Notes: Approaching the idea of Kalin as sheriff in a modern town just doesn't work if one applies realism. He would never pass the requirements. But we all want Kalin as sheriff and I say, Screw realism, especially when Crash Town is clearly meant to be like an Old West town where Kalin absolutely could have the position. I rewrote parts of this chapter so many times and finally settled on using an idea MoonlightTyger came up with about coursework as well as my own thoughts about the town staying its own thing to govern itself. Those thoughts were approved by XenoEmblem4TW as working for the show, so I'm going with that.

You've Got to Keep On

The rest of the day was both happy and busy. Kalin didn't get any chance to call Yusei until towards evening. When he did, he slipped into the lounge while Radley was chatting with townspeople at dinnertime.

Yusei looked very busy too, but he perked right up to see his old friend. "Kalin!" He smiled, setting down his tools. "How are you?"

"I'm great, honestly," Kalin said, in some surprise that it was actually true. "You?"

"Well, the WRGP is going to start in several weeks," Yusei said. "We're just making some last preparations for that."

"I see. Good luck with that."

Suddenly Yusei looked concerned, perhaps wondering if Kalin felt left out. "Would you want to enter?" he wondered. "There's still time."

Kalin blinked, utterly surprised now. ". . . I don't even have a Duel Runner," he stammered. "My motorcycle isn't one. Anyway, Radley wouldn't be well enough for something like that and I wouldn't want to leave him. There's still a lot to do here too; the town's still being rebuilt. . . ."

"Right. Of course." Yusei nodded, relaxing a bit. "I just wanted you to know you're welcome if you wanted to enter."

"Thanks, Yusei. Maybe another time," Kalin said.

He pondered on that for a moment. Dueling had been his life, to the point that Sector Security taking his deck had snapped his mind even more than being starved or beaten. And it had only been while dueling that he had felt alive while drowning in depression. But Turbo Dueling specifically . . . he only had bad memories of that. His only Turbo Duels had been when he was a Dark Signer. His stomach turned a bit at the thought of doing that some more. But maybe later, after he and the town had more time to heal, he would be up for trying. The old him would have found it a great adventure.

He wondered, though, how Radley might feel about it. It was something they could discuss for their future, perhaps. If he ever did enter a tournament like the WRGP that required teams, he liked to imagine himself entering with Radley and maybe Scotch. Radley had praised Scotch's dueling skills. Scotch would no doubt be ecstatic at the idea of being in a huge tournament. Radley, well . . . Kalin wasn't sure Radley really liked Turbo Duels either, even though he supplied the industry.

"Another time," Yusei agreed, bringing Kalin back to the present. He paused. "Was there something you wanted to talk about?"

Kalin hesitated a moment before plunging ahead with what he wanted. "I was wondering what Sector Security is going to do with Crash Town," he said. "The people want me to be sheriff and I want to accept, but I wasn't sure I'd be allowed to do that."

"I asked Trudge more about that after we got back," Yusei said understandingly. "He said that if the town could get its act together and prove it could run itself, Sector Security would keep taking a more hands-off approach to it. He said it looked like you'd got your act together. He was impressed." He smiled, looking proud.

"So I can be sheriff then?" Kalin perked up. "Would I need to attend the police academy?" He grimaced at that. Being surrounded by Sector Security sounded horrible, even though he hoped they really were turning over a new leaf. He was sure not all of them would be accepting of him being there. And if he had to board there for three or four months, what would happen with the town in the meantime?

. . . What about Radley too? He was just happy to not have to live alone, and he really shouldn't be alone right now, when he was healing.

Yusei gave him an encouraging smile. "Trudge acted like the town would be allowed to just elect who it wanted to get itself back on its feet. Of course, if they weren't able to handle the job, Sector Security would step in and take over. But although he didn't come right out and say it, he acted like he knew you'd be involved and he was okay with that."

"Really." Kalin rocked back. It all sounded too good to be true.

"He did say the sheriff and deputies should probably review some course work from the academy, and train to use their guns on the shooting range just in case, but he never said anything about having to attend the academy. I got the feeling Crash Town will still be pretty much its own thing."

Kalin nodded. "Course work. Fine." He paused again. "The people also want Radley to be mayor."

"That's great," Yusei smiled. "You two will work well together."

"We already do," Kalin smiled back. "Being here, with him . . . I feel so free."

"That's what I wanted for you, Kalin," Yusei said. "I'm really happy you have it."

"So am I," Kalin said. "And I wouldn't have it if you hadn't kept fighting for me. Thank you, Yusei."

Yusei smiled more. "It was worth it to see you happy again."

When Kalin hung up and headed back to the main room, he felt even more light and free. He was also deep in thought, which Radley immediately noticed. "What's on your mind?" he curiously asked.

Kalin sat down. "Yusei said that Trudge seemed okay with me taking on a position of power." He explained in more detail while Radley listened, intrigued.

"Really," he mused. "Just course work, huh?" He leaned back. "How would you feel about having deputies to help you out?"

". . . It would probably be a good idea," Kalin said. "Who?"

"Me and the Bunch," Radley said with a smirk. "With me as chief deputy. I'd enjoy working with you."

"But you're going to be the mayor," Kalin said in surprise.

"Oh, I'm sure I could do both," Radley said. "It's not like we're exactly rolling in crime here, thankfully. And we'd better not be ever again."

Kalin smiled a bit. "We could try it, at least, and see if it works out. I don't know how I feel about technically being higher in rank than you. I still consider that I'm working for you."

"You will be, if I'm mayor and technically hired you on," Radley said. "Even though I have no intention of pulling rank on you. From what you told me, we're going to have the leeway to do what we want. I guess that's one nice thing about a police force that heavily controls particular areas; they can turn a blind eye to certain things if they have a mind to or make things happen for people if they're feeling generous. Of course, it can backfire too." He grimaced. "Sector Security abused their power in the Satellite. Maybe they've been going too far the other way with Crash Town. But we know we'll govern it right, so in this case their hands-off approach will be to our benefit."

"As long as they don't suddenly turn on us someday and force us under their thumb," Kalin said in concern.

"Yeah." Radley frowned. "We'll make sure they don't. I won't let the town get run into the ground, and I know you won't either."

"I won't," Kalin agreed.

Radley leaned back. "So, what is Yusei up to?"

"He's getting ready for the WRGP," Kalin said. "He invited me to join."

Radley sobered. "Do you want to?"

Kalin shook his head. "Not now. Maybe next year, if they do it again. I don't know, though. I was thinking that if I ever did participate in something like that, I . . . I'd like to be teamed with you. Maybe Scotch for the third person. Is that something you'd ever be interested in?" Suddenly he felt awkward, his insecurity over asking clearly showing. He wasn't sure Radley would say Yes, and he dreaded being shot down.

Not that he wouldn't deserve it, after all the times he had shot Radley down.

Radley was definitely surprised now. ". . . Wow. Really?" He stared at Kalin. "You'd really want to be teamed with me? I couldn't even beat Lawton."

"He cheated!" Kalin insisted. "I saw your deck when you tested my dueling skills. Your deck is amazing!"

Radley started to smile, deeply touched. "It's pretty retro. I don't even have any Synchros."

"You don't need them," Kalin said. "Maybe you'd want to put in a couple to be in a tournament, but I don't think you'd have to."

Radley fell silent, pondering. ". . . I'm really touched, Kalin," he said at last. "And I hope I'll feel different by the time we could do something like that, but . . . I'm kind of leery of dueling right now. Losing, really. I don't wanna ruin it for you, and . . . I'm not really confident I could win. The thought of losing scares me because of what it led to when I lost before. I screamed at you that everything was your fault, and I'm so sorry. I was just scared and hurt and I'd snapped. But it was really my fault." He looked down. "It was all my fault."

"It wasn't your fault," Kalin insisted. "But I understand. I'm not leery of dueling, per se, but I am leery of Turbo Dueling. I would have to conquer those feelings before we could duel in a tournament like the WRGP."

Radley looked up in surprise. "Really, Kalin?"

Kalin nodded. "Maybe . . . if you want to, we could help each other overcome our fears."

Radley started to smile. "Yeah . . . I'd like that. And I know Scotch would be all-in. He'd practically levitate if you invited him to join your team."

Kalin laughed. "He would, wouldn't he."

"Oh yes." Radley chuckled.

Scotch plopped down with them. "What are we talking about?!"

Radley gestured to Kalin to go ahead.

"We were just talking about thepossibility of entering a dueling tournament sometime as a team," Kalin said. "I would want Radley for it . . . and you."

Scotch stared at him, starry-eyed. "Really?!"

"Really," Kalin said.

"Of course, it's just hypothetical right now," Radley said. "We wouldn't be entering this WRGP that's about to start. But I'm sure there will be other tournaments like that after I'm well again, and after the town is in good enough shape that we could leave it for a couple of days to enter."

"Yes!" Scotch exclaimed. "Let's do it! We can order Duel Runners, or have them custom-built, and get riding suits, and all that epic stuff!" He leaped up again, too excited to sit still.

Radley chuckled, happy to see him so happy. "I'm not really into the riding suit aesthetic," he admitted to Kalin. "Are those necessary?"

"Probably not," Kalin said. "I can't imagine Yusei wearing one either."

Radley nodded. "I mean, I know I'd look good in anything." He winked. "But I think classic black leather biker clothes are so much cooler."

"I'm sure you'd be allowed to wear what you like best," Kalin said.

"And on Duel Runners . . . I'd like black or dark blue," Radley mused. "I'd wanna customize it too."

"I don't know what I'd like yet," Kalin said. "I wouldn't want it to look anything like what I rode as a Dark Signer."

Radley nodded in understanding. "Well, you've got plenty of time to decide," he soothed. "We have no idea what tournament we'd even enter, and there's a lot we need to put ahead of something recreational like that."

". . . Would it be just recreational?" Kalin mused. "If we won, we'd get a lot of money. That could help with the town."

"I promise, we're fine for money," Radley insisted. "But that is a good point. If we enter, it should be to win." His eyes gleamed. "And we could promote the town! If we play especially well, people will get interested in us and the town and want to come see us!"

"Then the town would need to be ready to receive tourists," Kalin realized.

Radley nodded. "The town should be our first priority. Then we'll enter a tournament to get publicity." He looked genuinely excited now, almost as much as Scotch.

Scotch sat back down. "We need a team name!" he said.

"Hmm. Well, Team Crash Town would likely be in poor taste," Radley mused. "We don't want any crashing imagery for something like this."

Kalin pondered. He had been thinking of changing the town's name, but that was something he hadn't brought up yet. He wanted to call it Satisfaction Town. If Radley agreed, though, then Team Satisfaction might be a logical team name and Kalin wasn't sure he wanted to go there. The Enforcers had gone by that name too, and Kalin wasn't sure of what to think of using it when he would be the only original member of the Enforcers present. Especially if the other original members would be on a rival team. Somehow it didn't feel right.

Maybe he was just being silly, though. If they called the town Satisfaction, why not the team too? It was logical.

"What about Team Brando?!" Scotch broke into Kalin's thoughts.

Kalin stared at him. ". . . Why?"

"Because people always tell Radley he dresses like Marlon Brando in The Wild One," Scotch said proudly.

Radley chuckled at Kalin's expression. "Let's let Kalin think about it," he said. "The team was his idea, so I say he should name it."

Kalin hesitated a moment more before fully deciding to take the plunge. "I've been wanting to change the town's name," he said at last. "Crash Town doesn't sound very respectable."

"I agree, but what do you suggest?" Radley asked.

"I want to call it Satisfaction Town," Kalin said. "It has personal meaning for me. Team Satisfaction was an alternate name for the Enforcers . . . and it was here that I finally found my satisfaction after so long."

"Hmm." Radley leaned back, pondering. "You realize it could be misinterpreted by dirty-minded people?"

"It sounds better than Crash Town," Kalin insisted.

". . . I suppose it does," Radley mused.

"I like it!" Scotch said.

". . . Well, if we do call it that, then I was thinking the team name should be Team Satisfaction," Kalin continued. "Particularly if the idea is that we're promoting the town. But would that be wrong to call it that when I'd be the only original member present? And when the other original members would be on a rival team?" He shook his head. "Maybe it would seem like I replaced everyone."

"Why?" Scotch blinked. "I mean, bands do that all the time! They keep the same name when older members leave and others come!"

"This wouldn't be quite like that, though," Radley said. "I understand what Kalin's saying." He looked back to Kalin. "You're worried the others might consider it a slap in the face."

"Exactly," Kalin said. "Jack especially."

Radley nodded. "I think it's something you should discuss with them. If they're okay with it, I'm not opposed. Even though I'm afraid the name would make us the target of immature fools."

Kalin sighed. "It's not something we need to think about now, anyway. We can rename the town, put it back together, and then come back to this problem when we're ready for a tournament."

"Yeah." Radley smiled kindly. "We'll figure it out. Right now we should be thinking about the law enforcement issue. Scotch, bring everybody over here. We need to talk about the idea of all of us being the town's police."

"Really?! Sure!" Scotch's eyes gleamed and he bounded off to round up the rest of the Bunch.

Radley chuckled and leaned back. "I hope everybody will be cool with that idea. It shouldn't be much different from what we were already doing, at least."

Kalin hesitated. ". . . Do you really want to give that kind of responsibility to Billy, Virgil, and Clint, or any of them?" he asked. "How can you trust they won't run at the first sign of trouble?"

Radley sobered. "I can't," he admitted. "I don't think they would when they feel badly enough already, but of course I can't know for sure." He tiredly rubbed his forehead. "That's something we'll have to discuss."

Soon the Bunch was gathering around the table, brought by Scotch. Some of them looked intrigued, while others looked leery. "So what's this about us being police?" Billy asked.

Kalin explained again while they all listened. At the conclusion, seeing how reluctant some of them looked, Radley spoke up. "Of course, this is all purely voluntary. No one will be forced into the position. Really, as long as the town stays peaceful, we could probably manage with just Kalin and me as law enforcement. But we wanted to offer the chance to the rest of you as well."

"It's not that we don't want to," Clint said. "It's that we wonder if we're really worthy and will do justice to the positions." He looked down. "We don't want to let you down again."

Radley gave him a kind smile. "And it means a lot that you're concerned. If you don't feel ready, that's fine."

"Can you honestly say you would trust us to do it right?" Virgil asked. "After all we did?!"

". . . I think you'd try very hard not to let me down again," Radley said kindly.

The hesitation wasn't lost on them, and Virgil sighed and turned away in resignation. "Yeah, you'd just 'think.' What else could you do? You can't say you 'know.' Not after what we did."

"I could once," Radley said. "I hope I can again."

Several of the Bunch voiced their willingness to go ahead with the plan, while several others made it clear they would rather wait. The last few were undecided.

"We have more than enough," Radley said. "It's fine. So I guess we contact Trudge to find out what we need from here?"

"I think so," Kalin said.

Radley nodded. "We'll do that tomorrow."

xxxx

The day had been long and fulfilling and very interesting, and shortly after dinner Kalin felt it really was time to go back home to allow Radley a proper rest. The Bunch was very willing, and they hugged Radley Goodbye before the two set out on Kalin's motorcycle for the short trip back.

Kalin felt a bit of a thrill, somehow, as Radley hugged him for safety reasons. It felt good, and he knew Radley enjoyed the contact even aside from it being necessary right then. Radley loved being welcome to hug him.

Radley regarded Kalin curiously as they arrived home and got off to head inside. "Something is still on your mind," he mused.

". . . I should be thinking about the town, but I'm afraid I'm not," Kalin confessed. "Yusei's invitation still has me thinking. I'd never considered entering a big tournament before. It's exciting. The more I think about it, the more I like it."

Radley had to smile. "You still love dueling," he said. "I saw that in you when you first got here. You only came alive with the cards in your hands." He laid a hand on Kalin's shoulder. "In spite of whatever doubts you still have, I can see you would really like to enter this tournament and not wait for another. It's okay, Kalin. Don't worry about me or the town. We'll be fine."

Kalin shook his head. "I've just found a purpose again in looking after the town. I don't want to leave it again so soon. If I enter this WRGP to promote it, it's too soon. We're not ready to receive anyone."

Radley sighed with a smile of resignation. "Yeah, we're sure not."

"And I wouldn't even know who to have on my team," Kalin added. "Well, I guess Scotch could do it now, but who would be the other member?" He ducked his head, embarrassed. "I . . . really want to enter with you." He practically whispered that.

Radley looked at him, deeply touched. "Kalin. . . ." He pondered. "How much time is there before it starts?"

Kalin shook his head. "I'm not sure. . . . Probably not more than a month or so by now. Possibly a month and a half? Yusei just said several weeks. I haven't been paying attention to the advertisements."

"Hmm." Radley hesitated, then reached into his pocket. "I'll tell you what. Let's settle down and have a casual little duel before bed. Let's see if I can do it."

Kalin started. "Are you sure? I don't want you to push yourself."

"We'll just use a table," Radley said. "I'll admit I'm not up for standing and using a Duel Gun right now, but kicking it old-school should be fine." He laid a hand on Kalin's arm. "I wanted so badly for you to wanna be with me and do things with me, and if this tournament is this important to you now, I want to share in it with you. I think . . . knowing you really want me there with you, that will go a long way in helping me get well faster."

Kalin had to smile. "I really do want that, but only if you truly are well enough."

Radley gently squeezed his arm. "I can't promise, but I'll sure try."

". . . Do you even have a Turbo license?" Kalin awkwardly asked.

Radley chuckled. "Yeah, I do. I don't use it, but I do have it. So that's one hurdle we wouldn't have to worry about. How about you?"

". . . I'm not sure," Kalin realized. "If I do still have one, it was forged by Roman and isn't legal. I still don't know if I even have the strength to ride a Duel Runner after all I did to Yusei while riding one."

"Well . . . I actually have a Duel Runner," Radley confessed. "I don't ride it because I prefer my Harley and less dangerous methods of dueling. But you're welcome to try practicing on it. I keep it in a second room in my garage."

Kalin blinked. "You sounded like you didn't have one earlier," he said in surprise.

"I haven't really taken the time to customize it because I preferred working on my Harley," Radley said. "And I might need to touch up the paint some, but it's black. I was thinking of adding some dark blue . . . but I don't have to," he quickly added when he saw Kalin's expression. "There probably wouldn't be time for that anyway."

Kalin sighed. ". . . My Earthbound Immortal was black and dark blue," he admitted.

"Okay, scrap that then," Radley immediately said. "It'll be tough enough for you to Turbo Duel without another reminder of that dark time." He went over to the couch and pulled out a small TV tray and a game mat. "Let's just duel and see how that goes. One step at a time."

Kalin nodded and went over, taking out his own deck.

It was swiftly apparent that Radley really was haunted by his loss to Lawton. His hands shook as he played his cards, and the fear of losing was very prevalent in his eyes on every turn. Even though he knew nothing horrible would happen to him if he lost this duel, he was afraid anyway. Loss meant pain and suffering to him now.

Kalin hated to see him so miserable. "We don't have to keep going," he said. "It's obvious this is going to take time to work through. I don't see how we'll be ready for the WRGP. It's just too soon."

Radley sighed. "You're probably right, but if I don't duel, I can't start overcoming my fears. Anyway, in case you're fine, I . . . don't want to be what spoils this for you."

"I'll try out your Duel Runner tomorrow," Kalin said.

Radley nodded. "Cool. You should. Meantime, let's finish this duel."

It was a relief to both of them when Radley won. He had really needed a victory at this point to boost his confidence. He leaned back, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. ". . . Wow."

Kalin smiled. "You see? Your deck is good enough. Hardly anything gets past my Infernities."

Radley nodded. "I drew the right cards at the right times. That might not happen in the tournament, but it feels good it happened now." He smiled too. "I needed this right now. Thank you, Kalin."

Kalin started gathering his cards. "Thank you for being willing to face your fears for me," he said. "Tomorrow we'll find out how strong my fears are."

"If you feel like you can hack it, we should probably take a day trip to the City to just buy Duel Runners for you and Scotch in person," Radley said. "There wouldn't be time to have them shipped from somewhere."

"That would make more sense," Kalin agreed.

"And Scotch likes the riding suits, so he'll want one of those, I guess," Radley chuckled. "How about you, Kalin?"

Kalin shrugged. "I'm not sure. I can't wear my coat in a tournament, and I suppose I need something better than what I've been wearing around town . . ." He pulled at the material of his very casual shirt. ". . . But I'm not sure what I think of the riding suits either. You know what a nonconformist I am. They're really not my style."

"Well, we'll figure it out later," Radley said. "Maybe we can get you something spiffy that you're comfortable with."

"If I'm comfortable with Turbo Dueling," Kalin said.

"Yeah." Radley took up his deck and the game mat.

"For now, I'm going to listen to these other CDs and then go to bed," Kalin said.

"Cool. I'm gonna shower." Radley got up. "In case you're asleep when I'm done, I'll say Goodnight now."

Kalin smiled at him. "Goodnight."

Soon he was relaxing in his room with the new CDs and his thoughts. He could hear the shower going down the hall, and it was oddly comforting. This all still felt so peaceful, so domestic. He loved it. No doubt it was all better than he deserved, but it was making Radley happy too, so it surely couldn't be wrong to accept it.

He leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "Can I really do this, Yusei?" he whispered. "Can I be what Radley needs . . . what we both want? And can I really Turbo Duel and even enter a tournament without being overcome by guilt and grief?"

Yusei wouldn't have invited him if he hadn't felt Kalin could.

That was a comforting thought. Yusei had always seen more in Kalin than he saw in himself.

Radley did too.

Finally Kalin smiled. His loved ones were so amazing.

Suddenly his eyes widened in realization. He got up, hurrying to the bathroom door. "Radley?"

The water shut off. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. I just figured it out. We could call our team Satisfaction Town! It's perfect for promoting the town, but it's different from the Enforcers' name." Kalin couldn't keep the excitement out of his voice.

Radley chuckled good-naturedly, happy to hear him happy. "Team Satisfaction Town," he mused. "You're right, it fits. I like it."

Kalin turned away, smiling at the ceiling. "Team Satisfaction Town," he said softly.

Another piece of the puzzle had fallen into place. Maybe this really would work. And even if it wouldn't for this tournament, it surely would for another.

It was nice to have plans.

Closing Notes: Team Satisfaction Town. Love it? Hate it? I'm not sure where this plotline is going. I'm honestly not a fan of AU and try to work within the lines of canon most of the time. But the idea kept growing and growing, just as it has for Kalin in this chapter. It is semi-popular for him to join the WRGP in fics, I think, although I think people prefer to have him either on Yusei's team or with other former Dark Signers. I may be the first to instead propose he form a team with his newest friends. It may turn out that Radley and Kalin really are not ready for this tournament and the fic will explore them overcoming their fears. I will go with that if I opt not to stray from canon. But in any case, I think they'll be entering a tournament sometime.