Chapter 19 : A Friend or Foe
The sensation as back, Yuko's body had now readjusted to his duel runner just like before. He couldn't help, but laugh hysterically as he pushed the throttle down to the max and quickly overtaking Akiza and Yusei, catching them both by surprise. The wind was now pounding hard against him and from the speed which he was now going, his clothes felt as if they would tear off.
"I'm finally back on the road", thought Yuko, unable to contain a smile, and he turned to skid at a corner (creating a wave of sparks), which lead to a road that would now lead him straight towards the Arcadia.
When Yuko came into view of the Arcadia building, he thought it best to slow down slightly so to wait for the others. However, just as he was about to push lightly against the brakes, Yuko was over taken by Yusei and Akiza (at the same time), now catching him by surprise.
He heard Akiza shout, "Haha, who's in the lead now!"
Yuko smirked and looked down at a small red button on the left side of his dueling panel. He gasped in relief, since Yusei hadn't touched his secret weapon which Yuko had installed a month ago (illegally). Yuko took a deep breath and quickly bushed the button, tightening his grip over the handle bars, while thinking to himself, "Oh yeah baby!"
Suddenly, red spouting hot fire burst out of the two exhaust pipes at the back of Yuko's duel runner, causing the runner to speed up dramatically. All of a sudden, Yuko's whole body was pushed back as his duel runner started vibrating and hum considerably from the power it was producing.
The speed his runner could give off was incredible that even the Yuko's helmet was starting to slip off. Without any trouble, Yuko overtook Akiza and Yusei once again, leaving them astounded.
"Yaaaaaahoooooooo!" howled Yuko at the top of his voice, and waved teasingly at his friends behind him.
Yuko was of course, the first to arrive at the Arcadia and parked his cream colored duel runner outside the front entrance. A few seconds later, Yusei and Akiza arrived and hastily parked their runners close by.
"How on earth did your duel runner speed up like that, Yuko?"asked Akiza quickly, after having removed her helmet.
"Yeah, that was incredible! I don't think that I've ever seen a faster runner!" said Yusei in amazement.
Yuko grinned and slipped his helmet off. "Just a little something which I installed", he replied cheerfully, amused to find his friend both a little jealous.
Yuko jumped off his duel runner and looked up at the very tall skyscraper Arcadia building. "So this is where we should find the answers to all the recent events", thought Yuko, and the three friend straightened their clothes and hair out (each still perfectly coiffed) before making their way through the glass door entrance of the Arcadia.
The first thing Yuko noticed was the air conditioning which really cooled everybody down, causing Akiza to sigh in relief. The Arcadia had now apparently become a proper school the psychic minded and a few psychic students greeted them as the trio passed by, Akiza waving at a few of them, recognizing her student friends and smiling happily.
The three friends casually continued to walk on over to where a woman in a green Arcadia uniform was standing behind a small, circular desk. She had dark green hair which was trimmed short, only reaching down to her shoulders and her eyes were covered up by her bangs. She instantly turned to greet the trio politely as they approached the desk.
"Welcome to the Arcadia. How can I assist you?" she asked kindly, her eyes still covered up, but able to see Yusei and Akiza none the less.
Akiza stepped forward. "I'm Akiza Izinski, Sayer's past apprentice and I was wondering if me and my friends were allowed to look around upstairs", she asked, feeling a little excited to be back.
The girl gasped. "Your Akiza Izinski! Oh my god, it is an honor to finally meet you!" she bowed, and turned red with excitement.
Akiza felt flattered, but looked at her a little puzzled. "You know me? How?"
"Everyone here knows you! You're a role model to the Arcadia! In this building, your famous! The best psychic duelist to ever live, even better than Sayer, that old goat", she said, jumping happily and clapping her hands together.
Akiza appreciated the comments, but Yusei's expression began to anger from the mention of Sayer's name . "Naa, Sayer was always better than me. By the way, how is the Arcadia doing without him? Did you find some one strong like he was to take over?" asked Akiza curiously.
The girl frowned and stared oddly at Akiza. "What are you talking about? Sayer is still here! He's alive and well in his office at the moment", corrected the girl, causing both Akiza's and Yusei's eyes to widened.
Akiza turned to look at Yusei who couldn't believe then news he had just heard.
"Really?" asked Yusei quickly.
The girl smiled and nodded. "Sure! I'll just call him to say that you have come to visit. His office is three floors up so I suggest you take the elevator", she said kindly, indicating to her right.
Yuko smirked, having skipped certain parts of the conversation and continued to look around him in admiration. The inside of the building was so tall, he could stand in the middle of the room and only just see all the way to the top floor of the building. "Yes, I think that the elevator would be best", he remarked, also having heard the last sentence of the conversation and followed Yusei and Akiza closely.
Yuko felt a little awkward as he stood in the elevator behind Yusei and Akiza. He had no idea about what they had been talking about nor who they had been talking about. Was this person Sayer a friend of their's, and why did they act so shocked about realizing that he was in charge of the Arcadia?
The elevator eventually stopped with a "bing" sound and both Akiza and Yuko followed Yusei who was leading them on. He turned left and all three of them found themselves in front of a large wooden door with neat carvings of strange creatures all over it.
Yusei stopped just outside it and took a deep breath, while Akiza gasped at the sight of the entrance to the office. "Those carvings...they're the Earthbound Immortals, aren't they?" asked Akiza softly, taking out a scarlet and glimmering duel disk from her backpack (which she had bought with her before they left Yusei's home) and calmly attached it to her arm.
Yusei nodded. "I believe so..." he agreed whisperingly, while Yuko quietly studied the artwork on the door.
Akiza then activated her duel disk, causing some small lights to illuminate the exterior of the duel disk. "It's ok, we can now go in", she said reassuringly. Yusei nodded and knocked loudly on the door, which slowly opened after five or so seconds. Yusei was the first to enter the office, closely followed by Akiza, while Yuko casually walked in with his hands in his pockets.
The room was brightly lit because of the very large and well spread windows, offering a magnificent view over New Domino City, while near the middle of the room was a modern, black desk. There was also a chair behind the desk, but it was surprisingly empty. However, what Yusei found even more surprising was that there were three hot mugs of coffee placed neatly in a row on the desk.
Yusei huffed and walked forward towards the desk, while Yuko looked around admiring the length and width of this rather flat, but spacious room.
Akiza and Yusei both had a look around, until Akiza lowered her duel disk slowly and sighed. "It doesn't look like he is here", she said plainly, and Yusei walked around the desk to opened a few of the draws.
Suddenly, a small door from the far right of the room opened and a men with dark red hair (which made a curl to the side) stepped out holding a crutch in his left hand.
Yusei turned to stare at the man, now agitating uncomfortably and Akiza swung her duel disk in front of her as if ready to duel. The man limped over slowly to them and smirked at the sight, his appearance now fully revealed, causing the expressions of both Akiza and Yusei to fill with anger. However, the limping man shrugged a little as he noticed Yuko ignoring him, and was already starting on the coffee.
The man stopped a few feet away from Yusei and Akiza and smiled welcomingly. "Ahh, my dear friends. You have finally decided to come visit me! What can I do for you on this fine sunny day", he greeted casually.
Yusei glared at the man wickedly. "Sayer. I heard that you were dead", Yusei replied, a tone of anger still building up in his voice.
The man (who Yuko now understood was called Sayer) laughed lightly and when over to sit on the chair behind his desk, while Yusei quickly moved out the way. "Dead? Oh no no no, I'm not dead. Though I'm not far from it either", he said, and sighed as he sat on his rather comfortable looking black chair.
Akiza grunted. "Well, it's to bad that your still standing, even after what Misty did to you. Now tell us what you know about the criminal which broke into the Arcadia that night and stole that famous duel disk which the whole of the security police is on about", she said threateningly.
Sayer sighed. "You want to go straight unto the point I see. Very well. It was an unfinished project, before the Dark Signers arrived. I was trying to make my army of psychic duelist and wanted to see if the psychic powers could actually be contained into a duel disk. It was originally designed for a boost to the psychic capacity of the user, but it started to become dangerous and the damage inflict became, a bit too real. Therefore, since the proto-type was already completed, I decided to keep it away into to one of our most secure storage areas under the Arcadia", he said calmly, and reached for one of the mugs of coffee (since Akiza nor Yusei were going drink it and Sayer didn't want it to go to waste).
Akiza glared at Sayer. "If it was so securely kept, then how was it stolen", she blurted out angrily.
Sayer raised both his shoulders and gave her an innocent look as if to say "I dunno".
Yeah and one other thing", interrupted Yusei. "Wasn't the Arcadia destroyed a while ago?
Sayer nodded and took a sip of his coffee. "It was, but when I came back, I decided that with the help of many workers, to rebuild it as a school now known as the Arcadia School for the Gifted", he said proudly, "and I happen to be the new principle in charge of this school" he stated and took another sip of his bitter coffee which Yuko thought was strangely tasteful.
Yusei and Akiza exchanged glances and looked back at Sayer a little confused, but still kept their distance from him consciously.
As the conversation was about to elaborate, Yuko drank a few gulps of his coffee (already having burnt his tongue), put the empty mug down and strolled over to Sayer, holding out his hand. "Pleased to meet you Mr Sayer. I'm Yuko Tastumi", said Yuko happily, unaware that he person sitting in front of him, who was now the principle of a very large school was a very dangerous and powerful person.
Sayer looked up at Yuko, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, but shook the hand politely and nodded. "Pleased to meet you, Yuko. Your a friend of Yusei's or Akiza's?" he asked curiously.
"I'm a friend to both actually", he continued, "but I've been friends with Yusei longer".
Sayer glanced at Yusei amused, then back at Yuko. " Well, you must have met pretty recently since I don't recall seeing you before the Dark Signer incident".
Yusei scowled at Sayer. "You were as bad as they were, Sayer. I'm surprised that security still hasn't locked you up yet", he comment, rather coldly.
Sayer rolled his eyes and sighed. " Firstly, the security police didn't find any evidence since it was buried under the rubble and destroyed as the Arcadia collapsed, and secondly yes, I must say that I was a little evil back then, but not anymore, I assure you".
Yusei and Akiza both eyed Sayer, now beginning to feel a little puzzled
Yusei coughed. "What do you mean?" he said, in a confused tone.
Sayer got up and pulled his right arm out in front of them, and tucked back his checkered shirt sleeve so to reveal a dark grey metal arm. The trio gasped and Sayer smirked at the expressions. "When Misty blasted me with all her power that night, it's true that I should have died. My psychic skills weren't able to withstand the impact from Misty's Earthbound Immortal, but there was someone in that building with me and managed to lessen the blow with his psychic powers, preserving my body or at least most of it", he explained mysteriously.
Akiza walked over to Sayer and lowered her duel disk. "Who was it, and why did that person save you?"
Sayer shuddered his shoulders and grinned. "I don't know why he saved me, but what I know is that he saved me, healed me using a card called "Healing Wave Generator" and bought me over to the Domino City Hospital for more medical attention. I don't know his name. He didn't tell me, but I know that he's presently in the security prison and I know what he looks like".
Yusei came closer to the desk. "You stilled haven't answered my question. "What I meant was what do you mean you not evil anymore?" said Yusei, now frustrated.
Sayer grinned again and scratched the back his head. "Oops, sorry, my mistake!" he said casually, and began to laughed idiotically.
Akiza and Yusei continued to stare at Sayer unamused.
"Well, you see, my psychic powers have now weakened considerably since I lost my arm and leg", said Sayer grinningly.
Yuko froze at the remark. "Your leg?"
Sayer turned and chuckled. "Oh yeah, I forgot to mention my left leg. It's a mechanical leg too which really is a bummer since it's now so difficult to walk normally these days".
Akiza sighed. "I see, so you only stopped being evil because you didn't have a choice", she said, sounding like she was starting to pity Sayer.
Sayer nodded. "However, the upside is that now we can all be friends and leave the past behind us, right?" he said, almost mockingly.
Yusei didn't stop glaring and Yuko patted him on the back. "Come on Yusei. He's a good guy now, can't you forgive him for whatever he did that was wrong".
Yusei took a deep breath, and turned to explain Yuko the whole story about Sayer. During the explanation, Sayer made himself comfortable on his black leather chair and happily listened attentively throughout the story.
After Yusei finished, Akiza was looking down at her shoes guiltily (since she had been the "Witch of the Black Rose" at that point) and Yuko looked back at Sayer, a little less kindly than before.
"I get it now. You don't trust him, is that it? After all the damage he has caused physically and mentally, right?" asked Yuko innocently.
Yusei nodded a turned to Akiza who walked over to them. "I don't trust him either, but I do pity him a little", she whispered to them.
Yuko nodded. "I guess I do too", he claimed, and Sayer got up, holding tightly to his crutch, while the three friendly backed off lightly.
"No need to be scared. There's hardly any psychic power in me anymore. The most I can hurt now is a fly, not even killing it!" he laughed, and limped toward Yusei who stood his ground.
"I just wanted to state one request" he asked politely. "Please could you go and visit the security prison, to find that person who saved me. I just want him to know that I appreciate what he did and that I'll pay him back one day", said Sayer kindly.
Yusei chuffed. "Why would we do this for you exactly?"
Sayer smiled. "Otherwise I'll just call security to say that Yuko has the psychic duel disk and that he is the duelist that the police are looking for".
Yusei and Akiza quickly turned to Yuko who was looking at them, very much shaken by the sudden statement.
Akiza stepped forward and turned back to glance at Sayer. "Why would you think that Yuko has the stolen duel disk?" she said threateningly.
Sayer looked up to face Yuko. "Cause I felt a high amount of psychic energy coming from him when I shook his hand earlier", he said teasingly. "It seems that he bought it with him in his rucksack".
Yusei spun round to face Yuko, who was now shamefully looking down at the feet. He sighed and pulled his hair back with a hand motion. "You bought it with you?" asked Yusei, sounding slightly annoyed.
Yuko nodded quiveringly, afraid to see Yusei get angry. "Yes. I did. I...I had decided to bring it just in case we got into some trouble", replied Yuko softly.
Sayer smirked at the confirmation. "Now here is the deal that I propose to you three. Either you don't do the errand I asked you to accomplish and tell security to come and arrest Yuko, or one of you three completes the errand I asked and you may keep the duel disk. I promise that I won't tell security about it and I will vouch for you in case you get caught", said Sayer calmly.
The three friends looked back at Sayer, surprised by the strange offer.
"Really?" asked Akiza, "You would vouch for Yuko?"
Sayer nodded, pleased by the response. "Of course! Like I said, I am no longer your enemy, therefore it must mean that I am your friend", he said pleasantly.
Yusei raised an eyebrow and nodded, not really having a choice. "Fine, we'll do it", he said, no longer sounding angry. "Thank you", he whispered, and Sayer nodded back in appreciation.
"Here is a picture of my savior. I found him on the daily news", he mocked, and handed the picture to Yusei.
Yusei's eyes widened at the sight and so did Akiza's. They both looked up at Yuko with shocked expressions.
"It's him" declared Yusei.
Yuko shrugged. "Who?"
"The criminal".
Yuko: Another long chapter! I really hope that you all consider it to be a good chapter and...
Carly: Please Review! :D
Akiza: Please Follow! ;3
Luna: Dont forget about adding to Favourites! ^_^
Jack: Wow! That was lame -_-
Crow: I agree!
Leo: Same!
(The three girls glare at Jack, Crow and Leo)
Yuko: Ok then, Jack! How about you, Crow and Leo conclude the next chapter!
(Crow and Leo exchange uncertain glances)
Jack: (huffs) No Problem! We will make it an amazing ending to your chapter!
Yuko: Ohh boy... :P