Chào các bạn! Vì nhiều lý do từ nay Truyen2U chính thức đổi tên là Truyen247.Pro. Mong các bạn tiếp tục ủng hộ truy cập tên miền mới này nhé! Mãi yêu... ♥

The last memory

Like many children I had a childhood. Unlike most it is completely forgotten. Though some officials I have met liked to remind where I had come from, the Satellite sector.

I have been adopted, quite surprising for a Satellite as snide remarks would be whispered. I am now living on the tops with an elderly-ish couple, old but not that old. They are really sweet and actually treat me like I was theirs. They tried to get me into dueling, he was the former trainer for a few champions till he retired the last champ went out with a bang, so I've been told. Something just doesn't get me appealed to the game. Or something wants me away from the game I get a splitting headache, I mean splitting, I feel the scull opening. Yes I am being over dramatic! Though riding is fun. I enjoy riding the bikes I feel free. Though I am. And tinkering with disks and the D-wheels are great. I always ended up fixing some of the neighboring kids' duel thing.

I was called into the living room both of them sitting there on the couch. I tensed this must be a serious conversation. Last time we had this type of conversation the police, despite being legally adopted and brought over, said cause I was/am a Satellite I needed to be marked as a criminal for illegal entry. They negotiated the best they could, but I needed a mark not a file. I got a mark on the back of my neck. I bit the technician who worked the gun, he said it was not going to hurt (cannot use the young age excuse). And that they were going to be nice! They treated me like any other! Shackling my wrists and ankles, making a scared child even more scared. So, yeah they asked for it.

"Come sit down please." Ma asked me. I rubbed my mark that is a intricate V and sat on the couch across. "I got a request," the old man started. "Goodwin had asked me to come back."

I cringed, the man was nice to let my old man to adopt me. But, that man was not a man to trifle with.

"I would like you to come join me and be my assistant." My jaw dropped. "I can't duel, I don't even know how to." I blurted out, realizing what I had said I took a deep breath. "It is just once right?" The old man nodded to my question.

"On Goodwin's request." I did not even realize I had spoke that out loud, but I had a feeling Goodwin was planing something. "Yes." He spoke out heavily almost in relief, he hated to keep things secret.

"When do we leave?" I asked standing up. "Tomorrow, pack a number of clothes we will be staying there awhile." With that I left.

I opened my closest and went into the dark forbidden area. I am lucky if I find anything in that corner; it is Davy Jones' Locker on dry land. As I pulled a duffel bag out a old box was revealed. Curiosity took me and I grabbed the box pulling it out. The worn cardboard had some damage but it was still good. I have a feeling I fought off some kids for this.

There wasn't much but I have a feeling I am missing a few things. The box had what little I owned from the Satellite.

The old man sees a duelist in me, but where, why, how.

I had finished packing my clothes put my hairbrush in there, honestly I don't know why I try to brush it. As I stood up I saw myself in the mirror, it would not hurt right? I mimicked a duelist, my legs stood apart to show off strength my left arm held up as if it held the duel disk and cards in hand. I had "drawn" a card from the deck, my arm moved all on it's own as I played my turn, as if I could see the cards in my hand and the opponent across from me. The opponent had finished his turn it was my turn [Guru anyone?]. The reflection in the mirror went a red sky and the person in the mirror was no longer me, a real threat stood. I drew and looked at the card suddenly a pain coursed through my head, the image gone I dropped to my knees, my hands gripped my head. Something was stopping me from remembering, from reliving.

Getting over the attack I just had a knock landed on my door getting my attention. "Lights out." The old man creaked the door open to pop his head through. "Sleep well, Star."

He called me Star cause that is where the Satellites go when they are sent into space. Cheesy I know but it gave me hope.

Sleep, good idea.

§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§

"-up." I think I heard, I just rolled over. "If you don't get up I am going to pour icy cold water on you." I shot up straight up, he had the pitcher ready and everything he was not giving me a chance. The old man grinned as he dumped the pitcher over my head. I shrieked and huddled myself as the freezing water touched? No! He played a prank.

"Hey!" I shouted at his leaving figure. "If you want good food you better hurry, we leave in ten." My jaw dropped, I had ten to get ready. The old man did pour cold water on me once before, never again.

In eight minutes I had gotten dressed, freshened up, packed the last minute things, and was down stairs with the bag at the door.

"See she can move fast." He commented as I passed him when I put the bag at the door. I gave a playful glare as I sat down at the table, he placed a plate full of waffles.

Breakfast finished we bid our farewells tell next time and we headed off. The ride was quiet as I watched cars go by and D-wheels pass us. Maybe, I, no I could not. D-wheels are fun to ride, dueling is another story I do not thing works for me.

We pulled up to a security gate, slowing down the old man rolled down the window. "Morning," he greeted with a smile. "Goodwin had pulled me out of retirement." He joked, the guard looked at the list and shook his head. "Can't let you through, your name is not on the list. Besides, how many times a day do you think I hear that?"

"Someone got up on the wrong side." We both mumbled to ourselves. "Give Goodwin a call, I am sure he will say so." The guard showed an attitude. "Oh sure-"

"Let them through." A voice came from somewhere. "Yes sir." The guard hit a button and the gate opened, we went through it. The drive way went to a parking area meant for the workers. The old man found a parking spot near the door, thank goodness there are a lot of bags, heavy bags.

We managed to load all the bags into one elevator in a few attempts. The door to the elevator wanted to close on us a few times as we were loading. The door opened and a man was standing there, a gray suit, a little cliché if you ask me, white hair that went to his shoulders with a layer pulled back. It was Goodwin.

"Hello my dear." He greeted with a smile and a cheerful tone, I swear he was hiding something. "Hi." I replied, short and sweet -maybe a little bitter- as I started the whole process again.

"Hello sir." My old man greeted Goodwin when he grabbed the last bag in the elevator. "I was wondering what was keeping the elevator." Goodwin 'joked' back, could call it that but that is all I got.

With a snap of his fingers some people came behind Goodwin. "Kindly take their bags to their rooms please." With that our bags were gone. "How about young miss goes and play." I swear he is treating me as a child. "Or Star, you can scope out the shop area, check and see if Goodwin has all the tools we would need." I looked between them they were planing something. But I brushed it off and walked away.

As I continued to walk down two people were walking the other way, Satellites as well, by the markings on their faces. One had it like a tear, the other was just all over. The tear marked had crab arm hair. The throw up marks was a orange broom. Their steps faltered as they saw me, awkward as I am I pretended not to notice.

"Is that?" I think I heard one of them whisper.

Shrugging I continued, though something about them was indeed familiar.

I entered our little "office" and heard sound of an engine running. Looking around I saw a garage door leading to what seems to be the track for the duels. Through the door it took a second to get used to the natural light.

Upon seeing my exit a dueler, whom had been riding his D-wheel, came to a stop to my right. "About time," started his Ozzy impatient, ungrateful rant. "I have been waiting-" I tuned out his rant and tilted our my hip showing him I was not taking any shit.

"Fix it." He said getting off and walking off like a diva with some major attitude problems. Can I kick his butt? Cause I really want to. "The all mighty Jack Atlas everyone." I mumble in my equal emotion, but kept the volume down.

The old man finally joined me as I had finally pulled the loop wheel in. "Had fun driving?" He chuckled, guess he saw. "I had to know for myself what was wrong when he just storms off." I quickly defended myself.

The sun had set, I had finished with the bike. What the heck has he done with the thing? There was no good pipe in there. Before I give my okay and hand it over I took it out for a test run.

I was just finishing my first loop when I noticed the mighty Jack Atlas, I sighed as I pressed the breaks, time to explain, not that I really want to.

"I wanted to make sure it is running better before I give it back." I tell him, I'll admit a little snidely.

"That is not it," he started, not matching my tone, it took me by surprise. "When riding you wear safety gear." He threw a white helmet matching his own albeit a little smaller than his own, big head. Man, I could be so rude. I put the helmet on as he walked up next to the bike and got on the D-wheel behind me. He placed his duel disk in the proper place and neared my helmet covered ear.

"I'll give you a proper ride." I looked back at the Ozzy, he had that smirk that could make girls go up in flames. Which I think was happening, I swear I was about to ignite in flames. I turned back to the handle bars my face alight. I knew he could tell, there was a red glow, part of me cursed the dark vale of the night, the other thanked it. A blush is easier to see in the day not the night, unless if you are in flames, then you can see it. Most definitely.

I revved the engine warming it before taking off, and off we went I surprised Jack making him grab hold of my waist. "That was a little-" he trailed off, he did not know what word to put next. His warm embrace, body heat, stirred an old dream, a memory. "Hey, Jack?" I started not sure where to go, he leaned in tightening his grip telling me he was listening. "Have, no, did you ever skip rocks?" He did not reply he just loosened his grip as he sat back a little. "Never mind weird question." I quickly shut up. He then leaned in again and turned on the duel mode. "I said I'll give you a real ride." He answered my never, more like about to be spoken question. The field changed color recognizing the command given to it. The show was about to start.

"Draw." He told me over the whistling wind that went past us. With my nerves in a sudden shaky bunch a shaky my hand grabbed a card from the holster holding the deck. My fingers trembled while the card was in my hand, the other hand the one holding the handle bar started to shake was well. About to lose it all Jack put his hands on mine covering them with his larger ones. "It is all right." He seemed to whispered, and surprisingly that was the only thing I heard over the whistling wind.

I nodded having received a new calm my nerves went quite. With his hand guiding mine I put the high level monster in mine, our hand with the other cards waiting in standby. "Keep your eyes on the road." He reminded me, I was watching what he was doing that I if was not careful the safety wall would have been a ramp.

With my hand in his, he had me grab a card bringing it over to the disk. Then I saw my old man coming out of the garage door flagging us down to brake, and I did just that.

"Well, I hope it works to your pleasure." I said getting of the bike having turned off the engine and taking off the helmet. "Better." Was all he said he getting off too, with that me and the old man walked into the garage. With a great gust of wind my hair blew to the side leaving my neck exposed. Quickly I used my hand to bring my hair back. But that was all that was needed for Jack to see. I bet he realized now I am a Satellite.

Jack stood there watching her leaving form, it seemed all too familiar. Goodwin did say he found an old friend. Does Goodwin know? Maybe it was Goodwin after all. "Why are you doing this to her?" He asked the man behind him, speaking of the devil. "Must I tell you again?" Jack sighed big an heavy, he did not needed to be reminded of the cruel plan to test an theory.

Old man showed me where my room was and told me his room was down the hall and up a floor. I voiced my opinion and he shrugged, Goodwin had wanted it this way. I rolled my eyes like a drama queen and accepted this. Out the corner of my eye as I was opening my bedroom door I saw a tallish, taller than me at least, crab. Something was definitely familiar with him. I the stepped through the door.

A high class end hotel room or the cheep end condo was the thought that streaked across my mind. Honestly. Two doors, one closet the other to the bathroom....on that note hold that thought.......Washing my hands like some well kept person, don't know why I usually just rinse. I looked at myself in the mirror my eyes shimmered a twinkle of a star was back in them. The folks that adopted me, our first meeting there were clouds in my eyes covering the shining stars. At least that is what the old man had said.

I scanned the room it is horrible...okay this girl needs to get into bed, she is hating everything~. Without a second thought plooph, it is like a plop but with a oomph or ooph, I landed on the bed my feet still on the ground. Then I closed my eyes......

Dreams, very vivid in color they seemed to pop out. Then the children came out it was a memory of my days there. My days at the orphanage. Three kids ran by me one kid through me.

Then I saw through the eyes of the kid that ran through me. It was me that had ran though me. That hurt my head. I smiled as I ran with a broom, a crab, and a king. My smile was big and light most of my breathing was laughter with my three best friends. The memories was bright and happy despite the world around us.

Then clouds turned black, the sky red, our happy days gone. Blood spills in trail of a silver dragon. We grew scared as news of the dragon making its way up to the orphanage. Secretly the four of us decided that we would go out and duel the man who had this dragon. We knew Martha would not let us help her stand up against this mad man. Martha was a scary I-will-whoop-your-butt, stand up mother we would all care for her the best we could if anything happened. She was the only one who would love us when no one else would.

Our logical young brains, very is an understatement when I say very foolish I-will-whoop-your-butt Martha was gonna come out if she found out. We thought we could handle anything that the man could throw at us. In reality we had no clue, we might have been the best in the orphanage but that does not mean we were the best in the whole Satellite borderlines.

None of us were sure were the crazed duelist was going to come from, so we decided to take North, South, East, and West. Bright, right? Not! Should have done the whole power in numbers thing. Stupid, stupid. But, I think there was another reason within my heart as in why I agreed to this.

Once split we walked down our paths we had chosen, my crab friend took East, my broom friend took West, the king took South, and I took North. The farther I went the more scared I had became, something was up there I knew it, I gripped my deck tighter. From what we had heard the man brings two disk, just in case if his challengers did not have one. The smell of smoke is what caught my attention first then I saw a red glow. It was a fire! The man is most definitely coming this way. A strong smell of iron was stiffening my nerves, it must be a lot of blood if I could smell it. My knuckles white now as I continue walking forward.

"Hello Missy." A man greeted, he saw me first before I saw him walking the path. "I see you are a duelist." The man's voice so scary it could have been the devil's own. "Young or old, girl or boy, beginner or champion I will duel them." He threw one of his disk he had attached to his belt at his hip to me. Surprisingly I actually caught the disk as it landed against me. "Silent are we? It is not a good idea to duel silently." He mocked with that scary smile sending shivers through my body.

Then something clicked, I suddenly I am not so scared of this man. "I am sorry sir, I have been taught manners. Hello, I assume you are the bloody duelist." Then that smile, that creepy smile disappears his whole demeanor changed instead of happy creepy it changed to scary, even the king would be scared.

My point of view then changed to the sidelines as I watched. This is why, this is what happened. I am scared to duel. Because of my duel with him. I continued to watch, I did not like was I was seeing, I was getting beat up pretty badly. But that smile of his it had changed. "I am impressed little Missy, they way you duel and how you set traps up. You have duel someone in similar style as me. But, I am afraid you are too late. My cards are set."

The greatest thing I feared him playing was the next card to play. The card of blood.

"Synchro summon--"

The image went black all around me was pure darkness. What happened next? I want to remember!

My eyes shot open, I was in my room not darkness. My room's lights were on, not off....I swear I turned them off. I got out of bed and saw a cart of food, there is that early morning question of where do I go eat. There was a letter leaning over the dome metal thingy that covers your food, to protect it or surprise you. I opened the letter in great caution, something was not right, something in my gut was pounding me to burn it at not even look at. Yeah, no curiosity killed the cat. I looked. It was from Goodwin no surprise......

A knock made me jump out of my skin, I almost dove under the bed....gross, I do not know what was there.

Another knock stopped me again, it was like it was trying to wake me up. Not feed me in my sleep. I looked through the peep hole and a familiar face was standing there. Just the person I needed.

The old man had come down to my room and greeted me with a smile as I opened the door. "Hey, Star, came down to pick you up for breakfast." Oh, cannot hold it~ I hugged him. This shocked him but he hugged back. I was not much of a hugger.

"Pop," something I have not called in a long time as I pulled away. "I have received a letter telling me I should not leave my room except for training. I am going to go mad!" I rose my voice higher to show I really mean it. Then I looked at him, he had that look..I took a calming breath that usaully does nothing. Why do we do that? It does not help, my feeling to punch someone in the face is still there.

"Sorry, come in, I have enough breakfast for a whole orphanage." I opened the door more and stepped to the side letting him in the room.

"Star," he had that tone I knew to be wary of. It was the same tone he used telling me we where there at the place to get my mark. I was mad, but hey! I got ice-cream out of it. I do not think I will get ice-cream out of this one. "I did not tell you this because I did not know how to tell you this."

Not this again, I pipe in my head, stupid Goodwin. "The reason Goodwin pulled me out of retirement is so I can teach a certain duelist how to duel again." His words clicked in my head quicker than it should have. That is a bad thing right? Or something that I need to be scared of? "Why is Goodwin making me do this?"

"I don't know, he is a powerful man. I knew he had plans when he brought you into our arms from the Satellite all scared and wounded. This afternoon come with me to Goodwin's office." The old man did not sound like himself, unsure not rehearsed. We would have problems if it was rehearsed. I nodded my head, maybe going to the puppeteer is the best option I have.

The old man left leaving me with all the food and to get ready, I am a big girl I can get ready by myself no biggie. Right? My heart was the only thing I cannot get ready like a big girl getting ready for the day.

I ate maybe half of that cart of food they put in my room. So much French toast, yum. I made sure I had the key in my pocket as I held my door open, I'll leave the cart there for lunch I still have some bacon left. Key is in my pocket, (always double check) I let the door closed and took a look down both halls. One to my right and to my left. I heard a voice coming down one of the sides, I am sound directionally challenged. The voice I know it...it sounds deeper than my memory and louder than yesterday. I continued to stand there waiting as the voice became louder then I could tell that he was talking to someone.

"-I swear, it has to be. But, never thought-" Yes, I was ease dropping but that was all I could get.

Then the very person I put the voice to rounded the corner. It was the broom and the crab. They stopped in their tracks as we made eye contact and the broom just smiled. Yup, it is an old friend.

"Hey," I greeted, not sure how to start a good conversation. "Hi." They greeted back.

"You two would not have been in an orphanage, now would you?" Don't know how to lead up to your question just right out ask your question.

My question got me looks and I mentally face palmed. "Sorry." I mumbled, I told them my name as I held out my hand. They happily took it.

"Crow." The broom introduced his smile even brighter.

"Yusei." The crab actually smiled, one that I can tell he has not done in a while.

"Of course you knew that all ready. Star." Crow beam as soon as Yusei finished. I gave a sheepish grin and rubbed the back of my head. "Memory seemed to escape, sorry."

"Don't blame you, not after that." Yusei reassured me, we all had the same smile a sad distant smile.

"So~" Crow broke our dark moment, love him for that. "What brings you here, didn't think you would be in a place like this. Didn't think you would still duel." I paused for a moment. A horse? Jk~! "Goodwin, sneaky-" I decided to shut up before my words got me in trouble.

Crow slung his arm around bringing me in close. "Aren't we all." He stated more than anything. We laughed a fully belly laugh good and hardy. But, I felt eyes watching us. Stopping my laughter I looked behind us and sure enough there were purple eyes peeking around the corner. I smiled warmly and welcoming to Jack. The others had realized I was looking at someone. "Jack." Crow said bitterly, too bitterly for my liking. Yusei tensed, too much to be a good thing. Jack kept his eyes on me then left in the other direction. "Ja-" my voice to call out for him was cut short by a hand on my shoulder.

Crow doesn't like him anymore Yusei hardly trusts him. What happened to my friends?

My head started to pound from the emotional mess working up. The memories my body wishes not to remember stirring, I may not see them but my body knows.

"I got to go." I say a little forced, I know they know but I was not going down the right road to be with people.

Despite my shooing Crow and Yusei help me find my room like a drunk. Shaking hands fumble through my pockets grabbing my key and letting me in.

Call me rude but~

So they could not argue about leaving me, I, I shut the door on them. I mumbled an apology, but I know they heard it.

Sleep best thing for a pounding head. I swayed and stumbled then ploof on the bed was I.

The two stood there, their eyes blinked in surprise. The door barely touching their noses. An apology was heard to be on the other side and they smiled. "She is still so fresh in wounds." Yusei told the other as they pulled away. "That and she doesn't have a mark." Crow piped in, "then again Jack doesn't either."

Yusei pulled out a card, it was on top of their friend when they found her laying on the ground wounded and unconscious from a duel her opponent unknown but easy to guess who.

"What did that letter say again?" Crow broke the moment of silence that was slowly choking them. "You duel tomorrow against someone you had once dueled with." They once again thought of who it might be.

I rolled over to the sound of nocking incoherent words rumbled out of my mouth. The nocking became louder and more aggressive with each passing moment. I sat up no longer able to take the assault on my door.

Angrily and as beastly I could manage to do I opened the door, like pressure released and blowing all that disappeared. It was Jack.

"Hey." Jack greeted without meeting my eyes.......Jack's head was down and to the side in a shamed or embarrassed. Then he looked slight anger in his eyes. "Oh sorry!" I had not said a word to him since I opened the door. "Um," this was awkward. "May I help you?" That slight prideful look in his turned soft and sightly hurt. I mean how do you? I don't know what to say. But maybe talking at the door is kind of a bad idea? "Would you like to come in?" I asked as I made room for him to enter. He nodded without a word and entered. Stopping as he reached the opening of the min hall his head down.

"I," he started, his voice pained to what he was trying to say. "I need to apologize." Confused is an understatement.

"About earlier?" I asked walking around him to see is face. "It is fine, a little creepy. But, fine." Had to admit peaking from the side of a corner like a shy kid in a freaking tall body is a little creepy.

"No," he seemed to brush off my extra comment about the corner. "Much earlier."

Interest has been peaked. "How much earlier?"

"Years."

"How many?"

"Many years." Okay smart- could we stop this stupid game!

Sensing my aggravation he smiled that gotcha smile and really answer my question. "When we were in the orphanage. That fated day. I did not go south, I knew your luck and you would have gotten the Bloody-Duelist. I was going to jump in between the two of you and take your place. But. But, when I saw that man I froze in place. I watched you duel. I watched you get hurt. I did nothing. I am sorry. I begged Martha not to give you a lecture when you woke up. I begged her to give it to me."

That is why I never got a big chewing out.

"Jack." My voice soft, I had no idea where to take it. New information! Take it in in two seconds and tell me what you think! Oh goodness this is why I did the background work while the old man did this kind of stuff.

"The pond, do you remember?" His head popped up in hope, his eyes sparkled in hope.

"Skipping rocks? Hardly." I was not going to lie to the guy, he is hurt enough. A lie would do damage.

"It really did a number on you, huh?" I nodded, I was feeling guilty enough as is.

Slowly as to be gentle, fearing I would break by a mere touch, Jack pulled me in for a hug. I clung onto him disparately. Too much has changed, so much it hurts. My heart, my head. What does not hurt? My grip tightened. How I wish to turn the clock. A free hand, the other holding me up and close to him, softly as touching a ready to break porcelain doll his hand rested on my head. Soothing sounds came from his mouth. But the really soothing thing to my ears was hearing it from his chest.

The few moments we stayed like that felt forever. My eyes were falling moments of fazing out were more frequent and longer. A soft cushion was at my side the warmth in front of me still there. Then peaceful, oh so peaceful sleep took over.

Oops, I never did meet pops to talk with Goodwin.

I woke with a sudden burst of energy and sat up throwing half of my blanket to the end of the bed.

I kid not the highest loud shriek that can come out of a girl left my lips.

Goodwin was sitting in a chair at the end of my bed. Talk about freak.

Pounding on my door broke our staring contest. "Yo, Star! Is everything alright?" It was Crow and I bet Yusei was there too, our rooms are not too far away. Goodwin's face did not falter in any sort of way. "Yeah," I yelled back at my door. "I think it was a cockroach that flew in front of my face." I smirked he frowned, he knew that reference was to him.

Then a shriek came from the other side. Was there really a cockroach? Either way I think the boys left.

Time to get a shoe and squish the bug.

"To what do I owe the wake up?"

"To pay me."

"With what you are confining me." I crossed my arms and raised my brow with a tilt in my head in attitude.

"If you wish to continue to live the way you do you will have to duel for me."

"I am sure for various reasons that you know of, I cannot duel." He just smirked.

"You will, and you are going to be conditioned by a familiar duelist to you." With that he left me to my mind.

A familiar duelist to me? A duelist I dueled in the past? Who? I noticed there were other trainers, but none of them recognizable. My trio? We would get into too much trouble.

"I forgot to mention-"

"Have you ever heard of nocking?" My voice above pleasant.

"They way I had left you meant you were going to be sitting there for a little while."

I hate it when people are right about things like this.

"You meet you trainer in, oh say, fifteen minutes." I hate you. As he turned his back I grabbed my clothes when the door clicked I made sure he was gone then dressed and ready was I.

In the workshop as I like to call them. There was a nice D-wheel, sleek, lean, and mean.

"Hey Star." I turned around it was pops. I don't get it. But, his demeanor has changed.

"Goodwin he is-"

"Pulling major strings to get this to happen." He got me in my pause of words. He sounds tired and worn.

"Here is your deck of cards." His hand was out and held a deck like he said.

"You say a duelist needs to build one or it won't flow nicely."

"I did not build it."

"Then Goodwin."

"Feel it."

I felt the deck in my hand, I held new cards a few times but these feel used and worn. Not cared for like a proper duelist should but cared for enough to keep them whole.

A Satellite's deck

"My deck?" The old man nods.

"Why how?"

"Goodwin was cleaver, but, I did ask for you intentionally." Confused is an understatement, we never met, asked for me intentionally means.... "Because you changed me, when we last dueled. Our last duel."

"You are the bloody duelist!" My knees went weak and threatening to go out from under me.

"Goodwin found me after our duel. He was about to arrest me. I told him I wanted to change I wanted something different. All because a girl did not cowar at my sight. I wanted to start anew and with the child that got me to change. I left my card on your person."

"What card?"

"I should ask, but I know who has the card I gave you." Words sounded so cryptic my head was spinning.

"I couldn't duel after that! You turned what I love, my dream into a nightmare!"

My knees buckled I fell to the floor clenching the deck in hand. It was sinking in. Physically. Mentally. I was going back.

"Star-"

"No!" I shrieked to keep him away. The look in his eyes of hurt and pain, it made me feel worse. A new surge of fear and energy got me up and running. Sounds of cards fluttering and landing on the floor was left in my wake. I had no clue to anything anymore. What I thought was truth. Tired from all the running my legs just gave and I fell in the floor.

"Damn, that Goodwin." I sat on my legs wiping quickly and ferociously away the tears that so desperately flowing out.

"Star?" The sound of my nickname surprised me causing me to look up. Yusei stood there shocked at the state I was in. He approached me carefully afraid I would lose it again. Slowly extending out his hand as not to scare a frightened animal he held out his hand. My hand grabbed his when it was fully extended. He pulled me up to stand and walked with me back to my room. We did not talk not a word was spoken, almost like he knew. Once we got to my room he gave me no chance to repeat what I had done last time. I went to my bag to look and see if I had anything for the coming headache, not going to try to fight Yusei.

"This is your deck." He sound surprised, shocked like he thought he would never see it again. Then it hit me.

"My deck?" I looked at him as equally shocked. "What is it doing here?" I asked as I was standing up to take a look with him.

He handed me the deck to confirm if it really was mine. I pulled the first card on top it was my favorite card and ace in the hole. Not only that it was a special edition really hard to get for a Satellite. It gleamed in the little light coming from the drawn curtain at the window. I felt my cards cheering and welcoming me back. A small smile graced my lips. But I sighed, I still fear the game. And then the cards went silent.

(As this is a reader pov story that is your personal favorite and such)

I thanked Yusei and told him I would like to take a nap. He inhaled deeply about to say something but chose against it and left with a nod.

The next few days was hell. Goodwin kept reminding me about the duel I will be participating. Every time I made an attempt to seek a friend's comfort something drags me or someone pulls them away, even they turn away when I neared them. Jack mostly did that. But that was not the hell part. Instincts are instincts. I needed to get over my fear.

In the training room a disk fit to my arm and the old deck. First draw always the hardest. I tremble before the first draw and is just as bad the second and the third, not so bad after so many though. My fingers that touch the deck feel like they are burning.

I practiced so much I tired myself so badly that as soon as my butt touched the seat I passed out. When I woke up a great weight was on top of me, my sleepy gaze rested on white as I sat up my arms hung onto it keeping it on. This jacket is surprisingly heavy. IT IS JACK'S JACKET. Okay calm down. It is so warm. My face buried in my shoulder smelling his scent. It smells so nice and so much like him. I fell asleep again from being intoxicated from it.

The remaining days continued like that, with the jacket making it's appearance a few times. Now I felt like I am the one who is avoiding everyone.

Then a moment of pain so great I had died.

"Your father or Guardian, has passed away." Goodwin oh so graciously informed me with that as-a-mater-of-fact tone. Oh I wanted to punch him in the face. But ever more so I wanted to cry. I felt bad. Goodwin saw my mood had changed and left.

The duel was today, today was the duel. I did not even apologize to him. Pa, you were the duelist but you were pa. I cried to myself.

However long it was a nock met at my door. My eyes are puffy my checks stained, but I do not care. Taking a deep breath I opened the door to see Jack there holding a dueling jumper.

"I pulled this out of the bell's hands." He finally looked up. "Are you okay? What happened?" He forced his way in to check me.

"Pa is dead." I sobbed into his chest.

"He was the duelist. He deserv-" My sobs getting louder stopped him.

"I did not leave him on good terms." Jack toghtened the hug before letting go. "To make up for it duel for him. The tournament is soon."
I swear that face is getting closer. "And besides I came to wish you luck." He breathed out and our lips locked on. I was surprised at first then I melted into the kiss, literally. No self control that and it being my first kiss. My first kiss! I don't really mind actually and it is with an old friend. But, oh my gosh is it deep.

I was running out of air and I do not care. Then he breaks it leaving us breathless, gasping like a fish with no water.

"I better go and you better get dressed." With that he left. I feel better actually. Thank you Jack.

We did the introduction to the tournament and a few duelist had already gone.

Now it is my turn, against Yusei. I walk to my D-wheel a sleek cobalt blue bike and mounted it. With the engine running and ready all I had to do was wait for my name. And so I was called and our duel began.

We finished our one lap and Yusei went first he called a monster and set a trap. I did the same we were preparing for our ace in the whole.

Unfortunately for me Yusei got to it first. He synchro summoned his best card, the StarDust dragon.

That monster, I knew it well. That man, it was pa's card. How did Yusei get the card? The StarDust Dragon? I started to panic my control over the steering faltered making the D-wheel swerving. I tensed losing all control. The bike fell sliding on the track leaving sparks behind. I felt the wind around me as I was weightless. A scream loud enough to burst ear drums made Yusei look back, seeing the scene behind him. Overcoming friction Yusei skidded sideways, the scream was mine.

Then my body fell on the ground rolling and rolling as science works. My D-wheel stopped with a screech of metal as my body did a few more rolls. I blanked, I lost consciousness Yusei, Crow, and Jack were the last I could see.

Jack held a limp body of a girl in his hands, an accident in a duel few years back left the girl wounded. Every time she made an attempt to play she would feel great pain in her body. Her three friends found other ways to have fun without getting into trouble. Finding out she had been adopted, little Jack took her to their favorite place to skip rocks and made a promise. "I'll become King, and fulfill your dream." Never once did Jack forgot.

======•••••========••••
That photo in the media is what had started this whole thing. Did not intended it to be 111-2 pages long. Oops.

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen247.Pro