Chapter 11 – Promise

Jack's POV

I was mad… No! I was furious and not only with one person. I was angry with Mikage and Ushio for theirs awful news. I was angry with myself because I couldn't help my friends or Yuusei. I was angry with Yuusei because he was in a coma and he couldn't give us the answers we wanted.

What have you done, Yuusei?

I still refused to believe Mikage's and Ushio's theories, but I didn't have anything in my hands to disagree with them. And now I had a better question, which I had to answer as soon as possible.

Why did you do what you did, Yuusei?

I must find out why and not what because I'm sure he had a reason, and knowing my childhood friend, he definitely had a damn good reason for doing this experiment. But what could it be? No one knows since he kept it only to himself.

Why, Yuusei?

If it was something important –which I believe it was- why didn't he ask for help? And now Mikage had informed us that we need his help to stop this stupid experiment of his. I squeezed my fists in anger, but I couldn't take it anymore.

"Damn you, Yuusei! Why didn't you ask for our help, you stupid idiot?" I banged my fist on the wall to break out my nerves.

I stood there with my hand still on the wall of my old bedroom, breathing heavily and trying to calm myself. Suddenly, I heard a knock on the door.

"Jack, they are…" Crow said, entering the room, but he stopped immediately after seeing me out of control. "What's up, man?"

"Why did he do it?" I asked and he stared at me with both wonder and confusion.

"What are you talking about?"

I glared at him, taking a deep breath. I forgot that he was the stupid one, so I had to spell it out for him. "The experiment! Why did he do it?"

Crow pointed to himself with wide eyes. "You asking me, man? How am I supposed to know? I just heard it, just like you did. I'm as lost as you are."

I took a deep breath and turned my eyes to the window. Crow's orphans were playing in the yard. For a moment, my mind played tricks as some of my memories projected before me. I saw Yuusei, Crow and myself as little kids playing and running in the same courtyard, casually and carefree.

"Do you remember, Crow?" I addressed to my friend without looking at him, "When we were little, someone fell down and hit his leg or his arm, it was Yuusei who ran to help us first." My voice was unusually calm and full of bitterness.

"I do," Crow's voice sounded like mine as he came closer. "He was always there for us when we needed help, even if we didn't know that we actually need help. He was a real friend; like those you only find once in a lifetime if you are lucky."

Yes, that was exactly what he was; a real friend, a loyal friend, a friend who always forgave his friends' mistakes no matter how big their betrayal may have been. Mine was the worst, but still…

"He found the heart to forgive me," I whispered without caring that Crow was there hearing me.

"What are you talking about?" I felt his gaze upon me.

I couldn't find the courage to return it and looked him in the eyes and at the same time, I couldn't believe the words that came out of my mouth.

"I betrayed him in the worst way," I murmured still looking away. "I took his favorite card, his first duel runner and I ran away. I abandoned him, my hometown, my friends, even you, Crow."

I squeezed my fists again, but this time I was angry with myself for what I did. There were no words to describe the shame I felt for my actions in the past. But in all those years, from the Dark Signers incident until now, I buried my shame and my feelings deep down in my heart. The same heart that everyone thought was made of stone.

"I know." It was impossible to understand his tone. I couldn't tell if he was angry or not, but I didn't care to find out.

I continued. "He is a great friend. He found the heart to forgive what I did to him and to our friends even if I never asked for forgiveness. He accepted me as his friend again, as his best friend."

It was the first and I wanted to believe it would be the last time I had to say that. I was still too proud to repeat it.

"That's how Yuusei is. A true friend and this explains everything."

And to my surprise I felt his hand on my shoulder. At this time, I was sure that he forgave me too, even if he didn't say anything about it. Yuusei knew my feelings from the beginning and I didn't have to say a single word to him, but I always felt that Crow hadn't forgiven me yet. That was how Crow was; deep down in his heart, he always waited for my apologies first. Well, he got it now and I had to admit it, it was a great relief knowing that both of my best friends, my brothers, forgave me.

"It's such an irony, you know," he muttered and I looked at him with wonder. "Even if he is in a coma and needs our help, we still need his help to stop Momentum," he explained.

I knew exactly how he was feeling. "And now, we must help him in order to help us again," I said coldly.

We stayed like that for a few minutes. Nobody spoke. We didn't have to. As different as our characters were, we still had those bonds which Yuusei gave us, to feel and understand each other.

"When you came in, you were saying something."

Crow looked at me a little confused then nodded. "Yeah, you are right. Everyone is gathering downstairs to talk about the new evidence and what we can do. They're waiting for us."

"Then it's better if we don't let them wait for long," I said and marched to the door.

"Um, Jack?" Crow stopped me and I turned to him slowly.

"What?"

"Umm," he hummed and glanced away for a minute. Then he shook his head. "Nothing."

"Let's go, then."

I turned again, heading to the stairway with Crow behind me. Everyone was there, gathered at the large table and talking.

"Ah, Jack, Crow," Martha exclaimed when she saw us. "Come, we have a lot to discuss."

I nodded and took a seat near Carly. She gave me a warm smile, but as much as I wanted to, I wasn't able to return it.

"We were waiting for you, Jack," she informed without losing her smile.

One of the best things about Carly was that she was never cowed by my actions. I could be cold and distant, but she always kept that smile for me like she was able to see my true feelings beyond my actions. That's why she was different from the others.

"We were thinking about Mikage's and Ushio's words," Martha started.

"It was really interesting and now we have the connection which was assumed yesterday," Ruka said.

"Between his coma and his duel," Aki explained.

"And his new experiment too," Rua continued. "I was right when I believed that he must have thought or least guessed of something since he wanted to investigate it on his lab, but he didn't have a chance. Now we know that he wanted to go to his lab because of his experiment."

"If only we knew what it was," Carly sighed with disappoint. She didn't hold her notepad this time to take notes; that was a good sign. Until we find out what happened, no one had to know.

"Rua was right when he said that everything was somehow connected," Crow mused and Rua smiled, satisfied with himself.

"And we have Ruka's theory too." Rua reminded us.

I raised my eyebrows. "The connection between Yuusei and Stardust?"

Ruka nodded. "You have to admit that both of them were weak, almost ill."

"I believe Ruka is right. We all have a connection with our Signer Dragons," Aki agreed with her.

I thought about my Red Demon's Dragon; my very soul. Of course I had a connection with him, it was the same with Scar Red Nova Dragon; my burning soul.

"But they are not Signer Dragons anymore," Carly corrected, "since you are not Signers yourselves."

Aki waved her head. "Whatever. I still believe Ruka has a point."

I frowned. "That's true. We and our dragons are like one piece, but we don't know for sure what Stardust's failure has due to the Yuusei's weakness. It is likely due to the Momentum's increased energy."

Crow agreed with me. "Yeah, Jack has a point. We know that's for sure. His experiment also has something to do with all this."

"And don't forget Yuusei's last words," Ruka added.

"I'm sorry, Stardust," Martha repeated them.

"This is really interesting," I mused with a hand on my chin. "But maybe it's a coincidence. Maybe he wasn't thinking straight…"

"No, Jack," Marhta doubted my words, "I told you before, I was there, I held him and I saw his face. He knew what was happening to him. I feared that he also knew what he had to do to stop it or at least he tried to stop it, but his weakness didn't let him to do it. The coma caught him."

Ruka fixed her eyes upon us. "So this is proof of Yuusei and Stardust's connection."

Carly thought about it. "Even if this sound ridiculous, I think Ruka has a point, a strong one, I may say."

"Okay," I ended up saying. "Let's keep it as something that most likely happened back then…" I paused, biting my lips from what I was ready to say. "What about Mikage's and Ushio theory?"

"You mean if Yuusei was investigating a dangerous experiment?" Aki's voice was colder than mine.

I stayed silent for a while, remembering the last time we disagreed with her about Yuusei. It was when he was captured. I had my doubts just like Crow and she was ready to kill us. It was the first time that Aki actually scared me. I didn't fear her, not even when she was the Black Rose Witch in the Fortune Cup, but if there is something happening to Yuusei, then she doesn't tolerate any objection.

"I don't believe them, either," Rua doubted their theory immediately. I wanted to do the same, but something kept me at the last minute.

Ruka nodded. "Do you remember the Ark Cradle?" she asked, but she didn't wait because she already knew our answers. "Sherry revealed to us that she saw the future. Furthermore, she warned Yuusei not to go up there, because if did, he would…" She hesitated before she continued, "He would die."

"But he didn't. He didn't die," Rua disagreed.

"Only because he is the master of his own fate," I stated. "He was not a part of Z-one's visions."

"He survived because he found a way to change his destiny. And not only his, but everyone else's destiny," Aki muttered.

Ruka continued her thinking. "Yes, but Yuusei was also ready to take the risk and go there, if by doing so he could save the city. He was ready to give up his life. So…he would never do something that would put the city in danger, don't you think?"

"I do," Crow said in hurry. "But the problem, Ruka, it's not us, but him. I want to believe it with all of my heart, but I still don't understand why he was investigating an experiment with the Momentum's power…I mean, Yuusei's intentions would definitely not put the city in danger and I'd put my hand on fire for this…"

"Maybe Crow is right," I interrupted, looking at him. "We all agree about Yuusei; he would never put the city in danger. Maybe he made a discovery and started this project, which turned out to be dangerous for everyone. Maybe he wanted to find a way to stop it after his duel, but he didn't have the chance."

Rua gave us an apologetic look. "I still don't believe it."

"But they have a point, Rua," Ruka said and her brother looked at her with wide eyes.

"No way!" he exclaimed.

"Think about it," she suggested. "After all, Mikage and Ushio said his experiment is connected with the Momentum's higher activity. It's possible that he started a new project and then he found out it was dangerous and tried to stop it."

Rua froze with an open mouth before he shook his head. "At least we all agree about Yuusei's original intentions."

"I have faith in Yuusei," Aki muttered. "I'm sure he tried his best to stop it. Martha said he worked hard without rest, but he was too weak…" She paused with surprise all over her face as she realizes something. "That's it!" she whispered and I tilted my head. "The reason why he wasn't saying anything about it and why only he fell into a coma…" She was in shock from her own discovery and was also lost in her thoughts as she didn't notice we were still staring at her, waiting.

"So…?" I raised my voice, taking her back to reality.

She took a deep breath. "He didn't want anyone else to get affected too," she announced and everyone gasped.

"Of course," I whispered.

Crow hit his hand on the table. "How stupid of us! He cares too much about everyone, even more than himself. He knew it was dangerous and that's why he kept quiet about it. So everyone else could be safe." And then he froze and I saw a shadow in his gray eyes.

I took a deep breath. "And he failed," I said out loud our fears. "The Momentum's power is still growing and he can't stop it."

Ruka gasped, placing a hand on her lips. "So…everything is lost?" she asked with the terror of the answer in her eyes.

"There must be a way!" Rua shouted.

Aki nodded. "And we must find it, fast. It's exactly as Ancient Fairy said," She threw a quick look on Ruka. "We must hurry and we are the only ones who can." Her voice had a strange tone and it that cut like knife. She was stronger than I thought.

"That's right!" I shouted and stood up. "He tried to keep this town safe, to keep us safe and now he needs our help."

"Yeah! We will find a way to save him and all together we will save the world again," Crow said as he stood up too.

"As a team!" Rua exclaimed, following our example.

"Because nothing can break our bonds," Ruka stated and jumped to her feet.

Aki stood up with decisively. "For Yuusei!"

"For everyone!" Martha said and stood up, smiling.

"Don't forget about me," Carly followed, fill with excitement. "I can help too."

"All of us will search everywhere and everything we can. We will help Yuusei, and that's a promise!" I stated and put my hand in the air.

"Promise!" everyone repeated loudly, placing their hands above mine.

One more chapter! I love this story and I have all those ideas. I wish I had 32 hours a day to write more!

So his friends found something about his intentions, but still they don't know anything about his experiment. You think they will find out, or someone will help them again? I would like to hear your ideas ^_^

My thanks to: Gotta be Annoying, YugiohObsessed and Wynni for their reviews. And my special thanks to Pure Red Crane and EndlessNight025!

If you liked it, review! If you don't, review anyway… ^_^