FudoTwin17: So, I just went to upload the next chapter and realized this one wasn't up. :(

Cat: It sucks for you all, but now you do get two chapters in a row.

FudoTwin17: Which is always nice. Therefore, I hope you enjoy this! :D

Dog # 1: And she's also sorry for their lateness.

FudoTwin17: Yup. I don't own Yu-gi-oh.

Cat: On to the show!

Chapter 17

Yusei blinked in confusion, taking in the familiar scene. It took him only a moment to realize that he was looking at the inside of a car-his old car. A soft smile lit his lips at the sight. Though it seemed as though he had no physical form, he could feel his heart warming at the sight, even if it hurt a bit at the sound of his sister, mother, and father's laughter.

"You see? The Satellite isn't so bad. And once we get funds, the bridge will be reconnected and Domino will be one again." Yusei's heart wrenched as his father said those gut-wrenching words, telling Yusei what day this was.

"No." Yusei whispered, unable to do a thing as the scene continued.

"How will you get the funds?" Caitlynn questioned, slender eyebrows arching down. "If the mayor and the bigger politicians are struggling themselves, or at least pretending to be, then how will you get anyone to put money into making a 'bridge to the future'?" Her tone might have seemed condescending to anyone else, but those in her family seemed to pay it little mind.

"By the usual way, right, Dad?" Yusei, or his younger, more naive self spoke. "Threatening them."

His mother shot him a dirty, unimpressed look. Her look was sharp, which was odd for such a caring, soft face. His father, however, laughed. "No, no. We make promises we can't keep. By building the bridge, more people will be able to have more economic opportunities." Yusei winced, realizing quickly what was about to happen. "If more people become like average citizens, they spend more money, earn more money, the workforce increases, and the economy will overall incre-"

He was cut off by a loud scream from his wife as an armored van pulled up next to them, a gunman shooting at them from an open side door. Yusei watched in silent horror as he was forced to watch his mother die a second time, listening as his younger self shouted.

Caitlynn was frozen in silent surprise, her lips parted in a gasp that never reached his ears. Yusei watched as his younger self jumped toward her. The boy quickly undid her seatbelt, opened the door, and pushed her out of it. "Hey-"

Then the car began to slow, Yusei and his parents the only ones left inside. He watched as a couple of men exited the van, pulling them out of the car. One of them frowned.

"Darn. Hit the woman in the neck. The boss is gonna be mad. He wanted them all alive." Complained one man, his gun in his hands and an actually disappointed look on his face.

"It doesn't matter." Stated the one standing over him. "Just grab her and replace her with the fake. It'll all look good. No evidence left behind."

"What about the girl?" Asked another guard, a concerned look on his face.

"It doesn't matter." Repeated the second guard. "No one could survive that fall. She's dead."

A heartbroken look crossed Yusei's face as he allowed himself to be moved by the armed men. He looked horrified and pained at the idea that in trying to save his sister he may have killed her instead.

"Yeah." Agreed a fourth, beginning to haul Yusei's dead mother up. Yusei's father began to stir from his place on the ground. "What matters is that we clean this up before anyone notices. Most people around here will keep their mouths shut considering how often we come here to pick up test subjects, but-"

Suddenly, Yusei's father started yelling. "No! Not you! Not you! I got out after the Zero Reverse! I don't work for you anymore! Leave my children-"

"Dad!" Shouted the younger Yusei as the butt of the gun was slammed against his father's skull. The older man's eyes rolled up into his head as his body went slack. Yusei was quickly treated the same, knocked out harshly and painfully.

"I-I know this." Yusei, the present one, whispered into thin air. "Why are you showing this to me? What about Caitlynn?"

Suddenly, the boy found himself at the bottom of a bleak, rocky hill. He blinked, looking at the crumpled figure at the bottom. Her arm looked bent oddly, and blood leaked from a nasty gash hidden by thick, black and gold hair. Slowly, she pulled herself to her feet. She stumbled forward, blinking. "Yu? Yus? Yu?" Her words, short and roughly stumbled over, had an odd slur to them that made Yusei wince.

"I don't understand." Yusei whispered to himself. "What does the crash-" He cut himself off. Something clicked in his mind as he finally understood why he was seeing that horrible flash of the past. "It's not the crash. It's us."

Twins.

. . .

"I don't understand, sir." The doctor stated, a frown on his face. The man shifted uncomfortably after the statement, eyebrows furrowed together. "We didn't have enough time to finish the syncing-"

"I know, Carter." Stated the figure at the computers, still turned away from his employee. Despite the smooth tone, Dr. Carter winced. "We are seeing if it happens naturally through this little adventure of their's. If it does, then good work. You'll have successfully finished your task in nearly an eighth of the time expected. If not, then we'll have to try again. Hopefully, though, this will be our first successful run through."

The doctor winced. "Yes, sir. I understand."

"Good." The man purred, watching as Yusei's eyes dimmed from their white light. Both he and the doctor leaned forward eagerly.

The show was just beginning.

. . .

"What's her name?" Asked Yusei in a quiet tone. His voice was so quiet that Aki nearly didn't hear him. Though she was confused, she was even more confused when all the purple-lit metal objects dropped to the ground with loud clangs.

The young boy's lips trembled as he spoke softly. "L-Luna."

"Luna is a pretty name." Urged Yusei. Aki felt completely lost. She didn't understand what was going on, but Yusei and Leo seemed to understand each other exactly. She glanced back, glad to see that both Jack and Crow wore mirrored looks of confusion. She turned back to Leo, watching as he gained courage.

"Luna's really pretty." Whispered Leo. He gulped, looking like he was trying not to cry. "I said I'd protect her. I told mom and dad I'd protect her, but I couldn't. I-I have to-"

"I understand." Murmured Yusei, cutting off the boy before he started bawling. "You see the girl behind me? She's mine. Her name is Caitlynn. Isn't she pretty?" Leo nodded, seeming to understand Yusei. "I've got to protect her, too."

Suddenly, Aki understood. Luna and Leo, Caitlynn and Yusei. They were both sets of twins! Her eyes widened, and she felt herself melt sadly. Leo had to protect Luna. If he didn't do what he was told who knew what would happen to his precious sister. Anger boiled in her stomach at the same time as a silent regret and fear.

Did her dad know about this?

"If you come with us, I promise that we'll help you find your sister. We'll protect her, too." Yusei whispered to the younger boy.

A long beat of silence filled the room before Leo sniffed. "Promise?"

Yusei smiled a sad smile. "Pinky swear."

As Leo crossed the room and grabbed the older boy's hand, Yusei glanced back at his sister in worry. He wanted to help her, but he felt just like Leo; he didn't know the right way to protect her.

He wondered silently to himself whether or not he could save Leo's twin if he couldn't even help his own.

. . .

FudoTwin17: Yay! Done! And once again, I'm sorry it's so late!

Cat: Yes. Review please! Bye!