"I wonder if our paths will ever cross again
We said this was goodbye, but even so
You never know."
-Anastasia by Stephen Flaherty
Neo Domino City didn't have a star in the sky. Lina couldn't help but think of what she would have seen had she been on a roof in the Satellite.
The thought made her heart pang with longing for the life she used to have.
Lina stood on top of a bridge that overlooked the entirety of Neo Domino City. Her D-Wheel sat beside her, her helmet in her hands. Lina came to this bridge when she needed a moment alone or a moment of clarity.
It had been two years since Jack Atlas had saved her from the cult known as the Arcadia Movement. It had been almost three years since she had been taken from the Satellite in the first place.
So much had changed since then. Too much. Crow had left, Kiryu had been arrested, and Yusei didn't care.
Lina couldn't decide which hurt the most.
"Seems like you have a lot on your mind," Sun Hope's Magician appeared next to Lina. Lina didn't respond as she leaned over the railing to get a better look at Neo Domino City.
"Maybe," Lina finally replied with a light voice. She turned to her duel spirit with a sad smile. Lina and Sun Hope's Magician no longer looked exactly alike. Lina was now eighteen, 5'3, and had more defined features than her sixteen-year-old card counterpart. Lina was saddened by the fact that she out aged her card. "I wish…you know, I'm not sure anymore what I wish. Gods, that probably sounds stupid," Lina continued on with a low chuckle.
The spirit nodded. "You miss the Satellite, right?"
"I guess I am an open book," Lina suppressed a laugh. "Fuck, it's stupid. I have everything I could have ever wanted here, you know? I've got money. I've got great friends. I've got a brother that loves me. I'm about to be famous by being in the Fortune Cup. This is what I want, right?"
"But it's not enough," Sun Hope's Magician returned Lina's sad smile. "You're missing so many pieces."
Lina hesitated. She didn't want to admit she knew what her card was talking about. "I don't know what's missing," Lina answered with a shake of her head. Lina anxiously gripped the edge of her red coat.
Today, Team Tag had lost, and it had been Lina's fault. The bandages wrapped around Lina's arms and ankle served as visible proof of their loss, and Lina's part.
Lina had been dueling against Shira, the mysterious duelist who never took off his cloak that covered his face and body. Lina had two monsters on the field: Spirit Keeper and Star Witch. She had been prepared to Synchro Summon one of her dragons. That is until Shira had started to ram his D-Wheel into hers.
She had been against Shira, a mysterious duelist who never took off his cloak that covered his face and body.
Lina had two monsters on the field: Spirit Keeper and Star's Witch. She had been prepared to summon one of her dragons until Shira started crashing his D-Wheel into hers.
What the hell are you doing!? Lina had shrieked out as she tried to control her D-WHeel that threatened to topple over. His D-Wheel was far larger than hers. She was no match in terms of sheer strength.
Securing a win. Important people are watching. I can't lose! Shira had slammed into her D-Wheel once more, effectively throwing Lina off. She tried to stop her fall, only to slam on her forearm before rolling to a stop. She could feel the pain in both her left arm and ankle.
Lina! Both Anya and Yui had come running to her side. The monitor proclaimed Shira had won- since Lina was off her D-Wheel and could no longer ride. Team Tag had lost.
Dammit! Lina had slammed her hand onto the ground. She tried standing up= but ended up having to have Anya catch her before she fell onto her side again.
Fuck, Lina. Anya rarely used the blonde's name. Yui, call Jack. For fuck's sakes, Lina, I swear to God, stop moving!
"I think I know what's wrong," Sun Hope's Magician turned to Lina with a cheeky smile. "Besides, obviously, the ankle thing."
Lina whipped her head to stare at her card. The words had broken Lina out of her reverie of what had happened earlier today.
"What?" Lina demanded with wide eyes.
"Maybe it's better not to tell. Find out for yourself and live a little," Sun Hope's Magician gave her a wink before fading away. Lina sighed in exasperation, her hand running through her thick hair, before stopping at her side.
"Damn duel spirits," She couldn't help but let out a weak chuckle. Her gaze turned back around to stare out towards the view. Lina had no idea what her card meant. She had no idea what was missing.
Lina shook her head and placed her helmet on her head.
It was time to go home.
"You're home late," Jack commented as Lina threw her red jacket onto the couch. "For someone who isn't supposed to be riding."
"Zip it. I was...somewhere," Lina waved her hand dismissively in the air towards Jack.
"You were moping," Jack corrected from his spot on the couch. Lina winced. He had her sore spot dead on. Jack was currently in his pajamas, a stark contrast to Lina who was still in her full riding gear.
"I was not," Lina sniffed defensively. Her arms crossed over her chest.
"You don't have to pretend I'm not aware what's wrong," Jack looked up at Lina with a raised eyebrow. "You lost. Mikage and I were the ones who took you to the hospital."
"I know that!" Lina out a huff of air, causing her bangs to fly up. "I get it. It's not the end of the world." Lina moved her ankle, causing her to wince in pain.
"That's what you get for dueling in Underground Duels," Jack shrugged, his tone dismissive. Lina scowled.
"Fuck, Jack. That was my fault. We lost because of me," Lina was annoyed. Out of everyone, Jack should have understood, since he hated losing more than anyone else she knew.
"Loss happens now and then, Lina. Put the past behind and move on," Jack gestured for her to sit beside him on the couch. Lina sighed but obliged.
"Easy for you to say," Lina sunk down on the couch and rested her head on Jack's shoulder. "You haven't had a loss since before you came to Neo Domino City."
"You've still got a lot to learn before you're at the top with me," Lina punched Jack's shoulder, causing the two to laugh together.
"You're an ass," Lina had a smile on her face again. "Okay, you win. I smiled. I'm still hurt, but I'm laughing. Happy?"
"I'll feel better once your injuries heal, but in the meantime, I have something you might be happy to see," Jack gestured to the list sitting on the table.
"Is that-?" Lina quickly reached for it with a grin on her face. "Is this what I think it is!?"
"It's almost all of the participants for the Fortune Cup," Jack confirmed with a nod. "We're still missing one more, but otherwise the invitations have been sent out courtesy of Rex Godwin."
"No way!" Lina greedily read her eyes over the list. "Okay, Kodo Kinomiya, that's a lame name. Professor Frank? That's original. Shira?" Lina wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Ugh! That's the ass that threw me off today! I hope I can turbo duel him again to show that dick what a real match looks like, and not one where there's next to nothing rules!" Lina continued on down the list. "Wow, how surprising that your name is first. I wonder if you're the headliner or something."
"Are you done yet?" Despite the rude words, Lina could tell that Jack was amused.
"Never," Lina stuck out her tongue. "Bommer? That's a big and powerful name. Which, you know, goes great with Ruka. Oh! There's my name! And…" Lina's breath hitched in her throat. She stopped breathing. Her olive skin turned pale. The paper dropped from her hands, and Lina sunk back towards the couch, her hands over her mouth.
Jack jumped in shock. He turned towards Lina. "Lina? What's wrong? What happened?" His hands moved over hers to gently pry them off her mouth.
Lina was already crying, the tears quickly streaming down her face. She looked at Jack with wide and blurry red eyes. "T-the list. Jack, I-" Lina was shaking, her breathing heavy. Jack knew she was having an anxiety attack.
He had calmed several since living with him. He knew she suffered from some kind of PTSD from the Arcadia Movement. Lightning was a trigger, but he had never seen her like this.
Jack took a look at the list. Aki Izayoi. Of course. He should have remembered. Lina had spoken about her before- the girl she befriended in the Movement. If it came to it, Lina would have to see her again. She may have to duel against her.
"Listen to me," Jack gripped Lina's shoulders and hugged her close to his chest. His one hand was secured around her body, while the other rubbed her back. "Listen to me for once. It will be alright. The Director said the invitation was sent at random. This is a mistake we can fix. I'll call him in the morning. I'll make sure you two won't duel. Do you hear me?" Lina didn't answer. Jack was starting to get worried. Slowly, Lina nodded in response. "Good. I'll talk to him, Lina. He'll listen to me."
Lina couldn't breathe. Aki Izayoi. This was the girl she abandoned at the Arcadia Movement. How could she face her again?
Jack held Lina in his arms while the girl cried onto his chest. He knew his time was coming up, to where Yusei would finally meet him for a duel. He only hoped Lina would stay with him.
"Jack," Lina spoke in a hushed tone. "Tell Godwin that if Aki duels, there won't be an arena after this is all done."
"Hey! Lina? Lina!" Anya smacked Lina out of her thoughts, literally. Lina jumped in the air and moved her hands to her head. Anya was currently holding a folded newspaper in her hands and a scowl on her face.
"What the hell was that for? You could have given me a concussion! I did just have a riding accident, you know," Lina whined out as she nursed her injury. "And I'm not a dog!" Lina added almost as an afterthought.
"You've suffered enough brain damage already. This won't kill you. You haven't been listening to a single damn thing I've been saying," Anya snapped back as she laid the newspaper on her coffee table.
"Sure I have. You've been saying…" Lina trailed off pathetically. "Okay, maybe I have been spacing out."
"It's not about the duel, is it?" Yui frowned with worry. "You know that wasn't your fault. You couldn't have known you would be thrown off. Are your injuries bothering you?"
"No, it's not about that," Anya leaned in close to Lina and narrowed her eyes, and if she what was wrong was spelled out on Lina's face. Lina squirmed uncomfortably.
"Could you go away?" Lina flushed beet red. "You're too close."
"Not until you tell me what's wrong," Anya countered back with a raised eyebrow. "Spill it, jackass. There's something you're not telling us."
"Maybe for good reason," Lina straightened in her seat on the couch.
Anya moved back with a scowl. Lina returned it with her own cold look. Yui cleared her throat.
"I don't think this is helping," The purple haired girl often had to be the voice of reason between the two hotheads. "Lina, do you mind telling us what's wrong?"
"It's about the Fortune Cup, isn't it?" Anya snapped her fingers in the air as a look of realization coated her features. "I'm right!" Anya smirked in victory as Lina stiffened. "That was the only thing that made sense since it's only two weeks away! What is it? What happened? You're not getting nervous about it, right?"
Lina looked down at her feet. Her throat closed, and her heart skipped. "Yeah…it's…I'm dueling someone. From my past, I mean."
"Besides Jack Atlas?" Anya looked interested.
Lina nodded. "You've met her before."
Yui and Anya looked at each other in confusion, before realizing at the same time what Lina was talking about. It had been two years prior when Lina had stood up for them against Public Maintenance. Aki had been with her at the time.
"That small girl with the magenta hair?" Anya frowned in confusion. "But she's just a kid."
Lina didn't answer. Her hands were placed over her knees, and her grip tightened. She was as stiff as a coil.
"Anya? Do you think we could have a moment?" Yui smiled reassuringly towards Anya. Anya didn't look happy, but she shrugged.
"Yeah, whatever. I'll talk a walk around the block. Tell me what happens after." Anya gave a two-finger salute before exiting the apartment. Yui was the only one who could ever get Anya to listen.
"She was your friend in the Movement, wasn't she?" Yui gave Lina a second to think before she asked. Lina didn't reply. It was getting harder for Lina to breathe. "It's okay," Yui continued with a reassuring look. "Anya and I already knew you were once in the Movement. You-you know what I am already. I've hidden from people like them all my life." Lina stared at Yui and motioned for her to continue. Yui shot her a thankful look.
"It's okay to be scared," Yui placed her arm around Lina and hugged the girl to her side. "I know what it's like to be scared," Yui continued on with a soft voice. "Before I had Anya, I was alone. I was kicked out of my foster home- because, well- you know." Yui was rubbing circles onto Lina's arm. Lina didn't speak. "After that, I was running. I ran into Anya after she was marked." Lina knew Anya had been marked for shoplifting at fourteen. "We were a team after that. She was my first friend. Until we found you." Yui smiled at Lina, although it was sad.
"I left her," Lina spoke quietly as if she were ashamed of words. "I didn't go back because I was scared. I am scared. She was a kid, and I left her there because I can't go back." Lina clutched the ends of her shirt in a tight grip. Yui nodded for Lina to continue. Lina bit her lip. She couldn't. "I can't see her again. I can't. I can't-" The words left Lina's mouth.
Divine.
She would have to see Divine again, the man who almost killed her.
Lina stopped breathing completely. Her whole body was trembling. Yui, noticing what was happening, pulled the blonde into a hug. Lina started sobbing into her shoulder. Yui's arms wrapped tightly around Lina as she started petting her hair to comfort her.
"It's okay. I'm here. It's okay," Yui was speaking calmly into Lina's ears. Lina couldn't hear her past her hyperventilation. She would have to face the man who tried to kill her.
"Anya and I will always be here," Yui never let go. "And you have Jack. All of us are here for you. Lina, I promise, it's going to be okay. No one will take you or hurt you ever again."
Yui didn't know what had happened to Lina. The only person who knew was Jack. Nobody could protect her from her demons except Lina herself.
Yui pulled back and rested her hand to cup the side of Lina's face. Lina was still sniffling, her eyes puffy from crying.
"It will be okay," Lina was staring right into Yui's teal eyes. Yui gave her a smile, one that was genuine. It made Lina reach up to grip Yui's hand- the one that was resting on her cheek. "I promise. Okay? Anya and I will be your bodyguards if we have to go that far. Nothing bad will ever happen to you again."
Lina knew how much Yui feared the Movement, and yet, she was willing to put herself in the line of fire. Lina couldn't help but marvel at the kindness of her friend. This time, it was Lina who pulled Yui into a hug. Yui was surprised at first, but quickly softened into the hug, and rested her head on Lina's.
"Thank you," Lina spoke tearfully. "Thank you so much."
"That's what friends are for," Yui wiped tears off of Lina's cheek with her free hand. "Let's get you cleaned up, okay? Let's make things okay again."
"I'm not strong enough to face her," Lina whispered. Yui shook her head.
"You are strong, Lina," Yui spoke passionately. "You stood up to Public Maintenance. You were banned from pro dueling, so you decided to try to be the best at Underground Dueling. Everyone breaks down, even those who are strong, and it's okay." Yui smiled at her friend. "It'll work out, okay? You can talk to Aki and tell her what you told me, about how you feel."
"I can't," Lina insisted.
"Of course you can. You're Lina Atlas. You never took no for an answer before. Why are you telling yourself no now?" Yui brushed some of Lina's hair out of her eyes. Lina's eyes widened at her words.
She was right. Lina always fought to get her way, even if she was told no.
She'd do the same for this.
Lina smiled back at Yui. Her eyes were red, but her smile was real. "I'll try," Lina promised Yui. "No," Lina corrected herself. "I will."
Jack handed Lina a mug filled with hot chocolate. Lina hadn't noticed that she had been staring off into space for probably too long. She hadn't even noticed when Jack had joined her on the couch.
Lina took an appreciative sip of her hot chocolate. It's how she noticed that Jack was drinking coffee instead, despite it being late at night.
"You haven't been very talkative tonight," Jack noted as he sipped his drink.
"And you're still dressed," Lina countered with a raised eyebrow, one that let Jack know what exactly she was thinking. "Are you seriously heading out?"
"I just haven't changed. Is that a problem?" Jack was avoiding answering her question. Lina was suspicious of his actions. "There's something wrong with you," Jack noted as he tried to change the subject back to her.
"Besides the past?" Lina snorted lightly. "You know the problem already, Jack."
"And I told you that nothing's going to happen under my watch," Jack sounded so confident. Lina was jealous. She wished she felt as easy about the situation. The aftershock of her anxiety attack at Yui and Anya's apartment still impacted her. Yui's words echoed through strongly, but that lingering trace of doubt was still there. Lina feared it would never go away.
"You say that, but you can't guarantee it," Lina muttered under her breath.
"You're under Godwin's care now. That Movement can't touch you," While Jack's words were supposed to be comforting; Lina couldn't help but shiver at his words. She supposed in a way she did belong to Godwin.
"Are you dueling tonight?" Lina tried to switch the topic back to why Jack was still in his riding gear by rephrasing her earlier question.
"I'm meeting someone," Jack's tone was evasive. He wouldn't meet her eyes, which to Lina was a huge red flag, seeing as how he never had an issue with eye contact (specifically if he was glaring at someone).
"Who?" Lina narrowed her eyes. She adjusted her position on the couch to get a better look at Jack.
"Is it really that important?" Jack spoke in a biting tone, meaning that he was done talking about the conversation. Lina wasn't done. Not in a long shot.
"Yes!" She stood up suddenly but lost her balance due to her ankle. Jack reached out for her wrist to stabilize her. Some of her hot chocolate spilled on her pants. "Thank you," Lina spoke dryly as she patted her pants dry with her free hand.
"You should get some rest. You still have injuries," Jack was looking at her in concern, mixed with…something else. Lina suspected he was trying to get rid of her. Jack took her mug from her and set it on the side table.
Lina sighed. "Okay," Lina sat down beside Jack once more. Jack wrapped his arm around her shoulder while Lina leaned in to rest her head against his chest. Jack kissed the top of her head.
"I spoke to Godwin," Jack spoke in a calm voice. "He agreed to the duel."
"...Okay," So Lina wouldn't have to duel against Aki in the Fortune Cup. That was a good thing, at least. They didn't speak. Lina closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep.
It was the waiting game. Curiosity killed the cat, but the cat wasn't named Lina Atlas.
Lina was glad she didn't have to wait too long. Jack never had the patience for waiting. He leaned over to see if Lina was asleep before carefully standing up and letting Lina rest against the pillow on the couch. Jack set his mug down on the counter, his other hand moving to cover Lina's body with a blanket. Jack kissed her head once more, his lips muttering something Lina couldn't decipher before he made his way out of the apartment.
Lina quickly shot up, put on her riding gear, and mounted her D-Wheel. She knew vaguely where Jack was going, as the two had a tracking device in each other's D-Wheels that acted as a GPS to find the other if something went wrong. Jack had requested it after Lina became friends with Anya and Yui. For once, Lina was glad for one of Jack's overprotective ideas.
He was headed towards the sewer pipes, an odd choice for Jack. Lina knew was going to be meeting someone. Jack had told her before that he escaped from the Satellite through the sewer pipes. Was someone else coming through from the Satellite? Who could it be- friend or foe?
Lina thought she knew a shortcut. If she was to find out whom Jack was meeting, she had to get there before he did.
Lina revved up her engine, moving faster with each turn she took. Perhaps she was going too fast. A red D-Wheel raced by, almost colliding with her. Lina stopped suddenly, as did the other D-Wheel. Lina turned her D-Wheel around to face the newcomer.
"What the hell was that?" Lina called out in frustration as she came to a full stop.
"I'm sorry," The other rider apologized. His voice was hauntingly familiar. Lina couldn't see his outline too well in the dark, but she could tell she knew him. "It looks like we were both going too fast "It looks like we were both riding fast. I have someone I'm trying to meet."
"Is it Jack?" Lina took a gamble and asked the stranger. The rider stiffened.
"Yeah," He nodded. "Who are you?"
Lina calmly stepped off her D-Wheel, her motions fluid. As she stepped into a patch of moonlight, she removed the helmet off her head, causing long ash blonde hair to tumble down her back. The moonlight caused her tan skin to glow in a beautiful way. She stared straight ahead at the other rider, her green eyes cold.
"I'm his sister," Lina hissed out. "What would he want with someone from the Satellite? I know that's where you're from. We're standing in front of the entrance to the sewage pipes. Come on buddy- hurry up before I call Public Maintenance for trespassing."
Lina didn't notice the other rider's gasp. He was staring straight ahead at her, unmoving. Finally, he spoke. "Lina?" His voice was low- almost cautious- as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Lina jumped back. She was caught off guard. "Who the hell are you?" Lina tried to take a step forward but hissed in pain. Damn her ankle. The stranger's gaze shot down to her ankle, but Lina snapped her fingers to bring his attention back to her. "How about you get outta the dark so I can actually see your face!"
The stranger's moves were slow, almost deliberate. He was taking his time. He stepped off his D-Wheel, his hands on his helmet. He took a breath before removing the helmet off of his head, his gaze forward, so he could see Lina's face when she recognized him. He stepped forward into a patch of light, his expression neutral.
He was taller than Lina, and was wearing a navy blue jacket that Lina could place somewhere, but didn't instantly recognize. But the hair. She knew that spiky mess anywhere.
And when she looked at his face, she saw those blue eyes she missed.
"It's me," His voice was soft. He didn't say his name. He didn't need to. They both knew who he was. Lina made a noise that wasn't comprehensible.
"Yusei," Lina spoke in a hushed whisper as if she believed her eyes were playing tricks on her. "You're here." A rush of excitement washed over Lina, and a brilliant smile crossed her face. It was the one person she wanted to see the most. Just as quickly, a look of anger replaced her look of joy, and she glared furiously at Yusei.
"Why the hell are you here?" Lina snapped at him, causing Yusei to jump back in shock at Lina's tone. "Jack said you didn't give a damn about us anymore. What's the point of coming to Neo Domino City, huh? You want what Jack has now that he's King?"
"Lina, it's not what you think," Yusei raised his hands in front of him as if he could try and pacify her in that instant.
"I know what I think!" Lina was growing more hostile as the built up emotions exploded out of her. She had bottled them for two years. She knew what she wanted to tell him.
"I think I almost fucking died," Lina's took a step closer to Yusei. "I think you knew. You knew, and you know what you did? Not a damn thing! Your friends, your new friends, were more important than dying Lina." Lina's fists were clenched at her side. She was furious. Yusei stared at her, his expression neutral, but Lina could see the hurt building in his eyes.
"You finally sick of them too?" Lina was aiming low. She wanted to hurt him. "You here for the fame and fortune? You here to get revenge on Jack for taking your D-Wheel?" Lina was shaking.
"Lina, please-" Yusei tried to interrupt her.
"No, fuck you!" Lina had tears building up in her eyes. "Shut up! Shut the fuck up. Don't tell me everything's okay, because fuck you, I'll believe you." Lina looked up to meet Yusei's eyes. "I hate that I can't hate you. I want to hate you. You left me to die, Yusei, and I still missed you every fucking day and the way you looked at me and-"
Yusei reached out to grip Lina's wrists in his hands. Lina stared up at him in stunned surprise. They stared at each other in silence.
They were standing face to face. Lina didn't know when he had moved closer. There was distance Lina wanted to close but chose not to.
Lina took a shaky breath. Yusei, removing one of his hands from her wrists, carefully took off his glove and moved to Lina's face. Lina was trembling. She couldn't read the emotions on Yusei's face, and that scared her. Yusei used his hand to clean Lina's face of tears before moving a stray piece of blonde hair out of her face. He left his hand cupping the side of her head.
He was being calm for her. Lina knew that. She wanted to hate him for that too.
"I wanted to come for you," Yusei finally spoke. His eyes were looking into hers. "I'm here now."
"You did?" Lina's voice was soft but disbelieving.
"Jack was the one who stole my D-Wheel," Yusei started to explain. "I built another to get here- to the city. I came for you." Yusei hesitated. He was trying to find the right words to make things right. "I don't know what Jack's told you, Lina, but you have always been my friend. I tried looking for you for years until Jack found where you were. He didn't exactly give me a choice with staying in the Satellite. He stole Stardust. He stole my D-Wheel after tying up one of my friends into a boat to drown."
"Jack wouldn't do that," Lina stepped out of his embrace and shook her head. "He said he only took the D-Wheel because you were choosing to stay with your friends. He wanted to save me," Lina whispered. He had saved her. He wouldn't go that far to get out of the Satellite. He wouldn't.
"If you don't believe me, stay for our duel and see for yourself," Yusei let go of Lina's wrist and stepped back. Lina flushed as she finally took in how close they were.
Yusei seemed so sure of himself, but so had Jack. One of them was lying to her. She believed for the past two years that Yusei had been the bad guy. She believed Jack had been the one who wanted to help her.
Seeing Yusei now, with an honest look on his face, it made Lina doubt all of the stories she heard.
Why did she feel like this?
"You seem so sure of yourself," Lina couldn't help but say her thoughts aloud.
Yusei was keeping his distance from Lina. She could tell. She used to know Yusei like that back of her hand and vice versa. He was giving her space.
"I am," Yusei responded with a nod. "I know what happened. Here," Yusei walked over to her D-Wheel and started messing with the control pad.
"What are you doing?" Lina rushed over to see what he was up to. Yusei raised a hand to stop her.
"Wait…there," Yusei stepped back and gestured to her D-Wheel. "I have a microphone set up that's already attached to my duel disk. I programmed it to play on your D-Wheel. You can hear every word Jack and I say, and you can decide for yourself what happened. Is that okay?"
Lina understood what he was saying. He was trying to help her. "Okay," Lina was still unsure. She turned to her duel disk and pressed the map button, and a map of Neo Domino City wad displayed. "This is where Jack is," Lina pointed to a purple star on the screen. "I'm guessing he's waiting for you."
"Thank you," Yusei turned back to his D-Wheel, but Lina stopped him.
"Wait," Lina called out hesitantly. Yusei stopped but didn't turn around to face her.
"I'll be listening," Lina's voice was strong. She would figure this out. It broke her heart that she was going to find out who was lying to her, but she had to know.
Yusei nodded. "I'll be counting on it." Yusei placed his helmet atop his head and rode off to meet Jack. Lina did the same, but instead of riding off, she waited on her D-Wheel for the action to start.
"Jack," Lina could hear Yusei's voice perfectly clear. She shouldn't have been surprised. Yusei had always been a genius.
Jack chuckled. The hairs on Lina's arms stood up. This was a different side of Jack than what she was used to. "Long time no see, Yusei." There was a pause. Jack continued. "When I was looking at that moon, I had a feeling you would show up. How many years has it been?"
"Two years," Yusei's voice was icy.
"Two years..." Jack echoed thoughtfully. "You built a nice D-Wheel. I'm impressed."
"Its because you rode off with the one I made before."
"A King never lets a chance pass by," Jack replied. Lina closed her eyes. Yusei had been telling the truth.
"Dammit," Lina held a hand to her heart in a tight fist. "Dammit."
"Where is it now?" Yusei's words were cold.
"Fuckin' broke," Lina already knew the answer.
"Where is she?" Yusei was talking about her. About Lina.
"You should be asking about this. Stardust Dragon." Jack had stolen Yusei's card. This was the man who was supposed to be her brother. How did she not know? This entire time- how did she not realize?
"We could have saved her together," Yusei's voice was low. "It was what we wanted. This was our dream- all of us."
"Our?" Jack questioned.
"It was the dream of all of us," Yusei's words made Lina freeze. "We all wanted to get out- to become something. This is what Lina wanted."
"I know what she wanted. Do you want this, Yusei? Now that I'm King, this card is useless," Lina could hear the whip of a card. He had flung Stardust back to Yusei. "What's wrong? Put it in your deck."
Another whip. Lina realized with wide eyes that Yusei had flung it back. "I'll get it back from you in a duel," Yusei declared. "That's why you also came, right?"
"Fine," Jack agreed.
"And you will tell me where Lina is."
Lina saw Jack's D-Wheel start to move on the map. They must be moving to a different location, Lina realize. Lucky for her, she knew exactly where they were going: the Kaibadome. It was the place Jack did all of his Turbo Duels.
"Time to see what's going on," Lina revved up her engine and moved to follow. She had to figure out the truth. There had to be more than what she heard.
With a shaky hand, Lina pressed a button on her D-Wheel. "Yusei?" Lina called into it hesitantly.
"Lina," Yusei's reply was automatic. "Did you hear?"
"Yes..." Lina shook her head. "I'm following behind. I'll be there to watch the duel."
"I'm sorry."
"Yeah, me too." Lina clicked off. She wanted to cry, to scream, but there was no point.
The person she called brother for the past two years was nothing more than a crooked liar. Lina wasn't sure if she could handle that.
If Yusei was right, then the person she loved most lied to her for two years. If Yusei was wrong, then the person she longed to see was as horrible as she was told he was. The evidence was proving to be the former, with Jack admitting to what Yusei had told Lina, but she had to have hope. She couldn't abandon her brother yet. Maybe she was hearing things wrong. She had to be. Jack couldn't do that.
It was a lose-lose situation no matter where the coin flipped.
And Lina was in the center of it all.