Echo: Well, the next chapter is finally up; sorry about the wait, I'm sitting my prelims this months (prelims are like test-run exams) and all that jazz. Anyhoo, I hope this chapter makes up for the pitiful lengths of the last two.
Goldfish: Hope being the key word in that sentence.
Echo: Oh, go plot world domination or something.
Goldfish: With pleasure! *disappears into minature castle in goldfish bowl*
Echo: Aw, dang. Maybe I should've told him to flush himself down the toilet instead. I just hope tomorrow won't be known as "the-day-that-a-goldfish-took-over-the-word-because-a-teenage-girl-was-being-stupid-and-told-him-to-plot-world-domination-and-total-anhiliation-of-the-human-race. That would be a right shame.
Oh and, optimus prime girl, I was wondering if you could enable Private Messaging (PM) so that I can send you the info you want, if that's okay with you.
Echo: Well, uh... *raps knuckles on goldfish bowl* Goldfish! I need my disclaimer!
Goldfish: *muffled voice sounds from inside castle* EchoGirl319 does not own Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's or Logan.
Echo: Thanks! Now, on with the chapter!
Through the Cosmos
Chapter 13
~ Psychics and Clowns ~
After the group had dealt with Destiny's minor sulky breakdown, Chris had demanded that they all go to the nearest fast food place; he was "starving", apparently. The meal seemed to have been a good idea though, it gave them something to take their minds off the final this evening. As it was all three of them were sitting on barstools around a small, circular table feasting on the unhealthiest food to have ever been created.
Mark was snacking from a large container of thin, crisp, golden fries that Logan kept stealing from; the younger Kessler twin seemed to be purposely ignoring this though his eyes narrowed slightly each time the girl's pale hand reached across the table in his direction. Vanessa had a paper box full of chicken nuggets which she kept dipping in Mark's ketchup, though he openly glared at her whenever she did so, she had forgotten to buy her own and couldn't be bothered getting up to get some. Was Chris was eating looked really rather disgusting; it was the biggest burger they restaurant (if it could even be called that) provided and looked like five regular burgers lumped together. Destiny tried to keep her eyes adverted, she had no idea why someone would even want to eat that. Chris, however, didn't seem to share her views and was already more than half-way through. Then again, Chris' stomach was a bottomless pit, he could eat anything – Destiny had no idea how he was still so skinny, according to the amount he ate he should be morbidly obese by now. Okay, so maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration but still. Finally, Jake and Destiny were sharing a container of fries that was even larger than Mark's yet nobody dared to go near theirs. Probably because they knew that, unlike Mark, Jake wouldn't hesitate in punching them if they so much as made a move for the fries. No one attempted to go for the ketchup either, for the same reason.
"How come Destiny gets the fries?" Chris was whining fifteen minutes later, nursing his twisted wrist.
"Because I'm awesome," Destiny smirked, polishing off the last fry.
Chris looked offended.
"And I'm not?"
"No," Mark answered, shaking his shaggy silver hair out of his eyes, "you're not."
"You're my brother, my twin! We have the exact same genetic coding; you're suppose to be standing up for me!"
Mark rolled his pale blue eyes. "It's because you're my brother that I'm not standing up for you. You're such an idiot sometimes, scratch that, all the time. I can't believe we're related, let alone twins."
Chris huffed but reached over and stole his brother's coke, finishing it in one go. Logan raised an eyebrow.
"All that and the massive burger, bimbo? You are such a pig."
"He's eaten more," Vanessa told her, stretching her arms out in front of her and yawning, "trust me."
"It wasn't even that big," Chris commented defensively. Logan's eyes widening marginally.
"Not that big? Dude, if burgers were sharks that thing would've been megalodon." She glanced at her watch.
"Time?" Mark prompted.
"Doesn't start for a while yet," the psychic duelist responded.
"We should get going anyway," Destiny said, hopping off the seat. "We don't want to miss it, after all."
"Destiny, we have two hours," Jake deadpanned, "we won't miss it."
"Let's just go," Destiny sighed, "it stinks of cooking oil in here."
Once again they found themselves sneaking into the Kaiba Dome via the basement and the six companions were now aimlessly wandering the blue corridors.
"Someone remind me why we didn't just stay outside?" Vanessa asked, walking in step with Logan.
"Dunno, Carrot," Logan replied, glancing at the younger girl to see how she reacted to the name. Surprisingly, she didn't seem bothered at being referred as a vegetable and even smirked slightly at the not-so-subtle dig at her bright orange hair, running a hand through the short, messy strands. Her hair really was messy, Logan noted, it looked more like a bedhead than anything else, sticking up in every direction like a bird's nest. Vanessa seemed to read her thoughts.
"Hereditary trait," she told her as they walked, "dad's side."
"Is he a Signer too?" Logan asked, genuinely interested. She couldn't help but open up to these people, people from the future, they treated her like a person, like a friend. Plus, if she didn't open up she was positive that they'd keep prodding her until she did. Though she'd only known them for a few days she almost didn't want them to leave, though it was inevitable.
Vanessa nodded. "Not yet, but he will be."
Logan opened her mouth to comment but before she could say anything her body collided with Destiny's, who had suddenly halted in front of her.
"Jeez, Tattoo Girl," she muttered irritably, "say something if your suddenly going stomp on the breaks."
But Destiny wasn't listening, instead she was pointing at two figures who were standing watching each other further down the corridor.
"My parents!" she exclaimed quietly so only they could here. Her voice was filled with excitement. Immediately she tugged on the sleeve of the person standing next to her, who just happened to be Jake. "Come on!"
Next thing she knew, Destiny and Jake were halfway down the corridor and she, Vanessa, Chris and Mark were all following at a slower pace.
This was what Destiny had been waiting for, the opportunity to see her parents when neither were in battle. Right now she was killing two birds with one stone. As she got closer, still dragging Jake by the sleeve of his hoodie whilst he growled in annoyance, she saw her mother grab her right arm, the one which bore her Signer birthmark. Her father did the same. He began to speak, but she was still too far away to hear them. Jake had come to a stubborn halt and grabbed her wrist in a vice-like grip.
"Jake," she protested quietly, trying to tug herself away from him.
"You look like a five-year-old who's been given their first deck. What sort of impression do you want to make? Akiza's going to think you're just some loser who wants to see the Black Rose in the flesh or something. Act casual," her growled through clenched teeth. "And quit dragging me around."
Destiny rolled her eyes but understood what he was talking about and Jake let go of her wrist just as the others joined them. She turned back to her parents only to find that the conversation appeared to be over. Then she heard the sound of running both she and Jake turned to hear a yell of "Yusei!"
Leo and Luna where running towards them. Of course, Leo crashed into Chris, knocking them both to the ground. Leo though, having as much energy as he did, immediately leapt up and with a yell of "sorry" and continued running towards Yusei and Akiza. Luna, however, stopped to help Chris up, apologising to all of them for her brother's behaviour before excusing herself to catch up with him.
"Ah!" a small yelp emitted from Leo as he jumped backwards slightly at the sight of Akiza, "it's the witch-lady!"
Akiza glowered at him. Silently, the time-travellers and their companion joined them. Luna gulped audibly beneath the young woman's glare, though Destiny had a feeling that wasn't all the eleven-year-old was gulping at. Luna had always had a sixth sense for seeing into people's hearts. After a moment of eye-contact with the younger girl, Akiza blinked and looked away, frowning and distressed. Leo's careless remark had obviously hurt her. Destiny opened her mouth to tell her young surrogate uncle off but before she could say anything a disturbing chuckle sounded from around the corner. Lazar came into view and Destiny almost groaned. Lazar was still Goodwin's lackey right now and thus a major pain in the backside.
"Why, hello there, Miss Izinski," he greeted in a sickly sweet voice. "We were quite impressed by your last duel. Director Goodwin would like to have a quick word, commending you, before the finals begin. Allow me to escort you."
Everyone was watching Lazar warily by this point and Destiny could feel the tension spike. None of them (excluding Lazar, of course) trusted Goodwin. Unlike everyone else though, Destiny and the time travellers knew what he had planned.
At that moment, however, another voice was heard, one that caused both Destiny and Logan to freeze and the time travellers to tense.
"Akiza is tired."
Sayer, even in her head, Destiny's voice was filled with hatred and disgust. They all turned to look at him, standing tall and proud in his long brown trench coat. The two Arcadia goons that flanked him immediately moved into position, shielding Akiza from the rest of them.
"Who are you?" Lazar demanded. Sayer chuckled.
"Why don't we just say that I'm Akiza's "caretaker"."
Destiny's eye twitched. Only twelve words and she was already fighting the urge to blast him through a wall. Or perhaps out a window…
"Though," he continued, his voice smooth, "I do believe you have already done an investigation."
Lazar chuckled, or more correctly cackled, again. Sayer paid him no heed.
"We must get dear Akiza back into form before the finals begin in any way we can." He held up his hand, motioning for Akiza and the Arcadia bodyguards or whatever it was they were to pass them. They did so without a word and he followed them, walking directly behind Akiza as they left. On the way past he regarded Logan coldly and, in response, the Ember Shadow's hands curled into fists at her side, her lip curled back and, for a second, she bared her teeth at him in warning but he took no heed and simply continued walking. Destiny half expected her mother to do something – she always so fiery and independent back home – but she never did. She didn't even look back.
"Hm," Lazar scoffed, "what a fraudulent group, playing the mystic angle, as they do."
At once Yusei stepped forward, demanding the location of Rally and his other Satellite friends. Destiny closed her eyes pityingly. He wasn't going to get any information out of Lazar. As expected, Lazar responded with a smirk and an open threat. He cackled as he turned to leave, only to come face-to-face with Destiny, Logan, Jake, Chris, Mark and Vanessa who simultaneously fixed him with cold glares, Jake's of course being the coldest of them all. He still won the glaring contest even when his features were partially hidden by a hood. When he saw them, however, Lazar's smirk simply widened.
"Why, Destiny," he drew out her name, "how lovely to finally meet you. The director has taken quite an interest in you, as… intriguing as you are."
Destiny's eyes widened momentarily as realised what had happened. The director's box allowed a good view of the entire stadium, Goodwin (and Lazar and probably Jack, too) must have seen her and her companions leave during the last duel. Damn.
"How do you know who I am?" Destiny asked, masking her panic well and making her face expressionless. Lazar cold smile only widened, giving him a rather demonic appearance.
"An old neighbour of yours who has been keeping us company in the director's box, annoying little brat," he added quietly before raising it again to its normal volume, "sticks to Jack like Velcro."
"And who would that be?" Vanessa asked cautiously, eyeing Lazar with wary green eyes.
"A certain young Violet," the short man replied, examining his nails and feigning disinterest, though his dark eyes darted up at them, searching for any kind of reaction, "strange young girl, she didn't seem to want to tell us who you were but it just slipped out. For some reason that I cannot fathom, Jack seems very fond of her and that's saying something."
Beside her Jake tensed and his breathing came out shallow and quick, his fist clenched and shook at his side. Destiny could tell that he was fighting the urge to strangle the clown in front of them. She was too and she knew that Chris, Mark and Vanessa were having similar reactions. Logan remained emotionless, though her eyes flitted towards them curiously.
"And what foul company you're keeping," he looked at Logan, noticing her for the first time. He regarded her much the same way as Sayer had, coldly. That was another thing Destiny noticed about her new friend, Logan seemed to have a lot of enemies in high places. "Logan Marie Baker, I never thought I'd see you here. How are you?"
"Never better," the pale-eyed girl sneered, "back for another ass-whooping, Lazar?" her hand moved to rest over the pouch holding her deck. The smirk instantly fell form Lazar's face and he glowered at her before looking back at Destiny.
"I'm sure we'll being seeing each other again," his voice had returned to its sickly sweet tone. Destiny lip curled in disgust and she stepped away from him.
"I certainly hope not."
Then Lazar turned around and walked away, leaving the time travellers, Logan, Yusei, Luna and Leo alone in the corridor. Chris stared blankly after the red coat before turning to face them.
"Well," he said, sticking his hands in his pockets, "that was weird."
"What a creep," Vanessa agreed with a shudder.
"Hey!" Leo exclaimed suddenly, "it's you again! How'd Lazar know who you are?"
"Long story," Mark explained. Yusei frowned, if there had been something strange about them before the fact that Goodwin wanted to talk to them, or more particularly Destiny, meant that something was definitely up with them.
Jake was the next person to speak. "Violet's here."
"Who's Violet?" Leo asked, bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet. "Is she the one that creepy clown guy mentioned? The one that Jack Atlas is "fond of"?"
None of the time travellers replied immediately though the mention of this Violet caught Yusei's attention. Jack fond of someone? He shook his head at the thought. That girl had to be something special if Jack was fond of them. The blond-haired duel monsters champion was "fond" of anyone.
At last Destiny faced them. "We have to go," she offered the twins a small wave, "maybe we'll see you later."
She turned to leave when Yusei called out, "you said a few days ago that you knew what Goodwin was planning. Do you know where my friends are?"
For the first time she looked directly at him and, as their eyes met, Yusei was stunned to see that they were the exact same shade of blue as his.
"No," she replied, "I'm sorry but I don't know where your friends are." She turned to leave but looked back at him, "good luck in your duel and…" she bit her lip nervously as if she was unsure whether or not she should speak her mind. At last she decided she would, "remember to look for what's behind the mask."
With those cryptic words she and her companions walked away, turning the corner and disappearing from view much as Lazar had, leaving Yusei and the twins more than a little confused. Luna looked after them with an odd, contemplative expression on her face. There was something about them; something not quite right.
Echo: So, how was it?
Goldfish: Fine.
Echo: I wasn't asking you but thanks anyway. The duel between Yusei and Aki will begin in the next chapter, for anyone who's interested.
Goldfish: At last.
Echo: Yeah. Anyways, since I'm on exam leave (YES!) I get tomorrow off so if I get lots of reviews I might post the next chapter then.
Goldfish: Are you bribing the readers?
Echo: Uh... no...
Goldfish: Uh-huh.
Echo: Well, it's better than blackmailing them! You threaten to blow-up their backyards!
Goldfish: I do what I must to keep myself entertained.
Echo: You have no life whatsoever.
Goldfish: Says you.
Echo: Look, who cares? Let's just ask the people to review, 'kay?
Goldfish: Fine by me.
Echo: Okay then. One... two... three...
Goldfish & Echo: REVIEW!
*Room shakes and ceiling caves in*
Echo: Wow. That was louder than I expected.