Disclaimer: I do not own any Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's characters! I only own my OCs!
Chapter 21: The Calm before the Storm
After the history class about the Signers, Dark Signers and the ongoing war, we had to stay at the mansion for safety until it was time to head to the Satellite to stop the evil darkness. We also slept over at the mansion in our own rooms. We got a bit upset at few parts of the story, especially when Goodwin said we might have lost already before we could even defeat the Dark Signers.
But what had upset me the most was this prophecy that the Dark Signers had, involving the current Crimson Star Priestess, meaning me.
"When the Crimson Star Priestess shall reach the wall of darkness,
her dark spirit shall be taken and her light spirit shall fall into an endless sleep.
Once the King of the Netherworld breaks through the surface of the Earth,
the two spirits shall face each other in a traumatic battle.
If one of them shall fall, so shall the other follow the same destiny."
Everyone got so scared at the threat they couldn't hold back their gasps and the twins had nearly jumped onto me, trying to keep me with them.
Goodwin did mention there was another prophecy on the Signers' side, but the only document with the riddle had been destroyed with the information of the Crimson Star Priestess.
Something about the final battle made me feel suspicious. In the anime, there was a final Shadow Duel with Goodwin and his two Synchro dragons that were actually Sun Dragon Inti and Moon Dragon Quilla, but now I had a feeling there was going to be a real battle.
I sat on a couch with Akiza and Luna as we saw Yusei standing outside on a balcony, probably thinking about his last Duel with Kalin.
"Umm... Yusei...", Luna called.
"I...wouldn't bother him right now", Akiza told the little girl.
"What's going on with him, Akiza, Estelle?" Luna asked us. "He's been out there all morning?"
"Yeah", Akiza nodded. "I think he's still trying to come to grips with the fact that his once best friend almost sent him to the Netherworld. It must be tearing him up that one of his old childhood buddies from the Satellite jumped the fence and became one of those Dark Signers."
"That must be rough for him", Luna said sadly.
"Yeah, but... He can't go on with that burden in his heart, thinking it's his fault that Kalin fell into the darkness", I said. "When we face the Dark Signers, he has to let go of the heavy feeling and...try to reach Kalin's heart. Some kind of goodness might still be inside the victims."
"You think so?" Luna asked.
"I don't know, but I hope so", I replied. "If Yusei can reach Kalin's heart by Dueling, there might be a way to find any forgiveness from the real Kalin."
"What do you mean by real Kalin?" Akiza asked.
I sighed deeply. "The evil forces of the shadows are negative spirits that feed on those who's got most grief and negative emotions inside their hearts. Maybe that's how Kalin became a victim and..." I stopped myself before I could go on. "...It's better if I don't say too much for the chain of events."
"Right, you know what will happen because you've seen our adventure back in your dimension", Luna understood.
"Yeah, but now I'm not so sure", I confessed. "Not with that prophecy that my spirit will get divided into two and I might die if I kill my dark spirit."
"No!" Akiza and Luna grabbed each of my arms.
"You're not gonna die! Not around us!" Akiza said determinedly.
"You can't leave us!" Luna added.
I smiled at the girls and hugged them. "Thank you... But we'll see what happens, since that prophecy can only be fulfilled if I do fall into that wall of darkness."
"So if you don't fall into it...", Luna began.
"Then I won't die", I smiled.
Akiza sighed in relief. "That's good, because I don't want to lose any of my new friends." She turned to Luna. "Are you having any second thoughts about fighting this Army of Shadows, Luna?"
"No way!" Luna smiled. "I'm in this! The thing is I've got someone I'm trying to help! And I think fighting the Dark Signers is the way to do it!"
I smiled at Luna before rubbing her head. "You've become a big girl during these few months I've been here. I'm proud of you."
Just then, Yusei walked in from the balcony. Luna stood up from the couch, walking over to him. "Hey, Yusei, wanna have a practice Duel?" she asked.
"Not right now", Yusei replied. "I need some time alone, Luna."
The raven-haired man walked away with the three of us looking at him. I stood up from the couch, turning to Akiza. "Shall we go outside for some fresh air?"
Akiza nodded as she stood up. "Yeah..."
I turned to Luna. "Luna, you should go and talk to Leo." The little girl blinked confusedly. "Ever since yesterday, he's been acting weird, like he feels being put aside. You should go and have a twin-talk with him."
"Oh... Okay", Luna nodded before walking away.
XXXXXXXXXX
Akiza and I went to a garden filled with roses in almost every color.
"This garden is so beautiful and peaceful", Akiza commented. "I just want to walk around here forever."
I nodded with a warm smile as I inhaled the scent of the roses. "Me too. Roses are one of my favorite flowers." I stopped to admire a big red rose. "Hey, Aki?"
"Yes?" said girl replied.
"How much do you know about roses?" I asked.
Akiza blinked confusedly. "What do you mean?"
I gently caressed the petals of the rose I was admiring. "Well, the colors on the roses for an example. Do you know what red roses stand for?"
"Umm... Love and passion?" Akiza replied.
"Almost correct", I nodded. "According to the Greek mythology, the roses were created by Adonis's love to Aphrodite. At Adonis's death, it was told he transformed into a red rose. That's why the red rose is associated to erotic love."
"Erotic love?" Akiza said in surprise before she giggled. "That sounds so cute and dirty at the same time!"
I chuckled along. "Yeah, I know. In the Ancient Rom, they used to celebrate the rose during a festival called 'Rosalia' on May 11th. The yellow roses often symbolize a false love. You give a yellow rose to the sick ones." I looked on a white rose. "The white rose is often symbolized as pure, but the truth is they symbolize the death."
"What?" Akiza gaped. "I thought the black roses symbolized the death."
"Yeah, but even the white color can reflect the death, like the transparent ghosts we read in scary stories", I replied.
"You know quite a lot about roses", Akiza said.
"I've read about them when I got interested in flowers, but only for a short time", I shrugged. "I thought you might want to know such things about roses because of your Black Rose Dragon." Akiza blinked confusedly. "Now that the Black Rose Witch is gone, maybe you should come up with a new nickname. A beautiful nickname that reflects the true you."
Akiza blushed a little. "And... I guess you've already got a new nickname for me?"
I nodded, "Yes, I was thinking about...Rose Queen."
"Rose Queen...", Akiza spelled out the new nickname.
"And the guardian of Rose Queen is the mighty Black Rose Dragon who won't let anyone hurt the queen of roses or any of her comrades", I added. "What do you think?"
"It's...perfect...", Akiza smiled. "Thank you. You've been so kind to me ever since we met at the Fortune Cup."
I returned the smile. "You're welcome, Aki. And I'll be here for all of you." Just then, I felt my heart skip a beat, sensing Yusei and Jack having a small fight.
Akiza saw me flinch. "Estelle?"
"I'm okay", I assured her with a smile. "Just felt the boys having a fight, that's all."
"A fight? Yusei and Jack?!"
"Yeah, but it's essential for their friendship."
"How is fighting essential for friendships?"
"Jack is literally knocking some sense into Yusei, telling him to stop blaming himself about Kalin."
"Ahh…"
I chuckled at Akiza's reaction. "Let's go and see if they had knocked out each other or they are just bleeding hard."
Akiza smiled before we walked ahead to the fountain. We found the two young men sitting on the grass. The air seemed to have finally lost the tension between them.
"Feeling any better?" Akiza asked.
"Yep", Yusei nodded.
"That's good, because I was starting to worry. We can't save the world from eminent doom and protect Estelle without you, you know."
"Yeah, I know. Same goes for you, Akiza."
"So… You two are finally brothers again?" I asked the boys.
"You could say like that", Jack frowned, but I knew he was deep inside happy and relieved.
"Yusei!" Luna's voice called.
We looked up and spotted the twins run over to us, Luna waving happily while Leo was a few steps behind. "You're going, right?" Luna asked Yusei.
"You bet", he replied with a small smile.
Luna smiled, but then she dropped the smile and turned back at Leo. I saw he had quite a somber expression on his face. When the boy smiled it looked very forced.
"Hey, you guys!" Leo shouted as he rushed up to Yusei. "Are you ready for this? I can't wait to watch you take those Dark Signers down! It's gonna be so totally awesome! You're the best!"
"Thanks", Yusei smiled lightly.
Leo turned to Jack. "You're awesome too, Jack, even though you're not the best anymore."
"Just 'cause I lost doesn't mean I'm not the best!" Jack seemed to be offended.
"Don't worry; I still look up to you and everything!" Leo said with a determined look.
"Look, you! I'm always gonna be the best! You understand me?" Jack retorted.
"Okay, but… Technically, Estelle is the best now", Leo retorted.
"Technically not, you worm! I'm the best!"
"You lost your championship! That makes you number 2!"
"Technically, Jack is still the King", I said, making the arguing boys look at me. "I just won the title 'Queen of Games'. They all say a king needs a queen who fights alongside him. So when Jack becomes officially the King of Games again, we'll become partners in crimes and tag-Duels."
"No thanks, I rather Duel alone", Jack snorted.
"No wonder girls doesn't fall in love with you with that attitude of yours", I retorted teasingly, making the twins and Akiza laugh at my comment. Yusei also smirked, holding back his own laugh. Jack growled with red embarrassed cheeks. He frowned and looked away, crossing his arms.
I decided to drop the joking and go into serious mode. "Now that we'll soon challenge the Dark Signers, I need to confirm one thing…" Everyone turned to me. "Satellite's Shooting Star, Master of Faster, Rose Queen, and Princess of Spirits, are you ready to face the darkness and bring back peace to Earth?"
Everyone was quiet for a moment before Akiza was the first one to speak up. "I… I'm a bit scared, but I will prove to Misty that I didn't kill her little brother. So I'm going to do my best to stop the darkness."
"I'm going because I promised Ancient Fairy Dragon to protect the Spirit World and I'll save her!" Luna added.
"Well, it's my duty as a Signer and being chosen by the Crimson Dragon to stop the Army of Shadows from reaching the Earth's surface, so count me in!" Jack said determinedly.
"I'm still a bit concerned about Kalin, but I'll prove to him that I never betrayed him and try opening his heart", Yusei said.
I nodded as I reached out my hand, palm down. "One for all and all for one."
Yusei nodded before he placed his hand above mine. Next was Akiza, then Jack and last Luna. I turned to Leo who looked a bit lonely. "Leo." The boy looked up at me. "Being the protector of your little sister, are you also ready to help us out if we need a helping hand, Mecha Boy?"
Leo gaped at the question, but then got a big smile. "Of course I will! You can count on me!" He placed his hand above his sister's.
I smiled at everyone who also looked a bit happy that we were united like this. "And remember… You're never alone because we've got a bond that's stronger than anything else and you've got your Decks to rely on in times of need."
Everyone nodded before we shot up our hands into the air while shouting, the atmosphere being full of life and determination.
XXXXXXXXXX
After lunch, I stepped outside to the garden. I decided to try practicing on my abilities and try creating some moves with the power I possessed. I could need it for the final battle. But first I needed to talk with one of my Duel Monsters.
I picked up Light End Dragon's card from the pocket of my jacket and held it up in the air. "Come out, Light End Dragon!"
The card started glowing before it shot out of my fingers and materialized into said dragon.
"Mistress, you summoned me?"
"Yes, because I need some answers about how I ended up in the Spirit World in the very beginning and why I can't remember."
"I understand. Your questions shall receive answers." Light End Dragon looked up at the sky. "Lord Crimson Dragon had long ago chosen you as the Crimson Star Priestess, right when you were created in the womb of your mother's."
I gaped, "You mean, when I was nothing but an embryo? That sounds…a bit absurd."
"I admit it is hard to believe, Mistress, but it is the truth. He had been watching over you through your whole life; from your sad and miserable to your joyful and happy moments. He could sense something else that was not a part of the hidden powers he had blessed with you by then."
"And… What was that? My autistic behaviors? My inherited talents for remembering things for a long time and learning things fast?"
Light End Dragon shook her head. "None of them. He did notice those strengths of yours, but that was not what he noticed." She grew quiet for a couple of seconds. "It was your…inner strength."
"Huh?" I must have looked like a question mark had appeared above my head, because I was really lost and confused.
"You went from bullying to neglecting and other emotional trauma through your life, and difficult ones too, but yet you still stand like nothing has happened to you. You've got a strength that no other Signer does possess, not even Yusei Fudo or Jack Atlas or Akiza Izinski."
"You're telling me I'm mentally stronger than the others?"
"Correct, and that strength of yours and kindness is spreading to the others like earlier today. You encouraged the Signers and even Luna's brother to keep fighting and protect the world."
It was a bit hard to believe because I had never heard anyone telling me that I was like a positive energy source and motivation for someone.
"Do not doubt yourself, Mistress. You are more special than you believe. You need to believe in yourself even more."
I nodded, "I'll try… But this doesn't answer the question about how I ended up in the Spirit World when I was 14 years old and why I don't remember it."
"You do not remember it because Lord Crimson Dragon erased those memories of yours to keep you safe."
"Keep me safe? Was I in some kind of danger?"
"Not exactly… Just a precaution. He knew you were one day going to get interested in Duel Monsters and he did not want to break the chain of events. You could only travel to the Spirit World as soon as you entered the land of dreams."
"So I only visited the Spirit World when I was sleeping? I didn't fall into coma like Luna?"
"Correct."
"That explains that strange month… When I was 14 and had a whole month's dreamless nights…"
"You should start preparing yourself for the upcoming events, Mistress. You must learn to use your power for the final battle."
"Battle? It's not going to be a Duel as I suspected?"
"I shall not reveal more. Now… Start training by using small spells before moving to the difficult ones."
That was Light End Dragon's last words before she turned back into a card and flew back to me. I grabbed the card and looked at it for a couple of seconds before I kissed it and put it in my jacket.
I had watched plenty of anime with magical girls, so it shouldn't be hard for me to use different spells.
I started by trying to summon a small fire orb. I held up my right hand, palm up, and concentrated with my heart and brain. I tried to imagine how the fire orb would look like as I tried to summon it with the strength of my heart. It took ten seconds before a tennis-sized burning fire orb floated above the palm of my hand.
I tried to make the fire orb twice the size and it was a success. When I tried to grab the orb, the flames didn't hurt me at all. It was like I was immune to fire.
Next I tried summoning several fire orbs around me at once. It took a sting of strength from me, but it was nothing. Soon I was surrounded by fire orbs before I pointed up at the sky. The fire orbs flew up before I stopped them and moved my hands and fingers around, creating three giant circles in the sky with the orbs. The circles moved around as well, listening to the commands of my hands and fingers.
I snapped my fingers, making the fire orbs explode like small fireworks. Shiny red powder was floating down to the ground.
I smiled at the small achievement I just made, but this was just easy spells. I needed to push myself harder and use stronger spells even if that would zap my energy.
XXXXXXXXXX
It became evening sooner than I thought. I was sitting on the grass, sweating and panting after the training I just had.
I had managed to come up with a couple of spells that would hopefully be useful in the near future. I wanted to save the hardest ones to the last, if there was going to be a battle with my dark spirit.
I walked inside the mansion, seeing how it was empty and quiet. The others were probably watching the gorgeous sundown.
I headed to my room that had a bathroom connected and took a quick shower. I washed my hair and used my power to dry it after I had dried myself with a towel.
Before I got dressed, I smelled my clothes and grimaced when I felt the disgusting smell of sweat. I couldn't walk around with smelling clothes, so I quickly washed them with water and soap and used my power one last time for today to dry them in five seconds. Smelling the clothes again, I didn't catch the sweating smell.
I put on my clothes and was about to head out of my room when Mina peeked in. She looked very scared and upset. "Estelle, something bad has happened in Satellite!"
I wasn't so surprised. It was now time for the prelude of the main event.
XXXXXXXXXX
Mina led me and the others to a control room in Sector Security HQ that had several screens, showing a smoke-filled Satellite. The smoke was in the shape of a dome all over the garbage island.
"Everyone seems to have vanished", Akiza pointed out as the monitors showed the deserted streets of the Satellite.
"What happened to Satellite?" Luna asked.
"It looks like it's turned into a ghost town", Leo commented.
"It has to be the Dark Signers", Yusei concluded.
"It is them", I nodded.
Jack turned to Mina. "But what did they do?"
"I'm afraid it's a mystery, Jack", Mina replied. "If I guessed, some sorts of mystical barrier that came from somewhere underground."
"Can we fly in?" Yusei asked.
"I think so, but it's dangerous", Mina said. "Scans don't penetrate and…we could lose our vid-feed any second."
As if those were the magic words, the Sector Security's monitor lost sight of the Satellite.
"Well, I had enough!" Jack said strictly. "I'm going right now! I'm sick of just sitting here doing nothing, you hear me?!"
"Of course! I'll call the helicopter, but Jack, we have no idea what's waiting for you over there", Mina said worriedly.
I turned to Yusei and could sense his worry about the place where he grew up. I didn't know if I should try to comfort him or leave him be.
XXXXXXXXXX
My friend and I were guided up to the helicopter platform at the top of the Sector Security HQ building. Mina told us that Goodwin wanted to say some few words before we would leave. We all had our Duel Disks for the Duels at the Satellite, except Yusei and Jack who had their Duel Disks attached on their Duel Runners. Yusei's Duel Runner was still in the Satellite from what I heard.
The sky was now dark with several stars and the moon glowing. Goodwin had joined us while we were waiting for the helicopter.
"Well… This is it…", Luna's voice shook a little.
"Yeah…", Leo nodded hesitantly.
"Jack, can I ask you a question?" Mina asked the blonde man.
"I prefer not", Jack retorted.
"But we all know that the Dark Signers love revenge and anger-", Mina continued.
"Your point being? That they might be able to use that against me?" Jack growled. "Carly's out there somewhere, I just know it. And I'm gonna get her back! Even if it means taking out every Dark Signer that dares getting in my way!"
I could see how upset Mina looked. I couldn't blame her. She loved Jack, but apparently Jack didn't feel the same for her, because his heart seemed to belong to someone else…
"Let's stay on task, ladies and gentlemen", Goodwin spoke up. "You need to get to the original Ener-D Reactor in the Satellite."
"Original what now?" Akiza asked.
"What's it do?" Leo asked.
I slightly panicked inside my heart. It was going to be quite painful for Yusei now when his parents, especially his father, were going to get into the picture.
"It's the source of the negative energy that caused this dark smoke to appear", Goodwin explained. "And, in a twist of fate, it was built by Yusei's father!"
My heart skipped a beat just as Yusei's inner shock affected me. I quickly put a hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him down with my presence.
"You mean, like our Yusei?" Akiza questioned.
"Are you for real?" Luna was stunned.
"Yeah, are you?" Leo asked.
"Yes, and this is the opportunity to heal the stakes of the past", Goodwin replied. "And now all of you have the chance to make things right again. You must beat the Dark Signers and find the reactor! Then, if you're able, activate it and reverse. Hopefully, this will create a surge of positive energy and imprison the shadow army again." We spotted a helicopter approaching us before it landed on the helicopter platform. "I've arranged for special transportation to the Satellite Sector. I believe you already know the pilot."
"We do?" Leo questioned.
As soon as the helicopter landed, Trudge jumped out from the chopper and saluted. "Reporting as ordered! We're fully fueled and ready for takeoff!"
"That's excellent", Goodwin replied.
"Hope you've packed some peanuts", Yusei commented.
"I'm supposed to fly you?!" Trudge became hysterical when he spotted the raven-haired man. "Goodwin, what is it with you and this guy?! You want him in jail, you want him out, now you're getting him in a first-class ride?! Well, you can forget it!"
Mina walked up to Trudge and started convincing him to let Yusei fly in the helicopter. He certainly changed attitude when the blue-haired woman spoke to him.
"Well… That changed his mind", Akiza commented.
"It's obvious that Trudge likes Mina", I smiled.
Mina gave us the clear sign, letting us board the helicopter. But before I boarded the chopper, I turned to Goodwin with a serious expression. "Director Goodwin." Said man looked at me with a questioning expression. "I want to hear you promise in front of everyone. Will you finally build the bridge and connect Satellite with New Domino City as soon as the war with the Dark Signers is over?"
"I would never break a promise, especially for our Queen of Games", Goodwin replied.
"I don't care if I'm the Queen of Games", I retorted with a glare. "I want to put an end with the discrimination in this world. And if my sources are right, Satellite is the place where the first King of Games, Yugi Mutou, lived on!" I heard the others gasp in shock in the background. "What do you think Yugi Mutou would say if he was still alive, seeing his hometown being divided and so much hate and anger in the air? Well, I think he would try sending his Dark Magician after you to teach you a lesson or two. It's time to move from the past and look towards the future. Everything changes just like how humans change as they grow older and gains experience and knowledge."
Goodwin was quiet for a few seconds before nodding. "Such powerful words from our queen. Very well, I assure you all I will build the bridge and find the fifth Signer."
"Make sure you keep the promise", I said with the glare still in my eyes.
"Come on, pretty girl! We've got no time to waste!" Trudge called.
Goodwin and I shared one last glance before I adjusted my bag and walked up to the helicopter. Everyone else had already boarded it, but Yusei was waiting for me, helping me getting in before the hatch closed. In the boot of the helicopter was Jack's Duel Runner, shiny and polished.
I sat down on the couch with my bag on the floor between my legs as Yusei sat down next to me on the right. Leo sat next to my left side. Trudge warned us before he lifted the helicopter and flew towards the Satellite.
I looked out through the window and spotted Yanagi, Tanner and Dexter standing by a dock, waving to us. The twins waved happily back as I slightly waved to our friends. I let out a small sigh as I leant against the couch, feeling a bit exhausted by the inner fear I held. But I refused to back down. I was going to be there with my friends and stop the Dark Signers.