Neo Domino Purge, The

by CuteYami

Chapter 38 – With time running out, Jack does all he can to have Yusei understand his point of view, betting Stardust's placement when the Signers descend upon Satellite. While Godwin muses about Fudo Hakase and the past, Naoko considers a future Arcadia Movement.

38. Because Your Friends are Behind You!

Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's - The Neo-Domino Purge

Following the events of Episode 8; Rex Godwin uses the information regarding research on 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.

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From a deck of cards, five rise up, lining up underneath a banner with the symbols to spell out "Card of the Week". Rua and Ruka spring up with raised fists, landing on their tiny feet and shift their weight from one to the other, arms rigid and stretched out to the side. Together they chime.

"What will it be? What will it be?" Together they twirl from the five cards, opening an arm to the selected. "This is what we have for this week".

The five cards turn over revealing Crimson Hell Halo, Curse-Returner Hitogana, Stardust Dragon, Dragon Zombie and Speed Spell – Final Attack. The central card – Stardust Dragon – is enlarged to signify its status as the Key Card. Rua and Ruka gaze at it.

"Yes! Stardust Dragon!" Rua cries.

"Removing itself from play until the End Phase lets it negate the usage of a card that has an effect which destroys others," Ruka reports. "It suits Yusei, don't you think?"

---

-Neo-Domino: Godwin Mansion-

From within the office lined with incredible glass panels, the radiant sunlight bathed much of the chamber, warming the room considerably, but Rex Godwin remained in full attire in spite of the temperature steady climbing to a sweltering league. Seated at the desk, his body remained hunched forward, using the leather chair in which he was seated to provide shade against the scorching sunlight streaming into the room, hands folded against his thin lips pressed together.

In front of the shaded man, a holographic monitor materialized in the air, hovering parallel with his face framed with the silver tresses draped over his shoulders, narrow cobalt eyes landed on the face of the man appearing on the screen, appearing marginally frantic in delivering her message to her superior.

"Sir, I've just heard that Jack Atlus has engaged Fudo Yusei in a Riding Duel on the island, should I call for measures to request they bring it to a premature halt?"

A second passed like an entire minute under that weighted stare of which he was subjected to, feeling beads of sweat clinging to his brow and a lump growing, festering within his oesophagus. But eventually, that eternity of silence would come to a conclusion with the grunt from the Director's throat which had him straighten himself in preparation for any order.

"No, I believe it's best to leave things as they are for now. I permit the duel between Jack Atlus and Fudo Yusei," were the words given; toneless and heavy in delivery.

The man on the opposite end of the connection bowed his head in agreement and acknowledgement of the command, iterating his understanding and apologizing for his intrusion into the time Godwin had taken to himself, now that the Signers had been informed of their duty and all involved had been offered a space of time in which to simply breathe whilst awaiting the next phase of the plan. The screen disintegrated in front of the greyed man, who prompted leaned back in his seat, resting the back of his skull against the soft leather, somewhat heated from the influx of sunshine and wheeled it back, standing upright and towering over the oaken desk positioned in front of him, gloved hands returning to their place folded behind his back. And with himself readied, turned to meet the windows through which the sunlight glared through.

A secondary window manifested beside him, without meeting its appearance through his gaze, a scene loaded just seconds afterwards to a somewhat startled Mikage, Kazama stationed in the background and both gazing at the picture that had formulated in the very air before them.

"Director?" Mikage choked, a hand upon her chest to slow what had evidently been an increase in tempo of her heart.

"Fudo Yusei is riding around aboard a D-Wheel while his own has been heavily damaged and awaiting repair in Satellite. The mechanic from the Daimon Area who would be best suited to aid him is currently situated in the same place as his machine, and yet, I've been informed that he's mobile on a D-Wheel and in the midst of a duel on this very island. Am I correct in assuming that you – perhaps both of you – played any part in this?"

"P- Please understand!" Mikage cried, losing her composure by a staggered degree, almost dropping her clipboard in the progress and clutching it against her chest with both arms crossed. "I- It was the King's r- request t- to duel Yusei, s- so we—"

"Don't misunderstand me, Mikage-kun," Godwin responded, his eyes fixated still ahead, never moving from the watery and distant cement landscape of which they surveyed. "We all understand how stubborn our young king might be, even dethroned as he is; abdicated as his actions have cost him his place and title in the people's eye. The world is his enemy, but his love of duelling remains intact evermore – that much should be demonstrated for the people to understand, their king still have a passion for playing a game. The same game they have ascended into a sport of its own, it's something quite admirable, wouldn't you say?"

"What do you mean? You're saying the city should know he's here? But they'll charge over and demand his head after what happened!" she yelped, shoulders rising in panic at the very implications of the imagined scenario.

"Not at all; Jack Atlus' whereabouts are to remain a secret to all but those involved with the Signer's affairs. Anyone who does not need to know, will not know. The media especially; though given technology's advancements, we cannot be sure for how long he'll escape here undetected – it's well within the realm of the possible that some daring news crew might attempt to invade this air space, even restricted, for a glimpse of the King if they catch wind that he was spotted in this area. No doubt by now that the Bureau, even the government's reputation is coming under fire for the events that transpired last week; the death of Ushio Tetsu, the infiltration of the Security complex. As things stand now, all we can do is damage control until the Dark Signers are felled – and we need the Signers for that; Jack and Yusei included".

Mikage's eyelids fluttered perplexedly, unsure exactly what the lengthy monologue was alluding to, but remained silent in order to allow it its full address rather than jump on every breath, lest it frustrate Godwin – no doubt, he was already stressed and tested by the events that had been unfolding over the past fortnight, and there was no telling what that might have done to his patience – and straightened her shoulders, readying herself for whatever elaboration he might have offered. Which followed just a few seconds later, after clearing his throat. In the corner, Kazama leaned in with intrigue, his brow rippled furrowed by the raise in his eyebrows and tilted towards the petite woman's frame, eyeing the ghostly portrait of the Director gazing through the glass before him to the picturesque scenery set around them.

"Fudo Yusei is in no condition to fight even a regular duellist, much less a Dark Signer. Therefore, we should entrust him to Jack Atlus – if anyone will be capable of salvaging Yusei from his current plight, it is our King, for various reasons. Many of which I'm certain you understand already, given your history together". A nod answered his comment, a glance in her direction – but a blink in length and into the corner of his eye, shifting back ahead as if nothing had happened. "The world has been entrusted to the Signers, and as we stand, they're cracking under the pressure of that responsibility; Yusei has been struggling especially due to personal circumstances, I imagine. Everything that has transpired has had a profound impact on him, and we've yet to balance having him as a force on our side and his well-being; if we were to cast him into Satellite, there's no doubt in my mind he might go rogue yet again, or fall apart completely. The end result is the same – we lose a Signer and he himself might even wind up dead. But a duel is how many matters are settled in this world; it's fiercely competitive and the place from which they herald placed emphasis on that. Duelling isn't just fun for them, it's a means by which to negotiate and fight to survive – that's why Jack Atlus is in the best position to bring Fudo Yusei back to us. This duel… it's a good thing, Mikage-kun. And I'm certain it would have happened with or without your part in setting it up".

"Ah; yes sir. Kazama-kun and I will continue to monitor what's happening. If there are any repercussions for unnecessarily dragging him in, I take full responsibility".

"No need; from what I gather, we need someone from within Security itself in order to keep an eye on the repair of the force. With Ushio Tetsu's passing, there has been plenty of discourse and distrust. Right now, someone of Kazama-kun's allegiance might prove much more valuable than any hindrance".

"Yes. Thank you, sir," Mikage responded, promptly bowing with a quaint smile upon her lips.

With the transmission complete on Godwin's part, the window dissipated, without word of warning, leaving Mikage and Kazama on their end to pick up whatever loose ends might have been left dangling. Though Godwin perpetually maintained his focus dead ahead, scouring the landscape with thoughtful eyes.

"The world entrusted to them… And not long in the future, I'll have to leave it in their hands to nurture. And there's no doubt in my mind they're the right people to hand it over to". Cold eyes descended to the arms that coiled around behind his spine, joined out of sight and back to the view laid out before him, standing colourless and sturdy in contrast to such a vibrant and ever-changing setting, suffering the social and political shifts of the plans implemented within the past weeks; the culmination of two years' planning. Perhaps longer, much longer.

"It's not that different than the way you granted him the world, is that not right, Fudo Hakase?" the Director mused, with no particular redirection in vision, speaking to no-one in particular. An omniscient ghost without certainty of his spirit's exact location. "You and your son are so alike… it's almost scary; it's not unlike how you once were, albeit without that playful demeanour you bore; Yusei truly is your son, in so many ways. He's your legacy. Though he may regard Satellite as such, I believe he's the living, breathing proof that you were among us, that you bore relevance and accelerated our research so vastly. Satellite may very well be a physical marking left on this planet of your research – a focus of negativity and failure – but Yusei… is a beacon of your successes, and he himself cannot see it. Smeared with the mistakes he's made and the grime of his errors. Though in the end, I cannot fault him; he did what any other would do in his position, and he never intended for blood to be spilt. Which makes me wonder… if perhaps you had intended for this to come to pass, Hakase?

For your son… Yusei to bear such a weighted future?

Was there not time for you to go with him, or were you dedicated to remain with your wife? Why not rescue her that night? Was there not time to spare them both and chose the next generation over the current; give the seed the chance us plants experienced? Yusei was left to his brother- is it strange to refer to a place in such a manner? Satellite is your product in a sense, it's a material form; his grimmer side. Perhaps that's why he's a much better person than most. That makes it sound like a family affair when he turned against that place to secure his freedom and future, taken away. It's cruel, wouldn't you say, Hakase; that you gave your life for that child to have a chance and he landed in such a place, oppressed and treated so poorly? Though I've my share of blame in that; even I, a man who was left in Satellite, maintained the status quo so not to cause uproar, even at the cost of him, Jack Atlus, and those others left drift from the city. I bear that responsibility. Though don't doubt me, I searched for him. You know I did. I searched for you all… and believed myself sole survivor until the day he appeared through Jack Atlus before me.

I never expected to run into a young man so much your likeness. Though you have to admit he's cracking; the pressure he's put upon his shoulders – that duty to protect his brother, and now a much larger scope of people with that duty as a Signer. He's struggled, even failed to protect the people closest to him and now he's spreading himself even thinner; that's like him, because it's like you. But it's all quickly growing too much for him to shoulder by himself. And I wonder… if perhaps you had a back-up plan for this eventuality. I'm not asking for advice, I'm simply curious… for what the plan is when the Yuusei Particles struggle to bond as they usually would do so when we were researching them. It's almost funny how you're still alive, even seventeen years after passing; living through him, your son.

Or maybe… you're more alive than I am. A man who dangles others from strings to take my mind from the strings that lace themselves around me. Even now, you're standing against Yliaster and their- our plans. I wonder if you'd see me as a traitor for joining the same organization as him… he was the one who did our project in. The true instigator of Zero Reverse. If I were permitted to clear your name, Hakase, I would do so in a heartbeat. Though… I doubt how many I have left. Or if perhaps it's stopped entirely. Yours never stopped; it still beats, just as his, through someone else. It makes me speculate just one of us is the deceased one. Somehow, you're still there, aren't you? Maybe still hypothesizing, even scheming the way he is, from beyond the grave, using Yusei as your piece. How much do you do through your son? How much of his tomorrow is influenced by your yesterday?

No… you're a much better father than that. Your child would never be primarily a tool. Though I cannot help but wonder just how many of his choices are solely his own, and how many are influenced by you. Do not misunderstand me; I still admire and respect you as my teacher and superior; a man whom I idolize, even if I treat your son heavy-handedly, Fudo Hakase".

---

Chapter 38 – Because Your Friends are Behind You! Stardust vs. Red Demons

[Omae no Nakama wa Koro ni Iru! Sutadasuto Doragon basasu Reddo Demonzu Doragon]

KEY CARD – Dark Resonator

-Neo-Domino: Godwin Mansion-

Down the length tarmac driveway the two D-Wheels raced; Jack's with an evident lead as a result of its significant unique upgrades in comparison to Kazama's borrowed frame. Observing from in front of the porch, the twins still stood with little sureness about what to do, Rua's eyes landing on the Security D-Wheel stationed nearby and creeping closer towards it. An act that failed to escape his sister's eye, her hands joined behind her back.

"Rua, what are you doing? You're going to break something if you play with that," she commented with inflated cheeks.

"You don't know anything," Rua griped, shooting over a sour glare in her direction. "We can change this somehow to watch the duel; I've seen it done before, and it's not that hard".

Fingers pounded the monitor, producing an array of blinking lights and menus of options; none of which suggested he was getting any closer to attaining the displays, or at least a field overview, which he'd been aiming for. Frustrated huffs and grunts with each tap, growing in strength and sharpness, until virtually pounding the screen with a single digit, all under Ruka's watchful eye, making no effort to approach and lend her assistance to his attempts of establish some type of feed.

Not far from the two of them, to the corner of the immediate building a short distance behind, Naoko had taken up a place in; half in the shadows and surveying the duel with intrigue; a Riding Duel with a man known as the King, the other with a reputation as a criminal. Something speculator. For her, it was something never considered; that people from opposite sides of a social barrier might converge for the sake of a single purpose; something unthinkable for those in the Arcadia Movement, whom had been scorned to the point of believing that any sort of common ground had been erased in the face of fear directed towards ordinary people with extraordinary abilities. Lips pressed together, her shoulders squared, watching in fascination the twins who fumbled to get the right display to monitor the duel onto the monitor of a Security machine, spreading outwards after a moment, to where the two machines powered down and out of sight a short time before.

For her, she couldn't be sure the difference between people such as Yusei and Aki; those who were spat at, despised and judged for what they were as opposed to given an opportunity to demonstrate who. Satellite, as she'd heard, was terrible enough, given the racial tensions between the two settlements, but what of any Psychics on the isle, cut off from everyone else, without anywhere secure that they might be able to confide?

'Izayoi-san has enough going on with this Signer role weighing down upon her shoulders; even if it was just the two of us left in the Arcadia Movement, it wouldn't be fair to leave the responsibility to start anew at her feet. She's stretched enough, and she's still reeling from Divine-san's death. She's not in a fit state of mind. There has to be others… it can't just be the two of us. But if I can play my part to help get us back on track. If I can find other Psychics and bring them in so they're safe. Then I can save them the way Divine-san saved us'. Her posture grew more rigid, squared and stern, shoulders straightened and brow furrowed to reflect her growing resolve. 'Maybe we don't have to hide away so much this time; we can experience a life outside, the way the people in Satellite do. They might be looked down upon, but we won't be bottom in the pecking order – I don't want everyone to live in fear of the day, of the outside. We should be as free as anyone else; this city… won't be run by discrimination any longer. I'll help found an Arcadia Movement that can make a difference, the way Divine-san would have'.

That left one gaping question – where would they go? The original Movement's tower was still swarming with officers searching for any survivors, or any leads, evidence, anything which might lead back to the party responsible for the attack – anything that might unearth exactly what the Earthbound Gods were for the general public's understanding and just how it was they'd come to be in the heart of the city, at a time when there were so many. When they shouldn't have been able to infiltrate so deeply into the metropolis without detection and then suddenly manifest as they had.

'It wouldn't be a surprise if Security themselves set the whole thing up; the timing… with Neo-Domino at war with Satellite, they'd be an easy target to scapegoat, and it would grant them a way in. So they could find out what Divine-san was aiming for with the Movement. It could all very well be an elaborate scheme on their part… and that much wouldn't be a surprise; Divine-san warned us they were a dangerous lot. People always are'.

Hands hanging by her sides clenched into fists, almost tightly enough to tremble from the pent-up emotion flooding into the ball of muscle and flesh, from the disdain directed towards an organization that was meant to primarily care for the people but had become skewed in which exactly were selected to cater themselves towards serving; the rich, the influential, those who could enhance their reputation, whereas ordinary people – the poor, sick and abnormal were cast aside as nothing more than garbage. Injustices which had long sat wrong with her, but there had never been any opportunity to say or do anything about it.

"Ah, I got it!" Rua's voice chimed from nearby.

Naoko's attention waned, venturing towards the youngsters who huddled around the monitor with the stream of the two D-Wheels racing in their direction flashing on the screen, granting the pair of them a decent view of what they were missing while the older pair were out of sight so not to miss further action from their bout.

"Jack will help Yusei out. Whatever's been troubling him, they'll figure it out together and then he'll be himself again, like the night we met up with him. He helped Jack out back then when he was acting weird at Security, so he'll back Yusei back now with whatever's been going on".

Ruka nodded enthusiastically, a smile brightening her cheeks, eyes sparkling optimistically. Though she'd expressed her fears about growing close to the older Signers, only for the four of them to venture off in their separate directions yet again, she felt somewhat assured by her brother's words. And she couldn't help but feel attached to the older males already; they were charismatic and charming – she'd been lured into thinking of them affectionately, like a makeshift family, without even thinking about it. It had happened all so fast, too fast for thought. Not that she regretted it, though it preyed on her mind still, and her hands clasped together in front, muttering a muted prayer that whatever plagued Yusei, that effective spiritual older brother of hers, might be dispelled, and grant him release, so that he could be the person she met, and admired. Even if she couldn't bring herself to admit it aloud and confess that she'd already fallen into the trap of getting incredibly attached to her colleagues.

---

Surging towards the mansion and the main body of the island, Jack was leading the way by several lengths of the machines that powered down the concrete lanes, Yusei giving chase with the knowledge that a standard D-Wheel, such as the one he was riding, wouldn't be able to compete with that of his adversary. Revving the engine nevertheless, he inched forward, intending to at least propose that he would challenge the blond nevertheless. Jack glanced over his shoulder, amethyst optics narrowed sharply at the spiky-haired rider's charge towards him. Even with the awareness that he hadn't the capabilities of matching the Wheel of Fortune, he was still persistent in attempting to give chase; the same stubborn mind-set that Jack himself bore. That of many other duellists; the fighting spirit which refused to relent. But as they stood, for Jack, it was more a nuisance than anything else; a stubborn streak which needed to be quashed before Yusei pushed himself too hard and wound up killing himself by breaking himself by extending beyond his limits. And though he was a young man at eighteen years and with enough knowledge to understand exactly where those limitations lied, between his personality and his current condition, Jack couldn't rule out Yusei exceeding those and doing himself ultimate harm for the sake of saving someone else.

"You're still pushing too hard," he commented bluntly.

The observation attracted Yusei's sight; a stern gaze in the blond's direction, bordering on a glower given the attempt to convey a message. Concern, even - despite how rare such a thing would be to come from Jack, even without his royal status, however tarnished it might be.

It had been tempting admittedly to snipe Jack with an underhanded comment; a snarky reference to how easily he'd thrown everyone he knew under the bus for a shot of freedom and get away from Satellite, but Yusei held his tongue. Instead, it clicked against the roof of his mouth, eyes descending to the fingers laced around the throttles of the machine within which he rode. All of a sudden, it apparently hit home that the occasion was the first he'd been within a D-Wheel since the accident at the end of his duel with Kiryu, that looming beast which threatening to swallow up Yusei, and all of Satellite with him – blanket the skies with its grim miasma and eclipse all in eternal darkness. The same as it had done to Kiryu's heart – Kiryu himself even. There had been nothing of the man they knew from two years prior in him; that much saddened him. It made him mourn still, something, even vague, which set apart that Dark Signer from the true Kiryu Kyosuke. But that did nothing to aid when his voice resonated in the back of Yusei's head; taunting him with that shrill laughter, those vengeful words, the recollections that only Kiryu himself would be able to iterate.

Lips pursed, teeth clenched, his grip around the arms tightened, forcing himself forward yet again, ignoring Jack's previous statement and intending to close the gap between them even marginally.

"Yusei!" Jack barked, snapping his head around to meet with that approaching figure creeping up gradually. "Just back down. Don't act like I'm not listening to what you're saying".

"Don't talk down to me, at the very least," Yusei grumbled.

"If that's what it takes for you to listen for once, then that's exactly what I'll do," Jack retorted. "Satellite isn't going anywhere suddenly; it's endured almost two decades of attacks and it's standing without a scratch. You don't have to exhaust yourself stressing over it just because something's happening over there. You've seen everything's been quiet since that large charge over a week ago. If you keep fretting, you'll wear yourself out and then what state are you going to be in to fight?"

"That's not the point," Yusei protested, shaking his head, azure optics shuddering with dread. "The issues Satellite has endured has always been words and opinions, but never physical violence. Plenty of people have already died as part of this war, and now that's spreading – people dying in the City. They're blaming Satellite for what's going on at the Arcadia Movement, the Dark Signers will rack up a higher body count and work with Neo-Domino to wipe out Satellite's population altogether. I can't let them just destroy every life that exist on that island because no-one beyond its shores cares about them".

Narrowing his sharpened hues, Jack examined his hand in the corner of his vision, plucking three cards from his hand and sliding them into the lower compartment of his Duel Disk propped within, holographic replicas materializing for a number of seconds before vanishing, leaving the road before his machine clear. And like his quiet in setting the three cards, he said nothing in retaliation of Yusei's point of view just yet, waiting for what more might be issued prior to correcting any mismatched thinking that troubled his companion.

SIXTH TURN – YUSEI

YUSEI - JACK
3300 -LP- 3300
5 -SPC- 5

Although aware of the change in turn, Yusei made no immediate move to initiate his turn, allowing the vehicles to register the ticking over turns but implementing nothing further than the addition of Speed Counters after he finally drew, placing the card within the holster within with the remainder of his waiting hand stood. In the meantime, he was more akin to a daze than alert and in the midst of a duel; deep in thought, pondering exactly where he was going wrong, or what he was supposed to respond to Jack's suggestion with; with his mind as fragmented as speculated by those around him, fathoming a plan of action, even in the form of words, was proving difficult to manage – Yusei had always been a genius when it came to strategizing and formulation, but he'd found himself blocked by simply over-thinking, by burying himself in responsibilities that no-one else held him accountable for. He'd created a weakness against himself, and prevented anything from forming. But rather than confess to that, his attention diverted itself to the cards in his possession, aware that Jack's impatience was likely to wear thin speedily if he wouldn't make a move to back up his dialogue, irrespective of how shaky it was, soon.

"Because there are no monsters on my field, I Special Summon Level Warrior as a Level 4 monster".

Slotting the card into its place, azure hues lifted to the speeding scenery racing around the two of them. Ahead of the standard model, the summon of a monster had produced the manifestation of a transparent vortex, through which the man lunged through, bearing no features of his natural skin, but blanketed entirely by a spandex costume of crimson fitting his form, violet accents lining his chest and joining underneath the golden star embedded in his chest. A white belt rattled around his waist, grey gloves that stretched towards his elbows and matching boots extending towards his knees completing the masquerade. From his collar, an auburn cape had been pinned above his breast, the orange drapes fluttering wildly in the gales whilst surfing through the air, acting every part the superhero he resembled, bearing a second, smaller star in the centre of his torso and another across his mask, silver antennas either side wiggling from the pressure of the high-speed dash into which he'd been thrust [ATK 300].

The appearance of the monster drew Jack's attention, not least because of its upgrade to a Level 4 coupled with the usage of a Special Summon – and with the capabilities of Yusei's deck providing ample opportunity for such summons among his smaller cards, there was no doubt in his mind about what exactly his rival was aiming for.

Irrespective of whether the blond might have identified the end goal of the strategy, Yusei proceeded without even a minute alteration in his demeanour, snatching a secondary card from his hand and laid it down upon the Duel Disk in the next space over from its existing ally. "Next, I summon Hyper Synchron".

Beside its vibrant ally, the robotic Tuner materialized; boosted by the greyed engines attached to its bulky spine, azure plating bolstering its limbs and body, with a cream chest and ring about its crown within which a scarlet sphere had been implanted. Beige fingers uncoiled, unveiling electrical palms buzzing with activity, shining far brighter than the orange optics fitted into the black spaces between plates that its head consisted of [ATK 1600].

"This duel is about showing what resolve I have to protect everyone in Satellite, isn't it? That I'm fit to duel after what happened in the match with Kiryu. Then I'll show you that I'm still the same," Yusei barked, his tone crisp and firm with the decision he had come to make; an answer he'd put faith into.

Something that Jack had yet to feel convinced by, after the state he'd considered the other might have been in upon making such decision. He'd seen Yusei change sides over the course of the war twice already; there was every possibility that he might crack completely under the pressure, there was no telling what exactly he might do once back on Satellite soil. Jack had little reason to ever doubt Yusei, but from what he'd seen over the course of the conflict, for the first time, he'd found himself doing just that. And it was something that bothered him tremendously. Yusei was essentially a brother in every sense to him, they'd been closer than blood siblings, and yet betrayal, distrust… masks had prevented them from truly understanding one another entirely for two years.

"Then I'll take whatever you have to show, and I'll drown it in a flood of true strength until the ground gives way beneath your feet," the blond countered confidently, his neck craned in order to meet with the charging rival, shoulders stretched either side to enable his resolute staring down.

"I don't need ground to stand on if I have wings to soar with," Yusei protested, producing a card between his fingers and snapping the face around in order to identify it from the featureless back to the white layout, within which the glittering dragon synonymous with his being was depicted.

Once more, Jack's optics tapered at the appearance of the dragon; confirmation of his suspicions, but also the initiation of the test as to whether Yusei might still be in a state fit to wield it on a battlefield where those dragons were essential weapons.

"Tuning Level 4 Hyper Synchron and Level 4 Level Warrior". In following that command, the mechanic Tuner shed its physical form, producing in its place a quartet of green rings that encircled its ally, stripping it of its vibrant outward appearance and breaking down its existence to the four stars buried within its body. With the two components accounted for, the dance of stars and the opening gateway unfolded above Yusei's machine, strung together by a single thread of light interweaving between the individual lights, until widening to the extent of enveloping the column, consuming all the products and leaving only the blinding tunnel from which the silhouette of the Synchro Monster could be identified as emerging from. "Tsudoishi negai ga, aratani kagayaku hoshi tonare! Hikari sasu michi tonare! Shinkuro Shoukan! Hishouseyo, Sutādasuto Doragon!" [1]

Glittering wings unfolded from around the slender frame of the dragon, sprinkling the sparkling dust from the soaring body above its holder, its purple tongue rolled behind its bottom jaw, producing a screeching roar that resonated throughout the air, body posed to glide effortlessly until such time that the driveway might come to an end and the two duellists return to the island from which their bout had begun [ATK 2500].

"That's the monster of a Signer, Yusei. Prove you're still qualified to handle such a beast," Jack commented sourly, lips showing no signs of lifting into a smirk of any description. "That you've still tamed it to spread its wings and fly, or have you lost control of Stardust as much as you have yourself?"

"I know how to handle Stardust just fine; you've held onto it for two years, but since reclaiming it, I've had no trouble working alongside it. Stardust isn't something to be controlled and swung around like a sword – it's a trusted ally of mine, and we aren't about to turn on one another. There's too much at stake in Satellite for us to suddenly be mismatched with one another; there're too many lives… people we know, care about, family. The only family we've ever known… the same goes for you. Hyper Synchron's usage in summoning Stardust grants it an additional 800 attack points [ATK 3300]".

"That's all well and good, but words don't equate actions. You have to face that sometimes, there are going to be sacrifices. I don't like the idea of people we know being used as food for the Earthbound Gods. But as things stand, we know that there are plenty who have been already from Kiryu's appearance; there'll be more, if their base is within Satellite," Jack responded, reaching towards one of the face-down cards he'd laid without verbal declaration just a moment prior. "Tuner Capture, activate. Now I'll summon the Hyper Synchron you used to call Stardust to the field as my own".

By the circular frame, the sapphire machine hovered through the portal opened up to unearth it from the Graveyard from which it had been buried in just shortly before, stretching its limbs as a testament of its second chance at living as part of the battle, albeit on the enemy's side.

"You were happy to lead the attack that forced their hand and endangered everyone in the first place. Rally, Martha, Crow; all of them were fine before you brought in Neo-Domino's duellists onto Satellite's shores and brought oblivion down upon them. That's what the war is for them – we know they stand no chance against city duellists, no matter what untested potential they have. The bans on duelling in Satellite mean they have so few to rely upon; they're vulnerable from such heavy restrictions placed on them to prevent a revolution. And now there's no-one there to defend them. Stardust, attack Red Demons".

Its order given, the dragon surged forward after its hellfire counterpart, the glimmering energy that its stream of attack consisted of flooding the space between its jaws and unleashing the jet with a twist of its flexible neck in something of a circular path. Though in spite of the attack, neither Jack nor his dragon appeared to bear any degree of concern; the blonde instead reaching for his Duel Disk and tapping down on yet another of his hidden cards, unveiling its projection, which raised itself and stood vertically beside his D-Wheel.

"Trap card open: Tuner's Mind," he declared, without even a glance backwards. "Red Demons returns to the Extra Deck and in its place, I regain the monsters that were used as tributes for its Synchro Summon. Dark Resonator, Twin Breaker [ATK 300/1000], return to the field.

As dictated, the demonic dragon's form faded from the field before Stardust's jet stream could reach its physical form and remove it; the light that remained of the large dragon's presence raced back to Jack's Duel Disk, planting itself back into the card from which it birthed and lifted from the device entirely, allowing Jack to reclaim it and place it back within the breast of his coat. In its place, the two aforementioned monsters were summoned to grant the stolen Tuner some support against a further attack, which he'd anticipated given the timing of Red Demons' departure from the field.

"I fail to understand why you're so adamant to protect them in the short-term," Jack scorned. "You know that the Signers have to descend together in order to take on the Dark Signers. Satellite is a battlefield with multiple fronts now; we've something much bigger than what's going on between Neo-Domino and Satellite now; if the Dark Signers win, it's over for everyone. We have to focus on dealing with the greater threat here: protect Satellite – and everyone – in the long-term, we'll deal with everything afterwards".

"That doesn't answer anything," Yusei retorted, head shaking as if such movement might help to clear something, or push something into place. "Why you attacked now, spurning the Dark Signers into action and turning this war into a three-way scuffle".

"Godwin knew the Dark Signers were there; he was trying to force their hand, before they grew even stronger. They were always going to be strong," Jack commented blankly, never once changing his composition from that stone-faced, emotionally detached demeanour he'd worn after the collapse of Team Satisfaction. The same face Yusei had always worn. "Right now, you're listening to your heart, as anyone should, but your emotions are running wild after everything that's happened to you, and after getting back here, seeing what ordinary life in something like a military state is like. You're feeling more oppressed, lost. But if you don't get your head in gear, we're all going to lose; both sides are going to lose this war or life and death – that's what it is, Yusei. Somehow, I'm driving it home to you what you've got to do before this duel is through, and where you're going wrong. I'm not going to die because you couldn't get your act together in time".

Azure optics tapered sharply, intending on pressing forward with the duel if that was the scale by which they were measuring his determination and fitness to charge right back into the battlefield. A muted defeat; not willing to confess that Jack had struck a nerve. He was right – that thins had escalated so fast, and Yusei had despised feeling so helpless during it all; listening to the onslaught from the Detention Centre as one of Godwin's ploys, rather than stand on the front lines as he would have done under any other circumstances. If he hadn't taken the bait and given chase after Jack. And worse, his betrayal still weighed heavily on him – when had he become so easy to read? Teeth clenched, an arm raised itself in the direction of the pilfered Tuner, fingers extended. "Stardust, attack Hyper Synchron".

For the second time during the Battle Phase, the dragon readied itself for a strike, unleashing a sparkling spray of energy identical to the one which had been aimed at Red Demons .But like with that failed attempt, Jack demonstrated he had no intention of letting go of any monster he was currently in possession of, raising an arm in the direction of the remaining card, activating the final of the trio he'd laid the previous turn in rapid succession.

"Reverse card open – Damage Splice [*]".

To hear the card's title caused Yusei's optics to enlarge in shock, staring wide-eyed in disbelief at the failsafe set up to protect the blond from taking any significant damage. Registering the look of astonishment brought a faint smirk onto Jack's face – nothing malicious, but the thrill his competitive spirit felt upon confirmation that he'd caught his opponent off-guard and made a play significant enough to rattle them.

"I can tell you've an inkling of this card's power, but allow me to fill in any gaps you might have – Damage Splice not only halves the damage I sustain from your attack and deal the other half to you instead, but it protects Hyper Synchron from being destroyed as a result of this battle. Your attack isn't completely nullified; you've damaged us both, but strategically, you can mull over how significant it is in the long-run".

Between the thunderous stream and the robotic Tuner, a transparent barrier formed, the power colliding with it and crackled fiercely in an effort to break through. And while none of the bolts could pierce through the pink-tinted defence, there were those which strayed – some of which struck Jack and his D-Wheel, others doing the same to Yusei, pinching both with the minor pain of an ordinary duel without the power of Signers in effect.

"Synchro Blast's effect activates, dealing another 500 points of damage," Yusei called.

The card in question began to glow, firing another stream of orange brilliance that slammed into the back of Jack's D-Wheel, resulting in another unsteady wobble before regaining his footing, restoring a straight path. Although with a significant decrease in the distance between the two riders; so much so that the nose of Yusei's D-Wheel was within the corner of his field of vision, even as he gazed ahead – close to racing neck and neck.

YUSEI - JACK
2450 -LP- 1950

With that impressive comeback weighing down upon Jack's mind, his sight had diverted; from the road ahead to his rival gaining ground alongside him – someone who had been struggling to keep himself together was giving him a run for his money.

'That's Yusei for you,' he pondered, lips pressed together in a line without any readable emotion across his features. 'But until I can be sure he's really the same Yusei I know, he won't get wriggle his way out. The Yusei I know shoulders everything by himself, but not to the extent that he's killing himself; this isn't right. What's going on with him is running far deeper than anything I can scratch at, but I've got faith in him. He held up through everything that's been thrown at him so far through his life; I'm certain he can pull himself together before he buries and then kills himself with all this grief. And if he won't open up, then he'll have to prove he can handle carrying that much by himself. Somehow, I've got faith he'll reach one of those two junctions '.

SEVENTH TURN – JACK

YUSEI - JACK
2450 -LP- 1950
6 -SPC- 6

"My turn," the blond barked, sharply drawing from his deck, though with his sights elsewhere. "I tune Level 4 Hyper Synchron and Level 4 Twin Breaker".

Racing to fulfil its duty once more, Hyper Synchron's engine reverberated against his back, lunging forward and splitting its physical being into four greens that formulated one after another; each gravitating towards the secondary creature selected as an offering and stripping away its earthly form to unveil the quartet of stars stashed within its being. Dancing until aligned, the process came to a halt only once every element was set correctly in place and threaded by the light that stemmed through the passageway until overloading its formation with the burst of light that radiated brilliantly.

"Ouja no kodou, ima kokoni retsu wo nasu! Tenchi meidou no chikara wo mirugai! Shinkuro Shoukan! Waga tamashii, Reddo Dēmonzu Doragon! [ATK 3000]" [2]

Summoned by its holder's words, the dragon let loose a throat roar, dispersing the brightness about it with an almighty flap of its wings, blue tongue waggling between its jaws at the sheer ferocity of its revived vocals. From behind, in the shadow of his own partner, Yusei's eyes narrowed considerably; initially to reduce any damage that might have been done by the intensity of the light, but then with that beast looming – a representation of the hurdles he'd yet to climb over, as well as Jack himself as a goal – Yusei had become aware that toppling Jack's ideology meant destroying his dragon once and for all in order to secure the duel as his own.

---

-Satellite: Martha's Orphanage-

In the courtyard of the Orphanage, standing unharmed by anything thrown at Satellite so far, and peaceful since the departure of the others, Crow stood by himself, hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans and neck craned so his greyed eyes were fixated skywards by default. The dreary smog sky was hardly a new sight for him, but it held something different within it – he'd seen the glamorous lifestyle of those in Neo-Domino, breathed its air for himself. And with the confirmation that Yusei and Jack – two of his closest friends – were Signers, he'd suddenly found himself with plenty on his mind, thoughts that might have otherwise never surfaced. Not to mention the issues of current that were Kiryu's status and the disrepair of Yusei's D-Wheel; his pride and joy, birthed from two years of painstaking work to make it the best by leagues within Satellite, comparable only by his BlackBird. From behind, Saiga sauntered over, a coy smile upon his face and slouched against the younger, an elbow propped upon Crow's shoulder.

"Hey, we're not getting anything done by standing around. That D-Wheel isn't getting fixed by itself, y'know?"

With a small grunt, Crow's hand landed atop Saiga's, fingers coiled in order to shove it off, momentarily dishevelling the older, who stumbled, and Crow taking the opportunity to rest the palm against his own shoulder.

"Yusei won't let anyone touch that thing without his say so. He's pretty protective of it; it's the culmination of his and his friends' work". Greyed eyes wandered ahead, searching the shrubbery ahead and then rising back towards the bleak skies. "Besides, I'm not standing around doing nothing. Just…"

"'Just'?" Saiga repeated, cocking an eyebrow of intrigue.

"This stuff lately brings home how far we've come from a few years ago". A pause; as if gathering his thoughts. And Saiga made no effort to interrupt that with pushing the subject, instead opting to wait patiently for Crow to voice his concerns. "Yusei, Jack and I used to be really tight; we were always around one another. But when Kiryu got arrested and Team Satisfaction ended, we sort of drifted. We were lost; our leader wasn't around anymore and we were without direction. The two of them stuck together, but I drifted away some, focused on looking after the kids. We weren't exactly separated; we still kept up with one another, meeting up – the same thing that normal guys do, but… after Team Satisfaction, things were different. We were scarred by what happened.

I even got arrested plenty of times fending for the kids, and each time, I took advantage of it; searching for Kiryu, for any leads on where he might be. But each time, nothing came up. He never really left our scope. Yusei and Jack were aiming to get into the city by their own means to rescue him. I wonder how many times I was there and he was in the same building, but we never once crossed paths. Or maybe… he became a Dark Signer before most of those times. Either way, I started growing further from Yusei and Jack; maybe the end of Team Satisfaction… was the end of how close we were. The team within us was breaking down. People grow up, they get lives and become busy; friends struggle to keep up as much as they did. Maybe it's growing up that pulled us apart. We still understood one another as if not a day had passed whenever I visited, even if Jack would put on a cool face.

But this Signer gig… it's gotten them pretty busy. I feel… even further apart from them. It's almost like… getting left behind because I'm not a Signer like them".

Raising his right arm in front, grey eyes traced the limb beneath the shaggy glove from a ragged piece of fabric that concealed his forearm – the place marked by fate on Yusei and Jack's bodies. Those assessing hues narrowed softly, without bearing any hard feelings towards that exclusive status which had claimed all three of his friends; Signer, Dark Signer – they were his friends, even if he remained the only one unmarked. He'd chosen where he stood, for the sake of the kids, and those of his friends whom had stayed true to themselves, fighting for what the majority would have deemed the right path.

"So you're jealous?" Saiga inquired curiously.

A smirk spread across Crow's lips, shoulders sagging in defeat. "I wouldn't want to admit it, but I think you're right. It's something that separates us; something I can't simply train up to cover the distance".

A familiar story, in a sense, for Saiga; Yuuji had commented that he felt as though he were playing catch-up to his partner's shadow. An imbalance between them; something they'd never resolved, leading to the fractures within their relationship and subsequent breakdown. A cruel outcome that wouldn't befall the trio, but evidently, Crow had cause for concern about just how much time they might have for one another – or even his own placement in such relationship.

"I've been wondering a lot lately… since Yusei and Kiryu fought, if perhaps I'll spend the rest of my life striving to catch up with them. Trying to better myself in comparison so that I can reach them in some way to make up for not having a Birthmark the same as them".

In the shade of the building, a handful of kids had gathered, listening intently to the musings that poured out from Crow's mouth, issues that had been settled on his chest for the past days while they played, assuming all had been lifted with Yusei's steady recovery. Apparently far from the case; there was still plenty for him to fret about, and they couldn't help but find themselves captivated by the idea of Crow with so much on his mind – someone who brought himself across as so carefree burdened with such worries. From behind, Martha surveyed their clustered forms, huddled against the wall and listening without being detected.

"What are you boys up to?" she inquired. "You shouldn't eavesdrop on people's private conversations".

"It's Crow-niichan; he's upset because he thinks he can't keep up with Yusei-niichan and Jack-niichan," one of the boys, Takuya, stated, pointing nimbly in the present soul's direction.

Brows inching upwards, Martha was admittedly taken aback by the idea of Crow so visibly shaken by what had happened – like her, he was someone who put his nest first, leaving his own feelings aside; but in banding together to protect their kids collectively, perhaps he'd been given the opportunity to reflect on things. Healthy as she imagined it would have normally been, perhaps he'd only wound up with more on his plate than if he'd been run off his feet, and tucked herself in with the boys to hear out his tale.

And in hearing what he had to say, she couldn't help but feel a pang within her chest; the visits from the trio had become fewer and further apart with the passage of time. She'd put it down to their growing up, dealing with the issues on the streets and taking care of their respective friends, or youngsters whom they'd taken under their wings, but it had made her somewhat lonesome that her original charges were scarcely around anymore. Fingers coiled around the pendent which hung from her neck, nestled against her breast and closed her eyes. Yusei, in particular, she was fond of monitoring; after the discovery of the baby wailing in an escape pod with nothing more than a family photo – he'd been through a tremendous amount for someone so young, and it pained her to see him faced with so much responsibility, piling it all upon himself. It scared her to see him so gravely injured. And seeing him leave with urgent business, with such heavy consequences that affected the lives and futures of so many; naturally, she was proud of him, and yet, there was hesitation. A lonesome yearning.

"Just be careful, okay?" she whispered.

Yusei nodded with a touched smile and turned, Martha's hand falling from his face and dangling back by her side. He didn't advance towards the friends waiting, but twisted his head in order to peer back over his right shoulder with the same beaming expression, his optimistic attitude almost out of character.

"I will," he muttered softly. "I'm off, Martha".

"Take care," the woman replied with a warm smile.

They'd been so close as he grew up, but like Crow, she was beginning to wonder just how well she understood Yusei. A mother could never understand everything about a child, but more and more, it felt as though there was a significant portion of just who he was, what made him Yusei, which she was missing. A crevice opening up with him standing on the other side.

"Why don't you boys play elsewhere for now? I'll talk with Crow; sometimes, these doubts happen when your friends get busy, and you know a lot's been happening with Yusei and Jack that Crow hasn't been informed of. Once we've talked, I'll make everyone a special dinner".

Excited chattering filled the air and the pack raced off, making their escape as discreet as possible in order to aid Martha's efforts of a smooth approach from behind.

"Moping won't get you any closer to them," Saiga jested, shoulders shrugging loosely. "I doubt it's something they care about that much; you're they're friend, and if they haven't dropped you by now, they're not going to. You're in safe hands with them, Crow".

"Heh; Yusei isn't the type of guy to give up on someone. And as crazy as it sounds, Jack's pretty much the same. Doesn't matter what he did before – he must've had a reason. He's a tough guy to read, but he isn't a traitor, he must've had something planned". His cheeks inflated for just a second, resembling that of a pouting child, and quickly dissuaded. "It's not like I'm moping anyway, it's just a tough mound to climb over; this isn't something ordinary that I can just cover by trying harder. It's something special that only they've been chosen for, and I can't force my way in".

"But special and chosen or not, you know that they won't view you as anything less, Crow".

Almost wistfully, Crow twisted in order to regard Martha's advancing figure, gradual and gentle in her approach. "Martha".

"What you are isn't what matters to those boys; you've always been their best friend, and they aren't about to view you differently just because of a shift in their lives. You're a constant for them, Crow. That much means a great deal to them. The one placing them on a pedestal, aside from the Director and those who have been searching for them, is you, Crow. You're allowing these newfound roles of theirs to define the future of your relationship, whatever happens and whatever they are, they are still Yusei and Jack, you will always be Crow. The three of you… regardless of what fate or anyone, anything dictates, will remain as tight as ever. Nothing is about to change that; you've been a trio forever. It's a fact that will always remain true; they aren't about to leave you behind".

Touched by the depth of her honesty and opinion, Crow found himself gazing with enlarged optics at the woman, taken back by her sentiments and declarations. From which he took a moment to recover, forging a faint smile upon his lips and relaxing himself with that assurance easing his concerns.

"Thanks. If there's one person that talks sense, it's you".

"When they come back, let's have a talk; the four of us," Martha suggested, head swaying to the side whilst sporting a perpetual smile. "I think the both of us need to say something to them, and it'll help them understand they needn't shoulder everything by themselves. We both know they're prone to doing it. You'll see, as well, that even without your leader, the three of you can be a team, if you choose to be. You're part of a new team now – and you're an invaluable member; Signer or not. No-one knows Satellite as well as you; you'll be intricate to forging a battle strategy to take on those Dark Signers in time. And you're forgetting something very important". Before proceeding, she paused, taking in a breath and leaning forward, a hand resting upon Crow's shoulder where both his own and Saiga's hand had been previously, giving him a gentle squeeze. "Without you, Yusei would have died back there. You were the one who got him here in time and saved his life. Without him – without you – we'd all be done for. You're worth much more than you give yourself credit for, no-one else sees you as anything less just because you haven't gotten a Birthmark of your own. You're a vital part of this team, Crow; you're wanted and needed".

Casting a glance to that hand upon him, the faint smile on Crow's lips strengthened, raising a hand and resting his palm atop Martha's knuckles. In the background, Saiga's arms folded, shoulders rolled with a playful grumble about being brushed off. But ignoring that, Crow vehemently fixated himself on Martha, buying her words wholeheartedly with a fervent nod, the most confidence he'd demonstrated since the departure of the others; genuine rather than a mask worn for the sake of the kids. He felt liberated from the pressure of having to live up to compare to his friends, and all by the simple words, and in just a few moments, from the only woman he felt privileged to call mother, whom he'd shared with the other two – a family he was eager to see reunited and peaceful once more.

---

-Neo-Domino: Godwin Mansion-

"Red Demons, attack Stardust Dragon!"

Around one clenched fist, scarlet flames burst into action, surging around the already fearsome claws and igniting a brilliant storm, preluding the lunge towards the opposition in question, bracing itself for the impact.

"Using Hyper Synchron gives Red Demons a boost of 800 attack points" Jack hollered over the simultaneous roars of his D-Wheel and the aforementioned dragon [ATK 3800] looming over him, glaring down at Stardust in hot pursuit. Even with that airborne charge towards it, Stardust showed no sign of slowing or faltering before its rival, reflective of how adamant Yusei and Jack were not to grant the other even an inch.

Though even with that brave face on, there was nothing either had up their sleeves to prevent the attack; the flaming fist crashing into Stardust, twisting the shoulder into which the flames piled until a crack and an ear-piercing shriek resonated throughout the air, culminating in Stardust's struggle before Red Demons removed its fist, sparing it anymore immediate suffering, embers flickering from the collision. Embers that rolled backwards and scattered around Yusei, teeth clenched and optics narrow from the discouraging spectacle he'd had to bear witness to, on top of nullifying the narrow lead he'd attained by Synchro Blast's effect.

YUSEI - JACK
1950 -LP- 1950

"Hyper Synchron prevents Stardust's destruction. But that was why you used it to summon Red Demons, wasn't it?" the dark-haired rider commented blandly.

"Because I take what happens around me and use it to learn, not to wallow in self-pity," Jack replied, cocking his head to the side, tilting his left side upwards and reducing Yusei's presence within his field of vision. The other scowled subtly, aware of the jab made in his direction and was quickly growing tired of it. "Their strengths are my mistakes, my weaknesses – don't you get it? You made a couple of mistakes, but someone was going to die in those duels. It was you or some warden, or a rogue general who was going to destroy all of Satellite. You had enough sense to see it that way when Juri lost his head. Not just to the people around you, but all around, across the entire planet, you're far more important than those two put together. You were chosen by fate as a Signer, not those two. They aren't coming back, but their deaths don't define you. You never gave up before, even when Kiryu was gone. You've always been a fighter, Yusei.

What you are isn't what defines you; your actions aren't more important than who you are – you're not just a Signer, and you're not just a murderer – you're Fudo Yusei. My rival, a friend to plenty of people, the beacon of hope within Satellite, because people look up to you. I don't care about what you've done, Rally won't, nor will those kids, Rua and Ruka. To them, you're nothing more than a great guy who they want to grow up to be like, irrespective of what you've done. Two lives lost aren't without worth, but they were the ones who opposed fate by picking a fight with someone with a greater purpose he's got to fulfil. No-one's going to miss such rotten characters".

For a moment, the arrogant façade relinquished itself, Jack's mind preoccupied by debate he'd experienced with Kinomiya about what might be at the end of his own life, about how many might honestly miss him. Living in a world of illusions and competition for two years, he'd never put much thought into it – after moving from a worth where life had little value to a glitzy polar opposite, romanticized by the celebrity status he bore, temporary or otherwise. But as of late, it had admittedly been there bothering him more as time went by; after two attempts on his life and that incredible reputation under siege by his own actions.

When his eyes trailed backwards towards Yusei, he saw neither a glare of disdain or resolution, but the shadow of his helm cast over his eyes, furthered concealed by the pangs hanging behind the visor. It piqued his interest, wondering if perhaps that might have been the nerve which needed hitting upon to snap him out of it.

"What about you? Didn't you wonder what future you'd lost when Ushio died?"

A wry smile upon Jack's lips, cocky in nature and not without confidence, violet hues closed gently, as if revelling in fond memories. "The both of us are Signers who have murdered. I wonder if Izayoi might have blood on her hands, there's no way a child as young and gentle as Ruka would. We all seem to have our dark sides though; I wonder what she'll be like when she's our age".

"I don't doubt Ruka, but I wouldn't want her to grow up to be the same as us," Yusei murmured solemnly. "The three of us; you, Izayoi and I… have our fair share of secrets and deceit, Ruka shouldn't have to give up her honest spirit to balance a heavy responsibility. Those kids in Neo-Domino would have never revered you as a King if they'd known of your origins, even now, only loyalists blindly cling to you. Officially dethroned or not, your reign was over when Ushio died, and there's no salvaging it".

"Then I'll build myself up again!" Jack snapped, shoulder-blades fixed in places whilst his slender frame hunched forward as best it could in its seated position. "With or without Godwin's political tactics, I'll climb up from the bottom all over again, by my own power this time. When the war is over, and people don't have to care about Satellite being a problem; I'll start over. But I made it this far by using someone else's power, just like your combined efforts – they were the key to getting you to Neo-Domino". With each statement completed, his voice grew stronger, booming to convey its message powerfully in Yusei's direction. "What people think of me isn't important right now, making sure there's a tomorrow for them to live is what means most right now. Because I refuse to die – either because of, or for people, that don't matter to me. If they abandon me because of an incident outside of my career, so be it.

Stop destroying yourself by caring too much about a bunch of people in Satellite who don't know or care about you – get your head in order first, or you're damning both yourself and them to Hell before this war is through".

Snatching a card from the holster by his side, the blond deposited it into the underneath level of his Duel Disk, producing a hologram, though his attention remained on his adversary giving chase, aware that the island's main body would be underneath them within a moment or two at their current speed.

"Turn end".

EIGHTH TURN – YUSEI

"Then it's my turn," Yusei declared, slowly retrieving the top card of his deck and turning it over, azure optics narrowed upon surveying what he'd drawn.

YUSEI - JACK
1950 -LP- 1950
7 -SPC- 7

"Speed Spell – Speed Energy activate: for each Speed Counter, a monster of my choosing gains 200 attack points. With 7, Stardust's total will gain an additional 1400 points".

Engulfed with the radiance of the Speed Spell, Stardust's head tilted backwards, its fangs bared skywards whilst emitting its signature high-pitched screech [ATK 4700].

"Stardust, attack Red Demons," Yusei commanded, snapping an arm in the direction of the target with a sole finger fully extended.

In a repeat of its vociferation of just seconds before, Stardust took off with an echo, wings extended to their fullest and diving at the waiting Red Demons.

"Hmph," Jack sounded, stretching his arm out from the circular frame of his D-Wheel and towards the set card from the conclusion of his previous turn. "Trap card – Speed Slash [*]. This removes 4 Speed Counters from the both of us, thereby reducing the source from which Stardust's additional power comes".

YUSEI - JACK
3 -SPC- 3

In spite of that deduction of power [ATK 3900], Stardust continued with the assault in progress, waiting until the perfect moment with minimal distance between the two dragons before unleashing its energy-based attack, the silver stream that collided with the husky form just before it, surviving the impact with scarcely a scratch.

"The difference between our dragons is minimal, 100 points means nothing with Hyper Synchron's ability," Jack retorted.

"But when Synchro Blast activates, it's more than 100 points of damage to you," Yusei stated, unfolding his right arm in line with the standing Trap card. From its coloured face, another jet of power crashing into Jack's D-Wheel, dealing yet again another 500 points of direct damage triggered by the previous delivered by Stardust itself.

YUSEI - JACK
1950 -LP- 1350

"Your attack's too hasty, it's not like you," Jack commented. "You're so eager to prove your point and do what you can to get back where you need to be that you're not taking time to breathe and clear you're head. If you jump in pre-emptively before you're definitely ready, you'll be walking right into Kiryu's hands and giving yourself up for execution. Then who'll you protect? Neither side will stand much chance with you dead; Rally, Rua and Ruka… they admire you, and even they can see when it's too much for you to bear alone".

"Don't talk as if you understand their thinking; don't use their names like weapons just to have me hear you out," Yusei protested, head shaking loosely.

"Isn't that what you've been doing all along? You've been so adamant to protect Rally and the others, the kids from Crow's place, the Orphanage, you don't want kids from Neo-Domino like the twins to suffer their future's destruction as we did".

Yusei had little to respond with, taken aback that Jack would dig so deep into his psyche to try and drag him back from the pit into which he'd fallen and failed to climb out from. Registering that silence, not unlike him, Jack's eyes tapered slightly, considering his next move; if he'd found a foothold by which to manoeuver from, he wanted to make the most of it.

"Right now, we're faced with an enemy we can't overcome individually; you should know that better than anyone. And those Earthbound Gods which showed up at the Arcadia Movement… I'm the last person who should be saying this - and the last you'd want to hear it from… but we're going to have to work together if we're to get anywhere. Even in Satellite, we've never survived on our own know-how, it's been a team effort – Martha's care gave us a beginning, Team Satisfaction, even when you guys came to find me in the Security building. You wouldn't have gotten anywhere by yourself. And it's the same for me; I'd have never made it out of Satellite if not for other people. Godwin, you, Rally and the others. It's not something I'm proud of. But I've been as reliant on others as much as any other, even if I try to evade that fact.

But my point… is that it's alright for you to ask for help". Violet hues strayed from the racer by his side, cast downwards as if speaking of a matter that he had yet to feel wholly comfortable with. "Especially when it comes to Satellite; no-one has expectations of you, and no-one would pin any win or loss on your head".

"Jack…" was the only response Yusei could muster, gazing in astonishment at the blond. The image he'd seen of Jack for the past two years was something entirely different once the layers of the lonesome King were stripped away one by one. Influenced by Rally and the others, who had yet to grasp a full understanding of the situation, Yusei had always detected there was more to Jack's antics than simple snipes, perhaps even more than simply getting Yusei across the watery border that separated their two lands. But he'd have never hypothesized that there was so much to it, that Jack understood him and his position this well. Things about himself he'd no knowledge of, or he'd attempted to avoid looking at if they'd made themselves clear. "I understand.

We were taught in Satellite survival of the fittest. That a duellist is all by themselves in the heat of a battle, but we never let ourselves get cornered because we looked out for one another. Even after everything broke down, we remained with one another so to keep an eye out, rather than risk history repeating itself. Even without the ulterior motive that we were working towards, I stayed nearby because I wanted to stay with you. It was my responsibility to look out for you the same way you did for me. From the beginning… you've always had a plan formulated in your head; Stardust, the D-Wheel… it was never just about Godwin's proposal or becoming King, or even about getting me out of Satellite. Jack, what you did, was you were starting the revolution we'd dreamed of for years".

A coy smile spread onto Jack's lips, saying nothing but the look itself gave away the arrogance of his response, how easily shown his ego had been groomed after an extended period of having it without pampering. Though when his eyes opened yet again, fixating themselves on Yusei's being, the expression was earnest, nothing of that outwardly cold and prideful detachment for which Jack was known, but the same readiness that had been commonplace in their days before things began to slide downhill.

"And I'm looking forward to working with you again, the way things used to be. No reputations and public views to live up to, no fated roles and expectations from others bearing over us. I want to fight alongside you, not what people make of you". Jack's figure relaxed, sinking into the seat of his D-Wheel and eyes set ahead, towards the sky rather than grounded with their destination looming over the horizon. "When you think about it, what we're doing is no different than the turf war we used to fight. We want to reclaim territory that was taken from us; we rightfully earned Satellite, don't you think it's time we took back our home?"

"'Our'?" Yusei echoed, eyebrows raised curiously.

"Satellite has always been the place I was born, there's no escaping that fact, no matter how much I might try. But as of now, I'm a rogue, I've no allegiance to Neo-Domino. They might regard me as the same as any Satellite thug roaming the streets in Daimon. And I've got to prove to the people who don't know the full picture – Crow and that lot – that I'm still a decent man. Martha wouldn't give up on me, but the rest just might have, with living the high life all this time while you guys slugged it out working. I'd say I'm free to fight for Satellite and make right the mess I've caused; Godwin won't publicly admit to anything, so I'll take the flak for the backlash when this all comes to an end. But it's like you said; my reign as King is over, I've got to work my way from the ground up to find where I can get by my own power".

"And what about after we've liberated Satellite from the Dark Signers? What about the war that'll still be ongoing, and even after that? Will all this make any difference that'll benefit Satellite in the end?" Yusei inquired.

A scoff from the other, craning his head back disapprovingly and frowned playfully. "We think about later later". And once more, his head rolled around in order to place his sights firmly on the young man beside him. "Don't get ahead of yourself; we never had a plan for 'afterwards' the first time we fought for domination in Satellite.

With a nod of understanding, Yusei set down a face-down card into his Duel Disk, its replica materializing for but a few seconds before vanishing and concluding his turn.

NINETH TURN – JACK

"It's my turn," the blonde proclaimed, tearing away the next card of his deck, holding back from adding it to his arsenal immediately when the lingering Speed Slash began to glow. "Speed Slash's effect – to compensate for the 4 Speed Counters we lost before, the amount we earn the next time we gain is quadrupled. In this case, it sets us right back where we were last turn".

YUSEI - JACK
1950 -LP- 1350
7 -SPC- 7

With a smirk on his face, Jack's eyes rolled backwards towards his adversary. "We've always lived in a world of deprivation and death. We've lost so much, even before we started out. You were able to come to terms with your own parents' deaths, but this time, you're struggling. And that's what's holding you back. What is it? Shock? That he's walking around and blaming you? It's a mind game, Yusei; he's messing with you to hold back your full power. If we don't have you onside, then our side won't stand a chance; three Signers won't hold up against five Dark Signers. Even if I vent my power, it won't be enough to cover the deficit you leave in your absence".

Bemused by the statement, Yusei's head shrank between his shoulders, eyes cast downwards thoughtfully; what was it that had him so rattled? It was as Jack said; he'd always pulled through in the past and for whatever reason, he'd suddenly stalled. And the impact was too great, it was jeopardizing their chances at handling the enemy before the body count racked up. Was it the Earthbound God itself? Having lost his former leader, or perhaps facing him after coming to terms with what happened between them, much less be held responsible? Or guilt? Guilt… for every misstep he'd made thus far, and fear he might make more?

"I know you feel guilty". The remark coming from Jack's direction seized Yusei's attention in an instant, enlarged azure hues travelling towards the blond's seated figure who failed to return a glance in response. Instead, the one eye that Yusei could view appeared heavy; wise and contemplative. "Not just about what's happened lately, but about Satellite. Stemming back right to the beginning. I spent a lot of time thinking while we were apart, trying to understand you. But I think I know now. Why you're so adamant to play the hero for your people, and the immense guilt you've been carrying all this time".

"What do you mean by that?" Yusei asked.

A playful smirk was the answer he received, and all he would. Parallel to Jack's jaw, a card held itself up, propped by his fore and middle fingers in preparation for resuming the duel. "Clear your mind of distractions, such as talk; beat me and I'll answer you then. For us, Duel Monsters has always been a sport of survival as much as a game of fun. Right now, I want a fun game before we launch into the heat of war again. Show to me your spirit will be enough to carry all the pressure you're piling on yourself, if you won't accept our help. But Izayoi, Rua, Ruka… and I want to take your hand and drag you along on a team expedition to the battlefield, where we'll meet our enemy as a united force; so we have more of an understanding as to what we're facing. And deal with them appropriately. Speed Spell activate: Tuner Bomb [*]. Using this, I can banish a Tuner from the field and to the Graveyard at the cost of a monster on your side of the field. Dark Resonator, enter the Graveyard".

Clanging its instruments together, the named Tuner raised the two metallic devices once more in preparation for its departure, before finding itself struck by a bolt of lightning that surged from the Speed Spell behind it, removing all trace of its presence on the field. And from that diminishing presence, the bolt continued on its destructive path, with Stardust in its sights. Adamant not to lose his partner by any means, Yusei's arm swung across, outstretched to the side over the edge of the D-Wheel and propped forward with a sharp gaze fixated upwards. "Stardust's effect activates; removing itself from play until the End Phase protects it from destruction. Go, Victim Sanctuary!"

Spreading its wings, Stardust ascended at a rapid pace. In doing so, it evaded the lightning, though the bolt merely bounced from the tarmac and gave chase. Though its target would never be something it would manage to attain; Stardust's glittering form began to dissolve through its breakneck flight upwards, leaving behind only the glimmers from which its name derived until nothing was left, leaving the bolt to continue until too weak to pursue its vertical course and dissipate all the same – a spectacle that Rua, Ruka and Naoko had no trouble with viewing using their own eyes. The twins beamed at one another, having listened in on Jack's lectures and pep-talks directed to Yusei. In the shade of the mansion, having managed to sneak in closely enough to listen without risking detection, Naoko had also taken the words to heart. She herself had been misjudging the two duellists, not just once but twice. And she was left at a loss as to how she was supposed to interpret such characters. Made all the more difficult with Divine's dictation about what ordinary people were like.

Not too far away, Aki was emerging from the garden maze when the distance revs of engines caught her ears, spinning her attention around in the direction of the arriving duo making their way back onto solid land and racing not just to Godwin's mansion, but seeking an alternative route if their duel would continue before they might return to the waiting twins.

"Tuner Bomb's effect: if the destruction of a card by its first effect is negated, then the opponent suffers damage equal to the attack power the Tuner sacrificed possessed".

As if revived by its secondary purpose, the bolt which had pursued Stardust formulated in the sky, surging down in a diagonal path and striking Yusei, who let out a choked yell. With that momentary lapse of concentration, the D-Wheel staggered from one side to the other, unsteady for a number of seconds before he'd regained his senses enough to pull it back on-track and resume the chase.

YUSEI - JACK
650 -LP- 1350
6 -SPC- 7

Raising his right hand, Jack stealthily clutched a single card between his fingers, a corner propped against the pad of his thumb. "I set a card face-down and end my turn". Voiced all before completing his spoken action, a surge spreading throughout the Duel Disk to register the set card's placement before the conclusion of his turn.

"With the end of the turn, Stardust returns to the field," Yusei declared, stretching his right arm vertically.

Above him, the same clusters of blue light collected themselves, quick to reform the being that had dissolved into their present particle states and return the dragon to the field, shaking off its veil of light with a flutter of its wings and flick of both head and tail.

TENTH TURN – YUSEI

"It's my turn," Yusei barked, aggressively removing the top card of his deck and holding it at arm's length, twisting his wrist just to catch a glimpse of what he'd drawn.

YUSEI - JACK
650 -LP- 1350
7 -SPC- 8

With the card he'd received and one other in the D-Wheel's holster, a strategy was quick to formulate that would all but guarantee bringing the duel to an end in his favour, as well as a result that would earn the answers he sought from Jack. Though there was a hint of hesitation; the last time he'd triumphed, Jack had been all too happy to invade Satellite and vent his frustrations and unleash a bloodlust upon the people he held bitter feelings towards already.

No… Jack had stated already that he just wanted a fun duel. And he wasn't the type to lie to Yusei's face, Jack was better than that.

With that in mind, he tossed the card already clutched between his fingers into the Duel Disk. "Speed Spell – Overboost activate. This card grants me 4 extra Speed Counters, but at the end of my turn, they reduce to just 1".

"He'll lose all his Speed Counters?!" Rua yelped.

"Yusei's betting everything he has on this turn," Ruka stated. "He wants to prove himself to Jack, to all of us. And he wants to show it all in this one move. If this opportunity passes, it'll just mean that Jack's been right all along and Yusei isn't ready for what we've got to do. Even though… what we're doing doesn't have much opportunity for delay".

Intrigued by the young girl's dialogue, Naoko eyed the twins inquisitively, pressed against the concrete staircase leading towards the oaken doorway leading into the mansion's lobby.

'Betting it all? He's putting all his meaning into just one turn?' she wondered, bemused by the notion.

YUSEI - JACK
650 -LP- 1350
11 -SPC- 8

Jack smirked at the lengths to which Yusei had gone to ready himself, placing his entire strategy into a single turn and presenting a deadline for the duel's climax. "Well then, I best meet your determination to bring this to an end. Yusei, I'll meet you head-on!"

"I wouldn't expect less from you, Jack," Yusei responded with a smile, plucking the vital card within his hand and holding it up, its artwork faced towards his opponent. "Speed Spell – Final Attack. When I have 8 Speed Counters, with this, a monster I possess on the field has its attack power doubled".

Enveloped by the azure aura from the spell cast upon its being, lowering its head once the consummation of power had been completed, its limbs much bulkier than previously, much in the likeness of Red Demons [ATK 5000].

"An attack power of 5000?" Jack gasped, impressed by the display.

"Go, attack Red Demons Dragon," Yusei commanded, reaching towards the target once more.

Sinking almost within arm's reach, Stardust poised itself in preparation to strike and surged forward, power flooding the space between its jaws and launched the stream. The glint of the oncoming storm shone brilliantly across Jack's visor, warding him to act immediately if he intended to endure the all-but-spoken final turn. The crunch of the wave colliding into Red Demons' body flooded his ears; the cue for him to initiate his countermeasure.

"Trap card open – Crimson Hell Halo [*]" he called, turning over the card. "Gamble on this turn as you might, I'll put everything I have into it to meet and exceed your spirit, Yusei. Crimson Hell Halo prevents Red Demons from being destroyed as a result of the battle. After that, this card acts as an equip card that remains with Red Demons, bolstering its attack power by that of the monster that attacked it". Above his head, Red Demons confirmed with a throaty roar, around its immense frame glowed a scarlet aura; a result of the incredible offering that pooled into its body, pushing its offensive strength to all-new heights, beyond any other fight it had been a part of in Jack's possession [ATK 8800]. "This time around, you gave it your all, and I admire that, but it's not enough after faltering so much, Yusei. The punishment for such prolonged hesitation is only your defeat waiting".

YUSEI - JACK
650 -LP- 150
11 -SPC- 7

With the pair incoming towards the courtyard; Rua, Ruka and Naoko averted their eyes from the monitor displaying their bout, towards the physical version appearing right before them. Rua gazed in astonishment at the leagues to which the dragons' strength have exceeded, beyond anything he'd witnessed before – proof that Yusei and Jack were in a different league altogether to even the professional whom he'd watched compete against the latter.

"Yusei… Jack…" the boy murmured.

"The one whose feelings speak louder is the one who'll win. And it'll end this turn," Ruka iterated gently. "Yusei and Jack… they want to make the other see, but they already understand one another so well. No matter who wins, they've both said their piece and know they'll be heard; the duel's outcome doesn't hold any importance to listening now".

Raising his eyes to the trio within sight, and sensing Aki surveying from somewhere nearby, Yusei examined the scenery around, ending his surveillance with Jack and lifting his sights to the hellish dragon above him, following it up with a glance to Stardust. At which point, they closed, taking in but a second of stillness, beyond the winds that whipped by, hearing and seeing nothing – but to considering everything that had been said and done over the course of the duel, all the issues within himself that needed re-evaluating, and only then returned his sight to the road ahead.

"Final Trap card: Synchro Halo".

"No way," Jack spluttered, gazing over his shoulder in astonishment at the declaration.

"The halo that protected and enhanced your dragon won't end with just Red Demons, but Stardust itself will be bestowed by its grace," Yusei called, inching his head upwards. "Because Stardust attacked and failed to destroy the target, Synchro Halo doubles its power and grants it another opportunity to attack".

Just as with its rival, the Trap's energies ascended towards the dragon looming over Yusei and the borrowed machine, pooling itself into that usually elegantly slender form until the muscles creaked with evidence they were nearing their limit, enhanced to a level which it have never been anywhere near attaining [ATK 10000].

"10000?!" Jack choked. "And at that level of power, it's more than a match to take down Red Demons for good".

And with the slim margin of life he had remaining after the previous attack, there would be no escape for Jack himself – defeat would be confirmed; a second loss to Yusei since their reunion. Though once the initial wave of shock passed over, his features relaxed. Instead of a repeat of their previous encounter, and the malicious attitude he'd exuded since, there was nothing but satisfaction etched within his expression. He'd caused far more than enough damage with his reckless actions in blind resentment, and he had stated that it was a duel of enjoyment that he'd been seeking after conveying his message. This result… was fine by him, if it mean that Yusei had proved himself willing and ready to plunge into the battlefield alongside the others as an ally. And it was strangely nostalgic; he hadn't enjoyed a duel this much since before his reign as king.

"Go, Stardust Dragon! Shooting Sonic!"

In the midst of conceding to fate, Jack's eyes closed, a pleased smile upon his lips. There was nothing more for him to say, but allowed himself to sit back and allowed the surge of power storming towards his dragon to engulf the both of them, erasing both from sight for a number of seconds and emerging alone in the aftermath.

YUSEI - JACK
650 -LP- 0

DUEL END

The twins watched on in awe, Rua captivated by the final play made out before their very eyes and staggered forward a handful of step his mind still attempting to piece together exactly what it was he'd been witness to. Ruka, meanwhile, seemed to bear a more wholesome understanding and remained in place, hands folded at her waist and head bowed, recognizing that both Signers had put their all into the game for the sake of establishing their stance.

The two D-Wheels hissed in slowing to a halt, Jack's exuded tremendous amounts of steam to cool itself after the systems had registered defeat, permitting the both of them to escape without injury this time. With a heavy exhale, Jack slouched in his seat, removing his helmet and setting it on his lap, violet hues revolving to meet with the sight of Yusei already in the process of dismounting, opting to remove his helmet only after disembarking his machine. And it was at that point, when the two combatants met eyes that it all made sense to Rua that everything truly had turned out for the best. Golden optics bulging excitedly and lips trembling from the thrill of watching such a speculator duel that he lunged forward, crying out the older pair's name, with Ruka following at a more leisurely pace, a smile of assurance graced her young face.

---

-Satellite: B.A.D. Lands-

With orders from Martha, Yanagi had gone out in search of groceries for the sake of the next few nights' meals, carrying a couple of paper bags in his wrinkled arms beneath a toothy grin. Though marked as dangerous territory, he'd managed to almost escape the B.A.D Lands without incident, boosting his confidence about a peaceful life adjust to Satellite after the conflict might come to its conclusion. Looming over the decrepit buildings, the foreboding skies lingered with the same murkiness as ever, though not something that he'd let trouble him. Speaking with Crow had given him assurance that he could handle what Satellite might throw at him.

But even then, he hadn't been prepared for the cloaked man who appeared, baring no part of his physical being other than a bony, pointed chin. White teeth gleamed from the sinister smirk that unfolded after detecting the elder.

"You appear awfully calm for a man whose life is whittling away. Satellite's days are numbered, after all," he warned with a snigger. "Do you believe feigning tranquillity will allow you to escape that reality?"

"Eh?" the older man sounded, checking around to ensure he hadn't stepped into an ongoing conversation. But when there was no-one in the immediate vicinity, a lump swelled within his throat, aged eyes returning to meet the shrouded man and forced down his uncertainty. "Doesn't matter to me what people say, I got faith in Sonny and the kids".

"'Sonny'? A saviour among the trash? Impossible," the man sneared. "Though I do recall you were affiliated with a young man who might just fit such description. One Fudo Yusei; is that the one whom you speak of?"

Yanagi flinched; no-one on the island beyond their fellowship should have had knowledge of his imprisonment alongside Yusei's; which led to one quick solution.

"You're one of Godwin's men, right?" the man grunted. "And I'm betting you were one of the guys who were there the night they got Jack out".

"The aged fool had some wits left about him," the unidentified mused with a mocking laugh, spreading his arms out. "Among my colleagues, I am known as Shira, and I was indeed there that night. As a man working with Yliaster, it's my duty to test the Signers' potential and block their roads".

"Then what do you want with an old guy like me?" Yanagi grumbled, arms tightening around the bags.

"Right now, the Signers are all in Neo-Domino, not a single soldier of the Crimson Dragon, or Yliaster's special force, is on this isle. But I've orders to make contact with those associated with them," Shira quirked. "For you see, even once the Dark Signers have been removed from the picture, Satellite itself will be eradicated; their base of operations will no longer be host to a further incident that might jeopardize the life of the city's citizens".

"'E- Eradicated'?" Yanagi choked. "You can't do something like that! There're kids living here who deserve a future. Maybe the adults have had their chance, and someone like might could be on their last legs before long, but those kids at the very least deserve a fighting chance!"

"The children of this isle are nothing more than impoverished orphans; families don't exist within Satellite," Shira countered smugly, cocking his head to the side.

Yanagi's features wrinkled; he'd seen evidence to prove otherwise – the kids that flocked to Martha, Crow's nest, and the bloodless families forged among the people, the creation of packs and friendships that bore genuine feelings as strong as any blood relation.

"What is it? You goading me to duel? If that's the way to get past you and back to the family I'm ling with, then just out and say it" the elder scowled.

"Duels are how things are settled in Satellite; disagreements are resolved through conflict – that's the violent nature of humans, even when we compress all that rage into a card game," Shira commented, raising his left arm, peeling back the cloak enough to unveil the Duel Disk strapped to his limb. "If you're willing to bet your ideals, then I'll do you the pleasure of meeting you in battle.

With a frown, Yanagi removed his own Duel Disk, tucked away within his garments so not to draw attention of the area's duellists, lest any thugs have attempted to prey on him because of his age and fragility. In quick succession, he'd set down the groceries in a safe place, attached the device to his arm and removed his deck, casting a glare across the distance between the two whilst slotting it into its designated place.

"Duel!"

DUEL START
YANAGI - SHIRA
4000 -LP- 4000

FIRST TURN – YANAGI

"I'll go first, as you approached me," Yanagi stated sharply; quick to draw his sixth card before any protest could be made. "And I summon Crystal Skull in Defence mode [DEF 0]". Directly in front of him, the crystalline head manifested, dyed a deeper shade of blue than its usual state as a result of its defensive stance. "Ordinarily, I'd taken 1000 points of damage by summoning this, but when I activate the Quick-Play Magic, Curse-Returner Hitogana, that effect is redirected to my opponent instead".

Around the skull, energy crackled to life, collecting itself into a single bolt that bridged over the distance between the lone monster and the cloaked reaper, striking him with the stinging electric surge. Though his jaws tightened and grit themselves, no sound came as a result of the blow and he remained standing, unfazed by the damage dealt, returning to standing upright and straight as if nothing had happened.

YANAGI - SHIRA
4000 -LP- 3000

"Ah yes, I recall now; your deck is focused on the usage of worldly relics as its theme," the robed man regarded. "I studied the footage Kinomiya attained of your duel with Himuro Jin".

"Himuro-chan?" Yanagi spluttered.

"That's correct. The duel where he disrespected your worth as a duellist under the eyes of Fudo Yusei, who took up the next fight in your stead and overthrew him as the most prolific duellist within the Detention Centre".

Lips pursed, Yanagi's sight descended; truthfully, he still had major doubts about his qualities as a duellist. He hadn't played a match since that day, and Himuro's words lingered in the back of his mind, even if they had become more of friends since that time. Perhaps it was the environment, or his opponent's choice of attire, but he couldn't simply get into the spirit as he used to; he wasn't pulling off the bouncing, bumbling demeanour that had been on full display during his match with the disgraced former-Pro. Or perhaps the reason rested within him.

"All I did was relay the cards' wishes".

Yanagi flinched, with the recollection of seeing Yusei standing there with his cards in-hand, using them to defeat Himuro whom had tarnished their worth a short time earlier. How he'd managed to defeat Himuro without engaging in battle even once, flipping the perspective of all those in attendance about the value of the cards, which he focused on the dedicated care of.

'Sonny didn't let anything get in his way when it came to using this deck and neither will I. This guy isn't like Himuro-chan; he was hand-picked by Godwin, but after seeing what Sonny can do, I'll put up as good a fight as I can. He doesn't respect what people like Crow and Martha are doing for their kids, so if a duel is how I have to show him, then that's how I'll fight for their honour'.

Snatching all but one card remaining in his hand, he slotted the trio of cards into the lower level of his deck in rapid succession, producing three enlarged cards spread out in front of him.

"I set three cards face-down and end my turn".

SECOND TURN – SHIRA

"You're a man who values life and those who pave the way, who shine with the radiance of the sun. But in the end, all come to meet the untimely maker of Death, including our cards. I activate my Magic card – Card Destruction," Shira declared, throwing the named card into his own machine. "Using this, we discard our hands and draw equal to the number of cards buried to replenish our current stock".

"H- He's throwing away his entire hand?" Yanagi wheezed in disbelief.

Setting down the five cards, Shira tapped the bottom edge, entering the miniature stack at once and quick to draw in order to build up his new arsenal. Yanagi followed suit with his sole remaining card, baffled by the move, but wondering if perhaps Shira's move had been a failsafe after a bad opening hand, oblivious to the clues left within his dialogue.

"Corpse Teleporter's effect activates from the Graveyard [*]" Shira announced, stunning Yanagi into realization. "By removing this card from the Graveyard, I can transfer one Zombie-Type monster from my Cemetery to my opponent's. Dragon Zombie, infiltrate the enemy's burial grounds".

From within the opening that led to the device's innards, a light emitted, drawing out the named card from Shira's Duel Disk and sending it floating across the field, tucking itself away into Yanagi's as per the orders given to it. Bemused still, the elder bore no understanding of the strategy – the importance of a monster in the Graveyard was lost on him; they were dead and buried, to be resurrected if the correct cards came along, but would where exactly they'd be laid to rest of importance?

"Next, I return a card from my hand to the top of my deck in order to Special Summon Zombie Carrier from the Graveyard onto the field," Shira continued, sparing no opportunity for Yanagi to grasp hold of his senses.

Behind the robed man, the ground ruptured, granting entrance to the surface world to the behemoth zombie that clamoured up from the Graveyard, its husky violet and indigo body clothed by rags, hairy arms left bare from the damage to its pitiful garments. Beneath scarlet eyes, drooping jaws hung, mumbled unintelligently [ATK 400].

"Furthermore, I summon Avatar of Pharaoh".

Slamming the additional monster onto the Duel Disk, the creature resembling a bison manifested; a golden mask concealing its head and decorations adorning its curled horns. Hanging either side of its wide body, a string from which ornaments resembling charms hung, connected to a scarlet robe that concealed the top of its pelt [ATK 400].

"Level Appropriation activate [*]" Shira continued, placing the Magic card in beneath his secondary monster. "Once per turn, I'm permitted to manipulate the Level of a monster that I possess to equal that of a monster on your field. So for this turn, I can change Avatar of Pharaoh to a Level 4 by selecting your Crystal Skull".

"A- Ah? Using my card against me!" Yanagi whimpered feebly.

"Tuning Level 2 Zombie Carrier and Level 4 Avatar of Pharaoh," Shira announced, opening his arms to the respective monsters either side of him. The immense purple beast took its leave, slamming both fists into the ground, each becoming a green ring that danced upwards so to gravitate towards the place from which the Synchro Monster would emerge. Lured in by the gateway opened, the bison floated towards the tunnel forged, relinquishing its four stars that paraded wildly and then in a spur of momentary order. "Synchro Summon! Resurrect, Deathkaiser Dragon!"

Descending from the almost blinding brilliance was a dragon of grey flesh and bone, what would have ordinarily have been skin between muscles was marked by fragments of metal resembling the skeletal being beneath the surface [ATK 2400]. Embedded deeply within its chest, a ruby glistened when all around was grey, the dragon's flexible neck coiling to lower its head in front of the treasure and its great wings unfolding, lined by the bones which connected it to the main body and unleashing a gale that threatened to topple the unsuspecting Yanagi right off his wooden sandals.

"Deathkaiser's effect activates – as it was successfully Special Summoned, I'm permitted to unearth a Zombie-Type monster in my opponent's Graveyard and take it as a soldier of my own," Shira declared.

Only then did the full extent of the scheme dawn on Yanagi, whose teeth chattered in several failed attempts of uttering something in response to the play. Before he could manage to voice anything, the decaying purple dragon had erupted from the fissure left by Zombie Carrier's entry onto the field – a tunnel that connected the underworld to the living, surface plane [ATK 1600]. Beside it, a green-skinned man, in equal state of decomposition, climbed out from the crater, his body cloaked in a suit of scarlet armour, though scarcely reminiscent of any war hero that he might have been in his life [ATK 1500].

"Avatar of Pharaoh's effect allows me to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Zombie-Type when it's sent to the Graveyard as part of a Synchro Summon," Shira dictated before any question could be posed.

"S- So that was it. You were setting up e- everything to call this army of z- zombies," Yanagi finally stammered, pointing shakily from one monster to another. "Y- You're leading a zombie in- invasion against everyone!"

"Far from it; the only invasion is the superior land quelling a nuisance; the thorn in its side for far too long. You should have stayed in the city where you were safe, even if Marked. Though who knows how much time might have passed before Daimon might be purged in the same manner as this isle?" Shira scoffed callously. "Try as you might to find a place you consider 'home', there is no such place; not for you, or the people native to this district. When this war is done, searing fires will scorch this land until there's nothing left. All there is will be burned down and made anew, or destroyed completely. In the world of duelling, it's survival of the fittest, no doubt in Satellite, that law holds true in many more elements of everyday life. And it's the same in the wider world – this is simply weeding out the weak; Neo-Domino cannot afford to deal with the grief that is this place and its people any longer, but rather than cast them adrift, this war will bring them a fitting end. They'll needn't worry about their futures, what lies beyond the land of conflict and strife. What's happening here is doing them a favour by putting an end to their misery and sorrows once and for all".

"You're crazy if you think these people would rather die than fight for tomorrow," Yanagi protested vehemently. "Isn't the resistance they're putting up enough for your eyes to see that much? They aren't people who lie down and enjoy being told what to do. They're better than to take oppression like mindless drones. I might not understand everything, being an old man who travelled the world and landed in Neo-Domino, but what I do know is that people don't just stop living. And the kids here are fighting to prove their worth; they're revolting against you and your twisted ways of thinking to show they can and will have a better future once they're given the opportunity to live. If you kill them, it'll mean everything was for nothing – all the pain and anguish that the people on both sides had to go through. And kids like Sonny and his pals… they're not about to let bullies like you and Security waltz on in and decimate everything that's important to them. So until he gets back, I'll do my part to hold the fort".

A moment of silent contemplation followed, Shira's lips pressed together into a straight line before twisting into a sinister smirk. "You speak so confidently about your abilities to hold on long enough when you yourself are nearing death's door. An aged man can only do so much, but your best days are behind you; you're in no state to be fighting in a war, Earthly veteran. Allow me to bring you nearer to the end; then you too, will be able to rest. Armoured Zombie, attack Crystal Skull".

The one eye retaining its pupil rolled around wildly, fixating itself on the target and staggered forward, brandishing its sword. Rather than a stealthy lunge as was commonplace in duels, the knight staggered forward drunkenly, slow to unsheathe its weapon and taking the remainder of its passage across the field before it had positioned it in line with the waiting skull. With a single thrust, the steel sword pierced through the forehead of the skull, producing a number of cracks that spread across its entire being and exploded a matter of seconds later.

"Dragon Zombie attacks directly".

Readying itself to strike, flames clustered within the rotten jaws of the dragon, watching with lifeless eyes as Armoured Zombie hurried out of the way before unleashing its searing spray, setting alight to the ground all around Yanagi, who folded his arms defensively, eyes squeezed shut to minimize the damage from the flames to his sight.

YANAGI - SHIRA
2400 -LP- 3000

"And now you remain with the same amount of lifepoints as Deathkaiser's attack power; one more attack and you may be laid to rest," Shira reported, smirking sinisterly. "Deathkaiser Dragon, put an end to this. Direct attack!"

Its wings unfolded and stretched to their physical limitations, the dragon lifted itself higher, eclipsing the sun so to cast its shadow over Yanagi in lieu of a reaper, in preparation to sever his life (or the next best thing within its range of power) as its master dictated. Swooping down, the beast let out a throaty roar, and although his life had been virtually targeted, Yanagi showed no hesitation in lifting a card into play, hues glaring upwards at the dragon diving down towards him.

"Quick-Play activate: Curse of the Tomb's Treasure! [*]" he hollered in retaliation. "I can destroy a card I control to Special Summon one of three particular cards if they're in my Graveyard. You're not the only one who can use the afterlife to their advantage – I remove my face-down Spell Calling to revive Crystal Skull in defence mode [DEF 0]". Between his wrinkled fingers, Yanagi spun another card he'd reclaimed. "Spell Calling allows me to reset a Quick-Play Magic card after revealing it to my opponent, so I can place Curse-Returner Hitogana back on the field".

"But it's too late to aid you in fending off Crystal Skull's effect immediately. You'll suffer the repercussions of summoning that relic. And like that skull, you shall be buried into the soil of this world. Your impertinent resistance shall prove as futile as those of this place. It and you shall amount to nothing all the same".

"Ah, ah, ah," Yanagi sounded, waggling a finger. "You're so fast to dismiss people, but it's those very individuals you're so quick to write off that'll surprise you most. There are special people who escape your gaze if you're so narrow-minded". In his mind's eye, Yusei's face from that day in the Detention Centre appeared; the last face he'd seen before Yusei had been recaptured in the outbreak from the Detention Centre's walls. "I got an important someone that the world wrote off as nothing, and I ain't about to let him down. So sorry to thwart your plans so soon, but you'll have to deal with this old coot a little longer; Trap card open – Alexandrian Remnant [*]. This negates the effect of a monster in my command and lets me draw two extra cards".

Doing just as his card stated, the aged duellist added the additional cards to his hand, grinning at the robed man, with a devious glint in his eye. "My cards aren't giving up on me just yet, and I don't intend to do the same. I know their worth, and it won't be what someone like you claims; you've got no right to determine what something or someone means in this world".

"But I can put an end to you all the same. Deathkaiser's attack continues nevertheless. Return the skull to where it belongs," Shira barked, extending an arm forward.

The dragon's pursuit picked up where it had left off, circling back in order to repeat the dive that had been interrupted by the appearance of the obstacle in its path. And quick to move it down, removing the only defence on Yanagi's field, returning it to the state it had been at the beginning of the attack. With two cards clutched in his hand, Shira set the pair into his Duel Disk.

"I lay two cards face-down and end my turn".

THIRD TURN – YANAGI

"The fighting spirit is a wondrous thing, don't you think? Not just duellists, but ordinary people as well. You're not going to simply run them down. I've got more faith in people than for them to allow this twisted status quo to persist. People advance, they grow and become stronger; not by stepping on one another, but by working together," the elder lectured, smirking at how a seemingly flawless strategy had been held back by a monster deemed worthless not once, but twice by a duellist from the city. "Magic card activate– Stonehenge".

Around the two duellists, the stone structures from the English monument emerged from the ground, leaving no mark on the Satellite street, but channelling pillars of light from each individual structure that collected themselves into one space directly in front of Yanagi.

"I revive Crystal Skull and equip this card to it," the older stated, reaching out for the jewel skull formulating itself once more. "As for its effect, now I can activate Curse-Returner Hitogana".

In a repeat of its previous release of misdirected power, the bolts from the skull launched itself in Yanagi's direction, colliding with the transparent barrier that protected him from its spell and repelled it towards the cloaked enemy, delivering a second dosage of the power which depleted his original life down to half.

YANAGI - SHIRA
2400 -LP- 2000

"And I summon Ashoka Pillar," Yanagi called, slapping down the card.

A safe distance from Crystal Skull, the tower erupted from the ground, looming at an incredible height, much taller than many of the buildings in the surrounding area, with Yanagi smirking in its shadow [DEF 2200].

"These effects might be designed to work against me, but that's how much faith I have in these cards to keep using them. Like him, I'm going to work this deck until I've perfected it, and I don't have to worry about any backlash," he stated confidently. "I've seen it be done; moving without hesitation and fighting wholeheartedly regardless of the odds; that's why I'm not going to let you gain even an inch before the kids come back. Spirit Mask activate – equipping it to Ashoka Pillar, when the card's removed from the field, I can send a card from my hand to the Graveyard".

"You've gone senile in your age; you'd barely survive losing that monster," Shira scoffed, shrugging his shoulders, his smugness leaking through the small opening in his robes within the dark smirk he continued to wear.

"You let me worry about that, but thanks for your concern. I'll set an extra card face-down. Turn end".

FOURTH TURN – SHIRA

"Deathkaiser Dragon attacks Ashoka Pillar".

With the same deep roar, the dragon barrelled itself forward, lunging at the tower in question – with its destruction, Yanagi would be hanging on the brink of defeat, reduced to a mere tenth of the lifepoints he'd begun with, and after just two turns of his opponent's hand. Without any apparent resistance, the dragon collided with the tower, demolishing it with ease. Smoke billowed from the damage body, cascading across Yanagi's side of the field so thickly it was almost suffocating even to Shira on the opposite side, lifting the drape dangling from his right arm in order to shield his airways from the tainted air.

But even with that temporary issue, he was confident in his immense lead, and the certainty that the duel would end so soon. And so effortlessly on his part, as he'd expected after picking out the elder as the first target; once Yanagi had been dealt with, he could climb the ranks of Yusei's fellowship – towards Saiga, Himuro and Crow, felling one after another to instil the despair that would paralyze the Satellite army's resistance in the face of such evident futility.

But when he appeared from within the cloud that swarmed across his field, Yanagi showed no sign of damage, but rather, stood as proud and cocky as at the end of his previous turn.

"What happened?" Shira scowled.

"This Trap card – Blackboard Eraser Trap," Yanagi answered, raising a withered arm to the standing card by his side. "It blocks the damage from Ashoka Pillar's effect and has you discard".

For the first time since their meeting, a clear frown was upon Shira's face, slowly removing a card from his hand and depositing it into his Graveyard. "You seem to lack the understanding that the Graveyard is as powerful and beneficial to me as the living field itself".

"And it can be for me as well; I might be struggling against the force you claim is Death, but I'll embrace every living day without fear of when God might lower a scythe to bring my days to an end. I won't be afraid of tomorrow, and I'll fight to ensure there's such a day for the kids who still have so much longer ahead of them. And do so like this; Spirit Mask's effect lets me send Revenge Legend [*] from my hand to the Graveyard – which is when it's ability kicks in. Because it enters the Graveyard directly from my hand, I can destroy an opponent's monster without Defence points. I think it's about time to pay back Dragon Zombie for that bite earlier".

"Are your mortal hands attempting to usurp the duty of a power far greater than anything humans can ever dream to attain? Remain in you place if you wish for a peaceful end. Trap card open: Tutan Mask," Shira responded, growing more venomous in tone as he proceeded, and then standing with his back straightened, almost arched by the activation of his card. "This'll negate and destroy Revenge Legend, thereby protecting Dragon Zombie for your faux death, man of life".

With a tut, Yanagi's fingers snapped, clearly disappointed by the failure to have turned the tables, but without bitterness. "I thought I gotcha there" he jested. "But it doesn't mean I'll give up just yet. I don't get what Yliaster is or what you're doing, whether you're really with the Signers or not, but I am backing them. So I'm going to last until Sonny makes it back, Death or not".

"A man so stubborn to evade the inevitable. The epitome of mankind's reluctance to simply conform with the cycle of life and death," Shira mused. "You and the people here are all alike; you refuse to accept death as a part of being, the completion of a cycle".

"Because while I'm here; in this life, in this form, in this time, I'm going to make the most of it. The memories that won't carry over with my soul when the end comes, and there's too much unfinished business for me to leave, even when he makes it back. I gotta keep an eye out for that guy because he had my back. I don't have a family, so he and Himuro-chan… those kids at the Orphanage… are the closest thing I have to one. And I intend to protect them no matter who or what I'm facing, even if it's something that can't be stopped".

"Is that your piece?" Shira murmured. "Then to match your speech about their positive traits, they can say the same in a eulogy for you once we're finished here. Armoured Zombie attacks Crystal Skull".

A repetition of movements, the green-skinned man traced the same path, planting its blade into the same position as it had the previous turn and dismissing the immobile monster in a shower of golden shards that scattered themselves across the ground. And hurriedly staggering out of the way to unveil its ally already in the midst of preparing a secondary jet of flames.

"That unfinished business of yours shall not be resolved; you'll simply have to depart with the regret of not tying up those loose ends. Dragon Zombie, direct attack!"

With a ghostly howl, the flames surged outwards, setting ablaze the grounds surrounding Yanagi and scorching him with their faux heat, the man yelping nonetheless and shielding himself as if in the midst of a real fire. But then it dawned on him that it wasn't his senses playing tricks on him; embers still remained from the previous fire, joining with those of the new. His opponent… a member of Yliaster; it wouldn't be a surprise if he was using a Real Gear, if Yliaster had manufactured the same device compatible for Standing Duels. Waves of searing heat rushed off, bringing him out in a sweat and shuddering feebly in the centre of the ring of flames.

YANAGI - SHIRA
800 -LP- 2000

"You understand now, do you not?" Shira laughed. "Duel Monsters, especially here, has transcended a mere game. It is a way of life and death for duellists. The limitations of humans; intellectual and physical have been tested and enhanced previously on numerous occasions since the game's introduction. Where we stand is the peak of human's present evolution at the hands of cooperating with this game that pushes us to and beyond our boundaries. For you, a passing man, there is little chance you have of surviving in this world; not simply competitively, but in all manners. So I am here, on Death's behalf, to grant you an amicable ending, unless you would truly prefer the bloodlust of the warring battlefield that this isle had become".

Crumpled onto one knee, Yanagi shuddered, gazing with uncertainty at the man. His arms folded over his chest, attempting to steady himself and minimize any physical symptoms that the shock had instilled within him. Not to show weakness, because that would snowball into something the enemy could pick upon and use against him. Those whom he'd befriended had never shown weaknesses, and he couldn't bear to anchor them down again. No more. He had to be capable enough to hang in there long enough to reunite.

---

-Neo-Domino: Godwin Mansion-

The air was oddly peaceful and silent for the quartet perched atop the small hill within the gardens of the island; lush grass stretching and neatly cut as far as the eye could see before the island met with water. A sight that all had varying degrees of familiarity, and yet, after what they'd seen, heard and experienced… there was an oddness about such tranquillity, knowing there was something so tremendous happening so close. Involving people that mattered to them, whom they knew personally. Ruka shuffled beside Yusei's leg, one outstretched whilst the other had its knees raised, the heel planted into the dirty, his weight largely balanced on his forearms and rear. On her other side, Rua gazed in fascination at Jack, both the youngster's legs stretched outwards and hands planted on the earth between them.

"Jack was really born in Satellite? I can't believe it," the boy gaped. "It's weird to think that Neo-Domino's King is someone who comes from a place that so many in the City don't like".

"But Jack was born before the Zero Reverse incident. Technically, he is City-born," Ruka commented.

"Don't try to sugar-coat it. I've known all my life; the area I was born in became Satellite, I was essentially born there," Jack commented sourly.

"But it doesn't matter where you came from; you've been an idol to so many people for so long. And anyone who cares for real aren't about to turn their back on you," Rua protested enthusiastically, clenching his fists and raising them quickly. "I think it's incredible that you guys worked so hard to not just get out of there, but reach the top of Neo-Domino's league. It proves there're strong people like both of you there, and Crow too. Ruka and I saw that duel you just had – it was better than anything that's happened here. That's got to mean something!"

Above the boy's head, Jack's eyes wandered to meet Yusei's, the dark-haired Signer smiling and shrugging his shoulder at how they'd both seemingly been mistaken about the dedication of the blond's fans. Rua wasn't a loyalist who had no sense of right and wrong, but he had seen things from the inside. He understood, and he had faith in Jack. The blond sounded what resembled relief, resting a hand atop Rua's head.

"I'd have never pegged you for being so grown up, Rua," he quipped.

"Well, you might not be King anymore, but you're still important. And I don't just mean because of that Signer Birthmark. But to a lot of people, even if they're saying you've done something bad, I'm not the only one who'll still look up to you. I'm no fickle kid," Rua narrated, puffing his chest outwards proudly.

Without raising his head, Jack's eyes averted once more to Yusei, who's hues wandered away quickly afterwards. Between them, Ruka's head also rotated around to the dark-haired male, her palms cupping the knees drawn to her chest. "I'm still amazed about Yusei's father's work. That Zero Reverse wasn't what we believed it to be; they just claimed the natural disasters were the cause of what happened. But it was a conspiracy by the government. And it almost makes sense about why people feel so negatively about Satellite; it's like a reminder of a dark day. Was that what Jack was touching upon when he mentioned how you felt about it, Yusei?"

"That's right," Yusei answered, raising his eyes from the youth in front of him to the blond whose head and shoulders loomed over the twins' heads. "Jack, you said you'd answer what you were insinuating if I won the duel".

A short distance behind, at the foot of the mound behind the four, Naoko stood in watch, observant of the group's discussion with fascination. And somehow, despite their responsibility as supposed fated warriors fighting for the planet's protection, they had managed to continue being so carefree; a man branded as a criminal birthed by a leading scientists, a King whose origins had fabricated, and children from one of the richest families in the city all congregated together, laughing and playing. In spite of all the hardships they'd faced, and all those yet to come, they continued to thrive and make the most of their time.

And to see both sides of the hated border conversing so easily, without prejudice or preconceptions, made her curious as to whether coexistence was truly possible. If it might have been possible for Psychics to exist without being locked away collectively in a tower, with their own kind as the only company to embrace. Instead of sticking with their own kind, they might be able to spread out, get back their freedom and explore; to see just how far they could make it before their powers might become a hindrance. If it was possible for bonds to be forged that would survive even that type of revelation.

Fingers coiled around the hair tied over one shoulder, grasping at its loose form and squeezed. Naturally, she was grateful for Divine's intervention; saving her when she was at her wit's end and ready to concede, to depart and learn if the next world might be more accepting of someone born with extraordinary power. She owed him considerably for rescuing her from that crumbling state and pulling her back from the brink. It was a debt she could never repay. But there was something that bothered her. Without his supervision, she'd been able to leave the Arcadia Movement's building, meet with the Signers, experience their connections, get a glimpse of their lives.

'Because of Divine-san, I'm still alive. But… I'm not really living, and being inside of the Arcadia Movement is fine. Until we get outside like this. Then it's clear to see… we're barely existing in comparison,' she pondered. 'Seeing these people together; I want to be able to spread my wings and put the past behind me, rather than be reminded of it by living in a state that's effectively imprisonment. Not to be defined by my power, by what I am, but… that place is a constant reminder. In Satellite, it's no different, but they have the opportunity to put that out of their minds; they're free to go wherever they like. I want that kind of freedom. It might not be the same as everyone else, but it's better. It's a way of running into different people'. By her sides, the girl's dangling fist clenched, the fingers laced around her hair tightening one more. The brow above her eyes tightened, optics shimmering with clustering resolve bubbling away inside. 'I understand Divine-san's methods and his intentions to protect us, so I'll be fine to offer myself up for an experiment that allows us to venture outside. If Izayoi-san wants to establish a second Arcadia Movement in his stead, then I'll support her and lessen the burden. By whatever means. Though I'm through with hiding in the shadows, as if I'm living in shame of what power I possess. The Signers are walking free, they've even been benefitted by that power, I want to do the same for Psychic Duellists. And to talk with Izayoi-san about this when she feels ready to'.

Her line of thought was quickly interrupted by the uproar of Jack hollering in protests of being goaded by not only Yusei, but the twins, to reveal his exact line of thinking during the duel, the hint he'd left and sworn to respond in full upon Yusei's victory.

"Fine, fine," the blond barked. "It's just when it comes down to it, I can see Yusei's feelings for Satellite existing in two lights. Firstly, he wants to do right by it; protecting an heirloom left by his father, the only physical survivor of his work. But at the same time, I was starting to wonder if perhaps Satellite's existence fuels the guilt in you; it's a constant reminder that a mistake happened while your father was in charge and it cost so many their lives. It ripped apart an entire city and caused a social divide. Maybe you'd considered landing there serving a punishment in his place".

"I might not have any memories of my father to rely upon, but I know one thing about him," Yusei responded, reluctant to meet eyes immediately and remained fixated ahead, craning his neck slightly so to raise his field of vision. "He was fine to face death in order to save my life. He's a man who would do anything to protect his family. For him, it didn't matter where I went, so long as I lived beyond that night; I got lucky, to have been found by Martha. And I'm certain my father had faith that somehow, our family wouldn't end altogether that night. I want to do right by him; the life he gave me, not once but twice – I want to make something of it. I'll protect the world, and do whatever I can to help build Satellite up into a place that won't be discredited simply because it was born in an accident. This place… there's a future generation growing here, and for them, as much as the memory of my parents, I want to create a way for them to rise from the ashes of the world we knew. It's a product of my father's work; something to move the world forward, if we can find a true purpose for it".

"A noble notion, Yusei. Though actions speak louder than words," Jack remarked.

"With his position, Godwin should be fine to initiate something of a solution," Yusei claimed. "I'll put my case forward; I'll fight under Yliaster's banner if he guarantees that Satellite's future can be improved once this is over".

"-If it isn't destroyed," Jack added bluntly, drawing the eyes of the other three, as well as the young woman stationed behind them. "Tensions on both sides are higher than ever because of the war. And I was never suitable help quell them the instant I led the charge into Satellite. Godwin won't be in much of a position either; we need to find a spokesperson that can sway the people to calm down and back off, otherwise, there won't be anything left by the time the Dark Signers, and then the City, are through with it".

"Maybe if they find out who the Signers are, then the four of you together can talk sense into them," Rua chimed.

"I don't think that'll work, even if we out ourselves as Signers. The four of us are still a King that people are wary of, a man who they would consider a criminal, a Psychic Duellist with a reputation as a troublemaker, and a child. No matter what we say, no-one will take such a ragtag group seriously," Ruka sighed, slackening her shoulders.

"We'll think about it more when the time comes; first of all, we have to deal with the threat at hand. I'll negotiate my terms with Godwin," Yusei declared. "Last time, he pushed me into a deal, but now I'll be able to reverse that against him. He knows I won't turn my back on Satellite, but I can bluff that I'll go in alone unless he cooperates. Once we're through, we can make Satellite a safe place".

"And make something of Old Momentum; Martha always did try to keep us away from it when you wanted to search for anything of your family there," Jack quipped with a smile. "A monument fit for your father, for everyone that was lost that day".

"Jack…" Yusei muttered. Following up that bewildered murmur with a nod. "There are people important to me there; even if not how I had been planning to do so by just my hand, they need protecting".

To see that glint of conviction within Yusei's eyes confirmed for Jack that his message had effectively burrowed itself into that previously fragmented and suffocated mind. A hand rested against the breast of his coat, wherein Carly's fractured spectacles had been tucked away. He could comprehend the notion of fighting to protect or get back someone dear; more and more, she was on his mind, with each passing hour and day that she remained a missing person. He wanted answers, to be certain of what happened, and to her.

In the background, Mikage approached the gathering, hands folded in front of her waist and squaring her shoulders before parting her lips and announcing her presence with the command issued to her; an order to pass on.

"Director Godwin is scheduling for the Signers to depart and head towards Satellite later today, towards the evening, if possible. Please let me know if you need more time".

"Today?" Jack echoed.

"Izayoi-san isn't present right now, but I can pass the message onto her and check to see if she's ready," Naoko volunteered, resting a hand against her chest. Beneath the surface, she remained uncomfortable about Aki's role; to have people who had scorned her suddenly dependent on her participation in a war that would determine all their fates when she had already lost the person who meant most to her. Her aspirations, it seemed, would have to wait until a better time. But in any case, the conversation that had unfolded before had had cemented that desire to be free – to grasp a new level of liberty beyond that which Divine had granted the Psychic Duellists recruited for the sake of their protection. Standing firmly in place, her stance on the matter had been decided, and intended to make that much clear, even if it might clash with Aki's; she would search for compromise. Somewhere that might balance security and release.

"Then tonight, we'll settle things," Yusei declared, clenching a fist. "Not just with the Dark Signers, but we'll decide Satellite's future before even taking off".

---

PREVIEW

Rua: Wow, we're heading to Satellite!

Ruka: I wonder what it's like. For decent people like Yusei and Jack to be there, it can't be as bad as the stories.

Crow: Man… you guys…

Yusei: To secure Satellite's future, we'll have to gamble on negotiations with Godwin; it's time we took control for ourselves. Next time: "Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's: The Neo-Domino Purge, Chapter 39 – The Oncoming Storm! The Intensifying Conflict".

Jack: What? What's that miasma spreading itself across Satellite?!

NEXT KEY CARD – Revived Demon King Hades

---

[1] "Clustering stars will call upon a new force! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Show yourself, Junk Warrior!"

[2] "The ruler's heartbeats will now file through here! Take witness to its creation-shaking power! Synchro Summon! My very soul, Red Demons Dragon!"

[*] Cards made for The Neo-Domino Purge