Chapter 11: Party Crashers
A hush is over the Kaibadome crowd with the sudden end to the duel, broken by nervous murmurs. "What happened?" "Did you see…" "Did she win?" "Aaahh..."
However, according to the scoreboard, Skylara's lifepoints remain at 300, while Jean's counter is blinking at 0. It's becoming clear what has just happened.
The silence in the stadium hangs over the pit booth. Luna, Leo, Bruno, Minako, Carly, Crow, Stephanie, Akiza, Jack, Chibi Chibi and Yusei are staring out at the track. "Is that it?" Leo asks, whispering. "Is it over?" Asks Luna, whispering. Jack nods. "Uh-huh." Jack says. He turns to them excitedly, beginning to shake the tension. "Look at the scoring board!" Says Jack. The twins turn to look ahead of them, in unison. "Huh?" Both Leo and Luna ask. Then they both brighten, upon reading it, and so does the rest of the group, they then all let out a cheer! "We did it!" Says Luna. "Yeah! Six-D's!" Crow says.
To the roar of the crowd, holographic images of Skylara's face and Team 6Ds' logo pop up on every holographic screen all the way around the perimeter of the track and all over the Sphere.
As she keeps riding, Skylara is in a spotlight. The passing lights glitter against the hood of Skylara's runner and the deck holder in her wrist is empty.
"Incredible! After chipping away at each other's lifepoints, clashing again and again, and careening through battle after battle! The one who still rides the course and has managed to keep her undefeated streak intact! Is Team Six-D's very own, Skylara Galatea!" Says the announcer.
As she rides, Skylara's visor obscures her face, as the camera shot spirals around her.
The crowd goes wild. Trudge is smiling, with satisfaction, and the Duel Academy kids' expressions range from excited to charmed to a bit startled.
Akiza's parents are smiling, too.
Skylara keeps riding.
"From the jaws of defeat, Skylara has snagged a miraculous come-from-behind victory!" The announcer says.
Skylara stops on the track and her friends run out from the pit booths to meet her, as she takes off her helmet. "Skylara!" Says all of them.
Leo jumps up and hugs Skylara. "Skylara Galatea, you're my hero!" Leo says.
Luna jumps up to hug both of them. "No, she's my hero!" Says Luna. "She's everyone's hero!" Crow says.
Jack, still slightly unsteady on his feet and leaning on a cane, joins him, Yusei and Akiza standing near Skylara's runner. "Mama!" Says Chibi Chibi, happily and cutely. She's reaching for Skylara, still being held in one of Jack's arms. "That was incredible dueling!" Jack says. He hands Chibi Chibi over to Skylara, who takes her and holds her, as she settles against her future-to-be-mother's chest. "Way to win one for the team!" Says Akiza. "Yeah, nice job, sis!" Yusei says. "How are you feeling, Jack? Are you alright?" Asks Skylara. "It's the miracle of enthusiasm! The rush of excitement you gave me made my injuries vanish entirely!" Jack says. He smiles down at Skylara, proudly, with soft eyes. "But seriously, great job, love." Says Jack. Skylara meets his eyes for a long moment and then looks back, as they hear Jean's engine approach.
Jean takes off his helmet, climbs off of his runner, and approaches them.
Skylara gets off of her own runner, settling Chibi Chibi against her side, and her friends stand aside, looking apprehensive. "Jean." Skylara says. "My team poured everything we had into getting into this tournament. And in the end, I had you, Skylara. I could've coasted through and won on a technicality. But, I let you rattle me. Suddenly, it wasn't enough to win because of some rule. I wanted to defeat you in every sense of the word!" Says Jean. He is smiling, ruefully. "I dunno how you did it. But, you really got under my skin. This is not Team Unicorn's defeat, Skylara. This is my defeat." Jean says.
"I won't let you take all the blame." Says Andre.
"Huh?" Jean asks. He looks over his shoulder, and Skylara follows his gaze.
Andre and Breo have joined them from the other pit booth. "But, it's true. I lost. I got stupid and careless and I threw away all of our efforts." Says Jean. "What're you talking about? You were amazing out there, Jean! I've never been prouder to be your teammate!" Breo says. "Are you serious right now?" Asks Jean. "You're always so cold and calculating, Jean. But this time, you were passionate. It was great." Andre says. "Well, I-I guess, there is something to that. Maybe you didn't bring out a weakness in me, maybe it was a strength you brought out. For even though I lost, I feel amped and energized, and that's kind of a new feeling for me." Says Jean. "I can't imagine anyone dueling someone with your energy and skills, and not feeling the same way, Skylara." Breo says. "Thank you, Breo." Says Skylara. "We should be thanking you. This duel may've changed how Team Unicorn does things, and for the better." Jean says. "This duel may have changed how we do things, as well. We may be a team. However, someone forgot to tell us what being on a team really means." Says Skylara. Yusei, Akiza, Jack and Crow smile behind her, sheepishly. "This duel forced us to think of ourselves, not as four individuals, but as one individual team. That is all you." Skylara says. "What Skylara's tryin' to say is, you guys rock!" Says Crow. "Don't let the fact that Skylara wiped the track with you get you down. You are truly a formidable force." Jack says. "You guys really are great. I hope you win your next duel." Says Akiza. Yusei nods, in agreement. "Tell you what, we'll keep winnin' our duels! As long as you guys keep winnin' yours so that we can duel again!" Jean says. "You got it. That is a deal I won't hesitate to make, Jean." Says Skylara. She and Jean shake hands. "Let's go all the way, my friend. Let's meet in the Finals." Jean says. "Heh-ha!" Says Breo. He and Andre place their hands on top of Skylara and Jean's clasped hands, then so do Crow, Akiza, Yusei and Jack. Skylara's a bit surprised, then smiles. "You bring the awesome and we shall bring the incredible!" Skylara says, addressing Jean. "We'll meet again, in the Finals!" Says all of them.
Up on the Sphere, a camera pans across each face, as the two teams stand together, their pact made.
The crowd goes wild.
All except the three shadowy figures in the doorway at the top of the stands, who are grinning most unpleasantly.
Night at Skylara and the guys' place, Zora's clock reads 7:05 PM.
Jack is clearing his throat. "Let us raise our glasses to honor Team Six-Ds' first victory!" Jack says. A slightly fancy dining table, complete with white tablecloth, has been laid out in the garage. Jack is standing on one side of the table, with Skylara, then Yusei to his left, and Crow, then Akiza to his right. The twins are standing at the end of the table near Akiza, Chibi Chibi is standing between Jack and Skylara, and Bruno's at the end next to Yusei.
And on the other side, Carly's standing next to the twins, Minako in the center, and Stephanie next to Bruno. Each person of Team 6Ds', duelists and pit crew, is back in their usual clothes, raising his or her glass. "Hip, hip…" Says Jack. "Hooray!" The rest all say.
Leo gulps down his glass and sets it down, with a happy sigh. "Boy, when Jack wiped out and was trying to limp across the lap line! I was like, 'aww, no way, they're done-for!' But Skylara…" Says Leo. "What're you blathering about, you little worm! Jack Atlas does not limp, Jack Atlas is a warrior!" Skylara, Yusei, Akiza and Crow looked a bit worried as soon as Leo started talking, and now all of them look amused, they saw it coming. "No, ah-I know, Jack! I was just saying that uh…" Leo says. Crow jumps in, his tone teasing, he's trying to stir Jack up. "He was just sayin' that when you failed to survive in the duel, he wasn't sure if Skylara would be able to pick up your slack." Says Crow. "Pick up my slack?!" Jack asks. "Let's just tell it like it was, Jack. Ya did kinda go down like a lead balloon in that duel." Says Crow. "At least I was in that duel in the first place, big man! At least, I didn't bail out on my friends over an insignificant flesh wound!" Jack says. And him and Crow are nose-to-nose, shouting at each other. The twins look worried. "I had a note from the doctor! He said there was no way I could duel!" Says Crow. "If you were a real man, you wouldn't let some uppity doctor tell you whatcha can and can't do!" Jack says. "Uh, I thought this was supposed to be a celebration, not another duel." Says Leo. "Not my fault! You and me, outside, look out!" Crow says. "Yeah, well, you're the one who started this, Leo." Says Luna. Jack and Crow are growling at each other.
Stephanie, falsely cheerful, pushes them apart and gets between them. "Heheh, come on, boys! This is a party, let's not bicker!" Stephanie says.
Carly appears next to them. "Exactly. Jack, let this one go and have fun. Let's eat some…" Says Carly. She suddenly notices Stephanie. "Hey wait a second, what're you doing here! You're café is across the street!" Carly says. "What about you! Shouldn't you be off reporting on a story on something?" Asks Stephanie. Carly wraps her arms around one of Jack's. "I'm working on a profile piece, which requires me to be around my subject at all times!" Carly says.
Minako points, accusingly. "Potential conflict in progress, break it up!" Says Minako.
"Hey, Minako? If you're at the party, who's running the Public Security Bureau?" Carly asks.
Minako draws on the tablecloth, with a fingertip. "Well, I, I, need to be here, in order to provide protection for the team." Says Minako, sheepishly.
Carly points, accusingly. "Are you saying you're willing to put the needs of a few over the needs of the city? 'Cause I'm gonna write an article about that!" Carly says.
Minako slams both hands down and leans over the table. "Go ahead and write whatever you want, you tattletaling troublemaker! I will squash your little story!" Says Minako.
"You just said that you would squash the freedom of the press and everybody here heard it!" Carly says.
She and Minako continue arguing.
Skylara, Yusei and Bruno watch, a bit amused.
"Don't you try it!" Says Minako.
"I don't think I've ever been at a party quite like this before." Bruno says.
"…Vicious…" Says Carly. "…Your fault!..." Minako says. "Stop yelling at each other, you're giving me a headache!" Says Stephanie.
"Guess everyone's just blowing off some steam. You gotta admit, there's been a lot of pressure building up over the last couple of months." Yusei says.
"Oh, you've got a headache..." Says Carly.
Then, another individual approaches. "Hmph. One little victory and Team Six-D's decides to throw a party. That seems a little premature, does it not?" Sherry asks. She is standing in the garage doorway that opens on the side of the house, her runner parked just outside and helmet under one arm.
Everyone is staring at her. "Sherry." Says Skylara. Chibi Chibi suddenly reaches up for her. "Mama." Chibi Chibi says, slightly scared. Skylara picks her up and holds her in her arms, as she settles against her chest. "What is she doing here?" Asks Bruno. "Does, uh, anybody know who the party crasher is?" Carly asks.
"Bonsoir, my name is Sherry LeBlanc. I am friends with Skylara and Akiza."
"So, have you and your team dueled in the Preliminaries yet, Sherry?" Asks Skylara.
"Indeed. Although, since you rejected me, Skylara. Ellsworth and I had to roll into the fray without a third teammate." Sherry says.
"But, a two-person team only gets eight thousand lifepoints." Says Bruno. He turns around and approaches the computer.
"It sounds to me like someone is already making excuses for why she lost!" Carly says.
Bruno clicks the mouse a few times, and then whirls. "What? Sherry, you defeated all three members of the other team by yourself?!" Asks Bruno, surprised and accusingly.
"Huh?!" Carly asks. "Seriously?" Asks Jack. "Were these three opponents actually trying to duel you? Or uh...?" Akiza asks.
"I did what I had to do. My situation demands of me that I stay alive in this tournament no matter what." Says Sherry, quietly.
"Are you talking about Yliaster?" Skylara asks. "Wait, Yliaster?" Asks Minako. "Have you been able to learn anything more about what they want from you?" Skylara asks.
"Nothing solid. But, I do have information that there's a connection between them and that duel bot named Ghost that attacked your half-twin brother Yusei." Says Sherry.
"Then we need to talk!" Yusei says. "How do you know about the duel bot Ghost, Sherry? I don't recall ever telling you about that particular incident." Says Skylara. Jack is now standing next to her, a little bit suspicious of Sherry, especially around his future-to-be-daughter.
"I have my ways. I believe the Ghost is part of a massive conspiracy. But I must know more, what can you tell me about it?" Sherry asks.
"Not very much at all." Says Yusei.
Flashback. At the Ghost's command, Meklord Emperor Wisel's chest glows in an infinity symbol, beams shoot out of it and wrap around Stardust Dragon's limbs, neck, waist and torso, like glowing ropes, dragging Yusei's monster toward it. Stardust roars and fights against them. "It was an incredibly sophisticated duelist. It used a card I'd never heard of before, 'Meklord Emperor'. And it was able to absorb synchros." Yusei says, in voice-over. Stardust Dragon shrieks one final time, and turns into light, getting sucked into Meklord Emperor Wisel's chest. "Where did the bot come from?" Asks Sherry, in voice-over. Meklord Emperor Wisel's new attack point total is 5000. Its left arm, its attack arm, is glowing with Stardust's iridescent shimmer, and seems to be taking on vestiges of the shape of the dragon's distinctive head. "It was a prototype developed by Sector Security. The theory is that someone stole it from H-Q and reprogrammed it." Yusei says, in voice-over. "Who?" Asks Sherry, in voice-over.
Later, Yusei, Skylara, Jack and Crow find the duel bot crashed in the forest. Crow tries to touch its shoulder and flinches, as the robot's arm pops off and falls to the ground, sparking and crackling. "No idea. We found a memory chip on it. However, it was wiped clean." Yusei says, in voice-over. The socket that held the arm is a metallic fixture, the Ghost's eyes are open, but lifeless. The flashback ends.
Back to the present. "I wish I knew more." Says Yusei.
"Has your path crossed with anyone else new and peculiar recently?" Sherry asks.
"Huh? Ours has! It was just after the incident with the duel bot, actually. This new kid Lester transferred to our school." Says Leo.
Flashback. The new transfer student has luxurious, dark red hair, kept in a thick braid to his waist, and piercing green eyes. "There was something really 'off' about him." Leo says, in voice-over.
Change Flashback. Lester demonstrates a jump on the duel board, then later, masked in a helmet, challenges the twins to a turbo-duel. "That's right, Leo and I ended up dueling him. And, you know, now that I think about it..." Says Luna, in voice-over. The twins look up at the pieces of a frightening new monster hanging in the air above them, nervously. The pieces combine. "During our duel, he combined five monsters to form a Meklord Emperor, right?" Luna asks, in voice-over. "Yeah, yeah! Meklord Emperor Skiel!" Says Leo, in voice-over. The flashback ends.
Back to the present. "A-and also, after that..." Leo says.
Flashback. A glowing white circle appears on the road around each side of the duel, one around Lester, one around both twins. "This, like, glowing eight formed around us!" Says Leo, in voice-over. "It wasn't an eight, Leo. It was two circles." Luna says, in voice-over.
Meklord Emperor Skiel levels its fearsome gun at the twins.
Luna barely deflects the tremendous blast with a trap card. "What d'you think an eight is? It's two circles, draw one if you don't believe me!" Says Leo, in voice-over. Smaller blasts rain down around Luna, as she weaves, unsteadily. "It could've been the symbol for infinity..." Crow says, in voice-over.
Leo gasps, as Luna rides out of the cloud of smoke, nearly fainting on her feet. "It was two circles!" Says Luna, in voice-over. "Either way, after that..." Leo says, in voice-over. The flashback ends.
Back to the present. "We started taking real damage. Like the kind that actually hurts." Says Leo.
"Hmph. That's what happened when that fake me tried to take my place." Jack says, now holding Skylara close to him from behind her. Chibi Chibi's yawning as she starts to drift to sleep, being held in her future-to-be-mother's arms, and her future-to-be-father's arms circled around her and Skylara, she feels safe and secure in the presence of her future-to-be-parents.
Flashback. A circle of light spreads out from the two identical, circular white runners, with the activation of 'Speed World Two', then a separate ring appears around each. "During our duel, these glowing white circles appeared, and we both started taking real damage." Says Jack, in voice-over. Two Dragon Archfiends, one red, the other more purplish, clash ferociously, and Jack's lifepoints fall painfully from 3500 to 3200.
Change Flashback. Majestic Red Dragon breathes in another dragon's power. "Now, allow me to show you what a real duelist is capable of!" Jack says. Majestic Red Dragon, glowing like the heart of a volcano, now has 7000 attack points, and the three false Dragon Archfiends are looking a lot smaller than they were before.
"Seven thousand attack points?!"
"Go, Ultimate Powerforce!" Says Jack.
Power has been gathering in the air around Majestic Red Dragon, glowing like red-hot coals. It rears back, and forms a blinding, blazing whirlwind of fire, bulleting forward surrounded by a huge cloud of fire, glowing brighter and brighter, larger and larger, the three false Archfiends are overwhelmed. They roar and evaporate, incinerated. The false Jack screams, his helmet shattering. The flashback ends.
Back to the present. "We discovered that, that fake me was actually a duel bot. But after I defeated it, when we went back to the cave where I was being held, all of the evidence had disappeared." Jack says.
"So, you think this someone who stole the duel bot, has the ability to clone it, and make, uh, like a whole army or something?" Asks Luna.
"I s'pose anything is possible when you've got the know-how and the right tech. And whoever's at the center of all this certainly has some access to advanced technology. Remember the factory we went to while tracking down our stolen engine program?" Jack asks.
Flashback. The factory's architecture is like nothing else in New Domino, swooped and modern and futuristic. "Oh, yeah. That place was like the inside of a space ship from some science fiction movie. What was the deal with that factory?" Asks Crow, in voice-over. Jack, Crow and Bruno discover an alien control panel at the heart of the factory. "D'you think that was some kind of Yliaster operation?" Crow asks, in voice-over. The flashback ends.
Back to the present. "More to the point, what exactly d'you think they're building in there?" Asks Crow. "Something our engine program would be needed for." Bruno says. "Didn't you go further in and poke around a little?" Asks Crow. "Yeah. But, I got jumped by some guy wearing a bird mask. He knocked me unconscious, so unfortunately, I don't remember any…" Bruno says. "So, nothin'?" Asks Crow. "Yeah, sorry." Bruno says.
"Why is Yliaster aiming for us? I mean, what do we have to do with them?" Asks Luna.
"If I had to guess, I would say it is because you are Signers." Sherry says.
Skylara, Jack, Akiza, Luna, Yusei and Crow all look anxious, how did she know that?! "So wait, are you saying you know about the power of the Crimson Dragon?" Asks Skylara. "But of course. Do you think I would ask you to join my team, if I didn't know about that? Just like, I know your young daughter seems to have gained traces of that same power that you Signers all have. Which might make her a target for Yliaster, considering she's so young and defenseless." Sherry says.
Skylara frowns. Jack moves to the side of her and places one of his hands on Chibi Chibi's head, lightly brushing at her hair, as she sleeps in Skylara's arms.
Meanwhile, behind Jack, Carly and Stephanie are entirely mystified.
"So, what do these Yliaster creeps want with the Crimson Dragon?" Asks Jack.
"Lazar! That freaky little clown must know something about all this! He's the one who stole the engine program, he's gotta be connected!" Crow says.
"I, don't know where he is these days. The official statement is that Vice-Director Lazar is currently taking a long leave of absence." Says Minako.
"He's clearly got something to hide! Maybe his superior could help us get to the bottom of this!" Crow says.
"Vice-Director Lazar reports straight to the Director himself. But, I haven't heard a single murmur about who took over for that no-good Goodwin." Says Jack.
Carly and Stephanie exchange a dubious look, still entirely in the dark.
"In the interest of a checks-and-balances system, Goodwin's been replaced by four Directors. At least, that's what I was told." Minako says.
"So, there is four?" Asks Skylara. "Can you arrange a little sit-down for us?" Jack asks.
"Well, the thing about that is. Umm, other than Vice-Director Lazar, no one has actually met these four Directors." Says Minako.
"Are you serious?! You don't find that somewhat suspicious?" Crow asks.
"No-o, of..." Says Minako. She sighs. "Of course I do." Minako says. She turns to the ramp.
Carly and Stephanie exchange more questioning looks and shake their heads.
"Where are you going, Minako?" Asks Jack.
Minako turns back to them. "I'm going to march into the head office and demand to have a word with the new Directors." Minako. She bows. "I will let you know whatever I find out." Says Minako. She walks up the ramp.
Carly and Stephanie dash over to where she stood, making a hasty, innocent, and far-too-cheery exit. "I think I'll go back to the café." Stephanie says. "It was an excellent party, thanks for the cake!" Says Carly. They dance out, giggling hysterically.
Sherry and Skylara are both frowning toward the front door.
"I hope that she's okay." Bruno says.
"The Public Security Bureau is definitely involved. But, they're covering their tracks, as well. We already infiltrated them, remember?" Asks Sherry.
"Oh, yeah, right. When everything in there went into lockdown." Crow says. "What happened when you guys went inside?" Asks Akiza.
"I am not entirely sure." Sherry says.
Flashback. The mystery card that depicts a shining portal starts to light up, several beams of golden light shine from its center, as though through the image of the portal. Sherry and Bruno flinch back, shielding their eyes from the light. "We worked our way to the basement. But, once we arrived..." Says Sherry, in voice-over.
Above the Security building, the sky grows dark and scary, several concentric layers of purple clouds blossom from above the rooftop satellite dish, as though the sky has just opened up a spontaneous black hole. Purple lightning strikes through the heavens, crackling around the building's rooftop satellite dish. "Everything happened so fast. A violent storm seemed to erupt out of nowhere, and proceeded to tear the whole room apart." Sherry says, in voice-over.
Skylara and Ellsworth run into the Mainframe room to find a windy storm of random dust and bolts of energy. Skylara runs a few steps, but stops short, guarding her face with a hand, as she peers toward the center of the room.
Sherry and Bruno haven't moved from the brightly-shining computer console, which only shines brighter and brighter as they struggle to stay standing. The mysterious card on the scanner is glimmering with shadowy purple lights. "There was a blinding light, and then..." Says Sherry, in voice-over.
Skylara, with Chibi Chibi held in her arms, runs toward the center of the storm, just as the card glows white, and the light spreads from it like the blast of a bomb, encompassing first Sherry and Bruno, then Chibi Chibi and Skylara, and finally Ellsworth. "It was as if we were transported from the basement to somewhere that felt almost, not of this world." Sherry says, in voice-over.
When the white light fades, it doesn't fade much, because Skylara, Chibi Chibi, Bruno and Sherry now find themselves standing in a void of white tiles. They look around, bemused. "There was someone there... or... some thing." Says Sherry, in voice-over. As Skylara looks around, she is unaware that her face is being mapped on a grid and photographed. Skylara glances over, as though presciently aware of the scrutiny. She has noticed something else in this empty white void, rotating benignly some distance away. "That is right, the floating eye! The thing that terrified Chibi Chibi into showing me her memories." Skylara says, in voice-over.
As it turns to face them head-on, a gruff and sinister, royal blue eye can be glimpsed through the casing. The flashback ends.
Back to the present. "So, is this floating eye pulling Yliaster's strings?" Asks Jack.
"Per'aps." Sherry says. She glances over toward Yusei, and he returns the glance. "But, I don't know. It is hard to be sure of anything with so many questions still lingering." Says Sherry.
No one sees Bruno rest a hand on the computer desk beside the keyboard, breathing heavily, face pale, as though suddenly fevered.
Sherry turns to leave. "But, I believe that if I continue to win in the tournament, Yliaster will approach me eventually and we will have our answers." Sherry says. She mounts her runner at the garage doorway. "Skylara Galatea, I hope that you and I do not have to face each other before then." Says Sherry.
"Why, what would happen in that case?" Skylara asks.
"I'd have to beat you, of course." Says Sherry. She turns away, and the grille of her helmet seals. Sherry pops an impressive stationary wheelie and rotates her runner 180 degrees on her back wheel, then rides up the ramp from the garage into the night.
"That girl really has perfected the whole 'mysterious and dramatic' thing, hasn't she?" Akiza asks.
"Hmm." Says Skylara. "We have to figure out what is going on." Skylara thinks to herself. "Hm?" Skylara asks. She heard a thump.
Bruno is leaning on the table for balance.
"Something wrong?" Asks Yusei.
"You look pale. Are you okay, Bruno?" Luna asks. "Yeah, I'm..." Says Bruno. He straightens up, eyes slightly wild, beads of sweat on his cheeks, and stops leaning. "I just got a little dizzy. I'm going outside to get some air, it's been a long day." Bruno says.
The streetlights along the highway seem somewhat redundant, since it's also lit by windows from every skyscraper along the road. Sherry rides alone, her greenish-tinted headlight shining ahead. "Why? Why can I not shake the feeling that the floating eye…" Sherry thinks to herself.
Flashback. There was something else in the empty white void, rotating benignly some distance away. "Whatever it is, is somehow related to Yusei Fudo?" Sherry thinks to herself, in voice-over. As it turns to face them head-on, a gruff and sinister royal blue eye can be glimpsed through the casing. The flashback ends.
Back to the present. "Skylara, do you really know who your half-twin brother is?" Sherry thinks to herself.
Skylara is standing in the shower, looking up at the night sky through the window, as the water runs down her body. Every Sign and scar that mark up Skylara's body is visible. "If Sherry's conspiracy theories are right, we are going to have to defeat those Meklord Emperors. I have to master the Synchro Solution." Skylara thinks to herself.
Flashback. The unnervingly perceptive Visor meets her gaze, levelly. "You're not ready to face the Ghost." Says Visor.
Skylara's eyes betray alarm, how does he know?!
"You must first find what you're looking for." Visor says.
"'Looking for?'" Asks Skylara.
"That's right. The Synchro Solution." Visor says.
"The Synchro Solution? What's that all about? And another thing! Who exactly are you?! How about a name or something, buddy?!" Asks Crow.
"You can call me Visor."
"So Visor, how do we know we can trust you?" Skylara asks.
"You can't. Where I come from, trust is something a person has to earn. Guess you'll have to duel me and find out for yourself!" Says Visor.
"Lead the way, Visor." Skylara says.
Change flashback. "Well done, Skylara! Now, prepare to step outta the shadows and into the light! Go, Accel Synchro!" Says Visor.
"Accel Synchro?!" Skylara asks.
Visor accelerates ahead, the air around him turning purplish, then electric blue. As he continues to speed up, the blue air starts to turn white with the energy of his passing it, obscuring him from view. A green ring blossoms around the track, as though the riders themselves are flying through the rings of a synchro-summoning. The air around Visor is now a vibrant tuner's green, and more rings are appearing.
Skylara watches, in stunned amazement.
There's a bright, blinding flash.
Then suddenly, the air behind her seems to pulse, dispersing blurry waves of intangible power. Skylara is forced toward the side of the track, as the air space directly beside her shines brighter and brighter.
And Visor comes roaring out of it. Above him hovers a new monster, armored in bright lime green and orange.
"Where did that monster come from?! And what in the world is it?" Asks Skylara.
"It's an accel synchro monster, Tech Genus Blade Blaster." Visor says.
"Let him have it, Drobot! Mega Blasters!" Says Skylara.
"Hold it right there. I play an ability, it lets me remove Blade Blaster from play, once per turn." Visor says.
"But, that means…!" Says Skylara.
Tech Genus Blade Blaster vanishes, all 3700 points of her attack crash down on Visor, instead. His lifepoints sink straight to 0. The vents on the sides of Visor's runner gush steam, it swings around, spinning out of control, then spins a few more times on its back wheel, coming to a relatively controlled stop.
Skylara rides over to Visor, who raises his head and meets her gaze, expression closed. Skylara walks a few steps toward him. "That didn't have to be the finish, Visor! Why did you do that? Why did you protect your monster with your lifepoints, it makes no sense?!" Skylara asks. Visor chuckles. "Hmhm! I would explain, but I'm afraid that I can't reveal all the secrets of the Accel Synchro, Skylara." Says Visor. "What do you mean? What don't I know?" Skylara asks. "The answers will all come in good time. Until then, I'll be looking forward to our next duel." Says Visor. "Hm?" Skylara asks. Visor revs his engine and peels out, vanishing into the night.
Leaving Skylara standing there on the track, resolute. "I've found the Synchro Solution! However, if I'm going to master it, I have to push beyond my limits!" Says Skylara.
Above and behind her, the full moon is shining. The flashback ends.
Back to the present. Skylara looks up at the yellowish crescent moon among patchy clouds, through the bathroom window. "I need to push harder. I haven't overcome my limits yet. If Accel Synchro really can defeat these Meklord Emperors, then I have too learn how to master it. No matter what it takes, I have to get better." Skylara thinks to herself.
She suddenly feels a hand touch her back, which startles her. Skylara turns to look back over her shoulder, seeing Jack standing there. Jack breaks the distance and presses himself up against her from behind, wrapping one of his arms around her waist. "You okay, love?" Jack asks. "Yes, I'm fine." Says Skylara. Jack lightly traces his free hand down her back. "So beautiful." Jack says. Skylara turns to face him, as he holds her close to himself. They then kiss, passionately.
Jack's soon cradling Skylara in his arms, carrying her into their bedroom. Jack closes the door shut with his foot and carries her over to the bed, lying her down on it. Jack then gets on the bed, his body pressed up against Skylara's and hovering over her. Jack positions himself between Skylara's legs and kisses her, as he slowly enters her. Jack starts thrusting, going at a slow and easy pace inside of Skylara, as they continue to kiss. They soon break the kiss, as Jack starts to pick up the pace of his thrusts, making Skylara moan out a bit. Jack wraps his arms around her and suddenly flips them over, having Skylara straddle him. Skylara reacts fast enough and starts riding Jack, making him moan out a bit. Jack places his hands on Skylara's hips, helping her out a bit, as she continues to ride him, making him throw his head back on the bed and moan out even more. "Oh... Skylara. You feel... so good..." Says Jack, moaning. Skylara smiles down at him, as she keeps riding him. Jack sits up, with Skylara still straddling him, and wraps his arms around her, pressing their bodies up against each other, and starts thrusting up into her. "Skylara... I'm going to... " Jack says, panting. He does a few more thrusts and cums deep inside of Skylara, making her arch her back a bit. Skylara's clinging to him a bit, as Jack continues to hold her close to himself, as they're both breathing, heavily, in sync. Jack presses his forehead against Skylara's. "I love you." Says Skylara. Jack smiles and looks her in the eyes. "I love you, too." Jack says. He then kisses her and she returns it back to him, sharing a passionate kiss.
The dark waves crash against the rocky cliffs near the shore, as though trying to reach the lit freeway above.
Bruno stands alone on the dark, silent beach, watching the mild waves lap the shore.
In the distance off to his left, a lit freeway bridge seems almost to glow, from its dramatic swoop upward, it may even be the original Daedalus Bridge itself.
Beyond it, the distant skyscrapers of the city cast lesser lights from their illuminated windows.
"This is where I was found. Who am I? Where did I come from?" Bruno thinks to himself.
He hears a meow, and is startled out of his gloomy reverie. "Huh? What?" Asks Bruno. He looks down, a positively adorable Siamese kitten, its head too big for its body, is rubbing against one of his sneakers, playfully, meowing, expressively. Bruno carefully picks it up, chuckling. It meows again, looking trustingly up at him, and closes its eyes, with a happy croon. Then suddenly, the irises of Bruno's eyes light up a fierce neon red. "Ahh!" Bruno says.
He's getting a vision, several rapidfire snippets of memory. A headlight on a dark street suddenly illuminates a cat, that looks just like the one Bruno found on the beach, and it growls a surprised meow, fur upraised.
Bruno stands in a darkened doorway in the mysterious factory, and Primo confronts him. "You are in a place that you do not belong." Says Primo. "Hey, who are you?" Bruno asks. Then he feels something, the world seems to reverse colors, he holds his own head, as though overcome with a terrible headache. "Aaaccghh! What're you doing?! Aghh, my head!" Says Bruno. Primo punches him in the stomach, while he's distracted, and he slumps to the floor, immediately unconscious.
"You will not interfere!" Primo says. The flashback ends.
Back to the present. As Bruno holds the kitten, he feels as though the world is spinning slowly in an unearthly vortex of purples and blues. "That man! Does he know who I am? Why am I even here? Why do I feel like someone is watching me, waiting for me to do something!" Bruno thinks to himself.
Flashback. There was something else in the empty white void, rotating benignly some distance away. As it turns to face them head-on, a gruff and sinister royal blue eye can be glimpsed through the casing.
From there, it shifts to a vision, as Bruno faces the floating eye alone across the white void, eyes glowing red, then sees innumerable streams of ones and zeroes flying past toward a massive metal framework or grid in spiraling helical chains. The flashback/vision ends.
Back to the present. Bruno stands there, eyes wide and glowing red, gasps as though pained. A metallic sort of hum can be heard. The kitten smiles up at him, oblivious to his altered state, until he drops it to grip his head with both hands, crying out. A metallic whine can be heard through his shouts, as he flails around, in pain, fighting to regain control of his own mind, to make it stop! The cat is completely freaked.
And the waves batter the shore, reaching toward the street lights of the freeway and the crescent moon above.
A bright morning at Skylara and the guys' place. In the garage, Yusei, in his riding gear, stands from crouching beside Jack's runner. Jack stands off to the side, also in riding gear. Skylara stands off to the other side of Yusei, also in riding gear. "That's it. Phoenix Whirlwind's as good as new." Says Yusei.
Crow joins them at a run, red team jacket slung over his shoulders. "There you are, guys! What're you doin'? Today's Team Unicorn's second match, it's starting in like five minutes!" Crow says. "According to the breakdowns, they're up against Team Catastrophe. That's who we're up against next." Says Jack. "Let's go watch the Unicorns battle, so we can check out Catastrophe's strategies and take notes! Whaddayou say?" Crow asks. Skylara smiles. "I'm always up for watching a good duel." Says Skylara.
The skies are bright and sunny as always over the Kaibadome.
Yusei, Skylara, Jack and Crow run up the stairs toward the top of the stadium bleachers. "It's already started! I hope the Unicorns haven't defeated them already, I wanna see what they're all about!" Crow says. They run up into the bright sunlight at the top of the stairs.
The first thing they see is one of Team Unicorn's identical duel runners, every inch mangled, wafting smoke, as it lies on its side in the middle of the track. Beyond it, by several feet, lies Andre's blue helmet, visor shattered, horn snapped off.
"Those are Team Unicorn's runners. What's going on here? What happened?" Asks Jack. "Look! Right down there!" Yusei says. Skylara gasps. "Jean! Andre!" Says Skylara.
Below, they can see Andre and Jean being loaded onto gurneys by green-jacketed tournament staff, each one clenching his teeth, in pain, nearly unconscious.
Breo stands nearby, unhurt, jaw hanging open, bewildered and worried.
"Oh, what an epically epic tragedy! Of epic proportions!" The announcer says, his voice breaking and cracking, with intensity.
Graphics on the stadium monitors show that Team Unicorn's lineup for this match was Andre, then Jean, then Breo, and the first two images have big red slashes through them.
"Team Unicorn's first and second duelists both came out strong. Everyone thought Team Unicorn had the advantage going into today's duel." Says the announcer.
The Sphere shows the faces of the opposing team, the three shady characters, who have been watching from the shadows at the top of the bleachers. Pictured center is a man, in green, with red, cropped hair, sporting a cheek trail and a V on his forehead between his eyebrows for tracking dye. To his left, is a man, who is all sharp purple lapels and locks of hair, under a white blazer, with an equally sharp nose, chin and supercilious eyes. The third member of their team has a unique, forked mark down his cheek, he's black-haired, with a pointy black goatee, black suit and white shirt. None of them look like pleasant individuals.
"But, their opponents have pulled an upset and snatched the victory! Let's hear it for Team Catastrophe!" The announcer says.
Yusei, Skylara, Jack and Crow watch the Sphere, unable to believe their eyes or ears. "This... must be a joke...! I... don't believe it!" Says Crow. Jack doesn't reply, teeth clenched, neither does Yusei, nor does Skylara. "The Unicorns lost...? Really?" Crow asks. Skylara looks away from the Sphere to the track below.
There, standing on the sidelines near the pit booths, are the three nasty men whose faces decorate the Sphere, all in identical brown leather jackets, with steel shoulder plates. And they look even less friendly in reality than in pictures.
"That is them, that is Team Catastrophe. I guess, they live up to their name." Says Skylara, angrily. She frowns, eyes blazing. So their new trial begins, against a team far more fearsome than the last.