The Price of Peace
By Ulrich362
A lone figure stood staring out at the ruins of his former home, a shard of broken glass in his hand as he slowly cried.
"They're all dead, everyone I know was killed because of what I did. I should have known that there would be a cost but I never thought it would be that." the figure said. "All I did was try and protect them, I'm such an idiot."
As he was saying this, a rusted piece of the bridge he was standing on broke off and fell next to him.
"I should have been the one to die instead of them, the world may as well have been destroyed. This isn't worth the cost, millions of lives lost, especially her." the figure said as tears slowly filled his eyes. "It should finally end."
With those words the figure took the single shard of glass and as one last tear fell from his eyes he plunged it into his chest, ending his own life.
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One-Week Earlier:
"What do you say about a rematch Yusei?" Jack asked. "It's been a while since we've had an old fashioned turbo duel."
"I don't know Jack, we need to meet up with the others in an hour." Yusei said. "The last thing I want to do is upset Akiza again."
"Well you did forget her birthday, I'm surprised she accepted your proposal after that." Jack said.
"Well he more than made up for it." Crow said. "Plus you two had already been going out for almost a year when you proposed, I'm not surprised she accepted."
"Yeah, but we should head over to the meeting place." Yusei said with a smile. "I only hope she likes what I have planned for today."
"She will, trust me Yusei you went through a lot to set today up and it's going to be worth it when you two are together." Crow said.
"Yeah, you're right Crow." Yusei said calmly.
"Call me an idiot, but shouldn't you get a tuxedo soon?" Jack asked. "Last I heard the ceremony was going to be a week from today."
"It is, actually I was going to go with Mina and Carly tomorrow." Yusei said. "Dueling I know, weddings not so much."
"You can say that one again buddy." Crow said with a smirk. "Well let's go."
"Right." Yusei said as the three of them got on their duel runners and drove towards the Daedalus Bridge.
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"Akiza, you must be so happy." Carly said with a smile. "I mean you're going to be getting married."
"I know, it's just sometimes I think it's a dream." Akiza said. "I can hardly believe it."
"Well it's true, you two really deserve each other." Misty said. "He's a great guy and you mean the world to him."
"I know, though I wish these things were as easy to learn as riding a duel runner." Akiza said. "It's so confusing."
"Believe me Akiza, when it comes to love it can be the most complicated thing in the world one minute and the simplest the next." Misty said. "Just trust your heart and everything will be fine."
"She's right, just relax. Today is your day to spend time with him and just have a good time." Carly said with a smile.
"Thanks, you two are right." Akiza said with a smile.
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"Well what a pleasant surprise, what are you three doing here?" Trudge asked. "Did Lazar decide to start another duel tournament without telling me?"
"Not quite, you really didn't hear the news?" Crow asked.
"What news, I've been so busy with everything that's been going on I haven't heard anything special." Trudge said.
"Well in that case I think Yusei should be the one to tell you." Jack said.
"Oh thanks Jack." Yusei said sarcastically.
"My pleasure Yusei." Jack said with a smirk.
"I proposed to Akiza, we're getting married in a week." Yusei said. "Actually I was planning on spending the day with her."
"Well congratulations Yusei, you two always seemed perfect for each other." Trudge said. "Send her my regards when you see her."
"I will, see you around Trudge." Yusei said calmly as he rode off on his runner. "It still just feels so surreal, I mean we first met and she ran from me and then the Fortune Cup where she tried to kill me, and now we're practically married."
"Believe it bud." Crow said. "The girl of your dreams is only a week away from being your wife."
"Yeah, you're right Crow." Yusei said.
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"Sorry I'm late, the director needed me to help him with something." Mina said while walking into the room.
"It's fine, we were just talking about it." Carly said.
"I can see why, you're a lucky girl Akiza." Mina said.
"Thanks." Akiza said with a smile just before the doorbell rang.
"That must be the others, I'll go let them in." Misty said calmly.
"Oh yeah, what about Kalin?" Carly asked. "Is he coming?"
"Yeah, Kalin said he had things to do in Crashtown but when I told him about the wedding he said he'd be here." Crow said. "Sometimes I wonder if he'll ever feel like he's made amends."
"He's done more than enough, we all made mistakes but we need to look to the future." Carly said.
"I agree." Misty said before walking to the door.
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"It's good to see you Misty, how's your career going?" Crow asked.
"It's going well, thanks for asking Crow." Misty said. "You three look like you've been doing well."
"Well things have been kind of crazy since you left." Jack said. "We can catch up on the way."
"Don't forget us you guys." Mina said calmly. "See you tomorrow Akiza."
"See you guys later." Akiza said before everyone except Yusei left.
"It's great to see you Akiza." Yusei said with a smile. "I actually have something planned for today."
"What are you planning Yusei?" Akiza asked happily.
"I thought we could take a relaxing ride and just enjoy spending some time together." Yusei said. "After all the only thing better then having a good time is having one with the girl I love."
"That sounds perfect, just perfect." Akiza said happily.
(Yusei and Akiza are spending the day together as they await their coming wedding. Next chapter Yusei's plans will be revealed. As always any reviews or critique is appreciated.)