Echo: Well, just like I said; the next chapter is up! Hope it lives up to your expectations!

Goldfish: Indeed.

Echo: Aren't you forgetting something?

Goldfish: Like what?

Echo: Oh, I don't know. The disclaimer, perhaps?

Goldfish: Okay, fine. EchoGirl319 does not own Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's or Logan. That better?

Echo: Perfect. Thank you.


Through the Cosmos

Chapter 10

~ Semi-Finals Match One ~

Destiny was twitching in her seat. The first match of the day – the first match of the semi-finals – was Yusei against Greiger. This was probably one of the duels she had been anticipating the most; her father often told her of this duel, and what a challenge it had been. The few times that she had met Greiger in her own time he had also told her his version of it and it was definitely something she was looking forward to. Beside her she knew that her companions, maybe not Logan but the others, were all very eager to watch as well and had their eyes glued to the track; all except Jake who was watching the director's box, probably trying to catch another glimpse of his father.

A few seats over she could feel Luna's gaze boring into her and she did her best to ignore it. There was no doubt about it – yesterday, Luna had seen her in the Spirit World. She wondered if the turquoise-haired girl would confront her on the matter and, if so, would Destiny tell her anything or simply try to avoid her? Growing increasingly uncomfortable under her young surrogate aunt's stare she twisted her head slightly to look at her and company only to discover that Leo had joined them. Thankfully for her, the more hyperactive twin had drawn his sister's attention away from her and onto himself.

Destiny's eyes were immediately drawn back to the track as her father's name and new title "Satellite's Shooting Star" was announced and the familiar red duel runner raced into view. She cheered loudly with the crowd at his arrival, happy that they were finally beginning to accept him.

However, when Greiger appeared, she really got quite a fright. That thing he was riding – she wasn't sure it could even be called a duel runner – was monstrous. Three seats along from her she heard Mark let out a low whistle.

"Who let the bull out in the stadium?"

"That," Logan, who was seated at her immediate right, said, pointing at Greiger's runner, "is the duel runner definition of monster truck."

Destiny nodded and wordlessly leaned forward, her sapphire eyes locked on the two turbo duelists as they began to duel.

For most of the duel Greiger had the upper hand but Destiny knew her father would pull through and, secretly, she was smug that his Signer mark had not yet been revealed. Goodwin would be disappointed. She watched avidly as Greiger revealed the card Lazar had given him, Chariot Pile, forcing Yusei into an even tighter spot. She was smirking by this point, having figured out the tactics and moves her father would use to turn the duel around.

"You know," Logan told her quietly, "that girl with the blue hair – Luna or whatever her name is – has been watching you this entire time. It's quite creepy."

"She saw me in the Spirit World, remember?" Destiny whispered back. "It is rather unnerving, though."

"Hm," was Logan's only response as the pale-eyed girl leaned back in her seat and returned her attention to the track just as Yusei equipped Armory Arm to Junk Warrior and sent it to attack Greiger.

There was a collective cheer from the crowd – loudest were the time-travellers, Tanner, Yanagi, Luna, Leo and Dexter – as Greiger's life points dropped to zero. Simply out of interest, Destiny glanced at Logan who was reclining in her seat, her feet propped up on the shoulders of the two spectators in the row in front (strangely enough they didn't seem to notice).

"Impressive," she commented, stretching her arms out in front of her, "that's your father, right?"

Destiny nodded. "Yup, but don't say it too loudly."

"Wouldn't dream of it, Tattoo Girl," she responded, still stretching, "it's the silver-haired bimbo you want to watch out for. He's the loud, indiscreet one."

Destiny rolled her eyes. Despite their rocky alliance, Logan still took a dig at the time-travellers at any opportune moment. Then Greiger's voice rang out loud and clear through the stadium, immediately silencing the crowds. An image appeared on the overhead screen and Destiny's eyes widened in horror.

The image showed a ruined countryside, a destroyed village, the whole area clouded in darkness. Greiger's voice was drowned out by the blood pounding in her ears as she watched the footage play out. She could swear that for a second her heart stopped when she saw the explosion of white light signalling the complete annihilation of the village; Greiger's village. Only one thought kept replaying itself in her head.

Goodwin did this. Goodwin did this.

Beside her she was aware of Logan muttering "that bastard", voicing her thoughts exactly. Then, as Greiger spoke of his brother and sister another realisation struck her.

Goodwin did this because of the Crimson Dragon.


In the director's box…

Rex Goodwin stood tall and proud as he watched the turbo duel play itself out beneath him. Everything was going to plan, except that Yusei's Signer mark hadn't revealed itself yet. He frowned at that but reminded himself that it would soon. Yusei was a Signer, along with Jack and Luna and possibly – undoubtedly – Akiza.

His deputy and New Domino's junior director stood beside him but instead of watching the duel, as Goodwin was doing, his attention was focused on the current champion and his young companion.

"Was it really necessary for you to bring that child in here?" Lazar demanded irritably for what had to be at least the twelfth time that day.

Jack didn't respond but Rex was all too aware that the second Signer was glaring at the thin, dwarf-like man, no doubt desiring to intimidate him into shutting up. Goodwin was, however, genuinely curious as to why Jack had brought a little girl up to the director's office to watch the duel. He'd never considered Jack to be the kind of person who even liked children; he wasn't tolerant enough for that. What he'd claimed though was that the girl had somehow appeared in his apartment and that bringing her to the stadium with him was the only way to get her to shut up.

Rex didn't really care that she was up here but he was, honestly, rather intrigued. The girl had made it obvious that she disliked him; her glares had made that obvious. She had smiled at Lazar, though, strangely enough, but after several minutes in his presence that friendliness had morphed into annoyance and disgust and now she merely sneered at him. Apart from that she had not spoken a word to anyone and had instead simply sat by Jack on the sofa watching the duel with avid anticipation.

How she had gotten Jack to bring her here though confused him to no end. He was suspicious though. There was something strange about her; that icy glare she had given him reminded him too much of the blond who was now standing by the viewing window, the girl standing next to him.

There was something fishy about the entire situation so he monitored her carefully and when Yusei won and Greiger showed the footage of his village being destroyed he heard the girl's horrified gasp. He turned his head slightly to see her grab Jack's arm and shrink into him, her amethyst eyes wide and her skin pale. That was strange, he thought, he had never known anyone who had relied on Jack for comfort. Jack seemed to take no notice of her, instead he looked shocked by what he had seen and slowly his gaze drifted over to Goodwin, morphing into one of disgust. The silver-haired man, however, was unperturbed. Beside him, Lazar yelled for the footage to be halted.

Then, after a short conversation with Yusei, Greiger was suddenly on his duel runner and racing towards the director's block – no doubt trying to kill him – only to be intercepted by the dark-haired likely-Signer. One of his chariot pile spikes broke off and flew towards them. Goodwin was vaguely aware of the girl letting out a shriek as the glass shattered and he caught the deadly spike in his hand as Lazar fell to the floor in front of him, terror clearly etched into his features. It tore through his white glove, revealing smooth metal.

"Your hand!" he heard Jack exclaimed and he turned to see the young man watching him. He was neither frightened nor concerned for the director, not that Goodwin expected him to be; Jack's heart was caged in ice, merely angry and disgusted by the earlier footage. What Goodwin did notice though was that the girl was standing, breathing heavily, clutching a fistful of Jack's trench coat in her small hand. Strangely enough, the proud blond did not move away or even seem remotely bother by the her action (perhaps he had not noticed what she had reflexively done).

Slowly he turned back to the now glass-free window and watched pitilessly as Greiger fell to his knees and screamed, letting the spike fall from his undamaged fake hand a part of him wondering if this strange girl who was less than half Jack's age and height would play some part in the events that were to come.


Echo: And that's that.

Goldfish: Uh-huh.

Echo: Well, review!

Goldfish: Do that.

Echo: 'Til next time!