"Well, it seems you two made good time," Jack said. "I hope Trudge didn't inconvenience you too much. Don't give him a hard time, he's only doing what I paid him to do. So, what brings you two to this neck of the woods?"
"I want my card back!" Yūsei told him.
"And I suppose you want your runner back as well?" Jack asked.
"You can keep it," Yūsei said.
"That's it? I thought you would have gotten over that by now. I see you've moved on to a new runner," Jack said. "Is it treating you well?"
"Better than the old one," Yūsei said. "How is the one you stole from me? Better or worse?"
"You never could let things go," Jack said. "And that brings us to Sakura, what are you doing here? I didn't steal anything from you."
"You might as well have," Sakura hissed.
"Let me at him! Just let me at him!" Inner growled.
"Enough," Sakura hissed quietly.
"Oh is Inner here? How is she?" Jack asked mockingly. "Maybe you came here seeking some help?"
"Shut up!" Sakura shouted, her hands turning into fists. Yūsei reached back and grabbed one. He rubbed his finger against her hand, calming her down.
"Are you still encouraging her Yūsei? You know better than that," Jack said.
"That's enough Jack," Yūsei said. "Where's my card?"
"Oh come on Yūsei, what's the rush? Don't you guys want to catch up on old times? I mean, we are family after all," Jack said.
"I want to know where my card is!" Yūsei shouted, getting angrier. Sakura noticed this and wrapped her arms around him, trying to calm him down.
"How cute, you two are almost sickening," Jack said with a sneer. "Guess she found something new to latch onto." Sakura flinched and curled into Yūsei. Jack took out a card and showed them the picture on it. "Are you talking about this old thing here? Tell me, does it look the same? Or does it look better? I've found out that you tend to view things in a different light when you're in the city."
"How could you Jack?" Yūsei growled.
"I couldn't bare to watch it just waste away in the Satellite with a loser like you," Jack said.
"But how could you? You know what that card meant to our friends. It was the only hope they had that they'd be able to get out of the Satellite. It was meant for all of us," Yūsei said.
"Well it sure helped me," Jack said. "But if you want it back that badly, then here, take it!" Jack threw the card at him and Yūsei caught it. "I don't need that old thing anymore." Yūsei looked at the white dragon on the card.
"What's wrong, having second thoughts?" Jack asked with a smirk.
"Yūsei, we have it, let's just go back home," Sakura begged.
"No," Yūsei answered. He threw the card back at Jack. He was shocked, but caught it nonetheless. Yūsei climbed off the runner and stood, glaring at Jack. "I want my card back, but I wanna make you pay for what you did. And I want that a whole lot more. When I beat you then I'll take my card back!"
"Yūsei, Yūsei, Yūsei, you always were a dreamer," Jack said, shaking his head. "Alright then, if that's how you want it. You're about to have a rude awakening.
The three old friends drove down the highway. Jack was in the front, leading Sakura and Yūsei to who knows where.
"When are you gonna tell us where we're heading, Jack?" Yūsei asked.
"Stop worrying and just enjoy the view already!" Jack said. "What about you, Sakura? You getting a little nostalgic?"
"If I'm being honest I'm actually getting a little homesick," Sakura confessed. "I wanna go back to the Satellite."
"Don't worry, we'll be back there soon enough," Yūsei told her.
"I'm sure I could find you two a trash bin somewhere," Jack said with a smirk. "After all, this is a step up from the Satellite."
"Are we gonna duel or are you just gonna play tour guide?" Yūsei asked.
"Well considering you're going to be shipped back to the Satellite, I thought I'd let you see the sights first," Jack said. "And I thought it would be nice for Sakura to get reacquainted with her old home."
"This place was not my home, it was a prison," Sakura said.
"Looks like we're here." Jack said. Yūsei and Sakura looked forward, seeing a large dueling arena ahead. "The Kaiba Dome."
"Impressive, isn't it?" Jack asked. "Television just doesn't do this place justice."
"It's something, I'll give you that," Sakura muttered. She walked over to the railing and ducked under it, walking towards one of the platforms.
"Now just imagine it filled with fans, all of them chanting your name," Jack said. A smile graced his face and he relived his past duels. The feeling it got to win, and the rush he got when everyone was cheering for him. "Unfortunately, you'll never get to experience that feeling. Once I'm done with you the only people cheering you on will be those loser friends of yours in the Satellite. That is, if they're still your friends after they learned you gave up their precious card!"
Jack held it up and Yūsei was blinded as the flood lights around the stadium lit up. "I wonder how they'll feel when they learn that you had this card in your hands but gave it back because you wanted to duel me. You're gonna regret coming here Yūsei, cause I'm about to beat you using your own card!" Jack declared. He slid the card into his deck. "Now let's get to the start line." The two climbed onto their runners and lined up.
"Hope you don't get too overwhelmed, this course can be a bit rough on first timers." Jack turned on duel mode. Soon enough the area was bathed in a purple aura.
Sakura stepped onto the highest platform and looked around the arena.
"Sakura, if you would?" Jack said. Sakura looked at him in shock but nodded. She held up her arms.
"On your mark. Get set," the two duelists revved their engines. "DUEL!" Jack and Yūsei shot forward.
"They sure are going fast," Inner said.
"How am I supposed to properly watch if I have to keep spinning?" Sakura asked.
A small holographic screen appeared in front of her. "Ask and you shall receive," Inner said.
"Stop doing that," Sakura said.
"That one actually wasn't me," Inner told her. Sakura blinked, looking at the screen in shock before turning back to the duel.
"I'll admit, I do enjoy dueling with you Yūsei," Jack confessed. "We've been dueling with these cards since we were kids. It's time to take a trip down memory lane."
"Here's to history! I summon Quilbolt Hedgehog in defense mode," Yūsei said.
"Isn't that a blast from the past," Jack said. "Now, what about this? I summon Mad Archfiend in attack mode!" Jack spun his runner around and drove backwards. "Isn't this just like old times, Yūsei? We're just going 200 miles per four faster. Now, Archfiend, destroy Quilbolt!" Archfiend crushed the skull in his stomach and used the shrapnel to attack Quilbolt. Quilbolt squealed as he was destroyed. Jack smirked. "It looks like this duel is starting the way our last one ended, with you losing those precious life points of yours."
Yūsei groaned as his points dropped down to 3000. His speed counter dropped from 1 to 0. "You're going to regret doing that, Jack!"
"Please," Jack scoffed, turning his duel runner around. "The only thing I regret right now is that this isn't being broadcasted for my millions of fans to see. They cheer for me night after night and have earned the right to see me in my greatest challenge yet. Not to mention this will be my greatest victory. You realize you're gonna lose this duel right?"
"Just keep talking Jack," Yūsei growled.
"Okay, he's getting on my nerves," Inner said. She sat crossed legged, floating in the air.
"They remind me of those two boys I used to hang out with, same hair color and everything," Sakura said.
"You mean before we went to the Satellite?" Inner asked.
"Yeah, what were their names?" Sakura muttered, thinking it over.
"It'll come to you later, just focus on the duel," Inner said.
Across the city a man stood watching the duel on the monitor. A woman beside him was watching anxiously.
"You have nothing to worry about Mr. Goodwin, this pathetic Satellite is nothing compared to Jack," A short man said. He grinned maliciously. "Just say the word and I'll call Sector Security to put a stop to them. Then we can ship him off to the Facility where he won't cause anymore trouble."
"But what about the girl?" The blue haired woman asked.
"What girl Mina?" The man asked.
"The pink haired girl that arrived with them, Lazar," Mina said. "Where'd she go?" A screen appeared, showing a pink haired girl. She was sitting on the highest platform, watching the race on a screen. Her legs were dangling over the edge. Even stranger, she was talking to herself. Goodwin narrowed his eyes at the sight of her.
"Well she's from the Satellite so we'll send her to the Facility as well," Lazar said.
"She looks familiar," Mina said, humming in thought.
Junk Synchron appeared on the field.
"Remember when I said you'd regret taking out Quilbolt?" Yūsei asked. "Well, thank to Junk Synchron I can bring Quilbolt back."
"Big deal," Jack said as the hedgehog appeared. "You'll have to do better than that."
"Oh believe me, I will!" Yūsei said. "I tune my Junk Synchron with my Quilbolt Hedgehog to synchro summon Junk Warrior. Let's rev it up!"
Jack rolled his eyes as Junk Warrior appeared. "You're in big trouble if that's the best you've got."
"The only thing in trouble is your Archfiend. Junk Warrior, send him to the scrap heap!" Junk Warrior punched Archfiend and the monster was destroyed. Jack didn't seem to mind as his points were knocked to 3500.
"Is he smiling about that?" Inner asked.
"He is," Sakura nodded.
"It's my turn now!" Jack said, drawing a card.
"Is he smirking?" Inner asked.
"He is," Sakura nodded.
"What's he got?" Inner asked.
"How should I know?" Sakura hissed.
"I play my Twin Shield Defender in defense mode," Jack said, summoning the monster. "And I'll place this little face down for later."
"Jack's toying with him," Sakura said, leaning back.
"I noticed. He's normally more straightforward with duels." Inner nodded in agreement. She sighed and turned back to the duel.
"You thinking about giving up yet?" Jack asked.
"Not happening!" Yūsei said. "I summon Speed Warrior! And his 900 attack points are added to Junk Warrior, but you already know that. After all, I did use this combo to get Sector Security off your back! If it weren't for me you'd probably still be rotting away in the Facility."
"Were you expecting a thank you?" Jack asked sarcastically. "Well you're out of luck."
"I assume you know the drill by now," Yūsei said. "Speed Warrior use your special ability and take out Twin Shield Defender."
Speed Warrior kicked Twin Shield Defender and destroyed the monster. Shield Warrior turned into a purple mist, shocking Yūsei.
"Yūsei, it's time to say goodbye to half of Junk Warrior's life points," Jack said. "Since you destroyed Twin Shield Defender it's special Ability is activated. Bet you're glad Sector Security wasn't as prepared as I am."
"But you've left yourself wide open for an attack," Yūsei said.
"Only if that card he has stays face down," Inner said.
"This has been coming to you since our last duel, Jack," Yūsei said. "Junk Warrior, attack him directly." Jack smirked as he was attacked.
"You remembered how you said you saved me from Sector Security?" Jack asked.
"Yeah, what about it?" Yūsei asked.
Jack smirked. "It was all a set up. It was just a ploy to get me closer to your runner. Getting your dragon card just happened to be a bonus," Jack said smugly.
"Oh no," Inner said.
"No," Sakura said sadly.
"That's not true!" Yūsei growled.
"That's wishful thinking," Jack said. "I was the only one that seemed to know what your runner could do. I saw an opportunity and so I took it." Jack smirked when he noticed that Yūsei had no comment. He looked over towards the platform and saw that Sakura looked devastated.
"How...how could he..." Sakura whispered, covering her mouth in shock,
"You know, they say that the truth will set you free," Jack said. "But this truth is gonna cost ya! Once I play my Space Gate trap card, you'll never see your Stardust Dragon again. And then once this duel is over, you're going straight back to the Satellite. That's where the garbage is supposed to go."
"What about us?" Inner asked.
"What are you talking about?" Sakura asked.
"He didn't mention us," Inner pointed out.
"He's just focused on Yūsei, that's it," Sakura said. She went back to the duel and frowned.
"With Space Gate in play this duel is about to get kicked into overdrive," Jack said. "You see, every time you attack me, I gain a gate counter. And since you've already attacked twice I have two." Two orbs of light started circling Jack's duel runner. "This reminds me of when you helped me back in the Satellite. You thought you were doing the right thing, but all you did was set yourself up for disappointment. Just like now."
"I guess I have no other choice than to place a face down," Yūsei huffed.
"And now the attack points of your warriors will return to normal," Jack said, rolling his eyes. "I know the drill."
"See?" Lazar said with a smirk. "Jack will be winning very soon."
"This duel is far from over, Lazar," Mina said.
"Are you doubting Jack's skills?" Lazar asked.
"Never," Mina said quickly. "The duel just isn't done yet."
"This pathetic, foolish, dueler is only doing what Jack allows him to do," Lazar said.
"Is there anything on the girl yet?" Mina asked.
"Not yet," Lazar said. "They haven't given her a name yet."
Jack laughed viciously. "Come on, get the lead out Yūsei! I got the need for speed!" He drove up onto the wall and turned around, looking at him. He slid towards the top of the curve. "At least this way I can see you."
"Just move already!" Yūsei said angrily.
"What? You eager to be defeated already?" Jack asked tauntingly. "I hope you know this isn't going to happen as quick as I drive. I plan on picking you apart. When I'm through with you, you're gonna wish you had stayed in the Satellite. Now, it's my turn!" Jack turned around and drew a card.
Jack looked back at Yūsei and smirked viciously. "I play my speed spell, Speed Fusion. Since I have four speed counters I can reap the benefits of it's abilities. With this card I can fusion summon a monster that will have you quaking in fear." Jack held up two cards.
"Here's a little equation for you," Jack said. "Take one part Big Piece Golem and add one part Medium Piece Golem. Mix well and the result is, Multiple Piece Golem!" A giant rock monster appeared on the field.
"That's a big Golem," Inner said, whistling in awe.
"Don't worry, Yūsei can handle it," Sakura said.
"You hope," Inner said quietly.
"Golem, send his Speed Warrior to the pit stop, permanently," Jack ordered. Golem cried out and destroyed Speed Warrior.
"How about this, I play my Defense Draw trap card!" Yūsei said. "Thanks to this trap all the damage your Golem cause has been reduced to zero! And I also get to draw a card."
"Not bad," Jack said. "And here I was thinking that you had thrown in the towel. I guess you've still got a little fire in you after all. Too bad I'm going to extinguish that flame as well as any hope you had of getting Stardust Dragon back." Jack laughed as he turned his runner around. "Now how about we shake things up a bit. By using my Golem's special ability I can break him down into the two fusion monsters that are in my graveyard. It's kinda like recycling, which you should know all about. After all that garbage dump that you call home is all about recycling."
The giant Golem broke down, forming Medium and Big Piece Golem. They soon joined hands. "Now I'll use Medium Piece Golem's special ability and summon Small Piece Golem." The three Golems lined up in front of each other and let out a roar.
"That's quiet a rock collection you have there, Jack," Yūsei said sarcastically.
"Well you know the old saying, the more the merrier," Jack said with a shrug. "But if you think that's it's crowded now, wait until I summon Dark Resonator!"
"It's a tuner!" Sakura gasped.
"What's he planning on doing?" Inner asked.
"I know exactly what he's doing," Sakura said.
"And now, I tune Dark Resonator with Big Piece Golem to summon my most powerful monster," Jack said. A large pillar of light shot out. Jack spun his runner around, looking at Yūsei with a smug look. "It's time to move into the fast lane. Now, Yūsei, feel the power of my strongest monster-"
"Red Dragon Archfiend," Inner breathed out, staring at the dragon in awe. Red Dragon Archfiend let out a terrifying roar.
"That's your most prized possession," Yūsei said.
"Yes, I only bring it out on special occasions," Jack said. "I can't think of something more special than this. I actually wanted my dragon to be the one to defeat you, but then I thought of something a bit more fun." Yūsei narrowed his eyes and growled. "By sending my Space Gate trap card to the graveyard I can summon a new monster to the field. Now say hello to my tuner monster Sinister Sproket!"
Yūsei narrowed his eyes and Jack merely smirked. "He may be small, but don't count on that for long. I tune him with Small and Medium Piece Golem to synchro summon your destruction." The three monsters melded together and another large pillar of light appeared.
Sakura slowly stood up, staring as a large dark figure uncurled it's wings.
"Tell me, does he look familiar? He should, he is your dragon after all!" Jack boasted.
"Stardust Dragon," Sakura said in awe. Stardust Dragon shined brightly and little lights fell from his body, giving off the illusion of stardust. Sakura reached out for the dragon, as if she wanted to touch it.
"It's been much too long," Yūsei said.
"Stardust," Sakura whispered, her eyes never leaving the dragon.
"Two dragons?" Mina asked in shock.
"That's why our Jack Atlas is the best," Lazar said. "He'd never lose to someone from the Satellite like Yūsei Fudo. Next time you say something Ms. Mina, make sure it's actually useful." Mina glared at him and Lazar smirked back.
"Check that temper of yours dear," Lazar said mockingly. "Or perhaps you should just run off and get us some extra hot low fat lattes."
"Silence you two," Goodwin ordered. "Things are starting to get interesting. Now let's see if Jack can finish the job."
"And what of the girl?" Lazar asked.
"Leave her be for the moment," Goodwin said.
Jack could help himself as he started laughing. "You wanted your Stardust Dragon back, well here he is! You know what they say, be careful what you wish for." Jack started laughing again as Yūsei's glare hardened. Sakura looked away from Stardust down to the feuding friends. She clasped her hands over her heart, looking at them in sadness.