Chapter Twelve

To Duel Alone

I awoke strapped to a chair, my hands and feet bound. My eyes stung from tears. My body ached from constant beatings, and being flung against the wall of my cell left my spine pained.

"Looks like you're finally up!" The bellow sourced from Armstrong, the warden. His rolling chair squeaked beneath his weight as he leaned forward. "I don't want to have to hurt you. Ah, who am I kidding? I'd love to, but I'll let you off the hook so long as you tell me one little thing. Where is Kalin Kessler? His mark isn't showing up on the tracker!"

"He died," I croaked. "He's… gone."

His laugh was grating. "Like I haven't heard that one before! Tell me where he is and how he escaped, and you're free to go! Let's not make this difficult, lil' girl."

My head hung low. Something deep within willed to fight back. Raw emptiness smothered the fire. "I felt it with my own hands. His heart stopped. He is dead."

Armstrong scoffed. "If he kicked the bucket, where's the body?"

"It… disappeared."

"This story just gets better 'n' better!" He unleashed his joyous laugh then shot me the evil eye. "If you won't tell me, I'll have to force you. Remember, kid. You brought this on yourself."

Click.

Machinery whirred and sparks flew around me. Agony exploded throughout my entire body as if lightning caught underneath my skin. I screamed, cried, and tore at my bonds in vain. The lights blinded me, and the intensity of the pain drowned out all else.

Silence settled outside myself. The ringing in my ears remained like constant sirens. The lights shut off but left my vision spotted. My neck slacked and eyes shut.

My hearing made Armstrong's voice fuzzy. "Are you ready to fess up?"

"I told you," I whimpered, my voice almost lost. "I saw him die and disappear."

"Round two it is!"

"Please-"

My own scream shattered my plea. The burning continued longer than the first time. The process finished, and Armstrong repeated the question.

I didn't know what else to say besides the truth.

Countless hours later, the machine shut off.

"That's enough for today! I'm tired, and I'm sure she'll be fine waiting until tomorrow to continue. Throw her back in her cell." Guards appeared, unbound me, and caught me before I could collapse. They tossed me onto the floor of my cell and slammed the door shut.

My breaths filled the silence. So silent. Too silent.

My limbs shivered from exhaustion or cold or both. Tears puddled around the icy skin of my cheek pressed against the floor. I tried to breathe. A tiny sob whined out.

Maybe it was a little silly, but all I wanted at that very moment was to crawl into my partner's lap and feel his embrace.

I heaved myself up as best I could. The closest thing to me was the windowsill. The shimmer of the stars seemed darker than usual. My shaking fingers dug into the skin of my upper arms.

I had to get out. I couldn't survive that again. If I stayed, I'd end up like…

My fist smacked the sill. How could Armstrong do that to another human being? How could he enjoy it? How could the guards laugh at us day after day seeing our misery?

This was the world my partner fought to change.

He'd never have that chance. He told me, though- How could I? I was trapped here, and… wait. Air hissed in through my teeth. My disk. My duel disk was back.

The top card was Alien Shocktrooper. I placed it in the monster zone. The lizard-like alien materialized wielding a sword. I didn't have to command him. He sliced through the top and bottom of the bars covering the window. The monster boosted me up so I could crawl outside. Sympathy dragged down his expression. I wished I could appear strong for him.

I was a terrible liar. I whispered, "Thank you, friend."

Shocktrooper returned to my deck. I lowered myself from window to window until the top of the surrounding wall was a few feet away. I leapt with all my strength and scrambled up the lip. The barricade was too tall and smooth to clamber down safely. Jumping would leave me as a pile on the pavement.

The monsters in my deck held the answer. I touched Alien Warrior. The reptile lifted me in his claws and leapt towards the coast. He deposited me on the ground with shocking tenderness.

Warrior bowed before fading. I offered a silent prayer of gratitude and pushed to my feet. I glanced back once. The enclosing wall met at a chain-link fence further down the road, the normal method of entering and exiting. The floodlights were still, and the yard within was quiet.

I clung to the coast and ran away from the Facility. I kept up a sprint until the burning in my lungs urged my slowing. By then, I was awash in the neon from New Domino City.

The Facility was a dark memory invisible from the intense light at my location. Advertisements flashed, headlights blinded, and storefronts glowed. I stayed in the dark. Black waves lapped at the rocks far, far below the divider keeping me from the ocean. The dark mass across the bay was my true home: the Satellite.

There was no going home.

"There's nothing for me anymore. Nothing. This world would be better off without me." My gaze fell to the rocks hundreds of feet down. "I should end it all. I should…"

I pulled my partner's deck from my back pocket and raised my head high. "What would he say now? Ugh, what am I doing? I can't give up. He would never!"

My shaky legs forced me to lean on the concrete divider. The splashes of the sea calmed me. I wasn't sure what keeping on meant, but I was sure it was the right thing to do. I stepped towards the city.

My achy muscles gave out. My joints were like jelly as I crumpled. I leaned my temple against the divider. The torture had done a number on me. I couldn't move forward without a moment to rest. Just a second; just a minute, and I'd find a good place to hide. The heaviness of my eyelids was a war. Just a few minutes…

An unfamiliar voice in my mind awoke me. Get up! They'll find you here!

My eyes fluttered open to see the daylit, metropolitan mess bustling with activity. I struggled to my feet and glanced around. My nose wrinkled as the scent of the stacked trash bags at the street corners hit me. I figured this place would be more glamorous than the Satellite, not somehow worse.

The road was empty, so I figured it was as good a place as any to find a spot to lie low. I started down the paved sidewalk. The cracks weren't overgrown with grass breaking through stone like in the Satellite.

Voices reached me. I flattened against a stone building's corner. A chain-link fence stretched across a gravel lot, which held piles of junk. A Security spoke to a fellow with a criminal mark, and the Security pointed to a paper dangling from his pinched fingers.

"Any information on this fugitive is invaluable to Director Godwin. He'll make it worth your while."

I balked. Fugitive. Something crinkled beside my ear. On a poster plastered to the building, my face was drawn beneath the word "WANTED." Money wasn't a factor in the Satellite, but I knew enough to understand the amount of zeroes listed as reward was very, very scary.

Panic crushed my chest. I broke into a sprint to nowhere. Securities seemed to be patrolling everywhere. I ducked, dodged, and weaved through streets, garages, and walkways. The New Domino slums were infinitely more confusing than the Satellite. They kept going and going without end. I found myself back at the same chain-link fence junkyard, blessedly empty this time.

I moved to catch my breath after hours of fleeing. My lungs refused to cooperate. Black encroached upon the edges of my vision. I swallowed air faster and faster but nothing would stay nothing would work and the darkness closed in.

"Hey! Come on now. Wake up! You should be fine by now, girl."

The voice dragged my consciousness back. I blinked a few times before focusing on a guy scratching at his five o'clock shadow. His short hair and eyebrows were the same brown as his eyes. My palms sunk into cushions when I tried to push myself up. "Where-"

I coughed and fell again. He put some space between us. "Don't worry. I'm here to help. The name's Blister. I'm a bit of a technology expert, so I managed to get rid of the tracking on that mark of yours, little escapee."

"The… what now?"

He gave a slight laugh to my troubled, questioning look. The more my grogginess streamed away, the more confused I was – first and foremost by the fact this Blister dude had the sleeves of his green sweater ripped off but wore a long-sleeve white shirt underneath. Fashion choices were strange as the Satellite, I guessed.

"Yeah, you're out of it," he said. "What happened to you?"

I recounted my story from when I was stuck in the Facility. I did my best to leave out any traces of my partner. He scowled when I reached the torture. "That's inhumane. No, more – it's evil. So what if you're a Satellite? You should stay here a while. Don't worry; I'll take care of you. Staying on the down low will throw them off your track and, eventually, they'll stop the search altogether. I've seen this kind of thing before."

"Are you sure? You could get in a lot of trouble."

He chuckled. "Most people would take the help without any worry for me. You must be a good kid."

My gaze dropped. "I'm a Satellite. I have a mark."

"Looks aren't everything. Hate to say it, but I figured Satellites would be the opposite of how you're acting."

Satellite trash. Marked criminal. Psychic demon. I stared at my bare toes. "Why are you helping me?"

"I make a hobby out of screwing Security over. Here, take this," he said, handing me a steaming cup. "It'll help to clear your mind."

"What is it?"

"Coffee. Guess it's not a regular commodity over on your island. Give it a shot. You'll hate it, but you need it."

I did, in fact, hate it – so much that I spat out the first sip. His urging convinced me to hold my nose and down the whole cup. The dark liquid was hot on my throat. I couldn't tell if his stare was stern or his default expression. He said, "What's your name?"

My hands clasped together. "Rain."

"Rain, huh? You pretty young?"

"I'm not sure. I don't know my age."

"Huh. Shoulda put that together myself with the way the Satellite is," Blister said. "Regardless. Kid like you shouldn't have to deal with shit like that. Rain, you can stay here as long as it takes. Got it?"

"Got it."

His nod was brief. "I have to pick up a few groceries and meet a client. You stay put. And don't break anything. Be back in a couple hours."

"Wait!"

"What is it?"

"Um. Thank you."

Tears welled in my eyes as I remembered the first time I said those words. Blister's brows shot up. "You cryin? Gee. Should I pick up a stuffed animal?"

"W-what?"

"Don't kids like that kinda thing?"

"I'm, like, a teenager!" I said. "I'm not five!"

"Is that a no?"

"Yes!"

Blister folded his arms over his chest. "Okay, so what kind of stuffed animal do you want?"

"No, I meant no! No. I don't need anything like that. I'm just grateful that you're putting yourself on the line for my sake."

Blister set his hands on his hips and looked to the ceiling. "A Satellite and a teenager. Instead of being defiant and ungrateful like they say about Satellites, she's some kinda soft marshmallow."

"W-what did you call me?"

"See ya later, Rain."

The door creaked shut. I stretched out on the couch. My lower lip stuck out. Marshmallow, he said. I wasn't some marshmallow. What was that even supposed to mean? And, well, why did it bother me so much?

The aching in my limbs was constant. My eyes strained. I closed them and focused on counting my breaths. If I didn't, my thoughts might wander to painful subjects.

Why shut them out? Pain strengthens the mind like steel forged in the hottest flames.

Eh?

Was… someone there?

I rolled over and sighed. Great. On top of everything else, I was going crazy.

"I'm back!" Blister's voice dragged me out of my thoughts. "Did you miss me?"

"Yes."

"Not much of a talker, are ya," he said. "I was trying to kid around, but I should know better. You went through a lot of trauma, huh. Don't feel like you needa do anything, kid. I'll take care of this."

His words reminded me of Jack Atlas's oh-so-loving term for me: charity case. I'd never advance from being dead weight, especially with my other half gone. At least marshmallow was a better title than that.

"Well, er, you may as well get acquainted with the place," Blister suggested. "Why not look around?"

My focus drifted across the room. Technological tools littered his main desk. A lone table was pushed into a corner. The only item decorating it was a dusty old picture, which was unlike his cluttered desks.

Blister scrutinized my movements as I neared the photograph. I picked up the frame and blew off the dust to see a young Blister palling around with someone else. "Who is this?"

"That's nothing." He took the picture from me and placed it face down on the table. "Just an old friend."

"Friend, huh? I won't ever… see my friends again. Hey, what's this card?" Machina Sniper was tucked in the back of the frame. "Shouldn't this be in, like, a deck?"

"Put that down." I did as I was told. My focus remained on the card, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw Blister scanning me up and down. "What do you mean about your friends?"

"They're Satellites, and I can't ever go back. Security would be hunting me over there even if I did manage to cross the ocean. The way I live will never be free, Facility or not."

"Hey, chin up. They'll drop your chase, and I know ways you can get back to the Satellite!" Blister watched my unchanging, empty expression. "Look, I know what it feels like. There's a story behind that card.

"Once upon a time, there was a guy named Blister and his best friend Aero. They were tag team duelists, the best in the land. One day, a duel went haywire, and their runners were split up. Instead of trying to save his friend Aero, Blister turned away to save his own skin and watched Aero crash. Aero and Blister didn't talk for a while, and later Aero sent Blister that card to show further hatred. The end."

"I see." I lifted my hands and stared at the empty holes between my fingers. "Even if your partner is alive, there are still ways for the two to be separated."

Blister observed the ceiling. The messy paintjob left the white as mountains in some areas and thin on the covered yellow in others. "God, if Aero had died, I- I don't know what I'd do with myself."

My muscles trembled. My shivering eyes blurred despite the lack of tears. The sound of my breathing filled the empty, empty world.

Fingers snapped in front of my nose. "Hey, kiddo. You in there?"

"Something wrong?" I asked.

"You spaced out for like an hour." I grimaced. He said, "I have an idea that'll keep your mind active. I've got a good buddy runs a bar, and we have a hobby of making duel puzzles together. We've made hundreds of the things while shootin' the shit."

"What's a duel puzzle?"

He pulled up what resembled a briefcase, but the top half had a screen on the inside. "You're given certain cards and have to win in a certain number of turns – usually one – by using them in a specific way. You are a duelist, right? I figured by your disk."

"Sure am."

"Try these out and they may sharpen your mind a bit. Keep you from staling. Capiche?"

"Eh?"

"It's Italian! Means I'm asking if you understand my meaning."

"Oh. Yeah, I got it."

The lamp light remained on when Blister stood. He usually left the table dark. "I'mma leave this open for whenever you want to try it out, Rain. No pressure. Pretty late out, so I'm turning in."

Alone again. I observed the well-lit desk. The game could take my mind off of…

The chair rolled when I landed in the seat. The screen displayed an old-fashioned, tabletop duel field. I hunched forward and scanned the available cards.

Footsteps rounded the desk, and a yawn sounded over my shoulder. "Mornin,' sleepyhead- woah! You been up all night?"

Soft light seeped through the blinds. "Guess so. I, uh, made it to puzzle eighty-three."

"No kidding! Marshmallow's a monster! Keep plowin' through, kid. I can't wait 'till you hit the real tough ones. I got business, and I'll bring back breakfast. Hang tight."

The next puzzle involved the usage of Nitro Warrior's ability. The sight saddened me. Yusei tried his best. At least he was free to stay at his home. I wondered how he was doing, what he was up to, if he finished that runner…

Ceramic plinked beside me. The scent of baked goods warmed me. A circular food item landed on the plate. Blister said, "There ya go. Hope you like cream cheese."

"What is this?"

"You don't have bagels in the Satellite? Who'm I kiddin. 'Course you don't. What're you on now? Huh. Isn't this the same as when I left?"

"Yeah. My friend used this card," I whispered. The silence between us was too thick, so I removed my deck from its slot and said, "Could I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

The three cards I handed him had dark blue borders unlike any I'd ever seen. "You know a lot about the game. Do you have any idea what these three are supposed to be?"

"Huh. Blue cards. Three dragons: one blue, one black, one red. The Eye of Timaeus, the Fang of Critias, and the Claw of Hermos. There're no descriptions on 'em besides the text. No card type in the top right corner, neither. Sorry, Rain. They're a mystery. Could be fakes, but I wouldn't see the point in it. Plus, they have the make of a true and tried Duel Monsters card. I can search around for ya."

"I'd appreciate that," I mumbled as I took the cards back. Whenever I drew them in the Satellite, they were dead weight.

Funny. Now I was the dead weight.

A knock upstairs set my heart to thumping. "Sector Security here! We've come to search this building for a missing fugitive. We have reasonable cause to search the building for an escaped prisoner. Open the door or we'll kick it down. You have until the count of ten."

Fear took over. Blister, though, looked calm as a frozen lake. He started towards the corner and gestured for me to follow.

"One." He lifted a section of carpet to reveal a trap door. "Two."

"Coming!" Blister hollered. He hauled open the trap door, and I hopped inside. Pure darkness enveloped me once the door closed. My quick breaths sounded louder than the approaching stomps on the floor above.

Blister, cool as ever, made small talk with the officer. The clipped responses from the Security said he didn't give a lick about Blister, but boy, was Blister good at pretending pestilent.

The footsteps halted above the trapdoor. I held my breath, and my heart leapt into my throat. Blister said, "Oh, and have you been to the department store on fourth? They carry every brand but my favorite! You should hit 'em up and make sure they aren't prejudiced against-"

"All clear," the Security stated in a deadpan tone. The footsteps were far more hurried on his way out. The door slammed.

I released a shaky breath. Moments after, Blister opened the trap door, clasped my hand, and helped me out. "Close call, but no problem. They won't be back. You sure you haven't gone out?"

"Not once."

He nodded. "They're awfully involved in this search. You'll have to spend a lot of time down here. Hope you like duel puzzles."

The tips of my fingers pressed together. "Thanks again. For hiding me."

"No worries, marshmallow. I'm going to tuck in for the night, so I'll see you tomorrow. Feel better. Oh and, before I forget, there's food stocked in that cabinet. Take what you want, but not too much, all right?"

"Okay. Good night."

The depths of my thoughts were dangerous, so I threw myself into the duel puzzles instead. Sleeping and eating were far-off priorities. I passed out occasionally, and my dreams were mercifully empty.

In the passing days, Blister said the search was lasting far longer than it should have been, especially since my charges weren't serious. What could be so special about me? I was just some Satellite trash with no memories yet nothing but memories.

I scrubbed at a splotch of my drool from one of the many times I'd passed out on the desk. The jiggling of the lock on the door had me leaping up from my spot. Blister shut the door, dropped a plastic white bag by the entrance, and turned. He jumped when he saw me standing. "Why- what are you looming for?"

I pointed twice at the setup. "I finished."

"You what?"

"I finished the last puzzle," I said. The final was a challenge that took several hours of banging my head against the wall. The Extra Deck was packed with monsters and the enemy field filled with disruption when it came to attacking. Turns out it was all a ploy, and I was meant to bait the negates then use the draw cards to search the given deck for the five pieces of Exodia. "Really clever. You and your buddy are geniuses."

"Hey, thanks! I never imagined someone'd take the time to finish em all! I like the dedication. How 'bout we put those skills to the test and duel?"

The disk on my arm suddenly weighed tons. "Are you sure you can duel without your p-partner?"

He loaded his standard white duel disk and set it on his forearm. "Oh, I'm sure. How about it, Rain?"

If he could, maybe I could, too. The lever on my disk swung out, and the fields sliced outward.

"duel start."

My normal shout was smothered to an unmotivated mutter. I should've scolded myself for the lack of energy. Blister was giving me an odd look. I said, "You can take the first move."

"Okay! I'll summon a monster in face-down defense position, set a spell or trap, and end my turn! Damn, this feels weird after so long."

I drew my hand and froze. This was a different deck. Not just any. This was the one I used with…

"Hey, Rain. Anything going on up there? You do know how to duel, don't you?"

"I think I do. I summon Dragunity Aklys. Its effect lets me special summon a 'Dragunity' from my hand, so I choose Dragunity Militum. Aklys is equipped to him by his effect." A winged warrior appeared wielding a steel sword. A red dragon wearing silver armor ending in a long spike attached to the other monster's blade, transforming it into a lance. "Militum attacks the face-down monster."

"Tough luck! Militum's 1700 doesn't beat my Machina Defender's 1800 defense." My life dropped to 3900. "Defender's ability also lets me add a special monster to my hand: Commander Covington! Hey, I think I'm getting the hang of this again."

A ghost whispered in my ear. "This is normally the part where you're pulling a combo to kick their asses into next week."

I couldn't. I couldn't do this without him. The cards I held blurred and my vision refused to focus. The one I held – was it a trap? "I- I set one card face-down and end my turn."

"I start by summoning Machina Sniper and destroying your Dragunity Militum!" 1800 overcame 1700, both of my monsters shattered, and my life fell to 3800. The little red dragon remained on the field and stared at me.

"Oh, right. Um. Aklys's effect destroys a card on your field once he's destroyed as an equip monster. I choose Machina Sniper." Aklys shot forward like a javelin. It ripped through the tan-colored robot Blister's friend had gifted him.

"Ouch! That's heartless of you, Rain. I thought you cared about me and Aero, but you go destroying the card we care about?"

"Heartless." I stared at the floor. "I guess I am."

"Gee, I shoulda learned to stop it with the jokes around you. I end my turn."

Trembling fingers managed to draw a card from my deck. What was I supposed to do? I couldn't see what the cards said. I was useless.

"You always pull out the win," commented my ghost. "You're the greatest duelist ever."

Clarity broke through with his words. A kindling of confidence sparked within. "I summon Dragunity Pilum and use its effect to special summon Dragunity Angusticlavii! Pilum is equipped to him. While Angusticlavii has a Dragunity equipped, he can attack with piercing damage! Let your arrow fly! Destroy Machina Defender!"

The blue-winged birdman pulled back his bowstring and released. His 2100 attack continued through Defender's 1800 defense, lowering Blister's life points to 3700. "I end my turn."

"You're looking like a real duelist now, Rain! Alright. I send Machina Soldier and Commander Covington from my hand to the grave to special summon Machina Fortress! Destroy Angusticlavii!"

"I activate my trap, Waboku. I take no battle damage and my monster isn't destroyed."

"Tricky, tricky," Blister muttered. "I'll set a face-down and pass this turn to you."

Okay, it was possible. I could do this alone. "I activate the Field Spell, Dragon Ravine. Its effect will let me send a Dragunity from my deck to the grave. I choose Dragunity Brandistock. Now I summon Dragunity Darkspear, a level 3 tuner monster, in defense position!"

"Woah, check it out," Blister said. "You gonna Synchro Summon? I never got the hang of it."

Synchro Summoning. Right. I was alone this time, but it would be just like back then. I could tune Darkspear and Angusticlavii…

"Why'd you act like I'd think you were worthless when you're the person I most look forward to spending time with?"

I'd Synchro Summon Dragunity Knight – Barcha, which was the same monster I used to defeat the pair Kalin and I faced against together…

"I want what's best for you, partner. Never forget that. It's all I want."

Since Pilum and Brandistock were in my grave along with two other Dragon tuners to boost Barcha's attack…

"I don't look at you like you're unbelievably amazing for no reason. So. No matter what happens, I want you to keep that in mind for me, okay?"

Shut up.

Shut up, goddammit.

You're not helping me. You're not my partner. You're not anything but dead,

so shut the hell up.

The single card in my hand fluttered to the ground.

"I end my turn."

"Oh, damn! Didn't see that coming!" Blister swiped his card off his deck. "Watch closely, Rain, this'll be sick! I activate Soul Release to remove from play some cards in the graveyard. Machina Soldier, Sniper, and Defender, Commander Covington, and your Dragunity Militum are out of the game.

"Next I'll activate my trap, Return from the Different Dimension! Though I lose half my life points, I can summon every one of my removed monsters to the field. Commander Covington's effect activates! Machina Soldier, Sniper, and Defender go to the grave to special summon my strongest monster, Machina Force!"

A massive blue-green mecha emerged onto Blister's field. Its many rockets, guns, and blades explained its whopping 4600 attack strength. "Hell yeah, feels great to pull off a combo like that! Machina Fortress destroys your Dragunity Darkspear, and at the cost of 1000 life points, Machina Force can attack your Angusticlavii!"

My dragon and birdman shattered. I was empty, and my head hung low. My life points dropped to 1300. "I know things look bad, Rain, but… they're about to get worse! Machina Force separates back into Machina Sniper, Soldier, and Defender by his own effect! I'll finish this duel off using the card my friend sent me: Machina Sniper, direct attack!"

My life hit zero. I lost. Maybe a part of me existed that would congratulate him; maybe a version of me existed that would pack my cards up and call for a rematch.

It didn't feel like I existed at all.

Blister was laughing. "I'd forgotten how fun dueling could be! It's not quite the same without Aero, though. I may hit him up after all. I really miss that guy. When we worked together, we could pull off even greater combos than that. Woah, hey! What's the matter, Rain?"

Silent tears cascaded down my cheeks. Blister grasped my shoulders. "Hey, it's alright. It was just a duel, marshmallow. I'm sure I just got lucky, or-"

"I had a partner." My voice was less than a whisper, and it sounded so detached, like someone else had said it. "I had a partner, too, but he died. I can't do anything without him. I'm a disappointment. He would be so ashamed."

"Oh, God, I'm so sorry. I wouldn't have asked you to a duel if I knew. Look, wherever he is, I'm sure he's proud of you just having the strength to duel in the first place!"

"He's not anywhere. He's dead. He's-" I'd never hold him again, never hear his laugh, never see his smile, never never never-

I fell on my hands and knees. My weeping dampened my dropped card. Blister was speaking but I couldn't hear his words over the heartbeat-lacking silence.

A dragon's roar rose above the nihility. The floor disappeared. Blister's apartment became empty blackness. Red light from above caught my eye; it originated from the forearm of a young girl drifting down from above. Her long, seafoam-green hair floated as a trail behind her. She wore cotton pink pajamas. Her gray-gold eyes had the tilt of concern. "Um, hey, are you okay? I was sleeping, and in my dream, I heard you crying."

I glanced around but the darkness was infinite. "What is this?"

She bit her lip. "This is probably something caused by that Crimson Dragon thingy. Are you a Signer, too? Oh. There's nothing on your arm, huh? Guess you aren't. What's wrong? You got your card all wet. This is the Threatening Roar trap. Your disk is active. You're in a duel, aren't you? Look, you could set the card right there."

The girl reached for my card zone, but I withdrew my arm. "I already lost. Who are you? What were all those words you said? Crimson Dragon, Signer?"

"Oh! My name is Luna." She smiled at me and held tight to the card I hadn't had the strength to play. "I think the Dragon sent me here to help you. You must be connected to him, too, because I can feel your sadness. It's just like with Mr. Amnesia Man! Why are you sad? Is it because you lost your duel? It's okay. My brother cries when he loses, too."

I swallowed several deep breaths over the course of her rambling. "You talk a lot."

"Sorry! I don't have any friends. Well, I have my brother, so I can talk to him, but he does most of the talking, and woah, there's a crazy echo in here. Echo!" She giggled as her voice bounced back to her. "Hey, what's your name?"

"It's… Rain." My throat was strained from sobbing. "I'm sorry I woke you up."

"Huh? You're sorry? You look like you need some help! Losing a duel isn't a big deal."

"It wasn't the duel. I've lost something far more important, something I can never get back. Without him, I'm only one-half, and that's all I'll ever be."

"That's kinda how I feel about my brother." Luna rested on her knees beside me. "Like, he's the one out there living life while I'm stuck inside because of my heart condition. I can't even duel without passing out halfway through. I'm a bother to everyone around me."

I blinked at her. "You aren't a bother to me. You kind of saved me just now. I was about to go crazy."

"It's okay, Rain. Hey, I know! You can come to my house in the Tops. We'll find your lost friend together."

"I won't ever be able to find him. He's… he passed away."

"Oh." She lowered her head and, after a moment, raised her eyes to mine. "Well, if two halves make a whole, you and I should totally work together! We can be friends! Will you be my friend? Will you?"

No one could fill the void my partner left, but she's being so kind to me. "I'll be your friend. I don't know if you want me to, though. I'm a Satellite, and I have this criminal mark."

"Yeah, but so was the guy we met, and he was awesome. For real, Rain? We're friends?"

"…Yeah. We're friends." Her grin was huge, and the sight brought the smallest of smiles to my lips. I didn't think I would smile again. "Thank you, Luna. Keep that card for me. You'll make it through your next duel, and you'll win."

Luna disappeared, and I phased back into reality. A gruff voice in my mind said, The third crimson thread has been woven between the Vessel and the Signers.

That voice again? Who's there?

No response. Oh, whatever. Since I was back at Blister's, I retrieved my cards, shuffled them into my deck, and deactivated my duel disk. Threatening Roar had disappeared. The vision must've been real. "Sorry, Blister. Thanks for the duel."

He wrung his hands and avoided my eyes. I stared at the carpet, too. "If you want to talk, I'm here."

"Appreciate it."

"I, uh, wanted you to know you're the best thing that's happened to me in a while, marshmallow."

The only reason why he would say that about a burden like me would be out of sympathy. That didn't sting, though. It was sort of nice how he cared. I said, "Thanks. Might get some rest."

"Good idea. Sleep well, Rain. I mean it when I say I'm here if you need to talk."

The bedroom door whined shut. I plopped down on the couch. Why was I so tired? I hadn't done anything. I never did anything. The exhaustion was like the post-torture pain. I groaned, waved away my doubts, and shut my eyes.

It was the first time I had dreamed since the Facility. The night vision was indistinguishable from reality. A mountain towered over me, and its peak pierced the dark clouds gathering above. A dragon was carved into the crag. A woman's voice called to me.

You're here! The gentle tones of her words soothed me. My worries dispersed at its call. I've awaited your arrival, young dragon. I am Ancient Fairy Dragon, and this realm is the Spirit World. This is where duel spirits reside in what used to be peace, but a dark force has disrupted the balance. They've imprisoned me here. I cannot protect my home! A Signer has been chosen to help me, but you must aid the young girl. It is your job to protect your Signers, is it not?

"Signers? What's a Signer?"

You have not been instructed yet? Surely I have not summoned the wrong being to my realm? No, you are the young dragon. I can feel its presence within you. Listen closely, child. There are five humans with glowing red birthmarks on their arms who you must protect at all costs.

"Luna had one of those birthmarks," I muttered.

You know Luna? Excellent! She is the one chosen to aid us. Your job for now is to defend her and the other Signers.

"Uh, sure. But what about you? Don't you need my help?"

We can last a little longer. It must not be time yet. Please, promise me you will remember to help those humans and my world!

For my friend Luna? Of course. "I promise, and I am a woman of honor. Who, exactly, are these Signers?"

You will find them in time. Your destinies are tied. Good-by, young dragon. Destiny – yes, I can see now why you were chosen.

I tried to ask what I was chosen for, but I was catapulted out of the dream. I shot up, eyes wide, and grabbed at my temples. Was that real? Voices in my dreams, voices in my head, voices in too-realistic visions.

What was happening to me?

I couldn't stay in the stuffy room. I had to get out, to see the sun just once. I threw off my blanket and rushed outside. An elevator ascended to the main entrance, and I tore out the exit. The sun was high in the sky. The kiss of its warmth was the best feeling I could have wished for.

"What are you doing out here?"

Blister's voice scared me out of my skin. "I, um-"

"Decided to come up for once? Rain, why are you so stupid!"

"I had a weird dream," I admitted. "Something about the Spirit World."

"Spirit World? Never heard of it. Was it a nightmare?"

"It was so real it had to be. Can I just stay out here a few minutes? I can't go back right now. I can't. If anyone shows up, I'll be back before you can say, 'Rain, you idiot!'"

"Ugh. Be careful."

He brushed past me. I sighed and leaned against the side of the building. The crazy in me must have convinced him. I was about to lose my mind if I spent another second cooped up.

"Hello there."

The velvety voice originated from a man wearing a tan trench coat and wide-brimmed hat. He had been in the background while I was talking to Blister. He carried a golden duel disk, and I noticed I was wearing mine, too. Would he ask for a duel?

He said, "I have a lucrative offer for you, shadow."

"H-how do you know that name?"

"It's all over the wanted posters, which also have your face," he said.

"P-please don't turn me in."

His light laughter gave me hope. "No, no, nothing like that! My offer pertains to quite the opposite. I've read your charges. I know you're a psychic duelist. I'm issuing you an invitation to join the Arcadia Movement. We are a safe haven for duelists like you, shadow. As long as you are among our ranks, Sector Security cannot touch you."

"Why wouldn't they come after me?"

His fingers splayed on his chest, and his smile curled up. "My name is Sayer. I just so happen to be the director of the Arcadia Movement. My power protects any Movement member from Sector Security."

"I see," I murmured. Being a part of this Arcadia Movement would be better than burdening Blister. "Won't it be a problem, having a fugitive like me around?"

"Oh, shadow, you'll be the opposite of a problem for the Movement. You are a benefit. All psychic duelists are."

My brows lifted. "Okay. Yeah, okay. I'll join."

Sayer bundled up my hair and set his hat atop my head. I followed him through busy streets. Like he said, nobody bothered us. We crossed a wide park and entered a structure tall enough to touch the clouds.

Kind smiles and waves were directed our way inside the Arcadia Movement. Sayer smiled back. We entered the elevator and rode towards one of the highest floors. "See? You can belong here, darling."

Uh. The nickname was weird, but I didn't have it in me to correct him. I mean, marshmallow was sort of endearing. What Sayer said rubbed me the wrong way.

My thoughts drifted back to Blister as Sayer opened a door along the hallway past the Director's Office. Blister would be better off without me. Leaving did him a favor.

Sayer gestured towards a vat of bright, blue water. The top half of the pod was open as though to invite me in. Sayer said, "There is a certain initiation process involving entering your data into our systems. Really, it's like a short, sweet nap. I'll leave the room so you can change into a wetsuit and enter the pod when you're ready."

Huh. How polite. I observed the empty room. Towels were folded in cabinets, and wetsuits hung from hangers. I slipped out of my clothes and pulled on the slick, black one-piece.

The warm water was a kind refrain from the cold world. A knock came from the door. Sayer said, "Are you changed?"

"Yes."

He entered and approached the pod. "I appreciate the cooperation. You'll have the most wonderful nap, darling."

His smile was my last sight before the pod shut. Darkness enveloped me. I floated and closed my eyes. The air smelled odd. My nose twitched. My breaths heaved. Sleep hit me like a truck.

A couple of slaps on my cheek awoke me. Wooziness threatened, and my head lolled. Something weighed down my skull. I tried to wipe at my eyes. Cuffs attached to a plush chair kept my arms in place.

"She's awake." Sayer's voice, but harsher.

"Shall I begin the process?" a feminine voice asked.

Sayer said, "Immediately. We'll find the memory of the Spirit World no matter how long it takes. Think of the untapped power!"

"Of course. The memory search may cause side effects to the subject – temporary amnesia, dehydration…"

"All the better. She's labeled a test subject for a reason. If this works out, she could even make a model field agent with the temporary amnesia. I'll use the brainwashing process to cement the memory loss in that case."

I found it difficult to think through the haze in my mind. Brainwashing? Memory searching? And what did he mean about me being a test subject? I thought this was the Arcadia Movement.

Sayer said, "Begin."

A hum sounded from the item on top of my head. The object zapped my brain. My fingernails dug into the armrests, and my teeth grit. Tears streamed down my cheeks.

The watchful man in the corner showed not an ounce of care.

End of Chapter Twelve

A/N: This chapter ended up being sOOO long and I am super sorry. I tried to think of ways to split it up but it never worked out because, well, this one's gotta be the last chapter in flashback mode or w/e-

Next chapter, we meet back up with where we were in Chapter One! yayyyy

I was kinda wondering how y'all feel about Rain rn. Anything specific you're disliking / liking about her? Anything you wanna see from her in the future?

Next chapter, she meets a friend that shakes things up, so I'm curious how we feeling before then :D Thanks so much for reading!