The two guards lead Yusei down a dark dingy hallway of the facility. Each one gripped Yusei's arms tightly, despite the fact that there was nowhere he could run.
The trio came to a door, and one guard dropped Yusei's arm to walk up to a panel beside the metal door. "Chief Armstrong, we have the kid. Are you ready for him?" The chief's voice came out garbled; almost like his voice would sound if he was talking on the phone. "Yes." Light filtered through the corridor and splayed across Yusei's face as the door opened.
/
Yanagi glanced at his cards again. "I better hide you guys." He tucked them back inside his kimono.
"Gramps, is Yusei back? I'm starting to worry about what the chief wants him for," Tanner's suspicious nature lead to doubtful feelings.
Doubt that didn't seem to affect Yanagi. "Oh, he's fine. It's just routine."
"It's not just routine. There are only two ways you get to meet the chief: you know how to cook, or he's mad. And Yusei may know how to duel like a pro, but I got a feeling he doesn't know squat about barbecue."
/
The guards still flanked Yusei in the new room. A tunnel-like machine stood menacingly in the corner. A platform with metal clamps on it wasn't inviting either. Computers, monitors, and wires crisscrossed across the floor.
All the equipment meant nothing in the face of the Chief. He was the size of a small elephant. His crooked hat and bulging uniform extenuated his size. This guy could sit on somebody, and no one would ever know.
"So how do you like the facility so far, Yusei?" A sarcastic question; he didn't give a damn. "I'm sure it smells better than what you're used to in the Satellite. As does my anchovy and onion breath, doncha think?" The chief blew his breath across Yusei's face and he recoiled in disgust. Yusei's scowl deepened when Armstrong walked behind him. There was nothing he could do. He had to stand and seethe in his anger. "Rumor has it that you might be hiding something," Armstrong said. He lowered Yusei's glove, and pulled up his sleeve, exposing his forearm. "And it's my job to find out if you are!" Finding nothing, the chief rolled back Yusei's sleeve and replaced his glove. He shoved him at the two waiting doctors. "Take him, you two." The doctors grabbed him, much the same way the two guards had earlier. "And run your tests, find out what this punk's hiding!" Yusei's glared over his shoulder at Armstrong.
"Just lie still, and don't move a muscle," a doctor instructed. The platform housed Yusei, wearing only his underwear, sliding into the machine. The doc looked intently at his screen, searching for anything unusual.
Green sparks of electricity raced across Yusei's body. The pain was similar to being stung by a bee. Only the stinging kept going on and on, intensifying after every second. Yusei bit his lip. He was not giving them the satisfaction of screaming. Something warm trickled down from the corner of his mouth; blood. His back landed on the platform as it slid back out. He didn't even know he'd been arching it.
The platform exited the tunnel, and propped him up to a standing position. At least he would be standing if he weren't still shackled to the platform. Armstrong yanked on Yusei's bangs and lifted his head up. Yusei's normally fiery blue eyes were cold, and lifeless. "Now you better hope we find what we're supposed to find, and soon." Armstrong smirked.
Goodwin strode down a much nicer hallway of the Sector Security building with Lazar in tow.
"He's with him right now, though he hasn't found the sign as of yet." Lazar informed him with relish, clasping his hands.
"I doubt the chief could find anything that wasn't lathered in a sweet honey glaze." Goodwin scoffed and entered his office.
"They're continuing all the normal tests, but with no results." Lazar put out his hands and a holo screen appeared. "Here's Yusei's file, sir." Yusei's profile popped up on the screen opposite Goodwin's desk. "Lives in the Satellite, a few run ins with Sector Security, aptitudes include dueling, engineering." Goodwin listed, and made a disappointed sound. "There's nothing about who he is or where he came from."
Lazar shrank behind his holo screen. This went unnoticed since he was already puny to begin with. "We're, uh, working on that as we speak, Mr. Goodwin."
Goodwin nodded.
"But you have to consider that he may not be as special as we hope he is." Lazar recovered from his earlier shortcomings.
"It is time I took a trip to the facility." Goodwin decided.
"And shall I inform the chief of your impending arrival?"
"Yes, tell the chief to send the boy back to his cell." Goodwin kept reading and broke into a devious smirk. "I think I know of a better way to find the information I seek."
/
The guard opened up Yusei's cell and tossed him inside like a sack of potatoes. He groaned when he hit the floor. The guards snorted cruelly and slammed the door shut.
"You look horrible! What did they do to you?" Yanagi asked.
Yusei sat up slowly and leaned his back against the door. "Nothing, just ran some tests."
"Tests?"
"They must've been looking for a mark that appeared on my arm when my friend turned into that dragon at the Kaiba Dome.
"They're looking for the mark of the dragon!" Yanagi shouted and quickly covered his mouth. The guard walking past disregarded the noise.
Yanagi waited till the guard continued before whispering to Yusei. "You must be a Signer, Yusei!"
"Signer?"
"I heard about them long ago. I thought the whole thing was just a legend, but now the tale of the people of the stars may actually be true!" Yanagi said.
Yusei stared at him like he was nuts.
"You see long ago, there was a tribe, and they worshipped a Crimson Dragon. And some could even summon the beast; they're called signers. There were five such warriors, and each had the mark of a different dragon they could call forth to aid them in battle. Yusei, don't you see? You're one of them!"
"Me, a signer? So you think that I actually called out this Crimson Dragon?"
"That's exactly what I think, and as legend would have it, the mystical powers of the five dragons were sealed into five different duel monster cards!" Yanagi thought for a second, not realizing Yusei contemplating other problems. "Which means that you…Yusei, you must have one!"
"One of the ancient dragons? I'm not so sure…"
"WHAT!" Yanagi cried, right in Yusei's face. "Well I've never been so sure of anything in my entire life! You'll let me see it, won't you?"
"I don't have it."
Yanagi whined irritably. "You don't have it. Just as well. In here it would probably be confiscated, but why does the chief even think that you're a signer in the first place? Unless someone told him."
Yusei lay awake in his bed. 'I wonder if Yanagi really knows what he's talking about. Do I really have the mark of the Crimson Dragon? Maybe he is right.'
/
The next morning the Chief had decided that everybody should meet the Director. "Zip it everybody! Good now that I have your undivided attention, allow me to introduce the Director General himself Mr. Rex Goodwin. He's here to shed some light on a new program that he'll be implementing at the Facility over the next few weeks. We're hoping that someone here has the mark of a champion."
"Hold it right there, Yusei, you're the one the director has chosen," the Chief told them.
Tanner paused before leaving with Yanagi. "Careful, Yusei."
He nodded and stayed put, holding his ground in front of both ridiculously tall men.
"So tell me, Mr. Fudo, what do you think about the little experiment that I proposed?" Goodwin attempted small talk.
"I don't want any part of it."
"You'll take part you'll like it you-" Armstrong started, but Goodwin cut him off with a wave of his hand.
"Oh come now, Yusei, don't be so elusive. I know you want some answers."
"What kind of answers, Goodwin?"
"I know all about that mark of the dragon that appeared on your arm."
"Really, then tell me what you know about it? What does it mean?"
"That is what I'm hoping to uncover with your help. I can't do it alone."
Yusei inclined his head forward. "Well, I don't believe you. You're hiding something."
About an hour later, the same guards lead Yusei down another hallway. At the end, an enormous hexagonal-shaped obelisk interior came into view. Pathways crisscrossed from one end to the other, connecting sides of the numerous prisons together.
"Welcome to your new home. We call it, the Hive," the guard explained.
"This is where Chief Armstrong likes to house the worst of the worst. Come on, keep walking!" the other guard pushed Yusei.
Up above all the cells, Armstrong chuckled to himself. "This should be fun." He called down to Yusei. "Hope you have a pleasant stay! The Director General sends his regards!"
"Get in there!" Yusei was pushed unceremoniously into his new room. "Don't expect a mint on your pillow." The door closed.
"Aw man and I was just getting used to being on my own!" A purple-haired boy said. He sat on the edge of the lower bunk. A small rhombus shaped pendant hung around his neck. A blue jacket with a large green stripe and smaller yellow stripe, and dark gray pants with sneakers made up his appearance. "Hey uh, if it's not too much trouble, take the top bunk, wouldja? I used to crash up there, but I kept rolling over in my sleep and falling off the edge. The name's Alex, and I'd really appreciate it if you-huh?" Alex temporarily stopped when Yusei climbed up the ladder and claimed the top bunk. "No arguments, nice. Yusei, right? My last roommate was named Skeltor or something, I don't know…" Alex continued to drone on as Yusei tuned him out.
Was I really able to bring out the Crimson Dragon? Why was it sleeping inside Lise so long? I mean, she just vanished and in her place was that huge dragon! She must be sleeping it off like she did two years ago. And that mark on my arm, could Yanagi be right? But why me, and why now?
Alex poked his head over the side of the bunk. He clung to the side of the ladder to stay upright. "Hey is it true what they're saying about you?"
"What are they saying?"
"Lots, that you stood up to Tanner in a duel, and that you royally schooled him! That's awesome! I challenged Tanner once after he and his buddies sorta…well they locked me in the laundry room for two days, but yeah, it was kinda funny cuz-"
"I have a headache, Alex. Can we talk later?"
"Um…okay…"
"Hey, Yusei," Yanagi said from the barred window.
Surprised, Yusei sat up. "They brought you here?"
The old man and boy met Tanner on one of the pathways in the Hive.
"You here too, Tanner?"
Tanner uncrossed his arms in greeting. "How are ya, kid? Glad to see you made it here in one piece."
Yanagi leaned into Tanner's view from behind Yusei. "I hate to interrupt, but does anyone know what we're doing here? This is the long term maximum security zone. There must've been a paperwork error. I was at the top of the release list!"
"Hey, you and me both, Grandpa," Tanner reminded him.
"What's going on Yusei? You know what this is about?"
"What did they tell you when they brought you here, Tanner?"
"You know; some nonsense about needing to restructure the system blah, blah, blah. I don't believe a thing they say."
"So what do you know about the guy who's in charge here?"
"Armstrong's a bully. He does whatever he wants. He's a tyrant; he lies, and whenever he's got a bone to pick, he'll do anything to pick it. Why do you ask, kid? Did you go and do something to get on that Gordo's bad side? Are we here cuz of you?" Tanner may as well have dropped a bombshell.
/
Frustrated, the chief slammed his heels into the top of his desk. "There's no way that kid's a signer; no way! He's a worthless little punk from the Satellite. That's all he is. I know garbage when I see it!" Although he believed it, Armstrong had a deal with the Director he remembered quite clearly. "If he's a signer, I'm a schoolgirl!" the Chief reported to Goodwin.
"You looked everywhere for the mark of the dragon?"
"Yes, everywhere."
"Well then perhaps we need to challenge Yusei to a duel of some sort."
"I'll take that piece of garbage on right now." Armstrong offered stupidly.
Goodwin could've rolled his eyes and the chief would be dumb enough to think the world was spinning. Nevertheless, his next words were patient. "Armstrong, we need Yusei to want to duel. Perhaps that is the key to making his mark appear. You must arrange a situation where that Satellite will want to duel."
Out of flashback mode, Chief Armstrong's nostrils flared grotesquely at his ill-founded excitement. "I know just what to do!"
"All right fellas, it's lockdown time, sweet dreams."
The searchlights clicked on, and streamed across the yard in predictable patterns. Night meant sleep, but it also means potential escape at the Facility.
"So what did they tell you when they transferred you? That you were gonna be here a short time while they processed some paperwork?" Alex asked bitterly. Yusei glanced at him out of the corner of his eye from the top bunk. "That you'd be back to the normal detention area before you knew it? They tell everyone that, but no one ever gets outta this place. I was transferred here after starting a food fight in the cafeteria. They told me I needed a few days to cool off; that was four years ago, so I decided to take matters into my own hands." Alex walked over to his bed and lifted up the metal slab used to sleep on. "Here's the real reason I wanted the bottom bunk." A gaping hole big enough for a person to slide into was carved into the bottom of the cell. "It's amazing what you can do with a knife, a spoon, and a whole lotta time, Yusei."
Naturally, they climbed through the makeshift hole and out onto the roof of the Facility. "Careful of the lights," Alex warned and stopped in a blind spot. "Check it out," Alex pointed at the sky. "The real moon and everything. That opening is the gateway to freedom, my friend."
"It's kinda high," Yusei pointed out.
"I've got some friends on the outside coming tomorrow night."
Yusei indicated his mark. "What about these beauty marks? As soon as you get outta here it'll start transmitting a signal, and they'll find you."
"No they won't. One of my friends is a hacker with super skills; he'll jam the system. I'll have a window of about an hour after I escape to disappear. So what do ya say roomie, are you comin with? This is a one-time opportunity cuz once they realize how I got out, they'll seal those openings and that'll be that," Alex persuaded.
"I'm in, but there's just one thing. Well two things actually."
"Right, lemme guess; Tanner and the old man. Fine, they're in. But they better not hold us back. I mean it, if they slow us down, and blow our chances of getting out of here, there won't be another."
/
Jack rode around a practice track. He'd been at it for hours, but nothing was happening. Come on! Why can't I make that big lizard appear? Jack glared frustrated at his exposed mark. I've been circling this track for hours and still nothing! It seems I can't summon it by myself. Maybe the only way to make the Crimson Dragon appear is to duel Yusei again. And when I do, he's gonna wish that mark of his never appeared!
/
The lock on the cell door changed from red to blue and opened. Armstrong had decided to put his master plan into action as early as fricken possible. Tanner sat on his bed. "Lunch time already?"
Chief Armstrong strolled in. A sickly smile spread across his face. "A little birdy told me you had some magazines smuggled in here. That's a no-no."
"Magazines? I'm not too interested with keeping up with celebrities. You're little bird's singing a lie." Tanner told him.
Armstrong's smile widened malevolently. "Are you talking back to me?"
Tanner jumped up angrily, and the two guards who followed the chief held Tanner's arms behind his back.
"Bring him, boys," the chief ordered.
On one of the connecting pathways the two guards tossed a bruised Tanner onto his back. The other prisoners stared flabbergasted at the scene.
"Leave him alone!" Yanagi yelled through his cell bars.
Yusei saw it too. "This can't be good."
Lise's voice reached him, but louder this time. Hey, what's going on?
I don't know yet. Hey, are you awake? You sound louder.
Yeah, but I wish I wasn't now. Stay focused.
Chief Armstrong turned to his spectators. "I found smuggled magazines in Tanner's cell. You all know that's against the rules, but I know he couldn't have gotten em alone. His accomplice has one hour to step forward. After that everyone here's gonna pay the price!"
"Oh come on!" the guys protested.
"You can't punish all of us for something one guy did!"
"That's right!"
Armstrong just smirked. "Don't like it? Then you oughta figure out who helped him out. If I were you maggots, I'd start by questioning his friends."
Yusei glared angrily at the Chief. He's setting us up!
Worrying does come in handy sometimes.
"Look people, there's no need for everyone to suffer. Tanner's friend just needs to fess up. If he doesn't I got no problem putting all of you in permanent lock down. That would give me time to kick back and watch my soaps!" the Chief laughed at his own cruelty.
"Get Real!"
The chief stopped mid-laugh. "You got something you wanna say, newbie?"
Yusei gritted his teeth. "There are no magazines; we both know that."
Armstrong laughed again. "No magazines? So I'm just punishing Tanner because I feel like it?"
"I dunno why you're doing this, but I know that Tanner wouldn't do anything wrong. You're abusing your authority, Armstrong."
"Ho-ho! You just accused me of being cruel and unfair. That really hurts my feelings! Come on; show me the love! Tell me you're sorry, Satellite!" Armstrong exclaimed, spreading his arms out.
Yusei glowered at Armstrong.
I hope you know what you're doing. See you soon!
Armstrong smiled satisfactorily. "So that's how you want it? Well I can't just stand here and let you accuse me of being unfair in front of everyone. To prove that I'm a reasonable man, I'll let you duel me out here where your fellow inmates can watch. And if you win I'll pardon Tanner's offense. But if I happen to win the duel-"
"Then no one here but me gets put in lockdown," Yusei interrupted. Alex straightened up behind him with his mouth hanging open.
"You got a deal. We duel tonight at 8:30 sharp. Don't be late."
"Don't worry; I'll be there."
Alex leaned forward. "Wait, tonight? But tonight's the night we're supposed to-huh?" At the sound of another familiar voice Alex joined Yusei at the window.
"Put me down!" Yanagi cried. Another pair of guards lead him up to the chief.
"Look what we found, boss," a guard reached into Yanagi's kimono and pulled out a card. "Contraband; this guy's got cards stashed all over the place!" All of Yanagi's hidden cards were found and confiscated.
"No, wait! Those are my treasures! I've traveled all over the world to find those! You can't just take them!"
Armstrong held up the treasure deck for the inmates to see. "What have I told you clowns about cards? All right, maggots, this might be your last hour of free time. Stretch your legs and enjoy it while you got it." Without another word, the chief stalked away, oblivious to continued protests.
"Yusei, we're supposed to sneak out tonight! What gives?" Alex asked.
"I had to, Alex."
The cell door unlocked, and Yusei dashed out to meet Yanagi and Tanner at their room. Four guards threw each of them onto the floor. Yusei ran in as soon as the guards left.
"Hey guys." He said and knelt down next to Tanner.
"What were you thinking?" Tanner said from the floor. His glare was pained with a question underneath.
"I know, I know."
Tanner slowly straightened up a little. "You can't duel him. You don't even have a deck. If you were hoping to use mine, the chief took my cards from me earlier."
Dejectedly, Yanagi sat on the lower bunk. "He took mine too; my beloved treasures."
Four other guys ran in the room.
"Bolt."
"Tanner, are you okay?"
Yusei straightened and walked out.
Alex was waiting for him, arms crossed, right outside the door. "You get it yet? Armstrong did all this to set you up. He figured he could either make you think he was trying to turn the others against you, or he could take advantage of the friendship you have with Tanner. Either way, it was checkmate; he had you in his hand from the get-go," Alex explained. Yusei didn't react. "Look, let's just escape; the two of us. Those guys are dead weight in their current state."
"I can't leave them behind."
"Sure you can! You don't owe anybody anything, come on!"
"I won't ditch my friends for my own benefit. I'm not leaving them behind just to get ahead. That's just not what I'm about, Alex."
"You're a real piece of work, you know? Forget you, Sheesh!" Alex frowned, and ran back to the cell.
"Hey, your name is Yusei, right?" Yusei turned toward the door. The boys who ran in earlier were addressing him. "A bunch of us would like to see you on the middle walkway. We want to talk about something…"
/
At 8:30 on the dot the guards unlocked the door to collect Yusei for the duel. "It's time, kid."
"So long, pal," Alex said.
Yusei turned his head back. "This isn't goodbye." And with that the cell door closed with a click.