Sakura sat with her legs crossed and the laptop on her lap. Rally was standing at the edge of the platform, a stopwatch in his hand. They both looked up as they heard the engine. Yūsei drove by and Rally stopped the watch. The runner slid to a stop. Rally and Sakura ran over to Yūsei.
"That was your fastest time yet!" Rally said, showing him the stop watch. "Think it'll be fast enough to get you guys to New Domino?"
"It better be," Yūsei said.
"And the runner held up perfectly, not one little blip," Sakura said.
"I know this is gonna work!" Rally said.
"I hope you're right," Yūsei said.
"You should test it with both of you," Rally said. "We've only timed it with just you."
"Rally, a little extra weight isn't going to slow the runner down," Sakura said.
"You never know," Rally said. "What happens if something goes wrong because there are two of you?"
"Rally's right, we've gotta test everything," Yūsei said. Sakura sighed and walked over to her stuff. She set the laptop down and grabbed two small pieces of equipment.
"Where's your helmet?" Rally asked.
"I don't have one," Sakura said. She handed him a walkie talkie. "Watch the laptop as well, if anything happens, tell me. I've set it to record so I'll look it over after the test. But tell me if something goes wrong."
"Alright," Rally said. Sakura climbed onto the runner behind Yūsei. She wrapped her arms around Yūsei and sighed.
"Say nothing and drive," Sakura ordered. Yūsei smirked and revved the runner, driving off.
"Honestly," Sakura sighed, dabbing a cotton ball on Nervin's face. "Can't you boys stay out of trouble for one day?"
"There! All better," Rally said, placing a band-aid on Blitz's face.
"Then why does it still hurt?" Blitz muttered.
"Gee, let me wave my magic wand and make it all disappear," Sakura said sarcastically.
"Sorry, guess I'm still a little mad," Blitz said. "I thought I was doing the right thing when I stood up to that stupid bully."
"And you did," Sakura said.
"But they just mowed us over like we were nothing!" Blitz said.
"That doesn't mean you were wrong. Your opponent was just stronger," Sakura told him.
"I didn't even get a chance to curl up in the fetal position," Nervin said.
"And now I I have to buy a new pair of shoes," Tank said with a sigh.
"To hell you are!" Sakura said.
"Guys! Come on, lighten up!" Rally urged. "Yūsei maxed out his duel runner."
"Like how maxed out?" Blitz asked.
"Enough to get out of here," Yūsei said.
"You should have seen it speeding through the tunnels! It didn't even slow down when Sakura's was on it as well," Rally said excitedly. "So are you gonna do it tonight?"
"Yep," Yūsei confirmed.
"So that's it, we leave tonight?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah," Yūsei said.
"Well, good thing I packed everything I'll need last night," Sakura said.
"What do you need to pack?" Blitz asked.
"None of your business," Sakura said. "Believe it or not I have some things of my own to take care of in the city. I have some scores to settle as well."
"Does anyone else have a bad feelin about all of this?" Blitz asked.
"I do, but that's not saying much," Nervin said. "I've always got that feeling."
"Don't worry guys, we've got everything all planned out," Yūsei said. "I think," he added quietly.
"You think?" Sakura repeated. She looked at him in shock. "What do you mean by that?"
"Calm down," Yūsei told her.
"Yūsei, this is our future we're talking about here! We don't have room for 'mights'." Sakura said.
"Never thought I'd see you eager to get to the city," Yūsei said.
"I am a lot of things, but eager to go there I am not!" Sakura said.
"Then why are you going?" Blitz asked.
"Like I said, I have my own scores to settle," Sakura said.
"So what's this plan of yours that you think 'might' work?" Tank asked.
"It will work, Tank," Rally said.
"I hope you're right Rally," Yūsei said. "If everything works out like I've planned then I'll have Stardust Dragon back and we'll all be closer to leaving the Satellite."
"Yuse, do you really think that card is worth the risk?" Blitz asked. "Do you really think that card is going to make any difference?"
"Of course it is! Don't you remember the feeling when you first saw it in action?" Tank asked. "I'll never forget that moment. Seeing the duel runner Yūsei had built from spare parts. And then when he started it up and he showed us what it could do."
"And then when he summoned Stardust Dragon I couldn't believe my eyes, or ears. Blitz was screaming," Nervin said with a chuckle.
"Yeah, I lost my voice for a week after that," Blitz said. "Too bad Jack took away all our dreams."
"Yūsei's about to get them back!" Rally said.
"So what are we waiting for?" Tank said.
"Midnight tonight," Yūsei said.
"What's at midnight," Nervin asked.
"The tiniest of opportunities," Yūsei said. "Look at this." He pulled a diagram. "See the only thing that connects New Domino to the Satellite is this sewer pipeline here. The only problem is that they flood it with garbage all day every day. But once a month at midnight they shut down the system to check the compression pumps. A small maintenance hatch will automatically open and that's when we'll escape."
"And the only thing that could stop us would be sector security," Sakura said with a sigh.
"The sewer pipe? That sounds unsanitary," Nervin said. "The fumes and odor alone would-"
"Remind us of you," A new voice.
"Yeah, you stink just like the garbage you recycle." A big guy said.
"How's the healing going?" One of the guys asked. A slouched little guy, laughed, his thumb and finger held out to form an 'L'. Yūsei and Sakura both glared at the three guys.
"Hey, you with the hair, you think you're a tough guy? I'll show you what tough is!" The big guy said.
"Oh, I'm quaking in my boots," Sakura said, crossing her arms.
"What was that girlie?" the big guy growled.
"That's a pretty sweet runner you've got there, how much do you want for it?" The leader asked.
"The runner's not for sale!" Blitz said, running in front of it.
"How about 50?" Sakura asked, stepping forward. The guys looked at her in shock but Yūsei merely smirked.
"Fifty cents?" The leader said smugly.
"No, 50 screams," Sakura said, cracking her knuckles. "Scream and beg for mercy 50 times and I might let you have it."
"What if I go topside and tell sector security that you're hiding an illegal duel runner down here," Leader said.
"Let's up it to 75," Sakura said with a growl.
"For someone that makes a point to stay calm you sure do get angry easily," Blitz said.
"How about a deal?" The leader said. "If you give me the duel runner then you won't have to buy me new shoes."
"How about we duel for it?" Yūsei said, standing up.
"Duel for it? You might just give it to me," Leader said. "Especially if you duel as well as your friends fight. How does this sound, I win and I get the runner, you win and we'll leave you alone."
"Yūsei, please, just give me three minutes with these guys," Sakura said angrily.
"Sakura, take a walk," Yūsei told her.
"I'm not leaving," Sakura said.
"Don't duel him Yūsei," Blitz said.
"He's just a bully," Nervin said.
"And bullies never learn, unless you stand up to them," Yūsei said.
"I'll stand up to them real good," Sakura said with a growl.
"Sakura, enough!" Yūsei said. "Go meditate."
"But-" Sakura protested. Yūsei turned her around and pushed her towards the others.
"Meditate, now," Yūsei ordered firmly. Sakura sighed, she knew that tone. No arguments allowed.
"Fine," Sakura said with a huff. She sat down, crossing her legs and closing her eyes. She took deep calm breaths and tried to tune everything out.
"Hm, I think I'll change it's color," Leader said.
"Don't do it Yuse, please! This runner is the key to-"
"Our future," Yūsei said, finishing Tank's sentence. "And that's why I have to do this."
"Well your future is coming with me," Leader said. "You'll have to make new plans for tomorrow."
The two looked at each other, raising their duel disks. "Let's duel!" they declared.
"Do you think it's fine for you to be here?" Blitz asked Sakura.
"As long as I keep calm, I'll be fine," Sakura said with a sigh.
"Your move," Yūsei said.
"I can't wait to get my hands on that runner," Leader said. "I summon chainsaw insect in attack mode!" The monster appeared close to Leader.
"That's a big bug," Sakura said.
"I've seen big bugs down here before, but nothing that big," Tank said.
"That is quiet the arthropod, isn't it?" Nervin said.
"It sure is, and next I'm gonna play the spell card retribution of the Ant lion!" Leader said, placing a card down. A sinkhole appeared on the field. "I always knew that there were bugs in these tunnels but trust me when I say that you guys haven't seen anything yet."
"Uh-oh, Yuse doesn't like bugs," Tank said.
"Yeah, ever since that roach nested in his ear he freezes just at the slightest mention of the word insect," Nervin said.
"Yeah, who do you think had to get the roach out of his ear?" Sakura said. "Go Yūsei, you can do it!"
"Scared of the little creepy crawlies, huh? Well then this duel will have you coming face to face with your worst fear," Leader said with a snicker.
"You got him shaking in his boots boss!" Big Guy said. The little guy laughed.
"Not for long," Yūsei said. "I summon Shield Warrior in defense mode! And then I'll place one card face down and end my turn."
"Ha, you really are afraid," Leader said with a smirk. "You don't even know how to attack."
"I bet he don't even finish the duel," Big Guy said. Sakura growled and lunged at him. Blitz and Nervin held her back to keep her from attacking him.
"What was all that stuff about 'staying calm'?" Blitz said sarcastically.
"I'm rile up, what do you want from me?" Sakura shouted at him.
"There's only one way to find out," Leader said. "I summon Pinch Hopper in attack mode! I can see the fear in your eyes, and it's just gonna get much worse. By sending a card to my graveyard I can summon Insect Costume and add a scarier insect to my hand!" Pinch Hopper split open and a large bug came out of it, taking it's place. "You may enjoy this next part though, because I'm destroying my Pinch Hopper."
"But if he destroys a monster his life points will get zapped," Tank said.
"Shush! Let the stupid be stupid," Sakura said. The Ant Lion spun to life and struck Leader.
"What? What just happened?" Leader said in shock. "Did I just attack myself?"
"I think he forgot about the spell card he placed," Blitz said in disbelief.
"Oh wait, yeah, that was all part of my plan," Leader said. "Because by sacrificing my Pinch Hopper I can use it's special ability and summon an even creepier insect. I summon my Metal Armor Bug." A large bug covered in armor appeared on the field. "When sector security dumped me here I thought I would spend the rest of my life rummaging through the garbage. But your runner is gonna get me outta her and put me back where I belong."
"You're not gonna take our runner!" Sakura shouted. "You're dreaming if you think you can just waltz in here and take our runner!"
"Well your friend is dreaming if he thinks he's gonna win," Leader said. "And after this move, he's gonna wish he never challenged me! I special summon Doom Dozer!" The giant red bug roared as it was summoned. "Now, Chainsaw Insect, attack him!"
"Not so fast!" Yūsei said. "I play my face down, Scrap Iron Scarecrow." The scarecrow came up, taking the attack. "Thankfully my trap card allows me to negate your attack. Unfortunately I can only use this card once per round."
"That's too bad," Leader hissed. "Metal Armor Bug, attack his Shield Warrior!" The giant bug rammed into Shield Warrior, destroying him.
"Are you done yet?" Yūsei asked passively.
"You think you're so tough, don't you? Well my Ant Lion is gonna knock you down a few pegs," Leader said. His points were knocked down to 3200. "And now, Doom Dozer, attack him directly!" A burst of purple energy shot out of Doom Dozer's mouth and hit Yūsei. Yūsei's points were knocked all the way down to 400.
"I think Yuse might be too scared to move," Blitz said.
"You take that back right now!" Sakura said, rounding on him. "If I hear one more person doubt Yūsei they'll find themselves in a body cast!"
"Come on, are you ever going to attack?" Leader shouted at him.
"How's this for an answer?" Yūsei said, drawing a card. "I summon out Speed Warrior. And I play the spell Double Summon, which allows me to summon another monster. But ganging up is something you bullies know all about." He showed his next card and summoned Junk Synchron."
"Alright!" Rally cheered.
"Go Yūsei!" Sakura cheered.
"And with these two on the scene I can finally summon Junk Warrior." The two monsters combined, turning into Junk Warrior. "Junk Warrior, let's rev it up!"
"Oh no, with that power, my bugs don't stand a chance," Leader said.
"Boss, it's okay, he's scared, just through more bugs his way!" Big Guy said.
"I've got nothing to be afraid of," Yūsei said. "Especially not when I've got my Fighting Spirit Equip spell card." Three rings of light appeared on Junk Warrior's arm. "And for every monster you have on your field Junk Warrior gains 300 attack points." Junk Warrior absorbed the light, raising his attack points to 3200.
"Oh no, he's gonna stomp my bugs," Leader said in worry.
"He can't knock them all out!" Big Guy said.
"I don't have to, not when I play Domino Effect," Yūsei said.
"Oh man! I was so far ahead!" Leader groaned.
"Junk Warrior, send that Chainsaw Insect straight to the scarp heap!" Yūsei ordered. Junk Warrior flew forward and punched Chainsaw Insect. Leader looked on in shock and disbelief as his points were knocked down to 2400. "And now when I send two of my cards to the graveyard, Domino Effect will activate. Your bugs are going down."
Chainsaw Insect stumbled back and fell down against Doom Dozer. The monster toppled over each other and were destroyed.
"You came down here looking to scare us, threaten us and push us around. Well next time you better think twice before attacking my friends. W stick together through thick and thin," Yūsei said.
"Yeah, you better think twice about messing with us," Sakura said.
"You tell that New Domino cast off!" Rally cheered.
"You fought a good fight, but my runner isn't going anywhere. And now, I'm using your spell against you! Your Retribution Ant Lion should finish this duel up nicely," Yūsei said. The spell activated and struck Leader. Leader's jaw dropped as his points were knocked down.
"Oh man, I was so close," he groaned.
"You did it!" Sakura said. She ran over to Yūsei and hugged him.
"I wasn't going to let him take our future from us," Yūsei told her. He turned towards Leader. "I will admit, you had me on the ropes for a while there. I almost wasn't sure how I was going to win."
"Don't joke about that," Sakura said seriously. Yūsei chuckled and turned back to Leader.
"But an old friend told me that when your back's against the wall and you feel like there's nothing you can do as long as you trust your deck, there's no situation you can't escape. That day I learned a very important lesson, one that I'll never forget. It's because I believed in my cards that I won this duel."
"Man, I thought I had that runner," Leader said with a sigh. "Yūsei, maybe we can be friends one day. And next time, we'll duel topside."
"Sure thing," Yūsei said. "But no bugs."
Sakura grabbed her black gloves and pulled them on. She took off her ratty old tennis shoes and pulled on a pair of knee high black boots. She picked up her small backpack and smiled, looking at it.
"I was so tiny," she muttered. A figment appeared behind her, taking her form. She looked like Sakura but her hair was red and her eyes were golden.
"But you've only grown since then. And in marvelous ways," The figment said.
"Shut up," Sakura muttered, putting on her backpack.
"Now why would I do that?" The figment asked.
"Because I hate you and need to keep you bottled up," Sakura said. "You're the reason why I lost everything!"
"I didn't do anything, I just unlocked your potential," she said.
"Shut up, shut up!" Sakura hissed, swinging her fist. Her fist just went right through the figment.
"Please, you can't hurt me, I exist in your inner mind," the figment said.
"No wonder I can't get away from you," Sakura muttered. "Can't you leave me alone for just one day?" She walked through the figment dispelling it. She took a deep breath and pushed back the curtain. She saw Yūsei in the center of the tunnel, looking up at the sky through the crevice. She walked over to him and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, you ready?" Sakura asked.
"Ready as I'll ever be," Yūsei replied.