Chapter 26: Flight of Crow
The Satellite was always patrolled by Sector Security, but one area was heavily guarded – the Security HQ. It contained numerous precious resources, money, cards and so on. As such, it had to be protected from the Satellite residents.
Of course, there's always gonna be someone who can get in, and tonight, the Security warehouses had an uninvited guest – Crow Hogan.
The orange-haired boy was digging through drawers in the warehouse, occasionally pulling out decks and tossing them into a satchel slung across his shoulder.
"Heh... these cards are just what I'm looking for," he chuckled as he quickly opened a deck into a fan. "Synchro Monsters... man, these Securities love putting good cards to waste. C'mon, keeping something like this Mist Wurm in here! That's gotta be some sort of crime!" He put the cards into his satchel...
26
Outside, two Security officers pulled up on their Duel Runners.
"So where's this guy then?" one asked as they dismounted.
"I dunno, but he really needs to watch his ride better," the other noted, gesturing to a jet-black Duel Runner parked nearby. Orange highlights adorned the Runner, a jet booster built into the back, and the whole thing looked pretty high-tech.
The Securities stepped up, one putting his hand to the thing. A light flashed on the console, and the officer leapt back in surprise as an electric shock hit him.
"What the hell?!"
26
"Crow, the Satellite's gonna love you for this," Crow remarked, tipping more cards into his satchel. Then a light flashed on his Duel Disk. "Well, well, the boys in blue finally showed, huh?" He gave a laugh. "Time to ditch this place, I guess!" He looked up at a ventilation shaft. "But I don't think the air vents are gonna work again... time for Plan B!"
He turned to a corridor, pulling a pair of goggles from his satchel and slinging them on. Through them, he saw an array of tripwire beams criss-crossing the corridor. "Plan B's my favourite!" He ran headlong right through the beams, immediately triggering wailing siren alarms.
"Alert! Alert! Intruder detected in Warehouse 3! Intruder detected in Warehouse 3! All officers in vicinity move to capture the intruder!"
Two officers ran up behind Crow, shouting after him. "Hey, you! Stop running and drop to the floor!"
"Oh, I'll drop to the floor alright!" Crow laughed. "The ground floor, that is!" He leapt forwards, smashing through the window at the end of the corridor and falling right onto his Duel Runner. Pulling his Duel Disk from his arm, he pressed it into his Runner, which activated. "Time to ride!"
He pulled on his helmet, activating the Runner with a touch of the console. "Thanks for watching Blackbird, guys, but now I've gotta split with her!" With that passing jibe, he was gone, shooting off out of the compound before the gates could close.
"Get back here!" an officer yelled as he and two others mounted their Runners, shooting off after him...
26
The chase continued for a while before the Security Runners managed to overcome Crow's early start, but once they did, their shouts for Crow to stop fell on deaf ears.
"Damn it..." one of the officers cursed. "If we don't catch this guy, Trudge is gonna demote us back to traffic guards... I'm not gonna sink that low! If he won't stop on his own, then I'll force him to stop with my Deck's power!" He tapped his Runner's console.
"Overriding suspect Duel Runner!" Crow's Runner chimed. "Duel Mode engaged, Autopilot standing by." Both screens transformed into Duel Mode, Speed World flashing into view before spinning and vanishing. The purple aura coated the world around as both Runners moved to a side-by-side position.
"Fine!" Crow shouted. "But when your boss asks who beat you, just tell him it was Crow the Bullet!"
Crow 8000LP 0SPC/Security 8000LP 0SPC
"I draw," the Security said, pulling the card from his Deck. "I activate Speed Spell – Over Boost, kicking my Speed Counters up by four!" He sped up vastly (Security 8000LP 4SPC). "Now I activate Speed Spell – Summon Speeder, Special Summoning Gate Blocker in defence mode!"
A giant stone tablet with a Wdjat eye emblazoned on it flashed into existence before him (DEF: 2000). "Now I summon Search Striker!" The cybernetic warrior appeared, raising his laser rifles (ATK: 1600). "And to end, two face-downs!" Two face-down cards appeared before him.
"If he activates, Sakuretsu Armour'll put paid to his monster, and Dust Tornado can blow away any Trap he sets!" He slowed down as Over Boost activated.
Crow 8000LP 0SPC/Security 8000LP 1SPC
Crow drew his card and the Security sped up (Security 8000LP 2SPC). "What?! Why aren't I speeding up?!"
"With Gate Blocker in play, you can't gain Speed Counters from Speed World!" the Security laughed. "You're stuck down!" Crow gave a wicked smirk.
"We'll see!" he laughed. "I summon Blackwing – Sirocco the Dawn!" A blast of black feathers exploded before him, forming into a tall, slender bird-man with dark black feathers, ostrich legs and a black and crimson poncho slung over his upper torso. His raven head seemed more like a helmet, as human features were visible within the beak (ATK: 2000).
"That's a Level Six!"
"When you control monsters and I don't, I can play Sirocco the Dawn without a sacrifice!" Crow explained. "But this bird doesn't fly alone – he's got some friends to bring along! First," he played a card, "Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind!"
Another blast of black feathers erupted, forming a raven-like bird, with a spherical yellow head, green feathers cresting its scalp and crimson eyes glaring down at the Security (ATK: 1300).
"And now, Blackwing – Bora the Spear!" The third blast of black feathers created another bird-man, this one shorter and thinner than Sirocco, his bird-head again a helmet covering his human face, wielding a large black lance with drill spiral patterns running up it (ATK: 1700).
"What the hell?!"
"When I control a Blackwing other than themselves, I can Special Summon Gale the Whirlwind and Bora the Spear from my hand!" Crow said. "But now since the flock's at three, I can play this little Trap from my hand!" He tossed a card into his Runner's card panel. "Delta Crow – Anti Reverse can be activated from my hand when I control exactly three Blackwings, and it destroys all your face-down Spells and Traps!"
Gale, Bora and Sirocco glowed with molten power that exploded forwards, erupting in a blaze of liquid fire that obliterated Sakuretsu Armour and Dust Tornado. "Now to bring these feathered friends' abilities into play! First up, once per turn, Gale the Whirlwind can permanently halve one of your monster's scores!" Gale shrieked, unleashing a blast of wind from its wings that struck Gate Blocker. A crimson aura surrounded the wall-like monster (DEF: 1000).
"What?! No!"
"Now for Sirocco!" Crow laughed. "Once per turn, he can add up the points of all Blackwings in play, and then throw those points right onto one Blackwing! Let's give Bora a boost, guys!" Gale and Sirocco glowed with energy, soaring around Bora the Spear, who grew to an immense size, glowing with dark energy (ATK: 5000).
"5000 points?!" the Security cried out in shock. "What's Bora's effect?!"
"Oh, he just has a Piercing effect!" Crow laughed. The blood drained from the Security's face. "And to bring this one to a close, I play Speed Spell – Black Lancer! This can only be played when I've got no Speed Counters, and it doubles the damage any one Blackwing deals this turn!" Bora glowed with destructive power.
"No! This can't be!" the Security screamed as Bora aimed his lance.
"I told you, when your boss asks, it was Crow who beat ya!" Crow called. "Blackwing – Bora the Spear, attack Gate Blocker with Black Spiral!" Bora's spear glowed with incredible energy that exploded down as a lance of darkness, smashing right through Gate Blocker and into the Security, who screamed as the energy exploded around him...
Crow 8000LP 0SPC/Security 0LP 0SPC
Steam erupted from the Security's Runner as it spun out, the crimson 'DEFEAT' flashing up on his console as his two comrades sped on past him after Crow.
"He can't get away!" one of the Securities yelled. "That chasm up ahead'll stop him dead in his tracks!"
Crow heard that, gazing at the giant chasm ahead. The rent in the earth, a legacy of the Zero Reverse, indeed would have blocked his path... if not for a very special feature of his Runner.
"Time for this Crow to spread some wings!" he laughed, brushing his hand onto his Runner's console.
"Formation change – Flight Mode engaged," the computer's voice chimed. Fibreglass wings spread from Blackbird's sides as the jet engine kicked in, propelling Crow into the air. He gave a wild cry as his Runner soared over the chasm, crashing down safely on the other side and shooting off into the sunrise.
Behind him, the two Securities skidded their Runners to a stop.
"Backup..." one began.
"You really wanna tell Trudge what just happened?" the other said. They both stared after Crow in shock. "If you wanna tell him that bird-brain over there got away, be my guest. Let's just pretend this never happened..."
26
Crow continued onwards through the Satellite, the hours passing until it came to ten o'clock, when he skidded to a halt outside the building he had pointed out to Kelsey several nights before. As he dismounted, several dozen children ran from the building.
"Crow!" they called. "What did you bring us?!"
"Whoa, hold your horses!" Crow laughed. "I brought you some cards, kids!" He opened his satchel and tossed packs of cards into the crowd of kids, who cheered as they ran through them.
Crow walked through the crowd once the satchel was empty, wheeling the Blackbird into a garage, where a TV displayed the current news – Yusei's new championship title.
"So Yusei got to New Domino, huh?" Crow mused. "I guess those rumours were true after all." He shrugged...
26
Meanwhile, Julian rode through the streets of New Domino on his Runner, glancing at the GPS map on the console. He had returned to Blister's hideout after Yusei had departed, before making arrangements with Tanner and Yanagi to get Leo and Luna back to their apartment for safety. However, halfway through these arrangements, Drago had called with a message for Julian.
"Julian... there's somewhere I need to take you. Meet me at my apartment as soon as you can..."
The Chosen of Flame pulled into the parking lot behind the apartment block, dismounting and activating the security systems before disengaging his Duel Disk and switching Turbo and Ground Decks. Then he finally pulled off his helmet, slinging it into a storage compartment, before finally turning and walking into the building...
26
A few minutes later, he was knocking on Drago's door. It opened to reveal his old friend, who had a somewhat sombre expression on his face.
"Thanks for coming," Drago murmured. "Let's get going, okay?"
"Where are we going?" Julian asked. Drago's eyes fell to the floor.
"Somewhere special," he murmured. "Somewhere I think you need to go... for some closure." At that moment, a small idea formed in Julian's mind...
"Let's go."
26
They walked the streets of New Domino side-by-side, until they came to a pair of black wrought-iron gates set into a wall. Drago opened them with a light touch, stepping through into the silent world within, Julian following.
As his eyes washed over this new place, Julian understood. It all made sense, and he knew where Drago had brought him.
"Follow me," Drago murmured softly, leading Julian into the graveyard silently. They walked the avenues of deathly memorials, wandering between tombstones until finally they came to a separate, sacred cluster. Julian's eyes filled with tears as he read the name on one of these tombstones.
Aaron Mikuro
Born April 10th, 1983
Died May 17th, 2021
A loving father, husband and brother
His service to this city shall endure into the distant mists of the future
'Seize the day, for it may be your last'
"Dad..." Julian murmured. His eyes drifted to the next tombstone.
Catherine Mikuro
Born July 4th, 1985
Died May 17th, 2021
A light to all who she knew
Like so many that day, she died in our folly
'Embrace your friends, even against the blackest of nights'
"Mom..." Then his eyes drifted to a newer tombstone, some distance from his parents' graves. This one sent the tears brewing in his eyes spilling onto his cheeks.
Kelsey Asagi
Born February 21, 2018
Died March 16, 2036
A shard of light in a pit of darkness
She brought light to those she met and loved
'Rage, rage against the dying of the light,
Do not go gently into that good night.'
He fell to his knees, tears pouring from his eyes as he gently laid a hand against the cold marble of the tombstone, feeling his sorrows engulf him once again.
"You should have been there," Drago murmured. "At her funeral, I mean. Goodwin paid for the whole thing... even if it was just for good PR; I think some part of him actually did feel for her. I chose those words on that stone... but you should have chosen them."
"Why? I killed her." The deep bitterness in his voice shocked Drago, that long-buried pain. "She loved me... and how did I repay her love? I sent her screaming into death... why would I deserve to be there?"
"It wasn't you. It was Flamvell Nidhogg, Julian."
"I've made that excuse so many times," Julian whispered darkly. "Over and over, for two years, I've held back the pain with that... stopped up the guilt... but I can't any more. It was my fault she died... if I'd just controlled myself, then she'd be here now. Our child would be here now."
"You didn't kill her. Flamvell Nidhogg did."
"I might as well have been the one to end her life... I was just as responsible. All because I let my anger loose and lost control... because I deluded myself that I even had control of that thing. It's my fault she's gone, Drago."
"Why do you keep blaming yourself?" Drago said. "Why not just let it go and accept that Flamvell Nidhogg was responsible, not you?"
His hand slipped away from the tombstone as his tears stained the grass below his knees. "Because no matter how much I try to believe that, I'll always know that I share that guilt for her death. If I hadn't been so determined to get vengeance on Jack, then Flamvell Nidhogg could never have killed Kelsey."
"Rage, rage against the dying of the light," Drago quoted. "T.S. Eliot. You know something, Julian, you should listen. Are you honestly going to let yourself take this pain, all because you're so convinced it was your fault? Or are you going to hit back and accept that it was Flamvell Nidhogg all along? Would Kelsey want you to live your life wallowing in guilt, or would she want you to stand up and move on?"
"She'd want me to move on," he murmured softly.
"So stop blaming yourself. Julian, I've been through the same as you have. I had to watch Kira die, and I felt that same guilt – that it was my fault. But I moved on and realised it wasn't my fault – it was another's fault. Are you going to do the same, or will you just drown in this guilt?"
"Kelsey... for her, I can say no to this," Julian whispered, bringing his hand back to the tombstone. "Kelsey, I'm sorry... but I'm not going to let this guilt crush me anymore..."
"Now that's the Julian Mikuro I know," Drago said quietly. "Kelsey would be proud to see this, I know she would."
Little did Drago realise, but Kelsey was seeing this. High above them, the piercing eyes of a jet-black condor gazed down upon the graveyard, its sharp ears taking in every word...
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"Julian..." Kelsey whispered, seeing him through the condor's eyes. Like Roman, she had learned one very useful talent of the Dark Signers – the ability to generate aspects of their Earthbound Immortal for various purposes, be it espionage, sabotage or other need. Unlike Roman, Kelsey could currently only create one aspect, but that was all she needed.
In her arms, Julia shifted, sharing in her mother's vision through their psychic bond as Dark Signers. This bond was all the stronger for both their family connection and their blessing by the same Immortal.
"There's your father, Julia," Kelsey murmured comfortingly. "There's daddy, right there. And soon, you'll meet him..."
26
Neither Drago nor Julian noticed the condor as they remained in the graveyard, silently remembering their fallen comrade.
"Kelsey... wherever you are now... I hope it's a better place..." Julian thought sadly. "Wherever you are... rest in peace, my love..."
"We all miss her," Drago murmured. "Martha... the orphans... even Milo, they all miss her. Well... Milo did... but now he's gone too." Julian glanced at him, eyes widening.
"Milo's gone?"
"He died in a fight a few weeks ago," Drago said softly. "He could never let go of what we became... the last hope of Satellite... the final light of salvation. Without Team Satisfaction and with corrupt Sector Security... we were all that remained... and now our team's gone too..."
"No. We're not gone yet," Julian said. "Kelsey... Milo... neither of them would want us to give up so easily. They'd tell us to fight on... and for their memories, we will keep fighting the darkness. We'll help the Signers to conquer the shadows..."
"Even your own shadows?"
Julian stood, hearing the voice as if from a great distance. It shook him to the core, it ripped into him as the words connected.
He turned alongside Drago, seeing the young woman in the Sector Security uniform and jet-black coat with unbelieving sight.
"April," he said to her, taking a step forwards. "Why are you here?"
"I was coming to mourn, like I've mourned for seven years," she said darkly. "It's the anniversary of that day again, remember? The day you stole my father from me!"
"She's... your cousin, isn't she?" Drago murmured. Julian hung his head and sighed, before bringing up his fiery gaze to meet her eyes.
"Yes," he answered. "April, I defeated you! You told me yourself that if I was innocent, then you could never win! I beat you... isn't that proof enough that I'm not responsible for his death?!"
"No! I won't let you walk free... not after all the pain you forced on me! I'll make you suffer for what you've done! I'll make you suffer for what you did to him and to me!" She activated her Duel Disk. "I don't know why you dared to come here and mock his memory today of all days... but I'll show you all the pain amassed within me... all the power I've built up because of that pain, I'll unleash upon you!"
"Not here." His gaze hardened. "I won't fight you, not here, April."
"Oh, I won't let you back down! I'll prove your guilt before my father's grave!" She gestured to a tombstone to the right of Julian's parents'. "Your parents... my father... Kelsey Asagi... their graves shall bear witness to this Duel, and they'll see your crime proven by the might of the X-Sabers!"
"If I have to Duel you here... then I can only prove my innocence," Julian sighed. "If you won't accept that I mourn him too... then I'll show you that their spirits are behind me, urging me on to victory! Let's do this!" He activated his own Disk, drawing his opening hand as April did the same.
"Today, I'll prove once and for all that you murdered my father!" April cried.
"If that's your mission... then hit me with all that pain and power!" Julian retorted...
26
Yusei's Duel Runner leapt from the helicopter, descending and smashing down on the streets of the Satellite heavily. It skidded to a stop several hundred metres from the impact point, Yusei dismounting. Something seemed to catch his attention, and he turned to see Crow standing atop a rubble heap.
The orange-haired boy glared down at the Signer...
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Card Stats:
55555
Monsters:
55555
Gate Blocker
EARTH/ Rock/Effect /Level 4/ATK: 100/DEF: 2000
As long as this card remains face-up on the field, your opponent cannot gain Speed Counters during each player's Standby Phases with the effect of "Speed World".
(Gate Blocker was first used by Trudge/Ushio in Episode 3 of 5D's. Creative credit for it goes to the writers of 5D's.)
55555
Spells:
55555
Speed Spell – Black Lancer
Normal Spell Card
Image: Blackwing – Elphin the Raven diving towards a Level Warrior in the energy of Speed World.
Activate only while you have no Speed Counters and control a face-up 'Blackwing' monster. Select 1 face-up 'Blackwing' monster you control. During this turn, all Battle Damage the selected monster deals to your opponent is doubled, and no other monsters you control can attack.
(Speed Spell – Black Lancer is my own invention and creative credit for it goes to me.)
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Digidramon: Well, that was dramatic! Crow dropping an OTK on that Security was awesome, as is this upcoming Duel between Julian and April gonna be! It's time to really cut loose and unleash some epic monsters in this Duel!
Blake: Sounds like it's gonna awesome indeed! I think all the readers should grab some popcorn for this one!
Digidramon: Indeed they should. But that was one emotional scene with Julian at those graves… man, I really hate what I do to the guy sometimes. But then I remember that I only do it because you have to fall down to get back up again. Although, with what I've got planned, even that excuse is kinda starting to fail with me… the words 'sadistic bastard' come to mind on occasion now…
Drago: Maybe because you're planning something downright evil for Julian… but still, being the spectator to this Duel, I'm certainly hoping you bust out some powerful monsters.
Digidramon: Oh, trust me; you'll see the best of their Decks this time. I was dividing April's X-Sabers for this one, regular X-Sabers for the first Duel and XX-Sabers for the second. That way, you get to see the true power of the strategy the second time around. And a reminder – I'm using original names for all X-Sabers and their support cards… XX-Saber Gottoms indeed…
Blake: It ought to be epic if I know you, my friend!
Digidramon: It will be, Blake. But on the name change issue, I know one other Archetype that I will definitely use original names for. This Archetype lost all its meaning and symbolism with the rename it got in the TCG… the original names have so much meaning to them, they are just begging to be used! And trust me; you'll know what cards I'm talking about… Crow, Featured Card please!
Crow: Today's cards are Gate Blocker, Blackwing – Bora the Spear, Speed Spell – Over Boost, Speed Spell – Black Lancer and Delta Crow – Anti Reverse!
Drago: Today's Featured Card is Gate Blocker! This card is stated to be forbidden in the anime, accessible only by law enforcement (or those willing to steal a Pursuit Deck), as its powerful Speed Counter lock is devastating in Turbo Duels when combined with several other cards used by the owners of Special Pursuit Decks! Overall, while its use is limited, when it is used, Gate Blocker can easily turn the tide of a Turbo Duel!
Digidramon: Next time on Spirit Legends, Flamvells and X-Sabers go head-to-head once again as Julian and April have their action-packed rematch! When April unleashes a new breed of X-Saber to defeat him, can Julian rally and fight back?! And when faced by the strongest of April's cards, just how can he win out?! How will this end for our hero?!
To find out, read Chapter 27 of Spirit Legends – Spirits of Justice!