To think that Kiryu, a dead man, had dueled with Yusei not long ago. It boggles the mind, especially mine. And while he explained it, Godwin made sure to never meet my eyes, eyes that must look familiar to him because that is precisely how I felt. It was like looking in a mirror, his seafoam eyes matching her own almost exactly. The striking resemblance may be unsettling, but I needed to focus right now. Was I going to go with them back to Satellite?
My brother tried to teach me never to move backward, but Yusei and the others, I should be with them when it happens. I can't just run away from this when they don't have that luxury.
I stop to sniff the tulips, their sweet scent calming my racing mind. The gardens on Godwin's estate are truly immaculate. The beauty was eye-catching and it gave her something to do while she wandered. I'm sure Yusei would appreciate this time alone to think through what was going on, as well. He holds the bonds between friends very highly, and for him to hear that his partner had given up and thought he had forsaken that bond must tear him up inside. Yusei is not as unfeeling as he may appear. He's in pain.
He has his own demons to deal with and so do I. The path leads me through a walled-off alcove, honeysuckle vines creeping up the trellises. Sunflowers dot the rows of multicolored asters. The colors mix together, recreating a memory that flashes behind my eyelids.
"I might not come back from this one," he warns, just like every time he went on a particularly long or dangerous job. Ryuga was often away for work, but I tried not to let it bother me. "I love you, Pinoko."
I couldn't help but giggle as he tickled me on my sides, and then wrapped me up in a warm embrace. "I love you, too, Nii-san."
"Never give up, my little Queen of Games."
An adorable little willow tit lands on my shoulder, startling me out of the reverie. I couldn't give up. Not on card games, not on Yusei, not on Satellite. They would at least need some support, and who better to help Yusei with his bike than me? I continue along the path, making it to the outside where I find Yusei, Jack, and Aki being approached by Ruka and Rua. He stood back until I walked up next to him and gave him an encouraging smile.
"Have you made your decision, Rua?" I ask him, a hand coming to rest on his head.
"Yeah. Yusei!" He smiles, then takes off to Jack and Yusei. I follow him, stopping in front of the bronze-skinned man with my hands clasped behind me.
When I caught up with Rua, he was speaking to Yusei. "I understand now. The reason why you're cool is because you always believe in yourself and battle!"
"I'm coming, too. Can't let you get rid of me that easy!" I catch his eye, winking at the mechanic. His cheeks darkened, but he kept on a poker face.
Rua turns to the former King next. He seems to strike a nerve of Jack's because he jumps up and yells at the boy. Looking on warmly, I hide a giggle under my hand. They're always bickering about something.
The seven of us are dwarfed by the size of the screens. Each of them is wider than I am tall.
"This is Satellite?" Rua wonders aloud. I don't answer as my mouth gapes open at the sight of my hometown. It was coated in a dense, black fog. Not a single soul walked the streets. Even with the various monitors all over the wall, there's no one to be found.
Her brother asks, "Is it always this foggy?" I sometimes forget that they've never seen it before. The twins were raised in Tops and had no idea what Satellite was really like.
I grab Yusei's hand, squeezing it and tearing my eyes from the image. "No, it shouldn't be," he answers, squeezing back. We both have friends still in Satellite and worry about what may have happened to them.
"What caused this?" I question Mikage, trying to stay calm.
She looks at the holo pad in her right hand. Tapping through a few files, she confesses, "We don't know the details, but an unexpected incident occurred at the innermost section of Satellite."
"The innermost section?" I parrot, concerned. "Like, where the old Moment is?"
"We've lost communication with Satellite's Security. We also don't know how long this video feed will last." As though waiting for her to mention it, the feed cuts out at that moment, leaving static in its wake.
The former King throws up his hands. "I can't stand here and waste my time. I'm flying to Satellite immediately. Ready the helicopter!" Jack's demanding manner is not questioned. Mikage agrees and runs to accomplish the task.
"Wake up. We're departing soon."
My eyes crack open, the duelist from Satellite gracing my vision. "Sorry, I-" I yawned, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. "Was just resting my eyes." I had almost dozed off while standing. We were waiting so long for the helicopter that the sun was coming up from behind the skyline.
My purse is packed with a change of underwear and socks, a toothbrush, water, snacks, and of course my deck. Instead of a handheld purse, I was rocking a fanny pack purse. This meant it would be super difficult for anyone to snatch it. I had been half-asleep until he spoke to me, and it seemed we'd gained a member.
Godwin stands next to Yusei, his hands behind his back. "The fog that's covering Satellite seems to be coming from the location of the Old Moment."
"Old moment?" I repeat, but I'm not expecting the withering stare he sends in my direction. "You mean he's related to that Fudo?
"Yes." Godwin faces the Signers, his disdain for me obvious as he addresses only them. "Destiny is guiding the son of Professor Fudo, the creator of the previous Moment."
"The creator's son?" Aki says, flabbergasted.
"The gears of fate have begun to turn. Your mission is to defeat the Dark Signers and make the Old Moment rotate in the proper direction."
When he finishes, the helicopter is close enough to drown out all conversations. I have to hold down my skirt in the front and back to keep myself from flashing anyone. I don't know how Aki makes wearing short skirts look so easy. It slows to a stop, and one of the least friendly faces I can think of gets out.
"Officer Ushio has arrived!" He jumps down from the sliding door, raising a hand to salute the Director. I have to do a double take, not sure that I'm seeing who I'm seeing at first.
"Thank you." Godwin nods at the officer.
Yusei closes his eyes, severely underwhelmed by the escort's identity. "Oh, it's you."
"This guy again?" I can't help my dislike of the man after how he treated Yusei and me. I don't think he likes us very much either, based on his reaction.
"What do you mean by that!?" Ushio shouts, pointing at us. "The Director personally ordered me to take you to that garbage dump!"
But we have more important things to do, and the short-haired woman knows it. "Everyone, this way, please." Mikage directs us to the stairs by Ushio.
"Wait."
I make to follow the others, but the blue-eyed duelist grabs my wrist, stopping me. "What's wrong, Yusei?"
"Godwin, I want you to promise one thing."
"What is it?"
"If we defeat the Dark Signers and return everything to normal, you have to promise that you'll connect the Daedalus Bridge with the city." My eyebrows go right up under my fringe and I'm sure you couldn't see them. How bold! You could cut the tension with a butter knife, and no one could know what kind of answer the old man would give. If I didn't know the context, I'd think they were having a staring contest, as there is not a twitch or a blink between them for a long time.
Godwin's eyes narrow, and his shoulders shift as if uncomfortable. "Daedalus Bridge connects Satellite and the city. Are you emulating the legendary man who fought to connect that bridge?"
"If your story is true, there will no longer be a reason to discriminate against Satellite," Yusei persists, unable to back down as it isn't in his nature.
"Fine. I promise."
A/N: I know this chapter is like, crazy short! But with how long you guys have been waiting, I thought I should just get this out to you. I'll be continuing work on chapter 26 but I've had a hard time writing this section of the story. Sometimes I get bogged down by all the dialogue and it's just... well, hard haha. Anyway, stay tuned for another chapter! Love you all!