On My Own
Chapter 16
Author Notes: Alrighty, we're cruising boys and girls. Less on the tournament and more on the sleuthing! I mean granted I never really wanted to focus on the tournament anyways but we're here! I do not own Yugioh.
3rd P.O.V
"Alright! Let's see what you got lady!" The race was on the moment Yusei heard the crowd cheer at the top of their lungs. "Perhaps I should teach you some manners! You won't be so lucky this time!" Usually when a contestant was waiting for their turn to duel they were lounge around in a waiting room.
Watching their opponents match on a big screen. However not everyone did it, especially if it wasn't their day. And he planned on making the most of the free time he had. "You better keep everyone busy Trudge..."
There was no one around to stop him from sneaking through the halls. An anxiety he hasn't felt for a long time was burning a hold in the pit of his stomach as he navigated his way towards the elevator. His mind was going a thousand miles a minute as he clicked the button that lead to the basement.
His lips forming a wry smile as a sudden keyboard popped up. 'Please enter the password.' He knew this was going to happen. It's been nearly a month now that he's been here in the underground, tucking in any sort of gossip or intel he can get his hands on.
It took awhile, but there was finally a direction for him to follow. And Blister and Trudge though haven't been entirely truthful with him, hadn't been slouches with gathering any sort of knowledge either.
The latter even managing to get ahold of the schematics of the whole underground. For a security officer from the slums, Trudge knew what he was doing. Meanwhile the J-IPA agent had been laying out all the potential secrets and traps that were laying beneath the surface of this tournament.
Every time he called him up there was always a new thread to follow. Another piece to add into this gigantic mysterious puzzle. He could feel his heart thudding painfully into his chest as he flawlessly typed in the code.
'Password accepted.' There was no time for him to even grin at the small accomplishment. He swayed, his hand reached for the wall as he stumbled, ill prepared for the sudden drop of the elevator as he descended down.
Yusei wasn't exactly sure what would be waiting for him down below. But...his mind loved to give out horrible scenarios for him to think about. It doesn't help that within the last few weeks he's heard some hellish stories by investigating the rumor mill.
The worst having to come from the Titan's Blackhole.
It was another day at the little hideaway restaurant. A lovely quiet day. 'Wait are you telling me the truth? You were friends with one of the previous champions?' Raphael laughed at the shell shocked expression on Dust's face.
His cheek a bit flushed from the alcohol he had been ingesting the last half hour. 'Hell yeah I was. It's actually because of him that I got my own little business here. I'll tell you he was one hell of a rider, the greatest I've ever seen.' For once Dust had come solo.
Eager to get a bite to eat as well as say hello to little Miss. Sonia. He honestly didn't think the blonde haired man would be asking about his background-or tell stories of his own. The man at least from when they first met didn't seem the type.
Though the few bottles of beer explained it. 'Incredible, if I'm being honest I had only learned about this tournament recently-and it was by pure luck I was able to enter. So forgive me for not knowing any of its history.' Rafael wave his hand, unconcerned.
The man wasn't drunk-but he was buzzed, making his mouth a bit more open, his language less filtered. All the better for Yusei to learn something new. 'It's fine. Tournament's gone to hell since my friend was champion though. Shady shits been happening.'
Dust hummed, tilting his head as his companion took another swig of his drink. 'How so? Other than the occasional vulgar riff raff things seem fine to me.' Now that was a bullshit lie. A lie he was hoping he wouldn't be called out on.
'Then you don't seem to know shit. There's assholes making deals in all corners of the underground. Drugs, counterfeit cards, fixed matches-the whole nine yards!' Raphael grit his teeth as he slammed his drink onto the table.
Seething at the thought. It wasn't due to the alcohol he had, or the nostalgia tinted glasses most people would accuse him for. Anyone that had been here since the beginning would automatically know what he was talking about and agree.
How things have changed. 'The matches that took place weren't legal since everyone placed bets on the duelists and were given donations from the noble bastards-but i've never seen so much change in such a short amount of time. Back when this first started my buddy Yami acted like a mafia boss when it came to this place.'
Yami? Dust pursed his lips, confused. But instead took a bite of his turkey stew as he thought of his next question. 'I'm...not sure I follow.' One of the bad things about being intoxicated is that it screwed up your senses. And it looked like it was taking its toll on the owner as he twisted his mouth.
Growing angrier with each passing second before taking another swig. 'The tournament was originally a way for people in rags to earn riches. The nobles would place bets and give ludicrous donations watching people duke it out in duels for the entertainment. Yami was the first champion, and he didn't tolerate any bullshit. If this ring was a kingdom Yami was the King.'
It was no wonder why Crow was involved. He had probably heard the story and entered hoping to earn as much cash as possible for his family and boyfriend. A decision that actually seemed to be pulling through.
'Sounds like a man with a lot of responsibility and power. I take it he wouldn't condone all of these dealings then?' It also explained why J-IPA probably took so long getting involved and gathering information.
If this was originally for a good cause and kept the underworld somewhat in check, it would only make sense for the government to turn a blind eye. 'Damn right he wouldn't! He would've taken one look at these shameless bastards and kick them to the curb! But...that all changed five years ago.'
Dust took note of the sad gleam in his eyes. A startling change from the passions he just witnessed a few minutes ago. 'Forgive me if I step on your toes with this question...but what transpired?' The man sitting across from him refused to meet his gaze.
Instead choosing to fold his hands in front of him on the table. A blank expression and pained silence lingered for a few moments. Dust had waited for a few tense moments. Patiently waiting as the blonde man found the proper words.
'Yami had a lover named Yugi. The two of them were an unstoppable pair that had made sure this place was a safe haven for those in need. But one day...Yugi vanished without a trace. Yami had searched high and low for him. Even got help from J-IPA. But nothing...at least for that's how it was for a good couple of months.'
Yusei paled at the intel. This was matching up to what Blister told him. And the recording he heard. His dad had found Yugi in one of those secret cells. Still alive. What happened after...well no one could say about Isao.
But Raphael was able to answer Yugi's fate. 'We...we had found him. Some sick fuck-killed him and had him laid in the center of the Duel Racer's track for us to find.' It felt like all the air was punched out of him.
The horrible image searing into his mind. 'No...' Words couldn't describe how terrible that was. Did Isao try getting Yugi out of there only for the both of them to get killed? 'Yami wasn't doing well before, but after seeing that? He-just couldn't go on anymore and took his own life.'
Raphael took another sip. That particular scene still haunted his dreams sometimes. And he could only ask why? Why do that to Yugi? The guy was a kind soul, that would feed the homeless and help whoever he could.
He was beloved by the entire underground duelist community. He was Yami's world. For such a tragedy to under fall them hurt more than words could say. It was a painful reality check about how cruel life could be. As well as pave way to the a future of shit.
'To this day I still wonder if the bastard that killed him has come in here, ordering food without a care in the world. Knowing the people he took from me will forever haunt my dreams... I'm gonna give you this here warning Dust. You seem like a good guy-but don't go around trusting any of the shitheads here. Never know when one of thems gonna stab you in the back.'
It felt like an eternity before the doors finally opened. Immediately Yusei took out a pair of little earbuds, gently placing them on his ears. Hidden from view thanks to the hat he wore. "Blister? Blister...i'm in the basement." There was a bit of static heard, making him wince as he stepped out of the elevator.
Already goosebumps were forming on his flesh. The dim lighting and strong scent of blood reminding him of a realistic haunted house. "Good, make sure you keep talking to me. I want to make sure i can keep track of you and record any findings."
If there was one thing the government agent refused to do was let Yusei befall the same fate as Isao. He forced the kid to help him, but like hell was he going to let him get killed. It was the least he could do for his old partner.
"Gotcha. Currently I don't see anyone or hear anything, but this place-it looks like some sort of office. But...there's something off here. There's a strong scent of rust filtering the air, and I see chains hanging all over the damn place."
He took careful steps, maneuvering around the long metal pieces with narrowed eyes. There were two main things that caught his attention. There was an old desk, that when he checked out was completely empty. The other thing however... "There's a small bookshelf here. With a bunch of photo albums."
He read off each title, all of them being the dates since the tournament first started. "Alright Dust...let's see what we got here. Pull down the book with the year labeled '04' down onto its spine without fully pulling it out." This was starting to sound like a bad spy movie.
Not that Yusei made any comment considering that was his life right now. But cliché's be damned. "Alright..." He did as he was told, moving back a bit as he waited for something to happen. Only to blink as it sounded like something was moving Behind him.
"What the?" Immediately he turned around stunned at what he was seeing. "What's happening Dust?" The young man swallowed, taking a moment to gain his composure before answering. Guess living like he was in a bad spy movie was the norm.
Though he couldn't help but be intrigued. "The wall on the complete opposite side of the bookshelf is shuffling away, opening up a secret passage for me. Looks like a gear system is what was shifting the blocks." He hears a faint snort on the other line.
Glad to see someone was slightly amused with the current situation going on here. "Nows not the time to be ogling how it works man. We've just scratched the surface of the shadows. It's time to put your actual spy training to practice. Get in there and keep me posted."
A grimace forms on his face, not happy in the slightest at the cheery tone he was receiving. How his father did this as an actual job Yusei would never understand. "Here goes..." Silently he made his way into the opening, squinting his eyes as he found himself covered in darkness.
"It's pitch black in here Blister. I'm going to use my phone light." More static hit his hears before getting the confirmation he needed. But...Yusei regretted doing that the moment he got a good look of what was in front of him. "What the hell?" His whisper was sharp and breathless.
Unable to stop the choked sound despite covering his mouth with his free hand. "Talk to me kid-what is it you see?" Yusei takes a shaky inhale before answering. "I-I see bones Blister. It looks like a big room with cells. Just-just like my dad described."
It looked abandoned, with cobwebs everywhere alongside the chains. And with the exception of the skeleton he found, there was no other bodies. Deceased or otherwise. But...it was what was next to the skeleton that made his eyes widen in horror.
"Blister..." Carefully he knelt down, his fingers reaching. "What's wrong?" The agent could easily hear his shift in tone. Harsh shaky breaths of someone on the verge of panicking. Something began scraping the ground, was it metal?
He narrowed his eyes, waiting for the other shoe to drop. "I found my dads old dog tag..." Immediately Blister cursed-knowing exactly where his mindset was going. It didn't take a genius to piece two and two together. "God-fucking dammit!"
Yusei just found his old man's corpse. This was where Isao made his last report.
to be continued
Author Notes: Dun dun dunnnnnn, who swore? Yusei or Blister-we'll never know. But that is all I have here for now. Boys and girls thank you all so much for reading this story. Please feel feel to read/fav/follow if you want to give it some support since I appreciate it and I'll see you all next time. Tchao for now.