The Tainted Feathers - Chapter 2

Months passed by before another Dark Signer conference was held. In between the last couple of months, I've learned a lot about the Dark Signer organization that I had never thought I'd learn, along with how to use my new deck, the Dark Feathers. Long story short, turns out I was completely wrong about the Dark Signers. Granted their method of "world peace" was a bit ironic, and I was still not comfortable with having to kill people in order to achieve it, but I really did understand the Dark Signer mission clearly now and how I was supposed to carry it out.

I stared at the mirror in my room and sighed tiredly. I really did change a lot from the time I dueled Bommer – on the wrong side of the war – to now. Maybe it's due the lack of sleep or whatever because, as Kiryu failed to inform me, this organization doesn't believe in sleeping in. Habits aside, as ironic as this might sound, I actually felt like the Dark Signers were another family to me. Granted we all had our annoying flaws and personal habits, like Kiryu incessantly asking Rudger at breakfast, "Can I kill Yusei yet?" over and over and over until Rudger finally gets up and leaves, causing Kiryu to be silent.

Wait. Did I say annoying? I meant amusing.

But, really. It felt as though that the Dark Signers have - slowly but surely - become a family to me. We may not always agree on everything, but our goal of annihilating the Signers keeps us all together. It's actually a lot of fun too, being a Dark Signer. In a way, it's like Team Satisfaction all over again, but on a much larger scale.

I got up eagerly from my bed and opened the door to go to the conference when I found Kiryu standing there, looking solemn. This was very unusual, considering he normally just stands outside my room to scold me for oversleeping. But, today, he had a grave look on his face like someone died while we were all asleep. I inspected his expression carefully before asking, "Kiryu, what's up? You don't look too cool," Then, jokingly, hoping to lighten the mood, I laughed, "What? Did you stay up all night last night again?"

As soon as I said that, I immediately regretted it. I was preparing for Kiryu to say something like "You dumbass. This is a very important matter!" but he didn't. Instead, he just put his hand on my shoulder and responded as-a-matter-of-factly, "Crow, be on time for the meeting today. There's some dire information that's going to be discussed, and it's very important that you be there." After, he turned around and walked away, closing the door behind him. Whatever was going on at the meeting today, it must be pretty damn important if Kiryu, of all people, is acting serious.
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Dark Signer Hideout: Old Momentum "Gathering Room"

"Glad everyone - bar poor Demak, of course - could assemble once again," Rudger began after clearing his throat a couple of times to get our attention. "Now, I'm sure many of you are wondering what this meeting could possibly be about and why it's so important to attend today."

You bet I was.

"After months of training and research in our facility, Bommer and I have concluded that it was time we started our assignments. However, I wanted to make sure we were all clear of our plan and the news we discovered before Kiryu goes off to battle Yusei," Rudger continued. I guess that's why Kiryu looked a bit somber today. But even then, I was confused. I would've expected Kiryu to be all pumped up about finally annihilating Yusei or something.

"What news have you discovered?" Misty, the motherly figure of the Dark Signers, inquired.

"Great question, Misty. After sensing much disturbance in nature within the last couple of weeks, Bommer and I have concluded that the Crimson Dragon is finally beginning to take action against us. We're not sure when or how, but we know that he's definitely going to try and aid the Signers. I just want to warn everyone right now to be very cautious during your assignments, especially you, Kiryu. Unless you want to die and never come back again."

Kiryu only stared at Rudger and nodded numbly in response. So THAT'S why Kiryu looked so down and out of it. Whatever the Crimson Dragon was planning, it's obviously something life-changing and threatening to all of us.

"So, in light of that, I just want to make sure we're clear on this. Kiryu will go against Yusei first, and if he fails his mission -" Kiryu flinched, "- I will go after Yusei myself. If neither of us are back by sundown, Crow, you will commence your assignment, as will you, Misty. Bommer and Carly, you will prepare Misty and Crow – respectively – for their assignments if we don't return. Otherwise, Kiryu and I will handle it. Is this clear, everyone?"

I, along with the rest of the Dark Signers, nodded firmly. However, I was secretly hiding what I was really feeling inside: fear and anxiety. I have lost so many people in my life, and I was so afraid to lose two members of my family to those damned, heartless Signers. But, what was I supposed to do? Disobey Rudger? Yeah. Like that's going to happen. However, that didn't stop me from worrying about Kiryu. Because I had known him before I joined the Dark Signers, before he joined the Dark Signers, I was especially close to the annoying prick. It was almost like we became brothers through the Dark Signers organization, always looking out for each other (and fighting with each other), even more so than when we were on Team Satisfaction with Jack and Yusei. But, now, I was risking losing Kiryu again. And this time, I might not ever see him again.

I must have been crying or something dumb like that because Kiryu looked at me and barked, "Wipe that snot off your face, you idiot. This isn't the time for tears. We gotta be strong, even if it means death."

I immediately wiped my face with my arm, trying to compose myself. I retorted back, "Don't you understand what's happening here, Kiryu? You might get killed out there! And if you get killed . . ."

"Who's going to be there to take care of your sorry ass? Yeah. I was wondering that too," Kiryu smirked, "And who said I was going to get killed? Even if I die, heaven's not gonna take me or hell. Hell, we're IN hell, and I obviously can't get any lower than that. So I'll have no choice but to come back. I'm not going to die, Crow. Trust me." Then, Kiryu left the room, grabbing his deck and his D-Wheel helmet, to go battle Yusei.

I wanted to believe him. I really did. But something in my heart told me that Kiryu wasn't going to make it. Not against Yusei, the "God-favored one", as Rudger put it. I didn't feel too good in my gut either after Kiryu left. I waved off these anxieties as mere thoughts accelerated by lack of sleep and stress and went back to my chamber, waiting for Kiryu to come right back. Waiting for him to walk in the door to help me get ready for my battle with Jack.

He never did.
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The Tainted Feathers
A Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's three-shot
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Chapter 2: A Flickering Flame! On the Verge of Despair

Dark Signer Hideout: Old Momentum – Send-Off Room

Since neither Kiryu nor Rudger came back by sundown, the four of us remaining followed the protocol that Rudger had set before he and Kiryu left. Bommer took Misty to the first send-off room by the actual Momentum substance while Carly led me to the send-off room closest to the entrance of the Momentum complex. While walking briskly, I could sense that the air surrounding Carly was simply more than stress from the impending mission. There was definitely something more to it. So, being the big-mouth buffoon that I was, I decided to ask, "Carly, I know this mission's pretty much life or death for us right now, but can you lighten up a little bit?"

Suddenly, she stopped abruptly and whispered loud enough just for me to barely hear, "Crow, I will say this once and only once. As Dark Signers, we're not meant to show real emotions to anyone, especially not to our opponents. This is not the time to be joking around. Understood?"

I was surprised, considering she hasn't said more than ten words since my time with the Dark Signers, much less a speech. I only weakly mumbled, "I understand," before she continued walking. I ran just enough to keep up with her pace before we stopped again, this time in the send-off room. My D-Wheel, Blackbird (with a few modifications to make it look more badass), and my deck were both waiting for me towards the exit, so I immediately mounted my D-Wheel and placed the helmet over my head. Revving the engine, I waited for Carly to hand me my deck before I could be on my way. Right on cue, she walked over to my right to give me the Dark Feathers, my new and improved deck. "Thanks," I said. "Thanks a lot, Carly." I pressed the button on the side of my helmet to pull the glass down over my eyes and almost proceeded to head off as the door to the outside world was opening, but as I was going to put my foot on the gas pedal, Carly commanded, "Crow, wait!"

Startled, I put my foot down on the ground so I wouldn't suddenly speed off and looked at her as to say "What is it? I thought I was ready?" As if she understood my expression, she apologized. Then, she asked, "Since . . . since you're going to face the Wing Signer and all, do you mind delivering a message to him for me?"

Giving a little chuckle, I replied, "Heh. I already have a thousand messages I need to give to him, but those are all from me," I smirked, "I'd be glad to deliver one more." Carly breathed a sigh of relief, as if the greatest burden of the world was lifted off of her shoulders or something, and continued, "Well, just in case this space is attacked by the Signers, tell him . . . tell Jack that I'm sorry and I love him."

Wait. When did being cupid become a part of the Dark Signer job description?

"Uh, Carly? Let's think about this," I interjected slowly. "One, I'm a guy, so saying that will be massively awkward anyway. Two, how the heck am I supposed to tell him that while hating his guts? Couldn't you do it yourself?"

"I can't. You're the one that's going after Jack, not me. Anyway, you'll think of something, I'm sure," she responded. "Just get the message to him somehow, okay? Moving right along, I'm sure you're aware by now that your deck's changed, but just in case you forgot, it has. Also, make sure that if you're going to summon your Earthbound God, Quahitl, make sure you're at least within three miles of a heavily populated area that doesn't contain any Signers so you can summon it without any problems whatsoever. And finally, remember what you're fighting for. You're fighting for the Dark Signers, fighting to save the world from the impending destruction posed by the Signers. Don't ever forget that."

"Isn't the last part a bit of a no-brainer?" I asked while looking through my Dark Feathers deck one last time. "You could've saved your breath there."

All of a sudden, Carly looked down at the ground, sighed, and looked back at me, saying,
"No. It's not a no-brainer. That's how we lost Kiryu. Right before he died, I could sense that his heart had been converted to the beliefs of the Signers. That blasted Tail Signer must have used his tricky words to confuse him, to stray him from our mission, even though it was he that turned Kiryu away from the Signers in the first place.  Even though you're going to face the Wing Signer instead of the Tail, they do share similar ideals, so I just want you to be careful and remember what we're fighting for."

"N-No way . . ." I started, surprised at what had happened prior to Kiryu's death. "Kiryu was the most radical Dark Signer out of all of us, yet . . . yet the bastard converted? Damn it!" I pounded my fist against the duel disk on my D-Wheel. How? How could Kiryu have let his mind gone astray like that? How?

"So you see my point, right? Just remember, Crow. The Signers took the lives of your precious orphans' parents, so you definitely have to avenge their souls or they will face eternal damnation. Duel and win, Crow. For the orphans and for our fallen comrades," she said, turning and walking back in the opposite direction towards the Dark Signer quarters. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the angry nerves that had developed with my conversation with her. Those damn, ruthless, cold-hearted Signers. I would like nothing more than to see them squirm in pain

With that motivation, I pressed on the accelerator and left the Old Momentum.
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Daedalus Bridge

After quite a bit of driving, I found myself at the forever to be incomplete Daedalus Bridge. The sensor in my Blackbird had told me that Jack was somewhere around in this area, so I merely drove to it. I've been here so many times throughout my life, so getting to it was the easy part. Finding Jack Atlus, though, was going to be a bit of a challenge.

Or maybe I didn't have to find him. All of a sudden, I heard the familiar whirl of Jack's prized Wheel of Fortune in the distance and chuckled a bit, but the chuckling stopped when I heard him call out, "Carly! Carly, where are you?"

Well, he's in for a big surprise.

I finally saw Jack's D-Wheel looming over the horizon, so I revved the engine again and drove towards the sound of whirring. When it finally showed itself clearly, I turned my D-Wheel sideways to stop Jack from going any further. If he was going to find Carly, he would have to get past me first.

"What is this?" Jack snarled. "Get out of my way, you scum Dark Signer!"

"Now, now, Jack Atlus, that's no way to greet an old friend," I responded, clearly recognizing the fact that he didn't identify me with all this Dark Signer garb and my D-Wheel helmet on. "An old childhood friend, no less."

Jack must have recognized who I was by my voice because I saw him raise the visor of his helmet, revealing his strained, horrified expression. "C-Crow? Crow, that can't be you, can it?" He stammered. I had never seen Jack so horrified like that before, so it was moments like this that felt worth it to be a Dark Signer. So I took off my own helmet, revealing my Dark Signer scarred face.

"You're right, Jack. In a sense. I'm not the Crow you knew since childhood. Not anymore, anyway," I responded, smirking. Then, opening my eyes, I saw Jack's face turn into an even more horrified expression.

"How . . . How could you have turned on us? To become one of them! Crow, what the hell is wrong with you?!" He snarled, balling his hands up into fists.

"I'd like to ask you the same thing!" I retorted back. "You stupid Signers are just going around, screwing up the world and not giving a damn about it. And now, you're defending your actions by asking what's wrong with me? Don't make me laugh, Jack."

"What? They've fed you lies, Crow! Damnable lies!"

"What is it going to take to get through to your thick-headed skull to convince you what I'm saying is the truth?" I remarked irritably. Sighing, regaining my composure, I continued, "Well. I guess you never liked the truth anyway. It's why you hid your origin from Neo-Domino all these years as the so-called Duel King. You threw away your friends back in Satellite just for power, so it's no wonder you can't accept the truth in any form."  

"What was that?"

"You heard me. You just enjoy living a life of lies and ignorant bliss to avoid getting hurt, to avoid people hating you. Well, I've got news for you. Those from Satellite will never forgive you. Never, Jack."

"That's not true! Yusei forgave me. He said so himself."

Well, Jack never was the brightest one of the bunch. I totally forgot about that.

"Geez, Jack. I said those from Satellite. Yusei is not from Satellite, you dimwit."

"Quit screwing with me, Crow! You know he's from Satellite! You grew up with us! You saw him! What do you mean he's not from Satellite?" he snapped, raising a fist into the air.

"Exactly just that. He's from the snobby rich Neo-Domino Tops Area. That's where he was born. And before you deny me further, his father's former associate told me all about it. How Yusei was born in the Tops Area, how Yusei's dad killed everyone's parents . . . Everything. By siding with Yusei, well, guess what? You're siding with a murderer, Jack. Not only are you Signers ruining the world's balance, you're essentially getting away with murder. Does that feel good knowing that? Knowing that you're friends with someone who ruined the lives of the orphans? Who ruined our lives?!"

"Crow . . ." Jack gasped, clearly showing exasperation, "I don't know what the Dark Signers did to you, but I'm going to wake you up from this world of bull that you're living in. And I'll make sure it happens if it's the last thing I do."

"Oh it'll be the last thing you attempt to do, all right," I muttered under my breath, trying to keep my anger under control. "That's just like you, Jack. All talk and no brains."

It seemed like I had gotten on Jack's last nerve then because he slammed a fist down on the control for his Wheel of Fortune and grunted as if he were annoyed and perturbed at the exact same time. "What the hell, Crow?" He screamed. Then suddenly, as if he was holding back, he tried to maintain the very little composure that his existence allowed him to have, looked at the ground, and tried again, "Crow . . . what happened to you? You used to be so optimistic about the world, and now you act like there's no hope." Then, with a pained look on his face, he looked at me directly and pointed at me, declaring, "You've become like Kiryu!"

Is he serious? Is he seriously bringing Kiryu into this too? That bastard. "Shut up, Jack. Don't you know that was all just a facade? I only acted optimistic to blind myself about the terrors of this world and how there is no hope for it. But now, I see there's no hope for this world unless I rid the world of you and the rest of the Signers are taken care of. That is the will of Nature."

"Will of Nature? Says the guy who accused me of defending my so called screwed up actions," he snarled. "If your little group is supposedly fighting for what's best for the world, why are the rest of your comrades dead?"

That did it.

At that moment, I felt something in my brain snap, and I felt myself sinking into the familiar darkness that I experienced when I was becoming a Dark Signer while somehow maintaining consciousness at the same time. Within the darkness, I saw a familiar face . . . Quahitl.

"Wh-What's going on?" I stammered, shocked at this sudden turn of events. "Explain, Quahitl!"

"Wow. So glad you remember me, Crow. If I had the ability to be happy, I'd be so happy right now," the freak remarked.

"Get to the damn point," I hissed.

"Long story short, you're taking too damn long to get to the point with this Jack guy. So I decided that I'd bring you here so I'd take your place. Permanently," he responded.

"What? You can't do that! I'm in control of you, remember? If I need your help, I'll ask for it," I retorted. "This is my job, not yours."

"Well, I'm somehow feeling a bit nice today, so I'll let you do as you wish." Quahitl remarked a bit sarcastically, still with that stupid smirk on his face. However, his expression suddenly changed to a more murderous one, and he added with a growl, "But remember, I was the one that brought you back from the dead, and I can certainly kill you if I wanted to. Don't disappoint me, Crow, or I will be forced to take matters into my own hands." After that statement, he disappeared, and I was brought back to the real world, where Jack was accusingly looking at me. What did he say before I blacked out again? Something about if I'm so right, why is everyone else dead or something? My memory has never been that great about things like that . . .

"Answer me!" Jack demanded. Geez. Had I been out for that long?

"Fine, Jack. I will answer you, but only after you play a friendly game of Duel Monsters with me, just like in the old days," I returned with a sly smile on my face. "Only, this time, the winner gets to live, and the loser dies." As if to emphasize what I said, I started my engine again to signal to Jack that I was indeed serious about my proposal. As a response, Jack did likewise and prepared himself for the duel. Then, as I started my engine, purple fire appeared from the ground and began to form in the shape of my birthmark, and, as if that were a cue, the birthmark appeared on my arm.

"See, Jack? I told you I was being serious!" I yelled over the sound of my engine, looking backwards to see Jack's red Wing birthmark. So that's what Rudger meant. It makes sense now. "Be careful, Jack, or you might just get burned."

"You don't need to tell me," Jack retorted back, following me at almost equal pace. "You saw me when Yusei dueled Kiryu, so you should know I'm well aware of your organization's twisted dueling quirks."

At the mention of Kiryu, I felt something inside me drop. The way he keeps talking about Kiryu like that . . . Doesn't he feel any remorse?!

"Enough!" I demanded. "From here on out, let our cards do the talking!"

"Sounds good to me," he responded with a hint of confusion. I guess not every Signer knows what happened to Kiryu. So much for Yusei's crap about bonds.

"Duel Mode: On." The computer screen informed me as I sped faster to try and beat Jack to the corner. When I did, I exhaled, "This is it, Jack . . . This duel will definitely be your last."
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Preview

Crow: "Pearson . . . Will I grow up to be as strong as you and the Legendary D-Wheeler someday?"
Pearson: "Crow, strength isn't found in imitating others. It's about finding your own. Once you find that, you'll be able to do anything."
Jack: What . . . You're not Crow! Who are you?
Crow: What are you talking about? I'm most definitely Crow, and I'm definitely going to kill you.

Next time, on The Tainted Feathers: Hope on the Horizon.
Arise now, Quahitl!