"I am not the one who the story's about
Why can't someone just help me out
And teach me how to thrive
Help me to more than survive."
-Be More Chill by Joe Iconis
Jack knew he was having a nightmare when he woke up drenched in sweat, his sheets tossed to the ground, and his body moving to sit up. His breathing was heavy as he tried to regain his senses.
What the hell had happened?
His eyes traveled to the mark on his arm. It had glowed yesterday- during his duel against Yusei.
It was never about saving me, was it?
That look on her face. That look of hurt, betrayal, and fury all mixed into one. A look that had been aimed right at Jack. He would never forget it.
He had to find her.
Jack rushed downstairs. Mikage was organizing a vase of red flowers, but she was nowhere in sight. Normally Lina liked making the pair breakfast, as she always appreciated the mundane things, often refusing to allow servants to cook for them. Jack looked to the fridge, where Lina often placed notes if she left, but nothing could be found.
She was really gone.
"How long have I been here?" Jack directed the question towards Mikage. Mikage turned to him with an adoring smile.
"Good morning!" She greeted. "Since this morning, Master Atlas. The Director himself brought you here."
"And Lina?" Jack turned to look out towards Lina's bedroom door, left ajar from when she left. Jack pulled out his phone to check for where Lina's D-Wheel would be, but the red star that marked Lina was still placed at the KaibaDome. She hadn't taken her D-Wheel when she ran off.
Jack knew it was no use to check her phone's location, as he could see it placed on the dining table. Jack grunted in frustration.
"She...we haven't been able to locate her. Not since the duel," Mikage stammered out awkwardly.
"How did you know about the duel?" Jack turned his glare towards Mikage.
Mikage jumped in the air. "Ah, I'm sorry! I saw the whole thing."
Right. That's all Jack needed to hear. If someone had been watching, that meant there had to have been someone who knew Lina's location.
Jack exited out the door without much thought to what Mikage was shouting after him.
Lina didn't want to open her eyes. Her head felt foggy like she had been swimming underwater. Other than that, she just didn't want to get up.
Visions haunted her throughout the night. Jack and his betrayal. Yusei getting arrested. And that vision she had, the one of her...
Lina didn't want to wake up and face reality. Not when there was nothing to wake up for.
"Rua, I think she's like me!" Lina heard a young girl's voice whispering. It hit her suddenly that she had no idea where she actually was. She vaguely remembered running, but not what had happened.
"What do you mean by that?" The young boy's voice was harsher. "You mean- do you think she can see cards spirits like you?!"
"I don't know for sure- but I thought I saw one of them from her deck."
"Maybe you're just seeing your own."
"I know what I saw, Rua! Wait!" The girl stopped suddenly. "I think she's waking up!"
Lina was busted. Slowly, her eyes opened to reveal that she was lying down on the couch of a fancy apartment. Lina sat up, groaning, her hand flying to her head. She was going to have a massive headache, just judging from the knot on the side of her skull. Her eyes settled on two young kids- twins, obviously, with green hair. Both were staring at her with various levels of shock. Lina blinked uncertainty.
"You're in our apartment!" The boy proclaimed loudly (as if that was an answer to anything), and very suddenly, causing Lina to flinch. "Don't worry, our parents aren't here. They're gone all the time. It's super cool."
"We brought you up here. We saw you on the stairs passed out during the blackout," The girl explained properly, a bashful smile on her face.
"The blackout…" Lina mumbled to herself. Right. There had been a blackout after the duel. Lina's face ignited up red. She remembered collapsing against the stairs. Lina shoved the blanket off of her and noticed her swollen ankle was now wrapped with a bandage.
"I wrapped your ankle for you," The girl told her with a nod.
"Thank you," Lina was in awe. These two kids essentially helped her for no reason other than out of their own goodwill.
"It's no problem! My name's Rua, and over there is my sister, Ruka!" Rua pointed to himself. "You're in our apartment in the Tops, but you must have already known that since you live here too!"
"How'd you figure that?" Lina raised an eyebrow in amusement at the young boy's enthusiasm. He reminded her of someone, but she couldn't place who he reminded her of.
"You were heading up the stairs! That means you have an apartment here!" Rua declared it as if he were absolutely sure he was right. Lina couldn't help but laugh at his innocence. These kids were making her feel better somehow.
"In a way, you're not wrong," Lina spoke vaguely. Something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention, and soon she was staring at the shrine to Jack Atlas. Her eyes narrowed into a glare. Of course- they were fans.
"Are you looking at my Jack Atlas collection?" Rua was fired up. "He's the best duelist ever! One day, I'm going to be just as good as him, maybe even better! I'm going to be the King!"
"Not sure if you want that to be your goal," Lina grumbled under her breath. Rua didn't hear her. Instead, he continued his rambling.
"And guess what? I might have a chance to beat him! I got invited to this dueling Tournament called the Fortune Cup!" Rua went to the shrine and held the letter in the air.
"Technically, they invited me," Ruka sounded annoyed.
"Well, yeah, but we're twins, and you don't even want to duel!"
"I'm dueling in the Fortune Cup too," Lina interrupted the two, causing the twins to blink at her in astonishment. "Maybe we'll get to duel against each other, right, Rua?" Lina was smiling at Rua's delight. It made her feel more alive.
"Wait? Really? That is so cool!" Rua jumped up in excitement. "Do you know Jack Atlas? Have you ever ridden a D-Wheel? Oh, are you a turbo duelist too?!"
"Rua, you're being annoying," Ruka scolded her brother. Lina was glad she didn't have to answer Rua's questions, due to Ruka's interruption.
"What? No, I'm not!" Rua spoke indignantly back towards his sister.
"You are too!" His sister countered.
"It's fine. I kind of like it," Lina admitted with a laugh, causing the twins to look at her with bewilderment. "Well, thank you for the help! I should be going. I have some friends I have to see." She couldn't stay. She had to find Yusei and get him out. She was going to find him.
These kids made Lina realize one thing- you help people, no matter how difficult it might be. That's why she had to find him.
"Wait!" It was Ruka who spoke up, an alarmed expression on her face.
"You can't go yet!" Rua objected as well. "We don't even know who you are."
"My name's Lina. Nice to meet you," Lina stood up with a grateful smile. "I'll see you guys later- at the tournament!"
"You can't leave yet," Rua spoke the words loudly, a stubborn look his face. "Because I challenge you to a duel!"
Lina couldn't help but give an exasperated sigh, and yet, there was a smile on her face. She knew at that moment who Rua reminded her of.
And at that moment, she felt alive.
"I guess I can't say no to that, can I?" Lina laughed.
"Alright!" Rua pumped his fist into the air. "I'm going to duel a real duelist!"
"You're going to lose," Ruka spoke flatly. Rua was about to answer, but Lina interrupted.
"You never know. I'm no Champion like Jack Atlas," Lina looked to the pink duel disk on one of the tables and raised an eyebrow. "Mind if I borrow this?"
"Oh, uh, actually-" Rua had a shy smile on her face. She went to the counter, where a familiar duel disk sat. Lina let out a laugh.
"There she is," Lina fondly looked at duel disk.
"There's more," Rua was looking up at her with kind eyes. Lina could tell the younger girl was drawn to her. Lina wondered why, but more specifically, why her? Lina didn't find herself to be special in any way.
"What's up?" Lina asked curiously.
"We found this with you!" Rua held up a card. Lina let out a gasp. That's right. Lina took the card from him, her eyes gazing over at the beautiful dragon.
"Stardust," Lina murmured. Her gaze hardened. Yusei. She would find him, if not to give this back to him.
That, and he currently had her dragon. Spirit of the Stars would have been confiscated along with Yusei's deck, but that would be a problem for another time.
"And we have this!" Ruka held up Lina's trademarked red jacket. Ruka held up the red jacket, helping Lina put her arms through it. Lina chuckled as she straightened her jacket on her. Yes, now she felt it. She felt like herself. She felt like Lina. In a fluid motion, Lina attached her duel disk to her wrist dealer and inserted Stardust into the extra deck slot. She wouldn't be using him to duel, but she wanted to keep the dragon close to her.
"Get ready to get your game on, Rua," Lina's eyes had that familiar spark in them.
"Oh yeah!" Rua pumped his fist into the air in excitement.
The trio stepped outside. Lina noticed that Rua's was too heavy for his arm and frowned. "Doing alright over there?" Lina called out.
"I'm alright! I'm going to win! Let's duel!" Rua drew the first card, his duel disk almost automatically coming off. Rua caught it in midair and held it in place on his arm. Where Rua stood, just for a second, Lina saw a young girl with a blonde ponytail, pale green eyes, and a devious smile on her face.
I hope you know I'm going to win! I'm going first since winners always go first! Lina saw a younger version of herself in Rua, and she couldn't help but snort loudly.
"What's so funny?" Rua demanded just as he was about to start his turn. Lina gave him a wide grin.
"You remind me of someone, that's all!" Lina nodded at him to proceed through chuckles.
"The amazing Rua will start first!" Rua held a grin on his face that could rival Lina's. Ruka groaned. She knew what was going to happen. "And now the Amazing Rua will play Morphtronic Celfon in attack mode!" Rua placed one of his monsters on the field.
"So you narrate your duels," Lina mused aloud. "That's cute."
"Don't encourage him," Ruka complained about with a roll of her eyes.
"Hey, the audience can't interrupt the turn!" Rua whined. "The Amazing Rua can use Morphtronic Celfon's special ability! Once per turn, I can roll a six-sided die. Go!" The numbers danced around on the machine before it landed on a four. "Yes!" Rua raised his fist into the air. "That means the Amazing Rua can draw four cards! If one of those is a monster, I can summon it to my side of the field!" Rua drew four cards from his deck. "Oh yeah! I can summon Morphtronic Staplen in attack mode!" Another monster appeared on Rua's side of the field. Lina raised an eyebrow.
"Are you planning something?" Lina looked curious.
"That's for me to know and for you to find out!" Rua placed one card facedown. "It's your turn!" Rua started to fall over from the size of his duel disk. Lina couldn't help but laugh.
"I draw!" Lina drew one card and smiled.
Lina- 4000
Rua- 4000
"All right, Amazing Rua," Lina had a large smile on her face. "I'll start off by summoning by Volant Lion in attack mode!" A small winged lion appeared on Lina's side of the field.
Volant Lion is a Level 4 Light Attribute Monster with 1600 ATK and 1300 DEF.
"Leo?" Rua appeared delighted by the name. "That's so cool! I love that name!"
"Well, kind of. It means flying lion in French," Lina swiped a hand through her hair. Lina could hear Ruka moaning. "But this lion packs a punch! When my card attacks, it gains 500 attack points until the end of the battle phase!"
Volant Lio- 2100 ATK
"But that means my Morphtronic Staplen is toast!" Rua didn't look too pleased.
"That's right!" Lina shot her arm out. "Attack!"
Rua- 3300
Volant Lio- 1300 ATK
"When your monster destroyed mine, it lost 300 attack points!" Rua explained with a smug smile while Lina frowned. "I'm still in the game!"
"Everyone's in the game until someone loses all their life points," Lina questioned if she pestered the guys this much when she was younger, just like how Ruka was annoyed by her brother's antics.
"Oh, yeah," Rua seemed sheepish as he sunk in Lina's words. "Is it my turn yet?"
"Nope, because I play the spell card Photon Lead!" Lina exposed her card. "This means I can special summon one Level 4 or below monster from my hand in attack mode! Come out, Renard!" Lina's card spirit appeared on the field. He jumped around his master, causing Lina to giggle.
"Are you happy to be out, buddy?" Lina spoke to her card, causing Ruka to gasp. Lina didn't seem to hear. Renard barked, and Lina nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, this is different. It's a fun duel for once," Lina talked to her card spirit, causing Rua to jump in the air.
"You can talk to duel spirits too?" Rua's voice rose as he grew more and more excited.
"Can you?" The question seemed to stun Lina. She had heard of other people with her power, but she had never met anyone like her.
"No, but Ruka can!" Rua pointed over to his sister, causing Ruka to let out a cutting, "Rua!"
Lina couldn't hide her grin. So she's like me. I'll talk to her about it. "I place two cards facedown and end my turn!" Lina nodded to Rua. "What will the Amazing Rua do next?"
"Let's find out!" Rua drew his card. "All right! I'm going to win this thing!"
Lina- 4000
Rua- 3300
"I start off by using Morphtronic Celfon's effect!" Rua waited for his monster to dial. The number landed on a three. "I draw three cards and- yeah! I summon Morphtronic Boomboxen in attack mode!"
Morphtronic Boomboxen is a Level 4 Earth Attribute Monster with 1200 ATK and 400 DEF.
"But the Amazing Rua isn't done! I release Morphtronic Celfon to bring out Gadget Hauler in attack mode The Amazing Rua is doing spectacular! The crowd cheers!" Rua put his hand to his mouth and made a "cheering" noise.
"Could you get on with it?" Ruka sounded frustrated. "I'm sure Lina doesn't want to listen to this."
"I'm okay with it," Lina shrugged. "I've heard more annoying things from my brothers." Jack and Crow's bickering was the first thing that came to her mind.
"See, Ruka! I'll prove it to you I'm the best! Once per turn, I can send any number of Morphtronic monsters from my hand to the graveyard to give Gadget Hauler 800 attack for each I send! I send one Morphtronic monster to the graveyard- and now he's at- ah-"
"He's at 2100 attack," Lina looked down at her duel disk for the details.
Gadget Hauler- 2100 ATK
"Yeah, what she said! But the Amazing Rua isn't done, because I play the spell card Limiter Removal!" Rua brandished his card proudly. "This means I can double the attack of all Machine-Type monster until the end of this turn! I'm doing to win!"
Gadget Hauler- 4200 ATK
Morphtronic Boomboxen- 2400 ATK
Lina didn't appear worried. Instead, she wore a smile on her face, as she knew what would happen. Rua hadn't been paying too close attention.
"Is it safe to say you're going to attack?" Lina questioned aloud with amusement.
"You bet I am! Morphtronic Boomboxen, attack Renard!" Lina had been prepared to activate her trap card, but hearing how Rua first attacked Renard, she stopped.
Lina- 1900
A slight breeze blew her hair back, but otherwise, Lina knew how the game would play out. She made the same blunders at his age.
"Nice job, Rua!" Lina encouraged the other boy.
"Thank you!" Rua looked proud out how his strategy worked out. "I told Ruka this would work, but she never listens! Let's end this! Gadget Hauler, attack!"
"You might not want to do that," Lina smiled innocently. "After all, due to Renard's effects, I take zero battle damage for the rest of this turn. Even if you attack, I take no damage."
"What?" Rua bounced back in shock. "But- but!"
"And since your turn is over, due to your spell card, all of your monsters that were equipped are destroyed," Lina watched as Rua's field was emptied. She knew that Rua expected to win that turn. Rua's eyes started to widen, and then water.
"It's okay!" Lina reassured the smaller boy. "You got a little too cocky by assuming you would win with that combo, and that's okay! Make sure you pay attention to your opponent's cards, and most importantly, adapt. Even if you hadn't attacked Renard first, or if you had used your Gadget Hauler to attack first, I would have used my trap card Spirit's Defense to counter it. You can't predict things will happen as you plan, but you can always change things as you go!"
"I'm going to lose!" Tears began to fall down Rua's face.
"You don't know that yet, and even if you do, do you think the King hasn't ever lost?" The words seemed to jolt Rua out of his pouting.
"I draw!" Lina started her turn.
Lina- 1900
Rua- 3300
"I'll summon Spirit Keeper in attack mode!" Spirit Keeper had 1800. The win was hers.
"No!" Rua wailed.
"Sorry, buddy, but it'll be okay. I promise!" Lina extended her arm out. "Let's end it, Volant Lion, and Spirit Keeper, attack!"
Lina- WIN
Rua- 0
Rua sank to his knees and began crying. Lina walked over, sat down next to him, and put her arm around him to pull him to her chest. Rua accepted Lina's attempt to comfort him. "I did the same thing when I was younger," Lina began her story. "Every time I would lose, I would get upset. Scream, cry, pout, you name it! Every time one of my brothers would tell me it's all right, or that I was being a big baby. There's always a chance to get better! Next time, make sure to lay some trap cards, or some defense so your field isn't completely empty." Rua looked at Lina.
"The King never loses," Rua sniffled.
"Jack Atlas has lost," Lina replied back with a determined nod. She had beaten him before when they were younger. All of them had one-upped each other at one point or another. "I would know," Lina added as an afterthought. Yusei had just beaten him in a duel the day prior.
"He has?" This made Rua's eyes widen.
"Everyone has some losses and wins. It's all about how we take our losses to learn from it and be better the next time around! We get back up when we're down, and we fight to be better." Lina realized what she had just said. Her smile faltered. "And...Rua..." Lina hesitated as her grip around Rua tightened. "I think you taught me a very important lesson too."
"What-what's that?" Rua sniffled.
"I think you just taught me to listen to my own advice," Lina let out a soft chuckle. It's about how we take out losses. Lina had lost what she thought she had, but she would get back up and fight to get it back. She would fight for Yusei and make things right. She couldn't pity herself, but she could make it better. "We fight for what we love, Rua. I forgot that for a second. Thank you for reminding me." Lina stood up and offered her hand out to Rua. "Come on, how about I treat the both of you to ice-cream."
At this, Rua took her hand and finally smiled. "Yeah!"
"So, I heard you can see duel spirits too," Lina and Ruka were sitting on a bench together as Rua was in line for ice cream. Lina and Ruka had already received theirs: Ruka with a small strawberry, and Lina with a rainbow cone.
"Yeah…" Ruka appeared shy about it. "I've been able to as long as I can remember."
"Me too," Lina admitted as she licked her ice cream.
"Really? What... what did your parents think about it?" Ruka was looking at her in fascination. Lina realized at that moment that Ruka's parents must not have believed her.
Lina thought about her parents. Her free hand was playing with the sun pendant on her necklace, a trait she did was she was nervous. "My Pa-My Dad, he could see duel spirits too, when he was alive. That's where I got it. It's in my genetics."
"Are you scared of it?" Ruka's words came out soft. Lina took a second to consider her words. "I...I know I'm weird for it."
"No," Lina shook her head without any hesitation. "My cards have always been there for me. They would never let me down," Lina eyed Ruka, who still appeared a tad withdrawn. Lina beamed back at her. "I had a friend before," Lina started her story. "She could actually summon duel monsters, and they would become real. She was very scared of her powers, but I trusted her. I knew she wouldn't purposefully hurt me. No matter what she did, I would love her as a friend, and forgive her, because that's what friends are for!" Lina rested her hand on Ruka's arm. Ruka met Lina's eyes.
Lina remembered the younger Aki, and how she had grown to trust Lina. It made Lina's heart pang to remember. "Everyone's different, okay? We're both different but in the best ways. I'm glad I met you, Ruka because I've never met anyone like me before!" Lina grinned. "But you always have your brother here for you, and now you have me. I always had my family to remind me that I wasn't so different, and even if I was, they didn't care."
"My brother's annoying," Ruka finally smiled back.
"Yeah, so are mine, but I love them anyway. That's what brothers are for," Lina stared at the finished ice-cream in her hand with a sad smile.
An idea hit Lina in the head. Lina quickly stood up, her eyes looking off in the distance.
Lina had to listen to her heart, to her own words. She had friends who needed help and friends who would be willing to help her.
"You're leaving, aren't you?" Ruka seemed to read Lina's body language. She looked panicked. Lina shot her a smile to calm her down.
"We will see each other again. I said we were friends, right?" Lina patted the top of Ruka's head. "Tell your brother bye for me. I have some friends I need to help too. I'll see you around, Ruka." Lina squeezed Ruka's shoulder before walking off. Best not to run, or else she'd piss off her ankle again.
Lina missed her D-Wheel specifically at this moment. Walking was hell, but eventually, she stumbled upon the familiar apartment complex and knocked on one specific door.
"Yeah, hold on," Anya's voice could be heard from the inside.
"Honey, it's cold outside. Don't leave out here too long!" Lina jokingly called back. There was a stretch of silence before the door ripped open, and there stood Anya with a look that could have murdered Lina on the spot if an anxious Yui hadn't been gripping her arm.
"It's just me," Lina smiled sheepishly.
"Where the HELL have you been!?" Anya's voice rose, causing Lina to shrink back with a weak chuckle.
Do you know how long Yui and I have been out searching for you? You've been gone all fucking night! Don't act stupid, I knew you were there when that fucking dragon showed up. You could have CALLED. We didn't know what the hell happened to you after the blackout you stupid piece of-"
"Anya," Yui was an angel in Lina's mind for her calm and loving nature that often stopped Anya from strangling Lina on the spot. "We're just happy she's alright."
"Yeah, uh..." Lina swallowed. "I've got a lot to tell you."
"Get on in here, dumb bitch," Anya nodded her head for Lina to quickly get inside so Anya could shut the door.
"Fuck, man," Anya spoke when Lina finished her story. "That's shit."
"I know," Lina nodded gravely. "Do you still got your burner phones from the old days?" By old days, Lina meant when Anya was still a thief. Anya rolled her eyes, but pulled one of the phones out of a drawer and tossed one to Lina.
"Who are you calling?" Yui held Lina's hand in comfort.
"You-know-who," Lina responded vaguely, but she knew they understood who she meant.
"Who is this? How did you get this number?" Mikage's voice on the other side sounded deeply bothered.
"It's me," Lina replied back in a monotone voice. "Put Godwin on the phone."
"Lina!" Mikage sounded shocked. "Where are you? Everyone's been looking for you and Jack is worried-"
"I don't care. I want to talk to Godwin," Lina didn't back down. Lina was still. Mikage didn't respond.
"Yes?" Godwin's voice was on the other end.
"I'm not coming back until Yusei is out of the Facility," Lina cut to the point. "We both saw what happened last night. You need him; therefore he doesn't need to suffer in there. Let him out, and I'll come back."
"An interesting offer you're making. What makes you think I'll accept?" Godwin's voice couldn't be described as cold, but there was a hint of something.
"You need us all for something. You wouldn't be looking for me if you didn't, and even better, I saw what happened," Lina didn't back down. "Let him go, Godwin. We all know you're in charge of Public Maintenance. It wouldn't be hard for you to give him a pardon. You really think you can find what you're looking for while he's locked up? I know him better than you. You won't find anything while's in a cage."
They never did when Lina was in locked in the Movement. She would know.
"Very well, I will think about your offer. Thank you for your time, Lina." Godwin hung up. Lina stared at the phone in irritation.
"Don't know what the fuck you expected. We always knew he was an asshole," Anya shrugged. "I say fuck him. Ain't like he's gonna uphold his end of the bargain anyway."
"Anya," Lina spoke suddenly, causing the auburn-haired girl to stop. Lina looked up, her pale green eyes earnest. "I need a favor."
"What is it?" Anya's tone was cautious.
"I need you to call your ex and see if he can find someone for me. I need him to find Yusei Fudo. I'll pay him whatever he wants-"
"Lina-"
"Please," Lina was begging her friend, something she never did to Anya. "I need him. I swear, Anya, I'll make it up to you...I need your help. I'm asking for your help," Lina had never pleaded for anything from Anya before. When Lina looked up to meet Anya's steely gray eyes, Anya could see how upset the blonde was.
"Gods, you owe me," Anya responded with a sigh, causing Lina to let out a breath of relief. "I told myself I'd never see that bastard again, and look what you're asking me to do."
"I owe you," Lina told her honestly.
"Yeah, you owe me a lot, Asshole," Anya turned to the closet and threw a blanket on the bed. "Guess you'll need a place to lay low, huh?"
"How'd you guess?" Lina chuckled weakly.
"Let us take care of you. Just like you took care of us," Yui threw her arms around Lina in a hug.
"Thank you," Lina told her friends, her heart swelling with love for them. "I love you guys."
"We love you too," Yui held on tighter.
"Yeah, fuck off," Anya remarked, but out of the corner of her eye, she could see Anya looked happy.
A few days later, and Anya had no leads on her ex-boyfriend's whereabouts. She was currently pacing the tiny room, steam coming out of her ears.
"Gods, fuck him. Bastard has been ignoring my calls and texts this entire time. I bet he'll like it if I go to his place and bust the doors down," Anya's eyes were on fire.
"Doesn't he have several houses?" Yui remarked from her spot on the couch.
"I'll break them all down!" Anya hissed. Lina laughed at her friend's anger, causing that anger to be directed towards her.
Several days, and no new information. Several days had passed where Yusei would still be in the Facility. She felt uneasy thinking about it. Yui reached over and laid her hands on top of Lina's. Lina looked up in surprise.
"It'll be okay," Yui promised her. "From what you told us, he's a strong guy. He'll make it."
"Yeah..." Lina had to trust him. He would be okay.
The phone rang, causing all three girls to turn toward it.
"Expecting someone?" Lina raised an eyebrow.
"Well, the only people who would call are in this room, and since none of us have any remaining family..." Anya trailed off with a shrug. "Maybe someone trying to sell some shit we can't afford."
Lina shrugged. Maybe it was Jack attempting to call. Lina was the one who made her way to the phone to answer.
"Hey, it's Lina answering for either Anya or Yui," Lina answered nonchalantly. She had expected it to be a telemarketer like Anya had predicted.
There was silence on the other line. "Hello?" Lina called into the phone. She was about to hang up.
"...What is this," That cold voice wasn't directed at Lina, but she knew it.
"Yusei," Lina gripped the phone tightly in her hand. She almost lost her balance. Anya rushed to her side, her hand steadying Lina's arm. "What's going on? Are you okay?"
Silence again. "Is this what you meant? About pain?"
"Is that what you think?" That was Godwin's voice. She could pick it out anywhere.
"Godwin," Lina's tone was cool. "How did you know I was here?"
"Process of elmination."
"What the hell does that mean?" Lina snapped into the phone.
"She has nothing to do with this," Yusei sounded pissed. Lina didn't think she had ever heard Yusei sound so angry before.
"On the contrary. I need her just as I need you. However, if you both refuse to comply..."
"Don't." Yusei was still standing up for Lina, despite the fact he was in more trouble than she was.
"This isn't what we agreed on, Godwin," Lina spoke boldly into the phone.
"And you should know, Miss Atlas, that I am a man of my word. However, I also need both of your...full compliance. I can't promise that either of you will come out unharmed if you refuse my help."
"I'll take my chances," Yusei sounded determined.
"I'll find you, Yusei," Lina declared.
"I warned you," Godwin seemed to sigh.
"Lina!" Yui shouted from her spot on the couch, which made Anya look out the window. A stream of curses flung from her breath.
"What is it?" Lina demanded, her eyes wide.
"OPEN UP. DETAINEE CH6021! COME OUT WITH THE GIRL. WE HAVE THE AREA SURROUNDED."
"Dammit!" Anya slammed her fist against the wall. Lina knew they had said Anya's criminal number.
"They're everywhere," Yui's eyes were wide.
"They're after me," Lina whispered, her heart sinking. She had gotten her friends into trouble after all.
"Lina!" She heard Yusei shout through the phone.
"This is dirty, Godwin!" Lina hissed into the phone. "Leave my friends out of it, all right?!"
"You could reconsider my offer at any moment," Godwin's words were smooth. Lina hesitated.
"Don't even think about it," Anya's tone was harsh.
"I'll distract them while you get away," Yui reached for her deck and duel disk.
"Yusei?" Lina spoke into the phone. "I'll find you."
"I'm counting on it," Yusei responded. Lina hung up the phone, and with a look towards Anya, the two took off into a sprint.
"There she is!"
"Dammit!" She was an idiot to think that Godwin wouldn't track her. Behind her, she could hear officers screaming, and a cold wind pass. Yui had used her powers to buy them time to run.
"There's more on our tail," Anya said from beside Lina. Anya pulled Lina into an alleyway to catch their breaths. Lina bent her ankle with a pained expression, while Anya held up her hand, telling Lina to be quiet while she thought.
"They'll find us soon," Lina murmured to Anya.
"I know, shut up while I think," Anya waved her hand in the air.
"Lina?" A familiar, high-pitched voice interrupted the air. Lina shot up her head to see Rua and Ruka, their eyes staring at Lina.
"We found you again!" Rua's high volume shout made Anya wince.
"You know them?" Anya glanced to the twins.
"They helped me after the blackout," Lina explained.
"Did they?" Anya kneeled down to be eye-level with the twins. "Hey, kids. Wanna play superheroes?"
"What do we gotta do?!" Rua was already excited.
"Well, my friend here needs help. She's got some people comin' after her, and she needs-"
"She can stay with us," Ruka interrupted as she looked at Lina. Lina took a step back in shock. "That's what friends do," Ruka smiled at Lina.
"Ruka..." Lina whispered, her hand moving to her heart in awe.
"It's settled!" Anya stood up and turned to Lina. "Gimme your jacket."
"What? Why?" Lina stepped back with narrowed eyes.
"Because the way I see it, it's the most noticable thing about you, you dumb bitch. Now hand it over," Anya held out her hand.
"If you're trying to be me, I think we're a little bit too different to look similiar," Lina protested. Anya had darker skin and red hair compared to Lina's tanned skin and blonde hair.
"I'm hoping they'll notice the jacket first and give you time to run," Anya pulled back her hair with her white bandana she always wore. "I'll give it back. Eventually."
Lina sighed, knowing Anya was right. Carefully, she shook off her jacket and handed it to Anya. Anya struggled for a moment, but managed to put it on. "Damn, this thing is tight on me," Anya wheezed.
"Be careful," Lina glanced to her friend.
"You too," Anya nodded. Lina held out her hand. Anya looked at it for a second before taking it and squeezing.
"Don't forget. You said you'd help find Yusei," Lina reminded Anya.
"How could I?" Anya muttered, but the words were soft. Anya let go of Lina's hand and turned to the twins. "She's trouble, but she's family. Keep her safe, got it?"
"Roger!" Rua saluted Anya, causing the girl to laugh.
"Let's pray I don't get a new mark," With one last look to Lina, Anya took off in a run.
Meanwhile, Lina lead the twins through a maze of different roads, roads she knew all too well, and stopped on a busy street."Why were you running?" Ruka asked nervously. "Who's after you?"
"You aren't a criminal, are you?" Rua asked, but instead of being scared, he looked animated, as if he were on an adventure.
"I don't have a mark, do I?" Lina looked around. She didn't notice she was standing in front of a poster for the Fortune Cup, one that featured both her and Jack on as featured duelists. Jack and poster Lina were standing side by side, both of them holding a card in their hands. Both Rua and Ruka were staring at her with wide eyes. In Rua's case, his mouth dropped open.
"You-you're!" Rua pointed to the poster. Lina looked behind her and groaned.
"Damn," Lina wished her luck was better. "Is that explanation enough?" Lina pointed behind her and smiled awkwardly.
"You're Lina Atlas!" Rua's excitement billowed out, but Lina had refused to answer any questions until the following day. Rua was just about ready to burst from all the questions he had.
"Yeaaaah," Lina drew out the word.
"You're Jack Atlas's little sister!" Rua was hopping up and down. Lina looked flustered.
"Yeah, I'm that too."
"You know Jack Atlas! You're going to be a Champion too! I dueled against Lina Atlas! I dueled against Lina Atlas!" Rua wasn't able to contain his glee.
"Rua, would you stop it?" Ruka shook her head.
"It's alright. I should have said who I was from the start," Lina fiddled with her bracelet. "Although, maybe it was a good thing I didn't," Lina couldn't help but say due to Rua's reaction.
"I owe you guys an explanation," Lina looked apologetic.
"What's going on? Are you in trouble?" Ruka never let go of Lina's hand.
"Are you a superhero?" Rua asked, causing Lina to laugh, despite how unsettled she was.
"No, I'm not any of those," Lina admitted. "The truth is that I'm on the run. I found something out during the blackout, and now I'm trying to find my friend who was taken. There's something going on, and I want to know what," Lina stared off, lost in thought before she smiled once again. "If I'm honest, I owe you guys more than I could ever give back. I shouldn't be staying here. I'm nothing but trouble."
"But...we want you here," Rua held her hand. Lina looked up with a kind smile.
"Yeah! That lady said we're super heroes! We'll make sure nothing bad happens to Lina Atlas!" Rua seemed exastic by Lina's presence.
"I won't let anything happen to you guys. This is my mess, not yours!" Lina nodded towards the TV. "How about I pull up some videos of some of my duels? Bet you didn't know I'm a big thing in the Underground Dueling scene!"
That seemed to satisfy both of the twins. Rua jumped onto the couch with a yell, while Ruka hung back beside Lina. The older girl gave the younger a comforting pat on the head with her free hand. Lina could see one of Ruka's monsters- Kuribon, give a comforting noise, and Lina nodded. Ruka finally smiled back up towards Lina.
"You're safe with me," Lina promised. "Us girls gotta stick together, right?" Renard appeared beside Lina. Kuribon hopped towards Renard, causing Renard to bark back and chase the other duel spirit around. Both Lina and Ruka giggled, which made Rua look at them in annoyance.
"This isn't fair!" Rua whined. "I can't see anything!"
"Stop being a baby," Ruka sat down next to Lina on the couch.
"All right you two, that's enough," Lina's tone was comparable to one an older sister would use. "Now let me prove to you that I'm much better than Jack Atlas. Here we go, this one is a Team Tag duel! Let's hit it!" Lina found the duel online and started it on the TV.
Time passed by.
Yusei and Saiga were in Saiga's apartment. Helicopters outside circled around as they looked for Yusei. Saiga was on his computer typing.
"Public Maintenance usually saves the helicopters for the big-time offenders, but you seem harmless enough. Your marker won't transmit for a few hours, and I've cloaked this building." The door slamming open contradicted Saiga's words. A girl of average height with dark skin, and long auburn hair that was pulled back with a white and black bandana marched in, her gray eyes narrowed into a glare.
Yusei turned to glance at Saiga. The man in question shrugged. "Alright, so I can't protect us against ex-girlfriends. Is that what you wanted to hear?" Saiga appeared irritated by Anya's intrusion, but they both know why she was there in the first place.
"I've been trying to call you for weeks now, you bastard," Anya had a flare in her eyes that Saiga knew all too well. "I told you, I got a friend who needs to find someone, and you're gonna help fucking find him!"
"Who is she looking for?" Yusei spoke up, causing Anya's glare to be turned instead towards him.
"A Yusei Fudo," Anya spoke the words with an edge. "Why? You know him?"
"You can say that," Yusei turned to Saiga. "I need to sneak into the Security Vault Building," Yusei turned once again to Anya. "I'm Yusei. If I had to guess, Lina's the one looking for me."
"What?" Saiga seemed stunned by what Yusei was asking.
"Oh, what's wrong bastard? Can't do it?" Anya's words were taunting.
Saiga let out a growl before he turned back to his computer and began typing.
The helicopters moved past from their area. A red duffle bag sat on the table, along with an ID card and a maintenance uniform. Anya was watching out the window, while Yusei strayed over to where two pictures sat. One of them was a younger Saiga holding up a trophy with another guy, a card in his other hand. The other was more recent, one of Anya and Saiga sitting side by side in a park. The pair was laughing together. A card sat underneath the first picture, yet it was singed and shredded.
Yusei was the one who picked up the card and glanced at it. "Machina Sniper..." Yusei murmured under his breath.
Anya seemed to notice what Yusei was doing and walked to join him. She was stunned Saiga had kept that old picture of the two of them.
"That was easy. I found it. It seems your precious D-Wheel is on the top floor of the vault. I'll search for the password for the lock on the door. I should be able to do it." Saiga was the one speaking.
Anya was lost in her own thoughts. Her and Saiga met shortly after Saiga stopped being a duelist, and Anya was let go from the Facility. In their own ways, they both had been jaded against the world. That pessimism brought them together.
"You used to be a duelist?" Yusei's question snapped Anya out of her thoughts.
"Stop touching other people's shit. It's bad enough I got her here, I don't need more of my past coming back," Saiga's voice rose from his spot at the computer.
"Fuck off," The girl responded back with a huff. "He was some hot shit in tag duels." The situation felt familiar with Anya.
"I wasn't officially pro. I was a broken duelist in an exhibition league. That's all I was. Stop messing with that and come over here!" Saiga indicated to Yusei, and Yusei joined Saiga at his computer.
"How's it going?" Yusei questioned.
"I acquired the password," Saiga informed him. "I'm willing to bet that you're going to end up back at the detention center."
"I have something I need to do. That's all," Yusei's voice was resolute.
Saiga shook his head. He stood up from the desk and began walking to one of the rooms to sleep. "That doesn't matter to me," Were Saiga's parting words, leaving Anya and Yusei alone. Anya raised an eyebrow, while Yusei was clearly hesitating.
"She's fine," Anya quietly chuckled. Yusei looked confused. "Oh, piss off. It's written all over your face. You were worried."
"You know her?" Yusei asked quietly.
"She's been my family for the last two years," Anya spoke back honestly.
"Were you there-"
"The phone call? Yeah," Anya gestured to the mark on her face. "It's how they found us. She's fine," Anya read the look on Yusei's face. "She's been laying low in the Tops. Staying with some friends she met. She asked me to find you 'cause she knew I had connections. Name's Anya. Anya Layne," The girl held her hand out. Yusei looked at it before taking it.
"You better not get caught tomorrow. Understand?" Anya's gray eyes were piercing. "You break that girl's heart, and I break yours. She's a stupid son of a bitch who doesn't know when to stop fighting." Anya shook her head. "Jack Atlas let her down already-"
"I'm not like him. I won't do that," Yusei met Anya's eyes. "After this is over, I'll find her. I promise. Her card is in there. I'm going to get it back."
"Because that stupid idiot gave you her card," Anya's eyes widened in realization as she let go of Yusei's hand. Anya could have laughed. "Gods, you're both stupid, you know that?" Yusei didn't answer. "She has your card too. She has Stardust," Anya informed him.
Yusei's eyes widened. "How did she-"
"She took it from Jack's D-Wheel before she ran," Anya began to laugh. "That was the first thing she did. Didn't want the Asshole to have it again. That's what she said."
Lina could have went to get her own card, but no, she went for Yusei's. Yusei's fists clenched at his side. He would find her.
"You heard me, Yusei. You keep up your end of the deal. I got my own promise to keep." Anya stalked off to one of the guest bedrooms. She knew Saiga would complain that she was spending the night, but there was nothing he could really do to stop her. "She's counting on the both of us, got it?"
Yusei was left alone when Anya shut the door.
"Here's everything you'll need. The rest depends on your luck." Saiga woke Yusei up by dropping the duffel bag onto the ground. "Answer me. Why are you going when you know that you'll end up being captured?"
"Because the bond with my friends is there. All I'm doing is going to get it back," Yusei's answer was so simple that it pissed Saiga off.
"Friends? You're doing this for something that lame?" Saiga hesitated. They all looked towards the pictures. "Yeah, I understand," Saiga started. "I used to have a friend too. But the only thing he left behind was the emotionless reality and demo despair and living death." Saiga snorted. Anya turned to look sharply at him. "A bond with your friends? That's just an illusion. Before long, all you'll do is think of yourself, so you'll hurt and use others so that you can survive. Just like me. The lucky one survived. However, he never rode a D-Wheel again. It's the same as being dead. This card is the remnant of our bond. After the accident, he only sent me this card. He was insinuating that I had forsaken him. Risk your life for a friend? In the end, that's impossible to do! In that case, it's better not to make friends in the first place."
"Great words from someone who won't let go of the past," Anya didn't lose eye contact. Saiga instead turned to Yusei with a sigh. Yusei was gazing at him questioningly. "You can tell him all you want to not trust his friends, to be on his own, but what the hell has it done for you, Saiga?"
Yusei picked up the duffel bag and started heading for the door without a word.
"Don't forget, Yusei," Anya called after him. Yusei paused in his step, acknowledging Anya, before continuing on.
Anya turned back to Saiga with a blaze in her eyes. Saiga looked away. "You of all people should know what it's like to let someone down."
"Look at me now," Anya stretched her arms out. "I said I wouldn't do a lot of things. I said I only needed Yui. I'm in a Team. People can change, Saiga."
"This isn't the same," Saiga shifted his attention to the window.
"Like hell, it isn't!" Anya snapped back. "I changed! Me! I finally understand what it's like to have a friend now who won't let you down." Anya looked to Saiga. "I have a feeling Yusei wouldn't let you down." They heard it at the same time. They saw out the window a Public Maintenance officer starting to follow Yusei.
"Are you going to follow him, or should I?" Anya turned to Saiga with her hands crossed over her chest, an eyebrow raised. Without a word, Saiga exited his apartment.
Yusei was good for Saiga in the same way Lina was good for Anya.
