Author's Note:
Apologies for any spam via Alerts - been refusing to show this chapter (and Part III), constantly showing glitches. Hoping it works now.
The crazy person is back.
This is getting finished.
It's a simple and short chapter.
Turning back the clock to where it should've been (as per the anime ending).
But it's not over until the fat lady sings.
Everything mattered.
One thing – I've caught a mistake in re-reading some of the earlier chapters re: characters' ages. Looking through wiki, seems like Yusei is always 2 years older. So if he turns 20, Aki should be turning 18 (instead of 19 how I originally wrote). So I fixed her age to 18 wherever I remembered mentioning it. Obviously that changes nothing.
PS: Also because I'm crazy I went back and added a few additional lines of dialogue to Chapter 13 (the first sex chapter) and made it a little bit more playful at times. It's still mostly awkward but nice though (as first times should be). Doesn't change any plot at all but just heads up if anyone wants to read that #$%^ again.
NineInchNailed.
"Close your eyes and lose the feeling that's been sinking.
Close your eyes and count to three.
Close your eyes, rewind, I know just what you're thinking.
Close your eyes and think of me.
Why do we never know enough of happy ends?
Why do they never show?"
~"Think Twice" by Groove Armada.
A stray ray of sunshine gleamed over the Eye of Horus pendant as it hung in the store's display window.
It caught Aki Izayoi's eye as she absently passed by, looking at different stores in the area. She was trying to find something thoughtful but not too thoughtful, something small but not too small, something meaningful but not too meaningful to gift to Yusei Fudo for his birthday.
She halted her stride and approached, reading the little description for the silver necklace on a leather band:
"An ancient Egyptian symbol representing protection, health and regeneration. Derived from the myth of the falcon god Horus who'd lost his eye in a battle against Set."
She paused, considered, and walked inside the store.
-Reverse-
Senator Higuchi looked tiredly at the thing that was no longer his oldest son, the one that called itself Mahdi. He was happy with how much they've accomplished on what was his life's work and his dream - but this thing frightened him. And…was it going to release Kenjiro like it promised it would, soon? "We're maybe a month away from completing the set up. They're finishing doing the electrical work now. Some vendors are giving us some challenges. The reactor is running well – as I always knew it would. FDA should be ready for the official launch."
Mahdi nodded. "I'm ready too. I'll start out with a few sacrificial duels to start. They'll ramp up quickly."
"It'll be only a matter of time before they ban all dueling using Solid Vision technology," the senator uttered. "And then the plan will set in motion."
"Yes," Mahdi said.
-Reverse-
"Happy 18th, Aki. I know you've been sick for these past two weeks, but I was worried about you being sick on your birthday, so I decided to stop by. I hope that's okay," Yusei said, standing in the hallway of her parents' estate, holding something behind his back.
Aki stared at him, mortified by his presence and her sloppy appearance. Why was he here? Of all the people, why did he decide to make the trip on this day? And why did he insist on sending her all these mixed signals? King of games or a king of mindgames?
-Reverse-
Yusei had gotten maybe 4 hours of sleep after a late night with Jack, Crow and Saiga (and a very awkward time at a strip club that he'd had no interest in), when somebody began knocking repeatedly on the door of his home. And they weren't giving up despite his lack of answer.
Confused and disoriented, he pulled on some pants and threw a jacket over his shoulders in a hurry.
When he opened the door, he nearly jumped, never having thought that it'd be Aki out here trying to see him.
She had a huge smile on her face as she nearly bounced, peppy and sunny (and lovely).
"What's going on, Aki?" he managed, hoping that he'd hidden how uncomfortable and self-conscious he felt in this somewhat undressed state in front of her. This wasn't the person he'd hoped to greet basically half-naked (or was it?).
She opened her mouth to say something but then something strange happened. She noticeably paled and just stared at him. With wide eyes.
"Aki?"
She looked down then, stumbling a little.
"Aki? Is everything okay?" he asked worriedly, suddenly feeling a little bit less sleepy and a lot more concerned. He reached for her, actually considering touching her (when was the last time he touched her?).
"You're-" he began. You're not looking well, are you sick? Did something happen? He even glanced back inside his home, trying to see if something had spooked her there.
"Uh…" she finally spoke up, staring intently at the ground. "Sorry I forgot something at home. I've got to go." And then she turned and, literally, ran away. Down the hallway, out of the building. He heard a D-Wheel start and then depart.
Yusei stood at his door, utterly bewildered by what just happened.
He remained standing like a stupefied zombie for a few minutes, waiting to see if she was coming back. She didn't, so he staggered back inside and considered going back to sleep. He tried for 30 minutes and then gave up, deciding to start his day.
She remained missing in action for the rest of the day, not a peep or a message.
Later that evening, he sent her a text: "Everything okay?"
She responded the next morning: "Sure, why?"
He spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to come up with a response, even typing up a summary of their interaction from previous morning and asking her about it. But after reading through all that, he felt stupid and deleted it. He wasn't good at this.
He decided that he would see her soon enough and they'd talk then.
-Reverse-
When Yusei finished telling Crow and Jack what happened when he said goodbye to Sherry, Crow asked him, concerned: "How difficult was it to resist that offer, Yusei?"
Yusei shook his head, "I belong here, Crow, in Neo Domino – and I always will. I don't think my opinion will change with time."
-Reverse-
Yusei looked around the townhome. It was small and oddly structured – there was direct garage access via stairs right from the kitchen – and it wasn't in the best of neighbourhoods. But after the slums he lived in at Satellite, any neighbourhood these days was upscale by comparison.
The garage was enough for only one car and could never compare to the spacious setup he had at Poppo Time. But it offered more than enough for his one D-Wheel, his tools and a workbench. He would be able to take on ad-hoc projects as needed to pay rent for this place.
He couldn't live at Poppo Time anymore. Not if he was going to be alone.
He turned to the realtor and said: "I'll take it."
-Reverse-
"So I randomly looked at some listings and, you know, I thought I'd go look at a few places just for jokes. But then I found this pretty cool spot," Crow revealed to his friends one afternoon. He looked a little timid as he revealed this. Like he was afraid that this was unpleasant news.
"That sounds great Crow!" Rua exclaimed. "Where?"
"Actually, very close to the pizza parlour from where I do most of my deliveries," Crow answered, brightening up. "Will save me lots of time. Rent is affordable, too. I'll plan a kick-ass housewarming party, of course."
"Great!" Ruka and Aki cheered.
"Just me left now, huh?" Yusei smiled.
-Reverse-
"Carly and I bought a place together," Jack blurted out during a night out at their favourite pub and ramen with Yusei, Crow and Saiga.
"Holy shit. For real?" Crow's jaw snapped open and then he smacked his friend heartily on his back. "Way to go, man. Huge step. Carly is a great girl."
Jack smacked his hand away. "Got tired of living at Poppo Time, that's all. Jack Atlas needs more privacy. That place is annoying, Zora sucks and you're both terrible roommates."
Yusei laughed.
-Reverse-
"Why don't you stay over until tomorrow too?" Carly asked shyly.
Jack always stayed over the weekend since they've begun dating. But on Monday she had work so he'd return to Poppo Time on Sunday evening.
"I won't become a nuisance," he declined, pulling on his shoes.
"You wouldn't be!" she objected: "I want you to stay! In fact…you should stay here the whole time!"
Jack looked up at her with surprise and then, noticing the blush on her face, couldn't help a small smile. She could get so easily embarrassed…it was cute. He treasured it.
"Carly, are you asking me to move in?" he asked lightly, jokingly.
"Why not!" the shy girl stuttered, "I have enough space here. Just bring your stuff…and then stay." "Do you rent this place?" he asked.
"Yes, but you don't have to worry!" she hurried to answer, "You won't need to help with rent."
It was ridiculous what she'd even suggested. He refused, of course: "A King would never be a freeloader. I have a better idea. My WRPG winnings. Why don't I help? You can own this place. I can help you." And Carly gasped: "Are you serious? You'd like to help with that?"
He shrugged and stood up, gathering her into his arms: "Why not. You make me happy."
She smiled widely and hid her flushed face in his chest: "Okay Jack. If that's what you want. Let's do that."
-Reverse-
"Make a wish, Jack," Carly said, smiling brightly.
It was his birthday. A coffee-flavoured cake from Blue Eyes Mountain was in front of him with 21 candles.
He looked at that shy, lovely girl in front of him, rolled his eyes in mock annoyance and blew out the candles. He didn't believe that blowing out candles made wishes come true or anything sappy like that, but for a moment he only wished for one thing. Because if he had this girl by his side he could climb any mountain, conquer any challenge, obtain any title he could ever wish for.
"I love you, Jack."
Her words were soft, so soft, nearly inaudible.
He opened his heart and let them in.
-Reverse-
"Hey, so thank you for coming, Jack, I hope you like this p-p-place," Carly stuttered while studying the menu. She nervously pushed up the glasses which slid down her nose. She didn't notice that a bra strap slithered down her shoulder.
This was a week after the Arc Cradle disappeared and the city returned to normal. Carly called him, asking him for an interview: she wanted to get his side of the story on what happened that day.
Jack showed up at this fancy restaurant to find her dressed-up and nervous.
She asked him a few basic questions, scribbled something in the notepad.
It didn't take him long to figure it out. Watching her fumble while pouring herself a glass of water…he smiled. She had tricked him. The interview was only a cover-up. She had asked him out on a date. And he realized that he didn't mind. During the battles at Arc Cradle, he thought about the impermanence of it all; how sometimes you just had to take a plunge and do something crazy, out of your comfort zone. Seize a moment, seize a day. Because, sometimes, in a split second it is all gone.
That evening became their first date.
-Reverse-
Z-ONE had sacrificed himself to prevent Arc Cradle from destroying the city.
The gigantic structure vanished and, in the last minute before it was too late, Yusei escaped.
-Reverse-
Together, the five Signers of the Crimson Dragon fought against the Dark Signers and won.
-Reverse-
Yusei Fudo began building his first D-Wheel, collecting pieces everywhere he could find. Piece by piece. Coping after Kiryu's tragic death and the guilt he couldn't escape.
His new friends helped. He and his foster brothers Jack and Crow separated after the traumatic experience as Team Satisfaction with Kiryu. Each one of them individually decided that they needed to find their own path now.
At the end of each day, Yusei stepped back and appraised the progress. At first there was barely much to see: many pieces didn't work or he couldn't find what was needed. He swallowed back despair and persevered the next day.
But day after day…
When the chassis was formed and taking concrete shape, he remembered smiling for the first time in many months.
-Reverse-
"I'd do anything to help dad," Kenjiro Higuchi said to his younger brother. He was driving them home after picking him up from the police station. "I wish you'd tried harder."
"I don't care," Sho grumbled.
Kenjiro said nothing for some time, focused on driving. The silence was thick with disappointment and things unsaid.
"You should care," Kenjiro said finally. "Dad needs us more than ever while you're out there being stupid again. I'm worried about him."
"Well, he doesn't worry about either of us, so maybe save your breath," Sho mumbled bitterly.
There was a pause while his older brother thought of what to say. "You know he's never quite forgotten…about mom's death. She was on her way to visit him at the lab. They had shut down his project, laughed at him. He and his developers were given a month by Kaiba's lawyers to destroy everything. And then she was caught in Zero Reverse."
Sho pressed his forehead against the car's window.
"I don't blame him for being broken," his sibling reflected. "But as he's considering restarting his project – maybe you and I could be there for him. Maybe point him on the right path. It had too many issues, likely too dangerous. We can convince him to drop it and move past it once and for all."
"He won't listen to us."
"Well, he'll have a hard time at first hearing you've been arrested again. You want to add another criminal mark to your face? But if we try together, I know we can break through to him."
Sho mumbled something indiscernible. His brother waited. Finally, Sho spoke up: "Fine."
They drove in silence for some time. Kenjiro turned to a familiar street, a few blocks away from their stately home.
"You feeling fine today, Ken?" the younger sibling inquired offhandedly, but it was clear that he cared about his health.
Kenjiro shrugged. "Not too bad."
"How are your classes going?"
"Challenging but I enjoy most of them still." He paused, then asked: "Why don't you go back to school?"
"Don't know. I'm not as smart as you, you know," Sho answered, wiping his nose with a sleeve.
"Not true and you know it. Lazier and more prone to do stupid things - that's for sure. But you're a decent guy with a good head on his shoulders."
Sho snorted.
They pulled into the driveway at their home.
"You promise to stay out of trouble, moving forward?" Ken asked.
Sho sat there, grumpy. Then he muttered: "Fine."
Ken smiled. "Dad's not home until later. Before we mention your recent criminal escapades let's talk him out of that dangerous project once and for all."
Sho nodded. And then as his older brother got out of the car, he said the last thing he'd ever said to his real older brother before the chain of fateful events began: "Thanks…Ken."
-Zero-
The Ennead of the Egyptian gods kept out of the human realm.
On the fateful night that launched this tragic stream of destiny, the Winged Dragon of Ra slept peacefully next to the other god cards in the collapsed tomb within the Valley of Kings.
Pharaoh Atem did not come to see Yugi Mutou and Yugi had no reason to send his letters.
-Forward-
Senator Higuchi came home late but spoke to both his sons.
He didn't listen to them and refused their advice; he particularly focused on yet another criminal misdemeanour that his youngest child decided to add to his record.
A week later, both his sons tried talking to him again.
Senator thought of his wife, Ayumi, and what she may have wanted for him and their family.
That weekend he burnt the remaining hidden blueprints of his project.
-Forward-
Yusei Fudo drove through the broken streets of Satellite on the red D-Wheel he'd completed earlier that week. It was rusty and made some suspicious noises when he pushed above 4000 rpms – but it was his. Just as the first one was all his before Jack Atlas stole it and used it to escape to Neo Domino, likely discarding that precious D-Wheel like trash afterward.
Building a motorcycle – he had control over this. He'd found the pieces, molded them and created something out of them. From scraps and garbage into something that was imperfect but functioning. Perhaps, even something special. Because the pieces could fit together and repair what was originally irreparably broken.
Nothing much else in his life seemed like it was within his control. He'd only survived, day after day.
He stopped after some time and looked at the skyscrapers of Neo Domino in the distance. Thinking of Jack and their unfinished business.
-Forward-
Aki Izayoi collapsed to her knees as her Life Points drained to zero. Yusei had won their semi-final duel at the Fortune Cup. But rather than celebration or joy, a sad and heavy feeling coiled in the pit of his stomach.
Tears rolled down her face, revealed by the mask that fell away. "Help…me…" she begged. Someone…? Anyone…? Him?
"Izayoi!" Yusei winced, feeling physically stung by her words and her tears. He'd never had an empathic reaction like that before towards someone crying. He felt a metaphysical pull towards…something. Towards her. He'd started towards her – he was going to run to her, try to console her, try to help her up, try to ask how he could help her more, try to see if maybe-
Sudden shouts from the audience startled him and he'd stopped in his tracks, looking around.
People at the stands started shouting at Aki, saying nasty things, telling her to get out of here, that she didn't belong there.
Yusei felt a surge of anger so significant that he didn't know how he hadn't snarled at those nasty people in retaliation. How easily had all these vultures picked a new target, one that could no longer defend herself.
Yusei's two seconds of hesitation cost him; suddenly Aki's suspicious male companion – Divine – was by her side. Yusei had a bad feeling about that guy.
"You did your best, Aki," Divine said softly, putting his coat over her. "Now, let's go back together."
Yusei was frowning, watching as they left.
He thought about her anguish, her uncertainty, her loneliness, and her self-neglect. About the mark that they shared, an unbroken bond.
He cursed himself for not having run over to her first.
This was a moment he regretted many times over in the future.
-Forward-
Yusei felt like sleeping for days after their battle with Dark Signers. That battle had taken a toll. He thought that he could never physically or mentally do anything like that again – shouldering the immense burden of protecting the world like that. Fighting like that. Standing in the face of it all, brave, unwavering and strong.
In the days after, he studied the indeterminate bruises all over his body, tolerated the awful muscle aches, and wished for a new life to begin – simple and free from the weight of such heavy responsibility. He was ready for it.
He was thankful for the support he'd received from all the other Signers. The bond they shared – it was forever. Together, they could accomplish anything.
The two cities began to repair and the border between Satellite and Neo Domino vanished. The Neo Daedalus Bridge connected the two districts now.
It was maybe a week after the battle that Yusei, Jack and Crow moved in together at Poppo Time – thanks to Martha putting in a good word for them with Zora, the tenant.
Aki, Rua and Ruka became regular visitors. They came after their Duel Academy classes were over.
Sometimes, Yusei watched the clock around 3pm and eagerly awaited their visit.
-Forward-
Jack finally came by to help with Aki's D-Wheel and then spent a good portion of time making fun of Yusei's design and the red colour choices he'd thought of. Would Aki prefer #990F02 or #E3242B or #60100B or #900D09 or…
Yusei did not feel happy with Jack's comments. He concealed, to the best of his ability, that they hurt him.
"I'm sure she'll love it, Yusei," Crow attempted to salvage the situation, probably catching the bitter look he'd given Jack. "She won't know what hit her!"
Yusei was over their bickering. They didn't have a lot of time left before Aki was going to come over after her classes. He needed to have her motorcycle ready by then and he needed their help. He wanted to see her face when she saw it for the first time, to hear it in her voice…
He went over to see Crow's progress so far and was barely able to hide the exasperation in his voice: "You've done…nothing." Why weren't his friends taking this seriously?
"Well, you know me," Crow laughed with a silly smile on his face. "I started thinking about food and girls and forgot everything."
"Go get something to eat and I'll finish the brakes," Yusei said, feeling frustration and disappointment drop like a rock in his chest. If he needed to get something done, he guessed he needed to rely on himself to do it.
He noticed his sketch of Aki's D-Wheel on the ground. He thought of the late nights he'd spent drawing it, designing it, thinking over and over how it needed more attention and more effort than he had ever given to any of his own motorcycles. It needed to be functional, quick, safe and beautiful. It had to be perfect.
Jack had discarded that precious blueprint like it was garbage. Yusei picked it up and carefully smoothed it out.
"Tsk, come on, I'll help this time, Yusei. Honest!" Crow promised quickly.
-Forward-
Everyone cheered as Yusei, Jack and Crow won the WRPGs.
Yusei held the WRGP cup in his hands, laughing as champagne sprayed him, surrounded by all his friends.
Within this moment, they were all together.
It was immortal. Nothing could ever take this moment away from them.
It was some of the happiest he'd ever felt.
-Forward-
"What in the hell is happening here!?" Jack exclaimed angrily after some mask-wearing freak on a motorcycle ambushed them and stolen Stardust Dragon. The three guys were at Poppo Time, trying to process what they've experienced.
"That vanishing act was no joke!" Crow added.
Yusei crossed his arms over his chest, slipping into his analytical mindset. He needed to stay calm and to try unpacking what's transpired. "He knew my name," he pointed out.
"Which means he was after Stardust from the start," Jack speculated.
"Yusei!" the raven-haired Signer heard Aki's voice and looked up. "Aki…" then he also saw Rua and Ruka with her.
Jack grumbled: "What do you all want? We don't have time to sit and entertain you guys right now."
Yusei watched as Rua, Ruka and Aki approached. But it was like he saw through them. He couldn't get the taking of Starlight Dragon and the mysterious circumstances out of his mind.
"Hey, come on," Rua said to Jack's rude comment. "We've just uncovered a big scoop."
"What did you find?" Yusei inquired.
"We were researching the history of Duel Monsters," Ruka answered. "Then we found this…" She handed him the electronic article.
Yusei opened it, reading.
"Quite an old article you got there," Crow observed, seeing the dates.
"I know this man," Jack said, looking at a photo of a man with gray shoulder-length hair. "He's the president of Industrial Illusions – Pegasus J. Crawford. He's the creator of Duel Monsters."
Pegasus was shaking a hand of a youth with seriously wild hair who was holding a trophy cup of sorts. A happy grandfather was next to him.
"Who's the guy there with Pegasus?" Crow asked.
"That would be the duelist once said to be the strongest in Duel Monsters history," Yusei responded immediately, the answer materializing from within the fibers of his soul. Extracting from somewhere that no longer existed, manifesting into what he needed to know. He didn't stop to question himself with how he knew any of this. "Mutou Yugi. It was rumoured that he had the soul of the Nameless Pharaoh."
-Forward-
"I'm sure of it!" said Yami Yugi. "We'll meet again someday."
Yusei and Yami Yugi put their hands on top of Judai Yuki's. Promising that their new bond will remain unbroken and that they would meet again.
-Forward-
Arc Cradle vanished and, at the last minute, Yusei made his way out.
Yusei saw all his friends waving at him as he approached. It was over. Everyone was okay. They did it. They had fixed everything.
The relief that Yusei felt could not be described; it threatened to overflow him. He could barely breathe.
"Everyone!" Yusei exclaimed with relief. He was back. "I'm back home."
They all greeted him with cheers, running to him with open arms.
Aki stayed back.
And then, burying her face in her hands, she sobbed.
In the final stretch now. About 4-6 chapters left to go until the end (depends on how intricate of an adventure my brain conjures up and forces me to type out).
Next chapter – nobody remembers what happened except for Aki.
How do they deal with it?
How does Aki?
What happens if (when) they remember?