I feel Yusei stirring awake just before the alarm goes off. For some reason, Jack and Yusei decided to start their duel at 6 in the morning, instead of, y'know, waiting for a few more hours like normal people. Jack and Crow are already awake, I think. For once in his life, Yusei kisses me good morning and actually gets out of the bed. He takes his old riding jacket out of the wardrobe. He hasn't touched it since the Ark Cradle fell. I think it carries too many memories. I know mine does. I haven't taken my riding jacket out of that wardrobe either. I normally just throw on my knee and shoulder pads since they're not sown onto my jacket. I take a white and magenta baseball shirt from my ever-growing pile of clothes in Yusei's wardrobe. I take some denim shorts and black knee-high socks. I love that our relationship has gotten to the point that we can just change in front of each other. Unfortunately, I can't steal his riding jacket to wear around the house today.
"You got a shift after this?" I ask Crow as we walk into the kitchen, cause he's in his uniform again.
"Yep." There's still bags under his eyes. None of us don't really know what to say to each other. There's definitely some awkwardness in the air. Jack walks into the kitchen, already in his riding suit.
"Will we go?" He asks, not even greeting us. We just decide to head off to our meeting at the harbour. I'm not sure why Jack and Crow even bothered to wait for us, I think they did for old times' sake. I know, deep down, that Jack is sentimental, even if he doesn't seem like to admit it.
Aki's already there with her D-Wheel, with the twins at her side, when we get there. Aki looks like she hasn't slept. I don't blame her, I haven't either. Everything's weighing on my mind. My future, Yusei's future, everyone's future. They're not going to be as involved in my future as I thought. I had this little fantasy playing out in my mind, where we're all just happy, hanging around in each other's big houses in the suburbs till we're old and grey. But I can't have that. My friends must move on, while I'm stuck in my eternal servitude to this City. What hurts me is that Yusei might leave too. I don't want him to leave but if it makes him happier, I have to let him go. I know he won't stop loving me, but I can't help but worry that his fondness will fade over that distance.
Yusei and Jack line up their D-Wheels under a bridge in the harbour. The rest of us huddle around Crow's D-Wheel, waiting for the duel to start so we can watch it on his monitor. Crow lets me sit in the seat of his D-Wheel. I looked pale, he said. I mean, he's not wrong.
"Yusei and Jack are about to battle." Crow holds his shaking hand in front of his face. "I've seen them battle many times since I was a kid, so why am I shaking?"
"Because nothing will ever be the same again," I answer.
"Jack, this is our first time we're dueling each other since the Fortune Cup." Yusei calls over to Jack.
"Yeah, many things have happened since then." Jack smirks. "We've had to fight by your side against many enemies."
"Yeah, but it was fun for me."
"Me too, but I've been looking forward to dueling you again."
"My heart may have been thinking the same thing."
"Nothing will interfere with our duel anymore." Jack says as both of them lowers their visors.
"Yeah, I'll give it my all in this duel!" Yusei revs his engine, ready for the duel.
"Of course. I will also strike you with everything I have! My soul is completely about dueling!" Jack pulls at his glove before revving his own engine.
"Speed World 2 set! Riding Duel!" They chant in unison before racing off. "Acceleration!" Crow fiddles with his monitor, bringing up the visual of the duel about to start.
"Whoever takes the first corner goes first!" Jack's voice is the first one to come through.
"I won't let you!" Yusei speeds ahead of Jack. "I'll go first!"
"I'll let you have it." Jack says, despite being behind Yusei.
"My turn!" Yusei declares. "I summon the Tuner Monster, Blue Expense Falcon(ATK:800)!"
"He's using his full strength from the start." Aki moves her hand in front of her mouth, as if Yusei summoning a Tuner is something new.
"When Blue Expense Falcon is successfully summoned, I can Special Summon one Level 4-or-below Dragon-Type monster from my hand. I Special Summon Bright Star Dragon(ATK:1900)! When Bright Star Dragon is Special Summoned, one monster's Level increases by 2. Blue Expense Falcon's Level increases from 2 to 4(LV:2-4)!" Oh, here we go. "Level 4 Blue Expense Falcon tunes Level 4 Bright Star Dragon! Clustering hopes will become a new shining star! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Soar, Stardust Dragon(ATK:2500)! I set one card and end my turn!"
"Incredible!" Rua exclaims. "Stardust Dragon already?"
"My turn!" Jack begins, setting their Speed Counters to 1. "When there's a Synchro Monster on your field, I can Special Summon the Tuner Monster, Synchron Resonator from my hand(ATK:100)! Next, I summon Star Gatherer(ATK:0)! Star Gatherer's Level becomes the same as your Synchro Monster minus 1. Therefore, Star Gatherer is Level 7(LV:1-7)! Level 1 Synchron Resonator tunes Level 7 Star Gatherer! The ruler's heartbeats will now file through here! Take witness to its creation-shaking power! Synchro Summon! My very soul, Red Daemon's Dragon(ATK:3000)!" Turn 2 and already their aces are ready to battle. I don't think these two would let their pride say otherwise. "I won't hold back Yusei! Red Daemon's Dragon attacks Stardust Dragon! Absolute Powerforce!"
"I activate the trap, Star Excursion!" Yusei interjects. "When Synchro Monsters battle, both monsters are removed from play, and they're Special Summoned at the end of your third turn's Battle Phase!" The two dragons get sucked into a black vortex.
"Stardust Dragon and Red Daemon's Dragon vanished." Jack points out the obvious.
"Yeah, they both vanished into our futures." Yusei nods.
"Future?" Jack echoes. Crow gasps, and the others look at each other.
"That's right!" Yusei stretches his arm. "I will find my future in this duel!" What could he mean? Is he betting staying in this City on this duel? He's not relying on Stardust, is that what he's saying?
He's finding his own identity outside of being a Signer, outside of Z-One.
I realise that. I look around at my friends. They don't seem to think the same.
"I set one card and end my turn!" Jack finishes his first move.
"My turn!" Yusei begins. "I send one monster to the graveyard to Special Summon Quickdraw Synchron(ATK:700)! By Special Summoning two Triangle Tokens to your field in defense position(DEF:1200/DEF:1200), I can Special Summon Triangle Warrior from my hand!"
"Tokens on my field?" Jack mutters.
"Come, Triangle Warrior(ATK:600)!" Yusei proclaims. "Level 5 Quickdraw Synchron tunes Level 2 Triangle Warrior! Clustering minds will now become a new force! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Blaze on, Nitro Warrior(ATK:2800)! From my hand, I activate Speed Spell - Defense Buster! When I have 2 or more Speed Counters, one of your monsters in defense position switches to attack position(DEF:1200-ATK:1200)! Nitro Warrior's effect activates! When a spell card activates during my turn, it gains 1000 attack points during damage calculation once! Since I used a Speed Spell, Nitro Warrior has 3800 attack points!"
"3800 attack points?" Rua exclaims.
"He did more than increase its attack points." Aki exclaims. "With Nitro Warrior's effect, when it destroys the opponent's monster, it can change another monster in defense to attack position and battle again. If he destroys the other Token, it's a total of 4200 points of damage for a one turn kill."
"Yusei really is battling with all his power."
"Yusei said that he would find the future in this duel." Crow looks around at all of us. "It may not just be for himself, it may also be a message for us." Just as he finishes, it starts raining. We're safe since we're under the bridge, but it matches my mood.
"We also have to find our future." Aki looks right at me.
"Nitro Warrior attacks the first Triangle Token!" Yusei declares. "Dynamite Knuckle!"
"I activate the trap, Break Tune!" Jack interjects. "When you attack, I Special Summon one Tuner Monster and negate that attack! I Special Summon Influence Dragon(ATK:300)!"
"Nitro Warrior's attack points return to normal(ATK:3800-2800)."
"Don't get overconfident, Yusei!" Jack shouts over to him. "Did you really think that our clash will end in a single move? The curtains won't fall until the lead actor gives his final speech! And the lead actor of this duel is me, Jack Atlas!" I sigh, he will literally never change.
"I end my turn." Yusei says with a smirk on his face.
"Jack is already focused on his future." Crow's voice is barely above a whisper, and his eyes are glazed over. "His strength is confident and unwavering. I'm jealous of him."
"Me too." Aki says with an unusual vulnerability in her voice.
"My turn!" Jack begins again, setting their Speed Counters to 3. "When Influence Dragon is used as Synchro Material, the Warrior-Type Triangle Token becomes Dragon-Type! I'll use these Token eyesores as seeds for victory! Level 3 Influence Dragon tunes two Level 2 Triangle Tokens! The ruler's shouts echo throughout! Hammer of Victory, shatter the very earth! Synchro Summon! Take flight, Exploder Dragonwing(ATK:2400)!"
"But Nitro Warrior has more attack points!" Yusei counters.
"I know that!" Jack retorts. "I summon Power Supplier in defense position(DEF:400)! Due to Power Supplier's effect, Exploder Dragonwing gains 400 attack points(ATK:2400-2800)! Now their attack points are equal. Exploder Dragonwing attacks Nitro Warrior! King Storm!" Yusei's life points drop to 1200 in one go in a cloud of black smoke.
"Even though their attack points were equal, only Nitro Warrior was destroyed!" Ruka gasps, as Jack speeds past Yusei on the track.
"When Exploder Dragonwing battles a monster with equal or fewer attack points, your monster is destroyed without calculating damage and you take damage equal to its attack points! Yusei, do you know my absolute power?" Jack asks. "There's nothing you can do since you have zero cards in your hand!"
"Incredible, 2800 points of damage!" Crow exclaims. "And since there was no damage calculation, Exploder Dragonwing is unhurt."
"I set one card and end my turn." Jack continues. "This is my overwhelmingly powerful strength! Yusei, if you're the sword, then I'm the axe!" Hold on, doesn't sword always beat axe? Y'know, rock-paper-scissors style? I don't think Jack is thinking through his metaphors, again. "I'll swing it down, and split you apart! I'll annihilate your foolish soul for challenging a giant!"
They approach a fork in the road. Jack continues down the main road, while Yusei takes the narrower side road. Jack calls over to him, but Yusei just keeps going.
"Too bad, but we're travelling different paths." Yusei shouts over to him. "My path is with the wind. You can't stop it with a giant axe!"
"Big talk." Jack smiles with a twinkle in his eye. Finally happy that someone is matching his dramatics.
"You bring it out of me." Yusei smirks. I'm just glad that I bring out his soft side that actually has emotions sometimes, rather than this. "I won't let you have this duel!"
"Wrong!" Jack exclaims. "Victory is something you take!"
"Yusei is enjoying this duel from the bottom of his heart." Aki comments.
"Yeah, Jack is too." I add. "He's happy that he can use his full strength."
"My turn!" Yusei continues the duel. "Sneak Giant's effect. When you're the only one with monsters on your field, by Special Summoning a Level 1 monster from my graveyard, I can summon Level 5 Sneak Giant without tribute! I Special Summon Turbo Synchron and summon Sneak Giant(ATK:100/ATK:0)! Level 1 Turbo Synchron tunes Level 5 Sneak Giant! Clustering bonds weave a greater force! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Roar, Turbo Warrior(ATK:2500)! Turbo Warrior attacks Exploder Dragonwing! When Turbo Warrior attacks a Level 6-or-above Synchro Monster, that monster's attack points are halved! Its 2800 attack points are halved to 1400! Go, Turbo Warrior! Accel Slash!" Yusei takes Jack's life points down to 2900.
"Well done, Yusei!" Jack congratulates him.
"I told you, you bring this out in me." Yusei repeats.
"It's Yusei's counterattack! What attack and defense! Even I'm getting fired up!" Crow raises a fist.
"I end my turn."
"My turn!" Jack begins, setting their Speed Counters to 5. "When you're the only one with a Synchro Monster, I can summon the Tuner Monster, Mirror Resonator(ATK:0)! Mirror Resonator's Level becomes the same as your Synchro Monster, Turbo Warrior(LV:1-6)! Level 6 Mirror Resonator tunes Level 2 Power Supplier! The King's determination is conceived with a crimson blade ablaze fires of red! Appear from beyond the burning heat waves! Synchro Summon! The Burning Fierce God, Crimson Blader(ATK:2800)! Crimson Blader attacks Turbo Warrior! Red Murder!" The attack leaves Yusei with his last 900 life points.
"Turbo Warrior…" He mutters.
"When Crimson Blader destroys a Synchro Monster in battle, you can't summon a monster on your next turn, Yusei!"
"So this is the results of your training, Jack!"
"I focused on many techniques for my power duel, so that my dueling would create even more power." Was disappearing for like five months without telling anyone about it really worth it? I doubt it. "I'm close to perfection!" Sure Jack, whatever you say.
"My turn!" Yusei begins his turn again. "I activate Speed Spell - Angel Baton from my hand! When I have 2 or more Speed Counters, I draw two cards from my deck, and I send one card in my hand to the graveyard!"
"You drew a good card after having zero cards in your hand. But this draw will determine your fate!" There's a beat of silence. Yusei draws and they enter a tunnel.
"I send Fake Gardna to the graveyard. I set one card and end my turn!"
"You drew a monster, but it can only go the graveyard if you can't summon it!"
"We'll see about that. Do you know what I'm thinking?" There's confidence in Yusei's voice, he's got a strategy.
"I already know what you're planning!" Jack scoffs. "You sent Fake Gardna to the graveyard, but you can Special Summon it when you're attacked directly. When Crimson Blader attacks you directly, you're going to use it as a shield to survive! Only you would pull such a petty strategy!" I swear that their duels will only get more needlessly complicated from here, they know each other too well.
"We never change. We'll spend our entire lives thinking about dueling, cards, pride and fixations." This is what I've signed myself up for.
"Yeah, that will never change! The present, the past or the future!" I look over at Crow. His eyes have steeled. He looks more determined than ever. He looks at me and nods. He's made his decision, I realise. "My turn! You said that when this turn's Battle Phase ends, my Red Daemon's Dragon and your Stardust Dragon return! But I won't wait for that future! I'll end it this turn! Crimson Blader attacks Yusei directly! Red Murder!"
"When you attack me directly, I can Special Summon Fake Gardna in defense position(DEF:2000)!" Yusei interjects.
"Your survival strategy won't work against me!" Jack exclaims. "I activate the trap, Breakthrough! It destroys the monster Special Summoned during the Battle Phase!"
"If Yusei takes this direct attack, he loses!"
"Fake Gardna was removed from play when it was destroyed, so it can't activate its effect again."
"This is the end!" Jack declares.
"I activate the trap, Scramble Egg!" Yusei swerves out of the way of the attack.
"What?"
"When a monster on my field is destroyed, I can Special Summon Road Runner from my deck, hand or graveyard(DEF:300)!" Yusei explains. "Even though it only has 300 defense points, Road Runner can't be destroyed in battle against a monster with 1900 or more attack points! Since the Battle Phase ends, due to the trap card, Star Excursion's effect, Stardust Dragon and Red Daemon's Dragon resurrect!" The dragons appear as they exit the tunnel, allowing them to stretch their wings out.
"The future that Yusei mentioned…" Aki mutters. "What does Yusei see?"
"During my battle against Z-One, my father spoke to my heart." Yusei begins. "About what I must do. Like Moment's Yusei Particles, I must guide and connect people's hearts. Connecting people forms a bond. Even if everyone goes their separate ways, I want to become the bond that connects everyone's heart, like Yusei Particles. That's why we don't need to feel confused. We can all stand and head out alone." I look around at my friends to see that they're all wiping tears away. I feel like I should be choking up too.
"Then I'll stand!" Jack declares, as he begins to accelerate. "I'll head into the world as the King! Yusei, witness my rugged soul to the end!"
"Yeah! Bring it on, Jack!" Yusei also accelerates to meet his speed.
"I activate Speed World 2's effect!" Jack exclaims. "By removing 7 Speed Counters, I draw one card! (SPC J:7-0) I summon Chain Resonator(ATK:100)! When I summon Chain Resonator when you have a Synchro Monster, I can Special Summon a Resonator Tuner Monster from my deck! I summon Dark Resonator(ATK:1300)!" Jack's entire body begins to glow red. "My soul is running wild! Level 3 Dark Resonator and Level 1 Chain Resonator double tune Level 8 Red Daemon's Dragon! The King and The Devil, here and now, shall become as one. A Raging Spirit! Lift up the very cries of Creation itself! Synchro Summon! Come Forth, Scarlet Nova Dragon(ATK:3500)! Scarlet Nova Dragon gains 500 attack points for every Tuner Monster in my graveyard! There are five Tuner Monsters in my graveyard! Therefore, Scarlet Nova Dragon gains 2500 attack points(ATK:3500-6000)!"
"Incredible!" Rua exclaims.
"Jack is striking Yusei with his entire soul."
"I set one card and end my turn!"
"My turn!" Yusei begins his turn again. "I activate Speed World 2's effect! I remove 7 Speed Counters to draw one card! I summon the Tuner Monster Mach Synchron(ATK:0)! Level 1 Mach Synchron tunes Level 1 Road Runner! Clustering wishes will call out a new speed's horizon! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! The Power of Hope, Formula Synchron(ATK:200)! When Mach Synchron is used as Synchro Material, the non-Mach Synchron Synchro Material returns to my hand. When Formula Synchron is successfully Synchro Summoned, I draw one card from my deck!"
"Synchro Tuner? He's planning to bring that out!" Well done, Jack, you're using that thing called logic and basic reasoning.
"Clear Mind!" Yusei says as he begins to accelerate "Level 2 Synchro Tuner Formula Synchron tunes Level 8 Synchro Monster Stardust Dragon! Clustering powers will bring about a new evolution! Become the path its light shines upon! Accel Synchro!" Yusei disappears for a split second. "Appear, Shooting Star Dragon(ATK:3300)!"
"Shooting Star Dragon, you appeared!" Jack smirks. "You're targeting Crimson Blader! But due to Scarlet Nova Dragon's effect, it can remove itself from play this turn to negate your attack!"
"But you can only do that once!" Yusei smirks right back at him. "Shooting Star Dragon checks the top five cards in my deck, and it can attack for every Tuner Monster among them!" Yusei draws all of the cards at once. "I drew three Tuners! Therefore, Shooting Star Dragon can attack three times! Stardust Mirage! Shooting Star Dragon attacks Crimson Blader!" Jack's life points drop to 2400 in a cloud of grey smoke.
"Attack me with your two remaining attacks, Yusei!" Jack shouts, practically at the top of his lungs. "That is, if you really think you can blast away my soul!"
"Scarlet Nova has 6000 attack points, while Shooting Star has 3300. Jack is being unrealistic." Crow sighs.
"I think he'll find a way," I answer.
"I set two cards and end my turn." Yusei continues, as they come off-road and into an industrial estate.
"My turn!" Jack begins his turn again, with their Speed Counters being set to 2. "I activate the Continuous Trap, Red Cocoon! This card equips onto Scarlet Nova. While Scarlet Nova battles, your monster's effects are negated!"
"That means Shooting Star can't escape from the field!" Rua exclaims. "If this attack succeeds, Jack wins!"
"Scarlet Nova Dragon attacks Shooting Star Dragon! Burning Soul!" Jack shouts. They start driving inside a factory, which I'm pretty sure is illegal.
"I activate the trap, High and Low!" Yusei interjects. "I send one card in my deck to the graveyard, and if it's a monster, my monster that's attacked gains that card's attack points! This effect can be used up to three times, but if my monster's attack points become greater than yours, my monster is destroyed!"
"I see," Jack hums. "You're using that effect to take less damage, you never change."
"Jack! This is a move to test my future! This draw will most likely point to my future!" I feel my heart rate increase. Is Yusei really betting his future with me on this draw? He's not only deciding his own future, but mine as well. "I draw! Sonic Warrior has 1000 attack points(ATK:3300-4300)! I draw a second card! Speed Warrior has 900 attack points(ATK:4300-5200)!"
"The difference in their attack points is now 800! Yusei will barely survive with 100 life points!"
"If you draw again, Shooting Star will now be destroyed and your field will be empty!"
"I'll use High and Low's effect for a third time!" I put my hand over my mouth. My hands start shaking again, so I fold my arms in an attempt to stop it.
"Are you serious?" Jack exclaims. "If you draw a monster with more than 800 attack points, it'll self-destruct!"
"I know that," Yusei answers. "You're not someone I can beat without taking a risk. I will bet my potential on this draw! Deck, answer me!" The paths that Yusei and Jack are following start to go over a pit of molten metal. The camera angle moves slightly. The path before Yusei cuts off, but he doesn't stop. I grip the sides of Crow's D-Wheel.
"Yusei! There isn't any road ahead of you! Give up!" Jack screams, but Yusei's eyes are closed. "Yusei!"
"That's it." I unfold my arms and cover my eyes. "I can't look anymore. Tell me if he lands."
"The third card!" I hear Yusei's voice. "Quillbolt Hedgehog has 800 attack points! Therefore, Shooting Star Dragon has 6000 attack points!"
"He's landed now, Yuuka." Aki chuckles beside me. "You can look. Yusei brought his own future to himself."
"No way!" Jack exclaims. "You made Shooting Star Dragon have the same attack points as Scarlet Nova Dragon! But since Red Cocoon that's equipped on Scarlet Nova Dragon was destroyed, I can Special Summon Red Daemon's Dragon during the End Phase!"
"I activate the trap, Crush Star!" Yusei interjects. "When a Synchro Monster on the field is destroyed, I can Special Summon a monster with 1000 or fewer attack points from my hand and graveyard in defense position! Come, Road Runner and Sonic Warrior(DEF:300/DEF:0)! I end my turn!"
"Resurrect, Red Daemon's Dragon(ATK:3000)!" The dragon appears from the pit of molten metal, just before they finish crossing it. "Yusei, those weaklings can't stand up to my Red Daemon's Dragon!" They manage to stop trespassing in a factory, and emerge at the harbour. I imagine they're not too far from where we are.
"Are you sure about that?" Yusei asks. I can practically hear the no monster is useless speech already. He jumps up onto a pipe, because taking the same path as Jack is too much to ask for. Wait… Could he be...? "Jack, I can see my answer! My turn! I summon Junk Synchron(ATK:1300)! When Junk Synchron is summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 2-or-below monster in defense position! Resurrect, Speed Warrior(DEF:400)! When there's a Tuner Monster on the field, I can Special Summon Quillbolt Hedgehog from my graveyard(ATK:800)!"
"Those monsters are…"
"They're cards that Yusei has always been using."
A memory suddenly comes into my head. I found Quillbolt Hedgehog in a pile of junk. I gave it to Yusei because I thought it was cute. Wasn't that the card that he said would decide his fate, and by extension, mine? Does that mean he's chosen me?
"No matter how low their attack points, no matter how low their Levels…"
"Yusei loves those monsters and always uses them. They're his friends that have always helped him duel!"
"Level 3 Junk Synchron tunes Level 2 Sonic Warrior! Clustering stars will call upon a new force. Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Show yourself, Junk Warrior(ATK:2300)!"
"You play Junk Warrior now!?" Jack all but screams, shocked that anything but their Signer dragons would face off against each other in the endgame of their duel.
"When Sonic Warrior is used as Synchro Material, Level 2-or-below monsters on the field gain 400 attack points(ATK:900-1300/ATK:300-700/ATK:800-1200)!" Yusei explains. "When Junk Warrior is Synchro Summoned, it gains attack points equal to the total attack points of all Level 2-or-below monsters. Power of Fellows(ATK:2300-5500)!"
"5500 attack points?" Jack exclaims.
"Yusei's monster powered up due to the power of their bond. This is the potential that Yusei mentioned." Aki looks around at all of us. I see the determination burning in her eyes.
"If we also have a bond, we can always remain strong! I've made my decision!" Crow punches his fist in the air.
"I've also decided." Aki nods, clenching her fist against her chest.
"Me too." The twins say, slightly out of sync.
I look around at them. I smile sadly. I'm happy for them. They're leaving, but not for good. I never want them to leave, but I have to let them go. I love my friends, I wouldn't change them for anything in the world. They'll always be my friends, I realise. We've been through so much together that they'll never really leave me. They're off to make their own futures.
I'm not alone.
I'm not the only one creating my own future. I'm not the only one trying to prevent Z-One's and the other Yuuka's bad future. That's what we're fighting for. I know my friends, they won't stop until that's a certainty. I feel my stomach lift a little.
"Jack!" Yusei breaks my train of thought. "Our duel has taught me what lives in my soul!" He puts his fist against his chest.
"You finally found your path." Jack smiles with confidence.
"I will remain in this City!" Yusei all but screams, getting a gasp from everyone. Did everyone think he was leaving?
"Yusei…" Jack mutters.
"Here I go, Jack!" Yusei jumps off the pipe that was slightly elevated above the road. "Junk Warrior attacks Red Daemon's Dragon! Scrap Fist!" There's a billow of smoke as Jack's life points drop to 0.
I feel my shoulders relax. I exhale. That was an experience, to say the least. Yusei's staying with me, for good. My heartbeat's ringing in my ears. I'm practically grinning from ear-to-ear. Deep down, I'm sad because everyone's leaving. But as long as I have Yusei by my side, I know everything will be okay. He's the most important thing to me in this life, I can't imagine not having him by my side.
"So, that's it, huh?" Crow asks.
"Yeah," Aki mutters in response.
"Let's drive down to them, I think they're just down there." Crow says, making me get off his D-Wheel.
"Right." I sigh, getting back onto my own. Ruka tags onto the back of Aki's D-Wheel, while Rua goes on Crow's since it has the most room.
I race off towards Yusei, my head practically spinning. We reach them, just as they leave a high-five.
"Yusei!" Ruka shouts. They turn to look at us, with big smiles.
"Everyone!" Yusei says, as we disembark.
"I've decided to go to the pro league, Yusei!" Crow has this big grin on his face, practically stretching from ear-to-ear.
"I'll make sure to study!" Aki puts her hand over her chest.
"Me too! When I get there, I'll write a letter every week!" Ruka fidgets on the spot.
"I'll make our parents pamper us to make up for lost time!" Rua puts his hands on his hips and laughs.
"You've each found your path." Yusei looks around each of us. His gaze settles on me. "I'm staying here. I'm going to put the Moment Framework in place, so Z-One and the other Yuuka's future doesn't happen. But, I'll still attend university. I won't stop until I know that the future is safe." This beautiful smile breaks out on his face. It takes all of me not to break there and then.
Everyone nods at Yusei. We say nothing and form a circle, putting our hands in for a fist bump. Yusei's shoulders shake slightly, but he regains his composure.
"No matter how far apart we are, our bond is forever." We look at each other, taking in the view, knowing that this could be the last time we do this. We raise our fists as one.
"We still don't know what Yuuka's doing." Crow points out.
"Yeah, when will you know?" Aki asks.
"No idea." I hear the roar of a D-Wheel engine, and this ticklish sensation in my head. "Well actually-"
"Yuuka!" Kaoru pulls up on his shiny, black D-Wheel besides us. He holds up two letters. "Just arrived."
"And you rooted inside my head to find where I was."
"Yep," he answers casually as he disembarks. "I haven't opened mine yet."
"We're gonna do it now?" I look back at my friends, who look at me expectantly.
"Why not?" Kaoru takes off his helmet, looking pretty nervous. He hands me my envelope. I read the name Yuuka Hattori on the front, with Kasumi's address underneath.
I take a deep breath. I feel Yusei squeeze my shoulder. I look up at Kaoru, who's looking equally nervous. We look at each other, we say nothing as swap our envelopes.
"Oh yeah, telepathy." I hear Crow mutter under his breath. Even though, we haven't said anything to each other.
I start opening the envelope labelled Kaoru Sasaki. I start scanning the letter.
"We are delighted to offer you the position…" I read outloud. "Congrats, dude." I keep reading on in the letter. "You placed in the top ten applicants, number eight. That's really good, shit."
"This can't be right." Kaoru mutters, and my stomach sinks.
"I got my hopes up for nothing." I sigh.
"No, you got it." I blink rapidly. My brain adjusts to the fakeout. Kaoru turns the letter towards me. "You were the number one applicant."
"What?" My eyes squint. I scan the letter, looking at the number one bolded in the text.
"You serious?" Crow practically jumps forward to read the letter. "That's what it says, look!" Crow takes the letter from Kaoru, showing it to everyone.
"Congratulations, Yuuka." Jack says, while I just nod slowly. "And you too, Kaoru."
"You two are going to be the best cops ever!" Rua exclaims.
"That's incredible, Yuuka." Ruka nods. "Kaoru."
"That's amazing, you two. I knew you could do it." Aki smiles at both of us.
"I'm so proud of you, babe." Yusei presses a kiss to my temple while holding my waist. I start smiling again, coming out of my daze.
"Thank you." I manage to get out.
"Yeah, thanks, but I am interrupting something?" Kaoru makes a face, looking at me.
"Not really-" Yusei starts.
"Yeah, you were." I nod.
"I'll get out of your hair now." Kaoru puts a hand up, getting the message. "I gotta go tell mom and Takumi now."
"I'll see you later, I guess?" I ask.
"Of course," he nods, "we gotta celebrate."
"You're right." I chuckle. "Later." I flash him a peace sign.
"Later." He returns the gesture.
"So, yeah, that happened." I turn back to my friends. Yusei's standing so close to me that our shoulders are brushing.
"Yeah." Crow nods at me.
"When is everyone leaving?" Yusei asks, a twinge of sadness in his voice.
"Our parents booked us a flight for tomorrow." Ruka shyly smiles.
"The university says I can arrive anytime from now." Aki shrugs her shoulders.
"The league wants me there by tomorrow night." Jack hangs his head a little.
"My league says anytime from now." Crow looks around our little circle with an unreadable look on his face.
"So tomorrow's the last day, huh?" Yusei looks around the circle too. I just keep my eyes on him. I'll get too sad if I follow his gaze.
"Seems so." Jack answers.
"How about we all get ready today, and have one last ride tomorrow morning?" Yusei proposes. "For old time's sake?"
"Yeah." Everyone nods in unison.
"Right, I don't actually have a shift to get to." Crow scratches the back of his neck. "Gotta tell them the bad news."
"Don't worry." Jack chuckles, turning to me. "They have two officer Sasakis to cover for you now."
"That's Officer Hattori to you." I smirk back at him.
"That's the last name the other Yuuka went by, right?" Aki asks.
"Yep," I nod. "I want to honour their legacy. I won't stop until the future is safe."
"Neither will we." Crow nods at me.
"You're not in this alone, Yuuka." Everyone looks at me with warm eyes. "We'll help you every step of the way." Aki continues.
"We'll do whatever we can to stop that bad future." Rua pumps his fist.
"Yeah," Ruka nods.
"We'll stop that future right in its track." Jack grins.
"See, Yuuka?" Yusei says. I look at him, and my heart still skips a beat. "We have everyone supporting us in this."
"You're right." I answer. "Let's make a promise here and now. To stop Z-One and the other Yuuka's bad future from happening." I place my hand in the middle for another fist bump. Everyone joins in. I know my friends are leaving, but this, it makes my heart feel less sad. It makes me happy to know that wherever Z-One and the other Yuuka are right now, that they're smiling.