I do not own anything anything "Yu-Gi-Oh" related. The characters, cards, and settings described in this piece of fanfiction all belong to their rightful owners. All cards in bold however do belong to me, mainly because I made them up. Enjoy.
The ride to the police station was slow going especially since conversation between Dolson and Jace was non-existent. Everything had happened so fast. He woke up at 8 in the morning in order to go to his classes for school until he was done for the day at 1. Along with making sure Sam woke up along with him so he wasn't late for work and then went to school after putting on his usual attire and eating a bagel with cream cheese. After that he took time and got permission from one of the College's mechanics, Bob Kinley, who was a fellow "grease monkey" and a good friend to Jace to use his shop to tune his runner and study. Bob is a 46 year old man and is as pale as a ghost with carrot colored hair sticking straight upwards held in place with a brown bandana to match hazel colored eyes. Due to his profession of being a mechanic, he was always covered in grease whether it's from one of the rides he's fixing up from the public or from the University that would come in in need of repairs. On his forehead would usually lay a pair of goggles that he would use whenever he would use the blowtorch and would always wear a blue jumpsuit to match. After 6 hours which only seemed like 2, he packed up and left to return home when this mess had started.
He was lost in thought as he followed the flashing lights of the runner in front of him. "I still can't believe that someone was hunting me down, all for a single card… my card. Why? Not only that but the man…. or Jason as it is now, said he had 'friends' with similar interests as him. Does that mean others will be after me too? And how did they really get the legendary cards in the first place? Does this mean that the other people have the other legendary cards that were stolen as well? AHHH! All this has left me with more questions than answers. Its making my brain start to hurt." He was at his wits end just trying to piece together what has happened so far. But before he could get back to being lost in thought he saw the flashing lights die out and the runner starting slow down as they reached their destination.
They both parked their runners in front of the station. The New Domino City Police Department's HQ building has a white exterior standing at 4 stories high with 4 large stone pillars in front in front of the entrance. As they walked in, it took a moment for Jace to adjust to the bright lights that emanated from the light fixtures high above them. The HQ was a lot bigger on the inside than it appeared from the outside.
"Follow me, Mr. Yuta, my superiors are waiting for us." Dolson said snapping Jace from his trance.
They walked past the receptionist as Dolson showed his badge and went into the main body of the station, the central mainframe, which is why the building needed to be so tall was because the mainframe was sitting in the center of the room like a pillar towering to heights high above their heads almost touching the ceiling completely surrounded by desks with computers or laptops on them all manned by police as one would get up occasionally to go to another desk with papers in their hands. The sound of papers rustling, keys on keyboards clicking, phones ringing and people talking filled the hectic room. As Jace learned throughout his academic years, the mainframe was connected to every duel disk or duel runner that was within its reach, which included the outskirts of some neighboring cities, the most prominent being Heartland and Satisfaction Town. The mainframe has its other uses as well, the history of all criminal activity since its establishment 23 years ago as well as a record of all wanted and on the run criminals both in the city limits as well as worldwide just in case someone wanted to seek refuge in the famous city. It showed their name, face, and biographical information that would better the police's chance of catching them. About twenty yards behind that was a locked door guarded by an armed SWAT member which housed the jail. However, before they could reach that door they took a right which led them down a long hallway lined with rooms, used for interrogation. Soon Dolson stopped and asked Jace to step in one of the rooms.
As Jace entered he saw a bald older man with a long gray beard that was smoking a pipe and alongside him was a silver haired woman that didn't look much older than himself looking disgusted that she had to be downwind of the pipe smoke, both sitting down at a metal table with 2 chairs on one side and 1 chair on the other. The door closed as Dolson stepped inside handing the stolen cards to the older of the two and leaned against the wall. Before Jace could say anything the older man spoke first "Good evening, Mr. Yuta, how are you tonight?"
"Umm… good I guess, could definitely be better." Jace said with a fake smile trying his best to be as polite as possible.
"I see, you aren't used to dealing with criminals on a day to day basis this must be demanding from you. But where are my manners, I'm police Chief John Kimbleton, and this is second in command Captain Cana Alvarez at your service."
"Pleasure." The only word that came out of the young woman's mouth.
"Uhhh... Yeah. So I was told that I needed to come here, May I ask why?" Jace asked.
"Ah yes, the answer to that is simple young man. All we want is to talk to you about what happened with you and Jason."
"I see." Jace began as he noticed the other empty chair assuming its for him. "If it's not too much trouble may I sit down?"
"My God, my manners are all over the place today. Yes, please do." The chief replied angling his hand toward the empty chair.
"Thank you." As Jace sat down he could feel the cold metal through his jeans as well as the sharp looks that everyone was giving him.
"I will begin." Cana said breaking the silence with a serious tone of voice which only sounded like she was barking orders lifting a piece of paper that was laying in front of her to her face. "Jace Yuta, age 23, studying Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Duel Physics at the University of New Domino with only a semester left. Only child to Mary and Cole Yuta. Dueling State champion at age 10 and National champion at 13. I.Q. at 140. Favorite color yellow. You have quite the list of accomplishments Mr. Yuta" as she lowered the paper back down so Jace could only see her eyes.
"What does my favorite color have to do with anything?"
"It doesn't just assumed since you have a yellow runner, yellow jacket, and yellow helmet." Cana answered. She always had a natural ability to deduce people even at an early age, she was practically born to be in the police force.
"But, what we are trying to get at Jace, is with all of your accomplishments not only in Dueling but in real life as well, it is only natural for someone to try and challenge you in order to assess their own skills. But the problem with this case however is that Jason was after something in your possession" Chief said. It did make sense, its human nature to try and get better by challenging stronger opponents, but when someone does it with a singular goal in mind, that raises a red flag.
"You mean my Stardust card. Yeah, he was hell bent on getting it from me in order to achieve his and his 'friend's' own goals."
"We have reason to believe that he had credibility behind those words" Cana said.
"What do you mean?" Jace said with a quizzical look on his face.
"Jason started as a revolutionary against the city several years back spreading and gaining influence in the underground all behind the banner of correcting history and how Yusei was the harbinger of doom to us all."
"That's basically what he told me when we dueled."
"Exactly, shortly afterword's he tried to topple the government in New Domino and was thrown in jail for life without parole. The people never heard about it because it was all covered up" Chief immediately responded with the most serious face he could muster.
"Then why are you telling me this, chief?" Jace asked confused.
"I'm just about to get to that. Recently, as you probably know, cards were stolen from both the Duel Monster history exhibit in the museum and Yusei Fudo's home. That same night one of our guards went to check on Jason who was in solitary confinement at the time and discovered he was gone, vanished. Naturally we searched the building high and low and discovered no possible way he could have escaped."
"What are you getting at Chief?" Jace persisted.
"What we are trying to say is that there is a force at work far greater than our understanding, we came to this because we had no idea where Jason could have gone and then out of the blue I was on duel monitoring duty when your guy's little duel popped up. We didn't know who it was at first but then when he played the stolen cards we realized it was him." Cana said getting a little agitated at Jace not being able to understand.
"The only remaining piece of the puzzle is why exactly he wanted your card." Chief said stroking his gray beard. "Perhaps its…" he said before being interrupted by Dolson as he walked up to him and whispered something in his ear and then to Cana. "Alright, tell him we will be right." He said to Dolson as he relayed the message in his earpiece. "Jace follow us there is someone you would like to meet."
The two cops stood up from their seats and went for the door. Jace started to follow suit only stopping to stretch as he mumbled to himself "I've had enough surprises to last me a lifetime today."
The transition back into the brightly lit hectic room was a rough one, making Jace have to rub his eyes for them to adjust. Soon they were back at the jail, Jace couldn't help but think of what the chief has said, "How can someone just disappear and then reappear days later just for the singular purpose of a card?" Soon Jace was once again snapped out of his thoughts as the Chief went behind and shook him to face the his right side. Standing in front of him was a tanned man with age starting to appear on his face with a yellow criminal mark underneath his left eye, spikey graying black hair with golden highlights the upper part of his hair jutting upward and the bottom going down. A blue jacket with gems attached to his shoulders and elbows revealing a black shirt with a red symbol on it along with brown gloves below his elbows complete with a gem on each. Wearing black jeans, gem knee pads, and motorcycle boots, Jace could only gasp at who it was.
"Jace I would like you to meet Mr. Fudo, Yusei Fudo."
"OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD, ITS YOU! I MEAN ITS YUSEI! I MEAN MR. FUDO! I MEAN YUSEI, IF YOU DON'T MIND ME CALLING YOU THAT. OH MY GOD! I MUST SOUND LIKE SUCH A FANBOY RIGHT NOW. I'M SORRY." Jace said with a voice to stop all work that was being done in front of the jail.
"No believe it or not this is a standard introduction for me." Yusei said with a smile on his face as he stuck out his hand for a handshake. Jace returned the greeting with what normally would be an arm shattering handshake that made Yusei rock back and forth with Jace's movements.
"Yusei, this is the man that got your cards back." Cana said after breaking Jace apart from Yusei for what seemed like an hour.
Yusei grabbed his shoulder and rolled it in order to get feeling back into it. "So I'm told. Jace you have my eternal thanks for this act, I shall not soon forget it."
"Wait, when I dueled that guy he said that he challenged you to a duel and WON the cards from you. Is that true?" Jace asked calming down a little.
Yusei just looked at the young man as did the Chief and Cana all began laughing hysterically a chuckle at first and then full-fledged laughter, making Jace blush as if he asked a stupid question.
The former signer stopped laughing and regained his composure. "I'm sorry Jace. No, it is not true. Quite the opposite actually. I had the cards out trying to get a new strategy in my mind when I left to get something to drink. Evidently, he snuck into my home and swiped the cards away from me when I left. But the thing is he was making a ton of noise, so I immediately went back into the room and yelled at him. Unfortunately however he ran as soon as he saw me. Naturally I called the police and gave them his description and waited. But as you know he escaped capture almost like he disappeared from the face of the Earth only coming back to duel you. So again, I'd like to thank you for getting my cards back."
Jace's normally calm head was swelling with ego right now. "HAHAHAHA, it was nothing! He never stood a chance throughout the duel, I popped all of his monsters left, right, and center, even when he summoned Quasar, I never budged, I came back and won." Jace said with the biggest smile on his face. The Chief and Cana both had their hands over their eyes with embarrassment.
Yusei however turned ghost white and had a look of shock, which took Jace out of his ego high "He summoned Quasar? How could someone learn that ability so quickly? Not only did he achieve Clear Mind but Over Top clear mind as well. When he stole my cards I didn't think he was capable of such feats. Incredible, just who is this man?" he pointed that last question towards the chief.
"He is Jason Cole, convicted of multiple cases of anarchy and was sentenced to life imprisonment, but the same day you called in that your cards were missing was the day he just vanished from solitary confinement."
"I see. And what did he want with young Jace here?"
"He wanted the other version of your card Yusei, Jewel Flare Dragon Stardust, in order to complete their plan, the only thing is we don't know why" Chief answered.
A crackling sound came from one of the control boards in the mainframe area, it started short-circuiting and released a multiple electrical bursts of energy around the area of the center mainframe where a holographic projector of the city was presented. Causing the officers that were working in that area running for cover, as paper and machinery was in disarray as the mainframe projector of the city vanished and instead a visual of the graph where sound is measured took its place. "I think I can answer that" A very low voice said. It was obvious it was the voice of a voice changer and sounded male however with such a device the identity of the person talking is next to impossible.
"Get a track on the location of the broadcast behind this voice, NOW!" demanded the chief to anyone able to find a working computer.
"I'm quite sorry but that would be impossible for you to accomplish." The voice said as the waves flickered up and down with every syllable.
"The guy's right sir, we can't get a fix on this guy's location. It's like he doesn't exist" One of the officers said.
The chief growled under his breath and started to bite his lip trying to think up a plan. It was Jace who actually broke the silence. "What do you want, you obviously can listen in on what we were saying because you chose this precise moment to hack into and short-circuit the mainframe and talk to us."
"How right you are my boy and I do apologize to intrude on this fine evening but I would just like to congratulate you on your fine victory against Jason."
"How did you know about that?" Demanded Yusei.
"How did I know? Why, I was the one that sent him to find you. That's why."
An eerie silence befell the room. Most if not all of the police officers didn't know what they were talking about at all, they could only watch and listen as the conversation took place.
"Allow me to explain a little bit further, you see I've been watching you for some time now Jace. You may not know it yet but you have a much bigger purpose than anyone realizes, even yourself."
"I don't need a lecture about who I am." Jace snapped back.
The voice laughed as the waves went up and down. "You have always had your moments when you lose your cool."
"Listen, whoever you are. Tell us exactly what you want with Jace and what you are talking about." Yusei demanded. For once in quite some time Yusei had raised his voice. It wasn't often and whenever it did, the person it's directed to usually obeyed.
"Yusei Fudo, you above all should know the reason behind Jason and I's actions, you are the cause of it after all."
Yusei was taken aback by this statement in all of his 43 years of living in Satellite and New Domino. He strived to make the place better to live not for himself but everyone around him and the thought of having something done with himself as the cause was unheard of. "What do you mean?" was his only reply.
"Remember back to 23 years ago. You became the savior of this city for the second time, you came from the bottom and rose to the top and beyond, you became a role model for some and an inspiration for others. None of these 'facts' are true much to your disappointment. You didn't save anything all you did was delay the inevitable."
Yusei's attitude immediately changed to being serious as he remembered the events of Z-One and the WRGP. This was a trip back in time for Yusei, he pushed the memory of that day in the Ark Cradle to the back of his mind due to the loss of his friend Bruno that day. He snapped out of it in order to ask the voice a single question, "If you know what happened that day then what makes you think you can supposedly 'correct' it, and if so how?"
That question was asked by everyone in the room. "The power of legends hold many secrets and the power to change time and correct history is one of them. In histories past, certain cards were played over and over again some you may know, 'Dark Magician' 'Elemental Hero Neos' and your 'Stardust Dragon.' Each time they were played a small amount of energy was stored in the card, that's one of the reasons the cards 'evolved' so to speak, Dark Magician became the Dark Sage among others, Elemental Hero Neos became the various Fusion monsters involving it and the 'Neo-Spacians', and your Stardust Dragon became Majestic Star Dragon and Shooting Star Dragon. Plus, I'm going to let you guys in on a secret, cards are created by duelists souls when they are in a crisis or of they concentrate hard enough. So, my colleagues and I have harvested the power of the legends and "upgraded" them so to speak. And with each of those legendary cards we can extract that energy and make the world into the wasteland it's supposed to be."
"You fool! Do you have any idea what you are doing! It's insane, you will be destroyed yourself. No one would survive!" Yelled Yusei at the top of his lungs.
"Unfortunately that last part won't apply to myself and my colleagues, you see the energy extracted is not only a weapon of mass destruction but it also protects those that control it."
"You will never get away with this" Cana said
"Such a stereotypical response to something like this. All we need now is your Stardust card young Jace and Yusei cards and we will win."
"You still never answered why you need Jace's card" Cana flashed back.
"That is simple, we are not sure when but Yusei's Stardust as well as the other signer dragons used some of the power I was talking about earlier and split off a piece of their souls and created individual cards that Industrial Illusions got their hands on. Those people thinking it was a commemoration to the originals, reprinted it and thus created Jewel Flare Dragon Stardust amongst others."
"What do you mean by others? Did all of the signer dragons split their souls and created other cards? Not just Stardust? But more importantly why?" Yusei asked thinking about his friends and the dragon's they possess.
"Yusei, I must say its not like you to ask so many questions. But to answer one of those questions of course they all split, but you don't need to worry about it now, it's just additional details you all will find out when the time is right." The voice said in response.
"But now you are at a serious disadvantage, you already lost a good majority of the legendary cards and you haven't even complained about it."
The voice started laughing again. "As valiant as Jason fought he was the weakest in our group, he was more of a talker than a duelist. I knew that full well when I sent him after Jace. All I wanted to do was test Jace's skills and he passed with flying colors. Plus, this just adds to the fun. Just like hunting, a game of trial and error. Why aren't you guys having fun?" the voice finished sarcastically and began laughing again.
"So that's all your comrades are to you? Game pieces? People like you have always made me sick, treating friends and comrades with no respect and only for your own gain."
Yusei noticed this and smirked when Jace talked "He reminds me of myself when I was that age with friends being the only thing that mattered."
"Such big talk from someone who has no idea what he's talking about. For future reference you can call me Jupiter. But I've overstayed my welcome. We will keep in touch everyone, later. Oh, before I forget… Jace… you need to pick up your apartment it's absolutely filthy in there." The voice said before erupting in a fit of maniacal laughter.
Jace's eyes opened wide in shock at what he just heard. "YOU BATARD, WHAT DID YOU DO? IF YOU HARMED MY FRIEND I SWEAR TO GOD I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" But the words fell on deaf ears as the visual went back to the mainframe and disappeared as the lights flickered back on with the visual of the city reappearing. Jace swung around running toward the front door in a rush of anger and desperation. Yusei just as quickly turned and ran after him, catching him just before he hit the door. He swung the young duelist down to the ground and kneeled on him locking him in place as Jace was thrashing to be let up and breathing rapidly. The room watched with eyes agape at what the legendary duelist can do at this age.
"Let me go!" Jace repeated over and over even though Yusei didn't obey his request.
"You have to think clearly now Jace. Do you really think this Jupiter character would tell you that he's been at your place? No, he's trying to mess with your head, get you off your nerves so you can become an easier target" he pleaded to the young man.
"WELL IT WORKED! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH MY FRIEND MEANS TO ME THERE. I CAN'T TAKE THAT CHANCE. I WOULD DO ANYTHING TO PROTECT HIM FROM ALL THIS." Jace screamed right in Yusei's face. Yusei however just followed Jace's lead.
"YOU DON'T THINK I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH, OR DO I NEED TO REMIND YOU OF ALL THE SHIT THAT MY FRIENDS AND I HAD TO GO THROUGH WITH SOME OF IT BEING FOR MY SAKE! SO SHUT UP AND CALM DOWN."
The entire room went from being eerily silent to bustling with whispers amongst each other. "Someone actually yelled at Yusei Fudo." "I've never heard Yusei yell like that. He can be scary." "This kid's in for it for yelling at Yusei like that, I'm just worried about what the Chief will do."
Jace's breathing started to get back to regular pace due to Yusei's words. "(pant pant)…. You're right… I'm sorry. I let my anger cloud my judgment, but just the thought of something happening..." Jace said before he started to tense up again and smacking the marble floor of the police station.
Yusei released Jace from his hold. "You're just like me when I was your age. To me friends were and still are the most important things to me as they should be to anyone. But when someone makes a statement like that you have to think clearly and not let your emotions get ahead of your body."
"He's right, Jace." Chief said approaching the two with Cana in tow. His face said that we was understanding the young man's actions but also with seriousness due to the situation. "Since we discovered that Jason was after your card I discreetly sent out an officer to your apartment to monitor and make sure your friend doesn't become a potential hostage. And we can confirm that no one has entered or left. And we can say with 100% accuracy that your friend is quite safe."
Jace breathed a sigh of relief. This day has put a lot on him and he was becoming more and more stressed by the minute, but when he learned that his friend wasn't in any danger it was like a break in the storm. "Thank goodness" he said with a smile on his face. Soon everyone in the room except for the four went to cleaning up the room in which Jupiter caused.
Just before Cana and the Chief was about to leave to follow suit, Jace stopped them by clearing his throat with his head pointed towards the ground with a matter of fact look on his face. "Listen everyone. I'm sorry I acted the way I did. It's just that my friend… Sam… I thought he was going to be put in danger all because of me. He was my first friend and my only real friend I have."
Cana perked up after hearing this "Really, as handsome of a man he is, I assumed he had a ton of friends, but only one. I never would have guessed."
"You see, I'm told that my mother had the ability to communicate with duel monster spirits and thus loved to duel because of that but she died in childbirth, my birth. Leaving my father to take care of me by himself. Back in grade school when I first got my deck from either my own money or my father buying them for me, I felt a special connection between me and the cards inside. Apparently I inherited the same ability my mother had and could talk to the spirits of cards. And because of that I would talk to them on a regular basis both in school and out, tell them about my day and what I had to do for homework etc..." I know it may sound crazy for you guys, to be talking to cards and all, but we all have connections with our decks and so of my deck of 40 cards plus my synchro monsters I had tons of friends, just not any REAL friends. Well, the others in school labeled me a freak for doing so, they would bully me and even steal my cards and then challenge me in order to get them back, I lost everytime. It was devastating for me to see them walk away with my friend's everyday. So I tried and tried to get better at dueling, I was 10 at this point. Soon, I won every card back that my classmates stole from me and became state champion at that age. At the time I thought, if I became the best, they wouldn't bother me anymore. And so I tried and tried and got better and better and became national champion at 13. However, this never changed the opinions of my classmates and they continued labeling me a freak for thinking cards were real beings. Because of that, I was alone in my school days. My father tried to comfort me for as long as he could by saying that "you will always have friends in those cards. When the time comes you will also make human friends. Just be patient." But as time went on I started to believe it less and less. It wasn't until my senior year in high school that Sam came along as he transferred for his final year at my high school."
Chapter 4 preview:
Jace was never the strong willed and confident duelist and person he is now. Quite the opposite in fact. With practically the world against him it comes down to a single person to turn his entire life around.