"You lost the love of your life…" Yusei repeats Z-One's words right back to him. Everything feels like it freezes around me. I look to the vision of the other Yuuka, and she stares right back at me. Her eyes are wide, they start shifting around rapidly.
"This isn't happening." She presses the heel of her hands to her temples. "It can't be."
"What does that mean?" I ask, my feet moving towards her.
"This wasn't part of the plan." She takes a deep breath, but she dissolves into a quake of shaky breaths. "I never knew why my Yusei became Z-One. I don't know how to fix this. I thought it was just the state of the world, and that despair. I never thought it was me." She turns suddenly, her hair whipping about.
"You lost… Yuuka…" Yusei's words fade away. The projections in the sky cut to his face. He looks confused and hurt.
"Yes. My friends had all died, I still kept going." I turn to look back at my own friends. My eyes snap shut. The other Yuuka's memories burn the inside of my eyelids. I don't want to see it. The ruined future that they came from. The corpses of the people they once called friends lining the streets. "But Yuuka stayed at my side. The future didn't seem lost when she was in it. I thought we really had a chance. But it didn't last for long. I lost her when the Machine Emperors attacked us suddenly. I lost both Yuuka and my deck to them. In that instant, I became Z-One. Without Yuuka by my side, I gave up all hope for the future. I knew changing the past was the only way to save the future."
The projections focuses again on Yusei's face. He remains silent. Everyone does. I look to the other Yuuka. Her hands move up over the lower half of her face.
"I'm sorry but, what the everloving fuck?" My voice raises a few tones higher than necessary. I feel everyone's eyes turn to me. Aki's hand touches my arm. I look at her. Her eyebrows are completely furrowed. She goes to speak, but no words come out.
"Yuuka, we're-"
"Michion, the Timelord attacks Ancient Fairy Dragon." Z-One continues, interrupting the tension down here.
"Not yet!" Yusei shouts. "I won't use Scrap-Iron Scarecrow yet!"
"Then you'll take Michion, the Timelord's effect," Z-One's giant mechanical hand points right at Yusei. "When it battles, your life points are halved." Flames appear around Yusei, dragging him down in the air. He disappears from the projections, going between the buildings. I hear the rev of Yusei's engine as he climbs back up to face Z-One.
"My attack continues. The second Timelord, Hailon, attacks." Big shards of crystals fly towards Yusei.
"I flip over my trap card, Scrap-Iron Scarecrow! It negates your monster's attack!" The shards break and fall as they hit the barrier creating by the card. I take a deep breath. I hope this is enough. "After it activates, this card can be set again!"
"When Hailon, the Timelord battles," Z-One explains, "you take damage equal to the difference in our life points. If you stopped Michion's attack with Scrap-Iron Scarecrow, you wouldn't have been able to stop Hailon's attack and lost. Why did you use Scrap-Iron Scarecrow at the start?"
"You said that you were me," Yusei points right at Z-One, "and I would have bluffed with my first monster and dealt the finishing blow with my second monster. That's why I took Michion's attack and saved Scrap-Iron Scarecrow!" I press my fingertips to my temples. Z-One has the advantage here if we're going into this tactic. Judging by the physical age of the other Yuuka, Z-One has more experience with Yusei's deck than he does. And Yusei doesn't know the full extent of Z-One's deck. This situation is giving me far more anxiety than I'd ever like to experience. Yet, all I can do is stand and watch it.
"No matter how hard you try, I still have three Timelords that can attack. You think you can survive that?" Z-One asks, with a lilt to his voice. There's something there, something that he isn't telling us. I look at the other Yuuka. Her eyes are wide as she stares at the match.
"In order to protect Neo Domino City, I will definitely survive! Bring it on, Z-One!" Yusei clenches his fist.
"Yusei, feel the power of the third Timelord. Raphion, the Timelord attacks." A blast of ice begins to freeze Ancient Fairy Dragon.
"I activate Synchron Believer's effect from my hand! When my Synchro Monster is attacked, that battle is negated, and I can Special Summon this card from my hand! I Special Summon Synchron Believer in defense position(DEF:100)!" The monster appears and forms a barrier around Ancient Fairy Dragon. "So Raphion, the Timelord's attack is negated, and its effect doesn't activate!" The dragon begins to thaw, so Raphion retreats back to Z-One's side of the field.
"Raphion would've returned the monster it battled to your hand, and you would've taken damage equal to its attack points. So, you stopped that too. For the fourth Timelord, Gabrion attacks Ancient Fairy Dragon again." Z-One declares. "You don't have anything left to stop this attack." Crashing waves swallow up both Yusei and Ancient Fairy Dragon. I step forward. Aki grips my arm, I look down and see that her knuckles are turning white. My feet are peeking over the edge. If I went any further, I'd fall to my death probably. I jump backwards, nearly falling in the process. Crow manages to catch me before I trip. "When Gabrion, the Timelord battles, all cards on your field return to your deck." The water fades, leaving Yusei slightly damp with an empty field.
"That means Yusei can't do anything!" I hear Crow say as he helps me get stable on my feet again.
"Now your field is empty. Even your slightest hope has turned into nothing. Sandaion, the Timelord attacks you directly. When Sandaion, the Timelord battles, you take 4000 points of damage." Sandaion forms a sword of lightning, before swinging and throwing it at Yusei.
"Yusei!" My hands fly up to my face. I feel the shockwave of the impact.
"I knew you couldn't save this world." I hear Z-One sigh, sounding disappointed. I lower my hands. Disappointed.
"I'm not done." The smoke clears to reveal Power Tool Dragon on Yusei's field. There's an audible gasp from Z-One. "It's not over yet!"
"Power Tool Dragon protected Yusei!" Rua exclaims, pumping his fist in the air.
"Why?" Z-One sounds more betrayed more than anything. These are the bonds forged by the Crimson Dragon. How is Z-One powered by the Crimson Dragon? Hasn't it changed allegiances before, and why isn't it doing that now? The other Yuuka also seems connected to it. There's so many things I can't understand, and that no one will tell me.
"When Sandaion's effect activated, I activated Synchron Keeper's effect from my hand." Yusei explains. "When I take damage from an effect, that effect is negated, and by removing Synchron Keeper and a Tuner in my graveyard from play, I could Special Summon a Synchro Monster whose Level equals their total(ATK:2300)!"
"I would congratulate you for surviving, but you have little time left." Z-One says. "The Ark Cradle will soon collide with Neo Domino City, destroying that detestable Moment" Just as he finishes, a building dislodges from the Ark Cradle, nearly crushing Yusei. It falls into the City, taking out a skyscraper, leaving only dust.
"He's right. There's no time left. If I don't hurry, everyone will…" Yusei clenches his fist. "Everyone's fate depends on me."
"Yusei." Z-One interrupts. "You now know how it feels to carry the burden of everyone's fate. It was the same for me. When I failed them, the despair and sadness I felt was indescribably huge. That's why I came to this era! In order to save something, something else must be sacrificed!" He points directly at Yusei before speaking. "Yusei, you're too arrogant if you think you can save both the present and future! You can't save everyone."
"What?"
"I set one card and end my turn." Z-One's words become faster and more frantic. "You only have one card in your hand. What can you do with that?"
"I will get through this turn and open the door to victory! My turn!" Yusei declares.
"I activate my Continuous Trap." Z-One interrupts. "By sending Endless Emptiness to the graveyard, I activate Infinite Light. This card negates the effect that causes Timelords to return to the deck during the Standby Phase. And since Endless Emptiness was sent to the graveyard, there's no longer the effect that makes their attack points become 0. Sandaion, the Timelord's attack points return to 4000(ATK:0-4000). The Timelords won't leave my side for eternity. There is no way you can win."
"No way…" Yusei is wide eyed as the words escape his lips. The ground beneath me starts shaking. Aki grabs onto Crow and I in an attempt to keep us safe.
"It's finally happening." Another chunk of concrete falls from the Ark Cradle, hitting the City again.
"The City!" I hear Yusei scream before a big crash.
"Yusei!" Everyone screams. I look up to the projections in the sky. Yusei falls unconscious, away from his D-Wheel. I start shrieking at the top of my lungs. I feel Jack and Crow restrain me, as I try to fight my way to the edge of the platform. A beam of Moment light flies up and catches Yusei, making him vanish. I feel their grips loosen and I fall to the ground.
"What?" I mutter.
"He is safe. Don't worry." The other Yuuka appears before me. Everyone's eyes, including my own, move to her.
"Has she been here the whole time?" I hear someone mutter.
"The light belongs to his father." She explains. "Hope is not yet lost." Just as she finishes speaking, Yusei is caught by his D-Wheel. My body trembles from the relief. Jack helps me stand back up. That came a little too close for comfort. I'm sure everyone else feels the same way.
"My father saved me." Yusei says as he starts moving again. "Thank you, Father. I believe in the future! I'll live strong for my father!" He revs the engine and flies back up to meet Z-One.
"He's okay." Crow sounds very overwhelmed. Jack grabs onto him, letting go of me, and shakes him a little.
"That's right," Aki puts a hand on Crow's other shoulder. "No matter the situation, Yusei always created his own future." The twins cheer for Yusei. I just stand there, not reacting. There has been too many close calls. Anything could kill him at this point. I can't let my guard down. I can't just assume Yusei will win because that's what he always does. Z-One is too powerful, supposedly blessed with the power of the Crimson Dragon, far beyond the capability of one Signer alone.
"Z-One! The battle isn't over yet!" Yusei declares. "I promise to save this City and the future! I summon the Tuner Monster, Turbo Synchron(ATK:100)! Level 1 Turbo Synchron tunes Level 7 Power Tool Dragon!"
"The mark!" Ruka exclaims as her brother's Signer Mark lights up.
"Alright!" He exclaims, pumping his fist. "Yusei, use my Signer power!"
"The courage and power to protect the future of the planet is a revolution! Synchro Summon! Evolve, Life Stream Dragon(ATK:2900)!" Rua shouts his chant along with Yusei. The energy of the Crimson Dragon feels stronger than ever. I feel a fire in my chest, clearer and brighter than before. I look at the other Yuuka. Her hand covers her right forearm.
"When Life Stream Dragon is successfully summoned," My attention turns back to Yusei, "if I have less than 2000 life points, my life points become 2000!"
"It's pointless," Z-One says. "It is destined that this City will perish along with Moment. It will be the foundation for a bright future."
"Is the future you're talking about really bright?" Yusei accelerates to meet Z-One. He begins to circle around him. "Even if Moment vanishes from history, if humanity's evolution leads to desire and temptation, there's no difference from the future you lived in! Can you still say that the world is saved? In order to truly save the future, everyone's hearts must move in the correct direction, and we must create a future where we can flourish together with Moment!" Yusei raises a clenched fist. "If we don't save the present, then the future won't be saved either! We won't be able to save anyone." He stretches his arm straight out to point at Z-One. "Isn't that right, Z-One? I will find a way to save the future!"
"Yusei!" Everyone exclaims around me.
"I know now," Yusei continues, "I'm not carrying the burden of destiny alone." I look over to see the other Yuuka smiling. "Everyone in the City is rooting for me. They are giving me power. I see!" He shoots right up beyond the Ark Cradle. "In order to surpass my own limits, I can't do it with just my own power! I must unite my friends' thoughts and form our bond. The bond between Team 5D's make that possible! Bruno, I found it! I activate Speed Spell - Synchro Panic from my hand! When I have 7 or more Speed Counters, I can Special Summon as many Synchro Monsters as possible that I Synchro Summoned earlier during this duel! But the monsters that I Special Summon have their effects negated, and their attack points become 0!"
"What are you planning to do?" Z-One asks.
"Come back to me!" Yusei raises his hand in the air. "Ancient Fairy Dragon! Black Rose Dragon! Black Feather Dragon! Red Daemon's Dragon! I activate Life Stream Dragon's effect! Once per turn, I can change the Level of all other Synchro Monsters on my field to whatever number I want! I change the Level of all my other monsters to 1! Jack, Crow, Aki, Ruka, Rua! In order to save the future, we must unite our bond!"
Everyone's marks begins to glow. I look around me as the blinding crimson light illuminates their faces clearly.
"Yusei wants our power."
They all raises their arms up, just like Yusei. The marks fade away, as the full brand of the Crimson Dragon appears on Yusei's back. I have to blink a few times. As Yusei flies through the clouds, he and his D-Wheel begin to turn gold.
"This is the new stage!" Yusei stretches his arm out in front of him, eyes closed. "Over Top Clear Mind!" The Crimson Dragon appears beside him. I feel my eyes grow wide. I feel giddy. I'm witnessing the world opening up in front of me, and I'm excited. "Level 8 Life Stream Dragon tunes Level 1 Ancient Fairy Dragon, Black Rose Dragon, Black Feather Dragon and Red Daemon's Dragon! When Clustering Stars gather and unite, those new bonds will illuminate the road to the future! Become the path its light shines upon! Limit Over Accel Synchro! Light Of Evolution, Shooting Quasar Dragon(ATK:4000)!"
The power of the Crimson Dragon resonates through me. In that moment, I catch a glimpse at the future. An older Yusei. Z-One? No. Not Z-One. He's my Yusei. I see his smile, and I feel safe. I know there's a future waiting for me. Yusei descends through the clouds in a haze of green light with his new dragon.
"Z-One! This is the crystallisation of Team 5D's bond!" Yusei points right at him. "This symbolises our evolution!"
"Yusei did it. It's the ultimate Synchro using five Synchro Monsters!"
"It symbolises Yusei's evolution."
"And ours."
"And the crystallisation of our power."
"Shooting Quasar Dragon!"
"Limit Over Accel Synchro?" Z-One echoes.
"Here I go, Z-One!" Yusei stretches his arm up towards his new dragon, who roars in response. "Feel our power!"
"But Timelords can't be destroyed," Z-One explains, "and I take 0 damage. No matter how many new monsters you summon, you can't destroy the Timelords."
"SQD can negate destruction-negating effects." Yusei counters. "When SQD attacks, it doesn't take your monsters' effects, and it can attack for every monster I used to Synchro Summon it! Let's go, everyone!" SQD shoots out five energy blasts of different colours.
"Go, SQD!"
"Attack the Timelords!"
"With the blast that created the universe!"
"The Creation Burst!"
Four of the energy bursts turn into the normal Signer Dragons. They swarm at Z-One's Timelords, destroying them in the process.
"Only Sandaion is left!" Rua exclaims. "SQD and Sandaion have the same number of attack points!"
"Go, SQD!" Yusei declares. "Attack Sandaion, the Timelord!" The dragon unleashes the last energy burst which turns into Rua's Life Stream Dragon. Sandaion's thunder clashes with Life Stream Dragon. An explosions erupts from the strength of their attacks.
"All the Timelords are destroyed…" Z-One says. "But it was mutual destruction. You also have no monsters on your field." The smoke clears to reveal Shooting Star Dragon. "What? Shooting Star Dragon?"
"When SQD is destroyed, I can Special Summon Shooting Star Dragon by negating its effects!" Yusei explains. "Shooting Star Dragon attacks Z-One directly! Stardust Mirage!" The attack causes Z-One to spiral down, screaming. His life points drop to 700 in one go. He crashes into a building down below us in the City.
"A counterattack straight from the soul!" I hear a voice shouting. Could that be the MC from the WRGP? "A surging wave of six attacks! See that, Z-One? This is Yusei's... I mean, Team 5D's inner strength! Z-One has 700 life points left! Win for us, Yusei! The future of Neo Domino City rests on your shoulders!"
"He did it!" Ruka cheers.
"He's so close to defeating Z-One."
"Go, Yusei!"
The projections follow Yusei as he moves over to Z-One, who is still lodged into the side of the building.
"I activate Speed World 2's effect! By removing 7 Speed Counters, I draw one card from my deck!" My heart jumps for a second. I think Yusei would activate Speed World's other effect. If he had a Speed Spell in his hand, he could have just won. There's a long pause as Yusei ponders what to do. "I set one card and end my turn."
"I am the last person alive." Z-One's voice starts so quietly that I can barely hear it. "I survived many painful, long years to save the future. I have the right to change history."
"No, Z-One!" I step forward, shouting. I don't know where it come from. I look over to the other Yuuka, she's vanishing slowly. "No one has that right!" I put my hand over my heart. I feel her there, the other Yuuka. "The future is ours to decide! It can be changed. All hope is not lost." I repeat her words back to Z-One. I know that she spoke those words now. "You just have to trust us. Leave the future in our hands. We can save this world. Please believe in us!"
"You deny my existence, Yuuka?" My name carries a weight from Z-One's lips.
"If what you say about the future is true, then despair may be waiting for us." I answer. "But no one has the right to take away a person's future, even if it's to save the world. Every person has the same amount of potential to change the future!" My fist clenches and I feel my knuckles turning white. "Why won't you try to believe that, Z-One?"
"Because I don't have the time!" A bright flash of light suddenly blinds me. I open my eyes again and look to the projections. I see Z-One shooting up, followed by Yusei.
"Yusei! Let's continue our duel. I'll show you that potential is nothing against me! My turn!" The rings on Z-One's field join together. A bright blue light flies through the rings, whipping us a wind. Lightning flashes from the blue light. I have to shield my face as bits of debris fly up at us. I spot the blue light breaking off into streams. "Watch, Yusei. This is my power! This is my grief!" The lights from the shape of the tree of life that I once saw in a book.
"What is this?" I hear Yusei mutter.
"The Continuous Trap, Infinite Light has an effect that activates when I have summoned the ten Timelords." Z-One explains. "Timelords emerge from ten lights. Beyond the lights are hidden wisdom that only the chosen saint can use. Emptiness becomes infinite, and the infinite gives birth to the ultimate Timelord."
"Ultimate Timelord?" Yusei echoes.
"I Special Summon Sephylon, the Ultimate Timelord(ATK:4000)!" A monster resembling the other Timelords, except only bigger, appears on the field. "You'll learn that you're powerless. Sephylon's effect activates. It Special Summons as many Timelords as possible to the field, and they each have 4000 attack points."
"What?"
"Appear, Timelords Metaion, Sadion, Gabrion and Sandaion!" The Timelords surround Yusei on all sides.
"That's not all." Z-One continues. "Sephylon, the Ultimate Timelord's attack points equal the total of all the Timelords on the field(ATK:4000-20000)."
"What? 20000 attack points!" Yusei exclaims.
"It seems our long battle finally comes to an end." Z-One sighs, despite seemingly being close to victory. "Now the future will be saved, along with Neo Domino City's destruction! Go, Sephylon! Attack Shooting Star Dragon! Akashic Storm!" I scream Yusei's name as smoke and explosions throw him around in the sky. "Farewell, Yusei. Vanish."
I calm my shaking body as the smoke clears. Yusei steadies himself and smirks.
"I haven't given up on my future yet!" Yusei shouts in response. "I flip over the trap card, Converging Wishes! When Shooting Star Dragon is destroyed in battle, battle damage is negated and I can Synchro Summon Stardust Dragon by removing its Synchro Materials in the graveyard from play. Level 1 Turbo Synchron tunes Level 7 Power Tool Dragon! Clustering hopes will become a new shining star! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Soar, Stardust Dragon(ATK:2500)!"
"What's the point of summoning Stardust Dragon with 2500 attack points?" Z-One asks. "I have four Timelords with 4000 attack points each and Sephylon, the Ultimate Timelord with 20000 attack points."
"No, this Stardust Dragon is the crystallisation of Team 5D's and the people of this City's wishes! Converging Wishes's other effect activates! Stardust Dragon gains attack points equal to the total attack points of all Dragon-Type Synchro Monsters in my graveyard. There are seven monsters in my graveyard(ATK:2500-23000)!" Stardust Dragon grows in size as it absorbs seven balls of light.
"It's huge!"
"By returning the Synchro Monsters in my graveyard back to my deck," Yusei explains. "Converging Wishes forces your monster to battle Stardust Dragon this turn! I choose Sephylon, the Ultimate Timelord!" Five glowing orbs begin to fly towards Sephylon.
"By removing a Timelord on my field from play," Z-One interrupts, "Sephylon's destruction and battle damage are negated." A shield forms with the different faces of the Timelords reflected inside.
"Let's battle, Z-One!"
Each of the Signer Dragons attack, breaking the shield piece by piece. The aura of the Crimson Dragon becomes very overwhelming. But I don't feel ill. It's bringing out emotions in me. I feel the other Yuuka inside me. I know her memories like they're my own. The Signers of the other timeline would be proud. I feel them with me. We can do it. I know we can. I will change Z-One's mind, only then, we can be safe.
The last part of the shield breaks.
"Alright! Now all the shields protecting Sephylon are destroyed."
"Go!"
"Yusei!"
"This is my final attack!" Yusei pauses and takes a deep breath. I feel my chest for a split second. I know he's thinking of me. "Take our future, Z-One! Our thoughts become the path that lights the way to the future!" A bright yellow light shines down as a wind begins to blow. "Stardust Dragon, attack Sephylon, the Ultimate Timelord! Shooting Sonic!"
The explosion throws Z-One from the sky.
"No way... I lost?"
A fiery explosion ruptures from where Z-One fell.
"It's finally over!" I hear the MC roar. "A miraculous duel! With a miraculous huge come-from-behind victory, leading to Neo Domino City to our future is our hero, Yusei Fudo!" I hear cheering from the City. Everyone around me begins to cheer.
But I don't.
Everything goes dark as the Ark Cradle stops. Crow grabs my arm and smiles at me. I can't bare to smile back. The ground beneath us starts to shake. Buildings start sliding down, and chunks of debris fall.
"This is bad!"
No.
"The Ark Cradle is falling apart!"
We've lost.
"Everyone, run away!"
The duel was won, but we didn't stop the Ark Cradle.
Yusei is going to strike the negative Moment with the positive Moment in his D-Wheel to stop the Ark Cradle once and for all. He will die.
I've failed.
Jack grabs my arm to make me run to our D-Wheels. I shove him away from me.
"Yuuka!" He shouts at me. I wave my hand, using my powers to throw him towards everyone else. They catch him before he falls.
"Yuuka!" Everyone screams. The ground between us cracks. They scream. I can barely react. The Crimson Dragon roars, carrying them away. I fall to my knees.
"I couldn't save him!" My throat burns as I start crying. The other Yuuka appears before me again.
"You still can."
"No I can't! I was stupid and did nothing. Now I'm going to lose him forever."
"That's wrong and you know it. There is still time."
"What do you want me to do!?" I scream back, my throat raw. "I'm stuck here on a crumbling building about to fall to my death. The Crimson Dragon saved my friends and not me."
"Are you sure?" She asks. I look up at her, glaring.
"Yes."
"Then save yourself."
I freeze.
Save myself?
I remember Aki said the same when she dueled Divine. Yusei didn't save her, she saved herself. I've got to do the same. I can't sit here and cry, waiting for my inevitable death.
Yusei is up there, ready to sacrifice himself for the good of the City.
There is no City without Yusei. He is their saviour. No unification, no nothing. Everyone owes Yusei their life. Including me, especially me. I will repay him now. The only way I can.
I will save his life.
Yusei has been the only thing making my life worth living. After all the times I've considered killing myself, he has been the only thing stopping me. If he threw away his life, I don't know what I would do.
That's why I've got to do it.
My back burns. My eye snap open to look at the other Yuuka. She grips her right arm. Everything has a orange tint. I look over my shoulder, a blinding red light shines from my back. I look back at her for an explanation. Her eyes are wide, the red light reflecting in her magenta eyes.
"The Crimson Dragon." She mutters. "It's given you the full brand."
I feel it. The power of the Crimson Dragon is flowing through me. This is the most powerful I've ever been. I could bring the world to its knees if I wanted. But no. I know what I must do. The words fall from my lips as effortlessly as breathing.
I run to the edge of the platform beneath my feet and jump.
A frozen spear falls from the heavens and pierces the earth! Usher in a cycle of destruction and rebirth! Lend me your power, Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier!
I free fall. The world disappears for a moment. I don't feel scared. My feet land on something cold, I grab onto it for dear life. Trishula roars and flies. I hold onto its rightmost neck. Its scales feel cold to the touch. I shiver slightly as I run my hands over its body.
I focus on Yusei. I feel him moving towards the reactor at the centre of the Ark Cradle. I spot Z-One on a building down below. He jumps in a blink of an eye and hovers in front of me.
"Z-One." I plead. "Help me save him."
"Yuuka," is all he says in response.
"Please."
"Yuuka, where did I go wrong?"
"You only tried to create your own future." I answer. "Your warning has deeply touched the people of today. As long as we don't forget it, we can change the future! Please trust us and believe in us. The future is ours and ours alone to decide. The other Yuuka- no, your Yuuka agrees with me. We think it's time for you to stop. We know your body won't last much longer. So, please Z-One, entrust us with the future."
"You're right. Thank you for your words. Yusei may have won the duel. In another life, you won my heart. Now, you won the future for this world. I'm sorry that I didn't trust you. I believe you and Yusei can make this future better. Use my Crimson Dragon brand to save Yusei."
The vision of the other Yuuka appears before me, and Z-One smiles. His giant mechanical hand reaches out for the leftmost head of Trishula. He warps us inside of the reactor shoot.
"Yusei!" I shout as I see him approach the reactor with his D-Wheel. There's still time.
"Yuuka! Z-One!" He turns around and see us.
My hand reaches out. Yusei holds out his hand for me. I twist my wrist, using my powers. Yusei nearly falls out of his D-Wheel. There's fear in his eyes. I move away from Trishula, hanging on with one arm. I just need to get him onto Trishula, and me onto his D-Wheel. Then everything will be okay. Yusei can go on living, that's what I want. I go to twist my wrist further but my arm locks up.
"No, Yuuka." Z-One says. My arm lowers, Yusei's eyes move between us. "It is not yet your time. My body has the same Moment as your D-Wheel, I will strike the minus Moment with it."
"What?" Yusei mutters. I'm frozen in place, unable to move. My arm is still locked up. My chest burns, I know what this means now. Z-One's too powerful. The other Yuuka is reaching out from inside me.
"You're entrusted with a new future. You must live!"
"Z-One!" The other Yuuka separates from me again. The Crimson Dragon's brand burns even hotter on my back. "Is this really happening?"
"Yes, Yuuka." He answers. "I may now be at peace."
"Will we go together?" The other Yuuka reaches her arm out for Z-One. There's a sad smile on her face as a tear trails down it.
"Of course, my love."
"Goodbye Yuuka." The other me turns back to look at us, one final time. "Enjoy the future that we never had." She looks back to Z-One. "Come on, death is just one more adventure. Let's do it together."
Trishula fades away behind me. I throw myself at Yusei's D-Wheel, catching myself on the back of it. Yusei places one of his hands over mine. Z-One's giant mechanical hands grabs the D-Wheel, throwing us back up the shoot.
"Z-One!" I scream. I see the two of them fly into the reactor. Yusei keeps turning around to look at them. He screams too. Tears roll down my face.
Then, just like that, they're gone.
The burning on my back ceases. Z-One's Crimson Dragon brand vanishes with his life. A bright white light glows, propelling us faster. Huge chunks of debris fly past us as the Ark Cradle starts spinning in reverse. Yusei revs the engine. We get spit out of the Ark Cradle as it starts to vanish. The sunrise over the City blinds me as we drive. I look between Yusei and the vanishing Ark Cradle. He doesn't look back, he only looks forward.
"Yusei! Yuuka!" I hear our friends shout, but their cries fall deaf on my ears.
"You're alive!"
"You thought you were done for!"
Yusei lands the D-Wheel on the ground. I run towards the railings, looking out over the City and where the Ark Cradle fell. It vanishes, just like that.
My entire body burns. My chest burns, my throat feels like fire. The other Yuuka… She's gone. She's not coming back.
Then, it hits me. Her life.
Her memories. Her beginnings. How she got her marker. Fighting with Yusei in the middle of a crowd. Rex Godwin telling the Signers about their fate. Fighting the Dark Signers by Yusei's side. Them falling in love. Their first kiss. The worry she felt whenever he was in danger. Dueling in tournaments, either with him or against him. Moving in together. Winning a tournament together. Then, the world turning to ruin. Their friends dying one by one. Their Signer marks gradually becoming the full Crimson Dragon brand on Yusei's back. The excruciating pain that it caused Yusei as each mark engraved itself into his skin. Losing hope, one day at a time. Then, finally, nothing. Her death. Yusei becoming Z-One. The Crimson Dragon speaking to her, sending her back in time to me. Her sadness as she witnessed my first kiss with Yusei. The pain at seeing what her Yusei had become. Despair. Pain. Sadness. Anger. Despair.
I scream.
I scream until my throat is raw and my lungs are on fire. I feel her pain. Or is it my own? I don't know anymore.
Everyone crowds around me, pulling me away from the railings. I refuse to move. My grip eventually loosens and I fall.
"Yuuka, what's wrong?"
"Yuuka!"
"Tell us what's wrong."
"Yuuka, please."
I look up at my friends. My eyes jolt between them. All I think about is seeing their corpses and their marks being burnt onto Yusei's back. My eyes move to Raiden's back as he retreats and the tears only fall harder.
My gaze falls to Yusei.
Yusei.
Z-One.
Yusei.
My Yusei.
It's harder to breathe. I look at him, and I see Z-One. I see what he became, and what he could still become. I sob. The cries rack my body. He tries to hold me close to calm me down. But I push him away.
"Her memories." I scream. "Her memories won't leave me alone."
Yusei's eyes are wide. He knows what that means. He moves further back away from me. Other people try to comfort me. But I don't let them. My breath quickens, but I start coughing. Black spots appear in my vision. The warmth of people's hand trying to comfort me is too much. I can't. I start coughing. Blood falls in puddles from my mouth. They panic, trying to help me. I don't care. I stop responding to them. Yusei might be standing in front of me, but he won't look at me. I might as well be dead.