The boy was hunched over his bike, clearly trying to focus on delicate wiring. "Forget what- Kalin's deadline?"
"What? No-"
"Thyme, If we don't have these bikes ready then Securities will snatch us up along with the other gangs." Crow finally straightened his posture. A faint pop emit from his back. "I don't want to switch to Kalin's Plan B. It usually involves me getting my shit rocked."
That made them laugh. "No, no. I mean did you forget what today is."
"July seve- OH." Eyes wide with recognition.
Their head nodded, "Jack and I already have decorations in place. You're task is to lure Yusei back."
"Why not you? Or Kalin?"
"He knows me too well. He'll immediately be suspicious." A wink, "And Kalin is getting the final pieces together."
---
All lights were off in Base. Kalin, Thyme, and Jack hid behind various delapidated furniture. In just a moment....
The door opened. "Crow why are the lights-"
"SURPRISE!"
Yusei jumped back as the rest of the team jumped out. Crow flicked on the lights and blew a party horn across Yusei's face. Jack and Thyme pulled confetti poppers. Kalin lit a candle on a cupcake on the center table.
"Happy birthday, brother." Jack pat the birthday boy's shoulder.
"Happy birthday, Yusei." Kalin gave a warm smile. Shadows from the candle danced across his face.
"I got you good, didn't I?" Crow's mischevious grin was unhideable. "Though Thyme did have to remind me, heh."
"How could you forget?" A playful nudge of his shoulder as Thyme stepped closer. "Happy Birthday, love. We all pitched in and got you this."
Outstretched hands revealed a small, carefully wrapped box. Gloved hands accepted the gift, gently opening it to avoid damage.
A CPU chip. It looked like it would fit his bike-
Yusei wiped a stray tear from his face. "Guys..."
"Ah! Did we get the wrong one?" Kalin scratched his head. "Thyme did all this research to get it legit and-"
"N-no. I'm not sad." Yusei smiled and wiped another tear away. "This is... I love all of you."
"Hah! Birthday boy said the L word!" Crow hugged him, "We love you too, bro."
----------
"Why the glum face?" Akiza shuffled her deck with precision at the desk. "You look more emo than usual, Thyme."
"Today is July 7th, right?" Thyme clicked their pen repeatedly.
"Yeah? Need a new calendar or what?"
They crossed their arms. "Today is... something is today."
The redhead finished shuffling, finally adding her cards to her backpack. "Nothing is on our schedule. Nor has Sayer relayed anything to us for Arcadia's advancements. Maybe your amnesia is slowly going away?"
"Since when have you cared about my past?"
"Can a woman not be complex in nature? Can I not have multiple differently faceted feelings of concern for my roommate?"
"Damn, alright. Sorry." Thyme began to bite at their nails. "It's... really bothering me. Something is today..."
Akiza sighed, "It'll eventually return to you, Thyme. Don't go getting a migraine on me, now."
---
Yusei lay on the rooftop above the new base. Silent stars whisked across the vast sky. Faint voices from the busier bars in Satellite melted into the white noise of the night.
Had it already been a year?
"Yusei?"
The quiet voice snapped him from his thoughts. He sat up, turning to find Rally a few paces away. "What brings you up here?"
Rally moved to sit beside him. "Um... well... today is July 7th, right?"
"Mhm." He had an idea of where this was going.
"Well, um... happy birthday, Yusei." He held up a knit scarf. "I went to Martha and she helped me finish it."
The scarf had a striped design. Blue, red, orange, purple, and white alternating along the length. Respectively colored tassles decorated the ends. "...Thank you, Rally."
"I'm sorry not everyone is around..." His eyes avoided Yusei's saddened gaze. "But ya'know... it does get cold at night. Wrap this around you and it can be like a hug. From who you need most."
----------
The clock on the stove read 02:05.
Yusei stood in the kitchen holding a mug of tea. Insomnia had struck him, again. Will this ever stop?
He'd looked forward to sleeping in today.... guess not.
Gentle hands snaked their way around his waist. He didn't flinch- he knew who they belonged to.
"Good morning, birthday boy." Thyme rest their chin on his shoulder. "Insomnia get you, too?"
A hum for a response. He tilted his head to lean against theirs. Heartbeats synced up in the few breaths of silence.
"Well, at least I can wish you happy birthday first." Quiet whisper as they planted a kiss to his cheek.
"Jack beat you to it." Yusei pulled out his phone. The text on screen showed a message received at 00:10.
"Bastard must've set a timer." Thyme tightened their hug. "I get first in-person wish, then." Another kiss.
"Of course, love." A tender smile spread across his face. "...I missed this."
Fingers traced the exposed skin under his shirt. "I missed you."
Yusei set the mug down. His own hands settled overtop Thyme's. "Are you planning anything today?"
Thyme thought a moment, "Nothing over the top. Today's more about rest. You've been working too hard lately."
"So have you."
"But my birthday isn't for another few months." Thyme pulled away, making him turn around to face them. "Just one day. Let's relax and do the bare minimum until dinnertime."
"What's for dinner?"
"Kalin, Crow, Jack, and Akiza are bringing over all your favorite foods for Drunk Shitty Movie Night."
"Can we make white ru-"
"Yes. Akiza's in charge of bringing the supplies."
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
----------
(Under the wire bc im working tonight but hbd yusei!!)
A/n: Thyme can best be summarized as "it's going to be okay but it's going to be different"
Despite the horrors, they persist.
-------------------------------
Mina held the tablet close, tapping gently against its screen. “According to the files, Sayer had plans to find psychic duelists and amass them into an army. He wanted to take over the city.” She played snippets of different videos taken within a laboratory. Different people, aspiring duelists, anyone who wanted a better future... all victims. Some survivors.
Akiza stood, frozen in shock, “He… he wouldn’t…I..”
Mina continued to swipe through different logs of evidence, “Akiza, you were a victim of Sayer’s manipulations. So was Thyme. It’s all here, but don’t worry. We’ll motion to-“
“Stop.” Thyme pointed to the screen, which now displayed a series of icons, “Open that file.”
Mina’s grip tightened on the tablet. “Um, no. Some of this information is classified-“
Yusei crossed his arms, “Thyme has a right to know.” We all do.
“As Secretary to the Chief of Security, I won’t take orders from- AH!” Water cascaded from the sprinkler system, freezing into ice. It locked her into place on the floor.
Thyme stepped forward, easily taking the tablet, “I wasn’t asking.”
Akiza shook her head, “Thyme maybe we should-“
“You have a past to run from.” They stared daggers into her soul, “I don’t. I want to know why.”
“Thyme-“
They ignored further commentary- opening the file and playing the first video. Static covered the screen until two people at a table came into focus. Yusei gasped, recognizing Thyme’s Enforcer uniform instantly.
-
“Thyme Uchiumi, also known as the Water Weaver. You possess great psychic ability.” Sayer sat calmly across the desk, reading off of papers from a binder. “You don’t even need to necessarily use a deck to control your powers.”
Thyme thrashed about, arms chained to a specialized chair, “Let me out of this and I’ll show you what I can really do, dickhead!”
“Quite the feisty one,” He laughed, “Is that personality what won over your little gang of friends? You call yourselves Enforcers? Enforcers of what, exactly? You have way more skill than they do.”
“We’re a good team.” They grit their teeth, wrists raw from the force of their efforts, “We have a strong bond. Something you’ll never ha- AAAAH!”
Sayer had pressed a button, sending jolts of electricity through the chair. “Bonds can always be broken. I wonder how quickly you’ll break.”
“Never.” Thyme gasped through the pain as the current ceased.
“Oh? You’re team’s already dissolved without you.”
“Liar!” They tossed their head back, “What evidence you got? Huh?”
“Yes, your leader- Kalin, was it? Yusei turned him in to Securities." He motioned to a screen, playing video footage of Satellite's Security building. "Looks like Mr. Kessler blew up the Holding Building trying to find you and Mr. Fudo wouldn’t let him continue his quest.” Sayer pointed to his binder, which contained paper reports from Securities about the incident.
Something in Thyme’s eyes shifted. A symbol on their arm began to glow. Sayer noticed immediately, “Hm? Surprised? I would be too if my lover betrayed any efforts at finding me.” He shut the binder, “Guess Mr. Fudo never loved you after all.”
Another button press. Thyme screamed Yusei’s name as they blacked out.
-
Ice burst from their feet, securing all bodies in the room to the floor. Thyme didn't recognize the person on the screen. Is that...me?
Yusei fought against the ice trapping his legs. Tears slowly slid down his face as he tried to maintain composure, “Thyme… Thyme I didn’t do it. He has it all wrong I-“
Another file opened on screen.
-
“Treatment number 12. Thyme Uchiumi. Reason being continued aggravation and repetition of previous Satellite affiliates.” A laboratory assistant read off a clipboard.
Thyme was now wearing an Arcadia Uniform, strapped to a series of equipment and locked behind glass. “Sayer, this is overkill. I’ve already proven my abilities to you! What gives?!”
Sayer pressed the microphone button, “You say you know someone listed in the obituaries. Care to elaborate?”
Thyme straightened their posture, “Yeah. I was reading the newspaper and the name ‘Kalin Kessler’ jumped out at me. From the Prison obituaries. I think I knew him growing up.” They pulled at the cables, “This could be a clue as to where I came from! Sayer, isn’t this good news? I finally remembered something!”
Sayer pointed to the lab assistant, who then entered a code into the system. Flashes of light and a series of electrical shocks filled the glass chamber. Muffled screams could barely be heard from the speakers.
Thyme collapsed to their knees, trembling from the impact, “Wh…what… where is-"
“Thyme, I’m going to read off some names. I want you to tell me if you know them.” The assistant flipped a paper over, “Kalin Kessler.”
“Huh?” They lifted their head, “Who?”
“Crow Hogan.”
They shook their head, gasping for air, “I don’t...”
“Yusei Fudo.”
Thyme paused. “I… No, Yusei is my- AAAAH!” The treatment picked back up. Another painful red glow from their arm.
-
“You had twelve treatments… and there’s more files still…” Akiza made no efforts to fight the ice at her feet. Guilt and shame kept her trapped more than the ice. What else had she willingly turned a blind eye to? She’d let down the only other duelist on her level in the movement.
-
“Treatment number 28. Thyme Uchiumi. Reason relating to reinforcement of mission.” The lab assistant stood behind Sayer, whom sat across from Thyme at the table, “Please state your name and mission.”
Thyme’s eyes looked dead and exhausted. “I am to protect the Asset.”
Sayer shook his head, “No. Try again.”
“I am to protect the Asset and lead Arcadia’s victory through her endeavors.”
He sighed, applying goggles to his face. The assistant flipped a switch, causing lights and screens to illuminate the room. Thyme didn’t try to resist, clearly too exhausted and broken to even try. After several minutes, all systems stopped.
Sayer removed his goggles, gesturing to Thyme. “Who are you?”
They took a breath, “I am the Water Weaver.”
“And?”
“I am a weapon for Arcadia to utilize.”
A smile, “And what have I tasked you with?”
“I’m to ensure the Black Rose Witch can succeed in her missions above all else, including my own life.”
“Good,” Sayer crossed his arms, “Do you have doubts about your duties?”
Thyme stared vacantly, “No. I am a weapon for Arcadia to utilize.”
-
Akiza covered her mouth, too stunned at everything she’d just witnessed. Eyes glossy with tears welling- it took everything to not completely break down in this room. How many subtle cries for help had Thyme told her that she ignored? There were still 11 files after this video. Sayer… how could you!
The ice slowly retracted throughout the room. Thyme placed the tablet on the conference table. They looked hollow, soul depleted at the revelations on the screen. “I’ve seen enough.”
Mina used her new freedom to adjust her suit, “Uchiumi, I know this is a difficult-“
“Difficult?” Thyme made a fist, "My entire being... who I am as a person... it was erased to make a weapon for some psychopath's vision of an army. I think this qualifies as more than difficult."
"You're right." She bowed her head, "I'm sorry for attempting to keep this from you."
"You should be." Thyme turned to leave the room.
Yusei grabbed their arm, "Thyme, I-"
"You're looking for a ghost." They shook off his hand and pointed to the screen, "Pull up the first video. You'll see your Thyme again."
Deafening silence as the door opened. Yusei felt his body tremble with grief as he watched Thyme disappear down the corridor. Everything faded to white noise in his head, thoughts too jumbled with heavy emotions to speak.
---
It'd been hours since the evidence was shown to them. Under a new moon and heavy smog, this night appeared darker than usual. The top of the Security building was definitely one of the tallest rooftops in the city. Thyme stared off the edge of the railing, ash and cigarette butts surrounded their feet. Stress levels felt higher than this skyscraper.
Was it taller than Arcadia's? Could they even see Satellite from here? Scanning the skyline, they found Arcadia's building with ease. The smog covered where the island should be; Thyme felt a sense of loss in that realization.
He erased everything... for a weapon?
The lapis pendant felt heavy against their chest. Rage at the false security Sayer had given them. A false future promised from a robbed past. Thyme ripped the chain off and threw it full force off the edge. Faint glimmers of reflected light as it cascaded to the streets below. Their sign glowed, but the pain didn't touch their mental spiral. Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
Hands gripped the railing with fervent intensity; blood threatened to seep from the twisted decorative steel embedding itself into their palms. Wind blew past, making them shiver- from rage, grief, or chills? Even this tactile stimulation couldn't orient them to reality. I can't. I can't. I can't. I-
Thyme watched as their body seemed to flash between different clothes, different states of being. They felt their surroundings melt into a dreamscape. Was the brainwashing finally wearing off? Finally letting them peek into what had been suppressed? Nothing felt real because everything was happening at once. Who were they? What had been stolen from them? Why couldn't it have been anyone else? I won't. I won't. I won't. I-
Running down streets of Satellite. Destruction of Daimon Area. Jumping through a window to catch a falling body. Cigarettes on rooftops. Duels in warehouses. Experiments in a laboratory. Thyme was everywhere and nowhere. Adrift in what fate thrusted onto them without a second thought. Memories deeply buried resurfaced in an overwhelming wave. What order did it all belong in? Why were all the details so fuzzy and blurred? Why couldn't it have been anyone else? Save me. Stop this. Save me. Stop-
"Breathe." A gentle hand rested overtop their fist.
Gasps as Thyme found themselves back in their body. How long had they been standing here? Where was here? Who dared encroach on their space? Eyes darted around trying to find a sense of place.
"You're okay." Yusei stood beside them, one hand tracing patterns over their reddened knuckles. His other gently rubbed their back. "Breathe."
Respirations slowly came back down. The night was quiet, if their mind would let them enjoy the silence. Thyme finally released the railing, pulling away from his touch to wipe tears from their eyes. "...thanks."
"It's late." He sounded concerned, "A lot happened today."
"I don't sleep."
"I'm not asking you to." Yusei stepped closer. His fingers twitched, like he wanted to take their hand again but stopped last minute.
Spark, then flame. Thyme glanced his way, "Want one?"
Yusei took the offer. Thyme leaned close with the lighter, brief flame illuminated both their faces against the moonless night. Smoke laced with strawberry drifted between them.
"You did always like sweeter things," Sapphire eyes studied their frame beside him. This space felt so close and so far at the same time. You're still you, even after all this....
“That so?” They leaned their head back, staring up at the smog-covered sky, “Hm, guess you’re right. I’ve cycled through a buncha flavors lately.”
“Can I guess one?”
“Sure.”
“Vanilla.”
They smirked, “Congrats. Guess that puzzle piece still fits.” Thyme rolled their head forward, leaning onto the railing. “…What else do you know about me?”
Yusei’s heart caught in his throat; he knew exactly what they were asking. "...It's okay if you've changed-"
"But who did I use to be?" They balled their fists, "I have no reference point. Everything I thought I was..."
"Thyme-"
"Please... just tell me anything."
Ash collected at their feet, strawberry wisps dissipating through the air. Heartbeats of silence gave him space to think. Yusei finally leaned on the railing, closing the space between them, "You always cared about others."
"Like charity work?" they leaned their head onto his shoulder. Thyme pretended not to hear his breath hitch.
"Like breaking into Security Storage to retrieve stolen goods. I had to pick glass out of your hand because you punched out a window during the escape." He rested his head over top their own. "There ended up being a lot of blood- Jack almost passed out looking at it."
They stared at their hands, fingers tracing faint scar lines...always there, simply ignored. "Ah... that makes sense..."
Yusei took off his glove, intertwining his fingers with theirs. Similar scars decorated his own skin, "You often bailed us out of trouble, even saved my life more than once. It was the least I could do."
"Hm, more criminal type trouble? Or generic type trouble?"
"A bit of both. You and Crow got into bar fights every so often. Always pickpocketing or scheming in some capacity. I've carried you home a handful of times."
"I don't really drink now-"
"Nope, not drunk. Just bruised from fights that got too big." He let out a small laugh, "Your portrait is still plastered on several "banned for life" billboards in a few places."
They smiled at the thought, "Did you always tend to me after these encounters?"
"I mean, we were dating so I just wanted to make sure you -"
"Was I a good kisser?"
Blush tinted his cheeks, eyes drifting elsewhere, "You... um..."
"Well, we were dating, right?" Thyme pulled away just enough to look him in the eyes, a teasing smirk on their face. "You can be honest. Not like I can break up with you now."
"You could," He wondered aloud, "We never technically ended it..."
"Yusei, it's been years."
"And in all this time and space between us, I never stopped looking." Calloused thumbs absentmindedly traced their fingers. "I never stopped loving you." I knew you were out there, somewhere.
Something in this realization pierced their heart. Thyme was stunned to silence, letting the weight of his truth settle on their soul. It'd been years and he never gave up? Never lost hope? They'd disappeared completely and he wouldn't let anyone tell him opposite of how his soul felt.
Silence gave room for confidence- Yusei pulled Thyme's hands closer until they rested over his heart. "You're still Thyme. We can go back and forth all night with questions and comparisons. It changes nothing. You're still... well, you... And I-"
A hand on his cheek stopped his thoughts. Lips pressed against his own stopped his voice. Flavors of tobacco and strawberry danced between their shared space. Yusei dared to snake his arms around Thyme's waist, pulling them closer. Behind eyelids and intimacies, visions flooded forward. Kinder memories, not ones forged by steel and blood and sheer need for survival.
They finally separated, space just enough to breathe and lean their foreheads together. Quiet revelry for what love was once there. Being present for the love that remains. Both souls changed, different, yet still longing for the other.
"I'd like to learn how to love you again." Thyme traced the marker down his cheek. "If that's alright."
Arms pulled them closer, a soft kiss placed over their own marker. Yusei buried his face against their neck. "I'd like to do the same."
a/n: A general character summary for Thyme's place in the 5D's universe. Technically a masterlist? Helpful to keep my brain on track writing stuff for them. Might update as I write more.
-------------------------
Quick Generic Info
Thyme is 24, Yusei is 22, Crow is 25, Kalin and Jack are 26, Akiza is 23, Leo and Luna are 13
Thyme and Yusei's ship name is Continuumshipping (across time and space) (ayooo)
Pre-Satellite
· Parents died in Zero-Reverse. Thyme (only 2 at the time) survives because the crew placed all their children (7 total) into the only lifeboat and hooked up a motor to it. Thyme's Signer Mark appears here, which forms a small protective barrier. The eldest teen took control of the lifeboat's motor and steered the kids to safety.
· The surviving children find work with a new ship at NDC's docks. A "Blackbeard" type captain took pity on the children and unofficially adopted them all. Thyme grows up on a boat under his care. They learn most of their skills here.
· Thyme discovers their water ability during this period after "acquiring" a water themed deck. (Crew raided a card import ship).
· Captain uses this to his advantage, taking riskier jobs knowing that Thyme can manipulate the waves/currents to make a "quick" escape (quick by ship standards). Feeling the pressure of the crew's survival, Thyme practices their ability to exhaustion 24/7. This dedication helps them use their ability without their deck. Captain starts calling them "Water Weaver" and rumors start to fly around the docks.
· Arcadia tries to investigate these rumors, only to always be late to the sites. They don't realize Thyme is apart of a ship crew that is always mobile.
· When they turn 18, Thyme is encouraged by Captain to take a round on another boat. He claims its for experience, but it's really to have a mole on the inside. (This is a higher value goods import ship).
· Thyme gets caught by the new crew selling excess imports to Satellite citizens, which is what gets them marked/sent to the island. Captain is saddened by the news, but cannot risk his own operations to make contact. Thyme never hears from him again.
Satellite, Enforcer Era
· The events of "Jump-ship Jumpstart" take place. Yusei helps them scrap together a deck. This is when they both find their dragon cards (Stormwave for Thyme).
· Thyme prefers physical fights rather than duels. This gives the Enforcers advantage in their sting operations bc the rival gangs usually underestimate Thyme's physical strength.
· Being a sailor kid, they didn’t have much time to properly learn the cards/rules(nor did they ever have time to duel during raids) so Thyme got very good at beating up people
· Crow and Thyme often hit up bars, mainly to pickpocket drunks/score some cash and cards. Sometimes they'd get caught and huge bar-fights would break out. Yusei frequently had to bail them out of trouble
· Crow and Thyme would use their "winnings" to help the orphans in the area. Thyme also used theirs to trade for better equipment so that Yusei could build his machines
· Events of "Dangling by a Thread" take place.
· Quality time + Physical touch + Acts of service = uh oh someone has a crush. Thyme fell first, Yusei fell harder.
· Events of "AAA" take place
· One of the gangs Kalin wanted to eliminate tracked Thyme and Jack back to the base (teamed up for patrols). This forces Thyme to go all out with their water ability, which floods the immediate area. Rumors spread like wildfire, especially at the docks, about the return of the Water Weaver
· Arcadia scouts investigate the rumors. Upon verification, Sayer takes a team to kidnap Thyme.
· Yusei was supposed to meet Thyme at the shipyard for an import raid just before they disappear. Securities found him on his duel runner and chased him through the alleys, which delayed his arrival.
· Thyme drops their deck after the Arcadia fight, including their dragon card. Yusei finds their deck and keeps it on him at all times, desperate to find them and return it.
· Events of "Dueling Consciousness" take place
· Kalin blames Securities for Thyme's disappearance, which fuels his paranoia after conquering all of Satellite. Crow and Jack leave the gang. Yusei is too caught up in his version of grief to realize what Kalin's planning until the attack starts.
Arcadia Cult Era
· Using classified Arcadia technology, Thyme's marker is permanently scrambled after the kidnapping.
· Sayer wants to use Thyme as a walking weapon for the Movement. Akiza is the living symbol, Thyme is the living protection.
· Akiza (unaware of the reality) is very annoyed by her "cult assigned friend" but learns to cope bc Thyme is the only other duelist on her skill level. Enemies to rivals to friends arc.
· Thyme does not go down this path without a fight. Sayer utilizes every trick in his playbook to make Thyme a puppet of Arcadia. Including but not limited to shock torture, brainwashing, and drugs. It takes multiple "treatments" to fully erase their memories and who they once were. Total Tally: 38
· In this era, Thyme knows something is missing in their soul. They pick unhealthy habits to fill the void, such as smoking and pain seeking/reckless behaviors. They also develop insomnia and sleep *maybe* 2 hrs a day.
· With the rise of turbo dueling, Sayer gifts them a hoverboard. The tech is allegedly "more advanced" than the typical bikes, but in reality it just makes Thyme easier to monitor off campus. Not many duel boards are on the public streets.
· Events of "Escapism Hobbies" and "Sonder Suppression" take place
· Arcadia is a dueling school. Thyme picks up an undead themed deck and continues to train their psychic abilities. Akiza and Thyme become the top tag-team duelists in the movement.
· Daimon Area Duels- Akiza and Thyme team up to battle/survey for potential recruits. Some of the criminals who frequent the area start a brawl, which forces them to use their abilities. The destruction that follows causes havoc. Yusei and Leo show up to the battles, but get caught in the crossfire. Yusei's mark begins to glow, which causes Akiza and Thyme’s marks to appear. Before he can reach out to Thyme, he's knocked out by flying rubble.
· Thyme saves Leo from one of the violent criminals stirring up trouble. When he demands a duel from them, they decline. Leo persists, so Thyme gently uses water to scoot him back to safety. Bolt and Tenzen hold Leo back as the duo escapes.
Fortune Cup
· All participants are revealed on a podium in a sold-out arena and broadcast live on Tv to thousands
· The MC announces Thyme's name in the lineup and Yusei has a stroke trying to maintain composure. Because its been years since Thyme initially disappeared and they have no idea who he is.
· Jack goes white as a ghost watching this unfold and demands to know how Goodwin found Thyme. Goodwin is vague as ever.
· Thyme's first duel is a turbo duel. They get to use their board and show off a bit. Their opponent crashes upon losing, which makes him irate. He rushes to attack Thyme, but they easily deflect/subdue him (muscle memory from Enforcer days). This, not the turbo duel, makes their mark reappear. Yusei recognizes the attack pattern they used and gains hope that Thyme’s not completely gone.
· Events of "BTBDBF" take place
· Sayer doesn't want to lose his weapon. Luckily, Thyme's lapis pendant and hoverboard act as trackers, so he doesn't totally lose sight of them. Sayer instructs his scouts to keep close and act when Thyme's alone and vulnerable. It's layers upon layers of mind-games.
· Akiza tries to talk to Thyme, both in person and telepathically, but Thyme is too unstable after their duel with Yusei. Sayer orders her to hang back and observe, to which she hesitantly agrees.
· Carly learns of Thyme's departure from Arcadia and tries to get the scoop. When her investigation fails, she sets her eyes on Akiza and Sayer.
· Yusei is too anxious to let Thyme out of his sight. When he's set to duel Jack, he begs Bolt and Tenzen to stay with Thyme. The twins tag along, and they all watch the duel from one of the entryways to the track.
· All signers revealed. Goodwin tells everyone of the task at hand.
Dark Signer Arc
· Sayer's behavior becomes strange after the Fortune Cup, even by Akiza's standards. Carly manages to sneak in and finds notes in Sayer's office about Thyme's treatments and other missing recruits. Sayer catches her.
· The Dark Signer Duels in Arcadia. When Sayer loses and is tossed to the void, both Akiza and Thyme physically feel it. Thyme collapses to their knees, grabbing their head. Sensation similar to a spike drilling into their head. Their ability behaves uncontrollably, water whipping through the surrounding area. Their mark burns against their skin. Sayer's death catalyzes a huge chunk of the brainwashing to be removed. Amnesia still present, but memories return more easily now.
· The gang reviews the records Security confiscates from Arcadia. Akiza and Yusei learn just how much Thyme had to endure. Yusei's survivors guilt worsens. Thyme becomes extremely stressed at the revelations and runs away. Yusei manages to track them down and they have a long overdue talk about everything.
· Yusei brings Thyme back to Satellite after the talk at the bridge with Goodwin. The Director is now extremely paranoid/concerned about the DS activities, considering that they managed to gain access to NDC despite his efforts.
· Crow nearly has a heart attack seeing Thyme again. While the amnesia sucks, he's just glad they're alive. The older orphan kids in Crow's Nest remember Thyme and start bombarding them with questions. Thyme distracts them by using their ability to make snow.
· Kalin duel part one. The reunion of the Enforcers brings back part of Thyme's memory. Kalin remarks about how he and Thyme are both "back from the dead" and demands a 2v1 match. Kalin uses this duel to share his skewed side of the story. It fits with what Sayer told them about the Enforcer's dissolution, which spreads doubt into Thyme's understanding of what happened. Thyme begins to duel separately from Yusei's strategy, which costs them both life points.
· Yusei's runner breaks and the debris hits Thyme's board. They both crash and roll, but Yusei gets partially impaled by stray junkyard metal. Kalin laughs and rides off. Thyme helps Yusei onto Crow's runner and rides to Martha's.
· Events of "VOTOW" take place
· Respective Dark Signer fights. Thyme rides their board alongside Akiza in the jeep. They sense something is amiss and suddenly take off towards the B.A.D. crater where Yusei begins a duel with Roman. Thyme nosedives as the bridge explodes, swooping down to save Yusei before he falls into the Reactor. Their board hits the remaining Ener-D at the bottom however, which melts the engine. They hold onto each other, jump, and grab onto the remnants of the opposing bridge. Trudge and Crow begin pulling them up by the bridge ropes.
· Thyme gets teary-eyed, repeating that they don't blame Yusei for anything that happened. There's still a future here, if only he'd accept it. If only he'd stop shouldering the burdens alone and let the team help him. Yusei looks down at the Reactor, and sees faces of the ones he's lost, including his father. Fueled to not let them down, he finally internalizes Thyme's message.
· They ride together to the remaining Control Units
Thyme's Dark Signer Fight
· Akiza is engaged in battle with Misty when Thyme finally arrives. The barrier of the girls' fight blocks Thyme off physically, but they're able to help telepathically.
· Thyme tries to run for the unit when Sayer steps out, bearing the mark of the Dog. Desired revenge for Thyme escaping and bringing about Arcadia's destruction. The duel barriers become linked, turning into a tag-team duel. When Sayer reveals what happened to Misty's brother, she tries to throw the match. Her Earthbound Immortal takes over.
· Dark Signer Defeat. As Sayer's body is dissolving to dust, Thyme tackles and stabs him over and over with an ice blade. They continue to stab the ground where he was after he fully disappears.
Goodwin Fight/S1 Finale
· Yusei, Jack, and Crow are the only remaining with duel runners. They take on Goodwin while the rest stay on the ground. Seeing the Condor make its way to the city, Thyme sends out Stormwave Dragon and starts utilizing their water ability one more time. Akiza and Luna follow suit.
· The Signs get rearranged. Stardust picks up Thyme as the boys ride off to Satellite's coast. The gang begins the process of bridging the two places.
S2 Start
· Thyme takes a job as a dock worker. They earn decent money to help the boys pay bills and upgrade their runners. Thyme makes the racing suits in their free time. Yusei builds them a new hoverboard. It's more powerful and faster than their previous one.
· Ghost battles. The gang splits up and patrols the roads after Trudge is hospitalized. Ghost finds Thyme first and the track goes inland through the city. With limited water access, Thyme crashes as the Ghost gets away. Crow helps them up. Yusei takes off after Ghost and beats it in a duel.
· Imposter Jack. The psychic energy surrounding the situation feels off. Thyme does independent investigating and runs into Imposter!Jack. They survive the duel because the track goes to a bridge, giving them access to the ocean. Thyme's water ability kicks in and floods the road, allowing them to escape. Jack defeats the imposter and takes the gang to where he was held- which is now normal/vacant rocks. Thyme comments on the psychic energy being different again.
· When Yusei is kidnapped in the truck, Akiza and Mina find him first. The turbo duel with Sherry follows as Thyme catches up. Thyme uses their new board to float up to the kidnappers on the bridge- joins Elsworth in beating them up. The gang learns of Yliaster and the threat they impose.
· Leo and Luna want to learn how to board. Thyme takes them on a ride to teach them the ropes.
· Events of "Projection of the Soul" take place
· Mina and Trudge place Bruno in the gang's care. He and Yusei hit it off instantly. Thyme is unfazed by their 3-day manic haze to build the program- they just make sure the noodle cart is stocked so that the boys remember to eat.
· Thyme's work hours are pretty varied during this period, so they're gone when it's discovered that Lazar stole the program. Only when they get back home to they learn of the factory blowing up/Yusei's robot battle. Honestly? Terrified of the implications but just glad he's alive.
Crashtown
· "Crashtown Crashout" Series One, Two, Three, Four(otw)
WRGP
· Thyme is an extra, like Akiza. They do not race. They give Yusei their Stormwave dragon card to use in the duels.
Ark Cradle/Z-One
· Rainbow bridge dissolution. Thyme pushes Akiza's runner after Luna jumps to Yusei's bike. Akiza makes it but Thyme ends up gripping the edge. Crow rushes and manages to pull them up.
· Four Planetary Gears- Akiza v Sherry. Yusei v Antimony. Leo/Luna/Jack v Aporia. Crow/Thyme v Paradox.
Finale/Time-skip
· Leo and Luna change their surname to Fudo. Yusei starts crying.
· Everyone is being pulled in different life directions. The twins go back to their birth parents, Jack becomes King again, Akiza goes to medical school, Crow joins a turbo team (and never becomes a cop wtf was that)
· Yusei expects Thyme to also leave the city- especially with a huge influx of ship-crew offers. They don't, electing to stay and work at the docks. Thyme reassure Yusei that they don't plan on going anywhere without him. The couple's been apart for too long, let them make up for lost time
Thyme stood impossibly still as the warm water cascaded down from the shower head. Wet hair clung to their neck, shoulders, and face. They watched as dirt swirled down the drain.
Steam started to fill the bathroom. Thyme felt their knees and ankles start to go numb, prompting slow movements for circulation. One step. Then another. Slowly shifting weight side to side. Cold tile against their skin contrasted the water, which seemed to bring them a little out of the mental fog.
this isnt difficult idiot
Thyme found just enough willpower to use the last drops of the shampoo. Foam trickled down their body and joined the dirt spiral. A selfish part of their brain wished to melt down with it.
38 treatments and youre still like this?
Minutes passed achingly slow. Each will of movement took more of their limited energy.
Finally the water shut off. The towel was rough against their skin. Maybe they deserved it.
you do
When the door opened, steam rolled out with unintentional dramatic flair. Noise from the hallway was indiscernable- a washed mix of incoherent voices and clanking of equipment from the garage. Thyme felt like they could see the soundwaves bounding off the walls.
theyre talking about how exhausting you are
While their bedroom was only a few doors down, the hallway felt impossibly long. With each step forward Thyme watched as the door moved two steps back. Exhaustion weighed heavy on their shoulders. Shaking hands finally gripped the doorknob and forced it open. A little too roughly.
violent little thing, hurting everything around you
The door banged against the interior wall. As if on cue, the spare cloth that covered the vanity mirror on the far wall fell to the floor.
Thyme's breath caught in their throat. Reflections warped and twisted. Nightmares and distortions. They knew it wasn't real but couldn't look away.
remember how you killed me?
When Sayer's corpse manifested, that's when everything went grey. A scream? Hurried footsteps as glass shattered. Warmth flooding over their knuckles and they didn't know nor care whose it was....
Thyme came-to in bed wearing a large tshirt. A weighted blanket kept them warm and secure. Bandages wrapped both their hands, slight shadowing noted. On their right, a glass of water accompanied a note, a button bracelet, and a bottle of medicine.
Love, you had a stress hallucination and passed out. We removed all the mirrors and picked glass out of your hand. Take some ibuprofen when you wake up. Push the button when you need me. - Yusei
Thyme pushed it immediately. Maybe a minute passed when the door opened; his soft eyes full of concern and care quickly looking them over. Yusei settled beside them. Thyme pulled him into a tight embrace, tears already staining his shirt. Ramblings of apologies refuted with loving reassurances.
