I've read some good Genesis Shipping (Zarc&Ray), thanks to timahina so I decideded from inspiration of Porter Robinson's music video Shelter to do this one.

Disclaimer: Fan of Fanfics21 does not own Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise or anything from Porter Robinson. The ideas just came to me.

How long has it been since I've lived here? Nothing changes here. What is my fate? It has been so long, that I've ceased thinking about it...But I'm not worried, I'm not alone.

The girl opened her violet eyes, her maroon and silver hair a tangled mess on the bed as she got up and yawned into her hand gently. It was sunny outside, a gentle warmth of the rising sunlight was slowy luminating her room. Today was another day for the fourteen year old girl.

With hair combed, summer dress worn with sunhat, she left the small hut she lived in as the soft grass touched her bare feet as the sounds of rushing footsteps of a massive creature was making its way towards the girl. This creature was the Duel Spirit known as Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon, a beautiful blue dragon with wonderous eyes and her closest companion next to a certain Sorcerer. Lowering itself, she hopped on as the dragon began dashing through the open field, a smile on its face as the girl was enjoying the ride. From a distance, a Duel Spirit known as Chronograph Sorcerer looked on, his dark robes with glowing Roman number mofits on it flowing in the gentle breeze as a look of content was visible in his eyes.

The girl has been in this pocket for fourteen years, she was innocent and pure but carries a strong heart. Chronograph Sorcerer contemplated on the idea to reveal the truth to the girl, knowing he cannot hold the truth back much longer. He had seen visions of the future, and beheld potential oblivion, and this girl can be the catalyst to avert the disaster.

Time will march on

She must learn the truth

So that Time will flow to a better outcome

The girl and her dragon companion noticed him, and began making their way towards the one who rules over time, space and fate. His eyes met the dragon's, and realized it was time. Confusion was adorned on her innocent face as the Spellcaster looked at her with fondness and pressed his index finger on her forehead, and worked his magic.

Be kind, Rewind

The girl knew something was wrong as she felt her conscious leave the way it did and what she saw was a white room and three people. One was a man with silver hair and green highlights, while the one in the bed had maroon and dark red hair cradling a small bundle in her arms. It was a baby, and it looked like the girl herself. She was lost, confused at what was going on as she saw the two parents, both worn and exhausted smiling at the baby's first laugh. Clear adortion in their eyes. "She's beautiful Ray," the man spoke as 'Ray' gently smiled at the baby. "I know Zarc, she's our child after all." she replied.

"Should we tell your father about her though? He's not even aware of our relationship." Zarc asked, a little fear in his voice as Ray laughed. It was amusing to see her boyfriend terrified of her father, but who could blame him? Not one single boy has gained his blessing for a relationship with Ray. "He's been so busy with work on Real Solid Vision that he's not aware of what's happening with my life to worry about. Let's keep it a secret for now." she winked. "She'll stay with my mother then," Zarc told her, "Since we can't exactly bring her to your place since your father will find out one way or another, my mother's place will do. And to be honest, she'll be overjoyed at meeting her granddaughter." he smiled fondly.

Is that...my Papa and Mama?

The girl could not believe what she was seeing as she noticed the next memory before her. The baby version of herself was a year older, and she was watching her father on some strange device called television riding a dragon similar to Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon. He was smiling and it looked like fun.

Like father like daughter.

She can see the resemblence in their riding style now, that carefree joy and fun energy that even the dragon was smiling alonside his master. But then it happened, someone got hurt and people cheered for it. She saw her Papa's concern face slowly turn into a slightly crooked smile.

Wait...what's going on...?

"I won't allow you to see her the way you are." Zarc's mother told him with a fierce glare that cowed the Duelist in front of her. "Your duels have gotten too violent to allow her to even see on TV for her age. If you don't fix that behavior, then I won't allow you to enter young man." she told him with a cold glare. "Mother...I'm going to say goodbye to her." Zarc spoke, his eyes dull and lacked the shine they used to have. "I'm scared mother...that I don't have time left..."

With that, Zarc gave his mother a letter and two cards, one depicting Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon, and the other being Chronograph Sorcerer. "Zarc..." his mother gasped as confusion was expressed on her face. "These are your friends, why are you-"

"In case something happens to me, those two will protect her. They'll protect her and her smiles as long as they can." Zarc cryptically replied as Zarc's mother was now extrememly worried. "Zarc...I know you hear the voices of the Duel Monsters, is something going on?" she asked, fear and worry in her voice. Zarc remained silent before he turned his back on her, "Get ready to leave the city in a week's time. Keep her safe and give her the love and care..." tears began to leave his eyes, "-that I can no longer give her." He ran.

Papa...why?

"Now, we will BE ONE!"

The girl was terrified of the sight before her, seeing her Papa becoming a giant dragon and destroying everything in sight. His eyes, his eyes glowed red with madness. Twisted joy and cruelty worthy of a demon's as she realized something, where was her mother?

Zarc's mother ecorted her baby self away from the burning city, a firm resolve in her eyes and the strength of a guardian as despite her being in the house most of the time, was still an athletic grandmother. "So this was what my son was talking about." she growled as her granddaughter was crying sadly. "Those jerks, pressuring my son to use his monsters for violence and ruining his dreams of smiles, twisting his mind...making his sweet baby cry...unforgivable!" she swore vehemently.

That was when Ray ran up to them, and Zarc's mother had a frostly glare reserved especially for the mother of her granddaughter. "So, little Miss Akaba came back." she spat with venom. "Why are you here?" she demanded as Ray flinched at the scorn before bitting her lip. "I'm sorry," she began falling to her knees and bowing her head in shame. "Ever since Zarc started listening to the desires of the crowd for violent duels, I've left him. I've left him to turn into the monster he's become. If...If only I had stayed by his side this whole time...!"

"And what about now?" Zarc's mother demanded, no forgivness in her voice as Ray flinched. "You both left yoru daughter to me alone, and Zarc was still capable of at least leaving some things behind to show he cared for her." and with that, she showed Ray the two cards and the sealed letter. "This letter is of when she comes of age, I have not opened it yet, and I'll make sure it stays that way until the time comes." she told Ray as the Akaba slowly got up and wipe her tears. "I'm going to stop Zarc," she told her unofficial mother-in-law, surprising her. "My father has been developing four cards to counter Zarc's power, but...it would mean death for both parties."

Mama...please don't...!

"You're going to sacrifice yourself?" Zarc's mother asked, abhorred by the thought. "You would orphan your own child doing so!" Ray had a bitter smile on her face, one of heartbreak and longing. "A price to pay for being a terrible mother...and one willing to save the man she loves while giving her child a future to look forward to." she answered as she slowly walked up to Zarc's mother and looking at the baby whom had her arms outstreched to Ray.

"Hello sweetie," Ray cooed, causing the baby to laugh, one that brought Ray such joy and sorrow at the same time as the Supreme King Dragon's rampage was instantly put to a halt, as if hearing his child's joyful laughter from afar was a way of pacifying him. "I'm not the best of mothers, but I do want to give you some advice in life so you can be the best a girl can ever be." Ray told her, smiling softly.

Mama, don't do this...please don't...

"Always get plenty of sleep, eat plenty of healthy meals, always stay clean, and do your best at getting your education." Ray told her before her eyes began to water a bit. "Respect your elders, become a great Duelist, and boys? Well...if you're anything like me, try finding one like your father, one whose kind, listens, and will do whatever it takes to see you smile from the heart." tears were flowing freely now from Ray's face. "I won't see you ever again, but I want you to know that I love you from the depths of my heart." she kissed her beloved daughter on the forehead before running off.

Mother...!

"Unforgivable! You're unforgivable! WE WILL BE ONE!"

The memories ended as the girl fell to her knees, crying and hugging herself. Chronograph Sorcerer had a pained expression on his face as Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon nuzzled the girl with gentle care as the Spellcaster handed the girl an envelope holding a letter, it was slightly worn out from the progress of time, but she knew this was a letter that her father sent her. Slowly and gently, she opened it and began reading it.

Hey kiddo,

Where do I begin? Heh, well can't say I'm the guy who deserves the best father of the year award but can't say I aimed to be one of the best. I'm sorry though, for putting you through this. Ever since your mother left me that day due to my new way of dueling, all I had to keep me comfort were my four dragons. Odd-Eyes, Dark Rebellion, Clear Wing, Starve Venom, they adore you and they always nagged at me to at least visit you more often. Hah! Being lectured by my own monsters, some Duelist huh?

I'm writing this because I know you will inherit a gift from me, a blessing and a curse. To hear the spirits of Duel Monsters is the gift. Ever since Real Solid Vision came out, the doorway between our world and the Duel Spirit's worlds have been breached. People are demanding more violent duels now, and I hear the cries of the monsters. It aches me with each battle as I hear their cries, the bloodlust of people wanting more violence...this...this wasn't what I wanted.

I wanted to make an era of dueling where both people and Duel Monsters can enjoy the game and have fun smiling. But I needed to reach the audience's expectations of me, the pressure is choking, like being dragged into the deepest parts of the ocean as the pressure takes the air from your lungs. It's painful, so painful, but I endured by thinking of you. My sweet little angel, your mother was a ray of light for me, for one who was an outcast and a freak to others. She accepted me, and I felt joy at the one person who acknowledged me.

But when you were born, I felt a joy swell within me that surpassed anything I've ever felt. Your first smile, that innocent laugh, it was a sun that luminated the night sky. You are my hope, my salvation in my darkest times. I wanted to let you know that no matter what, even if I become a demon, I will always love you and will protect you no matter what. If you ever become a duelist, please try to bring back the fun and smiles Duel Monsters was originally meant to be, because even now in my last limits of sanity, I see a swinging pendulum stone. It made me think of you when I'm alone. Pendulum has its own symbolic meaning, only you can decipher it.

I will watch over you even in death thanks to my two friends I've entrusted you with. Become an arc of light across the aether, and become the greatest that I know you'll become.

Your loving father, Zarc.

She hugged the letter to her chest, a smile on her face as she realized she was right. She was never truly alone; the feelings of her parents were always there with her, and the warmth it had with it. Tears escaped her eyes as her lips parted for the first time in years since she last spoke with her now realized grandmother whom had passed some time ago. Words that carried an innocent, yet powerful feeling in them.

"Thank you."