A Blast From The Past
A/N: Sorry for the late update, but to make up for it, here's a very long chapter. I combined both episodes into one chapter, and I might makes two part duels into one chapter, unless I feel that a cliffhanger is necessary. Anyways, hope you enjoy it. Review please, and I will try to update as soon as I can. No flames, I only own the OC's.
Yusei sped down the pipeline exit and was soon in New Domino City. The city lights were bright and the moon was high in the sky.
"Hey Yusei!" called a voice laced with an accent.
Yusei skidded to a halt and took off his helmet, "Hello Jack." he replied.
Jack Atlas stood on a road and looked down at Yusei. He had a smirk across his face.
"So, you made good time, didn't ya Yusei?" Jack noted. "Hope Officer Trudge didn't inconvenience you too much. He's just doing what I pay him to do. So, what brings ya here?"
"I want my 'Stardust Dragon' back." Yusei answered.
Jack chuckled. "Then I suppose you want your runner back too?" he questioned.
"He doesn't need that old piece of junk when his new one is ten times better." Sheridan spat, taking off her helmet and shooting Jack a glare.
"So it's just the card you want." Jack noted, ignoring the glare from the youngest Fudo. "I would've thought you've moved on, since you already got over your runner." he chuckled. "How's the new one treatin ya?"
"I've got no complaints." Yusei replied. "How's the one you stole from me? Still running well, I hope."
"You can never let things go." Jack mused.
"I never was one to forgive and forget." Yusei reminded. "Now where's my 'Stardust Dragon'?"
"You mean this old thing?" Jack questioned, pulling out a Synchro monster with the image depicting a white dragon hovering in mid-air.
"How could you Jack?" Vendetta asked, taking off her helmet and meeting Jack's violet eyes. "That card was the one hope our friends had of getting out of the Satellite and making a new life. How could you take that from us?"
Jack chuckled, "It sure helped me when I came here to New Domino City." he chuckled. "And to show my thanks, Yusei can have his precious dragon back, since I sure as hell don't need it anymore."
Jack tossed the monster card down to Yusei, who caught it. After a few minutes of thinking, Yusei tossed the card back.
"I want the card, but I wanna make you pay for what you did more." Yusei informed, meeting Jack's eyes.
Jack and Yusei rode their runners down the streets of New Domino City. The city lights were bright and illuminating, and billboards lined the streets, advertising many things.
"So Sheridan, I heard that you're a fan of Larissah Warren?" Jack asked, glancing over his shoulder.
"What's it to ya, traitor?" Sheridan growled.
Jack pulled his runner off to the side and pointed to a billboard near a record company. The billboard image was of Larissah, wearing a simple black lace dress with her hair falling down her shoulders. The message was her self titled album, Larissah Warren: On My Way, was in stores now. A list of fifteen song titles were then listed and a different image of Larissah wearing a different outfit was shown beside them.
"She's actually not half bad." Jack mused. "Her album only came out a few weeks ago and has already sold over five hundred thousand copies."
"Since when do you praise other's fortunes?" Vendetta asked, rolling her eyes.
Jack chuckled. "Just some common knowledge."
The fifth song title, "The Bells" appeared on the billboard screen and the image was of Larissah wearing a long, white dress kneeling on the ground with her two siblings, Leo and Luna, laying their heads on her lap. After the song title faded, a snippet of chorus appeared,
"I can't stop the bells
Ringing since you've been gone
I thought I was moving on
But I think of nothing else
I can't break the spell
I still hear you every place
Can't forget what I saw in your face
I know every inch so well
I can't stop the bells
Can't stop the bells"
"Are you and Yusei gonna duel? Or are you gonna play tour guide all night?" Vendetta asked, raising her eyebrow.
Jack chuckled and rode off, with Yusei following close.
"Well seeing as how you worked so hard to get here, I thought you should see some of the sights before the three of you are shipped off back to the Satellite Sector." Jack answered.
"We'll just see about that." Yusei rebuked.
"Well, here it is. Welcome to the Kaiba Dome." Jack said, as the two boys pulled up to the duel stadium.
Jack and Yusei parked their Duel Runners on the course while Vendetta and Sheridan sat in the stands, their bags at their feet.
"This is gonna be an intense duel." Sheridan sighed, laying her elbows on her knees and her face in her hands.
"Yeah, because Jack and Yusei are two intense duelists." Vendetta added. "But, Jack's gonna get what's coming to him, because it wasn't just Yusei he hurt when he just up and left the Satellite."
"I know sis." Sheridan reminded. "Let's just watch the duel, and enjoy Jack getting his just desserts for stabbing us in the back."
The two sisters slapped a high five and watched as their brother and former friend began their duel.
Start of Duel
(Yusei LP: 4000/Jack LP: 4000)
Both boys activated the "Speed World" field spell and Yusei began the duel.
"Here's to history." Yusei said, drawing from his deck. "I summon 'Quillbolt Hedgehog' (800/800) in defense mode."
A small, orange hedgehog with bolts coming from its back emerged onto the field and sat right beside Yusei. Since it was in defense position, it took on a blue color.
(Yusei's SPC: 1/ Jack's SPC: 1)
"Well isn't that a blast from the past." Jack chuckled. "But so is this, my 'Mad Archfiend'."
The fiend monster took the field in attack position (1800/0).
"This duel is gonna start the same way our last one ended, with you loosing precious life points." Jack predicted. "Stick it to that Quillbolt, 'Mad Archfiend'." he ordered.
Due to "Mad Archfiend's" special ability, Yusei lost life points equal to the difference between his monster's defense and Jack's monster's attack points. (Yusei LP: 3000/ SPC: 0)
"You're gonna regret doing that Jack." Yusei promised.
"The only thing I regret is that this duel isn't being broadcast to the millions of fans all over the globe who cheer for me night after night."
"Wow, I didn't think it was possible but he's even more of an egotistical ass than before." Sheridan muttered.
"Guess fame and fortune will do that to a guy." Vendetta replied, sighing. "New Domino City really has changed him." she thought, blinking. "I wonder if there's any part of the old Jack left anymore."
"Knock him down off his high horse Yusei!" Sheridan yelled, jumping from her seat. "Teach him a lesson he'll never forget!"
(Yusei's SPC: 1/ Jack's SPC: 2)
Yusei drew from his deck and summoned to the field, "Junk Synchron" in attack mode (1300/500).
"Remember when I said that you'd regret taking out my Quillbolt? Well here's why." Yusei said. "My 'Junk Synchron's' special ability allows me to special summon it back from the Graveyard."
'Quillbolt Hedgehog' returned to the field, but only for a short time. Yusei tuned 'Quillbolt' with 'Junk Synchron' to Synchro Summon 'Junk Warrior' to the field in attack mode (2300/1300).
(Yusei's SPC: 2/ Jack's SPC: 3)
Jack chuckled and drew from his deck, the trap card 'Spacegate'. He cracked a smile and summoned out the monster 'Twin Shield Defender' (700/1600) in defense position and set one card facedown, ending his turn.
"It's not like Jack to toy around like this." Vendetta noted. "He's always been one to cut to the chase."
"So why is he toying around?" Sheridan asked. "I'm not liking the looks of things right now, sis."
"That makes two of us Sher." Vendetta replied.
(Yusei's SPC: 3/ Jack's SPC: 4)
Yusei drew the trap, 'Spacegate' from his deck and added it to his hand.
"I summon out my 'Speed Warrior' (900/400) in attack mode." Yusei called. "And now his nine hundred attack points get added to 'Junk Warrior'." (Junk Warrior: 3200/1300) "Remember this combo Jack? It's the same one I used back in the Satellite to get Security off your back." Yusei reminded. "If it wasn't for me and my warrior, you might still be rotting in the Facility."
"Maybe Yusei should've let him get caught." Vendetta scoffed, folding her arms across her chest.
Sheridan looked over at her sister, "Yeah, but we both know he's not that kind of guy though." she reminded. "He's way to good a person."
"I know." Vendetta sighed. "That's his fatal flaw."
Jack rolled his eyes, smirking. "What do you want, a thank-you?" he questioned. "Well you're not gettin' one!"
"And now, due to my 'Speed Warrior's' special ability, his attack points are doubled, so say goodbye to your 'Twin-Shield Defender'!" Yusei's Synchro warrior went in for the attack.
Jack chuckled, "And you can say goodbye to half of your 'Junk Warrior's' attack points." he rebuked. "See, by destroying my 'Twin-Shield Defender', you activated its special ability! Bet you're glad Sector Security wasn't as prepared as I am when you stepped in to save me!"
"Really? Because you just left yourself wide-open for an attack!" Yusei pointed out. "Just as long as that card stays facedown." he thought. "I've been waiting to do this since our last duel, Jack! 'Junk Warrior' attack him directly!" the Synchro warrior went in for the second attack, dropping Jack's speed counters and life points. (Jack LP: 3500-1900/ SPC: 4-3)
Vendetta and Sheridan jumped up and cheered, slapping a high five.
"And that's how our big brother kicks ass!" Sheridan squealed.
"That's what that traitor gets for stabbing us in the back." Vendetta chuckled.
"Remember how you said you 'saved' me, Yusei?" Jack asked, a smirk across his lips.
"Yes." Yusei answered, biting down on the word.
Jack chuckled. "Well the whole thing was a setup to get me closer to your runner, and that dragon card of yours was an added bonus!"
"That is a lie." Vendetta muttered, clenching the fabric of her ripped jeans. "It has to be, he's not that heartless."
Sheridan glanced up at her big sister and sighed. She turned her attention back to the duel, keeping her eyes on her brother.
"See, I knew exactly what your duel runner was capable of, and when I saw an opportunity, I took it!" Jack continued.
"How could I be so blind?!" Yusei thought, mentally beating himself up.
Jack reached for his facedown, "They say the truth will set you free. But in this case, it's gonna cost ya!" he informed. "And by activating my 'Spacegate' trap card, you're never going to get your precious 'Stardust Dragon' back!"
Vendetta and Sheridan shielded their eyes from the stands, as Jack's trap activated.
"Uh Ven, what does that trap do again?" Sheridan asked, looking at her sister.
The older Fudo sister bit her lip, "For each of Yusei's monsters that attacked during Jack's Battle Phase, Jack can place one Gate Counter on 'Spacegate'." she answered, not taking her eyes off the duel. "During Jack's Main Phase, he can send 'Spacegate' to the Graveyard and Special Summon one monster from his hand whose Level is equal to or lower than the number of Gate Counters on Spacegate'."
"And since Yusei attacked twice this turn, that means Jack gets two Gate Counters." Sheridan deducted, turning her attention back to the duel.
"This reminds me of when you helped me in the Satellite;" Jack reminisced. "sure you thought you were doin' the right thing, but in fact all you did was set yourself up for disappointment! Just like now!"
"I guess I don't have any other option but to lay down a facedown." Yusei ended his turn as one facedown appeared on his field.
"And now Yusei's warrior's attack points return to normal." Vendetta muttered, her fingers interlaced, her elbows resting on her knees.
("Speed Warrior": 1800- 900/400. "Junk Warrior": 1600-3200/1300 ).
Jack laughed as he revved his Duel Runner. "Come on, get the lead out, Yusei! I got the need for speed!" he zoomed ahead. "You're gonna have to take off your training wheels if ya wanna keep up with me!
Jack threw a couple tricks, driving backwards and upside down on the bowl of the track.
"He's such a show off." Sheridan huffed. "I think the fame's finally gotten to him."
Vendetta just rolled her eyes and turned away as the two boys sped past them. She looked back to field, "Just make your move already!" she called, not trying to hiding the anger in her voice.
"Eager for me to end this duel, are you Ven?" Jack questioned, looking directly at the teen girl in the stands. He smirked, "Well don't think it's going to be as quick as I drive, because I plan on takin' my time pickin' Yusei apart!" he turned his attention back to the duel, "And when I'm through with you Yusei, you're gonna wish you and your sisters never left the Satellite! It's my turn!"
(Yusei's SPC: 3- 4; Jack's SPC: 3- 4)
Jack drew from his deck and activated the 'Speed Spell-Speed Fusion'. "Now since I have four speed counters, I can activate its ability and fusion-summon a monster that will have you quakin' in your seat!" he chuckled, taking two monster cards from his hand. "Here comes a recipe for disaster, take one part 'Big Piece Golem', add a touch of 'Medium Piece Golem', mix well, and you get 'Multiple Piece Golem'!"
(Multiple Piece Golem 2600/1300)
"That's not good." Vendetta noted, narrowing her eyes and gritting her teeth.
Sheridan's eyes widened, "Yusei." she whimpered, clenching the fabric of her ripped jean shorts. "Please, stay strong big brother."
"Golem, send his Speed Warrior in for a permanent pit stop!" Jack ordered, as his Fusion Monster went in for the attack.
"In that case, I activate my 'Defense Draw' trap card!" Yusei countered. "And with it in play, all the damage you cooked up with your little Golem recipe go to zero, and I get to draw a card!"
With 'Speed Warrior' gone, 'Junk Warrior' lost the nine hundred point increase, but Yusei's life points remained in tact. (Junk Warrior: 3200 → 2300/1300).
Vendetta and Sheridan sighed in relief.
"Way to counter Yusei!" Sheridan cheered.
"Gotta hand it to him, he plans for everything." Vendetta added, smiling.
Jack smirked, "Not bad. And here I am, thinking you'd thrown in the towel. I guess there's still fire in you after all." he noted. "Too bad this next move's goin to extinguish any hope you had of winning this duel and getting your 'Stardust Dragon' back!" he spun around to face Yusei, "Now then, Yusei, this is when things get interestin'! By usin' my Golem's special ability, I can break him down to summon out the two fusion monsters that are in my graveyard. It's kinda like recycling, which is something you know all about, living in that dump of a tunnel you call home! And now, I can activate 'Medium Piece Golem's' special ability, which allows me to summon out 'Small Piece Golem' to the field!"
The three Earth attribute monsters appeared on Jack's field. (Big Piece Golem 2100/0; Medium Piece Golem 1600/0; Small Piece Golem 1100/0).
Adding to his arsenal of monsters, Jack then Normal Summoned 'Dark Resonator' in Attack Position. Then, he tuned 'Big Piece Golem' with 'Dark Resonator' in order to Synchro Summon 'Red Dragon Archfiend' in Attack Position. (Red Dragon Archfiend 3000/2000).
Sheridan and Vendetta gaped as the large red and black Synchro dragon took the field.
"How's Yusei gonna counter that?!" Sheridan squealed. "It's huge!"
"We have to believe that he'll find a way." Vendetta replied, not taking her eyes off the dragon. "Yusei always has a plan, no matter what monster's his opponent has."
Sheridan gulped.
"That's your most prized possession." Yusei noted.
"You got that right, and I only use it on special occasions." Jack confirmed. "And I don't think they get any more special than this! I wanted my dragon to defeat you, but then I thought of a more fitting conclusion." he chuckled.
The three Fudo siblings groaned.
"So by sending my 'Spacegate' trap card to my graveyard, I can bring a new monster to the field that will make our little trip down memory lane that much more memorable say hi to my tuner monster 'Sinister Sprocket'."
"Another tuner monster?" Sheridan questioned.
"Oh boy, this isn't good." Vendetta muttered.
The little girl looked over at her sister, "Why?" she asked, "What's the matter?"
Vendetta met her sister's eyes. "With 'Sinister Sprocket' out on the field, along with his two Golems, he can Synchro Summon another monster, and I have a feeling I know which one it's gonna be."
Sheridan's eyes widened, "You don't think…"
Vendetta closed her eyes and nodded. Both sisters turned their attention back to the duel, awaiting Jack's next summon.
"Now I tune my 'Sinister Sprocket; with my 'Small' and 'Medium Piece Golem', to Synchro Summon your destruction!" Jack sneered.
A large, white dragon appeared with a roar on the field, hovering next to 'Red Dragon Archfiend'. (Stardust Dragon 2500/2000).
Yusei looked up at his dragon, the monster that was stolen from him. "It's been much too long, old friend." he thought.
"I almost forgot how beautiful he was." Sheridan gasped.
"I'd say this is poetic irony at work." Vendetta muttered. "Jack beating Yusei with his own card. The card that was our ticket out of the Satellite."
Sheridan reached over and took her sister's hand. "Like you said, Yusei always has a plan." she reminded, giving Vendetta's hand a tight squeeze. "He'll find a way to turn the tables and get Stardust back."
Vendetta smiled and squeezed her little sister's hand back. Both girls smiled and turned their attention back to the duel, focusing on their big brother.
"When I offered to give you back your precious 'Stardust Dragon', you should've just taken it and run back home to the Satellite." Jack told Yusei. "But no! You just had to prove that you could hold your own with the Master of Faster!"
(Yusei's SPC: 4-5; Jack's SPC: 4-5)
"I'm gonna do more than hold my own, Jack." Yusei promised, drawing from his deck. "It's my turn! I summon 'Shield Warrior' to the field in defense mode! And next, I'll also switch my 'Junk Warrior' into defense mode! With that done, I'm placing one card facedown. It's your move, old buddy." (Shield Warrior: 800/1600; Junk Warrior: 2300/1300).
"There isn't really much he can do against those two dragons at the moment." Vendetta noted. "But playing defense can only insure that he stays in this duel for another round."
"Yusei will find a way." Sheridan predicted, "I just know it. He always does."
(Yusei's SPC: 5-6; Jack's SPC: 5-6)
"Haven't you learned, Yusei?" Jack questioned. "You can't just cower and hide and hope to survive. And here's proof! 'Red Dragon Archfiend' can wipe out all your monsters in defense mode! So say goodbye to your little friend! Go, Absolute Power Force!"
Jack's ace monster roared and unleashed a breath of fire, destroying 'Junk Warrior'. With it's special ability, 'Shield Warrior' was destroyed as well.
"Seriously, Yusei, didn't you learn anything back in the schoolyard, when those mean, mean bullies would come around and threaten you and your little auto-shop pals for your lunch money?" Jack taunted. "What did not fighting back ever get you? A black eye and an empty stomach, that's what!"
"He sure loves to hear himself talk, doesn't he?" Sheridan noted, rolling her eyes.
"It just proves, the old Jack we knew is long gone." Vendetta sighed. "The city life and fame really has changed him."
"What did you ever see in him anyway?" Sheridan asked, glancing at her big sister.
Vendetta just sighed heavily, ignoring Sheridan and watching the duel.
"Well now that you've got no monsters on your field, 'Stardust Dragon' can swoop right in and attack you directly." Jack chuckled. "Hope this doesn't hurt too much!"
"Sure ya don't." Yusei muttered, sarcastically, under his breath.
Stardust reared back and attacked, shrouding Yusei in sparkling, white, misty fire. (Yusei LP: 3000-500; SPC 6-4).
"That attack put a serious dent in his life points." Sheridan whimpered, "And it decreased his speed counters."
"And I bet Jack's enjoying ever second of this duel, loving the irony that the card that was our ticket to a better life, will now be the thing that sends us back to the Satellite Sector." Vendetta muttered, biting the fabric of her black gloves.
"What're you waiting for, Yusei?" Jack questioned, though, not really caring about the answer. "You do know it's your turn, right? How come you haven't made a move in two laps? Thinkin' of givin' up?"
"Not a chance!" Yusei rebuked, drawing from his deck.
(Yusei's SPC: 4-5; Jack's SPC: 6-7).
"I summon 'Sonic Chick' in defense mode!" a little pink chicken, taking on a blue hue, appeared beside Yusei with a squeak. (Sonic Chick 300/300).
"Just like back at school! You waste all your time hangin' out with chickens!" Jack compared, with a clear smirk on his face and amusement in his eyes.
"Well at least I know this chicken isn't going to double-cross his best friend and then scurry away in the middle of the night!" Yusei snapped in reply. "In fact, this chicken's stickin' around for the long haul! Now I place a card facedown, you're up!"
(Yusei's SPC: 5-6; Jack's SPC: 7-8).
"Let me ask you something, Yusei. How do you think this duel of ours is gonna end?" Jack asked, closing the distance between him and his old friend. "Let's kid ourselves and say that you actually have a chance at out-dueling me. And let's say you somehow manage to win. Then what're you gonna do?" he quirked an eyebrow. "You haven't really thought this little revenge fantasy through, have you?" he deducted. "Well let me tell you what is gonna happen: You're gonna lose this duel, and then I'm gonna press a little button on my runner, at which point an entire Security team will arrest you and your sisters and ship the three of you off to the Facility! So much for revenge!" he chuckled. "And speakin' of you losing, 'Red Dragon Archfiend' attack Sonic Chick!"
The large red and black dragon roared in response and flew in to attack. "Too bad, buddy; your little chickadee's ability will get trumped by the power of my 'Red Dragon Archfiend'! Remember, it can wipe the field clean of any monsters you have in defense mode! I told you, Yusei, you gotta get aggressive, like this!" Jack's monster roared and attacked the small chick, yet, the smaller monster remained on the field unharmed.
"Phew, that was too close for comfort." Sheridan sighed.
"Way to counter, Yusei." Vendetta giggled.
"Your 'Remote Revenge trap card." Jack noted, looking at the duel screen on his runner. "I forgot you had that."
"It seems there's a lot you forgot about, Jack." Yusei replied. "So here's a little refresher course on what this trap can do! First, it deflects your attack, but that deflection's just the beginning. Once it does that, it destroys every monster on your field in attack mode!" he reminded.
"And both of the dragons are in attack mode." Sheridan noted, a grin spreading across her lips.
Vendetta grinned as well, "How's that for getting aggressive?!" she giggled, feeling a small sense of pride.
A dome of fire appeared around 'Sonic Chick', and fired itself at the dragons.
"You have a thing with revenge, don't you? Too bad for you, just like your attempt to get revenge on me, this attack is gonna fail miserably!" Jack predicted. "'Cause Stardust Dragon's takin' one for the team!"
"Damn." Vendetta cursed, stomping her foot on the metal. "I totally forgot about Stardust's ability."
"Right." Sheridan agreed, blinking. "Which is what again?"
"If a card is activates with the power to destroy all my monsters, 'Stardust Dragon' can save all the others by sacrificing itself." Vendetta answered.
"Damnit." the youngest Fudo cursed.
"Hey, watch your language." the older Fudo scolded.
'Stardust Dragon' roared and evaporated slowly into golden dust, leaving the field and saving 'Red Dragon Archfiend'.
"So much for 'Stardust Dragon'." Jack said, emotionless. "But I guess it had to go down like that in order for Red Dragon to stay on the field. Hey, does that remind you of another situation, Yusei?" he questioned, smirking. "Think about it, this is like how I had to step on you in order to escape the Satellite!"
"Why not just stab him in the back for real instead of digging up all these old wounds." Vendetta scoffed, rubbing her temples. "Honestly, no remorse at all for what he did to us. To me."
"C'mon Yusei, knock him off his high horse!" Sheridan cheered, standing up on her seat.
Yusei glanced across the track at his two younger sisters, remembering the real reason he challenged Jack in the first place, and why he brought them with him to the city. He closed his eyes, remembering the promise that he made to them a year ago.
"Stardust was our ticket to a new life here in New Domino. A chance for us to start over, have a better life. I have to win this duel, for them." he reminded himself, opening his eyes.
Jack Sets two cards. On his End Phase, he activated the second effect of 'Stardust Dragon' to Special Summon itself from his Graveyard in Attack Position. (Stardust Dragon: 2500/2000).
"Now with both dragons back on my field, it looks as though this battle of ours has come full-circle, hasn't it?" Jack questioned, his voice laced with pride.
Yusei cracked a small smile, "Actually, not quite, Jack." he rebuked. "I activate my trap card, 'Harmonia Mirror'! Because you just summoned 'Stardust Dragon' to your field, using a method other than the usual Synchro Summon, I can use the power of 'Harmonia Mirror to get Stardust fighting on my' side, instead!" he countered, smiling.
Stardust vanished from Jack's side of the field and reappeared on Yusei's side, soaring triumphantly above him. "Welcome back, old friend!" Yusei greeted his long-lost monster. "Now I'm gonna rev things up with my mighty beast!"
"Not bad, Yusei. Maybe you have learned a thing or two since our days together in the Satellite." Jack snickered. "So now we've got 'Red Dragon Archfiend' versus 'Stardust Dragon', in a fight to the finish!"
Both dragons roared, ready to face off against one another. (Red Dragon Archfiend: 3000/2000. Stardust Dragon: 2500/2000).
"Now we'll get to see who's really the best." Vendetta giggled. "With their strongest monster's out in play, it's only a matter of time before one trumps the other."
"Yusei's uped his game since the last time him and Jack dueled each other." Sheridan reminded. "Jack won't know what hit 'em when Yusei and Stardust pull out a victory." she giggled, barely containing her excitement.
(Yusei's SPC: 6-7; Jack's SPC: 8-9).
Yusei drew from his deck and cracked a smile. "I activate my 'Speed Spell - Silver Contrails'!" he slapped the spell card on the field. "Now because Stardust Dragon is a wind-attribute monster, he gets a power boost!"
Stardust roared as his attack points increased. ('Stardust Dragon': 2500-3500/2000)
"Alright!" Vendetta and Sheridan cheered from the stands.
Yusei gave his sister's a smile as he passed them with Stardust flying overhead. "It's time our beasts tussled!" the dark-haired duelist stated. "Stardust, ice his 'Red Dragon Archfiend'! Go, Cosmic Flare!"
Stardust, glimmering with light, launched an attack at Archfiend. As it landed, both duelists felt a strange pulse of energy that caused a burning sensation on their right arms. As the aftermath cleared, Archfiend shrugged off Stardust's attack, with a triumphant roar. Yusei's other monster on the field, 'Sonic Chick', was suddenly destroyed.
"Wait, what just happened?" Sheridan questioned, blinking. "Yusei had him! What happened!?"
"My 'Synchro Deflector' trap card happened." Jack answered, chuckling.
"'Synchro Deflector'?" Sheridan questioned, looking over at her sister.
"With that trap card, Jack could reflect an attack against a Synchro monster, and then use the energy to vaporize the monster on Yusei's field with the fewest attack points." Vendetta elaborated. "Now Archfiend gets to stick around for another round." she sighed. "And since Yusei attacked, the effect of the 'Silver Contrails' speed spell wears off, which means 'Stardust Dragon' loses the one thousand attack point boost."
"Making him weaker than 'Red Dragon Archfiend." Sheridan concluded, her shoulders sinking.
(Stardust Dragon: 3500-2500/2000)
Yusei gritted his teeth together, "It's still my turn, Jack, and I'm far from done!" he reminded. "So next, from my hand I summon 'Ghost Gardna' in defense mode." (Ghost Gardna: 0/1900).
"At least with 'Ghost Gardna' in play, Stardust is safe." Vendetta noted, taking a breath of relief.
"Oh right." Sheridan blinked. "Because his special ability allows his to become the target of your opponent's attack."
"Glad to see you've paid attention." Vendetta chuckled, lightly nudging her little baby sister.
"Whenever big brother duels, always." Sheridan giggled.
(Yusei's SPC: 7-8; Jack's SPC: 9-10).
Despite the burning pain in their right arms, both boys continued on with the duel. Jack drew from his deck and placed the spell in his hand.
"I think 'Red Dragon Archfiend' wants to attack Stardust Dragon. Let's go!" Jack ordered. "'Red Dragon Archfiend', tear that 'Stardust Dragon' apart! Go, Scorching Crimson Flare!"
Before the attack could hit Stardust, 'Ghost Gardna' took the hit instead, being destroyed in the process. Jack bit his lip in response.
"'Ghost Gardna's' special ability allows him to draw your monster's attention, and become the target of your attack!" Yusei reminded his old friend. "So 'Red Dragon Archfiend' won't be attacking Stardust this time around! And after he gets destroyed…"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. I've watched you use 'Ghost Gardna' plenty of times back in the Satellite." Jack cut off. "This is the part where you tell me how, when 'Ghost Gardna' gets destroyed, it can lower the attack points of one of its opponent's monsters by one thousand until the end of the turn. Did you seriously think I didn't know that was coming?" Jack scoffed, shaking off the minor annoyance. ("Red Dragon Archfiend": 3000-2000/2000).
"Well did you know this was coming?" Yusei questioned. "I activate a trap card, 'Counterattack Beacon'! And it activates when one of your monsters attacks one of mine, and manages to destroy it in battle! Once this trap card activates, it not only gives one of my monsters five hundred more attack points, it forces that same monster to attack, even though it's not my turn!"
Since he only had one monster remaining on the field, that was the target of the newly played trap. ("Stardust Dragon": 2500-3000/2000).
"Can ya see where this is going?" Yusei questioned, wincing in pain as his right arm continued to burn. "'Stardust Dragon', attack!"
As Yusei gave his attack command, both duelists' arms reacted again, the burning pain increasing.
"Not bad, Yusei. But 'not bad' is not good enough- not when I've got the "Prideful Roar" trap card!" Jack countered. "For the low cost of one thousand life points, I can give 'Red Dragon Archfiend' thirteen-hundred more attack points!" ("Red Dragon Archfiend": 2000-3300/2000). (Jack's LP: 1900-900).
"They just keep going." Sheridan noted. "Both trying to one-up the other."
"Just like the good ol' days." Vendetta muttered.
Archfiend let loose a blast of fire and Stardust reciprocated with a stream of white light. The two blasts met halfway, raging against each other to strike. Yusei and Jack cry out as the burning in their arms intensified. The ball of crackling energy where Stardust and Archfiend's blasts met began to grow bigger and bigger, and kept growing. Then, it exploded outward, forcing the warring dragons apart. From the bright light appeared streams of potent red.
Vendetta and Sheridan covered their eyes as the light intensified.
"What happened?" Sheridan asked. "Who won?"
"I have no idea." Vendetta answered.
"Shield Warrior?!" Jack gasped, looking at Yusei's field. "You can't play that card! I sent that to your graveyard!"
"Which is just where its special ability can activate!" Yusei reminded. "All I gotta do is remove it from play, and then I can use its power to save a monster from being destroyed! But don't worry, Jack, your dragon's attack still hits me for three hundred life points."
(Yusei LP: 500-200). "And I'm pretty sure 'Prideful Roar's' effect wears off after an attack! So 'Red Dragon Archfiend' is back to its original power level."
("Red Dragon Archfiend": 3300-2000/2000).
In the sky above, Stardust and Archfiend are floating amid tendrils of white-glowing red energy. The tendrils seem to be flowing toward a single point.
As Jack tried to counter, the burning pain in his arm was beginning to become unbearable. Yusei was feeling the same, wondering what was causing the burning pain to begin with.
The Kaiba Dome, glowing like a violet jewel already due to 'Speed World', appeared to be shaking. In the sky above the track, the red streams around Stardust and Archfiend formed into a thicker stream, and from that larger mass, generated an eye, a round orb of light. The red substance resolves into a massive serpent-like dragon, and it flew out into the air away from the duel.
Sheridan and Vendetta shielded their eyes, looking away from the dueling field.
"Sis, what is that?" Sheridan asked, visbly shaking.
"I don't know." Vendetta answered. "I've never seen a duel monster like that before."
The huge, red-glittering, alien dragon hovered before Jack and Yusei, bellowing a strange cry. Both duelists gasped aloud, as their eyes started glowing red, matching the dragon. The dragon let out another cry, creating a strong wind that blew all around the stadium. Yusei and Jack weather the force of the sound. The two spectators, however, took shelter underneath their seats, shielding themselves from the strong wind. Sheridan clung tightly to her older sister, who had her arms wrapped tightly around her, their black hair flying around them.
"Whose dragon is that?!" Jack asked, weathering the winds. "I'll teach you to play tricks with me! I activate a 'Speed Spell-End of Storm'!" he slapped the spell onto his duel disk.
"What the hell are you thinking, we gotta stop?!" Yusei exclaimed, gripping the handles of his runner.
"No way, Yusei!" Jack rebuked.
"Alright, fine, but I think we're gonna regret this!" Yusei grunted, pressing a button on his duel disk. "I activate my trap card…"
Just as the card flipped, another gust of wind blew past the two duelists. Yusei and Jack were both blown off the ground. Above, Stardust and Archfiend appeared small compared to the massive dragon made of rippling sanguine light, crackling with sparks of lightning, raising it head to the sky and wailing once more. The great dragon flew up, through the outer boundary of Speed World, and into the swirling clouds above. It spread its skeletal wings over the Kaibadome, shining like a star, then vanished into sparkles, leaving the night clear and peaceful once more.
Every light in New Domino City went out, leaving the city in darkness. A black town car pulled off to the side and parked by a side exit of the Kaiba Dome. Someone wearing a long, black coat and matching boots stepped out, leaving the driver's side door open.
Steam poured from each runner's exhaust vents; both having stopped moving. All the lights were out in the stadium, and dust was everywhere. In the middle of the track, the pavement exploded upward into a mound roughly as tall as either duelist. Jack staggered to his feet, holding his glowing arm, and looked over at Yusei and his runner, sprawled against the bowled edge of the track on the other side of the bump.
"What was that?!" Jack exclaimed, holding his arm.
Yusei came up from the rubble, holding his burning arm as well. "It burns!" he winced, looking down at his arm. He took off his glove and rolled up his sleeve to reveal a shining red symbol that vaguely resembles the tail of the giant dragon. "Where did this come from?!" his cobalt eyes widened.
"So it's not just me…" Jack muttered, his violet eyes wide as well.
"Jack, what's going on?!" Yusei asked, desperate for answered. "Do you know what this is, Jack?" after assessing his friend's facial expression, he added. "You do, don't you. Jack, say somethin', man. What's going on?"
The glowing symbol faded from Yusei's arm, without leaving a trace of its presence. He approached Jack, but was suddenly pinned down by high-beam spotlights.
A teenage girl, holding her right arm, stood by her car as Vendetta and Sheridan snuck away from the Kaiba Dome.
"What are we gonna do?" Sheridan asked, scared out of her mind.
"Right now, we just gotta hide from Sector Security." Vendetta answered, gripping the straps of their duffle bags.
"You two need a ride outta here?" the woman asked as the two sisters crossed her path.
The Fudo sisters stopped suddenly, and gasped when they realized just who was standing right in front of them.
"No way." Sheridan sighed, her smoky-blue eyes widening and a smile crossing her lips. "It's you."
The girl, wearing knee-high black boots with a magenta dress and a long, black coat, was none other than Larissah Warren. She held the back door of her town car open.
"Get in. I'll take you somewhere safe." she told them. "Where Security will never even think to look for the two of you."
Sheridan took her sister's arm and pulled her along as she jumped in the backseat of the town car. Vendetta, reluctantly, went along and shut the door behind her. Larissah slid into the driver's seat and buckled up. She started the car and pulled away, leaving the Kaiba Dome in her rearview mirror.
"Where exactly are you taking us?" Vendetta asked, wary of the celebrity.
Larissah smiled, "My place." she answered.
To Be Continued…