(A/N: Major spoilers for my GX fic are contained within. You have been warned.)

Episode 12: Fate and Fortune

Carrying two drinks from the nearby vending machine, I sat one down in front of Mei and sat in front of her. We were having a private moment in the arena's duelist lounge, given the event that was going on that day here weren't any other people in there. I had a lot of things I needed to know, and there was a lot she probably wanted to ask, but I couldn't answer. She eyed my drink and smiled, as if my choice was some kind of confirmation.

"You even drink orange soda."

I glanced at it, having gotten it from the machine without thinking, "There's something I should probably get out of the way quickly."

Mei tensed up, expecting something probably worse than it was.

"I don't know anything about what happened to me. I woke in Satellite almost three weeks ago with no idea how I got there."

"So you don't know where you've been for the past three years?"

"Three years?" I was understandably stunned.

"What, you haven't checked that date yet? It's been nearly three years since you died. How are you even alive? We buried you. I can show you the grave."

"I wish I knew. I just found out yesterday that I was supposed to be dead."

She looked at my drink again, and the deck box I'd sat on the table, "It's really you though."

"I just wish it was as simple as that."

"Huh?"

I looked at her, her face still merely familiar to me. Their were the feelings of relation, but I knew little about her other than the way I felt about her, "All I wok up with that day was my clothes, my deck, a duel disk, and a case of amnesia."

She didn't say anything, but she had a slightly heartbroken look on her face.

"All I remember about you is that I know you, your my sister, and I love you even though you're annoying."

Mei rolled her eyes, "Yeah, you're you. You could have left off the annoying part."

"Sorry."

She smiled, "I guess we're lucky that's all that's wrong. Miraculous rebirths are usually just a really hard to use card."

I had to get to the point, "How did I die? In the Damon Area I ran into a woman surprised to see me alive. She claimed she killed me."

"You should have paid her back."

"She manifested a spell card as a real effect and vanished before I could ask any questions. So I'm asking you."

Mei looked away, shame taking over her face, "It's my fault. I tried to help her. We all got close to her because I wanted her to be happy. I even tried to help her control those powers of hers. It didn't work. She went out of control. You..." she got a bit teary at the memory, probably reliving it in her mine, "You got crushed by debris pushing me out of the way. There's was no saving you."

I didn't quite no what to say, but I pushed forward, "So the Black Rose Witch was our friend?"

"I thought so at the time."

I looked at her strangely, "It was an accident wasn't it? Why is she rampaging around the Damon Area?"

"That day she ran away and I haven't met her since."

"You didn't even try to find her?"

Suddenly, Mei stood up, furious, "She killed you! You think I should have chased after her and said it was alright?"

"Mei, she is probably hurting right now, maybe not as much as you but can you imagine being in her position?"

Mei plopped down in her seat again, "God, you sound just like our dad. Same as always."

"Mei, I'm the one she killed. I've probably lost all my memory of everything that mattered thanks to that accident. I don't know anything about her anymore, but if I don't hold it against her it seems silly if you do."

"You don't understand." Mei stood up again, walking across the room and staring at her reflection in the vending machine glass, "You've lost everything in your head and didn't have to deal with the aftermath. To you it's just 'Oh you killed me? Well you didn't mean it so it's fine.' I've lived every day of my life since then watching my entire family day a little inside every single day."

"Mei, I..." I stood up and walked over, to be honest I hadn't even thought of the pain my family must have be going through.

She shook her head, "No, don't say that. You don't need to apologize or anything. You're right. I shouldn't blame her. In the end it's my fault and I've always known that."

"You just wanted to help her. You couldn't have known."

"Not that." She frowned, looking downwards, "You don't understand. You don't remember everything. You don't know what I've done. You don't know all I have to apologize for."

"What if I don't care?"

She looked at me via my reflection in the glass and smiled, "I'd say you were an idiot who forgot how much he was starting to resent me."

"Resent you?"

She turned and hugged me, "Can you say you don't care what I did after I said that?"

I frowned, "I'd like to, be I can't honestly say that without knowing what it is."

"Thought not."

I hugged her back, "Since you're sorry though, I'm pretty sure I'd forgive you."

"Probably. You're you after all."

We both chuckled and she pulled back away from me. Looking in my eyes, she smiled briefly before frowning again, looking away, "You should find her. I'm pretty sure if you met her you'd remember why you were mad at me." She looked back at my face and answered my question before I could even ask, "Aki Izayoi. Her real name is Aki Izayoi."

The name seemed really important for some reason, but I pushed it aside for the moment, "That can wait. First explain to me what's wrong and why you're so sad. What happened to our family after I died?"

"I can't say we're totally fine, but we're healthy. To be completely honest, losing you... No that's not right." She leaned back on the vending machine, looking at me apologetically, "I tore the family apart."

"What?"

"When you died I started hating everything and everyone, especially myself. The guilt was tearing me apart. I tried to shift the blame onto mom and dad." looking down in shame, she continued, "I yelled at them for not hating Aki for what she did, for not trying to punish her. Dad still wanted to help her, even after she'd killed you. After the meltdown we rarely speak at all. They try to make things work between us, but it's like our soul got sucked out and I did it. I could have... should have helped everyone stay together, but I didn't."

"Look, I don't hate you for that. I'm sure we can still fix things."

She looked at her hands, "Like I said, I've got so much to apologize for. I've been so-"

I smiled and grabbed her shoulder, "Come on. I don't remember a lot of things but I know this isn't like you and I know I'd rather see you happy than sorry. Don't worry about it and let's just move on. Forget all about me dying and let's just be a family again."

She smiled, tears flowing a bit, "That... That's sounds..." she grabbed me, balling her eyes out, "Thank god! Thank god, you're back!"

I held her until she stopped crying, and a bit longer after that. In fact we would have probably been there for a lot longer if Yusei had walked in, stopping at the door alongside Leo and Luna. Tanner was behind him and I'm sure Yanagi was hidden somewhere in the crowd.

Tanner smiled, "Oh, we could come back if you need a moment. I don't get what's going on, but..."

Mei pulled back from me suddenly and wiped her eyes, trying to put on a better appearance before letting anyone see her. I smiled and looked over to them, "Yeah you guys are probably seven different shades of confused over that scene earlier. This is my sister, Mei! Can you believe it? I mean, what are the odds I'd find my family right away?"

Mei turned, immediately being struck by shock at the weird bunch, but she tried to ignore it, "You helped Koyou out? I'm thankful."

Leo smiled huge, "Koyou that's great! You found your sister! I wish mine was that pretty." he was promptly elbowed by his twin, "Ow! What?"

Both Mei and I laughed, but it was Tanner that spoke, "Actually, me and Yanagi here" he pointed to the old man pushing to the front, "barely know him. It's Yusei here that really knows him."

Mei stepped over to shake Yusei's hand and I explained, "Yusei took care of me in Satellite, it was his group of friends that found me and gave me a place to stay. He's helped me a lot more since too."

Yusei smiled his 'invisible smile' and shook the offered hand, "Nice to meet you. I'm sure you're even happier Koyou found you than I am."

I noticed a strange look on Mei's face as she looked at Yusei, studying him up and down with her eyes. She seemed fascinated, and she was blushing a little. Her face suddenly exploded into a huge grin, "Yes, thanks for taking care of my idiot brother for me."

"Hey," I protested, "What happened to the little sis that was sobbing in my arms just know because she w- OW! What the hell did you elbow me for?"

Everyone laughed, even if Yusei was trying not to. Luna smiled and grabbed onto her own brother, "Yep, they really are siblings!"

I knelt down and introduced myself to the girl, "I'm glad you're happy for me, even if we haven't actually met yet. You're Leo's twin right?"

"Yep. I'm Luna."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Koyou."

"Koko." Mei interjected, as if correcting me.

I glared at my sister, "I haven't done it since I got back, but I'm pretty sure I've told you a hundred times to stop calling me that!"

Luna chuckled.

I stood up, enjoying the moment for everything it was worth. I offered my hand to Yusei, "Now I can properly introduce myself. I'm Koyou Kou."

He smiled and shook me hand in all its symbolism, "Yusei Fudo."

We were all caught up in the moment, before Tanner remembered something, "Oh, I nearly forgot. There's some guy just outside that wanted to talk to you Koyou. Little older than me maybe, thinning, faded hair. He looked like you a bit." He scratched the back of his head nervously, "To be totally honest, something about him was unsettling. No offense."

Mei froze up, "That's probably, Dad."

I smiled, excited, "We should go see him."

She shook her head, "No, go have your moment. He probably wants to talk to just you. I'll have a sit-down with him later a promise."

I nodded, "Alright. I'll hold you to that though."

The others stepped aside and she shoved me towards the door. When I stepped out there was nobody there, but my eyes instinctively looked further down the hallway. There he was, laning in the corner, already watching me with a satisfied smile on his face. He was taller than me and bigger, but smaller than Tanner. His hair was fade blond and thinning, his face was not wrinkled, but showed the signs of someone in their forties. Tanner had not misspoken, there was an air about him. Like whatever you were looking at wasn't quite normal, that something laid beneath the surface. Feelings came rushing back. As a kid I had pretty much worshiped the man. Nearly undefeatable, technique nearly without parallel, he was a duelist on a completely different tier than anyone else I'd seen since awakening in Satellite. I could tell that much just from looking at him. The deck on his belt even seemed to have a weight to it, an intimidation factor I can hardly describe. It felt like every draw could destroy every molecule of my being. That man was my...

"Dad?" I could barely believe it.

He grinned like and idiot and stood up straight, walking over to me, "Hey. I've come back from apparent death a few times, but this is a new one. You were legitimately stone cold dead. You were all but in pieces."

I shrugged, "I don't know what to say."

"Your mother's going to hug you pretty had and cry a lot, so be ready for that."

"Haha, I kinda thought that might happen."

Placing a hand on my shoulder he looked hard at me, "You looked tired. We can save the questions for later. After the mother hugs, crying, and dinner. You can invite your friends if you don't mind them watching you get smothered." He chuckled a little.

"Yeah... I'd like you to meet all my friends, but not all of them are here."

He read the look on my face, "I'm sure you can handle that. You're a strong one. You've gotten even stronger since your untimely expiration as well. I can see it in your eyes."

I could understand why I admired him so. Like most people see their dads, he was like a beacon of strength. Even at my age, after all I'd gone through and all that was ahead of me, I still felt safe with my dad. Dad was invulnerable. Dad could protect me from everything. Re-meeting him was like being a kid again.

"Hey now. Tears? Come here, kid." Dad grabbed me and hugged me. It wasn't manly, but who cares? I was home. After losing everything I was finding it again.

We went home, sans Tanner and Yanagi. None of them had wanted to intrude, but I insisted Yusei come and had indulged Leo's curiosity, even though Luna reprimanded him for it. Mom was there waiting, pacing a hole in the floor. Apparently she'd not been able to make it to the event, and dad had told her to wait at home after telling her what happened. I can only imagine how much he got fussed at, but all was forgiven when she saw me. There was, of course, some very hard hugging and a lot of crying. It made Yusei uncomfortable. He probably felt like he didn't belong, or maybe he missed his own folks.

I could tell my mother was a beauty, even though she was crying. Long black hair and smooth skin and girl next door good looks. She had a very maternal vibe about her, but maybe that's just the outlook of her son. In hindsight, it's hard to believe the gorgeous woman was almost ten years older than my father.

After the hugging, crying, explain my amnesia, and more (less severe) crying was done, she went into mother mode quickly, her face lighting up at the sight of the twins and seeing quests made her try and shape up. I'd find out within moments that she'd found time in the hour or so since I found Mei to not only find out, freak out, and pace frantically, but prepare an oversized welcome home dinner that could probably feed and entire small island nation. The kitchen table, and dining room for that matter, was massive too.

When Yusei and I finally took the time to look around, we were both surprised at how big the house and nice that house was. Yusei, who had probably only seen the inside of a real house once or twice, was particularly impressed, "I thought this outside, but this house is really big. I had no idea you were this well off."

Mom smiled, "It's not really that large. Just the living room, two bathrooms, a master bedroom, a room for both the kids and a guest room. Sure it's big by Japanese standards, but we're far from wealthy."

Dad nodded, "This isn't even our house, the school owns it. We only live here thanks to Midori."

"I've been the chancellor of the Duel Academy next door since you and Mei were very little. Which reminds me." Suddenly she pulled a fire truck and a teddy bear from behind her, leaving me wondering when she had gone to get it, "Do you two mind if I?"

Mei sighed, "I already said you could gave my old toys to kids. I sure Koyou doesn't need that old teddy anymore either."

I was taken aback. Wait, the teddy was mine? I thought-"

Ma smiled, "Yes, it's name is Mr. Puffles."

I glared at her, embarrassed, "Mom! You didn't have to share that with everyone did you?"

Her smile turned mischievous, "Of course I did. If I didn't introduce him how would Luna know his name."

Luna's fce lit up as the adorable bear was offered and she took it in hand, looking to me questioningly, "Are you sure you don't want, Mr. Puffles anymore?"

My hand went to my face in frustration, "You can have him! I don't even know if I care or not, but I probably don't want him."

Mom ignored me, giving the truck to Leo, "And do you want this firetruck, Leo."

He looked at it, carefully examining it's workings. It actually had a lot of moving parts for a toy and he seemed to like it, "Yeah! Thanks, it's awesome!"

Mom smiled wide and looked back at me, "Your dad is actually head instructor too you know." she gazed over at dad fondly, "I'm really proud of him. Mei too. Did she tell you she went ahead and accepted her promotion to Hero Silver?"

Yusei asked for me, "Hero Silver?"

Mei acted like it was nothing, and she gave a textbook explanation, "The highest ranking in the school. When mom took over, she changed the school ranks to match those of Central Duel Academy, even though there aren't any dorms here. Slifer Red is for those with low grades, Ra Yellow is the middle rank, and Obelisk Blue is for the more academically or financially gifted. Hero Silver is the highest rank, founded by my father. The elite duelist s of each dorm It's added on to your other rank." She pointed to her blue, silver-trimmed jacket and silver skirt, "Koyou was in it too, three years ago."

I looked at the dark gray, or rather silver, pants I'd woken up in back in Satellite, "That explains the silver pants." I scratched my head, "Where's my jacket though?"

Mei rolled her eyes, "I think that's probably the least important question to be answered out of this whole mess."

I had to agree with that.

Yusei looked at me, smiling, "I guess that explains your skills. An elite of Duel Academy huh?"

"Anyway, you must be starving." Mei motioned at the table, "Let's eat. Yusei, you can sit next to me!" She smiled wide at him, which of course confused him.

And me for that matter, "What about your big brother?"

"You probably get to sit next to Yusei all the time! You can sit on his other side if you really want to."

"That's not what I meant."

I spotted our parents smiling, Mom was actually quietly chuckling. It wasn't hard to tell what they were thinking. We were a family again, almost like nothing had ever happened.

Leo seemed depressed, "I wanted to sit next to Yusei."

"You can have my seat." I said, sighing.

A Few Days Later...

"EVERYBODY LISTEN! We are live at the grand stage! The most elite duelists from alllll over the land have gathered in this one stadium, selected to compete in one single event for a chance at ultimate glory in the game! It's the Fortune Cup and I am honored to be your commentator for the proceedings. Now! Let's meet our competitors!"

I was standing next to Yusei in the Darkness beneath the 'grand stage', though I couldn't really see that well. Next to him was something so disturbing I couldn't see it: Leo in drag. Apparently, switching places with your twin sister in a tournament meant wearing pink and walking like one of the many cheap whores I'd seen in Satellite. At least he'd gotten rid of the god awful makeup. There were at least seven others competing, but I couldn't yet make them out.

When the announcement came, a crack of light appeared above us as the platform was raised and displayed us to the crowd. There were two groupings of six each. I shared my group with Yusei, 'Luna', a huge black man that wold dwarf even the immense Tanner, an arrogant man in a suit, and a strangely calm and smug guy in a barret and strange robes. The group across from us featured the rest of the cosplay brigade, including a marine, a knight in shining armor, a cop, a WWI era pilot, a guy in a concealing robe with red fuzzed shoulders, and a girl in Victorian-era garb with red hair... rose red actually. Her face... she was beautiful... really, really beautiful. Her face was stoney and emotionless, though her suppressed pain an anger were nearly tangible. I knew that girl from somewhere... when she saw me, she gritted her teeth in anger. I grabbed the side of my head in pain. My head felt like it was trying to make room for something that shouldn't be there, and at the same time trying to implode.

Yusei put a hand on my shoulder, "Are you okay, Koyou?" he swept his eyes over the other group to see who might have sparked a memory. His eyes falling on the cop, "Wait a second..., you again?"

The cop grinned wide, "Hello again, scumbag! Looks like I get another shot at ya!"

My pain subsided, "Who is that?"

"Some securities officer who's been hounding me since that day Rally brought us that chip."

"What the heck is he doing here?"

"I don't know."

Leo leaned over, "Is something wrong guys?"

Before we could answer, the announcer pointed our attention to the various screens letting the audience see our names and faces better. I quickly filed away the information:

- Big Black Guy = Bommer

- Arrogant Guy in Suit = Kodo Kinomiya

- Calm Robed Barret Guy = Professor Frank

- Marine = Lt. Adrian Trimmer

- Knight = Gill deLauncebeaux

- Cop = Tetsu Ushio

- WWI Pilot = Gregory Baron

And in an extreme twist of fate:

- Victorian Beauty = Aki Izayoi.

Next Chapter: Fortune Cup, Start!

Set in stone events: Pairings for round one are announced, Leo vs Bommer (which will probably be skimmed over), and Koyou faces... Tetsu Ushio. Can gemini conquer the threat of Goyo Guardian? Of course, don't be silly. Lol

(A/N: I was going to have this run clean through the Fortune Cup and Dark Signer Arc, but I'm thinking about ending it on the Fortune Cup and having the Dark Signer arc be its own seperate fic. Either way, the truth about Koyou's amnesia and resurrection will be revealed at the end of the Fortune Cup, what chapter that will be is yet to be determined.)

Notice!: The first chapter of the prequel to this, "Crying Crimson", is also up. So check my profile for that and make sure to R&R! (Preferably with more detail than just a "good work" lol). You guys can also vote via reviews as to whether you want to see Adrian Trimmer (the marine) or Gregory Baron (the WWI pilot) to advance in the Fortune Cup of this fic. ENJOY!