This is a bit of a filler chapter but I think its interesting...
In other news there is going to be a big heat wave over the next few days so Imma gonna turn to a crisp.
I don't own Yugioh 5ds
Something was buzzing. It was vibrating an entire table but the occupants of the room didn't notice. Loud music was blaring from the overhead speakers and an even louder voice was singing (or crying) at the top of his lungs. The other occupant was attempting to create a frame for a new runner while trying not to ruin his new clothes any more than they had already been ruined.
The phone managed to vibrate itself off the table and the resounding crash caused Yusei to look up from his work. Anything that crashes in this place usually meant something bad. He wiped his hands on a nearby rag and lifted his welding visor. He wheeled himself over and grabbed it. The edge of the screen had cracked but it seemed to be working.
"Bruno!Turn the speakers off! I've got a call from a client!" Bruno didn't hear him. He was attempting to complete an extra assignment his Professors had given him in retaliation for missing so much class.
"Bruno!"Yusei tried again, the phone in his hands still buzzing fervently.
Finally Bruno perked his ears up. Yusei pointed to the phone and mouthed the word 'client'.
Bruno switched his speakers off.
Yusei took the call. It was one of their usual clients, an old man named Yanagi, who was a famous archaeologist. He always drove his jeep in places where he shouldn't and every time he returned to New Dominio his tires were always frayed and shot out. One time there were a few bullets in the rear bumper.
"Hey Yanagi! How are you doing?"
The voice on the other side was slightly muffled but soon came into clarity. "I'm still aliv'. How you doin' Yusei? I'm goin' to be back in a few days and I need my tires changed again."
Yusei rolled his eyes good naturedly. "Of course you do Yanagi. Let me know when you'll be back."
He wrote down the details. Yanagi would be arriving in two days and from the sounds of it, it seems like his car needed more repairs than just a tire change. They'd have to order a few replacement parts.
He cut the call and tossed his phone back onto the table. If it vibrated again in his pocket chances are he'd drop his welding torch onto his very flammable foot.
"Who was it?"Bruno called, still typing furiously while glancing occasionally at a piece of paper.
"Yanagi!"
"The old coot bust his tires again?"
Yusei nodded. "Apparently that's not the extent of the damage. We need to go grab some stuff."
"I'll go. Jack can't make it today. Something super important came up."
Yusei frowned. Important or was Jack avoiding him? Whatever. Why did he even care?
Bruno was still talking."Crow's got a race later today. He invited me to watch for a bit. Just to get a feel for these types of that alright?"
Yusei waved him off."I'm not your parent. You can go anywhere you want as long as you finish your schoolwork. What do you think your Gran would say if you dropped out."
"Yeah I guess. But you forget, she doesn't even remember having a grandchild, much less one who's in college."
"True. But she's family. I'm sure she wants the best for you no matter what."
"Yeah I guess." He went back to focusing on his laptop. The speakers blared to life and another Lady Gaga song started pumping out.
Yusei turned back to his soon to be masterpiece. They were going to have to think of a new name for it. Wheel of Fortune simply was not going to cut it.
"Bruno?" Crow called into the garage. "Come on! Hurry up! Lets go!"
Bruno came running out of a small niche towards the back. "Coming!Coming! See ya Yus!"
An affirmative grunt sounded from the back.
The big garage doors were open and there were a myriad of cars parked in front. Crow sat straddling his still purring runner. He gestured for Bruno to hop on behind him and tossed him a spare helmet.
"Make sure you hold onto me."He warned and rode off down the street. They swerved past a few stores closing for the approaching night or turning into their much darker counterparts. Dusk was blanketing the sky and the lights of the city were twinkling on. Bruno enjoyed the ride, the cold air blowing in his face, the speed of the sights around them passing by. He could easily see why people would enjoy this type of lifestyle. They kept going until they reached the large dam where 4 other riders stood waiting.
"Yo! Crow! Thought you'd bailed!" Someone with long blond hair called grinning with two missing teeth. The man's voice was clipped in a faint Irish accent.
"Why the hell would I do that?" Crow gestured to Bruno and he dismounted. He grinned and bumped the other man's fist.
"Geez are you two done flirting with each other."A brunette behind them rolled her eyes. She glanced at Bruno. "Who's the shrimp? Looks like country trash."
"This is Bruno. This is his first time watching a race. He's a genius and he works with Yusei."Crow waved at him. He turned to Bruno.
"Works with Yusei, eh? Interesting. I've been trying to get the guy to make me a runner for years now. The only one he's ever made that's been put on the road is Crows." Another man said with a faint Canadian accent pointed to Crow's runner. "But where are my manners? The name's Puck. This 'ere's my sister-in-arms Jade and that blond motherfucker is Nicholas . That emo chick over there is our officiator,Nora. She's the neutral party. The judge if you will." He nodded to a hunched girl who was staring at her phone giggling slightly.
"Nice to meet you all, I'm Bruno. Well I guess that was rather redundant." They shook hands with each other.
"Good now, we're all chummy chummy. Let's get this show on the road. I gotta be back in time to tuck the kids in."
Nora finally picked up her head and walked over to them. She swept off her hat and held it out. "Place bets." She drawled as though bored.
"Bets?"Bruno asked.
Puck nodded."Thats right. You see all street races are betting races. You put as much as you're willing to bet in the hat and the others match you for it. Right now the three of us will be betting separately-we aren't competing as a team." He turned to Crow. "$500"
Crow stroked his chin slightly. "I'll raise you on that. Lets do $1k."
Jade raised an eyebrow. "Someone's feeling brave, today? I'll raise to $5k. Don't forget Nora gets a piece."
"The officiator gets 30%."Crow explained. "Ya know for officiating. And also in case any of the other teams decide to cheat and bribe her. Winner takes the rest. This is a pretty low-key race. We're the only ones racing and Nora is the only one who knows. Of course for her secrecy we have to pay extra."
"Aren't races supposed to be done in teams?"Bruno asked, remembering when Crow had explained earlier.
"Normally yeah. But there are also low pay solo races which is what we're doing now. These races have a determined route decided by the offiator. Not as much pay but still pretty good. I haven't competed in a team race in years."
"Yeah I remember. The three of you demolished the road. Jack did most of the solo races that's why he is forever known as the Master of Faster." Nicholas said.
Nora coughed slightly. "If you would please. I have another race after this." She shook the hat meaningfully.
"Let's go with $9k." Jade said. She put out her hand. "Deal?"
It only took them a second to agree. They brought out the cash and soon the hat was overflowing with bills. In total was $36k
"Racers to your marks!" Nora raised her hand and took a few steps onto the middle of the road.
Crow straddled his runner. "Hey Bruno, give me your phone."
Confused Bruno handed it over. Crow grunted and yanked out a cable and plugged the phone in. The screen on the runner glowed brightly and a blue line appeared in the corner. He unplugged it and tossed it back to Bruno. "Here. Now you can watch what's on my screen from here."
"Whoa cool."The screen showed a signal being transmitted between the racers allowing for communication between them. A speed gauge was in the corner and above it was a timer. The majority of the screen was occupied by camera angles-one in the back and another in the front. A 3d map floated in the middle.
"Better stand back." Crow grinned and leaned forward revving his runner up. Bruno backed up to where Nora's runner stood.
She pulled out a red handkerchief and held it high. "3...2...1! Go!" She dropped it and the runners took off into the night making the turn. Bruno checked his phone. Crow was in the lead.
"First time?" Nora yawned sitting on the wall of the dam. She had an earpiece in her ear and her phone in hand. "That was a terrible turn." She gestured to her phone.
Bruno looked enough Puck's had leaned super close to the ground nearly toppling over. He managed to regain his balance but lost his second place status to Jade. "You're connected too?"
"Of course I am." She said matter of factly. She didn't blink once while watching the scene unfolding on the screen." I'm connected to all of their cameras. Can't blink. Not even for a second."
"Huh… Are you a racer too?" He cursed at himself because there was a flash of irritation on her face but she didn't look up.
"When I need to be. I lost a good friend to racing. I try not to though. I can get by on officiating."
"Oh I'm sorry."
"Yeah so shut up. Shit likes that happens alot on the road. One day you think you'll go out and grab dinner with you but then you find out he got carted to the Facility. Haven't heard from him in years."
Bruno looked at her. She couldn't be more than 20 and yet she has the air of maturity and sadness. I guess her eye makeup is covering a lot more than blemishes. They stood in silence, the glow of their devices lighting up the night. Crow had been overtaken by Jade and Puck and Nickolos were neck in neck for 3rd place. Suddenly all four slowed and made a quick turn into an alleyway all order forgotten. Instead they were side by side with the closest racer-Crow with Jade, Puck with Nicholas. "What happened?" he frowned.
"There must have been trouble up ahead. Even if it is a competition the main objective to not get thrown into the Facility."
"But Jade just lost her lead."
"She'll get it back. They're in a type of formation so to speak. If anything does come after them they can peel off and separate. They have coms in their helmets." She tapped her earpiece. "I'll let them know if they can continue the race."
"But how will you check?"
"With this." She tapped her runner's screen and typed in some screen panned out to show a map of the city. Red dots were moving along the streets. Noticing Bruno's confused expression she sighed. "Police vehicles have a unique signature. We can trace them. Of course this method isn't foolproof, a few of the cops have a newer model of motorcycles that can't be traced just yet but we're trying. As soon as someone has a new program for tracking them they'll sell it to everyone. Another reason why mechanics are so valued. Lots of cash." She tapped and held her earpiece. "You guys are fine. Proceed."
Immediately Crow pulled ahead of Jade. Puck pulled in front of Nicholas. Jade was attempting to regain her lead but Crow thwarted her at every turn.
"Almost done. We've got about another 10 minutes left. Each race is an should be coming back." She jumped off the dam's wall and strode over to a long white line that glowed.
"Is that...phosphorescence? " Bruno asked.
"I just call it glow in the dark paint. Yeah there all over the city. Security doesn't think much of 'em. " Nora pulled out her handkerchief and waited.
Bruno didn't have to look at the screen. He could see the plume of dust in front of him speeding towards him. Nora didn't blink but Bruno took a few nervous steps back. The last thing he wanted was to become roadkill. He could see flashes of silver and metal as they raced closer and closer until suddenly they were right in front of him crossing the line. Crow and Jade screeched to a halt followed by Puck. Nicholas trailed behind.
"Who won?" he asked nobody in particular. It seemed like Crow and Jade had crossed at the same time ending in a tie.
Nora rolled her eyes and heaved the hat full of cash to the pair. "Congrats Crow. You win."
"Wait but how do you know? They were coming so fast."
"I told you I can't blink." She tilted her head.
Before Crow took the money he held out a hand to Jade who took it with a grin. "No hard feelings?"
"The only thing hard is how bad I'm going to beat you next time." They shook hands with each other then with Puck and Nickolas who laughed.
"Bruno how was that? You're first race?" Crow asked, thumping him on the back.
"That was amazing! My heart won't stop racing. You guys are so cool."
Crow dolleled out the appropriate fee to Nora who counted it, then swung onto her runner. "Later. I've got another race."
"With who?" Jade asked her.
Nora made a disgusted face."Tanner and his goons, they're paying me extra since nobody else wants to."
"You be careful."Jade looked equally disgusted. "No money is worth your life."
"I know. See ya." And with that she was off.
"Who's Tanner?"Bruno asked.
"The biggest asshole on these roads. The worst of the worst and Jack's old teammate."Crow stretched and placed his winnings into a knapsack. "Trust me, you would prefer to be dead than to deal with that guy."
"Pray you never encounter him." Jade said. "Take care of yourselves. I gotta get home and take care of my kids. Lets roll boys." They waved their goodbyes and sped off into the night.
Crow gave a half smile at Bruno and leaned against the wall. "Did Yusei give you a bedtime?"
"If he did, I think I passed it already."He checked the time. It was nearly midnight.
"Look there was another reason I wanted to bring you out here to see this."He gestured to his runner. "I wanted you to see what Yusei lost. I feel like you may not understand but out of all of us you're the closest to him."
Bruno picked up a small stone and tossed it down the dam. He didn't even hear a corresponding splash."I get it. I know that I'm an outsider to you guys. I haven't been there since the beginning. To be honest I thought you hated me, Crow."
Crow looked shocked. "Just because you're with Yusei more than me? Dude I could never hate you for that. Look you may not have been with us as long as anyone else but that doesn't mean that you aren't any less important. You've been there for us so we'll be there for you."
Bruno's voice was soft. "Sometimes I think you guys only tolerate me cause I'm Yusei's , more like leech." In an unexpected burst he blurted out. "Yusei likes me. Like, likes me.I don't know what to do but I don't want to say no and hurt him but I don't want to say yes and give him empty promises."
"It's 'cause he likes Jack." Crow turned his head. "He always has. Won't admit it though. Stubborn idiot. "
"I don't want to hurt him." Bruno repeated frustrated.
"Yeah I know. But there's only so much we can do. Bruno, let me give you a bit of advice. Don't act like you're in love with him out of pity. It'll hurt worse than a rejection." He walked towards his runner and tossed Bruno the extra helmet nearly causing him to drop it. "Lets go. I'll take you to my apartment. Its closer and I want food."
Alright guys I just want to make it clear that Crow and Bruno's relationship will be strictly platonic. I will not be shipping them.
Leave a review! Tell me if you've got any questions, it was a little confusing I'll admit.
Per Aspera ad Astra