A/N: Sorry for the long hiatus, and for this chapter not matching the preview. From here one I won't be doing any previews at the ends of chapters to avoid incorrect ones. Anyway, I found the inspiration needed to proceed forward, but in the end decided to skip Koyou's first round duel. Mei's first round duel will be re-capped next chapter and I'm going to have at least one second round duel in there as well. Also, An earlier chapter will eventually be revised, since a virtually identical archetype called Vairons was released in the OCG. Mei will be using Vairons instead of Harbingers. This chapter features one of many included references to Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2010: Reverse of Arcadia in the form of the titular duel runner "Black Chariot".

Episode 7: Black Chariot

I halted my bike at the finish line and Crow, who was taking his turn with the stopwatch, shook his head in disappointment, "It's no good. You're best time is still a whole 20 seconds slower than my average time on the Blackbird. At this rate you'll never get a first turn. Worse than that, if you run into a fast guy he might beat you by completion if he gets a lucky break in the duel."

I sighed. The guy was right, as much as the others might try to encourage me, my runner just wasn't physically capable of matching his old runner, much less the cutting edge ones likely waiting in the final match. What was I going to do in the second round when the tournament started including turbo duels? I needed upgrades if I was going to stand a chance of winning all the way to the finals. After all, the final match for the qualifying tournament was in the city, against a city-dweller. That person's runner could likely outclass even Crow's.

The others; Tank, Blitz, Nervin, and Rally, all came walking over to perform the obligatory encouragement routine, with Tank speaking up first, "Don't be so hard on yourself, Koyou. You actually make up a good bit of time on the cornering. You've got skills."

"That's not the issue. I can ride just fine, but these old, battered parts can only get me going so fast." I patted the frame, "I just wish I could put some better parts in the old girl. I'm literally rolling on soda cans and rusty coat hangers here."

Crow laughed, "Well I got some coat hangers that aren't rusty if ya think it'll help."

I sighed, "To be honest I don't even know how it's running at all in this state."

Rally frowned, "If only Yusei were still here. I'm sure he could make it run better."

Nervin nodded, "Well, I'm sure by now he's dueling his way to the top of the dueling circuit."

"I'll probably meet up with him when I go to the city for the finals. He can fix my bike then." I smiled.

Crow chuckled, "Hey now! We both breezed through the first round remember? You'll have to get through me first."

"You kidding? I beat you a couple days ago I can beat you again." I teased.

"I had a face-down and plenty of life left. You wanna go again?"

"No, I'm kidding. Just kidding. That was a draw. Could've gone either way." I started my runner, "We can just settle it in the tournament."

"If you head there now you might reach the second round in time." Crow chided. It was particularly cutting since the next round wasn't for two more days.

"Funny." I replied, "Now if you'll excuse me guys I'm going to go see if I can scrounge up some more DP, maybe practice my turbo dueling."

Nervin realized my purpose, "Yeah, I hear the duel runner shop in town is reopening for the tourney, I hear some big wig from the city wants to use the opportunity to make some cash."

Crow interjected, "You might not wanna go over that way, I hear some stooge on a black runner is hassling riders in that area. Rumor has it he's headless and challenges people to Shadow Games."

"Oh, we'll if those games are on motorcycles I'll make doubly sure to avoid him. I don't think I could win a turbo duel against some shadow rider."

"You couldn't win against a snail on that thing." Crow teased again.

"Ha, ha." I replied flatly then started on my way.

I spent the next couple of hours running across various duelists and facing them, either in regular or turbo duels. In the latter I was only able to keep pace with a few equally clunky runners, but there were a fair amount of bikes in better condition. It didn't surprise me though. The jerk I had gotten the runner from didn't seem like the type to care for his ride. Regardless, believe me when I say it was pure happenstance when I found myself in the northern slums near the duel runner shop. I didn't even realize where I had wandered to until I noticed the black runner gaining fast, it's rider clad all in black with a hooded robe. The runner seemed far too nice for the area, as well-maintained as Crow's even.

"What are the odds...?" I sighed.

Suddenly, as the black runner pulled level with mine my system screen went into duel mode. Blue flames suddenly appeared at set intervals on the main road, with a large pyre appearing on top of the store. Did this guy have some connection to it? I had no time to ponder it, for the race was on. Perhaps I could have just whipped my bike around and made my escape, but something about the guy made me want to beat him, more than that... something felt familiar in the air. Some part of me, deep in my gut, screamed "Beat this guy! The only path forward is through him!"

As the dark rider totally began to outclass me in speed I caught a good look at his runner. There was no way a runner like that was made from a pile of reject stock parts. The frame sat low, the lowest part being near the middle of the wheels rather than near the top like most runners. Despite the way it sat, the frame was actually shaped more like a street bike than a sport's bike. More comfort than streamlined. The front wheel was further forward than usual as well, like the claws of a beast reached ahead to claw at the ground as it ran. The design was like some charging panther.

While I was entranced by his ride, the rider took the fast turn, both in the race and the duel. He said nothing, simply summoning a dark attribute warrior in spiked armor to the field. He then activated 'Foolish Burial', sending a card from his deck to the grave before setting a face down. Since he wasn't talking I called up the data for the monster on my screen. It was Dark Blade, a normal monster with a solid 1800 attack points. That face down was probably trouble. I couldn't be too hasty even though I had a warrior of my own that was narrowly stronger.

"My turn. I draw!" Nice, an equip, "I summon Evocator Chevalier!" the crimson warrior appeared, floating beside me, "Next I activate the equip spell, Fighting Spirit. My Chevalier gains 300 attack for every monster you control. Right now that only one, so 2200 attack will be coming after your Dark Blade!"

I revved the engine closing the distance as we neared a turn and sent Chevalier in for the attack, "Crimson Slash!"

The dark rider extended a hand and activated a trap, a slender orange dragon wrupting from it and lifting not only the Dark Blade sky high, but it's attack points too, raising them from 1800 to 2700. My warrior was outgunned.

Koyou: 3500, Dark Rider: 4000

"Gah!" I fell back from the impact. I very nearly crashed in the turn, but I held on, activating the second effect of Fighting Spirit, "When My monster would be destroyed in battle I can destroy Fighting Spirit instead! One face down ends my turn."

I looked at the data for his trap and the strange dragon it had equipped to Dark Blade. 'Roll Out!' equips a union monster in the grave to an eligible target on the field. The union monster was probably what he sent to the grave earlier. The data listed it as 'Kiryu', which could raised Kiryu's attack and defense by 900 or offer itself up to enable him to attack directly. Both were bad, I'd have to get rid of it fast.

My opponent drew wordlessly, summoning out a female knight. It was Command Knight, card that gave all warriors on the same side 400 attack. That Dark Blade was now boasting 3100 attack. If I didn't play my cards right I was dead for sure! However it was pretty clear what his strategy was. Dark Blade was his ace. His entire deck was built around it most likely. I just had to keep him off the field.

Speaking of Dark Blade, the dragon-mounted knight turnedand bore down on my own warrior, but Evocator wasn't about to go quietly into the night, "Trap card open! Kunai with Chain! This oldie but goodie forces your Dark Blade into defense mode!" a bladed chain lashing out from the trap, yanking the offending monster to the ground, dragon and all. Afterward, my Chevalier picked up the end of it, "As a bonus, it can also equip to my monster for a 500 point attack boost!"

The dark rider placed two face downs without saying a word and motioned the end of his turn.

"My draw!" I had to hold off as I spotted the rider steer around some debris in the road. Instinctively, I lifted up the front wheel of my runner so I could ride over it. I nearly lost control again, but the move closed a bit of the distance between us, even if the gap was widening again soon after, "I spend my normal summon to give Evocator his effect! I'll be using that effect to deal with your Dark Blade!" Evocator twirled the chain weapon over his head and lobbed it at Dark Blade, impaling the warrior. The kunai, Dark Blade, and the dragon he was equipped with, all shattered. The rider didn't even flinch. I went on the attack, "With no other monsters on your field, Command Knight can be attacked!"

As Evocator charged in the dark rider activated a trap. It was a familiar one: Birthright, a trap the revives a normal monster. Dark Blade was reborn, and Command Knight's effect meant I had to target the revived warrior instead. Not that it mattered, it still had lower attack. I found out differently when I signaled the attack. It was then that the other trap fired, and an all too familiar bladed chain impaled my warrior, destroying it.

"Gah!"

Koyou: 3100 vs Dark Rider: 4000

I held firm, but my thoughts raced as he pulled even further ahead of me. Who is this guy? His deck is so focused to that single point I can't stop it from advancing. And worse still, I'm wide open! If I don't do something he can take me out next turn! "Fine! I'll use it now! I activate Double Summon! With this I can normal summon or set an additional time this turn! I'll use that option to set a monster! Turn end."

The rider drew as he rounded the second of three turns. Part of me had wondered why the course was so short, but it was obvious in that moment. He was fast enough and powerful enough to win quickly either way. If the track were any longer, he'd never win using speed to complete the course. It was as much an escape route as it was a means of escaping boredom. He summoned another union monster, 'Pitch Dark Dragon'. It only boosted Dark Blade to 2200 as he mounted it, but the other effect was the more major issue. That effect sent a certain sword straight through my set monster, destroying it and piercing through to my life points.

I refused to budge, "You destroyed Featherizer, when destroyed in battle I can use its effect to send one gemini monster from my deck to the grave and draw a card."

The rider didn't care, he ignored the smile on my face as I sent a sliver of hope to the grave and drew another. That hope made the follow up attack from Command Knight seem like nothing. I gave no ground, but the same cant be said for my life points. Apparently sure of his win, the rider ended his turn without a new face down.

Koyou: 400 vs 4000

"My turn!" I needed a specific card. If I didn't draw that card it was over. I didn't have the firepower in my hand to take out that 2200 points without it. Glancing ahead, I saw the finish nearing, just around the slight bend in the course at the back of the shop. The situation was worse than I thought. If I didn't do something, even my attack couldn't stop him from winning by course completion. Even if I drew the perfect card he'd still win!

"No." I muttered to myself. That feeling in my gut, that need to beat him, cried out in rage, "I won't lose! I won't let you beat me!" (A/N: Cue winning theme music.) My whole body tingled suddenly, like it was about to burst into flames, I suddenly knew what I needed to do, and the path before me that could "This is my draw!" I drew... the perfect card, "I summon Blazewing Butterfly!" The monster I'd drawn with Featherizer's effect burst onto the field, "Next I equip it with the card I just drew, Supervise! With this Blazewing gains its effect." The already fiery creature blazed even hotter, flying up and then crashing into the ground, forming a patched up lava from which the monster I sent to the grave erupted, "Blazewing can tribute itself to revive a different gemini with its own effect active. Supervise's other effect triggers in the grave, reviving Blazewing!" The fire butterfly reappeared in a pillar of flame, both it and Tuned Magician flying in front of me as they became the rings and stars of a synchro summon, "Tuned Magician's effect makes her a tuner, so I tune my level 4 Tuned Magician to my level 4 Blazewing Butterfly! Fist of stone, crushes bone. Breath of fire purges ire. Synchro shokan! Charge on through, Black Brutdrago!" The large dragon formed in a blaze of rage, galloping in front of me at high speed.

The rider turned, probably in shock, as I started speeding up, closing the distance. He spoke for the first time, "Using the virtual solid technology to create a slipstream? I've never seen someone drafting in the wake of a monster!"

"I won't let you try it either! I activate Black Brutdrago's effect! By discarding Phoenix Gearfried from my hand, I destroy Birthright, which destroys the monster you used it on!" A hologram of Phoenix Gearfried's card appeared in front of Brutdrago then shattered as the dragon inhaled it and spit it as a destructive ball of fire at Birthright. One minor cataclysm later, and the dark rider was left with only Command Knight.

Even with the extra speed, I was still going to lose by completion, but I refused the idea. Instead, I pushing my runner to the limits. The innards of it shook, but all my raw will was aimed at going forward, straight towards the divider that blocked the road from the sidewalk and formed the turn. With a bellow, the brutish dragon in front of me plowing into it, the virtual solid feel being enough the knock the stone barrier to at least a slant. A shortcut ramp that sent me flying over the corner. As I descended I pulled slightly ahead of the rider, but in my gut I knew he would gain it back. So I commanded the attack, "Black Brutdrago attacks Command Knight!"

The thuggish dragon crashed down on the unprotected warrior and sent the dark rider weaving out of control from the impact. He fell back and I landed... sideways, crossing the finish as I flipped off the side of my runner and the bike itself rolled over me, sliding to a halt a dozen yards away.

Koyou: 400 (W) vs Dark Rider: 1400 (L) [Decided by race completion].

Climbing to my feet I berated myself, "God, I have to stop crashing this thing. That's the second time at least."

The Dark Rider came to a halt, his beastly bike roaring before settling down into a purr-like idling state. He didn't get off at first, "You and I are a lot alike it seems."

"Both use equip-focused warrior decks."

He nodded, "Both of us searching for something. Trying to blaze the path to something we care about."

I was stunned.

"I can see it in your dueling. You're hungry, reaching out for that goal beyond your reach. We're a lot alike indeed. You even crashed in the same spot I did back then."

I looked over at my bike, then back to the rider, "What?"

He took off his helmet... and there was nothing there. He put down the kickstand on his bike and got off of it. The headless rider then extended a hand, in it was a card, his Dark Blade, "Give this to Masha. She should be here soon."

Dumbfounded, I simply took the card and he turned, walking (and fading) away, "I can rest now. I hope you find what you're looking for." With that, he – and his bike – were gone.

Almost on cue, a beautiful woman in her early forties came rushing out the back door of the duel runner shop, looking equal parts angry and concerned, "What's up with this spot and people crashing? I come back and sure enough some punk is careening down the alley again. Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Remembering my runner, I rushed over to it. It was banged up, but there didn't seem to be any major damge. With the ramshackle inner-workings though, there was no telling.

"Your runner looks terrible."

"It was, for the most part, like that before."

She paused, as if remembering something, "Ah. That's true. It's been so long since I've been in Satellite that I forgot how slapped together the runners are." She frowned, "I'm ashamed of myself as a mechanic."

I turned, "Are you Masha by any chance?"

She nodded, "Yes, why?"

I stood, facing her all the way I presented the card, "This is gonna sound weird, but I just dueled a guy on a black runner with no head and he told me to give you this."

Masha took the card and examined it. It only ok a moment for her to gasped and clasp a hand over her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes, "This... this was Daren's. They never found it. It... has to be the same one, it's got the little Amulet of Ambition I drew on it."

"I guess you knew the guy?"

"I can't believe the rumors were true. I'd heard of the headless rider in the city. That's why I came back. I can't believe... He must have..."

"Take your time."

Wiping her eyes, Masha smiled, "Sorry, you don't know anything about this, kid. You probably weren't even born yet."

I shrugged.

"Come on in the shop. I'll make you something to drink and tell you about the headless rider."

I picked up my bike and dusted it off, leaned it on the wall because the kickstand was broken, then followed the woman inside. She sat me at a table and went into the back. Sitting there, I couldn't help but notice the pictures on the wall. There's was some old picitures of a mmuch youner Masha alongside a man in the same riding gear as the headless rider. In some of th pictures was the same bike. In others she was totally bald. Cancer?

I got answers when she came back out a few moments later, "Oh, those old things. I left them behind when I went off to the city."

"I was under the impression leaving the Satellite was forbidden."

"It normally is, but my husband is a wealthy man. If you have money you can do whatever you like in this world of ours." she set down some tea in front of me, "That's what I learned back then. As much as I might hate it. Money means everything."

I took a sip as she continued.

"I was born here in this very shop. My dad was the first owner. From him I learned to work miracles with runners. Long story short I inherited the shop and later the very thing that killed my dad."

"Cancer?"

"Yes. That didn't come up until later though. Long after I met Daren. The idiot got too extreme in a turbo duel and crashed outside just like you. You were lucky though. Daren lost his runner and broke an arm. Broken limbs are a big deal here you know. We don't have hospitals." She paused to take a drink, "I did what you do in Satellite, good person needs help you give it. So I set his arm and nursed him back to health. He worked of his debt the best he could. After that he wouldn't leave me alone, said he loved me."

"Sounds kinda cheesy."

"That's what I thought at the time too. Anyway, after a while I gave up and started dated him. We built a runner together. Though he was mostly designer since I was the better mechanic. He said he wanted a frame that was both of us, his own hunger and ambitition with my beauty and strength... In case you haven't figured it out he was a real cheeseball. The runner was beautiful though, and ran like a true beast. Around that time, hearing about the runner, a parts manufacturer, a guy named Warner, came into town to see it and apparently was smitten with me. That was when the cancer came up."

"The ultimate party crasher."

She nodded, "Warner said if I married him he'd take me to the city and I could be easily cured. But I loved Daren. Warner, being the nice guy he is, hosted a tournament just for me. The winner would get a substantial sum and a ticket to the city. It was a way for Daren to cure me. However..."

"Warner laid down a bet." I guessed.

"Yep, if Daren lost I would marry Warner instead. Daren made me agree, said that my life was too important to take any risk at all." Masha looked down at the table, "He won by completion in the final, throwing everything he had into defeating his foe... and crashed. The wreck took his head clean off. They never found it or mos of his scattered deck."

I scratched my chin, "That explains why his ghost would appear now, with such a similar tournament."

"That's what I was thinking. He was probably dueling like mad to get my attention."

You said you'd married? Warner take advantage?"

Masha smiled, "Actually no. Warner said he lost the bet fair and square and gave me the winnings, took me to the city himself, saw to it I got cured, and got me work. He never proposed, he just left the door open and was there for me."

"Sounds like a nice guy after all."

"Yeah. He waited 10 years for me. He didn't even mind me coming back over the rumors. I love him. Daren is still in my heart though. Always will be."

"That's nice." I took the last sip of my drink and pondered my own situation.

Masha seemed to read my expression, "You know, I think I have something that will improve your chances in the tournament."

I looked to her, surprised, "I couldn't take a reward, I didn't do anything."

She shook he head, "You did a lot. Plus, seeing you care for that old clunker makes me think you'll take good care of it."

"Wait... you don't mean...?"

The woman smiled wide, "Follow me."

She lead me to the backroom, where the very runner that Daren had been riding was waiting, looking as good as new, "I can't take this! It was his. You should definitely keep it."

"No, I think this is fate. She'll do you good, and I could never ride her like she should be." she stroked the runner fondly, "She needs a duelist, and I think you to will get along. After all, you beat Daren."

"You knew that?"

"You seem like the kind of person that would crash if it meant winning. I want to see this old girl win another tournament. Just try not to die."

"I-" I new I should refuse, but something about the runner has me enraptured, it was how I imagined love at first sight being.

"Take it. I can see you want to."

I gave in and sat on it. It was glorious. Fit me like a glove. It was like the welcoming embrace of a lover. The passion and desire put into building it was clear.

Masha was still smiling, "Start her up. The frame is custom, but unfortunately when I was restoring her is was only for sentimental reasons. The parts are pretty stock by today's standards. I haven't replced the optional parts yet."

I pressed the ignition and the runner roared to life, then settled to a familiar purr. I could feel the hunger, the beast wanted to duel. It wanted to go faster and faster, and it wanted to win. No, the want was so intense it was like it wanted to consume its opponents. It felt like I'd mounted a mighty panther ready to hunt, "Wow."

Masha laughed, "Yeah, she really sings for you. I haven't heard her like that in a while." patting the beast she made another offer, "I saw you had some other options on your own runner, I could graft them onto her so you can carry some of the other one with you. I'll even give the parts a paint job to match. The rear wings and boosters will push the handling and acceleration even more."

"That's asking too much."

She laughed, "I never said I wasn't charging you. I'll give you a discount on the whole package. 2400 DP."

I looked at my stock of DP codes. "This really must be fate."

"Hm?"

I handed her all my DP, "That's exactly what I have on me."

She raised and eyebrow as she counted, "Fate indeed. Good luck, I can have your parts painted and installed in an hour."

And so the path to the future was opened, "Wait, what's her name?"

Masha smiled as she saw me gazing at the runner fondly, "Black Chariot."

Next Chapter: Round Two, Shifting into Turbo

Set in stone preview: A recap of Mei's first round and Mei takes Vairon, an archetype that relies on non-speed spells, into Speed World. Can she win?

Possible extra stuff: Koyou and Black Chariot run into a road block as Officer Dread returns.

A/N: Yeah I know this is technically cheating. Players can't get B-Chariot until the post game of WC2010, but I like the frame and the event you get it in so much I decided to indulge myself. Plus, all the other main character's runners have interesting back stories and one of a kind frames, why can't Koyou's? Also, be sure to review folks! More reviews means more motivations to keep going!