Chapter Ten

Changing Fate

I scrambled to keep up with the fast-paced steps of the man blazing the trail. His steps echoed throughout the halls of the abandoned elementary school. I whispered, "We're, um, supposed to be quiet."

"Utter nonsense," Jack bellowed. I flinched and glanced around. "We're not rats in the sewers. We own the Satellite, Rain."

"Yeah, but, uh, we're trying to catch the people hiding out here. Sneaking is sort of our goal."

"Don't buy the drivel Kalin tries to sell," Jack retorted. "Let them try to run. Let them see how far they get."

I gulped. It was a good thing Jack was on my side. Mostly. "Actually, it's been a while since I've talked with Kalin. When I see him, he just says hi and goes back to working. Working is… all he does. And, and he has these permanent, dark circles under his eyes now. He jumps at every noise like he's a cat-"

Jack's shoes squeaked against the linoleum when he skidded to a stop. "I am not your therapist."

I blinked up at him. He was so, so tall. My curiosity defeated his intimidation. "What's a therapist?"

He sighed through his nostrils and tossed his frustrated stare to the ceiling tiles. "It means I am not here to listen to your problems, charity case."

"You, uh, don't have to call me that."

"You're right. I don't have to."

And that was that.

A couple of guys walked out of a classroom. They wore purple robes like they were dressed up as spellcasters. "The hell's that racket? Eh? Oh, shit! It's Team Satisfaction, and the goddamned shadow's here! Run!"

They sprinted down the hall. One tripped over a fallen desk, and the bottom of his robes fell over his head. Jack hauled him up, bashed his face against the lockers, and threw the now-limp guy over his shoulder. He said, "Keep going!"

The gang member ran through a wide-open area with wooden floors called the gymnasium. I palmed a card from my deck. A four-legged creature with cobalt muscles beneath silver plating appeared at my side. I said, "Hunt him."

Alien Dog's bark was high-pitched like a siren. The dog sprinted faster than humanly possible and sunk his fangs onto the fleeing man's leg before he reached the back doors. He screamed and dropped to the ground. I slowed to a walk across the gymnasium. His screams of pain echoed.

The monster dissipated. The gang member clutched at his bleeding leg. "Please don't kill me, shadow!"

"What were you doing here?"

"We were just hangin' out, I swear! We weren't up to nothin'!"

Jack approached and tossed the unconscious guy onto the floor beside his buddy. He grabbed the guy's collar and said, "Why are you with your old Magician's Four chap?"

I recalled the Magician's Four being shut down by Team Satisfaction before I was a member. The guy crawled back. Blood stained the wooden floor. "W-we were just- we- please don't kill us, okay?"

"Excellent defense," Jack said before jabbing his elbow into the back of the guy's head. Jack huffed. "This is boring compared to dueling. I almost wish I was like you and could accomplish both at the same time."

"Both what?"

"Superiority and physical intimidation through dueling," he said. "You know why five people can hold the entirety of the Satellite, charity case? It's because they fear us. They know we're unbeatable, and they know if they try…"

He gestured toward the two Magician's Four members. My focus lingered on the bloodstain on the floor. I said, "Am I scary?"

"Yes."

My chin dipped. "Oh."

"You act as though it's an insult," Jack said. "It's a useful skill."

"It doesn't always feel that way," I muttered. I glanced up to see Jack pushing through the exit doors. I hurried to keep up with his stride. "Um, can I ask you a question?"

"I would prefer if you didn't."

Technically, he hadn't said 'no.' I decided to bite the bullet and ask, "Kalin tells me to use the powers as little as possible. Do you agree?"

"Sounds right daft. There are too many people in the world who want the same thing: power. Throwing away whatever sets you apart is a good way to fall behind in the rat race of life."

"So… You think my powers are, like, good?"

"Depends on what you use them for. If you're asking about the sole idea of weaponizing them? No. There is nothing wrong with that. Kalin has said as much."

I lifted my head. "Have you talked to him much lately?"

"I don't talk much period," he stated. "There is no point in giving an opinion where it is not wanted. That's what working is, charity case. You are given a task and you complete it."

I wrapped a lock of white hair around my finger. "W-well, what's your opinion on how Kalin is doing?"

"His work ethic is respectable."

"I agree," I said, "but you don't think he's going overboard at all?"

"You sound like Yusei and Crow. They say he looks like a zombie. They tell him to take a break. Kalin smiles and says he's fine. It's a never-ending cycle that I think is frankly pointless."

"Is it pointless to worry about someone else?"

Jack snorted. "Someone as stubborn as Kalin? Yes. He does what he does, and there is no changing his mind. That's why he makes an inspiring leader."

"Okay. Thanks… for talking to me, Jack."

His response was a short grunt. We reached the clearing near the hideout around midday. I shifted my hair away from my sweaty neck and over my shoulder. Kalin paced in front of the entrance. I smiled up at him and said, "Hi! How're you?"

My partner focused on me for less than a second. "Oh, hey. I'm kind of busy. The other two should be here soon. Meet upstairs in a few, 'kay?"

He brushed past me and walked up the stairs. I frowned and dropped my stare to my toes. He didn't ask how it went or if anything happened. He didn't even smile.

"What the hell are you sulking for?"

My breath caught in my throat. Jack crossed his arms over his broad chest. I stuttered, "Uh, I, I just-"

"I have to ask, charity case. Do you think basing your happiness on the attention someone else gives you will get you anywhere?"

"Wh-what?"

He shoved a finger into my shoulder. His sharp, violet eyes glared holes through me. "There is no point to life unless you yourself can look in the mirror and say you are worth something without another person pushing you to do it. Can you do that, Rain?"

Jack… used my name. The last time I even looked in the mirror was some weeks ago. I never went on a mission alone. My best duels were when I tagged with someone else, especially Kalin – because he was always encouraging me.

"No. No, I can't do that. I count on you. I count on Team Satisfaction. I count on Kalin most of all. That's why it really hurts to see him like this."

Jack sighed and rolled his eyes. "I thought you had potential, but you're as soft as those other two. As long as you rely on others, you'll stagnate because you never learn how to do anything on your own."

"I- I can do things on my own!"

"You said you couldn't two minutes ago."

"Well, sort of, but when you said it like you did the second time it sounded totally wrong!"

Jack stared at me. He was unmoving for a minute. Two. I was about to bolt when he broke into laughter. "You're funny, Rain. How about you prove it? Take fate into your own hands for once."

"I did that already. I stood up to Securities for Kalin when I first met him!"

"Standing up to a nameless, faceless mass is easy," Jack said. "Standing up to someone you love is a different story."

Blood drained from my face. He was telling me to stand up to my partner. Why? Did he want to challenge me to see what I was capable of, or… did he care more than he let on? Considering what he said relying on others, I doubted it.

"Hey!" Yusei called. He and Crow walked up to us with big smiles. "What's going on around here?"

"I've decided Rain's not half bad."

Jack turned his back on us and entered the hideout. I wondered if he saw my jaw drop. Crow nudged me with an elbow. "Hey, you got the Jack Atlas seal of approval! What'd you do?"

"I- I don't know," I said.

"Don't sell yourself short," Yusei said.

"Um. I don't usually like to admit this, but I am pretty short… er, by average standards."

Yusei and Crow broke into laughter. Yusei calmed down and caught my bemused look. "Wait, dude, she was serious. Rain, it's an expression. It means don't undersell what you've done right."

I muttered, "That makes a lot more sense."

Crow laughed again and clapped me on the back. "You're a hoot. I can't wait for when you get those memories back. It'll finally make sense why you don't know about stuff."

"Let's go ahead up," Yusei said. "They're waiting."

The instant we entered the main room, Kalin slammed his palms on the table. "We have a problem. There are rising gangs. It's our job to snuff them out."

Crow exhaled. "Really? Now I think you're coming up with ways to make us work… but okay, fine. I'm in."

"Me, too," Yusei said. Jack grunted, which was his usual indication of agreement. I hesitated. I looked at Kalin. His eyes were sunken, and his shoulders caved in.

I shut my eyes and shouted, "I'm not going! It's insane to have mission after mission after mission without ever stopping! We're people! We have limits! We can't go weeks without any breaks!"

I heaved a few breaths and opened my eyes. My teammates were in utter shock at my outburst. Kalin was especially dumbstruck.

Not Jack, though. He had a tiny smile on his face.

"If you need a break," Kalin said, "that's… totally fine, Rain."

"I- I think I will," I said. "Sorry. About shouting."

"Don't apologize," Jack stated.

"Oh. Right. Sorry."

"I said not to do that!"

I almost apologized again and decided that was the time to leave. I sprinted to my stage and hopped on my duel runner. Yelling made me feel crazy. I was on the verge of crashing and burning.

The engine hummed as I surged off the stage without wearing my helmet. I drove throughout Satellite, cutting corners and dodging stragglers. When I had my fill, I stopped at the end of Daedalus Bridge.

Daylight sparkled on New Domino City's glittering spires across the ocean. Beyond the crappy people in the gangs we kept fighting, people like Martha and my friends were like budding flowers among weeds. I wanted to fight for Kalin's dream of making the Satellite a better place because I liked it, too.

Similar to Crow and his hero, I wanted to connect the City and the Satellite because of how it would help the people of the Satellite. What Jack said – that I just went along with Team Satisfaction because my friends did – wasn't true. The Satellite was my home.

Which was exactly why I wanted to take fate into my own hands by changing the Satellite. I wanted to change the world like my partner desired.

I faltered. That wasn't what Jack said. He said take my fate into my hands. The dreams I had were adopted from others. What did I want? I scratched my temple. Great. I thought it was all figured out, but I just ended up confused again.

Why did I always think myself in circles?

"Been here all day?"

I glanced back. Crow drifted to my side. I said, "All day?"

"It's been hours since I saw you."

"Stars above," I muttered. I must have gone in more circles than I knew. Crow's forehead creased, and he tapped the tips of his boots against the bridge. "Something wrong? You seem kind of down."

"Well, I- I had to leave the team, Rain." He watched shock overtake me. "Don't worry! We're still friends, but look. What he did – Kalin, that is – wasn't right. He took us to beat up little kids, and he almost smashed one's face in! He said it's to help, but I didn't listen. Like I said, what he did wasn't right, and I won't be a part of a team that would hurt kids. Plus, he's, well, you see it. He's been losing it these past few weeks. I swear he doesn't even sleep. I don't see it getting any better. I walked, and Jack did, too."

I recalled my and Kalin's first day as partners. Kalin wouldn't have done anything remotely close to what Crow said. But Crow wasn't a liar, either. Crow continued, "Yusei stayed. This shook him up too, but I don't think he has the guts to abandon Kalin. I know you won't either, but is there any way you could talk to him? I know he'll listen to you."

Hair wound tight around my finger. The skin swelled. I had to find out if Crow told the truth. I hoped Kalin wouldn't hurt kids, but-

"I'm not trying to be a saint here, partner," he had said.

I wasn't a saint, either. I thought again on Martha's advice, on taking fate into my own hands, on deciding right from wrong for myself. I'd always followed orders and agreed, but.

No. No, there was no conceivable way for a child to deserve pain. I observed my nails, their bright green paint chipped from a week ago when Annie used her latest gift on me.

"I'll do- something."

Crow searched my eyes. "Hey, Rain. If anyone can, it's you. You got this!"

The support was a lifesaver. My heart was thumping and sweat poured down my skin on the way to the hideout, but I was going, at least. My fingernails cut into my clenched fists as I climbed the stairwell.

Spotting movement, I stopped by the entrance to the main room. Yusei and Kalin stood over the table. Yusei gripped Kalin's collar and scowled; Kalin was expressionless. Yusei finally released him and left. Only Yusei noticed me. He took my arm on my way out and led me outside. My shoulders leaned back against the wall, and Yusei pressed his palm beside my head.

"He's gotten it into his head to attack Sector Security. You have to stop him. He won't listen to me. You're the only one who can save him."

Pleading shone in his sapphire eyes, and his hopelessness struck me. Yusei always had a plan. Always. Now he was looking at me like I was a last resort. My heart dropped into my stomach. This didn't make any sense. My partner was terrified of Sector Security. I said, "I'll try my best."

He slipped his hand off the wall. "I'll wait for you."

Dread dampened my spirits as I ascended the staircase with the rotting banister. My pulse hammered as I stared at the door to the second floor. I bit down on my knuckle, breathed, and went in.

Crimson sunset couldn't reach Kalin's spot in the corner, where shadows gathered. He leaned back on the wall with his arms crossed over his chest and his stare firmly to his right. When I walked in, he didn't look up.

"Kalin?" I asked. He must've heard, but he wouldn't meet my eyes. "What happened today? Crow said you hurt a kid, and Yusei said you're gonna fight Sector Security. It didn't add up because you're always-"

"Bad news," he said. "You're off the team."

"…Huh?"

"It's pretty obvious to me now you're not cut out for the work." His chilly tone cut to my core. "Whatever happened and whatever you heard isn't your problem. Never come back."

I sputtered a few times, and tears burned the back of my throat. "W-what happened to being partners?"

His grip on his own arms intensified. "What are you still doing here?"

Tears cascaded down my cheeks. I'd expected a thousand responses and none like this. I tucked my arms in my armpits and stumbled out of the hideout. Yusei waited outside. He whispered, "What happened?"

Speaking past my tightened throat was difficult. "He… said I'm off the team, and I should never come back."

"Rain," he murmured. "Rain, you have to know he's lying."

I shut my eyes tight and hiccupped. "He- he doesn't lie."

Yusei's only response was a pained expression, so I asked, "Why would he ever say that to me, then?"

"Because he-" Yusei's mouth shut. "He's making a big mistake. Trust me. If I need to find you later, where will you be?"

"At my stage, I guess. North of here on the edge of the B. A. D."

Yusei said, "Stay there and remember. It's a lie, and Kalin needs you more than ever right now. You've gotta believe me on this."

Trust me here and trust me there. I didn't know what to believe anymore. I couldn't find the strength to speak again as I left. Clouds gathered as the sun dropped. A drizzle started. I opted to sit on the edge of the stage, where the rain kept hitting me. I buried my head in my hands and sobbed.

An explosion sounded above the rain. I glanced through the roof. A break in the storm clouds showed the moon in the shape of an upward-facing crescent. A voice from the entrance called, "Rain?"

"Yusei," I responded. "What happened? I heard-"

"The bombs. Kalin had Security confiscate them and detonated them inside their Satellite Facility. It had his name written all over it, too, so he has no way out. That is, unless…"

"Unless?"

Ugh. I shouldn't have been so hopeful. He didn't want to see me. Ever. My mouth twitched down. The rain worsened to a downpour. Yusei joined me in the storm, placed a gentle hand on my back, and said, "Unless we bail him out. Crow and Jack are in with us. What do you say?"

My lips pursed and trembled. "I'd never give up on my partner. Where do we need to go?"

Rotating searchlights and flashing red-and-blue lights scattered the darkness near the hideout. Sector Security duel runners and vans barricaded the east entrance. The pouring rain masked our movements. Yusei and I clung to the few remaining shadows. We broke away from the cluster of buildings and scaled to the hideout's second floor from the north.

Kalin stood between the two far windows. Floodlights blinded us through them, but he hid in the dark between the light. Jack and Crow hissed at him from the opposite side of the room. Crow started: "What the hell are you doing? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"How did you know I was here?" Kalin said. "Why did you come?"

"To stop this madness," Jack answered. It was the first time I'd ever seen him attempt to be quiet.

Yusei entered the room next. I hesitated. The fear and dread paralyzed me. I had the sense that passing this threshold was far more than entering a new room.

But.

The past wouldn't change despite what Kalin said; he was my partner, and I was here for him. For that, I stepped into the light. The instant Kalin recognized me, his expression collapsed in horror. Yusei said, "We're escaping together – every one of us."

Kalin's attention never left me. "Why are you here, Rain?"

"B-because Yusei convinced me. I believe him! We can help you!"

The glare Kalin directed toward Yusei was nothing short of murderous. He shoved Yusei against the wall. The venom in his voice rattled my very bones: "If everything I did fails, if anything happens because of this, I'll fucking kill you."

Yusei winced, and Jack tore Kalin off of him. Jack said, "Now is not the time for quarrels. They announced storming the building in sixty seconds. We leave now."

A loudspeaker echoed from outside. "We only want your leader. Turn him in, and the rest of you can go free."

Kalin jolted towards the exit. Yusei grabbed his forearm. The two locked glares. Crow waved us toward the far window, which dropped near the coast. An ocean path could lead us away from the area. Kalin ripped his arm away from Yusei and leapt outside first. Yusei jumped after him. I moved last.

Dark waves splashed against our craggy trail. The way was so dark I had difficulty navigating. My big toe banged against a rock, and I careened. Warm arms kept me up. Lightning flashed. My partner observed me, concern tilting his eyes. It reminded me of the real Kalin for once today.

Headlights swung further down the trail. Crow yelled, "Run!"

He and Jack charged through a line of Securities. The rest of us scattered. Rain pattered against concrete and sirens screamed. I heard someone shout everyone's names. Was that Jack? After running out of breath, I ducked into a shed to use as a safe haven.

My friends and I thought alike; the team had gathered in the same, small complex. Jack and Crow were holding back a heaving Kalin while a perplexed Yusei paced the scene. Securities could be heard outside, but I was left staring at the blood on Kalin's shirt.

"See?" Yusei said. "She's fine!"

"Huh?" I asked. All of a sudden, nobody would look me in the eye. Yusei spoke again.

"I have one final plan. You three sneak out the back. Rain, I need you to come with me." While they tried to wrestle Kalin through the back hallway, Yusei lowered his voice to address me. "They said if we give up our leader, they'd let the rest go. I'll give myself up as the leader of Team Satisfaction so everyone else can get away."

"Wh-What? No, you can't do that! I'll-"

"No! I can't let you. Rain, it's important you make it out of this okay. I should have convinced him to run away. It's my fault."

"It's not. Yusei, you- no, everyone counted on me to help him, and I ran away. I couldn't do anything. I acted like a goddamned coward and now I've broken everything!"

"Rain. We all failed Kalin. Fighting over this now is pointless! I'm the one going to the Facility, and you'll talk sense into him."

He wouldn't budge no matter how I argued. I conceded. "But why did you ask me to stay?"

"I need you to tell them what I did," he explained. "They should know. As soon as they take me, find them and let them know what happened. Maybe that will make Kalin change his ways. If it doesn't, you can."

Yeah, right. He wouldn't listen to me before. We're making a worthless effort.

No; I refused to believe that. Kalin would always be worth fighting for. That's why we all came back for him. He's my partner. I would never, ever give up on him.

"Yusei?" I wrapped my arms around him. "No matter what happens, I'm sorry I couldn't have done better. I was supposed to help him, and I failed."

He hugged me back. "We're going to save him, Rain."

We separated, and I looked into his eyes. I wondered if I would ever see him again. "I don't want to lose you, either."

"I'll be fine. You can believe in me."

And I did. I led Yusei outside. The squad of Sector Security runners swarmed us. Yusei announced, "I am the leader of Team Satisfaction! You said if you take me the others could go, so here I am!"

"Yusei!" Crow's voice rang out. He and Jack were being held back by Securities. But where was-

A Sector Security force leader approached us. His yellow scarf and moustache were eerily familiar. "We asked for your leader. Did you seriously think we didn't know their identity?"

Security officers hauled Kalin toward the back of a van. He looked our way while the officer patted Yusei's back. The force leader said, "It was cute you tried to save your friend, though!"

Kalin's rage harshened his scream: "Yusei! You… you betrayed us? How could you?"

"N-No! Kalin, I didn't…"

I peered at Jack. His pupils were miniscule for his disbelief. My left hand had been in my pocket. With the other, I gave my friend a two-fingered salute. Confusion crossed his face.

"I'll follow through on my promise! I'll kill you!" Kalin shouted.

The sound of an engine roared louder and louder behind me. I muttered Yusei's name. He was visibly torn apart and wouldn't look away from Kalin. The volume of my voice increased. "Yusei, can you remember something for me?"

The urgency in my voice caught his intrigue. I said, "Don't feel bad about this. Remember when I say thanks. I mean it from the depths of my heart. Thank you for your help, for me and my partner."

His eyebrows pushed inward. "Why-"

My duel runner blasted through the line of Securities behind us. I back flipped onto the seat and floored the accelerator. The force leader dove out of the way. "What the hell? This gang didn't have runners!"

I sped towards my partner and turn braked. Wheels smashed into the Securities detaining him. I leapt off and dragged Kalin by his shirt into an alley. We squeezed through a narrow crevice connecting two alleys and scaled a fence onto a broken arch.

We doubled over and caught our breath. Opposite the fence was a perfect escape route into the B.A.D. Area. The absence of spotlights in that direction said they'd have trouble tailing us there. Through heaved breaths, I commented, "That was fun."

Kalin gaped at me. "Why the hell did you do that, Rain? Now they'll track you down for sure!"

"I am aware. There's no way I'd stand by and watch my partner fall alone."

"You should! You-"

I grabbed his collar and crushed his lips to mine as the rain poured over us. The tension in his muscles loosened. Feeling his skin on mine, his warmth on my body, our racing hearts – everything finally felt right. My resolve erased my dread. I whispered, "Promise me something."

The panic and anger from today left his voice for its usual, caring tone. "Whatever you want."

"Promise me you won't follow me."

A bewildered look crept onto his face. I shoved him off of the arch towards the B.A.D. and jumped from the fence side before he could react. The metal clatter must've been him slamming into the fence. I heard him screaming my name.

Rain. Rain.

I dashed back into the alley where we'd made our escape.

Rain.

As expected, Security was searching the area.

"There she is, everyone! Get her!"

Running away didn't take me far. I fake-tripped over a sopping teddy bear. A firm grip clamped on my arm and hauled me up. I found myself staring at the force leader's pinched face. Oh, was he angry. It gave me a big smile.

He barked, "You made a big mistake tonight, shadow. Helping a fugitive escape, harming Security officers – a double offense! And to think we almost forgot about you. This is a long time coming. I don't know if a female has ever had to be sent to our main Facility before, but there's a first for everything."

Handcuffs clicked on my wrists. A pair of Securities led me from the alley into the boulevard where they were trying to capture my partner. I saw Yusei, Jack, and Crow out of the corner of my eye. I beamed at my teammates. A Security shoved my head down. The trio yelled after me. There were no commotions beyond them.

Kalin had kept his promise.

They tossed me into the back of the van and shut the doors. The force leader said, "Send her to the New Domino City Facility and tell them not to worry. Her partner in crime will join her soon!"

The engine coughed and roared. All I had left was darkness and the bouncing of the wheels over pothole-ridden streets.

Oh, and my smile.

I would always have that.

End of Chapter Ten

A/N: BGM - Dreaming by Smallpools

tbh call it the theme song of the book

Bye bye Satellite & Team Satisfaction! Things're gonna get a lot less... structured from here on out! Thanks so much for all follows, favs, and especially reviews! (Srsly makes my day when I see them :D )