AN/ Hello everybody, welcome to Over the Nexus! This has been a sequel project for my original story- Reverse of Arcadia, Legend of the Crimson Dragon. I really hope you all enjoy reading this story and though I haven't finished the epilogue, I should have it done soon. So, without further ado, welcome to Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Over the Nexus, Evolution of the Crimson Dragon.
Prologue- The Ghost
(Space. The sun comes into view over the new moon and shines toward the Earth. As we move toward the Earth, a rectangular object flies past, on its way to plunge into the atmosphere and become a strangely-shaped meteorite. It burns in the atmosphere, plunging straight downward, glowing with heat but not melting or changing its rectangular shape. The stone appears sort of marbled. A shining yellow infinity symbol glows in the darkness, rotates vertically to a figure-eight, then we fade to a landscape view of what must be one of many new bridges crisscrossing New Domino's ocean expanse. This one is centre-pieced with a large golden arch shaped like an upside-down teardrop, such that when it reflects on the water before it, it creates an infinity symbol.)
Lyra: It had been six months since months since the fall of the Arcadia Movement and the Dark Signers, and in that time, New Domino City had received… (Construction cranes work on buildings with facades of crisp new cement. If this area was once Satellite, you can barely tell. We spot another new road, with curved sides perfect for duel runners, arcing up past it.) A bit of a face-lift. The divide between City and Satellite was no more, and even more importantly, so was the tension between the two people from each of those districts. (New Domino's freeways are prolific, but also beautiful. They cross each other and cross the sparkling ocean in every direction, with a steady stream, but not a flood, of vehicles.) For the first time in a long time, the future was finally beginning to look up... (She rides on one of these highways, the shimmering sea on her right side.) If only my Dimensional Scream had shown me the horrors of what was yet to come, I hadn't had one since the fall of the Arcadia Movement. We'd saved the world once before, but now I wonder if our decks are strong enough to withstand this mysterious new threat.
(In the Security building in Domino with the big satellite dish on top, Lazar is pacing frantically in a small, plain room that might be his own office.)
Lazar: I can't stand the pressure! It's too much to take! (He slams his hands down on the tiny desk before continuing to pace rapidly back and forth.) I'm going to crack! After all, it's not every day you meet your new boss, the boss of the whole city! The new Director! Ugh! (The phone on the desk rings.) I told you, no calls!
Caller (Via Phone): Actually, you said no calls except for emergencies, and we have one! A meteor has struck the city!
Lazar: You call that an emergency?! (He terrified subordinate springs to a salute. Then he actually absorbs what he said.) ...Hmm? ...Wait, a meteor? Oh, dear— now that's what I call an emergency!
(Crater- A huge black monolith stands unsupported. The sun glares over the edge of it, illuminating the opposite side of it while casting this side into shadow. If anything is inscribed into or upon it, we can't see it. Three individuals stand before it, all wearing white robes and headcloths.)
Primo: Excellent. It has arrived in one piece.
Lester: Yes, and already left quite the impression, I'd say! Hehehehehehe!
Primo: Well, what else would you expect? It's my card.
Lester: That it is. So, I guess you'll be first?
Jakob: Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Remember, there's a plan; and we must follow it.
Primo: Of course, I remember. I came up with it. And it's perfect. I've arranged it so that no one can stand in our way. Uh...! (Sirens can be heard.)
Jakob: Mm?
Primo: (Smiles) Hmm. (Several Security vans pull up at the edge of the crater. Lazar is the first out of one, and his troops are unloading.)
Lazar: Hey! Who are you three?! What're you doing here?! I order you to vacate these premises now!
Jakob: And I order you to watch your tongue, worm!
Primo: (He turns to Lazar.) My friend, all is fine. There's no cause for alarm.
Lazar: No cause?! Just who do you think you're talking to—! Ah! (He stops short when Primo swiftly points a sharp sword right between his eyes, an inch from his face.)
Primo: Now, now. Is this really how you wanna start things off, with your new Directors?
Lazar: (He is very preoccupied with the sword pointed at his nose.) New— Directors? –You mean—
Primo: Yes.
Lester: You see, the three of us will be sharing the job. Hahahahahahahahaha.
Lazar: The three of you! Oh, my word! I'm sorry- no one told me— (He kneels on the ground and bows deeply.) I beg your forgiveness! (He jumps up, points to the Directors, shouts at the officers now assembled in a straight line behind him.) What're you buffoons standing around for, these are the new Directors, salute them!
Guards: (The guards salute and chorus in perfect unison.) Ten-hut!
Lazar: That's better! And from now on you're to do whatever they say, understood?!
Guards: Yes, sir!
Primo: ("This will be even easier than I imagined...")
(A few Security cars are on a duel lane, with a few low-ranks looking around. They hear the sounds of more vehicles approaching.)/p
p class="MsoNormal"Random Security Guy 1: We got company. (The officer standing by the cars waves a red glow stick to flag down the newcomers.)
Security #2: Time to see who Headquarters sent us.
Mina: (Mina flashes her Security badge.) Mina Simmington, Sector Chief of Special Investigations.
Trudge: (He shows his badge also. Instead of his usual uniform, he's wearing a button-up white shirt and carries a coat or blazer slung over his shoulder. The six months have done him good; he looks taller, more at ease with himself.) Officer Trudge, Vice-Chief. (The guards lead the two into the scene.)
Mina: How's the victim?
Security #1: Pretty banged-up, can't stay conscious for more than a few minutes or so.
Mina: Guess we'll have to wait for his testimony, then... (She looks up and gasps.)
Trudge: And from the looks of that runner... It'll be some story. That's five of these accidents in a week.
Mina: These are no accidents, Trudge— the city is under attack.
(Poppo Time. A computer screen shows several different readouts, all of them various shades of red through Yusei's monochromatic safety goggles.)
Yusei: She's purring like a kitten. A few more tweaks and we should be able to test this new engine at full throttle!
Jack: (He's in his riding suit, is experimentally revving the engine of a duel runner on blocks, while Yusei sits at the computer behind him watching the data and Crow stands by.)
Crow: Forget a few more tweaks, Yusei, I say test it now!
Jack: Why not? With Jack Atlas in the driver's seat, what could possibly go wrong?
Yusei: (His screen flashes and shows an ominous exclamation point.) A lot. (Turns towards Jack) Jack, lay off the accelerator!
Jack: (Shouts over the roar of the engine) Accelerate more?! Okay!
Crow: No, decelerate! (Thick black smoke explodes from the first-floor windows of the building.)
Yusei: (Coughs away the dust and smoke, and next to him Crow shoves a piece of scrap metal off of himself. Yusei stands, taking off his safety goggles. His face and bare arms are smutched with soot; he's wearing his usual sleeveless shirt.)
Yusei: Hey, is everybody okay?
Crow: Yeah, we're all right.
Jack: (Sits up, scattering debris.) The duel runner, on the other hand... (The duel runner is reduced to a pile of twisted junk metal. Yusei kneels over it.)
Yusei: We pushed it too hard...
Crow: Whadya mean we? That was all Jack!
Jack: I beg your pardon?! You were the one who told me to go full-throttle!
Crow: Please, since when does Jack Atlas, the so-called Master of Faster, the Sultan of Speed, do what someone else tells 'im to do? Clearly, I was just testing your judgement, a test you failed I might add.
Jack: Why, you...!
Crow: Bring it on!
Zora: (Enters) That's enough!
Jack and Crow: Huh? (Yusei stands from the wreckage of the runner and looks up toward the stairs to the ground floor level.)
Crow: Uh-oh, our landlord.
Jack: Aw, she doesn't scare me!
Zora: Oh, is that so, mister tough guy? Well, does living on the streets with the rats scare ya?! 'Cause I'm this close to tossing you bums out!
Jack: Wait—! No, you don't understand...! That explosion— it was just—
Zora: Just nothing! I'm sick and tired of all your excuses so don't even bother with them!
Yusei: Sorry, Zora. We've been working on the new engine again.
Zora: Ahh...! Yusei, dear, say no more. You go ahead and make all the noise you want. (She walks down the ramp.) After all, you did save the world from those Dark Signers. (whispers aside) I know you say it was all three of you, but you really just ought to quit being so modest!
Yusei: Sure, whatever you say. (Jack and Crow sigh. Zora walks outside as she hears the sirens of a security patrol car, Trudge steps out of the car.)
Zora: Oh, dear— please accept my apology. I know my tenants can be a bit noisy, but they really mean no harm. (Laughing nervously) Well, maybe two out of the three do, but Yusei...
Trudge: Heh. Relax, that's not why we're here. No, I'm afraid— there're even bigger issues at hand. (Yusei, Jack, and Crow have joined them outside. All of them look serious at the sound of that.)/
Zora: Oh, my...! It sounds serious!
Mina: Gentlemen, if you don't mind— let's talk inside.
Trudge: Don't tell me you guys are still working on that new duel engine prototype...?
Yusei: (He stands, holding a piece of the wreck in his hand to examine it closer.) We sure are. And if we can ever get the thing to work right, it'll really take our game to the next level.
Crow: (Leaning against the ramp, thumbs over his shoulder at a poster on the wall.) And that's what it's gonna take to win the Grand Prix, the toughest, roughest duel contest ever to hit New Domino City. It'll be here before we know it!
Jack: Right, and since it's three duellists to a team, creating one new engine design that we can all use is the best way to soup up all our runners at once, and guarantee that victory and duelling immortality will be ours! (He determinedly taps with his fist another poster that depicts a turbo-duel. He's standing at the top of another set of stairs opposite Crow's.)
Trudge: What more do you guys have to prove? You already saved the world. If ya ask me, it's all right for you to rest on your laurels a bit.
Crow: No way! A true duellist never rests. He's always training and getting better! Isn't that right, Yusei?
Yusei: That's right, Crow. But winning the Grand Prix isn't what I'm training for. (He's still holding the object he removed from the wreck, and his mark of the dragon is visible on his bare right arm as he speaks.) True; we may have saved the world, but it was close, too close for comfort. We nearly lost everything that we care for. Crow, I know you and Jack came out of it surer of your duel skills than ever... (Jack and Crow nod.) But as for me, I've never been more uncertain.
Mina: (Clears her throat.) Speaking of uncertainty...
Trudge: Sector Security has its fair share, these days.
Jack: Lemme guess— that's why you're here.
Trudge: Have you heard the rumours? About the Ghost?
Yusei: The Ghost...?
Crow: Yeah, I think so! He's that guy who's supposed to appear at night, challenge you to a duel, an' then force you into a crash, right?
Trudge: Yeah. As you know, when New Domino City and Satellite were linked up, turbo-duels were legalised. It didn't take long before all types of special courses were being built; but it wasn't until the Grand Prix was announced, and they came out with that new Speed World Two card, that things really went into overdrive. Duelists from all over were battling on side-streets and highways, day and night.
Crow: Of course, they were! There's no better way to sharpen your skills for the Grand Prix than with a freewheeling turbo-duel!
Mina: I agree... because there are supposed to be safety measures in place to make sure that no one gets injured.
Jack: Wait, are you saying that Ghost's not a rumour, that he's real and he's found a way to bypass the safety measures?!
Mina: That's correct, Mister Atlas. You're quite astute.
Trudge: Don't tell 'im that, Chief, it'll go to his head!
Crow: So, what's this gotta do with us? I mean it's clear what has to be done! Someone's gotta go out late at night, take 'im on in a turbo-duel and beat 'im!
Trudge: Exactly right! (he and Mina look at Yusei) So how 'bout it?
Yusei: Uh, so how about what?
Crow: Ohh, no! I know where you're goin' with this, Trudge, and you can just forget it! (Yusei and Jack look more ambivalent, but Crow isn't beyond telling them no to their faces.) Don't get me wrong— I hate that people are getting hurt; but we've got the Grand Prix to prepare for, and we don't have any time to spare! You guys are Security, you take care of it! (He all but shoves Trudge and Mina out the door. The crowd has dispersed.) Thanks for dropping in! Great seeing ya! Bye! (He closes the door again and bolts it.) Now, let's get back to work, shall we?
Yusei: Uh...
Jack: (Sigh) All right...
(Highway- Trudge and Mina are driving one of Domino's highways. Trudge is driving, on the right-hand side, with Mina in the passenger seat.)
Mina: You take rejection pretty well, Trudge.
Trudge: How else should I take it? What Crow said was right. Just because they saved the city once shouldn't mean they have to step up every time there's a problem. They should be allowed to live their lives however they like. We're Security, so we should catch this guy.
Mina: Mm. But how?
Trudge: ("By doing exactly what Crow suggested!")
(Night. A garage door opens ahead of Trudge and his Security-model duel runner. He's wearing his usual riding suit.)
Trudge: All right, men; you see any sign of the Ghost and you radio to me! (He rides out of the garage, followed by five or so more officers on runners. He's riding along the street.) ("It's my turn to be the hero— after all, how hard could it be?") Feels good to have a duel disk strapped on. In fact, I don't think I've had a turbo-duel in the line of duty since the good old days with Yusei! And if he had the chops to save the city, then so do I! And tonight, I'm gonna prove it to everyone! (Trudge's runner screen lights up.)
Duel Runner: Unidentified duellist approaching. Unidentified duellist approaching.
Trudge: Whadya know, an unregistered duel runner. Jackpot, it must be the Ghost!span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span(He rides on and the shadowy challenger pursues. Trudge watches his runner screen.) And he's forcing me into a turbo-duel; perfect! Let's do this! I activate the field spell, Speed World Two!
Duel Runner: Duel mode, engaged. Autopilot, activated. (A wave of purple light spreads out from Trudge's runner, tinting the clouds above fuchsia. Big, illuminated, and very visible signs pop up at intervals along the road, each reading DUEL LANE. Trudge changes lanes as a holographic barrier springs up between the lane he changes into and the rest of the street. He coasts around a corner and his opponent follows. They're now traveling on one of the narrower tracks with rounded edges, built especially as highways for duel runners.)
Trudge: Hope you can keep up! My move! (draws) And I summon Samurai Sword Baron! But since I went first, I can't attack with him; so, I'll end my turn there!
Ghost: Then it's to me! (draw) And I summon Wise Core in defense mode. Also, I'll place two cards face-down.
Trudge: ("This is the duelist that everyone is so afraid of? He plays a monster with zero attack points? Hah! Beating him and locking him up will be easier than I thought!") I'm gonna put you in cuffs, Ghost! (draws) My turn! I summon Jutte Fighter! And now I'm going to tune 'im with my Samurai Sword Baron for a synchro-summon! Say hello to— Goyo Guardian! And say goodbye to your monster because when Goyo Guardian takes down that Wise Core, he steals it to my side of the field! Do your thing, Goyo!
Ghost: Not so fast! I activate Negate Attack!
Trudge: Urgh. So, that's how you wanna play it, huh, Ghost?! Fine, you may've stopped his attack, but his attack points are still locked and loaded for next round! But before we get to that, take this! I activate the Speed Spell - Count Up! It lets me gain two speed counters for every card I send to the graveyard! (He discards one, the effect monster Gonogo.) Next, I activate the effect of Speed World Two! Now by removing four speed counters, I deal eight hundred points of damage for each speed spell in my hand! And since I currently hold two speed spells, you take sixteen-hundred points of damage! Feel the heat!/p
Ghost: Nnngh-argh...!
Trudge: Hey, look on the bright side; since you took damage from Speed World Two, you don't lose any of your speed counters. (laugh) Your turn now!
Ghost: And I'll make you pay with it! I activate the trap Spark Breaker! It destroys all the monsters on my field!
Trudge: What?! Why would you wanna destroy your own monsters?
Ghost: Because— when Wise Core's destroyed due to a card effect, I'm allowed to summon Machine Emperor Wisel from my deck or hand!
Trudge: Argh! (He winces away from the light, then looks up, shocked, as Goyo Guardian gets sucked into the light, the glowing green infinity symbol above, and vanishes.) No! Goyo Guardian! (Above, where the infinity symbol has glowed, a monster appears around it with the infinity across its chest.) No way! What's happening?! Uuuugghhh?! Whaaaaaaaahhhh! (The giant glowing green infinity symbol is the last thing Trudge sees... The runner schematics on Yusei's computer screen suddenly go fuzzy.)
Yusei: Huh? (There's a big explosion on a runner track somewhere in Domino. Trudge's runner lies fallen on the ground on its side, smoking; some distance away, his helmet lies abandoned, its visor cracked to pieces...)
(With Crow.)
Crow: (Yawns as he rides.) Ugh, another night shift in the books. Holding down a job and being a full-time duelist sure takes it outta ya. (He hears sirens. He's riding past a loop of runner track, on which an ambulance has parked. He looks over at the accident, stops riding, takes off his goggles. Then he recognizes Trudge, being loaded into the ambulance; Trudge is wrapped in bandages like a mummy, and clearly in a lot of pain.) Trudge...! (A tear runs down Crow's cheek; he can't believe it.) I gotta tell the guys!
(Hospital Crow and Mina stands up from his seat as soon as Yusei and Jack enter.)
Yusei: Crow, Mina!
Crow: Hey, fellas.
Jack: Where's Trudge?!
Mina: The E.R.!
Yusei: Will he make it?
Crow: The doctors aren't sure yet. (They all turn at the sound of a door opening. Trudge is wheeled out into the hallway, still wrapped in bandages. All four hurry to his side.)
Jack: Trudge!
Doctor: Nurse, prep the O.R., stat!
Yusei: (Leans over Trudge to see his face; Trudge is wincing in pain, but conscious. Both sides of Trudge's jaw have gauze pads taped to them. Bandages are wrapped around his forehead and across his cheek, holding in place a swath of them covering his right eye and ear.) What happened? Who did this?!
Tudge: The Ghost...! Watch out...! Synchros are useless!
Yusei: Whadya you mean? (The doctors wheel Trudge away.)
Doctor: There's no time to lose! Let's move! (They wheel Trudge through a door, and the light above it lights up, bright red. All four stand in the hallway for a moment, silent. Jack approaches Mina.)
Jack: So, Trudge took on the Ghost all alone?
Mina: I'm afraid so. He really took what you guys said to heart; that this was something Security should fix. But I guess it was a bit more than he could handle. (The three guys are silent. Yusei's eyes narrow.)
(Poppo Time.)
Crow: (Punches the WRGP poster on the wall with a fist.) Man! This is all my fault, I'm the one who turned him down! He's all banged-up because of me... (Jack walks across the room as Yusei turns to Crow.)
Yusei: Stop it, Crow. That's not true; and playing the blame game isn't gonna solve a thing. It certainly isn't gonna stop the Ghost.
Crow: Then what?! Should we all just sit around here and pout?!
Yusei: Actually... (Crow catches his riding helmet that Yusei tossed to him.) I have a better idea. (He is putting on his gloves; Jack has picked up his own helmet.) We go find the Ghost, and we take him down!
Jack: Right! No one hurts one of our pals and gets away with it! (Takes the sheets off their duel runners, each one shiny and ready for action. Yusei's red runner, with its aerodynamic wave-motion design; and Jack's white runner, with its distinctive circular shape. Crow begins to cheer up.)
Crow: All right! Let's go! Yeah! (He jams his helmet onto his head and hurries over to them.) (The garage door opens; Jack is on the right wing, Crow left, and Yusei riding center. They rev up their engines, race up the ramp outside, and out onto the dark streets. Jack splits off to Yusei's left, Crow to his right.)
(With Jack.)
Jack: Lovely night for a duel!
(With Crow.)
Crow: I'll say, and for some major payback!
(With Yusei. He hears Crow over his radio.)
Crow (via radio): This is gonna be fun! Looks like the sun is starting to come up.
(With Jack.)
Jack: We've been riding around all night long and there hasn't been one sign of the Ghost!
(With Yusei- his runner's screen starts beeping. It shows a camera feed behind the runner, of a duel runner appearing over the horizon behind him.)
Yusei: Huh?
Duel Runner: Unidentified duelist approaching from the rear.
Yusei: The Ghost! It's just gotta be!
Jack (via radio): All right!
Crow (via radio): Get him!
Yusei: Setting Speed World Two! (He presses the button on top of his right-side hand grip. The card image flashes across his runner screen as it switches to a duelling display.)
Duel Runner: Duel mode engaged. Autopilot activated. (A ring of light spreads from Yusei's runner. The DUEL LANE signs pop up and a red glowing holographic barrier separates him from the main road. Loudspeakers blare on the nearby streets.)
Duel Lane Announcement: A turbo-duel is about to commence. All non-duelling vehicles must vacate the combat lane immediately.
Yusei: It's go-time!
Duel Runner: Formulating cross-town duel course, and awaiting Central Grid Authority's official authorisation. Authorisation, granted. (The entire street is elevated a story upward by means of a rather extravagantly nifty mechanised system.) Combat lane transfiguration, underway. Combat lane transfiguration, underway. (The track on top of the building lights up, back-lit for easy visibility. Yusei and the Ghost race across it and onto a curve-sided runner track.)
Yusei: Let's rev it up!
Ghost: Me first! And I think I'll summon Wise Core from my hand! Then I'll place one card face-down to end my turn!
Yusei: A monster with zero attack points...? My turn now! You may not care for attack points, but I tend to like them! Come on out, Max Warrior! Now, Max Warrior, attack Wise Core! Oh, and by the way. When Max Warrior attacks, he gains four hundred points to help with his assault! Now let 'im have it!
Ghost: No— he'll keep it, because I activate the trap Labyrinth of Klein! This makes all battle damage for the turn become zero, and keeps any monsters from getting destroyed! But there's more. The monster that waged the attack now has his original attack points swapped with his original defense points!
Yusei: He's protecting that Wise Core But the question is, why? Oh well. If I destroy it, it won't matter. Which is why I'm gonna special-summon, Turbo Booster! Ya see, since I successfully summoned a monster this turn, I'm now allowed to special-summon Turbo Booster from my hand. He won't hang around for long, but long enough for me to take down your Wise Core! That's right— since he mixed it up with Max Warrior, he's fair game to take down!
Ghost: Why, thank you.
Yusei: Huh!
Ghost: Fool! Don't you know? When Wise Core is destroyed due to an effect, all monsters on my field are destroyed— but I then get to summon Machine Emperor Wisel Infinity—Wisel Top— Wisel Attack— Wisel Guard— And Wisel Carrier from my deck or my hand!
Yusei: Impossible! Five monsters summoned at once?!
Ghost: That depends on how you look at it. I activate the special ability of Machine Emperor Wisel Infinity! Hahahahahahaha!(Yusei turns his head and looks up at the huge robot looming above him.) From five comes one- and now you're done!
Yusei: Uh-oh. So much for payback!
(Poppo Time- Luna and Leo run through the plaza outside, and burst through the front doors of the entrance to Yusei, Jack, and Crow's garage.)
Leo: Yusei? (They look around. The large side garage door is wide open. The tarps or blankets that covered the guys' duel runners are in disarray on the floor. Akiza stands at the table against one wall, strewn with papers and notepads, with a map posted on the wall above it.) Hey, where is every— huh?
Luna: Guy...?
Leo: What're you doing here? Where're the guys?
Akiza: I don't know, but we had this bad feeling.
Luna: (Holds her right forearm.) Oh, no. And I thought it was just me.
Akiza: (Looks at her own right forearm.) I'm afraid not; our marks have been signalling us as well, something's wrong. After all, the bond we share as Signers is a strong one.
Luna: If one of us is in danger, we all can feel it.
Akiza: Take heart; Yusei has a strong spirit. He can take care of himself. (The twins dubiously share a look. Akiza looks up at the window above.) ... I hope...
(With Jack and Crow- The duel rages onward. Jack and Crow are following it, one on each of two highways that run parallel to the duel track.)
Crow: What is that thing?! I've never seen a duel monster like it!
Jack: Seems the Ghost has a few tricks up his sleeve.
Crow: C'mon, let's get a closer look! (He and Jack ride down to Yusei) What in the world? That one monster is made up of five different duel cards? How can that be? Or better yet, how can Yusei take it down?
Jack: I dunno, but he better figure out a way fast! For all we know, that's the creature that put Trudge in the hospital, and maybe the others, too!
Crow: Yeah; if Yusei can't crash that creature, then he could end up crashing.
Yusei: I place two cards facedown to end my turn!
Ghost: To me, then. (draw) ...And to my Machine Emperor Wisel. Attack Max Warrior with Stainless Steel Slash!
Yusei: Huh... I activate the trap Shock Reborn! Now, all battle damage dealt to me is cut in half! Sure, this is still gonna hurt— but it's not gonna hurt as much! Urgh. Thanks, Shock Reborn. And thanks for the monster I can now summon! Because due to my trap, I can bring back a monster with less attack points than the damage I just took! That means, you're up, Turbo Booster!
Ghost: You'll need a bigger boost than that to stand a chance against me! I place one card facedown and end my turn! Hehehehehehehehehe...
Yusei: Then I'm up! ("And up for some serious damage if I can't find a way to get back in this duel! It's now— or never. Alright, time to turn things around before the Ghost turns me into his latest victim. The only question is, how? Hmm...") (He glances over the cards on his field— Turbo Booster and a facedown card— and the cards in his hand— Gauntlet Warrior, Speed Spell – Angel Baton, and Debris Dragon.) ("Wait a sec... That's it!") I activate the Speed Spell - Angel Baton! With this, if I have two or more speed counters- I get to draw two cards from my deck! Then I have to discard one card in my hand to the graveyard. (Gauntlet Warrior) But it's all worth it, because now I can summon— the dreaded Debris Dragon! And he's dreaded because when this beast is summoned, I'm allowed to bring back a monster from my grave with less than five hundred attack points, so come forth, Gauntlet Warrior! And now I'll tune 'im with my two other monsters, Turbo Booster and Debris Dragon, in order to synchro-summon, Stardust Dragon! Let's rev it up!
Crow: All right, what a move! That puts Yusei right on top!
Ghost: Hmhmhmhmhmhm...
Yusei: Next, I activate the trap, Meteor Wave! Now, for this one turn, my synchro monster's attack points are increased by 300!
Jack: Then you'd better make the most of it! Yusei, let him have it!
Yusei: With pleasure! Stardust Dragon, attack that Machine Emperor Wisel!
Ghost: I activate Wisel Guard's special ability! Now he takes your attack, and Machine Emperor is left unharmed!
Yusei: What?! (Yusei's attack hits Wisel's arm; big explosion, cloud of smoke.) Clever move, but it doesn't stop the effect of my Meteor Wave! Now since my monster attacked your monster in defence mode, and had higher attack points than your defence points, you take damage equal to the difference!
Crow: Way to go, Yusei; I wish Trudge could have been here to see that!
Yusei: ("I can't believe that Wisel Guard was able to block my attack! Oh, well; at least it's outta the way now.") I place one card face-down and end my turn!
Ghost: ("This duellist is not like the others...!") (A picture of Yusei's face comes up on his runner monitor.) ("Ah, that explains it...! Yusei Fudo— the individual who defeated Director Goodwin!") I suppose that I should be trembling in my boots. Hmph! ...But then again, that's not really in my nature. No! I'm unlike any duelist Yusei has ever faced! It's my turn! And first I'll summon Wisel Guard Three! (Wisel Guard Three hovers up and attaches electromagnetically to the arm socket where Wisel Guard was.) Nothing like having a few spare parts handy.
Crow: Whoa, did you just see that? He repaired his monster!
Jack: A combo monster! Yusei can chip away at that thing all he wants, but the Ghost can just keep fixing it!
Yusei: Not good...
Ghost: Oh, Yusei... Hmmmm, don't you see, it's no use! My Machine Emperor will never break down.
Yusei: ("As much as I hate to admit it, he's right. If the Ghost has enough cards in his deck to keep rebuilding that thing, he can just keep blocking all my attacks! Talk about a well-oiled machine...!")
Ghost: Hmhmhmhmheheh, you'll soon be going down like all the rest, Yusei! The moment you lose is the moment you crash!
Yusei: So, is that what this is all about for you? Bullying random duellists you find on the road?!
Ghost: Hah! Bullying? Of course not, that's just an added bonus— dessert for after I achieve what I've really set out to accomplish.
Yusei: What're you talking about?
Ghost: I'm talking about useless little things called synchro monsters! That's why I cruise the roads at night, Yusei— so that I can find them and rid the world of the wretched things! And now it's time to rid the world of yours! Watch the synchro-slayer at work!
Yusei: You're out of your mind!
Ghost: Oh, am I? Machine Emperor Infinity, demonstrate! I activate your special ability! (Machine Emperor Wisel's chest glows in an infinity symbol; beams shoot out of it and wrap around Stardust's limbs, neck, waist, and torso like glowing ropes, dragging Yusei's monster toward it. Stardust roars and fights against them.)
Yusei: Stardust Dragon!
Ghost: It's too late, Yusei, there's nothing you can do! Your dragon is about to become just another gear in my machine!
Yusei: No! (Stardust Dragon shrieks one final time, and turns into light, getting sucked into Machine Emperor Wisel's chest.)
Jack: Did you see that?! His monster has been—
Crow: Has been trapped!
Yusei: Stardust Dragon, no! ...Ah! Trudge tried to warn me...! This is what he meant! 'Synchros are useless' because the Ghost can capture them!
Ghost: Oh, they're not useless— at least not to me! Because now that your Stardust Dragon is mine... his attack points are mine, too! That's right, Yusei; thanks to your synchro monster, my Machine Emperor now gains twenty-five hundred more attack points to do damage to you with!
Yusei: Oh no! It absorbed all of Stardust Dragon's strength?!
Jack: This is not good!
Ghost: Huh! All right, then, Machine Emperor— attack his life points directly! Tell me how it feels, Yusei— to have your own monster play a part in your demise!
Crow: If Yusei takes this hit, he's gonna hit the asphalt!
Jack: Then he'd better do something— and quick!
Ghost: There's no escape, Yusei! Your fate is to lose at the hands of my Machine Emperor!
Yusei: Wrong! I play Scrap-Iron Scarecrow! Thanks to this trap card, when your monster attacks, I can negate that attack, and then I'm allowed to place it right back down on the field to use again! (Scrap-Iron Scarecrow absorbs the blast, then retreats back into its card and replaces itself face down on the field.)
Ghost: Fine! You survive this round. I place two cards facedown and end my turn.
Yusei: Then it's my move! (Draws) First, I'll summon Bicular in defense mode! And then I'll end my turn with a facedown card!
Ghost: Hehehehehehehe... You call that a move?
Yusei: ("I don't have anything in my hand that can beat that Emperor! For now, I just have to try and hold on.")
Ghost: My turn! (Draw) And I'll start it off by playing the trap Wise A-Three! With this card, by sending the Wisel Attack I have on the field to the graveyard, I can summon Wisel Attack Three from my hand! (Machine Emperor Wisel's left arm disappears, and it gets outfitted with a new, nastier-looking one that has a long sword blade built into it.) Why would I do such a thing? You guessed it! Because Wisel Three raises my Emperor's attack points even more! And now I'll have him use those attack points— to lay waste to you!
Yusei: Argh...! I re-activate Scrap-Iron Scarecrow!
Crow: I dunno how long Yusei can hold on like this.
Jack: But what else can he do? His best monster has been effectively turned against him! Playing that trap's his only chance to survive.
Crow: Actually, I gotta bad feeling that trap might not be enough, Jack. Ghost sounds like he's up to something.
Ghost: ...Ahahahaha, hahahahah! Tell me you didn't think I'd fall for the same trap twice! I activate the trap Battle Return; thanks to this card, by cutting the attack points of the monster I just targeted in half, I'm allowed to attack with 'im once again!
Yusei: What?
Ghost: Machine Emperor Wisel, go! (The Ghost's monster lunges for Yusei...)
Crow: Yusei's in for it, now! That trap of his only works once per turn!
Jack: Yusei!
Ghost: And don't forget Wisel Three's special ability! Since its attack points are greater than your monster's defense points, the difference is dealt to you as damage!
Yusei: Now... I play a special ability! The ability of Bicular! You see, when he's destroyed in battle, I'm then allowed to summon this guy— Unicycular!
Ghost: Whatever— on to my next move! I activate my face down, Trap Recycle! True, I must get rid of a card in my hand to use this trap, but then I get to return to my hand a trap in my graveyard! And the trap I want back is— Battle Return! (The Ghost places it in his hand next to Speed Spell - Reload.) But it can't wage battle just yet. I'm not allowed to place this card back on the field until my next turn.
Crow: Then that means Yusei has this one turn to turn things around, or he's done for, for sure!
Jack: You're absolutely right, Crow; because once that Battle Return card is laid down, Yusei's life points will be going down the tubes!
Yusei: Ugh! Here— goes! (Draw- Sonic Chick.) Argh...
Ghost: Hmhmhmhmhmhm. It seems that someone didn't get the card that they were hoping for. What will you do now, Yusei? After all, there are no second chances in a duel!
Yusei: Wait a second, there are! I activate the effect of Speed World 2! Thanks to the field spell, by removing seven speed counters I can draw one more card from my deck! ("And there's only one card that can help me; but I'll need all the help I can get to draw it!") (Then, as he stares at his deck, the Mark of the Dragon's Head on Yusei's arm starts to shine through his glove and sleeve, as do Jack and Crow's.)
Crow: Whoa...!
Jack: Why're our marks glowing?!
(Poppo Time- Akiza, and Luna are holding their right forearms side-by-side, watching their three Signs light up. Leo standing between them.)
Akiza: How strange...
Leo: What's happening, you guys?
Luna: I'm not sure, but I think it's Yusei, I think he needs our help!
(With Yusei and the others- Jack, Crow, Luna, and Akiza's marks vanish from their arms just as suddenly as they glowed. The Seal of the Crimson Dragon, all five marks combined, ignites on Yusei's back, glimmering through his jacket.)
Yusei: The Mark of the Crimson Dragon...! It's lending me its power for this one last draw! Ghost! You're about to see that the power of synchro monsters can never be contained! And right here is the proof! (The top card of Yusei's deck starts to glow golden. He draws and raises the card high.) Now, watch! I summon the Majestic Dragon! And next I activate Synchro Material. Thanks to this trap, I can now synchro-summon with monsters that are on your side of the field! Monsters like the Stardust Dragon!
Ghost: What?!
Yusei: That's right— return, Stardust!
Ghost: Ugh! No! This isn't fair, I captured him! He's mine!
Yusei: Not anymore, he's not! (Stardust Dragon takes the field once again, roaring to the sky.)
Jack: He got him back!
Crow: And that's just to start!
Yusei: Hm! Now, Stardust Dragon— tune with Unicycular and Majestic Dragon! (As Yusei speaks, his monsters are performing the dance of a synchro-summon.) Ghost, you called synchro monsters wretched little things that the world should be rid of; well now it's their turn to respond, and they'll respond— with all their might! Show him what I mean, Majestic Star Dragon! And don't forget, since Machine Emperor lost Stardust, he also lost that attack point bonus!
Ghost: Don't you forget; I still have Wisel Guard Three— and thanks to his special ability, any attack you try to wage will just be blocked!
Yusei: That's where you're wrong; because Majestic Star Dragon negates the special ability of your Wisel Guard
Ghost: So, what! Your attack's still not strong enough to defeat all the parts of my Emperor!
Yusei: It doesn't have to be— after all he's a combo monster, not a synchro! I'm afraid your Machine Emperor's greatest strength is also his greatest weakness.
Ghost: Ah! No! You're wrong!
Yusei: Attack him and you'll only destroy one part— but if it's the right part, all the others will go with it! Majestic Star Dragon, attack! (Like a blue star flying straight out of the daylight, Majestic Star swoops in, aiming for Machine Emperor Wisel Infinity, the combo's head. It strikes right through, faster than the eye can see, leaving an explosion and cloud of smoke in its wake and soaring back up to glide above. The headless Machine Emperor starts to spark and crackle with unnatural purple electricity, then explodes. The Ghost rides through the smoke.)
Ghost: Gghhuuuooooggggghhhh... Aaaaaaaagggh! (The Ghost keeps riding in a straight line, and goes over the edge of the track. He hits the ground below in a big explosion of smoke and flame.)
Yusei: Ghost! (Jack and Crow brake at the edge where a column of smoke is wafting up from the crash site, and run to the edge of the track to look through the translucent plastic side of the track. The runner hit the ground somewhere in the dense forest below.)
Crow: Oh, no...!
Jack: Quick! We gotta get down there!
(Forest with the Ghost- Black smoke is still curling up from where the Ghost landed in the forest below. Down among the trees, the new Director with the sword approaches the fried wreck, which is sparking with electricity. He picks up a plate of the duel runner, which has the Machine Emperor Wisel cards on it, then looks up at the track. Majestic Star Dragon can be seen gliding serenely above the trees.)
Primo: Mmmm. Yusei Fudo; it has to be. Well, well. This should certainly make things interesting. Hehehehehehe... (As soon as Primo leaves, Yusei, Jack, and Crow run up to the crash site.)
Yusei: Ghost! Are you okay?!
Crow: C'mon— let's help 'im up and get him to a hospital. (Crow reaches for one of the Ghost's shoulders; as soon as he touches it, the static shocks him and the arm falls off at the shoulder, sparking on its own on the ground.) Aah—!
Yusei: Huh!
Crow: Or maybe a mechanic...?!
Jack: What's going on here?! Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing? (The socket that held the arm is a metallic fixture; the Ghost's eyes are open, but lifeless.)
Yusei: So, Ghost... was a robot?!
Jack: This makes no sense!
Crow: We need some answers.
(Poppo Time- Several photographs are spread out on the table; one shows the broken, inert Ghost astride his crashed runner; others depict the metal arm socket, the Ghost's face, etc. The signers- with the exception of Lyra- along with Leo, Trudge and Mia are gathered around the label.)
Yusei: Good to see you're feeling better, Trudge.
Trudge: Hey, I'm just glad you guys finally caught up with the Ghost.
Yusei: So, what do you think?
Trudge: Well, from the looks of these pictures you took, I'd say what we have here is a duel-bot.
Mina: Sector Security has been experimenting with robotics. Duel-bots are at the very cutting edge of those experiments.
Jack: So how come this one got loose?
Trudge: Don't know. But my hunch is someone stole a prototype from headquarters, and then they must've somehow reprogrammed it. Now the question is why? I only wish we could check the bot's memory chip.
Yusei: Already did that, Trudge. Only problem is it had nothing on it. My guess? (He tosses the chip to Trudge, who catches it in his palm.) The Ghost's memory systems were set to automatically erase if it lost a duel.
Trudge: (Examines the chip closely, then turns to Yusei accusingly.) You know, it's a crime to tamper with evidence!
Crow: Oh, give it a rest, would ya? If not for us Sector Security would still be tryin' to catch the Ghost!
Trudge: That's right, no one tries harder!
Leo: Wow, a duelling robot! So awesome!
Luna: Leo, that thing did a lot of damage!
Leo: Oh, yeah.
Crow: What I don't understand is all that weird stuff the Ghost was saying about synchro monsters. What's it means?
Jack: I don't know; but the one thing that is certain is that there's somebody out there who's up to no good.
Yusei: I agree, Jack. And if that means that our city is in danger, we have to be ready to defend it! (Crow and Jack nod.) ("And be ready at all times, because I have a bad feeling that this duel-bot was just the beginning, and from here on out, things are only going to get worse!")
(Prologue- End.)
I hope you all enjoyed the prologue for my new story- despite it being the same as the anime ^^". The next chapter will feature more of my OC Lyra Koto with her boyfriend- Sect Ijuin and other characters from the game (World Championship 2011 Over the Nexus). And yes, later in the story I will be including Japanese exclusive episodes in their English format. Some of the duels within this story were particularly difficult to construct and that's the main reason why this story is being released so late- nearly two years *0*.
I'm sorry for the lack of my own writing in this chapter, I was just struggling to build the story up a little before I uploaded it ^^", reviews and comments are always appreciated and I hope you all enjoy the rest of Lyra and Sect's adventures in Over the Nexus.
LyraKoto :)