Judgement of the World

Written By: Lady Lunar Phoenix

Beta: No beta save me going over it after time.

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The wind rushed by at a steady speed, whistling along as it skimmed over holes and exposed cracks along the broken stone of the man made island of Satellite. The sound was faint and often lost when compared to the roar of the rocks crashing over some of the same stones. Maybe they were parts of buildings or road work back when the Reverse Momentum took place. As the land was forcibly pushed away from the rest of Japan. But time had allowed the water to wash away the larger details of the stone work. Was it a block of stone for a building or sidewalk?

Despite the whole island being ringed by the same type of stone, this area was probably the most special on the island. There was yellow tape warning people to stay away, cones and banners warning of construction to be done in the area. This area held the promise of hope and healing for the people of Satellite as the bridge was going to be built here. A bridge to link the once rejected piece of Japan and welcome it back.

At least that's how everyone on the poverty stricken bit of land tried to see it, though it would take time for integration. A lot of the citizens of Satellite were unmarked so getting basic jobs would probably be easy for them. But for someone like himself, with his marks there would probably be some difficulty in finding employment outside of dueling. Something enough for him to be able to help the kids and Martha.

But that was for smarter people than himself, for Crow, all that mattered at the moment was this nice breeze, the calm sound of crashing waves and the bright sky above. The kids were playing near by, as to not get in trouble with the occasional Security officer. He pulled down the sleeve he wore over the new magically placed tattoo that rested on his right arm. Amazingly less painful than the marks that were placed on his face for his past crimes. In fact it didn't even feel like it was 'on' his skin, no lesions on his arm or scabbing from its appearance. As though it had always been in his arm, despite the fact that he was a place holder.

Which was the only way he could explain the reason why he, without a dragon, would be picked by the Crimson Dragon. Crow had taken some time to go over the image of the Dragon who had marked them and noticed that Ruka's mark was incomplete, there was supposed to be a heart in her claw. So realistically, Rua should have the tail and the claw with heart should have been with Ruka. if it was split, it would mean that Rua had the heart to help support Ruka's own weak heart. Crow seriously doubted that a Dragon that was supposed to be a protector of anything, would intentionally put small children on the battlefield. But that was fine, Crow didn't mind being added to the mix if it meant that the children were safe.

"Big Brother!" Kokoro's young voice called out from over head.

But even the act of raising his head gave Crow a good idea of what had gotten her attention. Bobbing helplessly in the water was a human body, and while another sad part of life on Satellite it was still an unpleasant thing to see. Normally Crow would call back for the kids to look away, but unlike other bodies, this one was still weakly moving. He could see the arms occasionally rise up and flop back down as though the person was trying to swim. "Kokoro!"

In one swift move, he had disengaged his duel disk with the deck still inside and tossed it up for the small red head to catch. He heard her surprised squeak along with several of the other childrens' cries as he dove into the water. He didn't notice the cold water as he fought the eternal waves of the ocean. That would come later, for now all he focused on was the person who had somehow ended up in the ocean. 'Why' they ended up in the ocean would come later.

In the distance he could hear his kids calling out directions in unison, their tiny voices floating above the crashing of the waves against the rocks of Satellite like little butterflies. The person in the distance was getting closer to him, but their attempts at swimming had crawled to a halt. Even as he pushed ahead with each stroke he could see the girl give fewer attempts at swimming. And it was a girl, he could see that now as he got closer, her frame was smaller, more petite than even his own short frame.

He saw her begin to sink, which was good since it meant she was still alive, only corpses floated. Reaching out one gloved hand, he grabbed her arm to pull her in, then tucking her head against him he began the slow swim back. He could hear her coughing over the waves which was great since it meant she had enough strength to breath. While out in the distance back on the island he could see his kids divided, half were waving and shouting at him. Probably so he could know where to return to, while the other half seemed invested in getting someone's attention.

Then he saw why as a tall figure in a Security uniform jogged into view. After that Crow focused on nothing else but fighting the ocean waves and make it back to his kids.

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The girl was wrapped up in a blanket brought by the Security officer, while Crow waved off the need of one. He didn't feel cold, even his clothes seemed drier than they should have considering the fact that he had been in ocean water. But when his attention was directed to his 'red' arm tattoo that he found himself startled and amazed. Even as he watched it was shifting from a deep blood red further into black. So was it glowing? Confused he slipped back on the arm wraps he normally wore to hide it, tattoos didn't change color like that and he didn't want questions.

"Big brother? You got a call!" Sora called out from his spot next to Crows D-Wheel.

Crow looked up to see the beeping light and seeing that his still nameless rescue didn't look to be overly active, he got up. "Thanks Sora," he tugged on his still wet boots and wondered why they weren't as dry as the rest of his clothes. Was it because he took them off? But he shook that idea off with amusement, it wasn't as though the mark was 'that' magical right?

He pressed the communications button on the control panel and saw Yusei's overly serious self staring at him. "Crow."

"Oh, hey Yusei! What's up?" He asked, grinning in amusement at the sight of the pretty girl that was looking over Yusei's shoulder at him. Yusei with a girl, proving the existence of a Heaven.

"Are you alright? I felt a pull from the marks," Yusei asked without preamble, raising his hand to show the arm that held the mark.

The question surprised Crow immensely causing him to automatically lift up his own arm and look at the mark that was now black under its wrap. He frowned in confusion before turning his gaze back on Yusei. "How did you know?"

"Mine started tingling but no one else here is in any danger." Yusei explained, eyeing Crow's mildly wet state.

"Oh I had to take a quick swim is all. What's going, should I ride over?" He asked, wondering what the pair could have gotten themselves into while on Satellite.

"We're not on Satellite," Yusei answered simply while Aki's expression changed to mild concern to something that was off camera. "Aki brought me for the Twins, but right now something is going on with Jack so..."

Yusei's words died out as he saw Crows' eyes get big and the grin even bigger. Sure Crow and Jack weren't Japanese by birth. Sure Martha wasn't Japanese by birth, but that didn't mean they didn't know honorifics. So Yusei's normally polite usage of them suddenly dropping for Aki? Yusei would 'never' be rude to a team mate, even if they were fighting each other. So Yusei apparently didn't 'forget' in a time of potential world ending danger to use them. He just didn't 'use' them for Aki which meant that he liked her.

Yusei and Aki, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g...

"Crow?"

"Jack is being all dramatic, I got it! Nah sorry that I somehow worried you, I don't know how this mark thing works so... hehe false alarm?" Crow laughed amused at how that one little mark could cause such things to happen. Being a hero with an alarm system? HA!

"I see, ok, I'll talk to you later then."

Crow turned his attention back towards the black haired stranger who was looking around in really wide eyed confusion. Which was a bit odd, wouldn't she be moving around more? Jeans and a bright blue shirt soaked to the bone was one thing but shouldn't she get herself moving about a bit?

"Hey sister? You ok?" he called out, before walking back towards her watching her jerk in alarm.

"Oh! Crow?" She looked around with her eyes still really wide and then it seemed she only could focus on his bright hair. "Ah I lost my glasses..." She struggled to her feet while the kids grabbed at her arms to help her balance herself. Her clothes were heavy with water with the squish filled sound of her sneakers as she took a step . But without her glasses she was afraid to commit herself to any particular action when she could clearly hear the ocean nearby. Somewhere in that water was her glasses and without them Carly was pretty helpless.

Then a thought struck her on the heels of her acceptance that she would have to buy another pair of glasses. Her hand shot down to her hip where she carried her deck only to feel the wetness of her jeans. "No.. no no no no no...!" Carly started to panic as tears began to well up in her eyes. Her Faeries! "My Deck?!"

It was crippling to think they would be wet from the ocean, but she could still use them for fortune telling. If she still had them, and the weight of the loss sent her to her knees, how could Aki say she was able to duel? How could she have been so reckless as to lose her deck!?

"Sis?" the kids called out to her, several small hands patting her arms as she hid her tears in her hands. "Big Brother I think she lost her deck in the water."

"Huh, oh yeah that would be rough..." Crow nodded at the kids assessment with a decided nod, because in the end there was nothing they could do about it. But the girl needed a good cry he figured, nearly drowning, losing her deck and whatever causing her to fall into the ocean? All at once would make for a valid reason for her tears.

The kids had a better idea though, and they guided her along towards a metal pipe big enough for her to sit down easily. The squish of sneakers and numerous smaller feet accompanied them as the group sat down, while the officer came back with a hot cup of coffee for her. Given the situation he gave no word of alarm that she would be in tears while a marked criminal was near by. Sure he was new to being on the island and the kids could just as easily have been partners in theft, but they had an honest feel to them.

"Hey, you." He watched as the bright orange haired teen looked up at him, "When the miss is ready to leave, let me know. I got word in to my boss so she can be picked up and taken back to the main land."

"Ok, thanks," Crow gave a big cheery grin, despite how odd it would have been to some to have Security treating him like he wasn't a threat. Watching the officer walk away brought memories back to mind. Kiryu, for example, who would have automatically assumed that if they were Security they were a threat or a tool. Though once upon a time that 'us against the world' mentality had been intoxicating.

But things change, people change, sometimes for the better, sometimes...

"Hey sis, I know you probably don't want to hear this. But you might have to consider buying those cards again?" Crow pointed out in as gentle a voice as he could.

"Why?"

"Huh?" Crow's eyebrow went up at her disheartened single word retort of an answer. The kids looked to him for guidance on how to react but he was kinda at a loss himself.

"Those cards 'chose' me, and I let them down! What card would want me now after my stupid clumsy antics cost me them?!" Carly sobbed harder as she needed her deck to make her decisions. They were her friends, they were her confidants in a world of biting criticism filled journalism. Sure Misty and Aki were reaching out to her but that was even worse!

Misty spoke from the position of having known her, and when Aki approached her it was at Misty's behest so Carly wouldn't be alone. But despite not knowing her directly, it was clear that Aki knew the circumstances that brought about Misty meeting Carly. A high level model and the daughter of a Senator knew 'her'! And in all honesty Carly was terrified of failing them, she was so desperate to keep these friendships. Friends who were kind to her despite her clumsy nature, friends who understood the heart of what she meant when her emotions got the best of her. Friends like her Fairies!

Though did she know 'her'? Did she know the Carly those women seemed to know? Both ladies were so poised unlike Carly herself, yet Misty was also dignified in her quietness. Aki felt the same, someone who didn't speak up, yet unlike Misty, Aki had been more inquisitive. She spoke of Earthbound Gods and how the world had changed. Spoken with such earnest intention it made Carly question her own memories.

Yet while Misty confirmed Aki's words about the duels that decided the fate of the world no one else seemed to know about it. Misty had explained that the memories of those events had been wiped from the minds of all those in the city. But the world itself was a vast place and considering how big this thing was, it would have made sense if it had been on the internet. Only to find nothing there as well, which instilled a fear in Carly's heart that these two sophisticated women were playing a cruel joke.

Probably the cruelest joke being that she had found love during those supposedly troubled days. She wanted to believe so badly she had found someone, even more so that it was 'Jack' himself! But Aki knew nothing of that, confessing that Misty and Carly had been on the side of the Earthbound Gods and that Aki and Jack and others had been charged with defeating them. So not only was she a part of some world ending potential battle, she was a villain!

Misty knew Carly had faced Jack, but that he survived meant that Carly had been defeated, did he hate her? Was it a tragic love story where she passed away in his arms? She didn't know and she was terrified to find out. She must have become so cool with the Gods power, she must have been a total badass for 'him' to notice her. And now? Now she was back to her clumsy self, so clumsy that she lost her deck!

"I realize that its a hard blow, but you're from Neo Domino, so you should be able to purchase those cards again. Though how did you lose them? You're not wearing anything that could carry a deck after all." Crow pointed out, while Kokoro began squeezing the water out of the stranger's hair. "Oh and the name is 'Crow' by the way, and these are my kids though I don't know if you can see them..."

"Huh Oh I'm Nagisa, Carly its nice to meet all of you," she shot up, her hair slipping like a serpent out of Kokoro's fingertips as she then turned and gave the bright orange spot a polite bow. Look for bright orange/red hair meant 'Crow' so the little red head was 'Kokoro'. Then she sat back down while the kids all gave huge amused grins at this woman's antics. "As for my deck, I started to wear it on my belt like the original king, Muto Yugi did!" She explained dropping her right hand down to her hip where the belt would be worn.

Normally.

"Uh... So what happened when you fell into the water Carly? Cuz you don't have a belt on you," Crow commented in a slightly concerned tone. Since that belt came with a buckle and there was no belt on Carly to be seen. Even as he leaned over he couldn't see any signs of something being torn off or damaged on her clothes wise. So maybe she lost the belt while falling into the water? Maybe a chance existed that her deck was safe somewhere and she could...

But then Crow had to remind himself that Carly was proving to be blind as a bat, which would first mean that she had to find her glasses or get a replacement before she could look for anything. He looked at his kids then reminded himself that Yusei and Jack were both in Neo Domino at the moment, so he could hand her over to them and have them help. Jack might put on airs, but Yusei would be more inclined unless he was 'preoccupied'.

"Its.. not on me?"

Crow watched as Carly's hands flailed about her hips, rubbing them over and over then digging with her finger tips for the elusive box. Course the water 'was' cold, maybe her fingers were too numb all this time to realize that the belt was gone.

"Nope, I've got a pair of friends in Neo Domino right now, I'll call them up and see if either of them can go looking for you. So do you remember where you were when you took your swim?"