Dueling and Planned Escape
A/N: Cards shown do match match OCG release dates. Cards played do not match Walter's deck profiles from Tag Force 4
It was a bright morning in the satellite. As bright as it can be in the B.A.D area of Satellite. In Martha's place, the kids all woke up relatively early this time around. The reason for this was because today, Red Hat and Walter will be dueling today. Not just any ordinary duel. Thieir duel will be done with their duel disks. Since, the kids very rarely dueled with the duel disks. It would be an exciting match as the kids were very curious on Red Hat's skills. Despite every single one of them knowing he's using a deck build of random cards that he found around Satellite.
While everyone was eating breakfast at the table. Red Hat stayed laying down on the couch, wide awake and staring off into the ceiling. Lara took notice of this and walked up to him.
"Is something the matter, Mr. Red Hat?" She asked, confused as to why he refused to get up. "Aren't you hungry?"
Red Hat remained silent as his stomach growled. "That answer your question?" He said more as a statement then a question.
Lara took his arm and tried to pull him off the couch. "Come on, now! Head to the table and eat now! Martha made hot stew with rice!"
"Can I just eat here?" He asked as he sat up.
Lara shook her head and giggled. "No can do mister. Martha says, it's bad manners to eat outside the table."
Red Hat chuckled, know full well she wouldn't budge. "Alright, you win. I'm coming over to the table."
"Come on! Breakfast is almost over! Walter really wants to duel you!"
The duo would head to the table, where they were greeted by Martha and the many kids that were around the table. While Lara continued eating her share of breakfast. Red Hat served himself some food and sat down next to Lara. While she was surprised by the fact he wanted to eat breakfast with her. She merely smiled and continued eating.
"I can't wait to duel you this time! I'll show you ghow great I am!" Walter oasted, pointing at Red Hat.
"This should be a fun duel. We'll give it our best shot." He simply said, as he cotinued eating in silence.
Everyone would eat in silence together until they finished. Red Hat on the other hand, contineud eating, slower then usual. What he didn't told anyone, was that he is going to leave tonight after he finished the duel with Walter and helping the kids out a bit.
'These kids deserve so much more, but there's nothing I can really do about it. I'm being sought after and I don't want them getting involved.' He thought as he continued eating. He did his best to eat as quickly as he could, cause the kids and Walter were not going to wait for long. 'I'll give the kids a show.'
As he finished up, he got up and cleaned up after himself and washed the dishes he used. Once he was done with that, he got his 'new' deck and got his duel disk ready as he heads out to the backyard. Where the rest of the kids were waiting for him.
"Mr. Red Hat, over here!" Lara called out as she sat down witht he rest fo the kids.
Walter already had his duel disk and deck ready. "Time to show you how we duel in the Satellite!"
Red Hat smiled as he readied his duel disk and placed his new deck in the slot. "Can't wait to see what strategies you have in store!"
"I'll show you what I can do!"
DUEL
Walter: 8000 LP
Red Hat: 8000 LP
"I'll let you go first!" Walter insisted.
"Very well, I'll start the duel. I draw!" Red Hat draws.
Hand 6
'Decent enough hand.' He thought as he began his turn. "I set a monster and set one card facedown. I end my turn." Red Hat ends his turn.
Hand 4
"That's all? How boring! Now, I'll show you what I cand. I draw!" Walter draws.
Hand 6
"I summon X-Saber Anu Prianha in attack mode! (LV4 Atk: 1800 Def: 1100)" A blonde female warrior emerged onto the field. She wore red body armor, black gloves and held a long sword. "Let's battle! Attack his facedown monster!" The blonde warrior leaped forward and sliced the facedown card reveling to be Fly Kamakuri #1. (LV4 Atk: 1400 Def: 900)
"Flying Kamakuri #1 effect activates, when it's destroyed in battle, I can special summon a wind attribute monster with 1500 or less attack from my deck. I'll choose to summon this card, Haripe Lady 1 (LV4 Atk: 1300 - 1600 Def: 1000)" The monster that appeared was a woman that wore very little on it's upper body. She had long, dark pink hair annd pointy ears, and instead of of hands and fee she had Talons. She also had green feathery wings on her arms. "Her passive effect is, she gives all wind monsters, including the oponents monsters a 300 attack boost. Brining her up to 1600 ttack points."
"Eh? You play cards like that?" Walter asked, confused that he would have such a monster.
"It's only at one copy though. No need to consern yourself with it." He simpy stated.
"I place two cards facedown and end my turn." Walter ends her turn.
Hand 3
"It's go time, I draw!" Red Hat draws.
Hand 5
"I play the spel card Terraforming! With this, I can add a field spell from my deck to my hand. It's a card I'll play right away wich is the field spell Rising Air Current!" As Red Hat added said card to his hand, a side slot in the duel disk opened up, where he placed the card inside as it closed up. The field was change to imagery of the sky, with an occasional eagle passing by.
"Wow, it's like we're floating in the sky!" A girl said, amazed by the field spell.
"An eagle even passes by. So cool." A boy added.
"Never knew the sky was this big..." Lara said.
"Rising Air Current increases all wind attribute monsters attack points by 500, but they lose 400 defense points." Red Hat explained as his monster's power was increased. (Atk: 1600 - 2100 Def: 1000 - 600) "Next, I summon Gusto Codor in attack mode! (LV3 Atk: 1000 - 1800 Def: 400 - 0)" A white vulture with green feathers came flying down onto the field. It wore what appeared to be armor around it's ehad and torso.
"Does he have a winged beast deck? Cause it certainly looks like it, with all the birds showing up." A boy questioned.
"If I know Mr. Red Hat well, he has more then just basic winged beast monsters in that deck." Lara stated.
"You're certinly confident that he's going to win. You think he's going to win this?" Another boy questioned.
"Even if he's not using his real deck. I know he can win this. After all, this is the same guy that saved me and took down security." Lara said with such confidence.
"You got a point there." A girl replied.
"Battle, Gusto Codor attack his X-Saber Anu Piranha!" The gusto bird flew up before diving right at the warrior.
Walter was confused by this move. "But why? Both monsters are just going to crash! Why not attack with that Harpie first?"
Red Hat raised two fingers and lowered them for each reason. "One; to activate it's effect. Two; you might want to pay attention to my trap card. Go, Blast with Chain! With this card, I equip it to my Gusto Codor and it gains 500 extra attack points!" Some dynimte was placed on the vulture as it slamed the female warrior as it flew away. (LV3 Atk: 1800 - 2300 Def: 0)
Walter: 8000 - 7500 LP
"Gusto Codor effect now activates. When it destroys a monster by battle, I can special summon a wind psychic type monster with 1500 or less defense from my deck to my hand. Appear, Reeze, Whirlwind of Gusto! (LV5 Atk: 1900 - 2700 Def: 1400 - 1000)" The bird began to make a call and in turn a woman emerged onto the field. She had green hair in two ponytails on both sides with orange tinting on the bottom halfof her hair. She wore a green top that showed her stomach, a green scarf around her neck, a short green skirt with a bulky brown belt warpped around her waist, long green stockings and woredark flat wooden sandals. She carried a bulky staff with a green crystal contected to the staff.
"Woah! 2700 attack points with all of that?!" Walter gasped, seeing how power his new monster is.
"Exactly, ow Reeze, attack him directly!" Reeze nodded and started a chant and blew heavy winds at Walter, knowing him down to the ground.
Walter: 7500 - 4800 LP
"Now, Harpie Lady attack Walter directly!" The Haripe Lady flew towards Walter and slashed him with her talons.
Walter: 4800 - 2700 LP
"I set one card facedown and end my turn." Red Hat ends his turn.
Hand 2
"Woah, Walter almost lost there!" A boy pointed out.
"He was lucky Mr. Red Hat didn't have more monsters out." A girl added.
"I wonder what he's playing though? It's something else then what he's used to." Lara said.
"For what he's doing, I'd say he's doing very well." Another boy aknowledge.
"Grr, okay it's time I stop playing around! It's my turn, I draw!" Walter draws.
Hand 4
"Alright I play my continuous trap card, Call of the Haunted! I bring back X-Saber Anu Piranha! (LV4 Atk: 1800 Def: 1100)" The female warrior remerged onto the field. "Now I summon the tuner monster, X-Saber Airbellum in attack mode! (LV3 Atk: 1600 Def: 200)" Air Bellum appeared onto the field.
"Wait, is he going to summon him?!" One of Walter's friends questioned.
"You bet I am! Since I control at least 2 X-Saber monsters on my field. I can special summon this card! Appear my mighty warrior, XX-Saber Faultroll! (LV6 Atk: 2400 Def: 1800)" A large warrior with bulky red armor emerged onto the field. His face was covered by a red helmet, wore a red cape and held a heavy sowrd with glowed with blue energy.
"That's one of Walter's best cards!" A girl cried out.
"What does that card do?" Lara asked, ot understading what made it so special.
"You'll see what I he can do! But first I tune level 3 X-Saber Airbellum with level 4 X-Saber Anu Piranha!" The X-Saber turned into three stars that circled around the female X-Saber before turning into circles of green light. Both their bodies turned transparent and revealed 4 starts and lined up before creating a ray of light. "Come forth level 7 , X-Saber Souza! (LV7 Atk: 2500 Def: 1600)" A warrior with bulky armor emerged onto the field. He wore a red messy cape, lacked armor on his upper torso, and carried two sowrds at once.
"Sorry to say this, but your monster isn't staying on the field." Red Hat spoke up.
"Huh?! What do you mean?!" Walter questioned.
"Go, counter trap! Black Horn of Heaven! When you would special summon exactly one monster on your field. I can negate the summon of your monster and destroy it! I'll send your monster packing!" A black horn with demon wings appeared as Reeze grabbed hold of it. As she blew through the horn, creating and ominous sound being heard. Soon the sky was covered in dark clouds before Souza was blasted with black lightning and was destroyed.
"Gah! You stopped my synchro monster that easily?" Walter asked, not believing he would down his monster that easily.
"I'm lucky I found this card out in the streets. It's a nice card to have. Even if only usable agaist one monster." Red Hat replied.
"That doesn't mean I'll stop here! First up, I'll activte the trap card, At One with the Sword! I can only activate this if I only control one X-Saber monster! I'll equip Falutroll with this card to give him an extra 800 attack points!" Faultroll sword was replaced with and even bigger sowrd with glowing blue energy. (LV6 Atk: 2400 - 3200 Def: 1800)
"Interesting play you got there. Got anything else in store?" Red Hat questioned, finding it amusing how mush he was trying.
"I'm not done yet. I'll use Faultroll's effect. Once per turn, I can special summon a level 4 or lower X-Saber monster from my graveyard! I'll choose to bring back X-Saber Anu Piranha! (LV4 Atk: 1800 Def: 1100)" The female warrior remerged onto the field. "Last up, I play my field spell Gaia Power!" The curret field spell was destroyed, weakening Red Hat's monsters. The sky filled area was soon replaced with a forest with a huge tree in the middle of the area. The tree was radiating a powerful aura.
"Another field spell?" A girl asked.
"It's like an adventure." A boy said.
"Never seen so many tress. Especially one as big as that." Lara added.
"Gaia Power gives all earth monsters on thefield 500 more attack points, but lower their defense points by 400 points. Guess what, all my X-Sabers are earth monsters!" Both X-Sabers gain aditional power, thanks to the field spell's influence. (LV6 Atk: 3200 - 3700 Def: 1800 - 1400) (LV4 Atk: 1800 - 2300 Def: 1100 - 700) "Since your field spell is gone, your monsters loose heir attack power!" He explains as Red Hat's monsters lost their attack points cause the old field spell was replaced. (LV4 Atk: 2600 - 2100 Def: 600 - 1000) (LV3 Atk: 2300 - 1800 Def: 0 - 400) (LV5 Atk: 2700 - 2200 Def: 1000 - 1400)
"3700 attack points! That mosnter is too powerful!" One of Walter's friends pointed out.
"How is he destroying that monster? He'll have to summon a very powerful monster just get rid of it!" A girl pointed out.
"Mr. Red Hat isn't out yet. He'll find a way out." Lara was certain Red Hat would find a strategy.
"Here's the answer. I won't, least not in the way you kids think." Red Hat replied with a smirk.
All the gasped at what he just said. What he mean by that? Did he already have a plan on how to deal with this kind of situation?
"If you're so confident, Walter. Then pick which targets you want to destroy. Choose wisely." Red Hat taunted, feeling confident on his next move.
"Then let's battle! Anu Piranha attck his Harpie Lady!" The female warrior leaps forward and slashed the harpie with her sword.
Red Hat: 8000 - 7300 LP
"Now that your Haripe Lady 1 is gone. Your monsters loose that 300 attack points boost!" Walter pointed out as Red Hat's monsters lost their extra attack points. (LV3 Atk: 1800 - 1500 Def: 400) (LV5 Atk: 2200 - 1900 Def: 1400)
"Now, Faultroll attack that Codor! Blue Lightning Strike!" Faultroll readied his sword as it began to glow bright blue. He then swung his sword and unleased a powerful blast of blue light mixed with blue lightning as itstruck the vulture and decimated it.
Red Hat: 7300 - 5100 LP
"My trap's second effect activates! When the equped monster destroys an opponents monster by battle, I get to draw one card!" Walter explained as he drew his card. "I set one card facedown and end my turn!" Walter ends his turn.
Hand 1
"What's he going to do now? Walter is going to have full control of the duel at this point!" One of Walter's friends pointed out.
"Mr. Red Hat will find a way." Lara insisted.
"It's my turn, I draw!" Red Hat draws.
Hand 3
Red Hat looks at his hand smiles. "You misplayed back there."
Walter looked at him confused. "Eh? Just what are you talking about?"
"Are you aware of Reeze, Whirlwind of Gusto's effect?" He questioned, finding the situation rather amusing.
"Um, you never told us what she does." A girl pointed out.
"Yeah, what does she even do?" Walter asked impaiently.
"You'll find out soon enough. I summon Gusto Thunderbolt in attack mode! (LV4 Atk: 1500 Def: 1200)" A green tinger-like creature emerged onto the field. It wore armor around it's torso and its lower back, while having some sort of horn, which seem to generate electricity.
"What are you going to do with that?" Walter wuestioned, not understanding his plan.
"I use Reeze's effect, once per turn, by returning one card in my hand to the bottom of the deck, I target a monster you control and a face-up Gusto monster I control; I switch control of those targets. Guess what I choose? I choose to take control of your Faultroll and you can have Gusto Thunderbolt!" With her power, Reeze send Gusto Thunderbolt to the opponents field, while Faultroll came over to her side.
"Eh! You get to choose which monster we switch?" Walter gasped, surprised that his monster was stolen.
"Battle, Faultroll attack his X-Saber Anu Piranha!" Faultroll readied his sword. He grabbed the female warrior and impaled her with his sword radiating with energy as she was destroyed.
Walter: 2700 - 1300 LP
"The effect of your trap activates. Since a monster was destroyed in battle, and you still control that trap card. You get to draw the card, not me." Red Hat clarified
"Uh... I actually didn't know that, thanks." Walter thanked as he drew his card from his trap's effect.
"Not done yet, Reeze attack Gusto Thunderbolt!" Reeze nodded and launched an energy ball from her staff and destroyed her former partner.
Walter: 1300 - 900 LP
"Gusto Thunderbolt's effect activates. When he's destroyed in battle after the battle phase, by banishing a Gusto monster, including himself, I can special summon a wind psychic type monster with 1500 or less defense points from my deck. Appear Winda, Priestess of Gusto! (LV2 Atk: 1000 Def: 400)" A woman, only slightly shorter then Reeze appeared onto the field and went down to a knee. She had green eyes with gree hair tied to a messy ponytail. She was wearing a brown robe with a white dress and black spats underneath, and wore wooden sanbdals. She was holding a staff, similar to Reeze, only her gem was green instead of blue.
"Why summon her of you're not going to do anything with her? What can she even do anyway?" Walter asled, not understanding his plays.
"You'll find out soon enough. I set one card and end my turn." Red Hat ends his turn.
Hand 0
"Alright, I'm not fooling around anymore! It's my turn, I draw!" Walter draws.
Hand 3
"I play the spell card, The Warrior Returning Alive! With this, I can add a warrior type monster from my graveyard to my hand. I choose, X-Saber Souza! But, shince he 's a synchro monster, he goes back to my extra deck instead!" Walter explained as he returned his card to it's respective place.
Red Hat chuckled at the play. "I'm surprised you actually knew that."
Walter scowled at his comment. "Are you making fun of me?! I've known this for a while!"
"It's true." One of Walter's friends spoke up. "Walter is the one to duel the most out of all of us. He was the first one to figure it out. Grated it was during a duel."
"Hey! Don't tell him the story!" Walter protested, not wanting to remember his embarrassing misplay.
"Nothing to be ashamed of. We all learn new things, no matter how simple." Red Hat replied. "You don't learn everything in one day. There's some things even professional duelists still don't know about, myself included."
"It's true." Lara agreed. "Red Hat taught me a few things I didn't even know existed. We also threw the officers we dueled the other day off guard."
"Alright, here's my move. I summon X-Saber Palamuro! (LV1 Atk: 200 - 700 Def: 300 - 0)" A gree reptile like warrior emerged onto the field. It wielded a shrt sword. "Then, I play my trap card, Gottoms' Emergency Call! Since I control an X-Saber monster, I can special summon up to two X-Saber monsters from either of our graveyards! And guess what, I summon these two back onto the field! Come back, X-Saber Anu Piranha and X-Saber Airbellum! (LV4 Atk: 1800 - 2300 Def: 1100 - 600) (LV3 Atk: 1600 - 2100 Def: 200 - 0)" Gottoms emerged onto the field and called forth both X-Sabers returned onto the field for support before disappearing.
"That's why you waited for that, didn't you? So you can summon him again." Red Hat sarcastically asked, already knowing the answer.
"You got that right. Let's try this one more time! I tune level 3 X-Saber Airbellum with level 4 X-Saber Anu Piranha!" The X-Saber turned into three stars that circled around the female X-Saber before turning into circles of green light. Both their bodies turned transparent and revealed 4 starts and lined up before creating a ray of light. "Come forth level 7 , X-Saber Souza! (LV7 Atk: 2500 - 3000 Def: 1600 - 1100)" X-Saber Souza remerged onto the field. "Next, I play my second Gottoms' Emergency Call! I bring back the same monsters I jnust used! (LV4 Atk: 1800 - 2300 Def: 1100 - 600) (LV3 Atk: 1600 - 2100 Def: 200 - 0)" Gottoms emerged onto the field and called forth both X-Sabers returned onto the field for support before disappearing once again.
"That's quite the field pressence you got there." Red Hat complimented.
"I'm still not done! I use Souza's effect. I tribute an X-Saber monster to activate one of his effects until the end phase! I'll choose, when he attacks a monster it will immediately be destroyed! So, I'll tribute X-Saber Palamuro!" The reptile transformed into particles and was absorbed into Souza's twin swords.
"This means, you're desperate to take me down." Red Hat noted.
"Battle, X-Sabe Souza attack and destroy Faultroll!" Souza charged up power and laucnhed an X-formed attack at Faultroll from his twin swords, thus destroying him. "Now, Anu Piranha, attack his Reeze this time!" The female warrior got in close and swung her sword and slashedReeze,destroying her.
Red Hat: 5100 - 4800 LP
"Airbellum attack his Winda!" The beast-like warrior leaped forward and slashed it's armored claws at Winda, destroying her.
"Winda's effect activates. When she's destroyed in battle by an opponents attacking monster, I'm allowed to special summon a gusto tuner monster from my deck. I choose to summon this little guy, Gusto Falco! (LV2 Atk: 600 Def: 1400)" A snall green falcon flew onto the field after being called out by Winda. The small criter wore green armor around it and a small green helmet.
"Not sure what you will do with that, but okay. I set one card facedown and end my turn." Walter ends his turn.
Hand 0
"I quickly play my feacedown trap card, Dust Tornado! With this, your facedown card is destroyed!" A tornado appeared on the field and quickly blew away Walter's facedown, which was revealed to be Saber Hole.
"No! I needed that card!" Walter gasped as his card was destroyed.
"Wanting to negate my summon? Guess that's what you call, lucky." Red Hat commented.
"Do tell." The kids agreed with that statement.
"It's my turn, I draw!" Red Hat draws.
Hand 1
"I play the spell card Upstart Goblin! I draw 1 card and in exchange, you gain 1000 LP" He states as he drew his card.
"Eh? But why give me life points just for a draw?" Walter asked, confused at this move.
Walter: 900 - 1900 LP
"As he stated before. Life points doesn't actually mean anything." Lara repeated what Red Hat said earlier.
"Since when do you agree with everything he says?" A girl asked, not understabnding why Lara is so trusting of him.
"Hey, I don't always agree with what he says." Lara defended herself.
"I summon, Caam, Serenity of Gusto! (LV4 Atk: 1700 Def: 1100)" A girl that was shorter then Winda and Reeze appeared onto the field. She had the same green hair as the others, only hers was tied into a more neatly ponytail. She was wearing a brown robe, with a brown shirt and wore light brown shorts. Much like the other two girls before her, she wore wooden sandals, only her's was tied to her ankles. She carried a staff that resembled a sycthe and contain a green orb on top of the staff.
"You intend to synchro summon with her?" Walter asked, still not understanding what he had planned.
"Not yet. I use her effect, once per turn I can shuffle back two Gusto monsters back into my main deck to draw 1 card!" Red Hat shuffles back Gusto Codor and Winda, Priestess of Gusto back into his deck. The duel disk auto shuffled his deck, then he drew one card, smiled.
"This duel is over." He proclaimed.
This caused everyone to gasped in shock. "Eh?! How are you going to do that?" Walter asked, also flabergasted at what he claimed.
"You'll find out soon enough. I tune Gusto Falco and Caam, Serenity of Gusto!" Gusto Falco turned into two stars that circled around Caam before turning into circles of green light. Both their bodies turned transparent and revealed 4 starts and lined up before creating a ray of light. " Mgithy warrior of the winds, emerge and bring freedom and justice to the skys! Synchro Summon! Daigusto Sphreez! (LV6 Atk: 2000 Def: 1300)" As the light faded, a powered-up version of Reeze emerged onto the field, floating in th air. Her hair was now freed from it's twin-tails, she now wore sleeveless body armor on her torso, wore greentights and black boots. She had had a completely different staff and had some sort of attachment on her forhead.
'I'll be by your side, my lord.' Sphreez said to Red Hat.
Red Hat rubbed his eyes, thinking he heard someone else, but ignored it for now. "Daigusto Sphreez effect activates. When she's synchro summoned, I can add back a Gusto monster from my graveyard to my hand. I choose Caam herself." He explained as he added back his card.
"How do you intend on winning? She only has 2000 attack points. It can't beat any of my monsters!" Walter pointed out, not impressed by said monster.
"Don't always judge monsters by their attack points. Battle, Sphreez attack his X-Saber Souza!" She nodded and used the winds and flew to Souza as she tried to strike him with her staff.
"Just what are you doing? Souza, show hwe who's boos! Counter attack!" Souza retaliates and strikes Daigusto Sphreez, only for het to block the attack with her staff, stuggling to hold back the attack.
"Eh?! She wasn't destroyed?!" Walter wondered how that monster wasn't destroyed.
"Daigusto Sphreez effect, she can't be destroyed in battle. She also has another effect. Show him how it's done!" Sphreez nodded and pulled away from the attack, only to strike Walter with an energy blast from her staff.
Walter: 1900 - 900 LP
"How come I took damage?!" He complained.
"Daigusto Sphreez other effect. Any battle damage that I would have taken from battles involving Gusto monster are inflicted to my opponent instead!"
"So what? You didn't finish me off, since you gave me LP with that spell card! Next turn, I'll defeat you!" Walter boasted.
"There won't be a next turn. I activate the quick play spell I drew, thanks to Caam's effect. I play the quick play spell, Emergency Teleport! with this, I can special summon a level 3 or lower psychic-type monster from my hand or deck! I choose to summon Winda, Priestess of Gusto! (LV2 Atk: 1000 Def: 400)" Winda emerged onto the field once more.
'So, this is it huh?' Winda asked Sphreez.
She nodded. 'You know what to do. Attack and we'll retaliate in response to the attack.'
'Then, this is it! Hero Dogma style!' Winda noted.
Red Hat ignored the voices and the conversation from his monsters. 'I have to be loosing it.' He thought, before continuing. "Winda, end this duel! Attack Souza!" Winda nodded and leaped forward with her staff pointing directly at the X-Saber.
'Let's go,Hero Dogma style!' As she attack the X-Saber, Souza counter attacks with hs twin swords, knocking her back. As Winda was knocked down, Sphreez moved forward and launched a blast at Walter, deflecting the damage back at him and depleting the rest of his LP
Walter: 900 - 0 LP
As the holograms disappeared, Walter went down to his kness as he slammed his fists at the ground.
"How could I lose that badly!" Walter whinned.
The purpose of this duel wasn't for me to win." Red Hat attempted to calm him down.
"Then, what was the point of this duel, Mr. Red Hat?" Lara asked.
"The purpose of this duel was meant to be a learning experience. It didn't really mattered if I lost the duel. This duel was meant so we both can learn and improve our dueling skills." Red Hat further clarified.
"Well, I certainly learned something today! A girl replied. With all the other kids also aggreeing with her.
"Tch, learning or not. i'll get you next time! You can count on it!" Walter then stormed off back the orphanage.
Red Hat sweat dropped as Walter stromed off. "He's quite a handful isn't he?"
"He'll get over it soon enough. There's nothing to worry about." A boy answered.
"Walter always acts like this." The same girl replied and giggled at his expense.
"I hope he calms down. Being this angry over something so trival is not healthy." Red Hat noted, hoping he didn't make him too angry.
Everyone would soon head back to the orphanage to continue their merry day, which cheers and playtime until the evening where they would have dinner. However, someone wasn't so happy and it wasn't one of the kids.
Later that Night
It was now late at night, with all the lights turned off. All the kids were now sleeping in their proper rooms or proper places around the orphanage. However, one paticular person is fully awake and got all of his things ready. Red Hat got all of his things, even his final deck fully loaded in their proper deck boxes.
'Im sorry everyone, but I can'tstay here any longer.' He thought as he turned to see the currently empty living room. The last thing he wanted was for the kids to get involved with his affairs. We ws being followed and hunted down by Sector Security. He doesn't these kids to suffer because he was around.
'So long everyone. I wish you all the best of luck. Keep faith... all of you...' He thought with a solemn look on his face. He slowly left through the door and closed it. After staring at the orphanage for a little longer, he quickly ran off, not planning to come back here.
What he didn't realize on the however, someone noticed he was leaving and decided to follow him.
Satellite Square
Red Hat was roaming around the Satellite Square, hoping to find the fastest possible way to head back to the so-called Daebalus Bridge where he hid his boat. He had to admit, he had to tred a lot more carefully at night. Not only to avoid Sector Security who were clearly hunting him down. He also ahd to aoid any confrontation with any untrustworthy people.
'This place sure feels haunted with no one here. Not even a light source besides the moon.' He observed and continued walking. He made sure to avoid the streets, as that was asking to be caught. He also made sure to stay away from major buildings and stayed put when he spotted patrols. One thing was certain. Returing back to the shorline was no easy task, but this was his best chance at leaving the Satellite for good.
'Even if I have to walk around the entire sector. I will escape from here.' He thought as he took the long way around the Satellite Square and did his best to make it to the shoreline.
As if fate were playing a cruel joke on him. His cover would soon be blown.
"Freeze!" A familiar voice called out.
As soon as the command was given. Red Hat was surrounded by many lights and various Sector Security officer, all pointing their weapons at him. Some even stepped out of their vehicles with their weapons also ready. Red Hat had no chice and stood down. One wrong move and he could kiss his ass, goodbye.
"You're under arrest!" The familiar voice came from Dean, one of the many officers in the area.
"Was I really that reckless?" He asked to seemingly nobody. 'I thought I was being stealthy here? Was I really that foolish to believe this would be easy?'
"There's nowhere for you to run! We have you surrounded!" Dean spoke up. "Try and resist and we will shoot warning shots!"
"Tch, you guys are a real piece of work, aren't you?" He asked, mocking their attempts to threaten him. "What makes you think I'm going to care?"
Dean sighed, knowing he would be this defying. "Maybe this would change your mind! Lioside, mind if you come out with the hostage!" He snapped his fingers after calling out the officers name. Who would come forward would immediately shock Red Hat.
The officer known as Lioside came forward, only with a hostage. Not just any hostage, the hostage he held tightly was none other then the same girl he rescued a week ago.
"Lara!" Red Hat called out,shocked to see that she was captured by the very last people he wanted to see.
Lara sniffed as she tried to hide her tears. "I'm.. sorry, Mr. Red Hat! I'm sorry for following you!"
"Lara, that was stupid! You should have stayed behind!"
This girl was following you around, yet she was noticed by me and a few other of our men." Lioside explained as she held onto Lara tightly.
Flashback
Lara went down stairs to get herself some glass of water, only to realize that Red Hat was not on the couch where he usually was. After getting some water, she thought he would be at the backyard or in the front yard, but he was nowhere to be found.
'Where did you go, Mr. Red Hat?' She asked in a low voice. She looked around the area, only to spot a silloute running away from the sight. She must have gotten the idea that he was running away or going somewhere. But where, was her question. 'Mr. Red Hat, where are you going?'
She quickly put on her shoes and tried her best to follow hhis trail to where ever he was going. One thing was for sure, something was clearly wrong with him.
Despite trying her best to keep up with him. She realised he was long gone and was now completely lost in the main Satellite Square. While she wouldn't have too much of a problem in the daytime. Night time was a completely different story. She had little to no idea where she was even going now.
'I could have sworn he went passed here?' She thought, believeing he would be somehwere in this area. 'Where di you go?'
As she continue to run off, desperately trying to find Red Hat's trail. As she reached on of the buildings in anattempt to hide. Her mouth was immediately covered by a large hand.
Thinking she was caught by a gang member or some criminal, she could only assume the worst and closed her eyes, waiting her fate. When none of that happened, she opened her eyes to see her captor, only to realize she was captured by a Sector Security officer.
"At last, we finally caught you." The officer said as she dragged her back to his vehicle. "You'll make a fine bargening chip for the one in the red hat.
Lara eyes widened, realizing what she actualy was. She was being used as bait to force Red Hat to come out and surrender. She wanted to scream, but she knew there was no point in doing so. She was caught and there was nothing she can really do about it.
The offcier soon drived off, hoping to head to a destination where he could find his primary target at the moment.
Flashback end
"You wasted so much of our time!" Lioside spoke up. "If you had cooperated with us earlier, we wouldn't have to resort to using a hostage as bait!"
Red Hat frowned at the explaintion he was given. He also gritted his teeth at the obvious lie. "What a load of bull. You guys are not above underhanded tactics. You knew very well she was also a primary target, and not for the reasons you claim. Cut to the chase, I know you hve no intention of releasing her!"
Lioside merly scoffed at his comment. "Who's fault was it to come here? Who's fault was it to interact with Satellite scum? Who's fault was it to duel Sector Security offciers? And who was it that attacked us while we tried to pursue you? That wasn't us!" He pointed at Red Hat. Tthat was all of your doing. You did all of that at your own free will! Now, you're a primary target! We gave you a chance to explain yourself and we gave you a choice. You chose to become criminal, so you'll be treated as such!"
"What will you do to Lara! She's not involved in any of this?!" Red Hat asked, already not liking the answer he wasgoing to be given.
"She's be taken to a reeducation center. She will also be given a warning and be marked, just like that other punk we caught several years back." Lioside explained.
"Why you! I won't let you get away with this!" Red Hat spat with anger.
The offciers all laughed at him. "Just what are you possibly going to do?!" Dean asked.
"Fight back, and the both of you will have a one way ticket to the facility!" Wade shot back.
"Turn yourself in and spare yourself the humilation." Georg chimed in.
Red Hat griited his teeth as he took off his empty duel disk. "Fine you win... I'm coming over."
"Good, now come here to be restrained." Lioside said as he let go of Lara and got out his handcuffs.
Red Hat slowly walked over to him, ony his eye sparkled when it was the correct time. "Here! Think fast!" He yelled as he tossed the duel disk at Lioside, hitting dead in the stomach, causing him to let go of the handcuffs and clutched his stomach. Red Hat ran quickly only to slam into him, knocking down as he took Lara's hand and began to ran off.
"Mr. Red Hat?! Ahhh!" She yelled as she was being dragged aound only for him to pick her up ad held her as he kept on running.
The offciers quickly went back to their vehicles as Dean helped out Lioside. "After him! Don't let him escape!" Dean ordered as he helped his partner back into the vehicle and drove off.
"I'll be fine! Don't let those two escape anyway! Not even the forbidden area!" Lioside replied, recovering from the assault. "Now, he's definitely getting arrested for assaulting a police officer. No more mercy!" The small group of Sector Security offciers drove off, in persuit of the duo. Knowing full well they can't go far on foot no matter how much they tried to flank them.
Shorline
Red Hat and Lara have been running away from Sector Security for quite some time now. Despite their best efforts to flank their positions from multiple buildings and passage ways. Sector Secuirty would always find and pursue them with ease. It was at this point where Red Hat was getting desperate and wanted to get them off his back. They were currently hiding in a bulding nearby the shoreline, just a few meters away from the Daebalus Bridge.
"We can't keep this up. Eventually they will trap us." He whispered to Lara.
"What are we going to do? We can't fight them and you can't take them on by yourself." Lara quietly screamed.
"Only one thing left to try and it's very risky." He replied with a serious look.
Lara looked at him confused. What did he mean one last thing? As far as she knew, there was no escape. If they tried to run away, they'll just chase after them. It didn't look like they would back off anytime soon. So what was he planning. What she found curious was that Red Hat found two seperate plastic bags. In one bag he put in all his deck boxes in them and tied it up nice and tight. While he put the first bag inside the second and repeated the action of wraping it and sealing it nice and tight. Just what was he up to.
"If you want to know. We're taking a dip into the ocean." He quietly spoke up.
Lara wanted to scream out to protest, but Red Hat covered her mouth as if on instinct. He let go of her mouth once she was able to keep her voice down. "What! Isn't that dangerous! The water is also very cold at night!"
"Sector Security aren't going to stop. They'll keep coming after us no matter what we do." He began to explain. "Once we're close enough to the Daebalus Bridge. We're going to jump into the water and swin underwater until we reach the bridge. Under that bridge is where I left behind a boat. Also, that gives us a chance to evade security. That should give us enough time to leave the Satellite and head to new domino city."
"We're going to New Domino?!" She gasped quietly. "Do you have somewhere to go?!"
He nodded. "Yes, I have a home I'm renting for now. We'll take the boat to and reach the docks. There, I'll carry you to my home. We'll have to go quickly, it's not a ideal season for swimming."
Lara took his hand and graped it tightly. "I trust you, Mr. Red Hat."
"Why did you follow me anyway?" He asked with solemn look on his face. He never wanted her to folow him. He wanted her to stay safe back the orphanage. "You were much safer at the orphanage. I never wanted you to suffer because of my actions."
"The kids mean well, but everyone else either ignores me or treats me badly." She whispered with a down look. "I feel like I don't belong with anyone. You were the first one to help me and give me kindness, beyond Martha and some of the kids."
Red Hat took hold of her hand tightly. "If that's what you wish, then I won't stop you." He then gave her a serious look. "We're about to do something dangerous, so do what I tell you, okay?"
Lara nodded. "I understand."
Red Hat picks her up as he held his decks in the bag that was sealed twice. "Then let's get a move on."
As they left the building to run as fast asRed Hat could muster. Sector Security officers spot them them and began chasing them again.
"Get back here!" Lioside shouted at them.
"I can give them warning shots, sir." Georg suggested.
"Neagtive, unless you want to be fired for shooting a civilian, we need them unharmed!" Dean called out.
Red Hat kept running and was closing in on the Daebalus Bridge. "We're almost there. Get ready Lara!"
Lara held on tightly onto Red Hat's neck. "I'm ready, let's hope this doesn't backfire."
"Here we go!" Red Hat ran as fast as he could. Even taking off his hat and gave it to Lara to hold onto it. As soon as they reached the sea water. He jumped forward and splashed right onto the water and sunk while carrying Lara.
The officers took notice of the splash and moved forward to investigate it. "They both jumped into the sea water?!"
"Don't let them fool you! Keep an eye on the water! Look around the area if you have to! They can't get too far from here!" Lioside ordered as all the current officers split up to look around the shoreline.
Meanwhile, Red Hat was desperately trying to swim as deep as he could and attempting to get as close to the Daebalus bridge where his boat was. While Lara had her eyes closed, Red Hat struggled to see underwater at this time of night.
'Come on, almost there. Can't hold our breath much longer...' He thought. continuing to push himself forward while trying not to float back onto the surface.
It wouldn't take him long, but he was able to grab onto a piece of metal, which happened to be the boat he hid away. Lucky for him, Sector Security wasnt there yet, so he slowly risen from the water, so he could take a deep beath with Lara following suit.
Lara began coughing up and she got herself on the boat. She began trembling from not just the cold, but from being soke in cold water at ight. Noticing this. Red Hat took off his jacket and placed around Lara as she curled herself into a ball, shivering from the cold.
"Just hold on. I need to make sure the coast is clear." He pointed out as he stayed in the water and swam away from the boat and stayed low while grabing one of the woeden pillars of the bridge.
Sector Security have been searching all over the shoreline. Even checking the Daebalus Bridge area. Only to find nothing of the whereabouts of their targets.
"Sir, they don't seem to be anywhere around here!" Wade called out.
"They couldn't have gone too far! Keep searching the waters!" Lioside ordered as he searched for his targets further up the area.
They kept their search and looked as far and wide into the shoreline, only to find nothing in the slightest.
"Sir, they don't seem to be here!" Georg called out.
"They could have tried to swim further pass the bridge. They must have used it as a decoy to avoid us." Lioside thought out.
"Could they have commited suicide?" Wade questioned.
Deam shook his head and scoffed at him. "He's not the type to kill himself or a little girl. They must still be running away."
"Keep looking! We'll go further up the shorline and try to find them in the area and the buildings! Let's move!" Lioside commanded as all memebrs began moving away from the Daebalus Bridge.
Red Hat, still clinging onto the wooden pillar swam back to his boat the moment Sector Security was no longer in sight. "That was close..." He panting, shivering from the cold air abd from being soaked of ocean waters. He then noticed Lara's shivering was getting worse and she tried to sleep. He got back on the boat and shook her gently. "Lara... don't fall asleep. Sector Security took off far away. We are safe for now."
She kept shiverig, but was able to sit up with Red Hat's jacket still covering her. "Are.. they... gone...?"
Red Hat nodded. "They are gone. This is our one and only chance to leave. Get ready to see some new sights." He said as he started the engine of the boat. He hope that the engine would cause so much noise, especially out here. Otherwise, that would alert Sector Security to their pressence.
As if by some miracle. While the boat's engine caused some noise. They were able to successfully leave the shorline, past the bridge without being seen or heard by Sector Security. Red Hat sighed in relief as he keep riding the boat back to the old docks of New Domino.
"We... actually.. did it?" Lara asked, still shivering. Staring in disbelief that they were able to escape Satellite and are now heading to New Domino city.
"We did it. It wasn't easy, and with a stroke of luck, we evaded Sector Security and escaped from the Satellite." He replied as he focused his attention at making it all the way. He was still surprised he was able to make it this far, but now wasn't the time to worry about trivial manners. He now complicated things bringing Lara back with him. He'll just have to figure things as time goes by.
It would only take a while, but Red Hat was able to dock the boat at the old docks of New Domino City. As he secured the boat with the same piece of rope. He got off the oat annd took hold of Lara and carried her on his back. Knowing she was in no condition to walk in such a state. After putting his hat back on and checking the area to see that nobody was watching. He quickly ran off with Lara, all the while staying far away from the mai roads and sidewalks until he reached his own home.
After taking another long while, he was able to make it to his house. He put down Lara and got out his keys to quickly open his door and entered his home with Lara right besides him. Quickly taking off their foot wear and socks and left it on the entrance. Lara even left his jacket on the floor of the entrance and closed the door. Red Hat turned on the light's toget some illumination inside.
"Head to the bathroom right pass that door, and take a shower to clean yourself up and dry up." Red Hat suggested.
Lara looked at him puzzled. "Do you have any clothes here? I don't have anything else to wear."
"We'll worry about that later. Just get cleaned up. You'll get sick otherwise." He pointed out.
"Okay... thanks for everything by the way." She thank, as she entered the bathroom.
As he heard the shower waters, Red Hat took off his shir and quickly began to look through his closet to find something else to wear and find something suitible for Lara. While he found nothing usale for Lara at the moment. The most he would offer her was a shirt that was clearly too big for her, but would have to do for the time being. at least, until her clothes would dry up after washig them.
'Having Lara living with me will only complicate things. I need to be very careful around her and if I decide to travel around with her by my side. I can't leave her here all alone.' He thought, thinking about the situation he created himself. 'Life sure is stange sometimes.'
As he got out what he was going to wear. He heard the shower being shut off. Signaling that Lara had fnished cleaning herself off for the night. He opened the door and moved his arm passed the door. "Lara, here's a shirt you can use to cover yourself. It's not much but it's the best I got."
Lara, now fully covered in a towel that was left there nodded and took the shirt, as Red Hat closed the door to give her privacy. "Thanks Mr. Red Hat."
Red Hat would soon set up some covers on the floor, along with a spare pillow he left. He even placed a spare blanket next to the pillow. He took out his decks that somehow didn't get wet from the sea water and placed them on his desk where his computer was. As soon as he was done, Lara came out of the showers, now dressed in his overgrown shirt that barely reached her knees.
Lara noticed the pile of covers and blankets well organized. "Is this where I would be sleeping?"
Red Hat nodded. "This will be where you'll be sleeping in. Got as many blankets so that you'd be comfortable." He tapped her shoulder and smiled. "Get some rest. You been through enough already."
"I will, thanks Mr. Red Hat." Lara smiled as she layed down on the pile of covers and covered herself with one of the blankets.
Red Hat smiled as he entered the restroom and began his own shower and took off his hat. 'I hope this action doesn't backfire on me. I never actually took care of a child before. I'm lucky I even have enough to give her... well, almost anything.' He thought as he calmed himself with his shower.
After getting himself dried up and got fully dressed . He placed all of his and Lara's wet clothes and placed them in a basket. Hoping he would be able to clean them up early in the morning.
'Time to rest easy. Tomorrow, I have to be ready and I need to get ready and get up early.' He thought as he got on his bed and slowly driffted into a dreamelss sleep.
Despite the duo sleeping peacefully, they were being watched by two seperate spirits. Only one of them watching over Lara in a protective manner. Red Hat's way of living would soon change forever.
A/N: Th escape is done, only now Red Hat is forced to stay with him. How will this change his way of living and how ill the others react? We'll find out next time.
Unlike my preivous works. I didn't want to do repteat the same idea or repeat the same idea on adapting Tag Force games. Since 5Ds Tag Force games are a lot looser when it comes to the Tag Force characters. So rather then adapt them, the story is loosely based around said few characters. Not all of them, of course, but enough of them so it feels different enough. Rather then join the main cast. In this story, Red Hat will be avoiding meeting the main cast until way way later. In any case, I'll see you next time.