Sara's rampage came to an end at a high cost, the deaths of some Sector Security officers.
Richard was forced to kill his adversary but he didn't come out of the building the same man he used to be.
Jack has no time to rest with little time left to stop Miraak's brain-washing machine Jack knows he has to face a tough opponent.
58. A Blast From the Past.
Jack kept the leader of the group of armed men constantly in his sights, on the big screen outside Sara's Chthonian Emperor Dragon just dealt massive damage to Richard.
'Hey!' Jack suddenly shouted drawing the attention of the man in charge.
'What do you want? Just be quiet!' The armed man replied.
'Can you come closer? I've heard your breath stinks, I want to smell it see if it's true.' Jack calmly spoke a smug look on his face.
'You dare don't you? Think you're though!' The man roared, he stood before Jack his face close to Jack's.
'Fus Ro Dah!' Jack shouted, the man fell on his back, Jack broke the tie-wraps he leaped on the man pinning his hands, quickly the other armed men disappeared into thin-air.
'Like I thought.' Jack said: 'He used a powerful form of Illusion Magic.' Jack reached into the man's pocket he found more tie-wraps quickly the Dragonborn tied up the assailant.
'You better untie me right now!' The man growled.
'Now why should I do that? You answer me a few questions then I hand you over to the authorities.' Jack grabbed the man by his collar and pulled him up, he moved his face close to that of the man.
'Duban, you work for him, where is he?' Jack asked the man simply laughed, then he started to foam and shake really badly, Jack let go of the man, on the ground the assailant squirmed for a few seconds before he fell silent. 'Cyanide pill hidden in his mouth, clearly he didn't want to talk.' Jack sighted: 'Lost another lead.' He muttered as he started to search the man, he found no document that told him who the man was, then Jack looked at the man's ears.
'Look at this.' He said the ears of the man both had a nasty-looking scar at the top.
'What the? What happened to him?' Leo wondered.
'Surgery, this man's a Mer, didn't want to look like an Elf so he had surgery to make his ears look like human ears.' Jack quickly explained, he had seen this happen regularly.
'Question is what kind of Mer?' Leo muttered to himself as he examined the man further. 'Half blood.' Jack replied: 'A human and a Mer parent, more Mer than human though, impossible to tell what race of Mer.' The Dragonborn walked away from the man as he tried to piece things together.
After a few minutes Jack stopped pacing around. 'I need to find Ebony and Ivory.' He said Leo looked up. 'Those two from that shadow government? They taught you Clear Mind didn't they?'
Jack nodded: 'Things don't add up, my guess is those two or at least their boss knows more, somehow Ravin is involved as well, but I don't know how.' Leo took one more look at the dead Elf. 'Well no use to stay here, we have less than an hour left, the mechanism for that brainwashing device is probably at the top of this temple, that's were Cid will be.' Leo pointed out.
'Yes let's go, Leo and Juliet I want you two with me, Serana stay with Lyla, Drake you and your team secure the perimeter.' Jack said his allies scattered at that moment Richard walked out the doors, he looked terrible the officers he rescued were with him.
'Richard!' Jack shouted but the Captain completely ignored him, instead he walked right to the exit of the temple were Gizelle was waiting.
'Richard.' Jack grabbed the officer by his shoulder. 'You did the right thing, you had no choice killing Sara.' Richard stopped for a second.
'I need to debrief.' He said.
'And then you take a brake Richard, Gizelle is capable to handle things and the only thing you guys need to do is arresting Cid once I stopped him, we deal with Empress she's out of your league, no offense.'
Somewhere outside New-York.
A young woman dressed in a black-leather crop top revealing most of her belly, matching black-leather pants, blood-red knee-high leather boots and matching fingerless, arm-length gloves, her flaming red, shoulder-length hair stood out in the grim-looking bar, the woman was drinking a beer, her and the other patrons were fixated on the big screen covering most of the back wall of the bar, the ordeal with Sara was broadcast live.
'You enjoy this don't you.' The young woman looked up to the woman who had approached her, she was completely covered by a cloak.
'It's you Empress.' The young woman coldly replied.
'Evelyn.' Empress spoke: 'Sara won't live long, she's really sick the doctors can't help her, nobody can. I told Sara about you, told her that you idolized her.'
Evelyn looked away from the screen, she had a soft face, she wore blood-red lipstick and black lines around her eyes, there was a gleam of evil in her eyes, she had several piercings in her nose, lip and ears.
'What did Sara say? I need to know!' Evelyn replied Empress sat down next to her. 'In prison Sara couldn't do much so I helped her breaking out, this show is specifically for you, it's her swan song, you should enjoy it.'
Evelyn looked back at the screen: 'Who is she Dueling anyway?'
Empress chuckled: 'That Evelyn, is Richard, he arrested her the other people you saw were accomplices of Richard.'
At that moment a deafening shot sounded through the screen, Evelyn was in shock. 'No!' She shouted then three more shots sounded and the screen turned black. 'No, no, no!' Evelyn cried she cleansed her fist Empress placed her hands on the girl's shoulders she shuddered.
'Sara wanted you to see this, she was sick and dying, Sector Security knew that still they kept her locked up and pursued her, now you know who the bad guys are.' Empress let Evelyn go.
'I know what to do.' Evelyn replied: 'I will do Sara proud.'
Miraak's temple, top floor.
Jack entered a large, square room the arena in the middle caught his eye immediately, it was a very old Duel arena they used in Duelist Kingdom, a large, square arena with a red side and a blue side, in each corner were hologram projectors, two elevators reached to two platforms where the Duelists would stand, in front of the Duelist was an area where they played their cards, those cards would then appear in the arena.
At the other side of the room Jack saw an elevator that would lead to the mechanism, with only about ten minutes left Jack had to hurry.
Next to the old arena in a wheelchair sat the old man Cid, he was wearing a business suit, his hair was neatly combed.
'Welcome Jack.' The man spoke.
'Cid.' Jack coldly replied.
'I'd prefer my real name, I am George the name Cid I used for the criminal underworld, I'd made it a habit to separate my normal life and my criminal life.'
Jack placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. 'Touching, I have no time for this, surrender George.'
George chuckled then his chuckle turned into a cough. 'Go ahead mister Jack, take the elevator, I have not the strength to stop you anyway, Sara was meant as the guardian of this device.'
Jack kept the man in his sights as he walked towards the elevator, Juliet and Leo kept their eyes on the criminal as well.
When Jack reached the top he saw the pillar, he felt a enormous power coming from it, as Jack reached out sparks of electricity touched his skin then he felt the power from the pillar surging through him. 'Feim Zii Gron!' Jack shouted just in time a barrier formed around his body, an explosion tore through the upper room, the pillar started to sway around before it tumbled down to the ground where it broke in countless pieces.
'We're done.' Jack said when he reached the floor George was on.
'Congratulations Jack.' Juliet cheered Leo still was fixated on George who just sat in his wheelchair.
'Miraak won't be able to control the world any longer, but this is far from over Jack.' Leo spoke.
'I know Leo, we can't breath easy, we must proceed with caution, Miraak knows his tower is broken, excess magic from that tower currently holds this temple in it's grasp, he won't be able to directly open a portal here, we have some time.' Then Jack looked at George.
Slowly the old man stood up from the wheelchair, he took a cane that was attached to the back of his chair. 'I am Unaware, can't see things for what they are, but I know of them, Empress told me.' George slowly started to tap the cane on the ground: 'Empress said that if I could kill you she'd bring me to where she lives, there she would give me eternal life and make me Aware.'
George sat down in his chair again as standing cost him too much energy.
'I was foolish Jack, I can sense death at my door I have only a couple of hours left I can feel it. Knowing that death comes for you you start to cling on any hope you can get, deep down I knew Empress was lying.' He closed his eyes as tears welled up in them.
'So why are you here?' Jack asked, when George opened his eyes they were full of fire. 'I am a Duelist at heart Jack, I've heard about your skills, Empress thinks I still want to get eternal life, but all I truly want is one final Duel against an opponent worthy of my skill.'
Jack crossed his arms. 'You know I could walk away right now, you're no threat to me.'
George reached into his jacket, he pulled an ordinated revolver out of his, gracefully he cocked the gun and pointed it at Jack.
'Enhanced bullets, not even your Shouts can block those.'
Juliet and Leo reached for their weapons but Jack stopped them.
'He's desperate, he won't shoot, George I agree to a Duel I've become curious myself.' He then turned his attention to his friends. 'The two of you make sure Miraak won't enter, this Duel is something between me and George.' As Jack's friends left the room Jack took place on the blue elevator, George drove his wheelchair on the red elevator, as both elevators started to move the four arms the projectors were attached to rose up.
'Duel!' Both George and Jack shouted.
(George: 8000) - (Jack: 8000)
George took the first turn by placing a card on the machine, it appeared vertically in one of the Monster Zones.
'Let's keep you guessing for now.' He said.
Via the display on his side he could see his opponent's Field, the card was old, the back was faded, the sides were slightly tattered, the remaining colors were washed up. 'I can tell you really love these cards.' Jack remarked.
'This Deck is very dear to me, had this Deck since I was only a child, only changed some cards on occasion, the majority of my cards are second-hand because you can't get those anymore.' George replied.
'As a Duelist I can respect that, as a Duelist and a person I respect you George, it is Cid I despise.' Jack drew his card.
'A lot of people hate Cid, using Cid as an alter ego, let's say I have my reasons for that, you will understand it at some point, now let's forget you are a Blade and I'm an escaped criminal let's enjoy this as two Duelists, as equals.'
Jack looked over his hand, he didn't know what to expect he knew what cards usually were considered useless by most people, but the cards George used were well-worn they couldn't be modern cards.
'I think I know what's going on here.' He said while he choose a card. 'I Summon Junk Blader.' A static version of the purple-skinned warrior appeared in the arena the warrior held his red sword in front of him. (1800 ATK) 'Attack that facedown Monster.' Jack stated, the Junk Blader made a sweeping motion with his sword the hidden card disappeared in it's place appeared a mechanical jar the opening had a blue-metal plate in front of it shaped like a grinning mouth, a green eye covered most of the metal plate. (900 DEF)
The jar got cleaved in half it's remains exploded in pixels.
'Cyber Jar.' George said: 'When flipped all Monsters are destroyed then we draw five cards and Special Summon all Level four or lower Monsters.'
Junk Blader exploded in pixels then he drew five cards.
'I Set one and Special Summon Junk Servant and Junk Synchron.' First appeared a hidden card then appeared the toy robot Junk Servant (1500 ATK) followed by the orange, Tuner robot. (1300 ATK)
The card Jack has set was Quillbolt Hedgehog the other two cards he drew were Scrap-Iron Scarecrow and One For One
Then George drew five. 'I Set three and Summon Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts.' George quickly placed the card down so Jack couldn't follow which card was witch, one by one the reversed cards appeared followed by a lion-like beast standing on two legs, it had long arms ending in sharp claws, yellow eyes, a maw filled with sharp fangs and a horn on the middle of it's forehead. (1500 ATK)
Jack knew the three facedown cards were: Magician of Faith, Invader of the Throne and Man-Eater Bug, the final card George got was Thunder Dragon.
'So my hunch was correct, those cards were among the first sets released, they originated from the time Yugi himself was still active, so do you have a certain era you stop using cards from?' Jack was genuinely interested.
George rested his hands on the console in front of him. 'When Duel Monsters became popular after Yugi had defeated Pegasus in Duelist Kingdom, Industrial Illusions had to step up their game, eventually they started to release Archetypes that's where I draw the line.' He paused for a second to cough: 'It is not that I hate Archetypes, Zombies were amongst the first they released but many of those cards are still used today, what I sought in my Deck were cards that formed no Archetype together like the days of Duelist Kingdom, a lot of people scoff on this Deck but I have beaten many modern Decks with this.' A smile formed on George's old face.
'I can see why.' Jack replied: 'People will underestimate these cards because they seem weak and don't support an Archetype, many times a modern Deck loses when their boss Monster is removed from the Field, or when you restrict Extra Deck Summons, but I won't underestimate you.'
Jack quickly placed a card on the console it appeared in one of the five Spell and Trap card Zones. 'I end my turn there.' Jack stated.
George carefully drew his card. 'I activate Polymerization.' He stated a black vortex appeared on the Field two famous monsters then appeared in front of it, both were used by Yugi a ton of times, the first was a knight clad in heavy, blue armor with golden edges in each hand the knight held a red lance, he was seated on top of a purple-haired horse with golden manes, next to it appeared a demonic-looking dragon, it was made of bones and snake-like in shape with a broad torso, it had no legs and wings were it's arms would be, several sharp horns stuck out of it's body.
Jack recognized the Monsters as Gaia the Fierce Knight and Curse of Dragon. 'The heart of a warrior, the soul of a dragon. Together they overcome any foe. Rise to the skies Gaia the Dragon Champion.'
The Curse of Dragon grew to about twice it's size Gaia ditched his horse and took place on the back of the dragon. (2600 ATK)
'Mr. Jack, this is only the beginning.' George said he took a card from his hand. 'Next I shall discard my Thunder Dragon, which allows me to search two more from my Deck.' He explained then carefully he took his Deck searched out the two Monsters then slowly shuffled.
'With that I shall now Flip my Magician of Faith.' A young woman appeared on George's side, she had pink hair tied in a ponytail and wore a red shirt and pants with a purple tunic over it, in her hands she held a staff with a crescent moon sitting on top with an orb floating between the edges of the moon. (300 ATK)
'Magician of Faith allows me to get a Magic card back to my hand.' He showed Jack Polymerization. 'I immediately activate it again.' George stated once again the black portal opened, this time two green snake-like dragons appeared they had wings on their backs. 'The noble soul captivated by a spark of inspiration. Fusion Summon, arise Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon.' A new beast appeared, reptilian in appearance with a red, scaly hide it stood on four, three-clawed legs, it had a long tale, a gaping maw with a green tongue, a second maw opened up in it's neck, on the middle of it's head it a nasty-looking purple horn. (2800 ATK)
'Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon attack Junk Servant.' George commanded, sparks appeared around the Monster then a beam of lightning shot forth causing Junk Servant to explode in pixels.
(George: 8000) - (Jack: 6700)
'Now Gaia attacks Junk Synchron.' George continued, the warrior trust his lance forward creating a cyclone that went straight for the Tuner.
'I activate Scrap-Iron Scarecrow.' Jack stated flipping his Trap card, the cyclone changed direction and disappeared ones it reached the end of the hologram projectors. 'Instead of going to the Graveyard I can Set it again.' Jack said as he flipped the card again.
'Thought it would be that one, at least Gazelle can attack that Quillbolt Hedgehog of yours.' The mythical beast made a slashing motion with it's arms the small hedgehog appeared and then scattered in pixels.
'I shall end my turn with this.' The old man stated as he placed another card on the console, it appeared behind Gazelle.
Jack took a card from the top of his Deck.
'Too bad you couldn't destroy my Tuner, because of Junk Synchron I can Special Summon Quillbolt Hedgehog.' The small, orange hedgehog reappeared inside the arena. (800 ATK)
'Now I Normal Summon Junk Defender.' Next to Quillbolt Hedgehog appeared the legless robot, it stood on it's tail and rested on it's hands. (500 ATK)
'Now I Tune Level three Junk Synchron to Level two Quillbolt Hedgehog and Level three Junk Defender.' In a flash of light all three Monsters disappeared. 'Gathering stars light the way to my destiny, soul of the ancient dragon reborn! Synchro Summon! Shine, Stardust Dragon!' The majestic, white dragon appeared on the Field in another flash of light. (2500 ATK)
'You have your Fusions, I have my Stardust Dragon.' Jack said.
'Next I discard One for One so I can Special Summon The Tricky.' In the arena appeared the jester-like creature with a question mark for a face. (2000 ATK) 'And finally since you have a high-level Monster I Special Summon Junk Giant!' Before Jack appeared the giant, round machine with the large arms and legs. (2000 ATK)
Quickly Jack placed another card on the console which appeared behind his Stardust Dragon.
'Stardust Dragon attacks Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon.' Jack stated, the dragon shot a beam of light out of it's maw.
'Spell card: Cosmic Flare!' Jack shouted placing the card on the console.
'Your Monster is returned to the Deck before Damage Calculation.' Jack explained, as George retrieved the card from the console his dragon disappeared. 'The Tricky takes out Magician of Fate!' The jester crossed his arms and Magician of Faith exploded in pixels.
(George: 6300) - (Jack: 6700)
'Junk Giant attacks the left facedown card.' The giant did a series of punches with it's gigantic fists, a large brown-skinned bug appeared it stood on it's hind legs, it had blade-like claws on it's front legs, it had a large maw filled with rows of sharp teeth and two horns on it's head.
'I tribute Stardust Dragon to negate the destruction Effect of your Man-Eater Bug.' Jack said, Stardust Dragon disappeared and the ugly creature exploded in pixels.
'George I shall end my turn which means Stardust Dragon returns.' Stardust fell down inside the arena and Jack's Dragon reappeared with it. (2500 ATK)
George smiled as he drew his card. 'I Flip Invader of the Throne.' He stated a woman with light-tanned skin appeared wearing a reddish dress, her long, purple hair reached to her waist. (1350 ATK)
'This card's Effect let me swap her with another Monster on the Field and I'm planning to take that Stardust Dragon.' The Invader started to glow.
'I activate Shooting Star!' Jack shouted flipping his Trap card. 'I target my own Scrap-Iron Scarecrow, then use Stardust Dragon's Effect to negate it and destroy Shooting Star.' Once more in a flash of light the majestic dragon disappeared. 'Now your Invader of the Throne no longer has a target.' Jack said with a grin.
George let out a chuckle: 'Mr. Jack you don't seem to understand, when I couldn't get something as George I could get it as Cid, I always get what I want Mr. Jack.' The old man took a card from his hand. 'I activate Monster Reborn.' George played the Spell card. 'A lot of people seem to forget that Monster Reborn can target any Monster in any Graveyard.' In a flash of light Jack's dragon appeared on George's side of the arena. (2500 ATK)
'As you probably realize now I expected you to target your own card for destruction so you could remove Stardust Dragon from the Field.'
George rested his arms on the console again: 'I didn't manage to get to the top of the Duelist world by being oblivious to modern cards. It is true I don't like using them I love the classics but as they say knowledge is power.' George then removed two cards from the console. 'I Tribute Invader of the Throne and Gazelle for Tri-Horned Dragon.' A giant, blue dragon with a red belly appeared in the place of the first two Monsters, it stood on two legs, it's massive arms ended in sharp claws, it had three claws on each foot, like the name suggested it had three horns on it's head and many horns on it's back. (2850 ATK)
'Now let's battle, Stardust Dragon attacks Junk Giant.' George stated a beam of light shot forth from Stardust Dragon the giant robot exploded in pixels. 'Gaia the Dragon Champion attacks The Tricky.' George continued the wind spiral created by the warrior made the jester explode in pixels.
(George: 6300) - (Jack: 5600)
'Tri-Horned Dragon attacks directly.' The dragon made some swipes with it's massive arms.
'I activate Scrap-Iron Scarecrow.' Jack stated flipping over his Trap card again.
'Then I activate Seven Tools of the Bandit.' George reacted flipping over his Trap card. 'I pay 1000 Life Points to negate your Trap card and destroy it.' First George's Life Points slightly decreased the Scrap-Iron Scarecrow exploded in pixels then the Tri-Horned Dragon made some more swipes hitting Jack.
(George: 5300) - (Jack: 2750)
'Looks like I've dismantled your entire strategy Mr. Jack, I know you must have some back-up and I'm curious to see it.' George signaled the end of his turn.
Jack quickly drew his card then he placed a card on the console it appeared in the Spell and Trap card Zone. 'That's all for now.'
George looked at Jack: 'I'm kinda disappointed.' The man spoke: 'I have Heavy Storm in my Deck, should I draw it the Duel is over.' Carefully he placed his hand on his Deck then he drew, when he saw the card a smile formed on his face. 'No Heavy Storm now I get to see what tricks you have, but first Stardust Dragon attacks directly.'
The beam of light hit the platform Jack was standing on.
(George: 5300) - (Jack: 250)
'Thought so, that facedown card was a bluff after all.' George muttered.
'If you think it's a bluff why don't you attack again?' Jack replied with a smile.
'Fine, but only since I'm curious, Gaia the Dragon Champion Dragon attacks directly.' George stated.
'Should have attacked with Tri-Horned Dragon, now you attacked me with a Special Summoned Monster so I can activate Stardust Re-Spark!' Jack flipped the card open. 'This negates your attack and allows me to Special Summon a Stardust Synchro Monster!'
Inside the arena appeared a mechanical warrior, his plating was made of a pure, white metal, he wore large pauldrons with wing-like metal spikes attached, his helmet had three horns on the top. (3000 ATK)
'This is Stardust Warrior, bet you didn't know I had this card in my Deck.' Jack said.
George smiled: 'Indeed I did not, for now I shall cancel my Battle Phase and set this one.' George replied a reversed card appeared in the Spell and Trap card Zone.
Jack drew his card.
'So George are you ready to see my resolve?' Jack asked the man simply smiled, Jack could see the fires in his eyes burning. 'Stardust Warrior attacks Stardust Dragon!' Jack shouted.
'I activate Dimensional Prison, your Stardust Warrior gets Banished from the game.' George stated as he flipped the card around before Jack's eyes his Monster disappeared.
'For that I thank you George, I have a rough idea of what cards were amongst the earlier ones, I figured you might had that Trap card, now since Stardust Warrior is removed from the Field by an opponent's card Effect I can now Special Summon a Warrior Synchro Monster and I choose Nitro Warrior!' A bonfire erupted inside the arena and the green, monstrosity with the nitro engine on his back appeared. (2800 ATK)
'My attack on Stardust Dragon continues.' Jack stated Nitro Warrior spewed some flames from the engine and punched the air a few times, Stardust Dragon exploded in pixels.
(George: 5000) - (Jack: 250)
'I shall end my turn with a facedown card.' Jack stated as the card materialized behind Nitro Warrior.
George drew his card he took a long look at the situation on the Field.
'I shall set this one first.' He said a new card appeared facedown in the Spell and Trap card Zone.
'I must do this, Tri-Horned Dragon attacks Nitro Warrior.' George commanded.
'My Trap activates: Zero Gravity!' Jack shouted as he flipped the card over. 'The Battle Positions of all Monsters change.' He explained, all Monsters knelt down on one knee and crossed their arms. (Nitro: 1800 DEF, Tri-Horned: 2350 DEF, Gaia: 2100 DEF)
'A minor annoyance.' George said: 'I change Gaia back to Attack Mode.' The dragon took to the skies again. (2600 ATK)
'That ends my turn.'
Jack looked over the arena while he drew his card.
'Time to make my move.' Jack muttered.
'I activate Stardust Shimmer!' Jack placed the Spell card on the console. 'Now I Banish Monsters from my Graveyard equal to the Level of a Dragon Synchro Monster in my Graveyard so I can Special Summon it.' Jack took Junk Synchron and The Tricky and placed them on an empty space of the console, a flash of light followed as Stardust Dragon reappeared on the Field once again. (2500 ATK)
'Nitro Warrior attacks Gaia the Dragon Champion!' Jack commanded, the engines lit up.
'I activate Mirror Force.' George replied as he flipped the card around.
'I use the Effect of Stardust Dragon!' Jack shouted: 'And with Cosmic Flare in my Graveyard I can Banish that instead of using Stardust Dragon as a Tribute.' Jack placed the Spell card on top of the other two Monsters he had Banished. The Mirror Force shattered in pixels.
'Nitro Warrior still attacks Gaia and with the activation of Stardust Shimmer it gains 1000 Attack Points extra.' First the knight exploded in pixels then his mount did.
(George: 3800) - (Jack: 250)
'Through the Effect of Nitro Warrior I change Tri-Horned Dragon back to Attack Mode and attack again with Nitro Warrior!'
The flames in the warrior's engine started up again. 'Now I activate Ego Boost!' Jack roared as his Nitro Warrior got stronger, the warrior unleashed a flurry of powerful puncher and the dragon scattered.
'Stardust Dragon direct attack!' Jack roared, this time the beam of light hit George's platform.
(George: 350) - (Jack: 250)
Jack signaled the end of his turn, George drew his card he now had two in his hand. 'That was a nice comeback Mr. Jack, I haven't had this much fun in a long time. You know this is all I wanted, to face a Duelist worthy of my skill the outcome is irrelevant to me I know I gave it my all, I hope you see that too Mr. Jack.' A smile formed on George's face, then he played a Spell card: 'Tremendous Fire, I take 500 Damage and you take 1000.' The old man spoke then fire erupted in the arena.
(George: 0) - (Jack: 0)
As the platforms descended Jack lost sight of George for a few seconds, he leaped off the platform as soon as it hit the ground, Jack ran to his opponent's side only to see the old man bended forward in his wheelchair.
'You okay?' Jack asked.
The old man sighted when he lifted his head he had a smile from ear-to-ear on his face.
'That was a fantastic Duel.' The old man spoke, Jack could hear the man was tired. 'When I struck the deal with Empress I knew she would not hold her end of the bargain, however I used this chance to do something good.'
George reached in his suit jacket, Jack's hand moved to the knob of his sword.
The old man took a small card out of his pocket.
'Mr. Jack this card contains the address of one of my hideouts, all of the businesses I own make honest money the ledgers in that hideout will confirm that, in that hideout you will also find records on a lot of my criminal associates, there is no dirt there as a criminal I have my honor, you will also find locations where I keep my stolen wares, all the jewelry and paintings that cannot be sold on the black market, there will be ledgers on who the owners are, I want those stolen wares back to their rightful owners.'
In the moment of pause George took Jack asked a question: 'Why? Those wares would go to the other criminals.'
The old man chuckled: 'I have my honor as a criminal, the others sadly not, they do not earn ownership on those wares, also the credit cards you find there belong to bank accounts with ill-gotten money, that money can never return to the rightful owners, instead I want the Blades to donate that money to charity.'
the old man reached for his pockets again, this time he took another credit card out.
'This one has all my honest money on it, you will find proof of that in the hideout, this money must go to my daughter and her children, with this honest money they'll be set for life...'
George started to cough his breathing slowed down a bit again. 'You wanted to know why I did this? My criminal empire, as Cid I held a lot of power, when I'm gone it would leave a power vacuum, every criminal would jump for a chance to take my place.' A devilish smile formed on his face: 'With all the stolen goods and ill-gotten money they could become the next big shot. Now however I leave a power vacuum true, someone will try to fill the void, but they won't have my money, without that money they won't be able to hold the position for long, since I controlled about eighty percent of the criminal underworld in America, the other twenty percent belonging to smaller gangs who hold no true power there will be only one I know of who can take my place and maybe even grow the empire I leave.'
Jack grabbed the handles of the wheelchair he started to push slowly.
'Was that your entire plan George? Have someone else take your place?' Jack asked. 'On the contrary, when I learned who that person was an who the Blades were I knew the two of you would meet eventually, the woman I'm talking about is Sabrina, she's part of The New Government, a shadowy organization I believe your group is currently looking for one of their own.' George calmly spoke.
'Duban.' Jack replied, George said nothing but the Dragonborn knew he was right. 'Jack, Sabrina is more than a simple criminal, whatever she's planning she needs money and a lot of it, money she could only get by killing me, my request to you is to put an end to Sabrina, with her gone nobody will be able to fill the void I will leave.' George started to laugh which turned into a cough: 'My life work was to deal a blow to the criminal underworld, what I did was with honor people who didn't deserve it didn't suffer.' Jack wanted to interrupt George but the old man shook his head: 'You might see it differently but you don't know the details I've prevented Sabrina from gaining power for a long time, my time ran out and I desperately sought a way to take her down, then I found you but I needed to give you a push in the right direction.' The man started to coughed again: 'Sabrina is using Miraak she controls everything behind the scenes or at least she lets her minions do that, ironic that Miraak gave me the chance to be here so I could push you in the right direction.'
Jack approached the exit with the wheelchair, George had been silent the rest of the time.
'Mr. Jack.' He suddenly spoke: 'You gave me a great Duel, the Duel arena will be confiscated by Sector Security, then it will rot away once again.'
Jack started to grin. 'I'll take it George, Blades HQ once it is rebuild will have a game store as a front, the store will be gigantic, that arena could fit in there, besides the Blades practice Dueling inside the building, that sometimes gets messy, also with the arena in the shop we can have it open for public, imagine young and old enjoying Duels on the arena, we can also make sure it keeps functioning.'
The old man's mouth curled into a grin: 'However Sector Security simply won't let you take it.' He sighted.
'That is simple George, Sector Security owns me a favor or two if I tell them I want that arena for the Blades they won't confiscate it, this might be the little kid inside of me, but now I really want that arena!' George smiled at Jack's enthusiasm.
'Mr. Jack.' Cid spoke as he became serious again, I have two hours left at most, I really want to spent those hour seeing the sunset, I don't want to die in a police van or a cell, even when we escape I did not had the chance to enjoy the sun one last time, please I beg you grant me that last wish.'
As Jack stepped outside a dozen of guns were pointed at the man in the wheelchair.
'Stand down!' Jack shouted, Gizelle came closer. 'Jack we need to arrest this...' She started but Jack stopped her.
'George is dying, we had a heart-to-heart back inside.' Jack handed the card with the address and the credit card over to Gizelle then he told her what George had told him.
Gizelle nodded: 'Okay, since je helped us like this I will grant him his wish, we are short on man-power anyway, can't actually miss an entire escort to bring him to jail now, but he will be watched, from a respectful distance that is, but we won't lose sights on him.'
As Jack and Gizelle walked away leaving the old man alone in the sun.
'Gizelle, there is an old-fashioned Duel arena inside there, I Dueled him on that thing and I want that thing for the Blades.'
Gizelle stopped walking: 'You mean those arenas they used all the way back when the Duel Disk wasn't invented yet?' She asked Jack nodded.
'Well first we shall check it on hidden explosives, standard procedure, your technical staff can even assist our staff to make sure nothing breaks.' Gizelle said.
Jack looked back to the entrance of the temple. 'How's is Richard?' He asked Gizelle shook her head: 'He's gone Jack, said he would go for a debrief before we could react he took a D-Wheel and drove off with that D-Hero Deck.' Gizelle replied.
'Dammit Richard, I hope you didn't go rogue don't want to hunt you down.'
Back in the temple:
Jack, Leo and Juliet walked through the empty hallways of the temple searching for the ritual chamber where they could enter Apocrypha.
'So a draw?' Juliet asked Jack shook his head, he took George's Deck out of his Deck holder he showed Juliet the top card. 'Minor Goblin Official this was the other card in his hand, my Life Points were way below 3000, if he had set this card he could have activated it during my Draw Phase, then I would have taken 500 damage during my Standby Phase causing me to lose, he played Tremendous Fire instead.'
Jack carefully placed the Deck back in his pouch. 'The old man taught me a lesson.' He muttered then he looked at Juliet she could see a fire burning in his eyes. 'I no longer fear Miraak and Ccapac Apu.'
Next time:
The threat of Miraak looms over the Blades, without his brain-washing device Miraak's plans are foiled.
However Jack learned the name of the person behind it all: Sabrina.
The only thing Jack doesn't know is how everything connects.
Before he can figure it out Miraak himself appears and an unexpected Duelist challenges the first Dovahkiin. ''A Dish Served Cold'' coming next.