Chapter 11: Acceleration

The shabby fluorescence shine high up above the floor, hanging from a crossbeam. "Did that cooling rod work? We in business?" Crow asks. Below, Skylara is kneeling beside an unfamiliar red runner, tinkering with something. Jack, Crow and Yusei are standing over Skylara and the runner on the opposite side. "Yes." Says Skylara. She stands up. "Thank you for tracking it down." Skylara says.

"Tracking what down?" Asks Akiza.

All three guys and Skylara look up.

Grim, who's been sleeping at the bottom of the ramp, wakes up and lifts up his head.

Akiza, wearing a sleek, form-fitting, red riding suit, edged in black, which shows her cleavage, and red, high-heeled boots, is standing on the ramp that leads from their front door down into the garage. Akiza looks even a bit sheepish at her flashy new turbo-dueling garb.

"Lookin' good!" Yusei says. "You almost look like a turbo-duelist." Says Jack.

"Is that what I think it is?" Akiza asks.

Skylara nods. "This is your membership card." Says Skylara.

Flashback. Skylara's runner is parked at the side of a road, near a railing facing the sea. Skylara and Akiza, with Grim sitting down beside the former, are standing at the railing side-by-side, looking out at the water. "So, I wanna join the club. I want a piece of the action, I wanna speak your language. I just, I wanna be a part of your world, Skylara." Akiza says, hurrying her words. "What are you saying?" Asks Skylara. "I wanna become a turbo-duelist." Akiza says. The flashback ends.

Back to the present. Akiza walks over to stand near Skylara and the runner. The floor around is scattered with ends of assorted cables, a bucket of water with a rag, a low table and stool with odds and ends scattered on the former, a few open tool boxes and a laptop sitting on the floor plugged in. "We built this bad boy using parts we scraped together from a couple scrap yards. It's no Z-X-twenty-two-hundred, but it'll treat you good enough for now." Says Yusei. Akiza looks down at her new runner, fairly modest and nondescript in design, and at Skylara, misty-eyed. "Ah! I don't know what to say!" Akiza says. "Well, how about 'nothing can stop me from getting my license.'" Says Skylara. Akiza smiles.

Out behind New Domino's Duel Academy, there is a winding loop of track, surrounded by grass. "Well, enrollment certainly has gone up since the announcement a' the Grand Prix!"

Indoors. The lecture hall is filled to the rafters with over a hundred students, most wearing male Duel Academy students' dark blue blazers. A few students are wearing non-Academy clothes. Each hunched over a laptop, while the instructor speaks at a lectern in front, far below. "I used to teach this class in the basement! Quick warnin' for all you dreamers out there, though!"

Akiza is sitting in the midst of this class in her red school blazer, looking quietly determined.

"Gettin' your turbo-license is hard! Qualifyin' for the Grand Prix is even harder!"

Sometime later. Akiza is sitting alone on a bench, in her riding suit, while other students, in blazers, including several girls her own age, mill around and chatter, none of them are in riding suits. Akiza shines her helmet until she can see her reflection in its visor.

Hotaru's and the twins' reflections appear in Akiza's shiny helmet. "So does this mean you're gonna be taking the Grand Prix by storm?" Leo asks. The twins take seats on either side of Akiza, while Hotaru sits down next to Luna. Akiza chuckles a bit at how their arrival startled her. "Leo. Luna. Hotaru. Let's not get ahead of ourselves or anything. I'm not even thinking about the Grand Prix right now. I'm just hoping I can qualify for a license." Says Akiza. "Don't worry, Akiza. You're going to do great." Hotaru says.

"Excuse me, but, uh, are you sure you're in the right place?"

Akiza looks up, standing over them are three rough-looking guys about her age. The one on Akiza's left has a light blue button-up shirt and messy blonde-brown hair, his buddy on the right has black, shiny hair with sideburns, and is wearing an orange jumpsuit for riding. Their friend, behind them in the center, has bright red streaks in the first few locks of his limp brown hair and wears a brown jacket, with fluffy lining, over a maroon shirt. These three male turbo-dueling students don't look like real trouble, but they look a lot like a hassle. "Yeah, shouldn't ya be at home playin' wit' your dolls? Or pretending to cook in a little plastic oven while watching boy bands on TV!" Blue shirt snickers.

Luna stands up in Akiza's defense. "Uh, Akiza's a senior at Duel Academy? And she's the best in her class!" Says Luna.

One of the guys puts up his hands, palms-out, sarcastically feigning terror. "Oh, oh! I'm so scared!" "This ain't duel school. Turbo-duels are the toughest duels ever. And it takes a real man to handle a duel runner."

"So, when are these 'real men' supposed to show up?" Akiza asks.

Once they realize what she just said, they don't like it.

Akiza sits on the bench and matches their gazes, calmly.

Just then, the instructor shouts. "Hey, you four! Enough dawdlin'! The track's not walkin' over to you! Move it!"

Akiza gets up.

A short time later. Akiza is standing at attention before the instructor, in a line of other turbo-dueling hopefuls, each carrying their helmet under one arm. Their runners are parked some distance away. "It's time for the trainin' wheels to come off, boys and girl! No more autopilot from here on out!" The four students in this group are Akiza and the three boys who tried to pick on her. All four look determined. "It's jus' you, your runner, and the cruel, cruel pavement! Now, get on your rides and show me what you're made of!" The four hurry over to their runners.

The first student turbo-duelist zooms by on his way onto the track.

Skylara, with Grim following at her side, joins the twins and Hotaru in the bleachers, hands on her hips. "What did I miss?" Asks Skylara.

The guy in the blue jumpsuit is first to take the track. "This is cake! I'm gonna fly around this track faster than a bolt of lightning!" He rounds the first curve, leaning into it at an acute angle, lighting up sparks from the road and skids out of control, yelling. He crashes into the low barrier of blocks that marks the side of the track. He picks himself back up after his failed run. "Well, even lightning crashes."

Skylara, Hotaru and the twins watch in the background, as the instructor raps a long stick on the ground, emphasizing his words. "Numbskull! Ya went too fast! Next!" "Uhh, okay!"

Next contender is the guy in orange. He's a bit more cautious. "Just stay upright, just stay upright." He thinks to himself. "I made it!"

"Too slow, fraidy-pants! I coulda lapped ya four times already! Who's next?!"

Akiza is the next rider. Akiza rolls forward on the runner Skylara, Yusei, Jack and Crow built her. "I am." Akiza says.

Skylara, Hotaru, Luna and Leo are watching, closely, as she glides past them and out onto the track. "Go, Akiza! Rip it up!" Says Leo.

The wind rushes past Akiza and her runner. "The speed! The whole world just flying at me like this! It's, it's..." Akiza thinks to herself. "It's so incredible! Whooohooooooo!" Akiza says. She races into the curve.

Skylara gasps and leans forward. "Ah!" Says Skylara. "Huh?" Hotaru, Luna and Leo all ask. "Akiza! Slow down, you won't be…! Ugh!" Says Skylara. All four wince, looks like Akiza crashed, spectacularly.

Out on the track. Akiza's practice runner's wheels are slowing down in a pile of track-side blocks. Akiza has been flung some distance away and is picking herself up. Akiza smiles up at the bleachers, chagrined. "I'm okay! Heh!" Akiza says, sort of whimsically cheerful.

Another day, late into the afternoon. Skylara's runner is parked by the side of the track, and she, with Grim sitting down beside her, Hotaru and the twins are standing near it, watching Akiza circle the track. "She's getting better and better every day!" Says Leo. "Yes." Skylara says.

Akiza is coming up on the sharp turn that thwarted her and the other students. "You're mine, sharp curve!" Says Akiza. She leans into the turn and sparks glint on the edge of her footrest. As Akiza goes into the turn, her runner flips forward and she flies over the handlebars.

Skylara, with Grim keeping pace at her heels, Hotaru and the twins run over to Akiza. "Akiza, are you alright?" Skylara asks. "Easy does it." Says Luna. "I almost had it, I just! Uh!" Akiza says. She stands up. "That's it! If more I drift at the turn of the beginning then gun it when I bend the round, and hold the torque, that oughta do it!" Says Akiza. They watch her walk away, probably to retrieve her runner, a bit nonplussed at her mangled grammar. "I think she's crashed one too many times." Leo says. Skylara nods, slightly.

Akiza tries the curve again, this time wobbling in toward the inner edge scraping against it, almost staying on course. "Ugh! Hold it!" Says Akiza. And she goes flying from her runner again.

Akiza tries again. Akiza suddenly accelerates a bit too much and loses her grip, with surprise, and crashes again.

"Your pushing too hard!" Skylara says.

Akiza stands up, ready for one more go and shakes out her hair, which has stayed in its roller and not much mussed. "Okay, I think I've got the hang of it." Says Akiza. Skylara smiles. "Good. Just keep trusting your instincts." Skylara says.

Akiza zooms toward the curve one more time. "Angle of entry is good. And the bike is gripping the track right. Now, just let it drift with the curve. Just-let it drift." Akiza thinks to herself. And at just the right moment, she accelerates and swings out the other side of the curve, completing the maneuver, successfully. "I did it!" Says Akiza.

The twins and Hotaru chuckle, cheered by her success. Skylara smiles, proudly, her gaze challenging. "Very nice." Skylara says.

Night, at Skylara, Yusei, Jack and Crow's place. "This should help stabilize the handling, Akiza." Says Skylara. She works on Akiza's training bike, while she stands by and watches. "It's so nice of Skylara to help me like this!" Akiza thinks to herself.

A bright new day. Akiza races out onto the training track, with Skylara, Hotaru and the twins watching from the bleachers. "Time to rev it up!" Akiza thinks to herself. She rounds the curve, smoothly, swirls around a sequence of loop-the-loops in the track and leaps from a ramp, soaring into the sky. Akiza lands on her back wheel, skids a bit to the side, hits the ground riding and keeps going. Akiza rounds one last turn, wheels sparking and completes the lap.

"Oh, man, just wow! That's her best time yet!" Leo says.

Akiza is glowing, with pleasure, at her successful run. "You qualify!" "You bet I do!" Says Akiza.

While the twins and Hotaru cheer, Streaks does not look happy. "She may've qualified, but there's no way she's passing the final exam! I'll see to that!" Streaks thinks to himself.

The student turbo-dueling track behind Duel Academy is bright and sunny. Akiza and four classmates, including the three she began training with, line up before the instructor alongside their runners. "Well, it's been a gruelin' two weeks. But Akiza's the only one a' you sorry punks that even qualified for the final exam!" He raps the ground with his stick, angrily. "The rest a' y'all are little failure baby men!" Akiza smiles, elated with her success. The boys are very jealous. "You gotta be kidding me!" "This is bunk!" "I can't believe how lame we are." "Yeah."

Late in the afternoon. "All you have to do now is pass the final exam. You can do it, Akiza." Skylara says. They're standing on the track, runners side by side. Akiza's standing beside her practice runner, and Skylara's sitting astride her own runner. Hotaru and the twins, with Grim sitting down by them, are standing off to the side. "Ya think?" Asks Akiza. "Of course. However, there is one trick you might want to learn." Skylara says.

She demonstrates, riding forward at an easy pace, swinging her back wheel around and U-turning back the way she came, then whipping her back wheel around to turn again and continue moving, backwards, to glide past Akiza.

"You need to know how to drift backwards." Says Skylara. "I'm guessing it's harder than it looks." Akiza says. Skylara stops a few feet behind her. "At first. However, once you know you can pull it off, you are ready for almost anything that might come your way." Says Skylara. "Right, let me try." Akiza says.

She zooms down the track, twists her runner around backwards, and starts skidding and wobbling all over the track.

Skylara, Hotaru and the twins are watching from a distance. "This looks bad." Says Hotaru. All four wince, Akiza just crashed again. They look up. "Huh?" Leo, Luna, Hotaru and Skylara all ask.

Akiza's runner is crashed into one side of the track and she's sprawled over on the other. "Ugh... anyone get the license plate on that rhino?" Asks Akiza, groaning.

Its late afternoon at the roller rink. Several skaters glide here and there in the background, a couple of people are leaning against the side talking, a few others are outside the rim of the floor watching the skaters, and a couple who seem to be practicing a pair dance on skates. Yusei and Akiza are standing in the middle of the skating floor, both of them wearing in-lines.

The twins, Hotaru and Skylara are leaning against the railing outside the floor. "Um, d'you feel like a third wheel?" Leo asks. "This isn't a date, Leo." Says Luna.

"It's all about remembering what was behind you and relaxing." Yusei says.

He skates backward several feet, easily, then back around Akiza, still gliding backwards.

Yusei stops and Akiza attempts it next. As soon as Akiza moves a skate, she loses her balance. "Whoa-oa-oa!" Says Akiza. She topples forward right into Yusei and he catches her before she falls. "You have, uh, skated before, right?" Yusei asks. Akiza looks up at him, sheepishly, blushing slightly, they're still halfway into each others arms. "I've watched people skating in the park." Says Akiza.

"See? This is totally a date!" Leo says. "Leo! He's trying to teach her something about turbo-dueling!" Says Luna.

Yusei and Akiza continue to practice skating. First, Yusei holds Akiza's hands, gently, leading her, as she learns to balance, she looks afraid to let go. "It's all about anticipation." Yusei says.

Next, Akiza grabs one of his arms for balance, nearly causing him to fall. "Maybe I should learn how to go forward first." Says Akiza. "You have to just trust yourself and let go." Yusei says.

Next, Akiza careens backward, balancing haphazardly on one skate, he reaches out after her, belatedly. "Just for the record, I meant to do that!" Says Akiza.

Her skates are gliding more smoothly now.

"Ya got it! Now, spin around and coast!" Yusei says.

Akiza glides backward, looking up at the pink and purple domed ceiling, serenely.

Yusei glides up next to Akiza, also skating backwards, and they meet eyes, smiling, skating side by side.

The twins, Hotaru and Skylara are still watching from the sidelines, as they turn around and skate forward. "Still thinking it's not a date?" Asks Leo. Luna sighs. "Okay, yeah, it's totally a date." Luna says. Hotaru giggles, lightly, and Skylara smiles.

Yusei and Akiza skate side-by-side, both smiling, triumphantly. Yusei hovers just within reach, prepared to steady Akiza. "I know you can do it, Akiza. Just trust yourself!" Says Yusei.

Bright early morning at Skylara, Yusei, Jack and Crow's place.

Akiza walks through the front door and looks down at the work area, surprised.

Skylara, Yusei, Jack and Crow are all bare-armed in the sleeveless shirts they wear under their jackets. Skylara has her hair loosely done up in a ponytail, with the ends resembling curved feathers. "Hey." Crow says. "About time you showed up." Says Jack, teasingly. They're standing around a shiny new runner that bears only a little bit of resemblance to Akiza's practice bike. Clearly they've been working hard to surprise Akiza. It's absolutely beautiful. "What is this?!" Akiza asks. "Your practice bike wasn't cutting it anymore. So, we made a few adjustments." Says Skylara. Akiza looks closer at her gleaming new duel runner, shimmering in the morning sunlight through the door. It looks like a real, pro runner now, not a practice bike. The new body design is sleek and aerodynamic, in Akiza's signature color of crimson red. "Yusei and I installed the brake system and the deck interface." Crow says. "I added to the frame and reconfigured the engine." Says Skylara. "I provided, verbal encouragement." Jack says. "It's awesome!" Says Akiza. "It is a real runner." Skylara says. Akiza wipes away tears. "I guess that... now all it needs is a real rider!" Says Akiza. "Are you ready?" Yusei asks. Akiza nods.

A bright sunny day on the training track behind the Academy. Akiza and a few other contenders in yellow jumpsuits stand beside the track, their runners lined up and ready to race.

Akiza's three training-group-mates are sitting in the bleachers, Streaks laughing, maliciously.

Crow, the twins and Hotaru grab seats in the front row, eagerly. Skylara, with Grim sitting down beside her, Jack and Yusei in the next row up. "Ah! Looks like we just made it!" Says Crow. "Here goes the first guy." Leo says.

The first contender races out onto the track, his test proctor following on his navy blue and yellow duel runner. The student's wheel grazes the side of the track and he flips over his handlebars, hitting the pavement.

The proctor zooms past, leaving him in the dust, and finishes the lap.

"Ooh, wipeout!" Says Crow. "Poor sap never drew a card." Jack says.

"That's because these students are challenging one of the best. Second best under Skylara anyway."

They all look towards the person who said that. She is an extremely beautiful and delicate-looking fair-skinned girl, with wavy, teal hair, that falls just past her shoulders. Her height appears to be 5'4" and she seems to be the same age as Skylara and Yusei, nineteen. Her arms are crossed in front of herself, looking innocent, almost like what a little girl would do. Her eyes are closed for the moment and then open, revealing them to be deep blue. She is soon easily recognized by Skylara, causing her to stand up from her seat, standing there, in complete shock. "Hello, Skylara. It's been quite a while, hasn't it?" "I-I don't believe it. Is that really you, Michiru?" Asks Skylara. "Yes. And if I'm not mistaken, your truly Skylara Belladonna." Michiru says. "The one and only. Anyway what brings you here, and to New Domino City of all places? Last time I remember, you were in Tokyo." Says Skylara. "Well, here I am. And are these your friends?" Michiru asks. Skylara turns to her group. "Yes, I guess you can say that." Says Skylara.

"Skylara, who is she and how do you know her?" Luna asks.

"Oh yes, introductions. Well, this is Michiru Kaiou. She is a very good and old friend of mine." Says Skylara.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Michiru." Luna says. She walks up to Michiru, but stands directly in front of Skylara, almost against her body. "And who's this little cutie pie, Skylara?" Asks Michiru. Skylara puts her hands on Luna's shoulders. "This is Luna." Skylara says. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Luna." Says Michiru. She holds out her hand towards Luna, who clasps it. "Now, who's the one who looks almost very identical to you?" Michiru asks.

Leo then steps up, standing next to Skylara. "This is Leo. He's Luna's twin brother." Says Skylara. "I see." Michelle says.

Crow then steps up. "Hey, I'm Crow Hogan. It's nice to meet you, Michiru." "Like wise, you must be Skylara's best friend." Says Michiru. "Yep, that's me." Crow says. He points a thumb towards himself, proudly.

Luna, Leo and Crow then return to their seats.

"And then if I'm not confused, but I believe you're Jack Atlas. The Master of Faster, am I right?" Asks Michiru. "Why yes, that would be me." Jack says. "He's your boyfriend I'm guessing." Says Michiru. "You guessed right." Skylara says.

Yusei and Hotaru then step up, walking up to stand at either side their sister. Michiru looks over at Yusei. "I don't even have to guess who you are, your Skylara's younger half-twin brother. Yusei Fudo, are you not?" Asks Michiru. "That's right, how do you know that?" Yusei asks. "My partner and I watched the Fortune Cup." Says Michiru. "That explains it." Skylara says. Michiru then looks down at Hotaru, with a small smile. "Hello, Hotaru." Says Michiru. Hotaru gasps, slightly. "Um, have we met?" Hotaru asks. "Hm?" Asks Michiru. "I just feel like I know you. As if I've known you prior to meeting you." Hotaru says. Michiru glances up at Skylara, who meets her gaze, deep blue eyes meeting red eyes. "I'm sorry. But, I'm afraid you're confused." Says Michiru. "So then, how'd you know my name?" Hotaru asks. "Well, I've heard so much about you from Skylara. So, I just assumed that you were Hotaru." Says Michiru. "Oh. Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Michiru." Hotaru says. "Like wise, Hotaru." Says Michiru. Hotaru then walks back to her seat, sitting down next to Luna.

"Anyway, who are you here to support?" Michiru asks. "Akiza Izinski, she's another friend of mine." Says Skylara. "I see." Michiru says. "So, what brings you here?" Asks Skylara. "My partner is here." Michiru says. "Seriously, well where is she? I would like to see her again, as well." Says Skylara. "Oh, trust me you will. Would you mind if I joined you?" Michiru asks. "Not at all." Says Skylara.

The test proctor glides to a halt in front of the stands and pulls up the eye visor from his eyes, revealing them to be dark blue, full of determination and mysteriousness. "Huh! Another wannabe bites the dust!"

Skylara gasps. "Is that?" Skylara asks, aside to Michiru. Michiru nods.

The proctor notices them, recognizing Skylara very well. "Well, if it isn't the one and only. You're up, Akiza!" Showdown. "Congrats for getting this far. Now, there's just one thing standing between you and your turbo-license, and that thing is me! And it's plannin' on wipin' the road with ya, dumpling."

Crow sits down next to Jack. "Aw, come on! He's really gonna trash-talk when he doesn't even know Akiza?!" Asks Crow, annoyed. "There's no way she can defeat him." Jack says.

A few seats away, the three boys from Akiza's class are watching the showdown with unpleasantly smug looks on their faces. "You ever hear of 'schadenfreude'?" "You mean 'pleasure derived from the misfortune of others'?" Streaks is holding a small remote control in one palm. "Sure have! Heheheheheheheh!"

Akiza and the proctor are at the starting line. The heat off the road distorts the air around their feet. "Sorry, dumpling. But I can't go easy on ya." "Wouldn't wantcha to." Says Akiza. "I see you got the spirit." The proctor says.

A man in a suit with a clipboard speaks from the sidelines. "It is now time to begin the turbo registration final exam." He raises an arm. "On your marks, get set…"

Both duelists' eyes narrow, their tense, ready for the word to begin. "Duel!"

And they take off. Akiza's wheels squeal a bit and then propel her forward, the proctor follows at a distance of several feet, as he did with the last student he proctored. "First, I activate the 'Speed World Two' field spell! Let's ride!" Says the proctor. "Duel mode, engaged. Autopilot, activated." The computer says. The proctor rides up next to Akiza, and she glances over. "If I take the first curve before this guy, I'll be able to make the first move!" Akiza thinks to herself. "Let's find out what she's got!" The proctor thinks to himself. They accelerate into the curve, side-by-side. At the last minute, Akiza pulls ahead by a nose, her eyes glancing over toward the proctor, warily. "Yes!" Akiza thinks to herself. And zooms out of the turn, well ahead now.

"She took that corner perfectly!" Says Luna.

Akiza smiles and stares into space a moment. The proctor gains on Akiza. "What're you waiting for, the first move's yours. You're not scared, areya dumpling?!" The proctor asks. He nudges Akiza's back fin with his runner, igniting sparks. Akiza winces, shaken. "Ugh!" Says Akiza. "Look, no one'll blame ya if ya wanna quit now! I mean, nobody expects you to pass, anyway!" The proctor says.

The other Signers, Hotaru and Leo are on their feet, watching, tensely. "Man, this guy is doing everything he can to shake 'er up, isn't he!" Says Crow. "Why is he being like that?" Hotaru asks. "He's just making sure that she can take it." Says Jack. Skylara is watching, silently, intensely serious. "'Cause if a little pressure throws her off. Then her game'll never pass this test." Jack says.

Akiza clenches her teeth, steeling herself. Akiza races down a straightaway on the track.

The proctor in hot pursuit.

Akiza's right hand trembles on its handle, as she lets her grip loosen, carefully, reaches over and draws a card. "The first move's mine! I draw!" Says Akiza. "A speed spell! Perfect!" Akiza thinks to herself.

"Come on, dumpling! Show me that you've got what it takes to prove all the doubters wrong!" The proctor says.

"I summon Revival Rose in defense mode!" Says Akiza. Revival Rose has 1300 defense points and is a level 4 monster. "And next, I activate the 'Summon Speeder' speed spell!" Akiza says. "Action prohibited." Says the computer. Akiza freezes. "Huh?!" Akiza asks.

"Huh?! Did she just do what I think she just did?" Asks Crow. "Mm-hmm. I guess she forgot that speed spells require some actual speed." Jack says. "She's more nervous than I thought." Skylara thinks to herself.

"Oh, that's right! The whole 'speed counter' thing!" Akiza thinks to herself.

They round another curve.

"Stop stalling, make your next move!" Says the proctor.

"I, I-I end my turn!" Akiza says.

They cruise around another corner, past several shelves that hold piles of metal pipes.

"My move, then! I summon, Soldier of Sky in attack mode!" Says the proctor. Soldier of Sky has 1600 attack points, 1200 defense points, is a level 4 monster and is a wind monster. The proctor's monster is a female sailor warrior, in a metal armored version of a sailor fuku. "Let's rumble! Go, Soldier of Sky, send her Rose flying!" The proctor says. Soldier of Sky leaps high into the air and with her sword, slashes down into Revival Rose. "And now, Soldier of Sky's special ability activates! After destroying your monster in battle, she can knock you with damage equal to the level of your defeated monster multiplied by one hundred points!" Says the proctor.

Soldier of Sky, now soaring behind Akiza, blasts her with damage. Akiza yells out and sways a bit. "Agh!" Akiza says.

"I slap one card face down and end my turn!" Says the proctor.

"If I don't get it together I'm done for!" Akiza thinks to herself.

"Are ya feelin' the pressure yet, dumpling? Heheh, how'bout now!" The proctor says. He decelerates back to meet Akiza and nudges her front wheel with his back fin, prodding her off-balance.

Akiza flinches, but stays on. "It's my turn! I draw! And I summon, Twilight Rose Knight!" Says Akiza. Twilight Rose Knight has 1000 attack points and is a level 3 monster. "And when Twilight Rose Knight is successfully summoned, it can immediately grant me the ability to summon a level-four-or-below plant-type monster from my hand! So, I'm summoning Lord Poison in attack mode!" Akiza says. Lord Poison has 1500 attack points and is a level 4 monster.

"Now that's what I'm talkin' about! She's findin' her groove!" Says Leo.

"And now, Lord Poison gets a tuning from Twilight Rose Knight! I synchro-summon, Black Rose Dragon!" Akiza says. Black Rose Dragon has 2400 attack points and is a level 8 monster.

"Huh. Pretty good, dumpling. But if you think some overgrown flower lizard's gonna put the fear in me, then you need to get real and get serious!" Says the proctor.

"Yeah, well, let's see if you're still saying that after Black Rose Dragon attacks Soldier of Sky!" Akiza says.

The proctor takes the hit, he's down to 3200 lifepoints. "Rrrgh! Not a good move, dumpling. Not with my 'Final Penalty' trap card on the field!" Says the proctor.

"Ah?!" Akiza asks.

"See, when you destroy one of my monsters in battle you take damage equal to half its attack points and then 'Final Penalty' obliterates your attacking monster!" Says the proctor.

Black Rose Dragon shatters, Akiza ducks. Akiza's down to 2800 lifepoints. "Ugh!" Akiza says.

"Well, so much for the Dragon." Says Crow. "Don't let her get to you, come right back at her!" Skylara thinks to herself.

"Since you destroyed one of my monsters, I can summon Revival Rose from my graveyard!" Akiza says. Revival Rose has 1300 attack points and is a level 4 monster. "Next, I place two cards face down and end my turn!" Says Akiza.

"Let the good times roll! By yanking Soldier of Sky from my graveyard and removing her entirely from play, I can bring in backup and summon a warrior monster from my hand! And look who's arriving on the battlefield, another Soldier of Sky!" The proctor says. Soldier of Sky has 1600 attack points, 1200 defense points, is a level 4 monster and is a wind type monster. "Next, I summon Soldier of Flight in attack mode!" Says the proctor. Soldier of Flight has 100 attack points, 600 defense points, is a level 1 monster and is a wind monster. Soldier of Flight is another female warrior, with a fair maiden sort of look to her. "And since these two just love working together, I think I'll tune my Soldier of Flight with my Soldier of Sky, in order to synchro-summon the Warrior of Air!" The proctor says. Warrior of Air has 2200 attack points and is a level 5 monster. The proctor's Warrior of Air is a warrior, with a jungle woman kind of vibe. "Time for some brutality! Warrior of Air, uproot that Revival Rose!" Says the proctor.

Revival Rose is destroyed.

"But, I'm not done there!" The proctor says.

Akiza gasps.

"I'm sure you've heard about soldiers teaming up to play 'good cop, bad cop', right? Well, Warrior of Air prefers to play 'bad cop, bad cop'! When she successfully destroys your monster in battle, she gains eight hundred attack points, and then attacks you again!" Says the proctor. Warrior of Air's new attack point total is 3000.

"Oh no! She's got twenty-eight-hundred lifepoints, if he lands this attack then it's all over!" Yusei says.

"Hahahahahahahahaha! Now, I attack you directly!" Says the proctor.

Warrior of Air turns around and goes after Akiza. "I activate the 'Offensive Guard' trap card! When you attack me directly, I can use the power of 'Offensive Guard' to halve the attack points of your monster until the end phase of this turn! And then I can draw another card from my deck!" Akiza says. Now Warrior of Air's attack points read 1500. A barrier appears around Akiza, deflecting most of the damage, she's down to 1300 lifepoints.

"Come on! You survived that attack?! Well, my turn's not over yet. And I'm activating the speed spell 'Speed Demon'! When I have three speed counters, I can use 'Speed Demon' to knock you with a thousand points of damage!" Says the proctor.

Akiza's lifepoints fall to 300. "Ugh!" Akiza says.

"Well, she's still hangin' on, but not by very much." Says Crow.

The proctor places a face down, Warrior of Air's attack points go back up to 2200. "This is your last chance to turn things around!" The proctor says.

"Well, in that case, I will! I summon Witch of the Black Rose!" Says Akiza. Witch of the Black Rose has 1700 attack points and is a level 4 monster. "When I successfully summon this monster to my field, I get to draw another card from my deck! But if the card I draw's not a monster card, then Witch of the Black Rose'll be destroyed. I draw! And it's Dark Verger, so my Witch is safe!" Akiza says.

"Hm! Safe, but useless." Says the proctor.

"Huh?" Akiza asks.

"I play 'Air Element Barricade'! This trap can activate when you summon a monster, and once it does I can seal that monster away for the rest of this turn!" Says the proctor.

Witch of the Black Rose gets sealed inside a translucent navy blue cube, with wind swirling around.

"But that's not the only piece of bad news I have for you, dumpling. For every level-four-or-below monster you have on your field, 'Air Element Barricade' dishes out five hundred points of damage! So like I said earlier, this is your last chance to turn things around!" The proctor says.

"I've got four speed counters." Akiza thinks to herself. "Let's see if I can turn things around with the 'Summon Speeder' speed spell! This spell allows me to summon another monster from my hand." Says Akiza. Dark Verger has 0 attack points, 1000 defense points, is a level 2 monster and is an earth type monster.

"I think I like where this duel is going, Akiza." Skylara thinks to herself.

"You may've stopped Witch of the Black Rose from attacking, but I can still use her to synchro-summon! So now she gives Dark Verger a tune-up! I synchro-summon Splendid Rose!" Akiza says. Splendid Rose has 2200 attack points and is a level 6 monster. Splendid Rose is a nimble, graceful, blonde warrior, with a skintight suit half black, half bright green, thorn-like spikes around the hips, and several vines that whip out from behind her, gracefully. Her boots are sprouting up flower petals around her ankles. "Next, I activate Splendid Rose's special ability! By taking a plant monster from my graveyard and removing it entirely from play, I can cut back the attack points of a monster on the field by half! Your Warrior of Air just got a little weaker!" Says Akiza. One of Splendid Rose's vines grabs the proctor's monster around her middle, she screams. "And with that, Splendid Rose attacks Warrior of Air! Whip it!" Akiza says.

Splendid Rose whips around another of her vines and deals a destructive blow to the proctor's monster, and his lifepoints, he's down to 2100. "Too little, too late!" Says the proctor.

"I'm not done, there's more where that came from!" Akiza says.

"There is?" Asks the proctor.

"I reveal my trap card, 'Blossom Bombardment'!" Akiza says.

When your plant-type monster destroys a monster in battle, 'Blossom Bombardment' deals damage equal to half the destroyed monster's attack points.

"Now, get ready for my Splendid Rose to prune your lifepoints down to size!" Says Akiza.

The proctor is now down to 1000 lifepoints. "Very clever!" The proctor says.

"Dude, what if this girl actually wins this?" "Not gonna happen!" Streaks shows them his little remote control. "Huh?" "Time for the demolition derby!"

A hand grabs the guy by the wrist, he looks and it's Skylara and she is completely enraged right now. "You press that button, I shall send you into those pipes myself." Says Skylara. He then stands up, getting in her face. "Like I'm going to listen to some girl." He presses the remote's single button. "Your going to regret that!" Skylara says.

The proctor and Akiza are rounding the corner next to the shelves of pipes. Several small explosions erupt, severing the connection between the shelves and their vertical supports, bringing the shelves and their stacks of metal pipes, crashing down and cascading onto the track, right in front of Akiza. "Huh?!" Asks Akiza.

"Akiza!" Skylara says.

Jack, still seated, notices the glee of the guys sitting a few seats away from himself.

"Heheh, take that, loser!" That just enrages Skylara more, she then tries punching the guy right in the face, only he deflects it and grabs her incoming fist. "I told you before, we ain't the kind of guys to mess with." He then starts squeezing down hard, actually managing to make Skylara react a bit.

Jack instantly gets up at that point, grabbing his wrist, squeezing down really hard on his wrist, making him release Skylara. Jack then puts himself between them, as if he's a shield or a wall. "You mess with 'er, you have to deal with me." Says Jack.

Akiza dodges one pipe that flies past her head, then another. "Oh! Oh!" Akiza says.

The proctor, riding ahead, doesn't even glance back. "Well, that's not good! But if she can't react fast enough, then she's not cut out to be a turbo-duelist!" The proctor thinks to himself.

Akiza can barely see, surrounded by a cloud of obscuring dust, until she sees another pipe falling straight toward her head. Akiza weaves and dodges, as pipes fly past her. "Ohh! I can do this!" Says Akiza.

Flashback, series of still shots. First, Akiza clings to Yusei's arms, as he coaxes her onto the skating floor. "It's all about anticipation." Yusei says.

Second, Akiza grabs one of Yusei's arms for balance, nearly causing her to fall.

Third, Yusei and Akiza skate side-by-side, both smiling, triumphantly. Yusei hovers just within reach, prepared to steady Akiza. "I know you can do this, Akiza! Just trust yourself!" Says Yusei. The flashback ends.

Back to the present. "Yusei's right, and it's time I prove it!" Akiza thinks to herself. There's a pipe falling straight down towards her head. Akiza presses a button on the end of her left-hand grip with her thumb, depresses the left-side pedal and rides out the storm of pipes, weaving side-to-side, flipping around backwards than forward again, dodging with nimble precision. Akiza flips around backward again, as she comes out of it and just keeps gliding backward.

Akiza's three classmates gasp, amazed.

The twins cheer. "Look at her go!" Luna says. "I knew she could do it." Says Skylara.

Akiza swings around to ride forward again, gaining on the proctor once more.

"Where did you learn how to ride like that?" The proctor asks.

The sunlight sparkles across Akiza's visor like lightning, accentuating her fierce, determined eyes. Akiza is no longer afraid or uncertain. "Boy, you're goin' down! I activate Splendid Rose's special ability! By removing a plant monster in my graveyard from play, I can empower Splendid Rose to attack again with half its attack points! And since you don't have any monsters out on your field, Splendid Rose attacks you! Go, Aerial Twist!" Says Akiza.

Splendid Rose back-flips into the air, spins herself into a whirlwind of thorns and petals, and comes flying right at the proctor, taking out the rest of his lifepoints. The front vent on his runner pops open, expelling steam. He stops. "Good job, dumpling!" The proctor says.

Akiza takes off her helmet and looks at him, anxiously.

"You passed the test." Says the proctor.

Akiza's face lights up with joy.

The twins are laughing and cheering. "Nice." Skylara says. "That's our girl!" Says Crow.

Jack straightens up, scowling, turns and walks away. "Next time, leave my friend alone and never mess with my girl again." Jack says.

Behind him, Streaks and his buddies are much the worse for wear, sprawled haplessly on the ground or even hanging backward over the back of the seats.

From a distance, a vantage point at a roadside with a clear view of the track. Sherry LeBlanc has been watching from astride her fiery, white runner. "It would seem zat all ze pieces are gathering on ze board!" Sherry thinks to herself. She presses a button on the side of her helmet, closing her visor and the grille below it, pauses and then rides away.

Akiza walks up to Skylara and her friends, with her helmet under one arm.

Michiru is standing over by the proctor.

"Hey you. How does it feel to be an official turbo-duelist?" Asks Skylara. She offers a hand and Akiza clasps it, eyes shining. "Great. Just, great." Akiza says.

They then all walk over towards Michiru and the proctor. "You dueled well, Akiza." Says the proctor. "Thanks, so did you." Akiza says. "Akiza, this is Michiru Kaiou. She's an old friend of mine." Says Skylara. "Pleasure to finally meet you, Akiza." Michiru says. "Nice to meet you." Says Akiza. Skylara glances over at the proctor. "And you, I think it is safe to reveal yourself to the others." Skylara says. "Of course. Anything for you, Skylara." Says the proctor. "How do you know this guy, Skylara?" Crow asks. "You never asked if I did." Says Skylara. The proctor steps off of his runner and removes his helmet.

The guys, Luna, Hotaru and Akiza are all agape at what they just found out. The proctor is a fair-skinned woman, with short, pale blonde hair. Her height appears to be 5'9" and she seems to be the same age as Skylara, Yusei and Michiru, nineteen. "What? Skylara, why didn't you tell us?" Crow asks. "You never asked me if he was a she. You guys, this is Michiru's partner, Haruka Tenou." Skylara says. "You're actually a woman?" Asks Akiza. "That's right, I hope you don't mind that I'm a girl." Haruka says. Hotaru runs over. "Hey there, Hotaru." Says Haruka. "Wait, have we met before?" Hotaru asks. "Uh..." Says Haruka. She looks up at Skylara, meeting her gaze, dark blue eyes meeting red eyes. She then glances down at Hotaru. "No, sorry." Haruka says. "But, you knew my name. Just like Michiru did." Says Hotaru. "Skylara used to talk about you a lot, that's all." Haruka says. "No, I feel like I know you. Both of you." Says Hotaru. She suddenly reaches for her forehead, as if overcome with a sudden headache. Hotaru nearly collapses until Yusei catches her. "Sorry, I think today's just been a little too much on her." Yusei says. "Oh, no need to apologize." Says Michiru. "We're sorry for causing so much confusion for her." Haruka says.

Sometime later. The guys, Hotaru, Luna and Akiza have all headed home.

Skylara, with Grim standing at her side, stayed behind to catch up with Michiru and Haruka. Only all three look very serious. "Something is happening again, isn't it?" Asks Skylara. "My mirror's been showing me some evil signs lately. I think she's back." Michiru says. "Who is it?" Asks Skylara. "The last one we ever fought and saved the world from. The final battle we almost lost." Haruka says. "My nightmares have been showing her. I have been feeling her presence lately, since her and I are very much connected." Says Skylara. "You and her are almost the same exact person." Michiru says. "Just two differences. Your hair color and most of all your powers. As in your new powers, as a Signer." Says Haruka. "And you have scars now, she doesn't." Michiru says. "I sort of figured that, since she has to stay so perfect. She's my opposite. I shall help you, only I do this my way and a different way. I'm not going to rely on my Sailor Guardian powers, when I have my Signer powers." Says Skylara. "We understand." Michiru says. "And we'll be there alongside you, once again. Just remember, even if we aren't together, you can still rely on us to aid you power wise." Says Haruka.

There's a quick flash and when Skylara turns to look at them again, they're different. They're in Sailor uniforms. "Thank you for your consideration, Sailor Neptune." Skylara says. Michiru is actually Sailor Neptune. "And Sailor Uranus, thank you for going easy on Akiza today. This meant the world to her." Says Skylara. Haruka is actually Sailor Uranus. Both Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus bow down to one knee before Skylara. "Always at your command." Sailor Uranus says. "And always loyal and willing to serve under you." Says Sailor Neptune. "This isn't the past anymore. You don't have to treat me like my old Princess self anymore." Skylara says. They then stand up and walk away into the sunset.

Skylara watches them go. "If she's back, then I better be ready. I am going to need all the help I can get. I nearly lost to her the last time we fought and I can't let her do the same thing this time." Skylara thinks to herself.