Chapter Two: Meet Elodie

The ground went still as the sound of crumbling rock subsided. Elodie coughed, and I raised my head, squinting through the dust. Chunks of rock littered the alleyway, some barely inches from where we lay, and the section of wall that had fallen blocked my view of the streets beyond. I swallowed hard as I thought about the girl beneath me stuck underneath all of that. Several stones had hit my back and legs, and I could feel the sore spots bruising, but there had been nothing large enough to cause major damage. We were lucky.

"That was a little too close for comfort," I muttered.

Elodie shuddered and coughed again, and I shifting myself off of her, allowing her to move. She seemed shaken but unharmed, lying on her stomach beneath me, her face hidden behind a curtain of hair.

"Are you okay?" I asked her

"I'm alright," she replied thickly, raising her head and propping herself up on her arm. "And you?"

"I'm fine," I assured her. We gazed around us at the wreckage of the wall, noticing some of the chunks were quite large. I shuddered again, thinking about what could have happened.

"You saved my life," Elodie observed, a note of surprise in her tone, and I looked down to see her watching me. Her eyes were no longer that furious, blazing orange, but a calm hazel color, a perfect mix of green and brown, full of curiosity and intelligence.

"Uh…" I tried to reply, but I found it difficult. The complete 180 change in her eyes was disarming. Our faces were inches apart, and my arm was still wrapped protectively around her back. I could feel her pulse beneath my bicep. "It was nothing." My second attempt at a reply was more successful than my first. "Couldn't stand by and let you get crushed, could I?"

This time, she didn't answer, though her expression was questioning. I pulled back my arm and stood, patting the dust off my clothes. I reached down to help Elodie, but she was already on her feet, still examining the wreckage with a slight expression of regret. Looking at her again, I realized I'd been right about our heights before. She was a couple of inches shorter than me.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked her as she swayed slightly, a spasm of pain flashing in her eyes.

"Just a little unsteady, that's all," Elodie replied, finding her footing and rolling her shoulders. "I get a little out of breath after… you know..."

"I'm not surprised," I said, turning in a circle on the spot to once again examine the alley. "You're a psychic duelist, right?"

I turned back to see Elodie's posture become guarded, her eyes squinting at me suspiciously. "What?" I asked, raising my hands in defense. "I'd be an idiot not to notice."

Her eyes narrowed even further before she looked away. "I believe the more common term is 'witch'."

I thought back to what Yusei had said about Aki Izayoi. How people hated and reviled her because of her powers. How she thought herself to be a monster because of them. But thinking back to how tired and vulnerable Elodie had looked after the fight, it was hard to see her as anything less than human. "Nah, you're not a witch," I disagreed. "No witch would have stood up to a bunch of gangsters to protect a kid. Besides, this was something you were born with, right? 'S not like you asked for it."

At this, she raised an eyebrow at me. "Well, aren't you optimistic."

I shrugged me shoulders with a laugh. "I try. And I'll tell ya, it's not easy when you live in a place like this. Where you from?"

"Here," she replied. "Born and raised. Are you from the city?"

I smirked slightly. "Why, you think I'm a city boy reject 'cause of these?" I jab a thumb at the markers on my face. "Nah, I was also born and raised here. I expected you to be an out-of-towner with your accent, though."

Elodie shook her head. "My caretaker was a European woman. I suppose I adopted her accent. I've always had it."

"Huh. Well that's neat. The name's Crow, by the way. Crow Hogan."

"Crow, huh?" Elodie finally cracked a smile, holding out her hand. "Elodie Kumari."

I took her hand and shook it. "Pleasure to meet ya, Elodie!"

"The pleasure is mine. I'm grateful for your help." She glanced back at the wreckage. "And for saving my life."

"No worries," I said with another shrug. "I just did what any other decent person would have done."

"Decent people are hard to come by here," Elodie observed. "But anyway, I best be going. I need to find Jennie and make sure she's alright."

"Want help looking?" I offered. "Two pairs of eyes are better than one."

To my surprise, Elodie shook her head. "That's alright. My eyes are pretty sharp. You take care of yourself."

She waved her hand as she walked away, picking her way through the wreckage, but after a moment's pause, I followed her. She seemed interesting, and I wanted to get to know her more.

"What's your relation to Jennie, anyway?" I asked her, jogging to catch up once I was clear of the rubble. "You called her your kid, but you don't look like you could be her mom."

Elodie gave me a weird look. "Of course I'm not. Do I look old enough to be anyone's mother? I just take care of her. There's no relation."

My heart leapt in excitement. "And you said you had 'kids' in plural a moment ago, right? Like, you have more you take care of?"

"Yes," she admitted slowly, still watching me suspiciously. "All of them are orphans. Why?"

"I do the same thing! I have my own little nest of kiddies that I watch over. Get it? My name is Crow, crows are birds, birds have nest?"

That actually made her laugh. She had a nice laugh. "Is that so? Huh. That explains it."

"Explains what?"

Elodie shrugged. "Just a thought I had earlier. And why you came when you saw Jennie was in trouble. Why are you following me, again?"

"I told you, I'm gonna help you look for Jennie."

"And I told you, I don't need any help."

"You needing it's got nothing to do with it. I just wanna help. Besides, I want to get to know you."

She gave me that weird look again. "Why?"

I frowned at her. "You think I shouldn't want to get to know you? You said yourself, decent people are hard to come by around here."

"And you think I'm a decent person?"

Why did she sound so skeptical about it? "Well, you saved a kid from gang brutality, so that's pretty decent in my book."

Elodie didn't have a response for that. I continued walking beside her, my hands folded behind my head as I kept an eye out around corners for a head of red hair. "I wonder where that girl got to. She's a fast little tyke. How old is she?"

"Six," Elodie muttered. "I rescued her after she ran away from an abusive foster home."

I winced. "Man, that's rough. Poor kid. What about you? Do you have parents, or who raised you?"

She didn't answer. I looked back over at her. "You're not a fan of personal questions, huh?"

She didn't even look at me. I sighed. Did she think ignoring me would make me lose interest? Because all it did was make me want to bug her more. "I was raised in a foster home too, though my caretaker was very kind. Her name is Martha. I still visit her occasionally, when I'm not worried about Security hunting me down. She took me in after some of her other foster kids found me wandering the streets. Never knew my parents, see. They died when I was a baby. Growing up with Martha was about as good an upbringing as one can get in Satellite, I think. She taught us to read and write and gave us warm food and soft beds to sleep in. She tried to show us that life was worth livin' no matter where you are, you know?"

I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye. She was staring straight ahead, but I could tell she was listening. When I stopped talking, she finally looked over. "So you're always like this?"

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Always like what?"

"So… open. Unguarded."

I laughed. "I'm told that I am a lot, yeah. Honesty is the best policy, right?"

"Is that how you got the criminal marks? From being honest?"

"Ouch," I whistled, though I was smirking, too. "Now look who's getting personal. Just 'cause I get in a little trouble every now and then doesn't make me a liar."

Elodie turned away again, taking a different street, and I continued to follow. "So, are you always like this? Closed off and guarded?"

"It's how I survive," she replied simply. "Your policy is honesty, mine is privacy."

Huh. That was interesting. "So do you have any friends over the age of six, then?"

Elodie paused for a moment. "Of course I do," she grumbled. "Two of my orphans are preteens."

"That's not what I meant," I informed her. "No one helps you out or comes to check in on you every once in a while?"

"Should someone?" she asked a little defensively. "Does someone check in on you?"

"Not very often, but I still have friends. I've got Martha out at the house to help me with food and stuff if I can't get enough myself, and I've got some other friends scattered around Satellite who visit sometimes. A couple of them have gotten in the habit of disappearing into the city lately."

"Into the city?" Elodie repeated, finally turning to fully face me. "How did they get out of Satellite?"

"Well, one got out by being a jerk, and the other got out to go kick the jerk's butt. He did a pretty good job of it, too," I said with a chuckle, reflecting on Yusei's battle against Jack at the Fortune Cup. "But now they're off tryin' to save the world."

"Save the world?" Elodie repeated skeptically. "Sounds pretty lofty. Save the world from what, exactly?"

"Darkness and evil, of course. You've noticed all the purple flames and people disappearing and weird cloaked guys wondering around, haven't you?"

Elodie wrinkled her nose. "Oh, yeah, I've noticed. Those Anti-Crimson Dragon preachers reek of something awful."

"How do you mean?" I asked curiously. "You got close enough to smell one?"

Elodie chuckled at that. "No, of course not. I just…" she hesitated, as if she wasn't sure of how much to tell me. She studied me, and I suddenly felt as though I was being X-rayed, all my layers being peeled apart and leaving me vulnerable. I fought the urge to look away, trying to show her I had nothing to hide by steadily meeting her gaze. She eventually continued, "It's part of my powers. I can read auras."

"Read auras?" I repeated, though I was mostly surprised she had decided to openly tell me about it. "So you, like, see colorful energy fields around people?"

"It's not that I can see colors," she corrected, sounding a little annoyed. She must get that question a lot. "I can sense people's emotions and well-being. I don't see rainbows outlining people."

"Oh, I get it," I replied. Though I really didn't.

Elodie smirked. "And you said you didn't lie."

"Wait, how did you know I was lying?"

"Part of the abilities," she replied with a shrug. "If I were to use colors, I'd say your aura had a spike of dark pink. It shows dishonesty."

"Dark pink? That's random. I thought you said you didn't see colors."

"It's not that I see them as much as I feel them. Certain emotions or things in a person's aura bring certain colors to mind. For example, what do you think of when you see the color red?"

I blinked. "Um, firetrucks?"

She cocked her head and raised an eyebrow. "You know what I mean."

I laughed at my own joke. "Alright, alright. I guess I think of anger. Or passion."

"Precisely. If I feel someone is angry, the color red comes to mind."

"And when someone is dishonest, you think dark pink?"

She frowned at me, knowing full well I was teasing her. I just grinned back, and she rolled her eyes. "Pink is an innocent color. It marks love and affection. When you lie, it becomes dark because it's innocence is tainted with falsehood. It's dirty."

Wow. That was deep. "So, what 'colors' are in the rest of my aura, then?"

"You really want me to tell you?" she asked in bemusement. "Most people don't want me to dissect their aura for them."

"Try me!" I encouraged, throwing my arms out. "C'mon, what do you see? Is my aura awesome or what?"

Elodie laughed and rolled her eyes before focusing her gaze back on me. I thought I saw a soft pulse of golden light in her eyes as she studied me. The X-ray vision feeling came back, and I suddenly understood where that piercing, vulnerable feeling came from. "You've got a lot of warm colors," she informed me. "Mostly red, but an equal amount of orange, too. That explains your hair. There's a splash of yellow and pink as well, and then there's a silver lining that shines through it all."

I blinked at her, my arms still outstretched. "Okay… what does all that mean?"

Elodie smirked. "Well, for you, it means you're stubborn, reckless, competitive, and have a bit of a temper."

"Oi!" I complained, even though I didn't have an argument against any of those. They were all admittedly true. "That can't be all you see, can it?"

Elodie shook her head, smiling playfully. "No, it's not. From what I can sense, you've also got a great deal of courage, stamina, and passion. I can see that you really are an honest guy, despite your little lie earlier. You've also got a child-like side that's energetic and curious, and you have a large capacity for compassion." She cocked her head. "To be completely honest, yours is one of the brightest auras I've seen in a while."

I lowered my arms, grinning. "I'll take that as a compliment! You read me like a book."

Elodie pulled her lips in tight. "Well, not really. It's more like reading a book's description on its back cover. I don't know what experiences or memories you have that make up your personality. I just have a glimpse at what kind of person you are as a result, as well as what you're feeling in the moment I'm reading your aura. Besides," she added with a shrug, "a person's aura doesn't stay the same forever. It changes with a person's mood and their physical and spiritual well-being."

"Oh. That makes sense. So, what colors do the preachers reek of?"

"Darkness," Elodie responded, shuddering slightly. "I walked by when they were talking to a group in a street once. I've never sensed auras so dark. It was like they were surrounded by thick, black storm clouds. But what really freaked me out was that as the other people listened, that same darkness began leaking into their auras as well. I've learned to stay clear of them. I don't know anything about the purple flames or any of this Crimson Dragon hullabaloo, but whatever those guys are doing is just evil."

You have no idea, I thought to myself. Elodie suddenly began walking again, at a much faster pace. "Which reminds me, I really need to find Jennie before one of those guys or some other gang tries to-"

"Elodie?! Is that you? Where are you? Elodie!"

Both Elodie and I perked up at the sound of that voice. It sounded like a child's. Elodie picked a street and took off down it, and I followed her to the corner, where we found Jennie running toward us.

"Jennie!" Elodie cried, falling to her knees and pulling the girl into her arms. "Thank goodness. Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

"I'm alright," the young girl said shakily. She looked up at me nervously. "Why is he still here?"

I gave the little girl a warm, friendly smile as Elodie explained, "He's okay, Jen. He wanted to help me find you."

"The name's Crow," I said, crouching down and holding out my hand to the little red head as Elodie released her. "Glad to see you're okay, kid."

Jennie nodded shyly, taking my hand and shaking it. "Thanks for helping Elodie and me earlier."

"My pleasure!" I reassured her. "Don't worry, those thugs won't be coming after you again any time soon, we made sure of that!"

Jennie giggled a little bit, the distrust slowly leaving her green eyes. Elodie stood and took her by the hand. "Well, we better get going back, then. Thank you, Crow, for all your help."

"Why don't I walk you back to wherever you guys are staying?" I offered. "I can help watch your backs. And I'm curious to see what your nest is like."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Elodie said firmly. "Besides, don't you have your own 'nest' to-"

"Crow!"

Elodie and I both jumped as several young voices shouted my name, and we looked up to see the kids in my nest rounding the corner, all helping to push the Blackbird.

"Is that a D-wheel?" Elodie gasped, staring at the vehicle with wide eyes.

"Kids?!" I exclaimed, running to them. "I thought I told you to stay at the hide out? And you brought my D-wheel?"

"We thought you might need it!" said John. "Jennie said you guys were in trouble!"

"You always fight off bad guys best when you have your D-wheel!" Elizabeth agreed.

I was torn between exasperation and amusement. "You guys know it's not safe to be wandering around the streets without me right with you. Especially toting a D-wheel! How in the name of the Egyptian God cards did you manage to push it all the way over here, anyway?"

"How in the name of the Egyptian God cards do you even have one?" I heard Elodie mutter behind me.

"Built 'er myself!" I said proudly, turning to her. "Though that's a story for another time."

"It wasn't that hard to bring it," my oldest boy, Kory, said with a shrug. "We all helped."

"You're always helping us, Crow," said little Annie with her Tinker Bell-like voice. "We want to help you, too!"

Darn it, I could never resist that precious girl. "You guys help me the most when you stay safe," I said, but being stern wasn't very affective when my heart was melting. I knelt down pulled Annie into a hug. "But thanks for comin' to my rescue. You guys are the best!"

The other kids gathered around me, jumping on my shoulders and hugging whatever part of me they could reach. They flocked to me like chicks to their mother hen, and I gathered them under my wings to comfort and protect them. They were what I dedicated my life to. What I fought for. Heck, they were what I lived for. I looked up at Elodie, wondering if she felt the same way about her kids, and I found her watching me with her head cocked to the side, a look of fascination in her eyes.

"Alright, alright, that's enough," I finally said, laughing as I rose from the sea of hugs. "We need to get you guys back to the hideout. It really is unsafe out here."

"But what about Jennie and Elodie?" asked Kory. "Where are they going to go?"

"I'll take them home after I know you guys are home," I informed him, rubbing the top of his head.

"You don't have to do that-" Elodie began, but I held up a hand to stop her.

"Look, I know you're powerful and can take care of yourself and all that, but I'll feel a lot better if I gave you guys a lift rather than let you two walk through the most dangerous part of Satellite on your own. Humor me, will ya?"

Elodie was still glaring at me uncertainly. Jennie tugged on her sleeve, and she looked down at her. "I like the idea of Crow coming with us," the little redhead declared. "He's not a bad person. He'll keep us safe."

I knew by the look on Elodie's face that she was able to resist Jennie as much as I could resist Annie. She sighed in defeat. "Fine."

"Alright, then!" I cheered, pumping my fist in the air. "My place isn't far. We'll walk back and make sure the nest gets there safely, and then I'll give you two a lift back to your place. Jennie, you wanna sit up here while I push?"

I patted the seat of the duel runner, and Jennie's eyes lit up. Elodie looked rather alarmed, but Jennie was already running forward, and I picked up her with an, "UP you go!" and set her in the seat, showing her how the different controls worked. "You press this to turn it on, and twisting this handle here revs the engine, this pedal makes it go forward, and this is where my duel disk goes whenever I'm in a riding duel, see? You look great up here! Maybe someday when you're older, Elodie will let Uncle Crow take you for a real spin, huh?"

"Uncle Crow?" Elodie repeated skeptically. I gave her a smile to know I was teasing, but Jennie seemed thrilled by the idea. I motioned them all to follow me and began pushing the runner, and Jennie held on to the handle bars and made motorcycle noises. Elodie hurried forward to help me push, and I looked over at her to see her still glaring ahead. It seemed the more I offered help, the more annoyed she got. What was her problem, anyway?

A/N: Happy New Year! Here's the rewrite of Chapter 2! What changed here is basically the conversation Elodie and Crow have while looking for Jennie. When I was rereading the old story, I realized I made Elodie WAY overpowered. So I reorganized her powers a little bit, taking away her precognition and her ability to sense people she can't see. She has to be looking at a person to read their aura, but she can sense people she knows really well that are far away from her, as you'll see later, so that hasn't changed.

Let me know what you think, guys! Thanks to those of you who reviewed last time!