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Chapter 21- Bound

– He turns not back who is bound to a star – Leonardo da Vinci

Day one after the destruction of the Arcadia Movement building.

I was in the hospital. As were the twins.

As I had thought – Himuro had gotten himself, Yanagi and the twins out safely. When I had stumbled my way out of the building I was greeted to the sight of one Jack Atlas holding an unconscious Aki bridal style.

It took only a few seconds for the twins to spot me…less for them to rush up to me.

We didn't have much of a reunion because not long after the blaring sound of approaching sirens were heard.

It was all a blur really.

The doctors hadn't asked many questions outside of the standard ones. I wouldn't have been surprised if Goodwin's reach extended to the many hospitals in Neo Domino City.

Speaking of Goodwin, I would imagine that he was fairly displeased. The Dark Signers had marred his Utopia.

If it weren't for the fact that just about 120 (according to the news) persons had gone 'missing' – I would have been more amused.

I was waiting on results from a drug test, per request. I needed to make sure that whatever Divine drugged me and my bunch with was out of our systems.

Divine…

I scowled lightly at the thought of him.

I'd decided not to dwell on what had happened in that building. I doubt I'd lose much sleep because of it…mainly because there were bigger things to worry about.

I had a lot of other things to deal with.

Like for instance – Jack Atlas walking into the hospital room that the twins and I shared.

Silence reigned as we stared each other down. This was the first time since those months ago that I've been face to face with Jack Atlas.

He was the first to look away, though he only did so to glance at my bandaged right arm.

"Can I help you?" I asked flatly. The twins had gone to the bathroom, so I was the sole occupant of the room at the moment.

"I thought you should know, Izayoi is in a coma," he began. Right, Aki was in the same hospital as us.

I hummed noncommittedly and at that Jack scoffed.

"As I thought, the only thing we have in common is that we have the Birthmark."

Jack's tone wasn't accusatory. He spoke as if he were stating a simple fact.

Jack was silent for a few more moments. "Aki's father – the senator – has left for the Satellite. He's gone for Yusei."

My eyes narrowed a bit. Why was Jack telling me all this?

"As it is now, Yusei may be the only one who can get through to her."

I knew all of this already.

"Why are you here? Why are you telling me this?"

"I'm testing a theory."

I frowned confused. "What theory?"

Jack folded his arms across his chest. For a while I thought he wouldn't answer.

"I want to see just how strong these strings of Fate are."

And with that, Jack made a sharp turn on his heels and exited the room.

I scoffed audibly. The last thing I was going to be, was part of an experiment implemented by Jack Atlas.

…Okay so I've been decidedly antsy over the last few hours.

I was a bundle of nerves and I didn't have a decent outlet available.

I wish I had my sketchpad with me.

But to the point.

No doubt that as Jack said, Yusei would make it from the Satellite. The twins would go to him immediately and he would go to Aki's room.

No doubt, he'd be dueling her in an attempt to get past whatever walls she had built up around her heart. He'd be trying to get to the true Aki.

And of course there were her parents to factor in.

Aki's mother and father – she'd get to reconcile with them.

I…really didn't want to see that. I was already emotionally exhausted as it was.

I didn't need the entire 'Friendship is magic' trip either.

"Nii-san isn't in her room," Luca announced.

"Pfft," Lua waved his hand dismissively, having heard the worried tremor in his sister's voice.

He, Luca, Yusei and Jack stood just outside of Aki's room. Said red head was still with her parents. There was no telling what the three of them were murmuring to each other as they remained in a warm embrace.

The sight gnawed a bit at his heart. He remembered when he and Luca were like that with their parents. Before they became so busy, before they started leaving them alone for long periods…

Lua saw exactly why Skylar-nii hadn't wanted to come and watch. Yes, it'd probably be dangerous (how she'd allowed them to go and watched without putting up a fight had him puzzled), but she probably knew that Yusei would ultimately succeed and then Izayoi would have a heart-warming reunion with her parents.

He knew that Skylar's parents weren't around anymore. This probably would have been hard for her to watch.

"She's probably just drawing somewhere," Lua continued.

"Or she ran away."

The smile that Lua had forced on his face fell as he turned a hard stare towards the former-King of riding duels.

"No," he answered sternly, "She wouldn't."

"That's enough you two," Yusei said stepping in, before he turned to look at Luca who had been fidgeting where she stood.

"Let's go find her."

A small smile blossomed on Luca's face before she nodded happily.

Lua watched as Yusei began to walk towards the elevator, Luca nestled by his side. Jack, despite his seemingly unfriendly disposition, followed a ways behind them.

Despite the niggling, irrational feeling he felt beginning to gnaw at his heart once more, Lua smiled.

He smiled and he followed.

I frowned as I slunk further into the seat of the car I rode in – more accurately, the limo that the twins, Yusei, Aki, Jack and Minna rode in.

If I'd known that after the twins had found me that I'd be coerced into meeting up with Goodwin, I'd have stayed on the roof.

Personal feelings aside though, this next phase was important.

At least that's what I kept telling myself, even as everyone and I got out of the limo.

"I have been expecting you," Goodwin voiced as he emerged from his rather expanse mansion. "Welcome Signers, one and all."

I stood beside Jack who looked just as unimpressed, if not more, than me.

"Albeit it was done in a very roundabout manner, I feel pleased that I am finally able to meet you all like this."

Jack scoffed as Goodwin bowed in greeting. "You're shady to the core." I found myself nodding in agreement.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Yusei and Aki trading words. Most likely they were speaking of whether or not to trust Goodwin.

It was no secret that I didn't trust Goodwin. But he wasn't the only one I didn't trust.

I didn't trust either Jack or Aki.

Irrational. I was being irrational, especially since I knew what I knew and what I knew was that they were trustworthy.

But that was for the future.

As it was in the present…those two were…

"Hey, tell us. What do you want from us?" Lua asked brazenly, bringing me back to the situation at hand.

"I do not remember inviting you," Goodwin replied.

I scowled as Lua backtracked on his words.

"I have no business with anyone not a Signer. I kindly request that you leave."

I bristled but before I could get a word out, Luca stepped up beside her brother.

"I won't go unless I'm with Lua," she stated adamantly, looking at Goodwin head on.

I couldn't help the smile that appeared on my face and when Luca discreetly looked in my direction I gave her a thumbs up.

The twins may bicker a lot, but they loved and looked out for each other regardless of the time, place and people.

'That's what siblings should be like,' I thought wistfully.

"Skylar."

I blinked at the mention of my name. I looked to see Goodwin leading the others inside. I must have spaced out.

I looked back at Yusei who motioned his head in a 'let's go' manner, before beginning to follow the others.

I hesitated for only a moment, before I followed behind him.

Goodwin's home was just as large as it had seemed on the outside. It reminded me of a modern day Victorian-themed home. After walking through numerous carpeted corridor, we eventually came to an elevator, which took us down quite a few levels.

When the elevator finally came to a stop, it opened to a passage lined with columns with fire on top of them.

I felt as if I were being led to a ritual sacrifice or something.

We came to a stone door that donned some kind of hieroglyphics.

My mind couldn't help but think of Yugi, from the original Yu-gi-oh and the spirit that had dwelled in his…puzzle was it? – Either way, the spirit had been an Egyptian Pharaoh.

What would have happened if I had been reborn into Yu-gi-oh as opposed to Y5D's?

The sudden sliding close of heavy stone door breaks my line of thought.

I needed to stop going off to my own world.

My eyes widened as I looked around me.

It was as if we were in space. We were surrounded by stars, billions of them. Where we stood, we were directly in from of some kind of stone temple, around which there was the entirety of the Mark of the Crimson Dragon. The Mark illuminated the…wherever we were, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

"T-that shape!" Yusei exclaimed upon seeing the mark of the Crimson Dragon upon the top of the temple's stone gate.

"It's like our birthmarks! And the same as Nii-san's mark!" Luca declared surprised.

"The Crimson Dragon." Aki intoned.

Goodwin turned, standing before the stone gate and addressed us.

"Yes, that is the symbol of the Signers that has been passed down as the legend of the People of the Stars."

A sudden, familiar burning sensation pulsed through my right arm and then and there my Mark began to glow brighter than it ever had before. I stared as the Mark of the Crimson glowed through my jacket sleeve.

Mere seconds later a familiar roar reverberated around us and I felt something in the atmosphere shift.

Soon, wrapped around the tower in all of its crimson and eerie glory, was the Crimson Dragon. This felt…reminiscent of the first time I had met him…when I had been alone in that void…

I felt my heart rate increase as I continued to stare at the Crimson Dragon. I couldn't focus on whatever was being said.

I caught bits and pieces of course.

About all of this being Fate derived by the Crimson Dragon's power.

About us not being able to escape this Fate.

The Fate of the Signers.

Duelists chosen by the Crimson Dragon.

A Fate that joins us and guides us.

Guides us.

Guide.

That was what I was.

"You cannot avert your eyes from it," Goodwin's voice droned. "You all share the same birthmark. You were chosen as the reincarnations of the legendary Signers. Whether you like it or no, it was promised thousands of years ago that you would all encounter as so, while at the mercy of destiny."

At the mercy of Destiny.

Destiny.

Fate.

The Signers' guide – their keeper. That was my Destiny, my Fate but…was there no more?

"Is there no more?" I asked aloud, but I didn't direct my question to Goodwin or the others. I spoke directly the Crimson Dragon.

For a brief moment something raw and powerful pulsed through my body and I saw red. Literally.

"Nii-san!" Luca exclaimed looking back at me.

"Your eyes are red!" Lua finished.

I didn't fully acknowledge them, I had yet to take my gaze from the Crimson Dragon. I didn't feel any different really. If anything this was just a show put on by the Crimson Dragon.

"Aren't you going to answer me?" I grit out.

Years, years of silence. I'd heard nothing from the Crimson Dragon since those many years ago in the void.

A roar was my only answer.

'…Patience…'

With a final loud cry, the Crimson Dragon spread its wings and faded into the atmosphere.

A tense instant followed, I kept my gaze on where the Crimson Dragon was mere seconds ago.

The moment was broken by Goodwin, whose voice cut through the silence.

"As expected from a Disciple of the Dragon Star."

I turned narrowed eyes towards him. Just what was he speaking of? Just what did he know?

"You are able to hear from the Crimson Dragon, are you not?"

I felt everyone's gaze on me. I pursed my lips, neither confirming nor refuting his statement.

"And you are able to see possible futures I presume?" Something dark glinted in Goodwin's eyes and I felt my back stiffen. "I wonder…just which future will come to pass."

I felt my heart leap to my throat.

"That's enough Goodwin," Yusei spoke as he stepped before me, blocking my gaze of Goodwin or his gaze of me. Not that it mattered. Either way, I felt lighter as the weight of Goodwin's gaze was finally removed from my person.

Goodwin obliged without much fanfare.

He went on to speak of the history of the Nazca lines, about how they were seals created by the Crimson Dragon to bind Incarnates of Evil and about how they were disappearing.

"This is all the Dark Signers' doing." That's what Goodwin had said.

Dark Signers – they had marks as we did, when one fought them there was no escape from the duelling field, the damage became real, especially those of the Dark Synchro Monsters.

The Dark Signers were subject to the powers of the underworld – the souls of people were mere fuel, sacrifices, for their ultimate beasts – the Earthbound Immortals.

I felt nothing short of pity for the Dark Signers. They were empty. Soulless. Dead.

They were ultimately driven by their vengeance.

I closed my eyes in resignation.

We had a hell of a battle before us.

I glanced at Yusei, who had gone unnervingly silent, his gloved fists clenched tightly.

I felt sorry for him. He had just been told that his friend was more or less beyond salvation.

I felt bad for him, but at the very same time I was happy.

At the very least – I knew that none of my friends were mixed up in this Dark Signer business.

.

.

.

.

.

The Signers and I were…irrevocably bound. These strings of Fate had never felt more like chains.

Word Count: 2454

A/N: Update 2/2. I will admit that I rushed these last two chapters but...meh. I may just edit these last two chapters. I'm not sure when the next update will be, RL is crashing down atm. I'll be fine though.

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