Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's - The Neo-Domino Purge
Originally an RPG after the airing of Episode 6. Following the events of Episode 8; Rex Godwin uses the information regarding Akutsu's 'momentum' to plan an attack and elimination of the Satellite residents. When a leak reaches Satellite, the residents band together. All but Yusei Fudo, who is forced to watch from the outside.
Contains violence, language, character death.
The corridors of the research lab had been deathly silent until the clapping of shoe soles against the tiled floor. Two men strolled in the dimly lit hallway - a brunette sporting rounded glasses and the other possessing hair as dark as the midnight sky. They spoke casually of the current project underway a number of floors above their current locations, both eager to learn of the success rate of the project and what it could mean for their City. The brunette chuckled lightly to a comment regarding a bright future for them uttered from his colleague.
"They say that Director Godwin is apparently going to visit at the time of the test".
"I wouldn't get your hopes up, Eiji. He's got quite a bit going on with this assault against Satellite, deciding to settle matters with that place once and for all" the brunette replied, smirking in confidence of his belief regarding the Director. "It's a media circus, there're even reporters that have travelled into Satellite. Ordinarily, they wouldn't dream of that, possibly even for a massive scoop. At least that's the impression they give off".
"And you've seen them there, Haruto?" Eiji asked, raising an eyebrow in response to his comrade's claim.
"My wife mentioned she had been watching the reports, seems our boy is pretty excited that so many big names in the duelling world are appearing all at once" Haruto replied.
"That's just kids these days" Eiji chuckled, coming to a halt.
Haruto continued a couple of steps further, turning to face a sealed doorway before the pair. Eiji produced a key card, aligning it with a slot intended for the key. The pass slipped through with ease, Eiji following the process with the punching of numbers into the pad beside the slot for his card.
"I can't see why these are here" he sighed as he entered one number after another automatically. "They could be dangerous in the wrong hands. I suppose we should be lucky that the City has advanced too far for criminals to access this place undetected".
"I agree" Haruto uttered, nodding his head once. "This must be a massive card that Director Godwin is holding back, there's no way he would go beyond using this place as a bluff in the face of danger towards the City".
Eiji's hand fell by his side, the process of entering the chain of numbers completed. Before them, the doors slid apart, revealing a large chamber on the other side. Before the doors sank into the edges of the threshold completely, Eiji stepped forward, his eyes scanning the contents of the chamber. Haruto waited before he would enter, hearing a gasp from his colleague's mouth.
"I- It can't be!" Eiji stammered, the shakiness in his voice dragging Haruto into the room. "It's gone!"
"What?!" Haruto cried in horror, observing the colour draining from his co-worker's face, his eyes fixed on a certain point in the room. "It can't be gone".
"Well it is" Eiji protested, glancing at Haruto. "What're we going to do?"
"I suppose we have no choice but to inform Godwin" the brunette sighed. "He'll be furious that this has happened. But what worries me is who could have known about this place and how did they get here - especially without being detected? We can only assume the worst-case scenario - this City is under threat now".
Chapter 12 - Satellite-Threatening Riding Duel! Vs. the Ally of Justice Catastor Combo!
[Sateraito ni Semaru no Raidingu Dyueru! Basasu Arai obu Jyasutisu Katasutori no Komubou!]
Aki observed Rua silently; following Ruka's departure, time had all but ground to a halt, the room had become deathly silent. Aki's thoughts echoed from the edges of her head. Words of regret, worlds of guilt, she had been the one at fault. Rua seemed like a good kid, he didn't appear the type to prey on someone's weaknesses, he himself needed defending. He had simply wanted to protect his sister; there was nothing wrong about that. Aki suddenly began to shake her head, the twins' charm was affecting her judgement, she had been right to react in the manner she had; no-one could be trusted. That was what the Arcadia Movement was for - four walls around her to shield her from whatever the outside world could throw, she was save in this place. Ruka, on the other hand, seemed content with her life amongst ordinary people, was that because her powers were undeveloped? Aki's hands tightened atop her legs, she envied the girl. Her powers didn't affect her life to a large degree, she had a caring family and her brother was willing to defend her no matter what. Her eyes drifted to Rua, even if it was a disrupting charm, it was an effective one at the same time.
--Neo-Domino: Duellist Army Training Ground--
Outside the Duellist Training Ground, the forces recently gathered at the facility looking ahead to their invasion of Satellite following the hundreds of duellists that had penetrated the defences set by opposing duellists. Amongst them, Bommer stood with his head above the others, waiting for Yusei to appear - Satellite or not, he was part of Neo-Domino's army and would ride back into Satellite as an enemy of the island. The man didn't give off the impression that he was a coward and ready to flee when in a situation he found less than desirable. Even still, there was no sign of him.
Bommer sighed; he was merely someone to keep an eye on Yusei under Godwin's orders. He was the eyes of the Public Security Maintenance Bureau over the man suspected of being a Signer and if he were to disappear, then he couldn't be sure of what would follow such an unexpected twist. Nearby, a blonde man seated in his D-Wheel eyed the large dark skinned man, appearing also like he was watching out for something, perhaps even the same target Bommer sought. His cobalt eyes departed from the sight of Bommer and his D-Wheel proceeded forward at a leisurely pace, engine purring as the vehicle moved.
Ahead of the growing mass, Judge stood by his D-Wheel - a machine replicating an M1 tank without a roof or cannon. Caterpillar tracks in the place of ordinary tyres rose to his broad shoulders, its sheer height hindering a view of the rider's seat from most. A D-Wheel suited for a man like the general - a machine fitting his passion for brutal confrontation. As for Bommer's D-Wheel, its shape took on that of a trike - two tyres placed together at each end of the suspension at the back and another massive wheel positions at the front, a figurehead in the shape of a cattle's skull in line with the wheel. Behind the figurehead sat the CPU, steering handles protruding from the sides. From the top corners of the large leather seat, two arms extended, each appearing loaded like guns. In the muscular man's hands, his helmet bore horns matching those of the skull-like accessory his D-Wheel bore.
Judge smirked at the short span of time left in the City; they were about to join those already in Satellite, ready to batter what remained and almost certainly claim victory. The blonde general glanced at the man who challenged him in both height and build, continuing to smirk at the lack of Yusei.
"Where's that Satellite brat? Has he lost the gall to attack his home?" he jeered. "What a wuss".
"I cannot speak for Fudo Yusei, but I am sure he hasn't fled this place" Bommer responded solemnly. "I trust him to show up - regardless of what Satellite means to him".
"You have too much faith in that single boy" Judge scoffed, folding his arms over his wide chest.
"It's simply intuition" Bommer protested coolly.
"I wouldn't depend solely on that. Anyone from Satellite is nothing more than scum you can't be trusted" Judge derided.
"Perhaps, but I have a feeling - a strong feeling - that Fudo Yusei is different" Bommer protested solemnly, his voice filled with confidence for the other and his belief in him.
Judge suppressed a chuckle; torn between amusement for the bonds beginning to form between the two and how disgusted he felt. Bommer paid no attention to the smirk Judge forged and turned his eyes away. Amongst the chatter of the duellists gathered, an engine's roaring increased in volume, someone approaching - Yusei's red D-Wheel passing through the ranks gathered around. Bommer smiled at the sight, glad that he had confirmed his position in the war, no matter what Judge made of it. The D-Wheel slowed as it came into Bommer's sight, rolling to a halt before his massive vehicle, Yusei removing his helmet once the sounds of life faded and his boots hit the ground. Judge turned away, smirking - even if Yusei had shown, he was going to turn against Satellite and attack everyone he knew in the region.
"Yusei" Bommer uttered, smiling contently at the smaller rider.
Opening his eyes, Yusei glanced at him, nodding his head without any reply. The blonde man that had been riding around in search of something return, noticing Yusei's arrival - he had not been there during his last passing the massive trike D-Wheel that Bommer possessed. His machine rolled towards them, removing his helmet and smiling warmly at the pair.
"Ah, so you're the guy from Satellite I've been hearing about" he began, drawing Yusei's eyes. "My name's Juri, pleased to meet you".
"You're not like the others - you aren't going to discriminate against me for being from Satellite?" Yusei asked, raising a curious eyebrow.
Juri clutched his helmet like a precious item before his chest, shaking his head gradually. "Nah, my father does that enough for the both of us" he claimed. "I don't think there's anything wrong with people from Satellite, but my father has brought the City's view of them".
Yusei nodded in response to the claim, grateful that he could find people in the City that could tolerate people from Satellite and individuals bearing Markers - no matter which side of the Pipeline they originated.
"Juri, I'm glad there are people like you in the City" he replied. "My name is Yusei".
"I like it" Juri answered, his smile widening gradually before his eyes turned to Bommer. "So you don't buy what the general says either?"
"No" the muscular rider. "In fact, I've been to Satellite. The people I encountered weren't what the stereotypes claim; they were good people, honest young men just wanting to live a normal life".
Yusei's eyes turned to the sky, Bommer had mentioned that he had come across his friends - both from Satellite and the Detention Centre - hearing what Bommer had to say warmed his heart. Juri chuckled at the words that Bommer articulated.
"I knew that I was right about them" he proudly declared.
Bommer smirked at the aura around the young blonde, Yusei watched him, feeling relief swell inside - he wasn't completely alone.
-----------------------
Jack's Wheel of Fortune rolled towards the Training Ground again, his mind set on his last meeting with Yusei - just why had Godwin given him Stardust? The Director was too discreet, shifty even, he couldn't work the man out and that frustrated him. Across the site that was his destination, duellists and D-Wheelers lined the area, all prepared to head into Satellite, his violet eyes narrowed, knowing that Yusei would be standing amongst them, ready to turn on the island just as he had.
Those standing in wait for the Duel King hailed his arrival of him, cheering at him as he passed - their superior; their leader. Jack paid little attention to those around him, his mind still set on his duel with Yusei - everything that had happened still circling his head, attempting to grasp the situation. Until Yusei appeared, everything had been as he desired once he left. Now everything meant nothing - he was aware of the Birthmark on his arm's purpose, one sharing power with another that Yusei now possessed, he was no longer the King; he was living a façade, one that remained hollow after his defeat. He had earned the title of King after a long struggle, even if Yusei's Trap card hadn't finished him off before the Crimson Dragon's presence proved too much, he would have lost. Had that dragon not appeared, Yusei would definitely be King. Something that Jack couldn't get his head around.
Amongst the ranks directly ahead of him, Judge stood by his massive D-Wheel, towering over everyone who stood upright, his machine doing the same to their D-Wheels. The King's eyes set themselves on the man, who shared the profile Godwin had disclosed to him, concluding that he was the individual in charge. His machine rolled gradually to a halt before the massive military-themed D-Wheel, removing his white helmet once he was stationary.
"The Duel King, Jack Atlus, eh?" Judge asked, smirking contently at the arrival of the champion. "I take it you're leading this lot into Satellite like the other night?"
Jack gave no immediate response, but instead watched the man. The breeze whistled through the trees at the edge of the green nearby, Judge assumed that he had been correct. Duellists gathered behind the general, gazing in awe at their idol, excited murmurs filling the calm. Judge turned to the assembly.
"It seems that the Duel King is going to lead us into Satellite as he did the first wave" he proclaimed, silencing anyone who spoke with his booming tone. "D-Wheelers will ride behind him through the Pipeline and then we split up once we pass through the other end. Duellists travelling on foot will get their chance; we'll leave some of them for you to battle".
Jack's expression darkened when he failed to locate Yusei amongst the D-Wheelers gathering, like Judge, his mind had been preying on Yusei's loyalty - would he really go through with attacking Satellite amongst the riders of the City? He would be on the side of his origin, where he belonged, that was what Jack had drilled into his skull - Yusei was more of a traitor if he didn't fight alongside those in the City. Just as he conceded, certain that Yusei had indeed turned his back on Godwin's offer of freedom through fighting for the City, his eyes picked up on the red machine slowing to the left of his view, engine purring inside the D-Wheel next to Bommer's massive machine, the only that challenged Judge's in size just as he did.
A smirk brightened Jack's face - Yusei hadn't fled like a coward, something he knew that he despised. They would fight together on the same side once again - even if Crow stood against them amongst the opposition; that was what fate had planned. Allowing Judge to bellow the commands to the duellists gathered within his regiment, Jack watched Yusei like a hawk stalking its prey discreetly. Yusei, however, avoided setting his eyes on the blonde.
"Godwin has announced the situation to this City" he bellowed once the majority of murmuring had died, his piercing eyes crossing the gathering before him like a child gazing across an ocean. "Satellite has been dragging this place down for so long. Everyone in the City has always despised that place and those who live upon it - now he has proposed that it be cleared of the people in order for it to function without burdening Neo-Domino. Ride into Satellite and prove the strength of this City - not just to Satellite, but to the world. Show just what Neo-Domino can do".
A thunderous wave of cheers and raised fists came from the crowd before Jack, an army inspired by the words of their idol. Engines growled fiercely, riders boarding their machines eagerly watching Jack for a signal to ride forward into the battlefield, to take on the mistake that stained the City's pride. Jack's Wheel of Fortune rolled forward gradually, allowing the King and his rival to lock eyes momentarily, neither blinking, neither hesitating. Before anyone could trace the stares, the large white D-Wheel accelerated. Continuing past those gathered; Jack proceeded in the same direction that had brought him to the site before a sharp throw of his body, tilting his D-Wheel as it turned, allowing him to return along the path he had just rolled along.
The machine shot past the others lined up, permitting each to follow him in a flood of motorcycles and clouds of carbon dioxide. Yusei kept to the centre of the flood, passing several of his fellow riders, creeping closer to Jack, keen to learn why Jack had turned on Satellite, why he would speak of the people they had lived amongst like nothing more than the dirt that clung to the shoes of the citizens living in luxury. Two years had certainly changed him - he had been lured in with the temptation of a wondrous life and taken the bait without a glance back.
Despite the number of D-Wheels, Bommer and Juri road abreast, keeping close to Yusei. Both had seen past the eyes of Neo-Domino - to the struggles that conflicted in his heart, the scars he bore. Neither would be surprised if his presence in the army was another political manoeuvre to prove how fickle loyalty was, how unfaithful Satellite and its inhabitants were. Like people of another plain or planet with uneasy relationships to those of the world that the sun shone upon. Regardless of what everyone would think, Yusei continued, his eyes set on Jack - the route ahead was the quickest to the Maintenance Pipeline he had passed through days before, the only physical link between Neo-Domino and Satellite. A path he once walked in pursuit of freedom and Stardust, now a course for destruction and betrayal - a course of heartache. Weakness was not something Neo-Domino prided itself on, Satellite had to prove it could be strong too - Yusei ignored the throbbing in his chest and clenched the handgrips tighter, he was the only representative Satellite had.
--Neo-Domino: Arcadia Movement--
Ruka forced the door to Rua's room open, peering inside before quickly identifying Aki inside. Her inside churned, what she had experienced was nothing normal and as far as she was aware, Aki knew of those experiments. Her body shuddered briefly before she entered, hoping not to draw attention to herself, she'd rather Aki just stay back - not because of the Black Rose Witch inside her, but simply because she had betrayed her.
Without uttering a word, she sat herself down where she had been; laying her right hand onto the soft sheet that covered Rua's resting body. Aki observed in mirroring silence. Ruka had withdrawn herself since leaving to meet with Divine, the red haired woman wondered what had happened between them, perhaps what the Arcadia Movement had to offer had brought her closer to accepting; she had been fearing the possibility of leaving her home and her brother for the new life that he offered with his open hand. Struggling to decide whether or not to approach Ruka with her thoughts, Aki sat in silence, hands together against her legs, eyes set on Rua - it had been the same since Ruka departed and any distractions departed.
Ruka glanced at the woman at the top of her view while her head hung anxiously - what if she had known? She had been encouraging her to meet with Divine, someone she claimed could debate what each life held for the girl and her power. The look she had given the twins as they attempted to depart the first time resurfaced in her memory, her body began to tremble - that look of absolute disgust and hatred, perhaps Aki was the Black Rose Witch in as many ways as people claimed. That woman was nothing but hatred, a loose cannon exploding wherever she desired, harming as many people as she could - Aki may have just been that without the mask concealing her identity. Ruka dragged her left arm across, placing her left hand onto her right, gazing at Rua as her hands joined. A considerable amount of time had passed since the duel, but she was determined not to sleep - not to let down her guard and allow Aki, Divine and the rest of the Arcadia Movement to use it as an advantage to separate them.
"Ruka…" Aki uttered. "That's what your brother called you, right?"
The girl's head rose, her eyes locking with Aki's as she gazed at the woman ahead, stunned that she had spoken without a cue to guide her. A moment passed before her mouth closed and she meekly gave a nod in the place of a verbal response. The lack of words drew in Aki's attention - Ruka seemed far more withdrawn than before, reaching out to her in order to learn more about her relationship with the Movement. It was like she was afraid. What unnerved her? What happened to the girl that departed? Where did she stand on the offer to join? Aki's mind had been wrapped around the girl, waiting to learn what had happened, unsuccessfully analysing her - two females with unique abilities, two separate worlds. The common tie lingered between them, encased in silence.
--Satellite: Maintenance Pipeline Entrance--
Jack burst through the mouth of the Maintenance Pipeline, initiating the second wave of attacks on Satellite. Behind him, Judge and his massive tank-style D-Wheel followed, the rider smirking arrogantly as the tracks of his machine hit Satellite. Shortly behind him, Bommer and Yusei appeared through the orifice to the Pipeline, riding side by side at the head of the army. Shortly behind the two, Juri rode his eyes surveying the innards of the factory as they raced through the corridors of the facility. The blonde man smiled at the structure, impressed that something so large could remain standing after the rumours about what threats Satellite possessed flooded the streets of the City.
Familiar with the route, Jack manoeuvred his D-Wheel through the straight corridors, his machine only slowing at the sharp corners that deviated from a simple path from the mouth of the Pipeline to the threshold of the factory. His violet eyes remained ahead, bearing no remorse over leading the duellists of the City into the island that had been his home until two years before. His mind, however, wandered to Yusei - he was never one for betrayal, would he really attack Satellite? The blonde unconsciously shook his head - Yusei wouldn't attack his friends or his home, why had Godwin recruited him into Neo-Domino's army? Why had he returned Stardust Dragon? The Director was a shifty man - one Jack couldn't be sure he could trust - but Godwin was also the man in charge of Neo-Domino, he possessed knowledge regarding the legend of the Signers, so why attack Satellite? The blonde was beginning to realize just how complex a man Godwin was, how distant from those working under him.
Judge's eyes darted across features of the factory that his machine raced past, unimpressed by the immense facility. While it was an essential tool for Neo-Domino's survival, it was simply another piece of Satellite to him, something unsophisticated - it meant nothing. His attention was beginning to wander, setting itself onto Yusei again; it seemed the general couldn't resist jibing about the young D-Wheeler's fickle loyalty. The large man lent back comfortably against the leather seat he sat upon, smirking as his and Yusei's machines aligned diagonally - the latest in a string of opportunities to taunt the young man.
"Hey, brat" he called over his shoulder. "Are you going to run away and hide now or later? I wonder if you've really got the guts to go through with this, you Satellite reject. Yeah, even this place doesn't want you anymore, is that why you're going to fight back?"
Beneath his visor, Yusei's eyes parted with the sight of Judge, set ahead and the scene of neglect and trash mounds opening up at the end of the factory's interior. Coming up beside him, Bommer's grey eyes fixed themselves upon him, easily able to identify his inward struggle, he clearly couldn't cope with the pressure of attacking his home, his friends, for the enemy that had arrested him and marked him with the yellow pattern running down his cheek, no matter how well he held the mask in front of his face. Yusei appeared to have shrugged off the comment, Bommer, however, could recognize the comments that clung onto the young man, burrowing their way into his mind. Like filthy parasites.
"General, aren't you going a bit far now? We're already in Satellite" he declared, opening his arm to the deserted roads and crumbling structures in the distance surrounding them.
"Not even. This brat thinks he's as good as us because someone messed up and allowed him into this regiment" Judge spat. "He's nothing more than a double-crosser, he's no better - he's probably even worse - than the scum we're hunting".
Juri's D-Wheel increased in speed, allowing him to catch up with Bommer and ride alongside the large dark skinned man, observing the district with a content smile.
"You know… this place isn't so bad" he commented lightly. "If I had to, I wouldn't mind making this my home".
"Bite your tongue" Judge scowled. "How could you possibly consider this place a suitable location for humans to live, especially in comparison to the City? There's nothing but vermin here".
Juri's smile faded as his eyes turned to the general, gazing curiously at him for his hatred of the place; the young man couldn't help but feel a quaintness about Satellite, somewhat pitying it and those living upon the detached district because of the conflict - he was riding amongst the second wave and already Satellite was on its knees, unable to cope with the power that had entered its borders. A small number of D-Wheels emerged against the infiltrating army, several stolen Security machines without riders bearing the uniform - they had been bracing themselves.
Amongst those on the standard officials' machines, several raced forward, using the feature to force the activation of Speed World against their opponents, locking them in a Riding Duel before they could register what was happening. The City duellists seemed unfazed by the ambush. Juri glared at a rider upon one of the vehicles riding alongside him, his CPU monitor shifting to a duel field to signal that he had been amongst those challenged. Jack scowled at the length Satellite duellists had gone - fighting Security in the shadows and plotting an ambuscade simply to slow the inevitable second wave.
"So it's begun" Judge murmured, smirking at the swift action, his men fighting moments after entering the battlefield.
Behind him, the D-Wheelers following the front ranks, several locked in Riding Duel, began to stray ahead of the command to separate and eradicate all that remained of Satellite. Taking note of the dispersing army, Judge twisted his neck again, his D-Wheel beginning to alter in direction.
"Alright, disperse and take out the rest of Satellite - these duellists aren't true D-Wheelers so they won't have decks suited for Riding Duels. Take them out as quickly as possible and then move ahead in search of other targets" he bellowed coldly. "Try not to get yourselves killed and embarrass the City".
Shrugging off the latter command as a joke after Satellite's crumbling state, the riders began to part ways, the ferocious roaring of dozens of D-Wheels softened as small groups and pairs parted ways with their comrades. Juri turned to Bommer, jolting his head to his left, the direction he witnessed less machines heading - an opportunity to fight back against the duellist challenging him. Bommer nodded in reply, accepting the request for someone to be with the man as he retaliated, turning to the red D-Wheel in front.
"Yusei" he called over the purring of his massive engine. "We're heading off to the left, are you going to come with us?"
He didn't receive a response, prompting a fit of laughter from Judge. Bommer sighed, presuming Yusei was declining the suggestion and gripped on the handles tighter, turning his vehicle in the direction Juri had suggested. Behind the leading few, several monsters appeared by the vehicles, the monsters of first plays in the duels that scattered. Judge glanced over his shoulder to Yusei whose D-Wheel was approaching him, hoping to reach Jack. Through the bangs waving wildly beneath his visor, his sapphire eyes flared gravely.
"What do you think you're doing, punk?" he bellowed.
"Jack!" Yusei yelled, disregarding every word Judge had uttered.
The general snarled, furious at the Satellite man's ignorance, further enraged by his approach to the Duel King, why would someone so influential acknowledge someone like him?
"Hey!" he snapped. "The King doesn't need scum like you reminding him that you're here. Satellite is worthless to him and I can only imagine just what he'd see you like, isn't that right?"
Jack gave no reply, like he hadn't heard; his D-Wheel had been travelling faster, the distance between himself and the conflicting two growing steadily. Judge sighed, unable to identify if the thrill of attacking Satellite again had clouded the Duel King's sense of hearing or something else held him back from responding. But he could use that to his advantage.
"You see?" he chuckled. "You're nothing to the great Jack Atlus. I bet if he found you lying on the ground, bleeding to death, he wouldn't just ignore you; he'd stamp on your wound so you bleed faster. I know I would. And that's what we're going to do to Satellite and every person resisting us".
Yusei's eyes widened, the analogy had struck him. Was that really what Jack was doing - cutting open Satellite and doing whatever to draw more blood faster? His dazed eyes turned to Jack, he had said nothing in the defence of Satellite or for Yusei; perhaps it was how he felt. A shudder ran through Yusei's body, perhaps he had really lost Jack.
"No…"
Rage swelled inside of him, Judge had been waiting for this - riding along Satellite's deserted roads, mocking everything about the island, ready to slaughter as many innocent victims as possible. His fingers tightened around the handgrips of his D-Wheel's arms, forcing his machine to catch up with Judge's war-styled machine.
"Godwin keeps on about the hope for the future, about these people" Judge laughed arrogantly. "How can such fools ever bring about peace, they won't even be able to understand just how the real world works. Compassion for a group of such simple minded children".
'Is he talking about the Signers and the legend Godwin spoke of?' Yusei asked himself, watching the general sharply.
"What does he think? These people have the power to stop the war and bring peace to this hostile world?" the general continued, smirking throughout his guessed surrounding Godwin's thoughts regarding the people he spoke of.
"So you know…" Yusei hissed; his words drowned out by the competing engines.
"Hey, King. I'll entrust the destruction of Satellite to you and your power" the blonde general yelled, thrusting his D-Wheel towards the left slightly, surprising Yusei who slowed in order to avoid his machine meeting the tracks of Judge's. The general glanced over his shoulder again, smirking coldly. "Perhaps I'll deal with you once this is over and Godwin's hope is crushed".
The roaring of the tank-shaped D-Wheel exploded into a chorus of growls and screeches. The machine raced forward, the tracks spinning around the wheels set in place without a hitch; Yusei forced his D-Wheel alongside Jack's, glaring at the Duel King. Jack averted his eyes to the D-Wheeler beside, unfazed by the sharp glower. Without a word, Yusei raced off after Judge, intriguing Jack who watched without a word.
The speed registered on Yusei's D-Wheel matched his usual pace during a Riding Duel, the measurement flickering from one value to another. A couple of minutes passed before Yusei caught sight of Judge's D-Wheel again, scowling at the surging general.
"Judge!" he yelled.
Surprisingly, the man turned his head. He scowled at the sight of Yusei following - something he had hoped would not occur.
"What now, you little brat?" he sneered.
"I won't allow you to bring harm to innocent people anymore - not to Satellite's people and not to the other Signers" Yusei argued. "I'll prove it with my deck, that's the only way you'll listen to me".
"A Riding Duel with a Satellite punk?" Judge uttered, raising an eyebrow. "Perhaps then I can see just what Godwin's planning for this punk. And I could even lead him to the heart of Satellite's last stand - he won't stand a chance".
Slowing his machine, allowing Yusei to catch up; his blazing eyes locking with Judge's temporarily. The general smirked at the proposal, seizing his deck with a smug grin.
"Well then… let's just see why Godwin brought you to me" he chuckled, turning to the CPU monitor in front of him. "We'll duel. Speed World, set on".
Both monitors altered from the map of Satellite displayed to a duel field, the Speed World card appearing briefly before the words "DUEL MODE" shone momentarily, the decks entered the Duel Disks that shifted into their battle positions. An automated voice sounded from the CPU: "Duel Mode. Auto-Pilot, Standby". From Judge's D-Wheel, the purple aura of Speed World expanded, blanketing everything around them.
"Let's just see what you're made of" Judge mumbled. "Duel!"
DUEL START
YUSEI -- JUDGE
4000 --LP-- 4000
FIRST TURN - JUDGE
"I'll move first, as the superior being" Judge declared, ejecting the top card of his deck from the Duel Disk seated beneath his CPU monitor. "I summon Ally of Justice - Garadholg [ATK 1600]".
From the blue vortex that appeared by his tank-shaped machine, a metallic warrior appeared, its armour consisting mostly of blood-red compartments with white fragments. Atop its head, a blue sphere was fixed into its helm. The warrior thrust its arms to its side, shaking off the final glowing particles fixed to its body following its materialization. Judge smirked at the monster before returning to his hand, removing two more cards from the holder.
"In addition, I'll lay two cards face-down. Turn end".
SECOND TURN - YUSEI
"My turn" Yusei declared, drawing from his deck.
YUSEI -- JUDGE
4000 --LP-- 4000
1 --SPC-- 1
"I summon Speed Warrior [ATK 900] in attack mode!" Yusei continued, laying the monster card onto his Duel Disk vertically.
Ahead of the vehicle, the grey-skinned being leapt through the portal that materialized, skating gracefully alongside the bike. Judge smirked at the sight of the weaker monster, puzzled why Yusei had played it in attack mode, perhaps he wasn't all what Godwin claimed him to be.
"During the turn Speed Warrior is summoned, its attack power doubles" the younger D-Wheeler exclaimed. "Speed Warrior, attack his Ally of Justice!"
An aura of fierce crimson lined Speed Warrior's figure as its pace increased, charging towards the mechanical adversary. Judge's grin widened at the confrontation, pressing his finger on a control around the base of his Duel Disk, opening one of his face-down cards.
"Trap card open - DNA Transplant!" he declared as the card stood straight beside his machine. "When I activate this card, I can declare one Attribute and all monsters become the chosen Attribute".
"What?" Yusei exhaled.
"I'll convert your Speed Warrior to become a Light monster" the general added, grinning while a white aura surrounded the grey fighter. "And because it's fighting a Light monster, my Ally of Justice - Garadholg gains 200 attack points".
"They're even" Yusei stated, eyebrows rising as he watched in surprise.
Speed Warrior's leg rose, slamming into the defensive arm Garadholg positioned. The metallic creature clenched its other hand and ploughed it into Speed Warrior's abdomen. Locked in a struggle of equal strength, the two creatures shattered into a shower of pixels, leaving both fields empty of monsters. Behind the crimson D-Wheel that shook slightly following the destruction of both monsters, Jack appeared on his machine - Wheel of Fortune - observing the battle. His violet eyes narrowed sharply having witnessed the equally powered monsters clash.
"So they're even for now, the battle is beginning" he murmured.
"Turn end" Yusei scowled.
THIRD TURN - JUDGE
YUSEI -- JUDGE
4000 --LP-- 4000
2 --SPC-- 2
Judge removed another card from the top of his deck, his eyes leaving the card once he recognized the new addition to his hand. His large finger pressed down on another control around the centre of his Duel Disk - the key that would force his other face-down card.
"I'll activate my face-down card now: Call of the Haunted!"
Yusei's head rose - Judge had planned for Garadholg's destruction. Behind the red D-Wheel, Jack's eyes remained narrow, observing the duel sternly - if Yusei couldn't overcome Judge, then his pride could only endure another battering, even unofficially, he had lost to Yusei, he couldn't accept the dark haired D-Wheeler suffer defeat as a result of another deck.
"With my Call of the Haunted, I'll revive m Ally of Justice - Garadholg" the general declared, ending his verbal commentary while the machine reappeared through the blue vortex identical to its original passage to the field. "But it's a brief return for my soldier. I release Garadholg in order to Advance Summon my Ally Mind! [ATK 1800]"
A metallic sphere rose on Judge's side on the field, several blue features fixed upon its body; two plastic coverings protruded to their limitations, leaving the ends of the blood red wires exposed. Several wires extended from the features attached to the monster's spherical form. In the place of its head, a smaller sphere fixed into the body bearing a red cross and an emerald coloured orb shone.
"Ally Mind, direct attack!" Judge commanded, opening his arm aimlessly.
The creature dove toward the opponent D-Wheel, the ends of its wiry arms sparking dangerously. The two came into contact with the front of Yusei's D-Wheel, sending its power through the machine and shocking the rider who groaned at the large dent in his lifepoints - enough to decrease his Speed Counters.
YUSEI -- JUDGE
2200 --LP-- 4000
1 --SPC-- 2
Judge chortled as the vehicle wobbled unsteadily as a result of the assault, giving Jack the opportunity to make his presence known.
"Yusei!" he called; his machine almost beside the crimson rival.
"Jack" Yusei uttered, his azure eyes landing on Jack, taken aback that the Duel King had chosen to follow the duel rather than continue to ride along the deserted streets they were familiar with, using his Red Demons Dragon to obliterate everything in his path - just as the device Godwin had given him in the Detention Centre displayed.
"I'll set a card face-down and end my turn" Judge intervened.
FOURTH TURN - YUSEI
YUSEI -- JUDGE
2200 --LP-- 4000
2 --SPC-- 3
"My turn" Yusei announced, drawing from the top of his deck. "I summon Junk Synchron [ATK 1300]".
Ahead of his D-Wheel, a small humanoid creature appeared clothed in orange armour with the exception off its joints, wrapped around its neck was a white scarf.
"Junk Synchron's effect allows me to Special Summon a Level 2 or lower monster from my Graveyard. Return now, Speed Warrior!"
Through the opening that appeared, Speed Warrior darted through just as it had previously, skating alongside its partner in Junk Synchron. Behind them, Yusei's hand tightened around the handgrips, his D-Wheel accelerating.
"I'm tuning my Level 2 Speed Warrior with my Level 3 Junk Synchron" he declared, eyes rising to the tuning process that began - Junk Synchron pulling on its cord and vanishing into small lights that reshaped themselves into green rings, surrounding Speed Warrior, who too became small sparkles lining the centre of the short tunnel. "Tsudoishi hoshi ga, aratana chikara wo yobiokosu! Hikari sasu michi tonare! Shinkuro Shoukan! Ideyo, Jyanku Woriā! [ATK 2300]" [1]
Through the expanding light, the purple armour clad warrior appeared, eyes shining a deep blood red as its limbs stretched, fist thrust forward in its signature pose. The scarf that had been wrapped around Junk Synchron's neck remained, flapping wildly as the warrior hovered beside the D-Wheel at an impressive rate.
"Junk Warrior, attack Ally Mind" Yusei commanded, opening his hand in the direction of the enemy monster. "Scrap Fist!"
The warrior dove forward, rotating in the air like caught in a tornado before his fist began to glow, the power of the attack focused in one point aimed at the spherical monster. Judge scowled, his finger pressing down on a key lining his Duel Disk - activating his face-down card.
"Trap card open - Astral Shift!" he bellowed over the roaring of his engine. Behind his Ally Mind, the Trap card rose depicturing a blast passing through a monster and to another being behind it. "This card turns your attack on my Ally mind into a direct attack on my lifepoints".
Junk Warrior's dive shifted angle, the monster shooting towards the wide D-Wheel. Yusei watched from behind, curious as to why Judge was so desperate to defend his monster - was it because it was a Tuner monster? Junk Warrior's fist collided with the back of Judge's D-Wheel, just behind his seat, triggering a yell from the general as his machine was hit and bobbed against the fractured concrete.
YUSEI -- JUDGE
2200 --LP-- 1700
2 --SPC-- 1
A small tear formed in Judge's D-Wheel as a result of the impact from Junk Warrior's fist, a device resembling a knuckle duster that bound its fingers together having torn into the metal. A slit growing at a steady rate, opening as the speed of the D-Wheel proved harmful once the wound opened.
"What's that?" Yusei asked, gazing at the small hole that unfolded on the end of the D-Wheels left face - something inside catching his eye.
Judge scowled as his eyes met the wound, exposing the underneath of his machine. From his position, Yusei could perceive something on the side of the D-Wheel - a smooth rounded end of something stored inside. Jack's Wheel of Fortune accelerated, advancing faster until it rolled beside Yusei's, violent eyes locked onto the hole exposing the cargo of the tank-shaped D-Wheel.
"Just what is it?" he asked himself. "It looks sort of like… a bomb"
The King trailed off, it couldn't possibly be a bomb stashed in the general's D-Wheel, had he lost his mind? But when Jack blinked, the cargo remained - he wasn't hallucinating. A chill danced down his spine and crept straight back up, his eyes unconsciously wandering to Yusei who gazed at the discovery in horror.
"Seems it's been exposed before it could be put to use" Judge uttered, his tone harbouring disheartenment at his secret weapon coming to light.
"That's why you raced off - you're going to blow up Satellite!" Yusei yelled in shock, still attempting to bring his head around the words that had leapt from his throat.
"You catch on quick, I suppose" Judge chuckled. "But even realizing now means it's too late for you to do anything - we're already on course for the destination to set this off and we're still duelling".
"Just how powerful can that bomb be?" Jack murmured; eyes fixed upon the device. "If Judge snuck it into Satellite, then he must realize how large Satellite is… just how much does he intend to wipe out?"
"Judge, stop this!" Yusei protested fiercely.
"I won't take orders from a Satellite punk like you" Judge snapped. "My mind has been made; if Godwin wants to wage war against Satellite and waste everyone's time, there's only one solution - annihilate Satellite".
"But what about all the people here - even if you don't care about those from Satellite, you'll be killing hundreds from the City".
"Every war has casualties on both sides, Godwin should remember that".
"Is some kind of attack against Godwin as well as Satellite?" Jack asked himself, observing the argument that had interrupted the duel, leaving the monsters to do nothing more than hover beside their duellist's D-Wheel.
Yusei scowled, glaring hatefully at the general riding ahead as the CPU monitor on Yusei's D-Wheel began to flash. The display of the duel field and Speed Counter meter were replaced with Godwin gazing sternly through the connection established, Yusei's eyes dropped to the man.
"Godwin…" he hissed.
"Yusei, it seems a nuclear device has been stolen" the Director reported bluntly. "I'm concerned that the crime is linked to the second wave invading Satellite".
"Nu- nuclear device?" Yusei cried in horror, eyes widening at Godwin's plain expression.
"What?!" Jack called from his D-Wheel, praying that he had misinterpreted Yusei's cry.
"Jack! That bomb in Judge's D-Wheel… he's going to level Satellite with it" Yusei yelled over the roaring of the three engines, sweat sliding down his face.
"Then why did he accept a duel with you - if a strong enough attack hits, that will explode and take out everyone in a large radius" Jack scowled, eyes returning to the rounded end exposed. "We're lucky that Junk Warrior's attack didn't detonate it".
"Which means it's too dangerous to attack further" Judge laughed arrogantly.
"Yusei, there's someone that can disable that device from here in the City" Godwin spoke, drawing Yusei's eyes back to the monitor. "Someone who has been working on the Momentum project for some time in the City".
The Director's face vanished from the screen, replaced by another man wearing spectacles, a pair of brown bangs extending far past his chin. The remainder of his hair sat atop his head in the shape of a crescent moon, ends extending beyond his skull.
"Sooooooo~, you're the boy the Director was talking about" he howled playfully. "I am Akutsu, I hear you have a situation. A nuclear device, eh?"
"The general has it stored in his D-Wheel, he's planning to level Satellite with it" Yusei exclaimed.
"I see" the man mumbled, chin resting upon the palm of his hand. "I shall voodoo what I can, I'll report back when it's done".
The man's face vanished from the monitor - a strange being he was - Yusei's eyes remained fixed upon the display, thoughts of the man racing through his head. Their fate rested in his hands, a fact that made him feel more anxious than before - they would just have to trust he knew what he was doing.
"Well? Do you want to continue this duel or are you surrendering?" Judge chortled, snapping Yusei from his thoughts. "Either way, I'll draw the card that Astral Shift permits me to.
That was right - they were still duelling, regardless of the circumstances. Yusei's eyes examined the cards in his possession, thoughts still focused on how he could win if he couldn't attack - this wasn't like the duel against Himuro in the Detention Centre, he had to attack.
"Turn end".
FIFTH TURN - JUDGE
YUSEI -- JUDGE
2200 --LP-- 1700
3 --SPC-- 2
"My turn" Judge proclaimed, drawing from his deck again, smirking at the card he had pulled and laying it onto his Duel Disk. "I summon Ally Bomb [ATK 400]".
Beside Ally Mind, another orbicular creature emerged, black in colour with several purple cavities in its smooth surface, each lined with a ring of orange. Another explosive threatening the chances of continuing the duel, Yusei scowled at the being.
"Now I activate Speed Spell - Level Gradient[*]" Judge added, slipping the card into the lower level of his Duel Disk. "All I need is 2 Speed Counters and I can increase or decrease the level of my monster by 1. So I'll lower both Ally Mind to a Level 4 and Ally Bomb to a Level 1".
"He's decreased the levels of his monsters and Ally Mind is a Tuner…" Jack commented. "That must mean one thing - he's planning a Synchro Summon".
"I tune my Level 4 Ally Mind with my Level 1 Ally Bomb" Judge declared, the larger orbicular creature reforming into small glimmers that rose in a cluster, descending as green rings around the smaller. "Synchro Summon. Rise now, Ally of Justice - Catastor [ATK 2200]".
The white serpent-like creature emerged from the blinding light, golden claws attached to the ends of its slender legs, matching ones fixed onto its main body. On its belly, a dark blue colour stretched along its form, a metallic red collar extending from one end of the colour to the other. Its head possessed an orb matching the underbelly, an emerald orb fixed in the centre, eight golden rods extended from it, connecting a circular headdress, the ends descending to the level of the golden plates attached like shoulder pads.
"It's weaker than Junk Warrior, what's he up to?" Jack muttered, fixing his eyes onto the creature.
"Ally of Justice - Catastor; attack Junk Warrior!" Judge commanded, stretching his large arm.
The creature dove towards Junk Warrior who then braced himself for the conflict, fists rising close to his head. Yusei lowered his head slightly, glaring anxiously at the approaching monster - why would Judge command his monster to attack a creature that possessed more attack power?
"When Catastor attacks a monster that doesn't possess a Dark Attribute, it can automatically destroy the creature without applying Battle Damage" the general added, grinning darkly - his DNA Transplant had locked Yusei's monsters into one Attribute, because of his decision, they were creatures of Light.
Opposite his creature, Junk Warrior exploded, shards scattered across the field, dissolving before hitting the concrete road beneath them. Yusei scowled at the lack of monsters on his field - Judge had lured him into the trap that had been set from the beginning. Jack watched on, his expression indifferent - Yusei couldn't attack for fear of detonating the device stored in Judge's D-Wheel and the combination played against him placed him in a challenging position.
"Turn end" the general chortled.
SIXTH TURN - YUSEI
YUSEI -- JUDGE
2200 --LP-- 1700
4 --SPC-- 3
"My turn" Yusei called, drawing from his deck. "I summon Roadrunner [DEF 300] in defence mode".
On the field, the small pink chick appeared, dashing alongside the D-Wheel uselessly. Judge smirked at the monster, all that Yusei had to defend his lifepoints - proof that his defeat was imminent. The general would be free to proceed with his deadly plan.
"I set a card face-down" Yusei added, placing the card in the lower level of his Duel Disk. "Turn end".
"So you've given up" Judge gibed. "You can't win unless you attack and you don't plan to, do you? You're so desperate to save this wasteland of an island that you're going to throw this duel".
Neither of the D-Wheelers behind reacted to the claim, Jack's eyes shifted to Yusei who glared ahead, sweat building across his forehead - what Judge said was the truth - if he continued to avoid attacking, he'd lose the duel. But if he attacked, he'd set off Judge's bomb. A groan slipped through his clenched teeth; Satellite was doomed no matter what the outcome.
PREVIEW
Judge: Hah, you've got no hope now, Fudo Yusei. If you attack, you're more than likely just going to end my plan early. Satellite won't survive your assault on my lifepoints!
Jack: Yusei… how do you plan to win if you don't attack the opponent?
Yusei: Judge! I will find a way to end this duel without destroying Satellite, I won't let you win. Next time: "Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's: The Neo-Domino Purge, Chapter 13 - Cleansing the Symbol of Betrayal! Take Flight, Stardust Dragon!" Riding Duel, Acceleration!
- Please read and review -
[1] "Clustering stars, will call upon a new force! Become the light its shines upon! Synchro Summon! Show yourself, Junk Warrior!"
[*] - Cards created exclusively for The Neo-Domino Purge.
