Welcome to the sixth and final arc of "Crimson Star Priestess (New Version)"! It's not long before we will reach the end of the first book of the series. I'm looking forward to finish it and continue with the sequels.
In the last chapter, Team 5D's Turbo Dueled Team New World and the Three Emperors of Iliaster fused together to reveal their true form; Aporia. After successfully defeating Aporia and winning the first World Racing Grand Prix, Yusei and Estelle were just about to confess their feelings when the Ark Cradle entered their era, threatening to destroy New Domino City to complete Iliaster's objective once and for all.
The chapter begins in Estelle's point of view.
Disclaimer: I do not own any Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's characters! I only own my OCs!
Chapter 102: The Beginning of the End
I remembered watching both versions of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, sub and dub, in my world, but I still couldn't predict which version I was going to experience at the very end. I had prayed this whole time that the threat from Iliaster was going to vanish by the end of the World Racing Grand Prix.
My worst fear came true when the fortress appeared in the sky just before Yusei and I were about to confess our feelings to each other. We could hear the noise of rumble coming from the Ark Cradle as it was now visible for everyone in the city. It was floating precisely far above the district where not only Sector Security's Headquarters was located but also the Ener-D Reactor. The clear sky had become dark again with grey clouds by the arrival of the Ark Cradle, giving the atmosphere a bad vibe.
"Impossible!" Jack snapped out of the shock. "Since we won, the Ark Cradle shouldn't appear!"
"But it's actually here!" Crow nodded.
"How is it even possible?" Yusei wondered.
"I think…Iliaster was still able to collect enough Ener-D to complete the Circuit by the end of the Turbo Duel", I spoke up.
"No way…!" Aki gasped in disbelief.
"It finally appeared", Harald commented.
"The Ark Cradle is mankind's final Momentum that they brought from the future", Yusei explained for everyone who hadn't heard the story yet.
"This is a truly disturbing change of events", Seto muttered.
"Director Goodwin!"
We turned around and saw Lazar ran toward us with a frightened expression, like he was being chased by rabid dogs.
"Lazar", Goodwin acknowledged the Vice Director.
"You must return to Sector Security at once, Director!" Lazar shouted while trying to regain his breath. "Let's plan a strategy with the information we have!"
"Certainly", Goodwin nodded before turning to the rest of us. "Team 5D's, Team Royal Knights, may I ask for your assistance once again?"
"Of course!" Yusei nodded. "We have to figure out how to get rid of the Ark Cradle!"
"Section Chief Mina, let's return to our posts", Trudge informed said woman.
"Right", Mina replied before turning to Team Ragnarok. "You get away as far as possible."
"Yes, ma'am", Harald nodded in response.
XXXXXXXXXX
After my friends and I changed into our casual clothes, we drove to Sector Security with our Duel Runners. It was quite a miracle that the Satellite Trio's Runners were still working, despite all the damage they took during the final Turbo Duel. The air had become quite chilly, so I was freezing a little in my shorts and spaghetti-strapped top and sleeveless waistcoat. I made mental notes to drive back to the mansion and change into more appropriate clothes at some point later.
Seto and Team Ragnarok went on their own while Bruno and Carly decided to come with us to Sector Security, since they were part of the team. Mina tried to argue about Carly being a citizen, but the reporter was an official member of Team 5D's, so she lost that battle.
It was chaos in Sector Security. The reports from the analyzers kept coming as they tried to figure out what the Ark Cradle was and how we could counteract against it. That wasn't the only bad news; the energy produced by the Ener-D Reactor was also decreasing for each passing minute.
"The output is down to 30%!"
"And it continues to fall!"
"If this doesn't change, the Ener-D Reactor will stop!"
"Check the system program", Goodwin commanded while remaining calm. "While you are at it, inspect all other systems."
Seconds later, the lights switched off, including the technology, indicating we were out of power. I had a feeling it was the same situation across the city.
"System down!" an analyzer reported.
"All systems in the facility have stopped!"
"Switch to auxiliary power!" Lazar shouted.
Just like how fast the power disappeared, it returned within seconds. The computer screens showed us the same pictures as before they were shut down, so nothing had changed and we didn't lose any valuable information.
"Director, the old Ener-D Reactor located in the B.A.D. area is active", an analyzer said.
"The old Ener-D Reactor?" Goodwin repeated in slight surprise.
The main screen in the room changed into a blueprint of New Domino City's coast. Satellite was glowing in yellow as one green dot shone in the middle, which represented the old Ener-D Reactor.
"It's spinning in the opposite direction", the same analyzer reported.
"Is this because of the Ark Cradle?" Jack wondered.
"Yes", I replied. "But I don't remember how the Ark Cradle is exactly affecting the old Ener-D Reactor."
"I have a bad feeling about this", Crow mumbled.
"Director, Chief Zigzix is contacting us", another analyzer said.
"Put him through", Goodwin commanded.
The blueprint of Satellite was replaced by a spinning Zigzix. "Director Goooodwiiiin~!" the doctor greeted before he stopped spinning around. "While I was getting dizzy, I discovered many answers! That object is Ener-D with negative spin!"
"Negative spin?" Yusei repeated confusedly.
"See for yourself!" Zigzix responded before switching the face-camera to show us close-up pictures of the Ark Cradle. "This is satellite analysis of that object. At its center is a huge Ener-D Reactor surrounded by three Planetary Particle gears, and it has negative spin!"
"That must be the cause of New Domino City's Ener-D Reactors to stop spinning", Sherry concluded.
"Correct!" Zigzix spoke up as he switched back to the face-camera and spun around. "As long as it continues to spin in the opposite direction, all Ener-D Reactors in New Domino City are stopped." He then stopped himself and became really scared. "And there's something more terrifying!" He became serious and got very close to the camera as he aimed both index fingers down. "That object is gradually falling."
"What?!" everyone exclaimed in shock.
Zigzix showed us a computer simulator of what was going to happen within a certain amount of time. The simulator showed how the Ark Cradle fell down on New Domino City and the collision triggered a massive Zero Reverse. "At this rate, it will crash-land in twelve hours! The impact will spread several hundred kilometers beyond New Domino City!"
No one dared to say a word as they comprehended the doomsday news. "O-Only twelve hours…", Carly stuttered.
"How long will it take to evacuate everyone from New Domino City?" Lazar asked the analyzers.
"It will take at least twenty-four hours", someone responded.
"More than a day?!" Leo exclaimed in shock.
"That's not enough time!" Jack yelled angrily.
"I must inform the people about the emergency and evacuate the city at once", Goodwin said in his strict voice before he turned around and walked to the elevator. "Route emergency power to the city's monitors!"
The rest of us stayed in the analyze department as we watched the surveillance footage of the city. People were stranded since their vehicles couldn't work without Ener-D. They were all confused until Goodwin's face appeared on every available monitor.
"People of New Domino City, this is Rex Goodwin, the Director of Sector Security. Please stay calm and listen closely. I hereby declare a city emergency. Citizens of New Domino City, please evacuate quickly. The object in the sky is gradually falling. The elderly, children and the hospitalized are top priority. Sector Security will provide assistance for you, but I am also asking for your assistance to help each other. These are trying times when we must come together as one. Please don't panic while dealing with this situation."
The surveillance footage showed us the citizens running in fear and pushing each other left and right to evacuate the city while dropping their belongings. Parents picked up their children and ran with them in their arms, leaving empty strolls behind. It was heartbreaking to see so many panicked people fleeing for their lives.
Goodwin soon returned to the department and walked up to the front before turning to his employees who were waiting for his next order. "Everyone, I order you to evacuate immediately!" he told them.
The analyzers were stunned by the command. "What about you, Director?" someone asked.
"I'm not leaving my post until the end", Goodwin replied.
"Director…", Lazar mumbled softly.
"But that means-", one of the loyal analyzers tried speaking up, but he was stopped by my adoptive father's determined expression.
"I order all staff to evacuate immediately", Goodwin repeated before saluting his employees. "I pray for your safety."
Having no more space to argue, the analyzers stood up from their seats simultaneously and saluted Goodwin. Then, one by one, they removed their headsets and calmly left the department while making sure to inform the rest of the staff in the building to leave the city.
But there was one employee who refused to budge.
"Aren't you going, Lazar?" Luna asked.
"I'm staying by the Director's side until the very end", Lazar said determinedly. "I am also the Vice Director, so there is no way I'll let him deal with this city emergency alone!"
"I appreciate your loyalty, Lazar", Goodwin nodded before turning to the monitors. "First, we must analyze the Ark Cradle and find a way to either stall or eliminate it before it can destroy the city."
"We'll help you in any way we can, Goodwin!" Yusei said seriously.
Bruno sat down on one of the many vacant chairs and started working right away. "I'll see if I can access the satellites to get close-up pictures of the Ark Cradle", he told us. "We might find its weak points."
I just got struck by a thought and turned to my friends. "You should call your friends and family and see how they are doing", I told them. "They might be confused, even though they heard Goodwin's orders to evacuate the city."
"Right! I'll call my wife right away!" Lazar exclaimed before he walked away while grabbing his cell phone from a pocket of his coat.
"I should check on my parents and Mei and Sakura", Aki nodded before she left the group to make her own phone call.
"Didn't you and Blister find a rundown bus that you fixed up during your spare time, Yusei?" Crow asked my crush.
"Yeah", Yusei replied. "It was after the Daedalus Bridge was completed. Martha thought it would be nice to go on day trips with the orphans, so Blister and I fixed the bus so they could take trips outside of New Domino City. Knowing Martha, they might use the bus to evacuate, since it doesn't run on Ener-D."
"I think Sector Security has a few vehicles that run on gas…", I mumbled as I patted my lips. "I wonder if there are any aircrafts…"
Just as I said that, the main door to the section opened and in stepped two figures I didn't expect to see at all; Yugi and Seto.
"Yugi! Kaiba!" Yusei said in disbelief.
"Shouldn't you be evacuating the city right now?" Sherry asked the two legendary Duelists.
"We chose to stay here to help you out", Yugi explained. "After all, this is the city where we were raised in, so there's no way we can stand on the side and watch everything unfold."
"What about your families?" Mizoguchi wondered.
"Mokuba was wise enough to keep some of our aircrafts that run on classic fuel and electricity after the Ener-D Reactors were constructed", Seto explained. "He's currently flying one of our choppers escorting Yugi's family and Lady Ish to the airport where my Blue-Eyes White Dragon jet is ready for liftoff."
"Wait… You've got aircrafts?" Crow asked in surprise.
"Yes, and I have distributed them for the national military so they can assist us with the evacuation", Seto added. "Rest assured; as the CEO of KaibaCorp who contributed in the evolution of New Domino City, I will assist you in every way I can to protect our home."
"I truly appreciate your support, Kaiba, Muto", Goodwin said before the trio shook hands.
Lazar came back running after he finished his call. "Anabell and Fabian are leaving the city with Martha and the orphans in a bus! They're going to be safe!" he exclaimed happily.
Aki walked back to us with a relieved smile. "My parents have been picked up by one of Kaiba's choppers", she informed us. "They're also picking up other people along the way, but they will be in a safe place soon. Mei, Sakura, and their families are also leaving the city."
"I'm relieved to hear that, Aki", Sherry smiled.
Yusei turned to the main monitor as Bruno kept working. "Anything yet, Bruno?"
"I'm almost done… There we go!" Bruno exclaimed as the main screen revealed satellite footage of the Ark Cradle. "I'm pointing all remote control cameras at the Ark Cradle."
"Let's see if we can find some valuable clues", Carly said as she adjusted her glasses with a determined smirk.
Bruno showed images of the Ark Cradle from below and then above, and then every side as possible. "What's that?" Jack wondered when he saw the close-up pictures of the ruins attacked on the structure.
"Is that a destroyed city?" Aki asked.
"What's going on?" Crow mumbled.
Bruno showed the next picture, which Yusei reacted at. "Bruno, enlarge the image!" he exclaimed.
"Okay", Bruno replied.
The super-mechanic enlarged the footage and shifted the angle until we saw the structure that Yusei got his eyes on was a bridge, and not just any bridge. It was the old Daedalus Bridge from the future!
"That's the Daedalus Bridge!" Jack confirmed the image.
"Can it be? It's Satellite from the future!" Crow exclaimed.
"So it's all true?" Aki asked in a terrified voice.
"New Domino City is going to be destroyed?" Yusei's voice shook in disbelief.
"Yes", I nodded. "Both Satellite and New Domino. The Ark Cradle is built by the ruins of the city in the future."
"No… I-It can't be…", Yugi stuttered in shock.
Seto didn't say a word, but he released a frustrated grunt through gritted teeth.
"Isn't there any way to stop the Ark Cradle?" Lazar asked while cold sweating.
I grew silent as I hugged my right arm and looked down on my feet. I remembered how the Signers were able to stop the Ark Cradle from the anime, but it was very dangerous. This world was no longer a fiction; this world was real just like my world with real human beings who were fragile and could easily pass away if something went wrong.
"Can't we do anything?" Leo asked terrified.
I looked up at the main screen. "There is a way to stop it", I spoke up.
"Really?!" many of my friends exclaimed in surprise.
I nodded before pointing at the image of the Ark Cradle. "Each Planetary Particle gear was guarded by a member of Iliaster in the anime I watched", I explained. "If we can defeat them and Z-one, we might be able to stop the gears. Then, we need to insert an Ener-D Reactor that has a positive spin into the Ark Cradle's Reactor to counteract the negative spin. That way, it should leave New Domino City and we will all be safe."
"You're almost right, Estelle", Bruno spoke up. "The Ener-D Reactor at the center of the Ark Cradle has negative spin. If we strike it with large positive spin…"
"The negative spin will become positive spin", Jack concluded.
"But there are no Ener-D Reactors in the city that work", Aki pointed out.
"There's nothing we can do…", Lazar said in defeat. "You must evacuate immediately!"
"Wait", Goodwin said before turning to me. "What exactly happened in the animation you watched in your world, Estelle? Were the Signers able to enter the Ark Cradle?"
"Yes, with the help of-"
I was about to reveal more when Leo interrupted me. "Look!" He pointed at one of the screens that showed the surveillance footage. We looked at it and saw three Duel Runners driving across the streets. Those Runners belonged to Team Ragnarok and they were being ridden by the team members. Johan sat behind Harald while Judai sat behind Brave as they appeared to drive toward Sector Security.
"It's Team Ragnarok!" Luna exclaimed.
"But how are they driving their Duel Runners? Every Duel Runner runs on Ener-D and the reactors are down!" Carly pointed out.
"Let's go and meet up with them", Yusei said.
XXXXXXXXXX
We walked outside of the main building of Sector Security and waited for Team Ragnarok to show up. Just as we thought, their destination was Sector Security. They parked their Runners in front of us before they got off and removed their helmets.
"Judai!" Yugi exclaimed in joy by seeing an old face again.
"Yo!" Judai greeted with a wink. "We've come to help you out, if you don't mind."
"Team Ragnarok, why are your Duel Runners working?" Yusei asked.
The three Nordic members looked almost a little amused by the Signers' confusion. "You haven't figured it out?" Brave asked before he pointed at his Rune Eye. "It's because of this."
"The Rune Eye?" Aki said confusedly.
"Just like how Iliaster couldn't affect us, negative Ener-D can't affect us either", Harald explained.
"I see!" Yusei exclaimed, his voice full of hope. "That means our Duel Runners…"
The Satellite Trio ran to their Duel Runners and switched them on. They grabbed the throttles on the Runners just as their Marks started glowing. They twisted the throttles while a gentle red light emitted from the Marks and traveled across the frame of the Runners. The light fixed the repairs needed for the mangled Runners as the engines revved beautifully, giving a sign of hope that they were working by being protected by the Mark of the Dragon.
"They work!" Jack exclaimed in relief.
"We can still ride!" Crow grinned happily.
"Hooray!" Leo jumped in joy while everyone else was relieved to hear some good news.
"I guess being a Signer has some privilege", Sherry chuckled.
"Now we need to figure out a way to bring you Signers to the Ark Cradle", Goodwin stated as he looked up at the floating island that kept descending to the ground. "Kaiba, does your aircrafts have enough space to carry the Duel Runners and drop them onto the island?"
"Only my airplanes, but it will cost too much time to bring the Duel Runners to the airport", Seto replied. "And it would be too dangerous if we drop the Runners from such an altitude."
"You're right…", Goodwin nodded before rubbing his chin.
"Is there another way?" Mizoguchi wondered.
"How about using psychic powers to make Duel Monsters real so they can carry you up there?" Carly suggested.
"None of our Monsters are big enough to carry the Runners", Aki shook her head.
"We need to come up with something and fast", Yusei stated.
"I'd advise you not to attempt to enter the Ark Cradle."
That familiar voice came out of nowhere. We looked around to find the source until our eyes landed on Yusei's Duel Runner. The screen on the dashboard sparkled before it revealed the face of…
"Paradox?! You're alive?!" Yusei exclaimed in surprise.
"What?! That's impossible!" I said as I stood next to my crush to check the dashboard.
My eyes weren't deceiving me. It really was Paradox! My brain tried comprehending the news. Paradox was an exclusive character that only showed up in the Bonds Beyond Time movie and never made an appearance in the anime run itself. As my brain calmed down, I realized it kind of made sense that he would show up and warn Yusei about the future, since Sherry refused Z-one's offer and she became a Signer and a valuable friend.
"Yusei, I'm contacting you to give you a warning", Paradox continued.
"A warning?" Yusei repeated.
"I've seen the future, so I know the outcome", Paradox said before getting silent for a couple of seconds. "Fudo Yusei… I saw you die at the Ark Cradle."
Almost everyone took a silent gasp of shock by the revelation. Yusei froze as his eyes widened in shock after hearing the dreadful news and stayed silent.
"Yusei is going to die?" Aki was the first one who dared to speak up.
"That is if Yusei arrives to the Ark Cradle", Paradox responded. "That'll be his future. I've witnessed it with my own eyes after receiving the power to travel through time."
"Yusei is going to die? That's nonsense!" Crow growled angrily. "You're just trying to trick us from not entering the Ark Cradle!"
"It is the truth", Paradox said while never losing his temper. "However, Z-one also has a message for you, Yusei. He says if you go to the Ark Cradle, he shall give you the welcome you never received."
"Z-one… He's the one running Iliaster, right?" Jack asked.
"Z-one's plans are absolute", Paradox ignored the question. "Yusei, you'll die if you try to save New Domino City. And the world in the future will be destroyed."
"Paradox! Tens of thousands of people will die!" Yusei finally snapped out of the shock. "You're really fine by killing so many innocent lives?!"
"Those deaths will save billions of lives in the future, including yours", Paradox replied.
"So much death won't lead to a peaceful future!" Yusei argued, his shoulders shaking by the emotions boiling within him. "Destroying New Domino City is wrong!"
"If you attempt to save the city, you will die", Paradox insisted.
"I won't know that until I try", Yusei said, but I sensed a hint of hesitation in his voice.
"So be it", Paradox said. "Fudo Yusei, if you try to stop the Ark Cradle, I'll stop you with my allies. So you better make a wise decision; enter the Ark Cradle to save New Domino City and die, or escape the city while you still can with your life intact and witness the new world being born from destruction. The choice is yours."
XXXXXXXXXX – Normal POV
The screen sparkled as Paradox disconnected himself from the call, leaving an eerie atmosphere among the group after hearing the news of Yusei's presumable death. No one dared to say a word to make the situation worse than what it already was.
Carly walked silently away from the group and switched her camera to recording mode. She turned the camera to herself and made the first record of the current situation to have some evidence of the threat that was hovering above New Domino City.
"Vlog number 1 of the event; Ark Cradle. Almost an hour has passed since the floating island, identified as the Ark Cradle, showed up above New Domino City. It will crash-land on the city and cause an explosion ten times larger than Zero Reverse that occurred eighteen years ago. Director Goodwin is cooperating with Team 5D's and Team Royal Knight to try stopping the Ark Cradle, but everyone is now hesitant after receiving a warning from one of the enemies that are inside the floating island. Fudo Yusei, the leader of Team 5D's, might not make it out alive if he enters the Ark Cradle in an attempt to stop it. What will his choice be? Is this going to be the end of the world? Only time can tell, except we're short of it. Only eleven hours left…before the countdown hits zero."