Alright, alright, alright! We are at the next chapter, and it is a big one (in theme, not in word count)!
The work for me has been growing and growing ever since I traveled a few weeks ago. I hope this delay has not affected your appreciation for the work.
I doubt that. Your fans have remained stable in viewing your work despite the varying update times.
That is true, MC; thanks for the comment. Now, a few words of warning before we go into this chapter.
First, the ending bit may seem a little graphic to younger viewers (you'll see why once you get into it), so view with caution.
Second, the Duel in this chapter (yes, there is one) may seem a bit short compared to the last few chapters. I tried to balance out the length of the Duel with the ending section's action.
Oh, spoiler alert, by the way!
... I don't think I gave anything away, did I? (shakes head in confusion) Forget it; MC, please give the usual disclaimer.
OK! The author of this story does not own the card games Yugioh and Android: Netrunner, nor does he own the companies Konami and Fantasy Flight Games. The author does own his OC, Duel Runner and Duel deck. Now, I think I need to straighten my hair for a future tournament.
Onward to the Chapter!
The air grows colder the longer I drive through Satellite's streets; I start to wonder if 'Chaos Theory' was lying to me about where the place is. I drive at a quicker cruising speed of 45-50 mph down an abandoned freeway, and even then the wind whips into my arms and legs like lashes. Surprisingly, my D-Wheel's engine is quieter than before; then again, that could also be my mind being distracted from fully hearing the volume that my D-Wheel emits during use.
As I turn from the freeway onto a side street a block or two from the sewage plant, my mind continues to consider'Chaos Theory' and what she really wants from me. The rational side of me interrupts by saying that this isn't the time or the place to discuss that. However, my curiosity equals and exceeds that thought, thoughts switching between her changing emotions and her reaction towards me at different moments.
Actually, on the topic of reactions, how had she been able to send me that anonymous message, anyway? She said that she would explain it, but she didn't talk about it, specifically. As I look at my Duel Disk while instinctively doubling back to fool any pursuers, I notice the 'DP' icon on my Disk's active display. The question of how my Disk's display is active at the moment is crushed underneath the realization of why 'Chaos Theory' was able to message me.
Since I had used my Duel Disk in order to transfer DP to her account back at the D-Wheel/Speed Spell store, then the number could probably be tracked back to the transfer report. Such a report is probably stored in the Neo Domino City Duel Disk archives, since my Disk was registered to Neo Domino City with a DP account when I first activated it. Therefore, all she had to do to send me that message was hack into the Archives database, find the transfer report, and copy down my Duel Disk registration number!
I barely avoid a discarded garbage bag full of waste as a smile creeps onto my face. I guess that I don't know my own mental capability when it comes to problem solving. Then again, the answer was pretty easy, now that I think about it; 'Chaos Theory' does have contacts in Neo Domino that can get into the network and find what she wants.
I finger my D-Wheel's handgrips for a moment as my thoughts return to the present, but with a bit more respect for this woman; I mean, how many people live in Satellite voluntarily and send updates to Neo Domino despite not actually living there? That has to take guts, right?
The reflection of lights hits my eyes and makes me stop just as I see the sewage plant a block away. Three D-Wheels with Sector Security designs rest immediately in front of the plant's entrance, the riders sitting on or standing by their vehicles. Their helmets block their eyes and most of their expressions from my sight.
The closest officer to my position—a female with a few tufts of black hair poking out from her helmet—looks too distracted to glance in my direction. Did she not hear my D-Wheel's stop, or is my ride just that quiet? I take this opportunity to quickly change my Speed Spells with my Deck's regular Spells, moving as quickly and silently as possible.
"Hey, Lena," I hear one of the two other male officers nearby say to the female officer. "How close is it to the shift change?"
"It's five minutes closer than when you last asked, Roger," Lena responds crisply while activating a small display on her D-Wheel to apparently check the time. "Stop asking about it and it'll come that much faster."
"I just want to make sure we leave at the right time, is all," Roger says with a small huff and slouches onto his D-Wheel's seat. "We don't want another Satellite getting through to Neo Domino; that would ruin our resumes!"
"Actually," the second male officer says while standing at attention by his D-Wheel, "Iheard that the Satellite who got through was arrested shortly after he arrived in Neo Domino."
"Woah," Roger says while getting off his ride and facing the speaking officer. "How do you know that? That information wasn't described in the official reports!"
"Oh, it was described, especially the part where he apparently Dueled Jack Atlas in the Kaiba Dome," Lena replies with a small wave of her hand. "You probably just didn't see past the part where this 'Yusei Fudo' got into Neo Domino because that part strongly affected you."
"Oh, yeah. Yusei Fudo," Roger says while tilting his head upwards as if in deep thought. "I know that guy; outgoing, tough, resilient, and very trusting of his friends."
"Aren't you forgetting that he was brought to the Re-education Centre in his childhood?" The second officer mentions this with a raised finger to draw emphasis to his words. "What's more, he used to be part of a Dueling gang called 'The Enforcers'or something like that back when Security was just starting to form."
"How do you know all this, Damon?" Lena suddenly asks while closing her D-Wheel's clock display. "Have you been studying up on Neo Domino history instead of practicing your Dueling skills again?"
Damon stares Lena down for a few seconds before turning away and muttering something too quietly for me to pick up. Just then, a small beep sounds from Lena's D-Wheel; all three officers jump slightly at the sudden break of silence.
"Its 10:50, guys," Lena announces to the other officers. "Squad E is four blocks away and approaching; they say that we can leave before they arrive."
"Alright!" Roger exclaims with a grin as he settles into his D-Wheel's seat. "Time to get some R&Rat the barracks. Last one there is a Basic Insect!"
I don't hear the other officers'responses as Roger clenches his ride's handgrips sharply, bursting forwards and almost crashing into a building's wall before righting himself. The other two officers quickly follow, albeit slower to avoid any unnecessary damage to their D-Wheels. As the sounds of their motors fades away, I count down the seconds in my head until I am certain that they or the approaching squad won't hear my vehicle enter the sewage plant.
7 seconds later, as silence fills my ears, I clench my D-Wheel's handgrips, the engine roaring to life after its period of rest. I move forward quickly, accelerating until I am moving as fast as I can go as I drive into the open area before the sewage plant. The plant's chain-link gates are closed and daunting, trying to decrease my morale and make me turn back. That effect is further increased by the wooden barriers resting before the gates, the yellow and black paint showing that the area as unsafe. I narrow my eyes and push my ride's accelerator even harder.
"Warning! Warning!" An automated female voice blares out of speakers near the gate as I approach. "You are entering an unauthorized zone. Turn back immediately!"
'A simple voice won't stop me now,'I think as I race towards the gate at a speed that I believe can break the wooden barriers and then the gate beyond. Once I get through that, I just have to find the entrance to the pipeline, and then I'll be home—
CRASH!
My D-Wheel spins wildly as I feel a large force slam against my left side; I turn my wheels opposite the direction of the spin to stabilize instead of spin out. I balance out a few seconds later; a sixth sense makes me turn to the left just before a Sector Security D-Wheel charges into the spot where I was just at. I gun my accelerator and push forward; my engine coughs once like it was just punched in the lungs.
"Pull over, Netrunner! I'm taking you in!" A familiar gruff voice shouts out against the roar of our two D-Wheel engines; the other D-Wheel's Security lights are already on, flashing blue and red against the gray buildings around us. I get a glimpse of the revealed Officer Trudge's face as I look behind me; his black vest is scuffed around the shoulders, and his scar looks freshly cut from a recent helmet's visor doesn't prevent me from seeing his angry gaze, which makes me turn away in fear.
'Damn it,' I think as I try to edge away from him.'Was he waiting for me this whole time?!'
"You won't be getting into Neo Domino tonight, Netrunner," Trudge says brashly as we approach the sewage plant's gates. "Those barriers are topnotch Sector Security quality; there's no way a trash D-Wheel like yours can break through!"
"I'll take that bet!" I shout back as I push my D-Wheel as fast as it can go. The barriers approach rapidly, but I don't slow down an inch. Seconds later, a crunch is heard as the barriers break against my D-Wheel's frame, a few pieces flying near my face as I pass through without major damage. A few seconds later, a louder crash sounds as my D-Wheel slams into the chain-link gates. Surprisingly, the gates yield without much resistance, though the broken pieces of chain do scratch against my legs and arms as an act of karma.
I ignore the throbbing pain in my arms and legs as I shoot a defiant grin back at Trudge; his shocked expression is priceless.
"I see your barrier and fence," I say with a bad English accent. "I will raise the stakes with overwhelming speed! You'll have to do more than that to stop me, Officer!"
Trudge's expression freezes for a second before he laughs heartily as he presses a button on his D-Wheel; a purple circle bursts out from his ride and envelops mine which causes my ride's computer systems to transfer to Duel Mode automatically. My hands pass over a flashing red button on my Duel Disk; in the spur of the moment, I choose not to activate the 'Deus Ex' at this time.
'Damn it, 'Chaos Theory',' I think with gritted teeth. 'Why couldn't you have given me something to block out this type of D-Wheel hacking?!'
"You've got nowhere to run now, Satellite! I've got you locked into Duel Mode, just like the last time. I don't let anyone who defeats me get away without just revenge. I am an officer of justice!"
"You're an insane maniac who abuses your authority over others around you," I respond as my Duel Disk shuffles my Deck. "If I have to Duel you again to prove it, then I will!"
"I've learned from my mistakes, Netrunner. You won't beat me, now!"
As Trudge finishes, the autopilot in my D-Wheel makes a sharp left turn; I catch sight of a large, open hatch fast approaching that leads down into a sewage pipe. The apparent cleanliness of the pipe, along with the stronger lighting, confirms its importance to me. I draw my first 5 cards with confidence; my target is already in sight, and I won't let this officer stop me when I'm so close to my goal!
"RIDING DUEL! ACCELERATION!" we both announce.
[RIDING DUEL BEGINS]
[ROUND 1]
[Samuel: 4000 LP/Trudge 4000 LP]
"How about I kick things off this time?"I say as I draw my 6th card. I look at my hand with interest; if Trudge has the same Deck as before, then I think that I can win this Duel quickly. After all, with the pipeline hatch approaching, I have to get this Duel done and over with.
(Samuel: 1 SPC) (Trudge: 1 SPC)
"I Summon Grifter in Attack Mode!" The virtual portal appears on my field from within the pipeline walls; actually, it becomes a virtual comet due to this being a Riding Duel. The residual energy trails behind its main body like a comet's tail, actually looking quite impressive (ATK: 1600).
"I'll also Set two cards," I continue as I set up my plan. "That's it!"
"Good," Trudge responds as he draws for his turn. "Now, I get to show you how much I've grown since our last Duel!"
(Samuel: 2 SPC) (Trudge: 2 SPC)
"I'll start a little differently than last time; I activate the Speed Spell Bait Doll!"
I blink in surprise as I don't recall anything about this card. The card's intentions quickly become clear as a stuffed doll with features similar to my own appears over my left Set card, a large scythe with a green handle and silver blade hovering above the doll.
"Since I have at least two Speed Counters, I can activate this card," Trudge explains. "Now, I get to forcefully activate one of your Set Spell or Trap Cards!Then, if the revealed card is a Trap, if the timing on it is incorrect, it is destroyed! Let's see what you're hiding, Satellite!"
"Actually," I call out before the scythe can swing down, "there's a higher price than you think for using this bait. I'll activate the card you selected; go, Bribery!" The doll and scythe freeze in place as the formally-dressed android flies onto my field via a personal jetpack, virtual display tablet in hand.
"Here's the new price, Trudge. Either you pay half your Life Points, or your Speed Spell is destroyed. What's it going to be?" Trudge only chuckles at my determination.
"You think I'm a fool? I won't pay half my Life Points for a card effect that won't apply to any valid targets! So, no, I won't pay anything." The android's tablet flashes a large 'X' to indicate the choice; the android, himself, frowns at this change before flying down the path that we traveled and away from sight.
"Now that that's out of the way, I Summon Ninja Grandmaster Sasuke in Attack Mode!" Trudge places the card onto his Disk with a grin; a second later, a man clad in silver armor and wearing a mask with a golden kunai in each hand leaps onto the field, racing beside Trudge's D-Wheel with both hands by his sides. A long red ribbon trails behind him, his green overcoat adding to his intimidation and odd color scheme (LIGHT, Warrior, 1800 ATK/1000 DEF, LVL 4).
"Sasuke, take out his Grifter! Kunai Storm!" The ninja dashes forwards and leaps skywards, almost out of view. Seconds later, countless kunai rain down; I barely have time to question where this ninja got all of these weapons from as I press a button on my Duel Disk. Before the kunai impact Grifter, the portal suddenly doubles in size. The kunai bounce off of its central body like small rocks against metal as a smaller image of Grifter appears beside my D-Wheel.
"Trap Card, activate; Feint! This switches the ATK and DEF values of your monster!" Sasuke reappears from above as if thinking that he's made his kill, only for Grifter's enlarged and enraged form to consume him. To my surprise, Sasuke doesn't show any pain or surprise at this outcome; did he expect this outcome to occur, or was this part of his digital programming?
Trudge certainly reacts, though, emitting a harsh grunt of annoyance as one of Sasuke's seemingly-infiniteamount of kunai clangs against his D-Wheel (Trudge; 4000-3400 LP). Grifter's trailing energy then animates itself, wrapping around my D-Wheel and filling it with new energy.
"Since Grifter dealt battle damage, its ability activates; I gain Life Points equal to the damage that it dealt. Refraction Restored!" (Samuel; 4000-4600 LP)
At that moment, dim yellow light surrounds us both as we enter the main pipeline; our rides wobble slightly as we transition from hard concrete to bumpy metal plates and rivets. I look as far ahead as I can, but can't see an escape hatch just yet. I try to recall exactly how long it took Yusei to get through here when we saw him on the camera feeds, but the current Duel distracts me too much to allow me to concentrate.
"I Set two cards," Trudge says quickly. "Make your move!"
[ROUND 2]
[Samuel: 4600 LP/Trudge: 3400 LP]
[CARDS IN HAND: 3 (Samuel), 2 (Trudge)]
"I draw," I say; the card that I draw makes me raise an eyebrow in question. I haven't used it before, but is this the right time for it?
(Samuel: 3 SPC) (Trudge: 3 SPC)
"Let's raise the stakes a bit. I'll activate the Double Summon Speed Spell!"
"Not a chance, Netrunner! Go, Counter Trap; Dark Bribe!" I growl out loud as my Spell flickers with black energy before it shatters apart. Trudge's Trap shows a man in ancient Japanese robes drawing out a gold ingot from a purple-robed being's sleeve whilst being congratulated by said being.
"This card negates your Spell and destroys it, simple as that! However, to show that I'm not as corrupt as you are, Dark Bribe also lets you draw an extra card from your Deck."
"This changes nothing, Trudge," I say as I quickly take up on Dark Bribe's secondary effect. "Your dabbling in the corrupt ways is enough to mark you as evil."
"Me? Evil?" Trudge smirks at me as his eyes narrow slightly. "I'm an abiding officer of the law! Sometimes, the law has to get down and dirty in order to come out on top."
"From what I've heard of your Dueling rampages and blood-hungry attitude towards me," I quickly respond, "I think that there's some deeper motive than the law that's driving you to hunt me down."
"You know something that you aren't telling me, Satellite. What's the real reason that you're going to Neo Domino? Besides futilely trying to fit in, of course."
"Oh, now you're going to interrogate me in the middle of a Duel? I won't allow this; Grifter attacks you directly! Vacuum Force Vortex!"
Grifter's central form spins counterclockwise, drawing air and dust from the pipeline into itself. Before Trudge's D-Wheel is drawn forwards, an alarm blares as Trudge's second card is flipped face-up. The image shows two security guards in blue uniforms facing a large cell with Egyptian artifacts inside. The words 'NO ENTRY' are shown on a flashing orange sign above the cell, the guard's faces hidden from view.
"I've got you now! My No Entry Trap forces all monsters in Attack Mode into Defense Mode! My Life Points are safe!" Grifter suddenly halts its advance, its central form spinning clockwise as it turns an even darker blue than before (DEF: 800).
"They may be safe for now," I say while taking another card from my hand, "but I'll still defeat you despite your delays. I Tribute Grifter to Advance Summon Gabriel Santiago in Attack Mode!"
Grifter vanishes into pixels that overlap the form of a man with rocket boots as he flies onto the battlefield to my right. The man's grey-collared shirt, black pants and darker grey overcoat flap wildly in the narrow pipeline. A small trimmed beard matches his slicked black hair. His right arm and hand are robotic, as is his left eye when I see him glance back at me before turning his full attention to Trudge (LIGHT, Cyborg, 2200 ATK/2100 DEF, LVL 5).
"I Set two more cards face-down," I finish as I try to calculate how much farther the escape hatch is. "Your move!"
(Samuel: 4 SPC) (Trudge: 4 SPC)
"I draw." I catch a frown on Trudge's face for a split second before he returns to his normal grin. "I Summon the Tuner monster Jutte Fighter in Attack Mode!"
'Oh, great! Another Tuner?'
A small blue portal opens and deposits a cartoonish Japanese warrior wielding a jitte and carrying a lantern that is the almost the same size as him on his back. A red robe covers a longer yellow robe with deep sleeves, his long hair tied up by a white ribbon. A set of large glasses gives him a scholarly look as he shifts into a combat stance (EARTH, Warrior/Tuner, 700 ATK/900 DEF, LVL 2).
"I now use his ability, Lantern Blind! This switches your monster from Attack to Defense Mode!" Jutte Fighter takes his lantern from behind his back and holds it aloft with both hands. A bright light flashes from within the lantern, blinding Gabriel and forcing him to his knees (DEF: 2100).
"But, this guy won't be on my field for very long," Trudge says as he places another card into his Disk. "I now activate the Speed Spell Creature Swap! By removing 3 Speed Counters from my total, I force us both to exchange one monster that we control with our opponent. It's kind of a give-and-take policy, I'd say."
"But you get more than you take, is that it?" I respond with a glare. "I'm not in favor of this policy!"
"You don't have a choice! As soon as your monster is mine, I'll give you some well-deserved justice!"
Trudge's D-Wheel slows down slightly as the Spell activates showing a knight stuck in a perpetual loop of red, blue and yellow arrows (Trudge: 4-1 SPC). A blue arrow wraps itself around Gabriel and brings it to Trudge's field, while Jutte Fighter is thrown to my side by a red arrow.
"The great thing about Creature Swap is that its effect doesn't end at the end of the current turn. Now you're stuck with a weak Tuner monster while I have a strong defense to protect myself! There's no way that you're getting away from me now!"
"That's it!" I yell out while pounding my dashboard computer slightly in anger. "What the hell has got you so riled up about me? I'm not going to Neo Domino to harm anyone there, alright?!"
"Then what ARE you going there for, Satellite? I don't think you've ever told me, and I'm just dying to know!"
"Do you really want the truth?" I try to remain as calm as possible considering the time limit that I am under. "You won't just discard what I say halfway through like last time?"
"I can afford to hear you for a bit, sure. After all, this pipeline still has a bit of a ways to go before you reach the end with nowhere else to run."
I forcefully swallow a retort down as I try to phrase my life story correctly. The sounds of our D-Wheels fade away as my mind retreats slightly into itself, all the memories and encounters that I can remember being accessible.
"The real reason that I'm going to Neo Domino, Trudge… is to find out who I am. I woke up about a week ago in Satellite with no memory of who I was, where I had come from, or if I had any friends or place to live. All I had was my clothes, my Duel Disk and my Deck, the contents of which I don't know how I acquired in the first place.
"Over the past few days, I've spent enough time in Satellite to know that this place holds nothing that can help me solve my amnesia. I've made friends with the people that you consider criminals, and fought people more deserving to be called that title in Duels. I now see that Neo Domino is the next step in me figuring out the truth; the truth about who I really am!"
I glance behind me the moment I finish my monologue to find a surprising sight; Trudge is actually silent, his face reflecting deep thought as our D-Wheels continue down the pipeline. I don't know how much time I have left, so I had better see about ending this Duel now. Trudge has one card left in his hand, and it doesn't look like he wants to play anything else right now.
"It's my move, Trudge!" I announce. I draw my card, smiling as I see that my endgame combo has finally arrived. I guess that that one card that I drew earlier will come in handy, but not in the way that I had first thought.
[ROUND 3]
[Samuel: 2300 LP/Trudge: 3600 LP]
[CARDS IN HAND: 2 (Samuel), 1 (Trudge)]
(Samuel: 5 SPC) (Trudge: 3 SPC)
"I Summon the Tuner Monster Bug in Attack Mode!" The digital insect emerges from a white portal to Jutte Fighter's left, the man jumping away in surprise (ATK: 1300).
"Now, I think I'll use your tactic of swapping places, since it worked so well for you! I activate the Speed Spell Dash Pilfer!"
Trudge lets out a, "What?!" as the card activates; the image shows a football player in an orange uniform racing ahead of a large crowd of enemy players, football in hand.
"As I have at least 4 Speed Counters," I say, "this card lets me take control of one face-up Defense Position monster on your field! Gabriel, come on back!"
Just after I say this, Trudge veers sharply to the side as the football player from the card charges onto the field. He easily picks up Gabriel and slings him over his shoulder as he runs. Once the player reaches my side of the field, he throws Gabriel off like the cyborg is a football and this was his touchdown. I barely hear a crowd cheering for the player just before he vanishes.
"Now, it's time to end this Duel! I tune my LVL 3 Bug with my LVL 5 Gabriel Santiago! I'll show you my true power, Trudge; the strength that will help me succeed in Neo Domino!"
Gabriel flies upwards, a smile on his lips as he turns into five white stars, Bug turning into three green Synchro rings, as well. Jutte Fighter steps back in amazement, his jitte emitting a strong ping as the Synchro Summon takes place. As the rings overlap the stars, a new chant comes to my lips that I speak with confidence…
"Haasei suru, saibaa supessu no subete! Ganjou na kessokuno furagmento ga tanjou! Shinkuro Shokan! Watashitachi ha, Yuutopia Shaado!"
(Arise, all of cyberspace! A fragment of unbreakable unity is born! Synchro Summon! Unite us, Utopia Shard!)
A thousand voices ring as one, the Synchro tunnel breaking apart to reveal a new crystal creature. This one is a mixture of blue and white shades, images of skyscrapers and metropolises connected by sky blue lines of data. Each city shows countless people joined in construction, making each shard as beautiful as the whole creation itself. The shard flies slightly in front of my D-Wheel, not slowing me down in the slightest as I bask in the feeling of togetherness that my new Synchro Monsterprovides (EARTH, Program/Synchro, 2800 ATK/2800 DEF, LVL 8).
Before I can command Utopia Shard to attack, I feel a thump on the back end of my D-Wheel; looking over, I see that Trudge has gained ground on me. His face shows desperation and rage as if he knows that his end has come.
"I won't be beaten by you again, Netrunner! Synchro Monster or not, you're still going to the Facility where you belong!"
"Did you understand any bit of what I just said, Trudge?" Anger creeps into my voice as I wonder how deeply Trudge had been thinking earlier.
"Yeah, I heard your little sob story, and guess what? I don't give a damn! You aren't destined for some great power, no more than I am destined for a promotion to Chief Commander of Sector Security. Sure, I can dream of such a goal and try my hardest to achieve it, but I know deep in my heart that it's never going to happen. Your dreams of recovering your memories in Neo Domino are just that; dreams that you wallow about in in your mind when you have nothing else to think about. In reality, Netrunner, you're just another Satellite; that's all you'll ever be!"
Utopia Shard cries out in apparent anger at Trudge's words; I feel a familiar rage bubble in my chest and fill my limbs with new strength. I use this strength to forcefully slam Trudge's D-Wheel away from mine and back down the pipeline.
"Damn it, Trudge! I thought you'd changed! I thought you could be more than just a petty officer that can't learn from his mistakes. But, no. You just focus on petty revenge against those who wronged you so that you can feel satisfied for the briefest of moments. You've given up on your dreams, Trudge; I will not! I'll never give up, no matter what!"
I direct my left hand skywards, pointing it at Trudge as Utopia Shard shifts to be at my side. At the same time, I use my right hand to quickly activate my final Trap Card of the Duel. A pair of orange rings appears in front of and behind Utopia Shard's form, the voices within its crystalline body yelling joyfully together.
"Battle! I activate Planned Assault! I reveal Laramy Fisk from my hand, paying Life Points equal to its LVL times 400. Then, his original ATK is added to Utopia Shard's for the turn!"
The image of a man with dyed blond hair, a brown and yellow coat and jacket and a pair of blue shades appears for a brief moment. The man smirks in my direction before red wires emerge from Utopia Shard's body; the man redirects the wires with his hands onto my D-Wheel. I grit my teeth to hold back the pain as my energy is transferred over to my monster (Samuel: 2300-300) (5-3 SPC) (ATK: 2800-4900).
"4900 ATK points?!" Trudge shouts in panic. "That's impossible!"
"Nothing is impossible with unity and friendship, Trudge! Utopia Shard attacks you directly to end the game! FRAGMENTED JUDGEMENT!"
Utopia's voices yell as one, each city going dark as the connecting data lines transfer huge amounts of energy to the central front of the body. The front then splits inwards like a cocoon, the energy turning into a large orb that grows larger with each passing second. When the orb reaches its capacity within the crystal body, the voices yell out again as the orb is fired as a beam of blue and white energy.
Jutte Fighter jumps back again to avoid being incinerated by the attack. The metal walls of the pipeline that it strikes break and crack with little resistance; the beam slowly advances forwards like a super laser approaching its target.
Trudge tries to dodge the beam by swerving to the side, but the laser seems to move with Trudge, or it could be that the beam's path encompasses the entire pipeline floor with no safe way around it. I hear a panicked scream of agony as the beam engulfs Trudge; a pang hits my heart as I question how realistic this attack actually is. I don't even see Trudge's D-Wheel, but I do hear a loud crash as his ride apparently breaks down, or breaks apart, from the attack's impact (Trudge: 3400-0 LP) (RIDING DUEL ENDS). Before I grow the desire to turn back, he is too far back for me to see clearly.
Utopia Shard, Jutte Fighter and Laramy Fisks's images silently fade away, my D-Wheel immediately transferring back to Riding Mode with minimal loss of speed. Just then, to my confusion and relief, I see the same hatchway that Yusei traveled down when he got into Neo Domino. The concern that I had for Trudge is crushed under an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment.
With no neighboring garbage near the hatch, I easily slide inside with a quick turn; my D-Wheel coughs again, which makes me wonder how much damage it took from the Riding Duel and Trudge's antics. I race through a small, dark tunnel, a glimmer of light at the end offering promise to me that my goal is now within reach. Within seconds, I clear the tunnel and enter Neo Domino City; though, with a slightly sharp landing as my D-Wheel goes airborne for a second before landing back on solid ground.
The cityscape is breathtaking; neon signs and advertisement billboards clash with skyscraper lights and street lamps to create an ocean of colors and radiance. The night is relatively silent; a few D-Wheels echo from far in the distance, probably on one of the countless highways and roads that I see overlapping one another in an intricate network of pathways. I reach up to take my helmet off and breathe in the cool air with glee…
… Only to be stopped short when several headlights activate from all around me! Blinking rapidly to clear my streaming eyes, I see several Sector Security D-Wheels and a large transport van closing in an arc formation on all sides, except for the pipeline hatch where I had just emerged from. As there is no sense in going back, I realize that I am caught in a well-planned trap!
"Freeze, fugitive," I hear a male officer with a tenor voice say from my left. "You're under arrest for violating Security protocol #280-9!"
"There's no use in running," a second male officer with a deeper voice says from my right. "We have you surrounded. Running away will only increase your punishment once you are sent to the Facility!"
"Security will now confiscate your D-Wheel, Duel Disk and Deck," a female officer finishes from in front of me. "Stop resisting and no harm will be dealt to you!"
I barely hear their words as the anger from before turns into an overflowing cauldron of rage. Sector Security had planned for my arrival; Trudge must have contacted them or another officer from the next shift's squad must have seen us at the sewage plant. Now, they've got me cornered… but not completely out…
"You fools," I say with sinister intent as I activate my Duel Disk's display. "You're just as uneducated as the officers in Satellite. You need to learn an important lesson… "
With the push of a few buttons, the words 'DEUS EX ACTIVATED' appear on my Duel Disk display, the screen shutting off afterwards as a huge spike of energy makes my Runner's engine howl like a bloodthirsty wolf.
"NOTHING STOPS THE NETRUNNER!"
I floor the accelerator as hard as I can; my D-Wheel instantly shoots forwards like a comet as I am almost thrown off the vehicle by the amount of force pressing against me. The officer in front of me has no time to dodge; her D-Wheel crashes against mine, my superior force causing her ride to literally break in two like a wooden door before a battering ram. The woman is thrown skywards with a cry of pain, but I am already racing on a road towards the main highway before the other officers even get to move or help their companion from the wreckage.
The wind speed blocks out all other sound, my eyes streaming even under my helmet's visor as the cold air collides with my body. I start to involuntarily shake in order to warm myself up, but I freeze as my D-Wheel's engine gives several sharp coughs before violently swerving to the left. Barely righting myself and avoiding a concrete divider in the center lane, I don't get any time to rest before my ride swerves again, this time going onto a road in construction. The road connects to a major freeway, the newer road leading up to a set of beautifully-designed apartment complexes and skyscrapers.
The barriers, like before, do not hold me back. I blanch as I see that the end of the road leads to nowhere but a sharp drop several feet in length. I try to slow my D-Wheel down, only to find the accelerator doesn't respond to my commands. The controls are locked in place at the fastest speed that it can possibly go; this was good in that I used it a few seconds ago to escape pursuit, but it's bad in the case of a drop like that which I have no way of avoiding.
I let out a terrified cry as my D-Wheel goes airborne for the second time tonight, weightlessness and gravity working together to nearly wrench me from my ride. I barely hold on by clenching the handgrips with all my might; with the ground fast approaching, however, my brain tells me to jump clear before my body is injured in the crash. My hands move as fast as they can, taking a hold of my Duel Disk and ripping it from the D-Wheel's holder, Deck still placed within. As milliseconds tick by and the ground grows ever closer, I bring my Duel Disk to my chest and throw my body to the left and towards the apartment buildings, my D-Wheel still falling towards the ground like a missile.
Several milliseconds later, I turn my head away as an explosion shatters the night's silence; my D-Wheel's frame crumples and sends shockwaves of kinetic energy into the ground before the rebounding friction from the planet's crust rips the frame apart. The frame then blows up as the engine within is shattered and the electrical energy overloads safe levels of power. A kinetic shockwave from the explosion slams into my body and catapults me further away from the wreckage. I clutch my Duel Disk and Deck like a mother cradles her child when in danger, tucking my limbs and head into a ball to prevent one part of my body from being damaged.
Before I can question how I know this survival tip, I bounce hard against the ground; my body uncurls itself on instinct, my upper back taking most of the initial impact. I twirl around in the sky like a ballerina doing a routine; time slows down enough for me to feel individual touches of pain vibrate from my back to the rest of my body, as well as see the orange glow of my now burning D-Wheel frame and engine.
Then, the right side of my face slams into the concrete and all other feelings are forgotten. My face erupts with pain as my body skids several feet forwards, my cheekbone, eye and ear grinding against the street. My throat locks up completely, my nose filled with the scent of fresh blood, asphalt, and dirt.
After an eternity of pain, my body finally stops against a wall, my left eye barely able to see a nearby backdoor with a light above it. I glance around as best I can and see that the backdoor is in an alleyway at the back end of the largest apartment complex in the area. I don't question how I managed to get here as I wiggle my fingers against my Duel Disk; happiness spreads through me as I realize that, as far as I can tell, the Disk and Deck are undamaged.
The last conscious thought that I have before I surrender myself to the growing darkness around my eyes is the back door opening, a pair of silver eyes locking with my undamaged one…
Well, that seems like a good transitioning point! (Looks over at MC) Why are you sweating like that? And your hair is down!
I can't help it! I'm stoked for what's to come next! So much danger, so much excitement! The possibilities are endless!
Right, sure. How about you satisfy some of this stress by announcing the next chapter trailer?
I was hoping you'd say that! Here goes; just remember, the title is subject to change!
[Next time on "Stardust Accelerator: Digital Warrior...
? (1): It's a pleasure to meet you, Netrunner. Call me Andromeda.
Samuel: Why are you helping me like this? You're a citizen of Neo Domino!
? (1): You're someone who flirts with danger quite a bit. That's something I like to see in you Duelists, regardless of where you come from. If you can help me on a few errands I need to accomplish, I'll help you even more.
Samuel: Uh... I'm looking for 'Mac'. Is that you?
? (2): That's me! If you've come to a mechanical shop, you've come to the right place!
Samuel: Woah! What's your problem?!
? (3): Don't you know who the Black Rose is, kid?! Don't get near her!
Next Chapter: New Beginnings, Old Enemies?
Samuel: Why do I feel like I know that woman?]
Good work, MC. Now, I think I need to straighten out my wings for a bit. I've been so busy recently that I need some relaxation.
Draconos is taking off!
