Yugioh 5D's: Konami/Kazuki Takahashi
As the sun continued to set into the Satellite, Rally, Tank, Blitz, Nervin, Persian and Blister were crossing a very old, very fragile rope bridge over one of the many gaping chasms in the ruined sector of the city.
"Tank, stop shaking the bridge!" Nervin cried, "Everyone's gonna fall!"
"Wouldja stop sayin' that, Nervin!"
"Just keep walkin', okay?" Blitz said.
"Easy for you to say! This bridge breaks, I'm the first one down!"
"We gotta get across, it's the only place in the Satellite we'll be safe."
"Even Sector Security won't come out here."
"Just great," Blister grimaced, "We're going somewhere worse than that rat-infested bunker you call a hangout."
"And to think that bunker reminded you of home," Persian mused.
"At least mine was more neat."
"Look, the bridge!" Rally exclaimed, pointing to an incomplete bridge. Known as the Dadelus Bridge, it arched its broken edge of its roadway, reaching towards the city far ahead, "It's beautiful!"
"Yeah, if ya like scrap metal. All that thing's good for is broken promises and lost dreams."
"They say one day it'll connect the Satellite with New Domino City," Tank said, "After that, everything'll be better!"
'Let's just hope that dream of yours doesn't turn into a nightmare...'
YuGiOh! 5D's
Reverse of Arcadia
Ride 9: Dark Signs
Part 1: A Blast from the Past (Again!)
After the group crossed the bridge, all made it to Crow's hideout near the Daedalus Bridge. What greeted them was a neighborhood of worn out shacks along with scraps of metal and wood leaning on the walls of the shacks.
"We were supposed to meet Yusei here," Rally said, "Do you think something happened to him?"
"I'm sure he's fine, sweetie. Let's just wait a little longer," Persian assured.
"I hate waitin'!" Blitz complained, "Ugh!"
"What if he's caught! And what if we never see 'im again?" Tank asked, worried.
"Quiet! Whaddayou tryin' to jinx us or somethin'?"
Just then, the group could hear whirring sounds coming around the corner. And sure enough, Yusei Fudo and Crow Hogan arrived. Rally smiled with an opened mouth when they saw them, "Hey, look! They're here!"
"Crow's back!" another voice said. This startled the group as they turned around to see kids popping their heads out of the window and then all the little boys and girls ran towards the two wheelers as the three came to a stop. All of them were just happy to see Crow back home.
"Yay! More cards!"
"I need some more spells!"
"Whadaya talkin' about, you kids want more of my cards?" Crow asked annoyed, "Look at me! You see a beard 'n' red hat? I'm not Santa Claus!"
"C'mon! Please, Crow?" they all start complaining at once.
"Hold on, hold on. Well I don't have cards, but I brought somethin' even better: may I present Yusei, the new turbo-duel champion!" Crow announced as 'Satellite's Shooting Star' took off his helmet. All the little kids crowded around Yusei, all talking at once.
"I wanna autograph!"
"I saw your duel; I watched it ten times!"
"Oh, man, this is like so cool!"
"Hey, try and be careful with the poor guy; he's not some kinda stuffed animal, ya know!" Crow laughed.
Meanwhile...
Far across the sea to the city, Margaret stood on the beach looking across the the waters towards the Satellite, with Nathan accompanying her. They have already taken Rico back home to the Arcadia. They told Sayer they were going out to see the sunset; that's only the half-truth. They were waiting for a garbage-boat to cross to the Satellite. Nathan has his sources.
"Are you sure you want to do this," Nathan asked, "Was it right to keep this from Sayer?"
"I can't explain it, but... whatever it is, it's pulling me to Satellite. So I'm going to find out what it is..."
A foghorn was heard, the boat arriving to take them to their destination...
"And it's something I have to do... alone..."
Later...
Night fell as the unfinished bridge arcs up toward the slim crescent moon in the sky. Yusei, Rally, Blister, Persian, Nervin, Blitz, and Tank were sitting around a campfire, Yusei explaining everything to his friends.
"So what you're telling us is that these Dark Signers want to destroy the Satellite Sector?"
"That's right, Nervin. I saw a vision of it when I was dueling Jack in the tournament."
"If it's true, what do we do?"
"I know, we go home, pack up, and then use that pipeline to get outta here!" Tank advised.
"Sounds good to me. If these 'Dark Signers' are here, we should all go over there. I'm good with a deck, but once the shuffling part's done, it's all downhill after that."
"I know you're scared, Nervin, and so am I," Yusei said, then looked at his Mark of the Dragon," But this mark has made me a part of this war, and if I don't fight the Dark Signers, then there's no hope for anyone."
"You know I'm with you; a Crow never backs away from a fight," Crow added, taking a quick look at the kids playing with Yusei's Duel Runner, "And I got my nest to protect. But they hurt your bike, just say the word, pal, and they're gone! Seriously, I mean it."
A little girl runs up behind Crow and hugged him around the neck, knocking his bandanna down over his eyes, "That's not true! You'll always protect us!"
"Can you tell us a good night story, Crow?" a boy asked.
"How 'bout a scary one?" another added.
"But you're afraid of the dark, and you always run off before he gets to finish it!" the girl said.
"How about I tell the one about the bridge-to-nowhere?" Crow insisted.
"Tell it!"
"Weeeell, okay. A long time ago there was a special place. An island in the middle of the ocean. But the people were very sad because they were poor and had to work all the time," everyone huddled around the campfire to listen, "Next to them was another island, where the people were rich and happy, and never had to work."
"Get to the part with the bridge, this bit is so boring!"
"Oh and don't forget, you gotta do it with voices!"
"Ugh! There are no voices!"
"Hey, I didn't ask for the running commentary!" Crow said, "Be quiet! I'll get to all that soon enough!"
"I can tell it," Nervin volunteered, "and with the voices!"
"Ugh. I'm telling it, without voices. Okay, so there's the Satellite and the City, two isolated islands. But one day a man had a great idea. He wanted freedom. He wanted to connect the two islands, so people could choose where to live. And that's when the trouble began. The story takes place long ago, when a stranger arrived in the Satellite. Along with the stranger a little baby girl, about a year-or-so old. No one knew who they were or where they were from. The man never spoke, and spent nearly all of his time staring across at the City, gazing... and dreaming."
"Dreaming? Dreaming of what?" the girl asked.
"Of what no one else dared- making a difference," Crow continued, "One day, with no fanfare and no help, he began to build a bridge. He was determined to join the Satellite and New Domino City. He was determined to give people hope."
"Hold on, one guy's gonna build a whole bridge by himself?" the boy asked.
"It's impossible; this story's for kids!" another asked.
"And, that's what they all believed. They said what he was doing was impossible. But, through it all, he kept working. People came from all over the Satellite to look and to laugh, but the stranger kept building. And then, a funny thing happened. People started to believe. Before they had no hope; they had no life, except their work. They thought, even if the bridge was an impossible dream, it was still a dream. A handful of volunteers became a dozen; a dozen, a hundred. And soon, it looked like the bridge might actually be built. But not everyone was happy with that idea. The people of the City, the people of power, liked the way things were. They didn't want to give the people of the Satellite their freedom. They threatened to send everyone to the Facility if they were found working on it. Many were arrested, but most simply gave up, their dreams fading away like the hope for a future with freedom."
"That's not right! Build the bridge!" Rally exclaimed into space.
"Let him finish!"
"I'm just sayin'! It's not fair they did that!"
"Yeah, But whoever said that life was fair?" Crow said.
"Finish the story!" the kids screamed at Crow.
"Oh, right. So. Security had other plans for the stranger. He tried to outrun them as long as he could, but he knew in the end that they'd finally catch him. He was surrounded; no way out; escape was impossible! He knew he'd spend the rest of his life in the Facility, never to see his bridge completed. But once again, the stranger proved that nothing is impossible! There was only one road to freedom; a path he'd built himself; a bridge that united his people; and a life that became a legend. So he took his child into his arms and mounted his runner. With top speed, he dashes straight across the unfinished bridge, and they flew off into the sunset. He proved that just because you've been held down all your life, that doesn't mean your spirit can't soar through the sky! No one ever saw 'im again. Duel runners were ruled illegal in the Satellite. And to this day, the bridge remains unfinished."
"Someone must know where he is!" Rally said, "Who can just fly away into thin air?"
"I don't know, Rally. He did what he meant to do- he gave us hope."
"Ohh..."
"But- if you wanna find him.."
"Just look in your heart!" Crow and the nestlings said in unison. The kids all laughed and giggled.
"I love that story," Tank said, "Though I wish he was able to finish that bridge."
"Someday. Until then we got campfires and ghost stories," said Blitz.
"I just noticed;" Rally said, pointing to Crow's runner, "your Duel Runner has a pair of wings, too."
"Oh, well, of course. I'm the Stranger."
"You are?" the nestlings exclaimed.
"Juuust kidding. Okay, time for bed; the adults need to talk," the kids scampered off to bed.
I got a good bedtime story, too. It's about the Loch Ness Monster. He and Bigfoot decide to build a duel arena," Blister scoffed, "'The Stranger'! Hmph. That bridge is a joke. If anyone wants to connect the Satellite, it'll take more than 'dreams'."
"Well I think that story was sweet," Persian sighed, "It gives everyone here a reason to keep hope alive."
"Maybe so. It doesn't mean I can't try," Yusei said, Crow raising an eyebrow hearing this, "It's late. We should get to bed, too."
"Yeah; g'night!"
"And sleep tight! See ya in the mornin'! But that's only if the Dark Signers don't sneak up on us first! Sweet dreams!"
"'Good night', Tank."
Unbeknown, a black spider lay still on one of the neighboring buildings...
Later afterward, inside the great crater, A spider web shot across the room with the spire and through a doorway. The spider landed on the back hand of the red-robed man. The spider acted as if it was trying to tell him something.
"Hmm... It's Yusei. He's in the Satellite. Near the bridge. If we can beat him, our power will be all but unstoppable in the war. I will find him and challenge him to a shadow duel."
The person in blue stood up, "No! This satellite's mine. I have a debt to collect!"
The one in red smiled grimly, "Happy hunting, Kalin."
The one called 'Kalin' smiled in reply...
Meanwhile...
Returning to the scene of New Domino City, Jason, Gabriella and Katherine all returned home to the Tops. Jason sat on the couch in the living room, while Gabriella got Katherine ready for bed. Jason was citing everything that happened over the past few weeks...
'It's like no matter which path I take, there's always trouble getting in the way,' he thought, eying his Mark, 'And it's all because of this 'Mark'... What whould've happened if Goodwin had his way with me, an what would happen to me when he doesn't need me anymore?'
His thoughts were suspended at the sudden sound of footsteps. After putting Kat to bed, Gabriella walked into the living room, joining Jason at the couch.
"You know," she said softly, "Considering everything that's happened these past two weeks, it's been like forever since we sat down and talked like this."
"So, I've been wondering," Jason started a conversation, "You seem to be a little young to be living here alone in a place like this, taking care your sister by yourself. What happened to your parents?"
"Actually, we don't have any parents. Kat and I grew up in a foster home. As of matter of fact, she's not even my sister. We just play together at the home," the green-haired girl sighed, staring off into space, "As I got older I'd help out taking care of the other orphans. When I got old enough to leave on my own, one in particular practically begged me to take her with me."
"That's Kat, right?"
"Yeah. She's been clinging to me ever since then. So even, she would cry when I go away, and jump onto me, glomping me when I come home. It's like Kat and I were inseparable. Although life has been kind of dull," she then turned to Jason, "But then you came into our lives. Ever since our duel at the Fortune Cup, you inspired me to improve my skills; I may even decide to go pro. And you given Katherine another friend: you. And through you, more people entered our lives: Kenichi, Rico, even Nathan. Even Katherine might have a crush on you..." Gabriella leaned her head against the Signer's shoulder, "I guess, what I'm trying to say is,,, I'm glad I met you, Jason Hutchins."
"...And I'm glad I met you guys."
Later...
That night, Yusei was up awake and, while not waking up Rally and the others, was pushing his runner, ready to leave.
"Little late for a joyride, isn't it, Yusei?" he turned around to see Crow behind him, standing there crossing his arms.
"So what?"
"So if you're planning on dueling, I'm coming, too."
"It's too dangerous out there. Just go back to bed. This is my battle."
"Just try and stop me!"
"I've already put enough people in danger, Crow."
"Huh?" the redhead blocked Yusei's path before he could walk any further, "Hold on! Who's gonna watch your back against these Dark Signers, huh?"
"Crow, this isn't just another duel!" Yusei shook his head, irritated, "You face them, you play for keeps, and I'm not talkin' about your deck! They put up some kinda force field when they challenge you, and then no one leaves 'til the duel's over. All the battle damage is real. Even if you manage to win, you're still talkin' about a world of hurt. And if you lose? Well I don't even wanna think about that. So tell me... That sound like fun to you?"
Crow sighed, beated, "Hoo boy! Well you sure haven't lightened up, but you're not the only one with somethin' to lose here, Yusei. All those kids. If you lose then we all do! So count me in!"
"There's no going back," Yusei said, deadly serious, "You sure about this?"
Crow nodded.
"..., Well in that case, let's go."
"Heh! Alright, but you gotta leave some a' those Dark Signers for me." bot Crow and Yusei bumped their fists together, "Now where we goin'?"
"I'm not goin' there! The Old Reactor?" Crow later asked incredulously as they were then driving through the streets of Satellite, "Whaddaya think you'll find there, tetanus?"
"Funny. But I think Goodwin was pointing me toward it."
"Never trust a guy with a ponytail, Yusei. But if you say so... try n' keep up!" Crow said as he sped up faster on his runner with Yusei catching up. Several minutes later, they arrived deep within the Satellite. Not to mention that for some reason it was foggy, "Look at this fog! It's like I'm drivin' with a blindfold!"
Yusei continued to look around to see if he could spot a Dark Signer. Little does he know that they were being watched by one already, standing on top of a mountain of trash. "Yusei, welcome back," The Dark Signer said as he raised his arm, a strange mark, different from the spider symbol, started to glow. Meanwhile, the two wheelers continued to drive until they saw a large purple glow before them, "Sorry; even your dragon can't save you now! Welcome to the real world of dueling!"
Crow was awestruck, "Please tell me I'm seein' things!"
Yusei's Mark seemed to resonate from that purple glow.
Meanwhile, at the Jacks' apartment...
"Uhh… turn off the nightlight…" Leo mumbled as he getting up seeing a red blurring light, but the blurring light was Luna's Mark glowing. "AH! Your marks glowing. sis!"
"It's Yusei. He's in trouble..." Luna said worriedly.
...and at the Arcadia...
Akiza's Mark seemed to resonate as well, 'My Sign. It's warning me... I can feel Yusei. The vision we saw must be true!' she thought back to when she saw the fiery spider, 'Dark times are coming. Good thing this girl has a deck that's ready!'
...and at the Tops...
"Darn it!" Jason's mark has soon joined the others, "I got a hunch that this is for the Dark Signers..."
As for Gabriella, she was sure to keep her distance from Jason. She was rushed into her bedroom, holding her bandaged arm for dear life.
'No... Why did it have to happen? Why now?'
Elsewhere in the Satellite, long after Magic had dismounted, the two walked through the endless ruins, when the saw the same glowing light...
Yusei and Crow continued driving even though they still see that large purple glow, but then it faded away.
"The light's gone, is that good or bad!" Crow asked.
"Well, in my experience anything that looks bad is bad!"
"Oh, great," suddenly a thrown card clipped Crow's shoulder; if he hadn't dodged, it would've done worse. He spun out and fell to the ground.
"Are you okay, Crow!"
Crow sat up, looking at the hairline cut on his shoulder. "Huh! Yeah, sure!"
Yusei looked around and spotted the card that was thrown, lodged in a wooden board: it was the Duel Monster, Vorse Raider. "Crow, I know that card!"
"Yusei! And his bird-brained friend!"
'That voice...' Magic broke away from Nathan, and stood behind a large piece of concrete debris, and found the source of the cackling...
A hooded figure astride a duel runner was just visible on top of the tallest heap of trash around, "You don't know how long I've been waiting for this moment. It's a shame it'll be over so quickly!"
Crow, back on his runner, started to get angry.
"So how do you know our names?" Yusei shouted to the cloaked figured.
"I never forgot, 'old friend'," with that, he tossed off his cloak, revealing his face. Yusei and Crow (and especially Magic) gasped in shock as they saw a man, about their age clad in similar robes to the Shadow Drones except marked in dark blue. He had cold spikes of pale blue hair hanging over his forehead, his eyes black pits with dark blue irises, and the scar of a criminal mark against his skin. Adding on to the facial features was a dark grin...
"Kalin Kessler!" Yusei exclaimed, "Is that really you?"
"We thought after all that time in The Facility you suddenly kicked the bucket!"
"I did. But thanks to you and that mark of yours, Kalin is back! And while I was away, I made some new friends; I believe you already dueled one of my associates."
"Kalin, please! You have to stop what you're planning to do to the Satellite!" Yusei planned, "You were once our friend!"
"Once your friend, yes... but now... your ENEMY!" Kalin jammed a helmet on his head and rode his runner off the edge of the cliff, jumping over Yusei and Crow to land behind...
As he soared, Magic could see purple fire erupting from the ground in his wake. It carves out line after line in the ground, and the fiery lines are reflected in the storm clouds above, forming an image on the ground that Yusei and Kalin are standing inside, that matches the one on Kalin's arm.
Kalin goes into a sideways skid, and halted, "After what you did to me, this is sweet justice, dear old friend! You destroyed my life! So I'll destroy your home! The Satellite will burn! Now get ready... for the duel of your LIFE!" his maniacal cackle echoed across the landscape, which has just been turned into a dueling track carved out by lines of purple fire, forming a mark just like the fiery spider, but a different creature: the Giant!
TO BE CONTINUED...
"Hello. This is Margaret again. And old friend returns from the dead on the next Reverse of Arcadia. As more secrets from the past unlock, Yusei fights for his life against a new tribe of demons. What happened to Kalin to make him like this? Next time on Reverse of Arcadia: Dark Signs: Part 2. Let's make some Magic!"
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