power previously was lost to her; she was little more than a novice; perhaps that had been what she was before.

"Okay, get ready" Okita called. "This'll be fun".

Together, they called out. "Duel!"

DUEL START

RENA - OKITA
4000 - LP - 4000

FIRST TURN – RENA

"It's my turn" the girl called first. "Draw".

With the beginning of her first turn, Rena removed the top card of her deck, completing a full six-card hand. Her eyes scanned the text printed on each card to learn of their effects. The Psychic creatures and their supporting allies were unlike anything she had seen before. She pulled a card from her hand, placing it face-down onto the upper level of the Duel Disk.

"I'll place a monster face-down, and end my turn".

SECOND TURN – OKITA

"Okay, now it's my turn" Okita chirped, drawing from his deck. "I summon Royal Knight [ATK 1300] to the field".

In front of Okita, a white soldier appeared on the field. The exposed stomach revealed the pebble-like stones crushed into the shape of a body, further locked in place by the components of white armour lined with pale green. From its back, two large white wings curled around its body, a purple sword glistened in its grasp.

"Royal Knight, attack that face-down creature!" Okita bellowed, pointing at the concealed monster.

The shimmering figure lunged across the field, craning its arm back and aiming the glimmering weapon with the centre of the defensive hologram. Its sword plunged into the enlarged card, freezing in place as a transparent blue watery creature appeared. It vanished just as quickly, bringing a smirk to Okita's soft features.

"Genex Undine, huh?" he mused. "I wonder why you didn't play that in attack mode".

Rena clenched her teeth and pulled the card from her Duel Disk, placing it in front of the Graveyard slot, the dark opening swallowing it. Her eyes rose again to Okita, slightly darker as the competitive spirit began to sneak into both combatants, Liquid watched on without any significant difference in his features, his arms folded across his chest as he observed the girl's face almost glaring harmlessly at her opponent.

"Royal Knight's effect activates at this time – granting me half the defence points of your destroyed creature as lifepoints" the brunette chirped happily, the lifepoint counter in the centre of his Duel Disk creeping up to the adjusted value.

RENA - OKITA
4000 - LP - 4600

Liquid's beady eyes moved to Okita, he knew the man's strategy well, despite their minimal time within the Arcadia walls. They had quickly grown close enough to call the other 'friend'. Learning of their deck came with the course.

"For now, I'll set a card face-down" the brunette added, slipping the card in. "That will bring my turn to a close".

THIRD TURN – RENA

"My turn. Draw" Rena bellowed, tearing the top card from her deck and setting her eyes on it. "I summon Genex Turbine [ATK 1400] in attack mode".

The named being appeared much like a metallic barrel, filled with the glinting green and yellow light that flickered like a blinding eye. Around it, jade steel had been bent and curved into an imperfect cylinder, small structures protruding from the basic shape, two more noticeable than the third; the main being positioned above the 'eye' of the machine.

"It's stronger than Okita's Royal Knight. This should be interesting" Liquid murmured to himself.

"Like your monster, Genex Turbine has an ability" Rena bellowed, shifting her hand in the direction of her monster. "While it's on the field, every Genex monster gains 400 attack points – including Turbine".

The machine creature gave a moan as a pale blue glow crept around its form, reducing the shadow beneath it. At the same time, the value of its offense power climbed higher [ATK 1800].

"Genex Turbine, attack Royal Knight" Rena shouted, extending her arm out, aimed at Okita and his doomed servant.

Royal Knight crumbled under the pressure, its body exploding easily and scattering shards of its body in Okita's way. His right arm rose, shielding his calm face as the pieces flew like the sun's light could reflect from them.

RENA - OKITA
4000 - LP - 4100

"Okita's lifepoints are almost what they were to begin with" Liquid commentated to himself, setting his eyes onto the brunette who had retreated a step during the onslaught.

Rena stood withdrawn again, her arm hanging by the hip. "Turn end".

FOURTH TURN – OKITA

"It's my turn now. Draw!" Okita called. He pulled the top card from his deck, holding it at arm's length when it twisted his wrist and unearthed the identity of his card. Upon seeing the golden insect, he smiled. "I activate my Golden Ladybug's ability".

"'Golden Ladybug'?" Rena echoed, blinking to ensure she hadn't missed him summoning the being previous.

Okita held it up, revealing the glittering creature in the card he had drawn. "Once I reveal it, I gain 500 lifepoints".

RENA - OKITA
4000 - LP – 4600

"That move just undid all the damage dealt in the last attack" Liquid murmured. "And if Okita can keep that card in his hand, he can keep undoing damage. This is what his deck is all about".

"Next, I summon Krebons [ATK 1200]" Okita bellowed, throwing the card onto his Duel Disk.

The jester-like figure appeared with narrow limbs angled at ninety degrees, a wide grin crossed the white half of its face. Its invisible body could only be identified through the purple and orange clothes it wore, matching the curved hat upon its head. The tips of its boots curled like those of a court jester, juggling transparent blocks for its own amusement.

"A standard Psychic monster. Everyone here has one of those in their deck" Liquid uttered discreetly once more. "Everyone except those who had grown beyond normal standards, that is".

"In addition to Krebons, I'll set a card face-down" the brunette concluded. "My turn is over".

FIFTH TURN – RENA

'Why did he play a monster weaker than Genex Turbine in attack mode?' Rena thought, cocking a suspicious eyebrow. 'Is it that those face-down cards are Traps ready to destroy my monsters? I can't risk Turbine, I've got to get something else on the field, or else he could release that thing for a stronger monster next round'.

Liquid shifted his focus back to Rena as she muted debated her position, azure eyes set on the deck fixed in place. Okita smiled still, pleased that his strategy seemed to have her rumbled, perhaps she had not seen a Psychic monster before and had heard nothing of Krebons in the past. Rena gripped the top card of her deck, pulling it back over her shoulder and glancing at it in the corner of her eye.

"Draw!" she snapped. It was a monster. "I summon Telekinetic Soldier [ATK 1700]".

The being appeared with a blood red torso and brown trousers over its legs. Its arms rose above its masked face, invisible behind the curved glass covering, small bolt of yellow lightning flickered between its fingers.

"This is more than powerful enough to take out your Krebons" she growled, tensing the muscles in her arm. "Now you'll regret playing it in attack mode. Telekinetic Soldier, attack!"

The sparking soldier darted across the field, closing in on Krebons swiftly. But Okita didn't seem worried in the least; Rena frowned as she watched with suspicious eyes, ready for a counter that could devastate her field. Okita's hand moved away from the Duel Disk and opened as he held it in front of him, surprising her.

"I activate Krebons' ability" he protested.

"What?" Rena gasped, flinching. This was it.

"When a monster attacks Krebons, I can surrender 800 lifepoints to negate that attack and protect my monster" the brunette elucidated, smirking.

RENA - OKITA
4000 - LP - 3800

Telekinetic Soldier froze automatically in front of Krebons, inches from the weaker species, Rena clenched her jaws in disappointment, hoping she would have been able to erase any chance of a high level monster arising in the next turn. Now that threat was growing; but there was a way to fight back.

"Genex Turbine, attack Krebons!" she yelled.

From the eye-like centre of the machine, a ray of green blended into yellow emerged, stretching across the field in the direction of the endangered jester creature, whose grin had faltered.

"I see what this is – she's trying to turn Krebons' effect against Okita. Instead of gaining lifepoints each turn, he would be losing more through however many attacks she can call on" Liquid assessed, setting his eyes on Okita once his statement came to an end. "What do you plan to do to get out of this one, Okita?"

"Krebons' effect activates, cancelling your attack" Okita barked in defiance.

RENA - OKITA
4000 - LP - 3000

Both monsters retreated to Rena's side, dejected that they had been unable to rid the field of the enemy. Once they returned to their starting positions, Rena lifted a card from her hand.

"I set a card face-down. Turn end" she commented.

SIXTH TURN – OKITA

"Draw" the brunette called before holding up the golden insect. "Golden Ladybug's effect activates – granting me 500 lifepoints".

RENA - OKITA
4000 - LP - 3500

Rena scowled at the brunette opposite, he had easily restored a large portion of the damage she had dealt to him a turn before – and with the Golden Ladybug in his hand, he could continue over and over. Okita's smile brightened as he picked up another card from his hand.

"I activate Blue Medicine at this point" he added. "It increases my lifepoints by a further 400".

RENA - OKITA
4000 - LP - 3900

"His lifepoints are almost back to their original value" Liquid noted.

'If he keeps increasing his lifepoints, I'll never be able to stop him' Rena though, clenching her jaws.

"My turn is far from over – I summon Torike [ATK 1200]" Okita added, slapping the monster card onto the top of his Duel Disk, beside Krebons.

What appeared as a result seemed much like a dinosaur with human fists under its green head. It crouched on its hind legs, tucked either side of its small body. The exceptions to its bright green scales were the claws and horns that protruded from its skin; three claws on each of its hind feet, two horns from the top of its head and a third between its eyes. The creature's red eyes opened as it shrieked.

"I'm tuning my Level 2 Krebons with my Level 3 Torike" the brunette announced, his voice gaining a new strength that had been lost in his kind tone.

"What?" Rena gasped in horror.

"A Synchro Summon" Liquid mumbled, unfolding his arms and turning to face Okita's field with interest.

The jester-like being vanished, two green rings soaring upwards like a couple of insects playing. They aligned themselves and descended over Torike, revealing three stars representing each level the creature possessed. These stars sapped the green dinosaur-like creature of its body, lining themselves in the centre of the two rings. A pillar of lights opened from the stars, growing wider to swallow the surrounding circles.

"I Synchro Summon… Magical Android! [ATK 2400]"

A pale woman appeared through the light, wearing a complex attire of turquoise, royal blue and gold patterns. The centre of its torso was covered by a large turquoise hoop extending far beyond the back of its head, glimmering jewels hanging from the back curve. In its right hand was a large shield in the shape of a number '6', glowing marks across it shimmered under the lights of the room, in the other hand, a large curved sword matching the colours of the shield and robes. The woman's pale face shone between the clamps of her headdress, a small golden circle attached by two glimmering circles over her ears. Long red hair flowed down her back. A drop of sweat slid down the side of Rena's face as she glared up at the Psychic being, her clenched jaws visible through parted lips shaped into an open frown.

"Magical Android, attack Telekinetic Soldier!" Okita bellowed, moving his hand in line with the weaker Psychic.

'I can't save my monster, but I may as well clear the way for anything that I can get' Rena thought, tightening her eyes as the creature lunged forward.

Magical Android's left arm moved forward, aiming the tip of the immense sword at the target. The weapon sliced through Telekinetic Soldier with ease, erasing it from the field. At the same time, a Trap card rose in front of Rena.

RENA - OKITA
3200 - LP - 3900

"I activate Dust Tornado" she called. "Even if I couldn't do anything to help my monster, I can still get rid of your face-down card".

The card that Okita had set during his first turn exploded, leaving his nothing more to do than move the card to the Graveyard. His smile didn't fade in the slightest, especially when a bright aura surrounded Magical Android.

"My Android's ability activates, granting me 600 lifepoints for every Psychic monster on the field" he explained.

RENA - OKITA
3200 - LP - 4500

"No matter what happens, Okita gains more lifepoints every turn. Too many to be taken down easily" Liquid commented, moving his eyes to the Synchro Monster in front of the brunette. "And with that thing out, he's untouchable".

"I'll hand things over to you now, Rena" Okita added, friendly holding his hand open as though to physically pass something on.

SEVENTH TURN – RENA

Rena drew from her deck, setting her eyes onto it. Another drop of sweat tickled her forehead as it slithered down towards her twisted eyebrows as she anxiously examined the card, it certainly looked useful. There was only one way to find out if it truly could be.

"I set a card face-down" she declared before pressing the tips of her fingers against Turbine's card. "I'm switching Turbine into defence mode as well [DEF 1300]".

The machine on her field inched back defensively, drowned in a new shade of blue to signify its shielding position. Keeping her eyes on her opponent, Rena pulled the central card from her hand, laying it face-down beside Genex Turbine.

"I'll set a monster and leave thins there" she confirmed. "Your move, Okita".

EIGHTH TURN – OKITA

"Draw" Okita sounded, removing the top card of his deck. "And naturally, I reveal Golden Ladybug once again, increasing my lifepoints by a further 500".

RENA - OKITA
3200 - LP - 5000

He deposited the new addition to his hand into the few cards supported only by his fingers and thumb. With that done, he turned his attention back to his lone creature.

"Magical Android, attack Genex Turbine!"

The Synchro creature lunged forward, aiming its glowing sword at the blue Genex ahead of it. Rena's arm shot forward, parting from the round centre of her Duel Disk once one of the keys began to glow, a response from a rapid activation.

"Reverse card – Nightmare Wheel!" she hollered in protest.

"What?" Okita gasped, recoiling.

A large metallic wheel held by the bones of a large skull appeared, ensnarling Magical Android in its steel clutches. The woman looked horrified as she was bound against the wheel, her back curved as her hands were pressed just inches below the rock-like fangs hanging from the top jaw.

"This stops your Magical Android from attacking, and you can't change her into Defence mode" Rena explained. "And during my Standby Phase, it'll deal 500 points of damage to you".

"Impressive, but I can still activate Magical Android's effect" Okita replied, smirking. "So I'll get anther 600 lifepoints".

RENA - OKITA
3200 - LP - 5600

Rena scowled, no matter how many turns passed, Okita would gain too many lifepoints for her Nightmare Wheel to deal any significant damage – he was gaining more than double all she could inflict. He was safe.

"Turn end".

NINETH TURN – RENA

"Draw" she called, keeping the card in her right hand. "And because my turn begins, Nightmare Wheel activates. So you'll lose 500 points now".

The contraption creaked as it began to move, rotating once with the bound being struggling against the cuffs that held her down. Everything proved futile, escape wasn't possible.

"Reverse card open: Energy-Absorbing Monolith!" Okita snapped, lifting the surviving face-down card in front of him.

"Here it comes" Liquid murmured.

"This card negates damage through an effect and instead increases my lifepoints by the same amount that I would have lost".

"No way" Rena gasped, recoiling in shock. Every plan was backfiring with each play she made.

Okita smiled as a soft glow surrounded him in the place of a sinister red aura, pushing his lifepoints higher.

RENA - OKITA
3200 - LP - 6100

"Dammit" Rena scowled. "Fine, I'll switch Genex Turbine into attack mode" she called, turning the card around again. The machine on the field turned green once more.

"What good will that do you?" Okita chuckled, tapping his chin with his forefinger.

"Not much, until I release my face-down monster to Advance Summon Majestic Mech – Ohka! [ATK 2400]" Rena responded.

A pink lion-like creature materialised in the place where the face-down monster had been. Much like Royal Knight, the animal's body was made primarily of crushed gems, contained by segments of armour and lined with darker pink marking. Its mane, tail and wings sprouting from the chest piece resembled the feathers of Royal's Knight's wings, proving the two to be connected in some way.

"It's got the same attack power as Magical Android, you still can't overcome it" Okita commented, raising an eyebrow. "Just what are you planning?"

"This" Rena replied as she threw down a card, slotting it into the lower compartment beneath Ohka. "Rush Recklessly – this increases the attack points of a monster by 700 for this turn. So just to tip it over the edge, I'll equip it to Genex Turbine". The monster moaned as a blue wave surrounded it, pushing its offensive power higher [ATK 2500].

"Oh no, now it's stronger" Okita gasped.

"Turbine, attack Magical Android!"

From the centre of Turbine's front face, the glinting circle began to shine brighter, gathering the energy necessary to take out the trapped monster, one much stronger than it normally. Seconds passed before it reached the critical amount and the beam discharged, roaring fiercely. Okita's face paled as he watched helplessly, with no face-down cards to unnerve the opposition; the beam sliced through Magical Android, blasting a hole through both her and the Nightmare Wheel she was connected to. Together, they exploded. Okita lifted his arm in front of his face, steadying himself as the gusts that erupted from the explosion howled violently, his uniform flapped wildly.

RENA - OKITA
3200 - LP - 6000

"Ohka, attack him directly!" Rena shouted over the winds, throwing her left arm forward.

The invisibly connected fragments of body and armour charged forward, Okita braced himself as it did. Its jaws parted and unleashed a wide beam of pink, striking the brunette's shielding Duel Disk and hitting his lifepoints. The counter in the centre of Okita's Duel Disk plummeted to his dismay, pulling his lips previously curved into a smile downwards.

RENA - OKITA
3200 - LP - 3600

"I'll leave it there for now" Rena exhaled, letting her arms hang loosely by her sides. "Turn end".

TENTH TURN – OKITA

"Draw" the brunette called, removing the top card from his deck. Even after such a devastating turn, he could still smile so lightly, and unlike many others, there was no sign of hard feelings. "I reveal Golden Ladybug again".

RENA - OKITA
3200 - LP - 4100

"Now I summon Healing Wave Refresher [DEF 1500]" he announced, throwing the Monster card onto the centre slot of his Duel Disk.

A large mirror appeared, held in a dull silver oval frame. At the top, a small black circle seemed to be analysing something, with the measuring line curving upwards and downwards, at the base of the frame, was a glowing red button. From the flat border, a number of golden rods protruded, also glowing dimly. Immediately, the same blue shade drenched its colours entirely, dyeing them the same way as it had Genex Turbine.

"I activate Healing Wave Refresher's ability" Okita called. "It gives me 100 lifepoints for each level of one of your monsters. So I'll choose Ohka and gain 600 lifepoints!"

The reflective glass shone in Ohka's direction, reflecting it like any ordinary mirror. A shower of golden sparkles descended from its bottom rod, falling over Ohka like bright snow. He smiled as he craned his neck back and watches the scene. Only once it finished did he look back down at the battlefield in front of him.

RENA - OKITA
3200 - LP - 4700

"I'll set a card face-down and end my turn".

ELEVENTH TURN – RENA

"It's my turn. Draw" Rena bellowed, tearing the top card from the deck slot. Her eyes fell onto it and then to Okita. Already, he had recovered a large portion of the damage she had dealt him; if she couldn't get rid of Golden Ladybug and Healing Wave Generator, it wouldn't be long before he regained them all, and more.

"Turbine, attack Healing Wave Generator!" she cried out, pointing at the flat creature.

The green machine began to charge again, even without the boost from Rush Recklessly, it was strong enough to take out the opposing shield. Without the extra power, it wouldn't take as long to prepare itself.

"I activate my Trap – Threatening Roar!" Okita protested, stretching his arm over the Trap card that rose. "It prevents your monsters from attacking".

Rena scowled, tightening her eyes again and falling down to her hand. There wasn't anything she could do to prevent the Trap from taking effect and freezing her monsters for the round.

"Turn end" she sighed.

TWELVETH TURN – OKITA

"Draw. And reveal Golden Ladybug" the brunette declared, performing each action as he spoke. "And I'll use Healing Wave Refresher to increase my lifepoints for each of Ohka's levels again".

RENA - OKITA
3200 - LP - 5800

"Now, I activate this!" he yelled, throwing the card into one of the lower slots. A Magic card appeared in front of him showing two ghostly hands surrounding a brain, Rena's stomach flipped over. Just the mere sight of the card made her cringe, though she couldn't be sure why. "Brain Control: I pay 800 lifepoints to take control of one of your monsters".

From the card, two hands emerged, floating through the air and grabbing Ohka. Rena gasped as the creature flailed in their grip, dragged reluctantly to the opposite field. But halfway across, it began to settle and accepted the theft, something that unsettled Rena; she already cared about the monster. Okita smiled once the hands released Ohka, who remained calm and turned to face Rena's remaining field.

RENA - OKITA
3200 - LP - 5000

"Now I summon Mind Master [ATK 100]".

A small grey-green machine appeared beside Ohka, three wires hanging from the base of its rounded body, two ending with steel glove-like hands, gold rings over the joints of each finger. At the top of its machine body, a blue brain swelled, contained only by a glass bowl with four bulges on the top, light shone through the diagonal bumps.

"Another Psychic Tuner?" Rena gasped, her eyes widening with dread.

"Exactly. Now you can see why" Okita chuckled lightly. "I tune my Level 1 Mind Master with Level 6 Ohka!"

The brain within the glass contained pulsed wildly and the entirely presence disappeared entirely, transforming into a single ring that encircled Ohka, tearing six stars from it.

"Ohka!" Rena cried out, reaching out for the creature.

The six stars aligned themselves, struck through by a single beam of light that widened, swallowing the ingredients for the Synchro Summoning. From it, a pea green-skinned being appeared, a woman dressed in an azure suit that clung to her skin. Her grey left arm and legs glinted, revealing themselves to be robotic limbs, climbing up the let side of her head. The piece pressed down the leaf green hair that fell level with her knees against her skull. Above each hand, an orb floated: one of darkness surrounded by a white glow hovering over her metallic hand and one of light above her natural green opposite.

"I Synchro Summon Psychic Lifetrancer [ATK 2400]".

Rena sucked in air through her teeth, staring with wide eyes of horror at the new Psychic Synchro monster – facing a second had been the furthest thought from her mind, but Okita had insisted, and used Ohka as a sacrifice. The brunette held a Magic card in his hand, revealing its identity to her, drawing her eyes back from the superior creature opposite.

"I activate Smashing Ground to eliminate Genex Turbine" he began. Rena gasped as Turbine exploded in front of her, leaving her field empty. A card slipped out of Okita's Graveyard and into his hand – his Mind Master. "Now I activate Psychic Lifetrancer's ability – by removing a Psychic monster from my Graveyard, I can increase my lifepoints by 1200".

"That much?" Rena inhaled, another droplet of sweat trickled down her rippled forehead.

RENA - OKITA
3200 - LP - 6200

"Sorry about this, Rena" Okita uttered meekly, rubbing the back of his head. "Psychic Lifetrancer, direct attack!"

Rena gasped; her eyes wide as the half-cyborg craned its iron arm back, moving the black orb slightly. Without warning, it launched the sphere forward, which crackled as it tore through the air and slammed into Rena's chest. The girl cried in as the feeling surged through her body, enough power to launch her back – off her feet and onto her back just short of the wall. She didn't get up, but twitched reflexively, face screwed up in anguish. Liquid looked to Okita, drawing his friend's attention once his voice broke through the silence.

"I think that's enough, your power took her by surprise" he suggested

"Perhaps your right, I didn't mean to hurt her after all" Okita murmured guiltily.

"No…" a heavy breath came.

Both Liquid and Okita turned to see Rena on her knees, in the process of pushing herself from the ground, fringe hanging over her face as she leaned forward. Shakily, she rose to her feet and steadied herself, taking a moment to catch the breath that had been knocked out of her.

"I want to carry on…" she exhaled.

"A- are you sure? That was a big hit, right now; you're not looking so good" Liquid stammered, his shoulders relaxed as his neck stretched.

Rena shook her head, enough for the strands of hair hanging over her shoulders to wave. "I have to finish. Even if I don't win, I want to carry on".

Okita smiled. "That's the spirit. Liquid's probably just worried because it's the first time you've experienced Psychic powers being used again you, rather than using them yourself".

Rena lifted her head, unveiling her face. Liquid's eyes widened slightly when he could easily find the flames burning in her eyes. A small scratch had been created on the left side of her jaw, most likely from where the Duel Disk may have hit, but she was ready to fight back regardless. Liquid retreated a couple of steps, back to the side lines to resume his place.

RENA - OKITA
800 - LP - 6200

"I'm glad that you decided to carry on" Okita beamed. "I'll end my turn here".

THIRTEENTH TURN – RENA

"Draw". The Magic card in the pale hand brought a smile to Rena's face, a useful card at the best of times. She pressed it into the Duel Disk. "I activate Card of Sanctity, which lets us draw until we both have six cards in our hands".

Okita smiled, refreshing their hands so late in the game could open up any number of possibilities, and they would find out just which had been the one unlocked. Both players removed the necessary number of cards from their decks and filled their hands. Rena then immediately removed one.

"I activate my own Blue Medicine, giving me 400 lifepoints" she called, holding up the card that Okita had played earlier for him to see. "So now I'll be the one to gain lifepoints".

RENA - OKITA
1200 - LP - 6200

"Next, I activate Fissure, removing your Healing Wave Refresher like how you did Genex Turbine". The ground beneath the glowing mirror began to collapse, taking her with it. As she sank, its body exploded, scattering shards of light on the ground for a few seconds. "Now I activate Premature Burial to revive Genex Turbine".

A circle of blue light shone from the ground, allowing the machine to pass through; its front gleamed the same way as it had when it had been on the field last.

"Of course, Premature Burial comes with a price – I have to surrender 800 lifepoints".

RENA - OKITA
400 - LP - 6200

"And if that Blue Medicine hadn't come up, she would have lost the duel at that point" Liquid commented, pressing his forefinger against his chin. "But still, Okita's almost 6000 lifepoints ahead now".

"I summon Genex Neutron [ATK 1800]" Rena called.

Beside Turbine, a being appeared consisting of complex components wielded together to form a human-shaped body. Oranges, blacks and greys were brought together to create the form, including large pieces that connected to the arms almost like the equivalent of wings. Okita smiled still at the creature, impressed that she had managed to summon two monsters in one turn.

"I'm still not done yet, I equip Psychic Sword to Genex Neutron" Rena added, throwing the card into the slot under Neutron.

A wide sword with a spiked blade glowing a pale green shade connected to a purple handle, with several complex designs attached to the central piece, each with a small blue orb looking much like eyes, two crimson lines ran along the central piece that appeared in Neutron's narrow steel fingers clenching around it automatically.

"Psychic Sword increases Neutron's attack power by the difference between our lifepoints, but only to a maximum of 2000, so that's all it'll get" Rena explained. "Combined with Turbine's ability, it proves much more than a match for your Psychic Lifetrancer [ATK 4200]". A white aura surrounded Neutron and its new weapon, pumping the granted power into its metal body. "Neutron, attack Psychic Lifetrancer!"

The Genex monster dove forward, clutching the Psychic Sword with both hands. Okita frowned as the weapon plunged into the gut of his Psychic Lifetrancer whose face became twisted into one of horror before she exploded, scattering her remains across the battlefield, pixels that faded after a small number of seconds. He raised his right arm to shield himself from the fragments slicing through the air.

"Turbine, direct attack!" Rena hollered before Okita could completely recover.

A wide beam of green melting into yellow burned across the field, striking Okita in the chest when he failed to defend himself with his Duel Disk in time. He groaned as the force slammed into him, but didn't move. When the beam died, he hunched, pressing his hand against his chest.

RENA - OKITA
400 - LP - 2600

'That's strange, my powers were able to knock her back completely. But she doesn't seem to have much of her power unlocked, maybe it's like Izayoi-san, and it grows stronger when she gets emotional' he thought, peering over the tops of his spectacles. 'It seems Divine must really trust that she has the power for her to get into Arcadia. Well, I'll do what I can to help you'.

"Through Neutron's effect, I draw Genex Controller" Rena spoke, holding the card beside her chin. "But for now, I'll end my turn".

FOURTEENTH TURN – OKITA

"It's my turn. Draw!" Okita called. He turned the familiar card in his hand around, unveiling it once more. "I reveal Golden Ladybug".

RENA - OKITA
400 - LP - 3100

Okita scanned the cards in his hand, clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth – he didn't have many options with the cards he had drawn, despite the full hand he held. He pulled one card up and laid it on top of his central monster zone.

"I set a monster… that's my turn done".

FIFTHTEENTH TURN – RENA

Rena cocked an eyebrow at the lack of plays Okita had made; did he really get that bad a draw? Or maybe he was trying to lure her into a trap. It wouldn't take much to deplete the rest of her lifepoints; one strong defence against either of her monsters would wipe her out completely.

"Draw" she called, tearing the top card of her deck from the rest. She brought it back to see what it was she had to work with, and her heart leapt. She smirked mischievously at Okita and threw the card into the Duel Disk. "Magic card – Shield Crush. This destroys a monster in defence mode".

The defensive monster in front of Okita shattered, shocking him as he took a step and stared where the card had been. His focus then rose to Rena standing opposite, between her two Genex monsters, smiling at him confidently for the first time since meeting him,

"Sorry, Okita. I don't mean to hurt you" she spoke. "Turbine, Neutron, direct attack!"

Turbine fired another wide beam of yellow and green, aimed at Okita, while Neutron lunged alongside it, still clutching the Psychic Sword. The beam reached Okita first, slamming into his chest just as it had just moments before. He groaned and clutched his chest, sweat sliding down his face as defeat charged towards him, closing the gap with each step. His face rose to meet the sight of Genex Neutron upon him, raising the sword above its head, the sight threw his arms over his head in a cross of defence. The sword came down, nevertheless, and collided with his Duel Disk.

RENA - OKITA
400 - LP - 0

DUEL END

Okita's arms fell as his lifepoints hit nothing, his eyebrows curved in disappointment that he had lost. Liquid, on the other hand, continued to watch without emotion, but more documenting the strategies of both duellists. He would need it if he was to duel them now. His neck twisted, moving around to the girl standing and smiling victoriously.

"Impressive, taking out Synchro Monsters without one of your own" he commented. "You should have some of your own with that deck of yours".

Rena nodded, her smile slipping in vitality as the victory became a thing of the past. Okita closed the distance between himself and the pair, his Duel Disk shrinking back into its Standby form.

"That was a good duel, I'm glad we could have it" he chuckled. "And it did let me see just what kind of duellist you are".

"You think I'll be alright here, as a duellist?" Rena asked.

Okita nodded. "Yes. Perhaps in time, as you build up your skills, you could be even a challenge for Izayoi Aki-san".

"Izayoi… Aki?" Rena echoed, turning her body from Liquid to the brunette.

"She's a legend in Arcadia" Okita explained. "According to Divine, she must be one of the most powerful Psychics in this whole Movement. She usually heads out and scouts for more Psychics and get some payback on people outside under the name 'Black Rose Witch'".

"'Black Rose Witch', huh?" Rena mused aloud.

"Just don't get on the wrong side of her" Liquid warned, stepping forward. "Like Okita said, she's powerful. And her temper is a dangerous thing. If you manage to piss her off, consider yourself dead".

Rena gulped, fear slowly crept through every fibre of her body as she realised that not everyone in Arcadia could be as friendly as the two with her. How many more of these dangerous people did the Movement hold? Or were people like Izayoi Aki made the way they were because of the Movement?

"Don't scare her, Liquid" Okita sighed. His hand fell onto her shoulder and their eyes met. "It's alright, I've met Izayoi-san; she's not what Liquid makes her out to be. She's a nice person".

"Are you sure?" Rena asked nervously.

Okita's head bounced like that of a toy, smiling wholly once again, it seemed impossible to wipe the smile from his face for very long, but that was something Rena had already come to like about him. Liquid remained quite mysterious, seeming to be a pessimistic individual. But that was nothing to hold against him, there was still much to be learned about them both.

The door slid open and a faded-blue haired man stepped in, his fringe hanging over his eyes, but his face drew all three sets of eyes.

"It's time for training to begin" he announced. "We'll be meeting at the practice arenas. Don't be any longer than ten minutes".

With the simple message delivered, he withdrew to the other side of the door and moved on. The males behind Rena looked to each other; they had been to the duelling arena once or twice themselves – that had been where Okita had met with Izayoi Aki.

"Well, I suppose your turn will have to wait" he chuckled at Liquid.

The dirty-blonde haired member rolled his eyes, denied his chance of duelling because of conversation about the living legend of Arcadia. Rather than lament over his lost opportunity, he instead turned to Rena, who looked back at the pair.

"Come on, we'll show you the way. If we don't make a move, we'll get ourselves in trouble" he said.

The two led the girl out of the room and into the narrow corridor, observing others departing from their rooms and following the path of the senior member that had visited. Okita smiled at Rena and stepped after Liquid, leading her together towards the stairs that would lead them to the duelling arenas.

Divine smirked as he watched the scene of recent members joining together as they worked their way towards the large chamber; his eyes traced Rena as she moved between Liquid and Okita, seemingly having bonded with the pair. Behind him, a young woman stood with short magenta-hair, two bangs hanging down to her chest and the fringe wrapped around a metallic object. Her auburn eyes blazed vividly as she watched Divine's focus on the monitor, standing behind him like a solider waiting for their superior to relieve them of their salute. Her outfit was a complex one; very different from the uniform of Arcadia.

She said nothing as she waited. And as the trio moved onto the staircase, Divine finally turned to her. His smirk contrasted her neutral expression.

"Aki, tomorrow is a big day, perhaps you should rest" he suggested comfortingly. There was a special tone of voice he used for her.

"Tomorrow and the day after will only be important if we get something out of them" she replied colourlessly. "If I fail, then it will have been a big waste of your time, and I don't want to disappoint you".

Divine stepped closer, his footfalls sharp and quick against the tiled floor, his hand moved to the metallic device in Aki's hair, his fingers sliding around the tipped cone fixed onto the end of it.

"Aki, you won't disappoint me. You're my Black Rose Witch, you can only do what you can" he continued in the same warm tone that he shared with no-one else. "Tomorrow, you will just show off your abilities to the world and prove the worth of Arcadia. Don't fret about your abilities in comparison to Jack Atlus or those that will come before him, you're more than capable of winning".

"It's just… something doesn't feel right" Aki sighed. "This 'Fortune Cup' came out of the blue last night when that weird man gave me the invitation".

The friendly smile on Divine's face dipped – she had a point. The Fortune Cup would have been organised by Rex Godwin, Director of Neo-Domino, and his organisation running the City. He and Divine secretly locked horns with every minute of every day; Divine knew his dirty secret, but Godwin wasn't one for standing by and doing nothing. He was a manipulative bastard, but under Divine's thumb, he could do nothing against Arcadia. So why had Aki been invited to this tournament? Was this some kind of plan by Godwin to snatch her away?

"The good news is that only the quarter-final matches happen tomorrow" he hushed. "You needn't worry about Security; we'll go in one of our trucks to keep you safe. I'll organise some of the student Psychics to accompany us on the second day when things could get difficult".

"What do you believe is happening, Divine?" Aki asked.

"I don't know, Aki" Divine sighed, dropping his hand to her shoulder. "But I'll protect you at that place, no matter what".

Arcadia ~ PREVIEW ~ Arcadia

Divine: Now that the newest recruits have undergone training, it's time to use the Fortune Cup tournament to our advantage.

Aki: I won't let you down, Divine.

Divine: We should prepare to follow our strongest into this place, there's no guarantee that this is safe for her alone.

Rena: 'Fortune Cup'? Next, Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's – Reverse of Arcadia, "Invasion of the Fortune Cup! A Threat Uncovered". Izayoi-san, we're backing you.