Yu-Gi-Oh! 5 Deluxe Dragons
Disclaimer: This one doesn't own the Yugioh series.
Review Reply –
Petor: It was only natural that Gadgetron would be a reference to that Transformer. The Cyber Dragon? Well, let's say Marufuji has taught him well.
JDHudson: Maybe there will be a secondary boss for the others outside of Synchro. I always feel that the best decks don't have to be one strategy, and now is a good time for their strategies to expand.
Chapter 19 – The Super Mechanic and the New Engine
A couple of days have passed since Luciano's tirade. Not much has changed since. Even more, no one at Duel Academia can even recall the name Luciano or the school he transferred from, as if it never happened.
One morning, Crow comes down the stairs with a yawn. He spots Jack at a rickety table with a coffee setup. "Jack? What's this?"
"A table."
"I don't remember us having this."
"I made it from leftover parts," he replies, slightly impressing the orange-haired duelist.
"Oh? So you CAN do stuff like this." He notes the coffee isn't the Blue-Eyes Mountain across the street either. "You even learned how to make coffee!"
Pouring a cup for himself, Crow looks around. "Where's Yusei? He's usually up before us."
"Probably out testing that new engine."
"Probably?"
"Like you said, he gets up before us. By the time I came down, he was gone." Jack takes another sip because that's none of his business.
It's here that Crow realizes verbally how things are here. While they can get the money for the parts they need, the development of the engine itself has been stagnant. All three of them need the engine, but the only one who knows a damn thing about engineering is alone in this.
This realization hits when the chairs they sit in and the table they're using, all constructed by Jack, fall apart in the most painfully sad and hilarious way possible. Flat on his back with something sharp poking his butt, Crow groans with coffee spilled on his face. Jack is similar, but once again sips like nothing's the matter.
"Goddammit, Jack! Can't you make a chair that doesn't fall apart?!"
"I don't remember doing it for you!"
After all of this, Crow understands the truth: they're too reliant on Yusei.
"Hey, Jack… do you think we'll ever understand him?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"After defeating Goodwin and reuniting the city, we finally got a chance at peace and being able to achieve normal lives. Sure, there's still prejudice in the minds of people against Satellite residents, but Enjo and I are working on stopping that. The problem lies with Yusei." Crow leans up. "He keeps bottling things up."
"… true." Jack finishes his coffee. "But I got a good feel for him. Yusei held himself back all these years because he felt Zero Reverse was all his father's fault, and he believed it was his sin to bear. He's been keeping these feelings to himself for years."
He sits up properly now. "Back then, he was holding himself back. But now, it feels like we are." Jack places the cup down. "So instead, I'll push him forward. He's the only rival I have in my life, the only one."
"Oi! What about me?!"
"You're a pleasant companion I'm stuck with, like those other three." Crow falls at that. "What? Once the WRGP is over and we win, we'll all have to go our separate ways. And to be honest, some of us only see each other as attachments to Yusei. That's how Izayoi sees us."
At that, Jack goes to his D-Wheel and drives off. A little annoyed at that statement, Crow follows after. After a bit of time passes, all three can be found at a high point of the bridge looking down at the city. From there, Yusei explains everything he knows: about what Yliaster did to Rudger and Rex Goodwin, about how they must be behind Ghost and the WRGP, and Sherry's connection to them.
"We'll take them down. If Yliaster is behind Ghost and Luciano, then we have to find a way over that Synchro Killer strategy. But we need that new engine to reach Accel Synchro."
"Accel Synchro?"
"It's the technique that man showed me," Yusei tells them, reminding them of the duelist he lost to.
"I actually couldn't see what happened. By the time we could, it was his turn and he had a brand new monster."
"What exactly did he do?" asks Jack with curiosity.
"He performed a Synchro Summon on my turn, using a Synchro Monster and a Synchro Tuner."
Jack nods with a smirk. "Oh… by doing that, you can avoid their pesky Synchro stealing."
"But I can't do it yet. He told me I need a Synchro Tuner and speed equal to his..."
"That's why you're so desperate about the new engine…" mutters Crow.
Despite the explanation, Jack sees more to Yusei's dilemma. It feels as if there is more going on, but Yusei doesn't know either. Jack knows it, but he won't confront Yusei about it until he's ready.
Later…
A single moon has passed by, and now the group stands underneath a new one, albeit under a roof. Yusei, Jack, and Crow are at the best restaurant in Tops with Mikage and Ushio. Alone, that makes them worry.
"Why are you guys so stiff?" asks Ushio as Crow slices into a steak.
"Do you honestly think we don't see through this?" asks Jack in his standard demanding voice. "Buying us a meal on a silver platter?"
"What's wrong with that, Atlas-sama?"
Yusei stares them dead in the eyes. "Usually in movies, there are these characters who help the protagonist even when they have no reason to. And it'ways for their ulterior motive. So let's cut out the cliches and tell us what you want."
She sighs at his accuracy. "Alright, fine. We had a favor to ask."
"Knew it."
"It's not as if we're asking you to rob a bank. We just want you to look after someone." Mikage clears her throat. "Recently, we found someone with amnesia, and with Neo Domino City filled with tourists and out-of-control D-Wheelers, we kind of have our hands full. So, we thought-"
"Our garage isn't a hotel! Like we don't have problems of our own to take care of; the last thing we need is an extra mouth to feed."
Crow mindlessly eats as everyone discusses the details, ticking Ushio off. "Crow, you've just been stuffing your mouth. Aren't you gonna say anything?"
"I agree. We don't have time to look after some rando…" Swallowing, Crow looks around for said person. "Speaking of which, where is he?"
"Huh. He should have been here a long time ago…"
"Tough luck then. If he ain't here, we can't help you." Crow resumes eating.
After dinner, the trio make their way to the garage. While discussing what happened, they come upon their D-Wheels, along with some blue-haired bozo working on it.
Naturally, Jack is enraged. "OI! What the hell are you doing to my Wheel of Fortune?!"
The man looks up, confused. "Are you one of those D-Wheel thieves?! I took down a whole gang of yous, and I'll do it again!" Without waiting for an explanation, Jack grabs the man and slugs him so hard there's a bruise left in its place. "I see you again, and there's more where that came from!"
Blithering with fury, Jack boards his machine and rides off. Slightly faster than usual.
Yusei goes to the man in question and helps him up. "Alright, we have a few questions to ask you."
"Yusei, just leave him." As Crow tells Yusei this, Mikage and Ushio come over.
"We heard the commotion. What happened?"
Crow tells them, "Some guy was messing with the Wheel of Fortune," before pointing to the man.
And they gasps seeing the guy they were talking about. Mikage even shouts, "Bruno! What are you doing down here?!"
"I-I'm sorry! I just got so sucked in at that amazing D-Wheel!" Bruno gets down on his hands and knees apologetically.
"Wait, this is the guy?" asks Yusei as he points to him.
"Yes. That's the guy we were talking about."
Crow shakes his head in disapproval. "Well, good luck with that. After what he did, Jack will never wanna look at the guy."
At this point, Jack suddenly returns and nabs Bruno while leaving.
Back at the Garage…
At home, Jack tosses Bruno inside the lit home. Having followed him, Yusei and Crow are there too.
"Hold it! I'm against violence!"
"Jack, wait a minute."
"What did you do to my Wheel of Fortune?!"
A little tense about that, Yusei asks, "What are you talking about? Is there a problem?"
"Quite the opposite. Its power has increased." Such a statement surprises Yusei, who has spent effortless time trying to better the machine.
"All I did was adjust the computer of your D-Wheel a bit…"
"What? No way. Yusei's been workin' that shit for the longest."
Curious about this man, Yusei approaches him. He takes a knee and asks, with a rather hopeful smile, "Can you show me how you did it?"
Bruno agrees, and the two get to work. He sits at a computer after hooking it up to the Wheel of Fortune, showing them the data entry. Here, he provides them with the information. "By changing the timer of the boosters, it allows it to move faster."
"Hou?! You can do that?!" Yusei asks in awe. "So that lets it power up slightly."
"You can also apply it to your other two D-Wheels as well." Bruno then proceeds to tweak the program.
While Crow is in awe, Jack simply facepalms. He needs to be more wary; after all, Yusei's statement about helpful people is true even here. Even if they let him stay, there's no reason he should be this helpful.
"Bruno, right?" asks Yusei, getting a confirmation of his name, "Can you look at this for me?"
Yusei switches to the project he's been working on, the new Momentum engine. Using his dull, almost lifeless eyes, Bruno examines the program. "Hmm… looks like it's just on a program for now, but you could probably still use that. As a D-Wheel engine is used, the Momentum is worn down. But… we can use this program to increase the speed."
"Wait, Yusei! That's the new engine you've been working on!" Jack shouts his tone of disapproval. "Are you seriously going to-"
"Quiet, Jack. We're working."
That puts him back. Is Yusei ignoring him? His greatest rival?! For some newbie, they met minutes ago?!
Crow pats Jack's back. "Let's leave them to it. They're in a world we can never understand." That sends the disgruntled former king packing.
Yusei and Bruno continue to share brain cells as they work on the engine. While the latter is opening pathways they can use for their precious engine, the former is more happy that he's found someone to talk to.
"Thanks, Bruno. Your suggestions will get this working."
"No, Yusei. Your basis was solid. Then again, you are that Fudo's son." Bruno goes to grab something to eat, struggling to open the noodle cup.
"Wait… you knew my father?"
"Well, your father's Momentum is the father of the D-Wheel engines. Heck, I think even your name comes from the project."
Yusei briefly flashes back to what Rudger said. "Yeah, I guess so."
While Bruno gets to cooking the instant ramen, Yusei has a question to ask. "Bruno, you're amnesiac, right? What happened?"
"I don't understand it either. Before I knew it, I was washed ashore on a beach. I don't remember anything after that…" Bruno looks up as he tries to recall some things, only for nothing to manifest. "But, whenever I work on D-Wheels and Duel Monsters, it feels as if I can regain a bit."
That does make sense for Yusei. From what he can tell, Bruno's intelligence suggests he knows far more than an average person. He might have been an engineer or a Riding Duelist.
And this is how Bruno becomes a member of the group.
By the afternoon of the next day, they're almost best friends.
"Yusei!" Lua and Luca come up the stairs with Aki to speak with their genius leader.
Immediately, Crow shushes them before they can say anything more before Jack briefly summarizes the situation.
"And… they've just been talking this whole time?" asks Luca curiously.
"Let's just say the amount of time Yusei has talked to him today has surpassed how much Yusei's talked to us in a week." Crow groans in an almost jealous way.
"So, they're like two ducks side by side."
"That's for two people in love!" Luca corrects her brother.
A little disturbed by what she's seeing because it almost reflects what she did to him the other day, Aki turns to leave. "I guess I better go. I still need to work on some things."
Lua snickers. "Big sis Aki is jealous-"
"Little children shouldn't stick their noses into adult business!" she quietly yells at him, before stepping down the stairs.
"Lua, what's it like to be a rocket scientist?" Crow asks the little boy, the door slamming to signify Aki leaving.
"So, you guys are okay with this?" asks Luca, ignoring her brother's roasting.
"No. But as long as we get that engine working, it'll be worth it."
Up to the end of the night after, Yusei and Bruno get to work. Fingers rapidly tap the numbers and letters of their keyboards faster than a writer working on the rough draft of their first novel. Eventually, they reach an end and save their program. Yusei and Bruno go to sleep to catch up on two days of lacking sleep.
Unaware of their mysterious guest.
Morning…
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE DATA HAS BEEN STOLEN?!" Jack shouts, loud enough that passersby can hear.
"I mean, someone broke in, downloaded the file, and deleted what was leftover," Yusei explains, shaking his head after talking. He verbally gripes about not making a backup.
"And how do we know you're not the culprit!?" Jack grabs Bruno, ready to give a repeat of what he did the day before.
"Jack, stop."
"Don't stop me, Yusei! Don't protect this thief!"
"Jack, if he was working with the thief, why would he still be here?" Crow's statement calms the hot-blooded former king.
More pacified, Jack says, "Regardless, you two can always rebuild the same one."
"That's not how it works. Creating a program takes a lot of work, and it's near impossible to recreate it," says Bruno with a scowl.
Crow goes to the computer desk amidst the arguments, blowing at the table. "No fingerprints… looks like we have someone intelligent on our hands."
Bruno looks around the area, and spots something out of the ordinary; the cup ramen is missing. "IT IS?!"
Bruno checks the trash, noticing the plastic film that covers the noodles resting there. He checks the toolshed for pincers, before taking them to pull out the film. Raising it to the light, he discovers a single fingerprint. "It looks like the thief ate some ramen while stealing the data."
"How do you know?" asks Crow.
"He was wearing gloves to type, but took them off for the noodles because he had trouble doing so."
From here, both Yusei and Bruno enter Security's database to try and find the owner of the fingerprint. After some solid hacking and passing through the firewall using other servers, the two enter the database. Well, sort of.
In front of them is a simulation duel protecting access to the database. To enter, they have to win this duel in one turn.
Crow steps in to make the win, but loses to Mirror Force. Jack steps in next and makes a bigger mistake. Having properly studied the situation, Bruno tries with two minutes left. First, he uses Cost Down to reduce the level of a monster in his hand by two. Now that he has, Tragoedia can take over Antique Gear Soldier using its effect. Following up, Offerings to the Dead removes Green Gadget from the field, reducing Stronghold's attack to 0. With Soldier and Daemon's Ax, they destroy Stronghold, granting them access.
From there, they match the fingerprints to someone; Jaeger.
"What the hell is he doing stealing our program?!" shouts Crow in anger.
"Most likely he was ordered by someone else," says Yusei as he thinks about it.
"Honestly, it's an outstanding program. He can sell it for a high price if he wants to."
"If that's so then he's acting alone," says Jack, clenching his fists tightly. "Let's catch him!"
"It won't be easy though."
Yusei places a hand on Bruno's shoulder. "Even so, we're going to find him. That program is a bond we created to achieve all of our dreams. And we're going to take it back."
Elsewhere…
Up in his office, Jaeger makes his clownish cackle. On the hologram phone in front of him, he speaks with Placido.
"As you commanded, I stole their program." He shows the USB flash drive containing it.
"You didn't leave any traces, did you?"
"Of course not! Don't mistake me for some idiot amateur."
"Then bring it here. The location is on your phone."
"… right now?" Placido draws his holographic sword, pointing it at the bug-eyed clown.
"Did I stutter?! Now!"
Pressured, Jaegar leaves his office and is driven away to the location depicted by Placido. As his limo moves, he checks the rear-view mirror. There, he spots Yusei and the others giving chase. He gasps realizing why they're following; they know.
'But how?! I left no trace!' He calms himself, thinking fast. "Change of plans. Go over there first."
He sneaks into a supermarket while thinking of a plan to escape them. But first? He notices a new type of ramen on sale. His little distraction allows Jack and Crow to capture him.
"Oi! Let me go! What do you want from me?!"
"We want the program you stole from us," Yusei tells him.
"W-What program?"
"Oh, don't even. You think we wouldn't find your fingerprint?"
That surprises him. "Fingerprint?"
"That's right! We'll make you pay for stealing that program and eating my cup ramen!" Jack shouts.
That is when Jaeger realizes his fatal mistake; he should have eaten before showing up. 'But, I still have to escape.'
He then breathes in before slipping out of their grasp. The little guy then runs away, utilizing parkour to effectively escape.
After giving them the slip, Jaeger can be found outside awaiting an Uber. After stepping in, he's driven away. Meanwhile, Yusei and Bruno on a makeshift motorcycle follow after. The duo follow silently until they reach the harbor.
There, Jaeger steps out and enters a large building that stands out, one that looks to be a huge stadium from above. Yusei and Bruno silently follow, sneaking in after him. Inside, Jaeger applies more lipstick while walking.
"Of all the jobs they can give me, it's something as lame as manual labor. Goodwin was never this bad."
He reaches a secure room cloaked in darkness, lit only by the blue screen of Placido's monitor. "You're late, you bug-eyed clown."
"My apologies! I was being chased by some rats, but I lost them." He approaches the man before revealing the USB drive. "Here you go, the program."
Placido takes it before saying, "Good work."
"Indeed. I did everything I could to steal their program. But, why? Why go through all the trouble for something like that?"
His answer? A sword pokes at his nose. "The less you know, the better your health."
All of a sudden, the alarm goes on. Both of them check the monitor to see Yusei and Bruno. Angered, Placido turns to Jaeger. "Lost them, huh?!" He swings, slashing across Jaeger's face. A thin line forms across his face, but no blood.
"I-I-I-I'm sorry!" he stutters, running away.
Placido turns to the screen. An idea forms in his head before pressing some buttons. "I guess I can have some fun."
After doing what he needs to, the building's systems go into lockdown. Next, he enters an elevator before he walks into the darkness. He holds the drive in his hand, smiling. "Now all I have to do is install the program. But first, I need you to stall him."
He places a hand on a yellow robot. His fingers activate a code that starts it up, allowing the machine to flash its eyes.
…
Inside, Bruno looks around the factory they're inside of. It looks like it has been active lately. But for what?
As they travel, the shutters close. Yusei dashes for it, Bruno not far behind, and slides to the other end. Bruno is not so lucky and gets trapped on the other side. "Bruno, are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. But I don't think I'm getting out anytime soon."
"I'm the one who's trapped. I'll try to find access to the interior."
"I'll call Jack and Crow." Bruno leaves to do what he can, believing in Yusei. The crab-haired duelist runs further inside and bumps into Jaeger.
Immediately, Yusei grabs him and shoves the clown into the wall. "Now, talk. Where's our program?!"
"What exactly are you talking about?" His reply earns him another shove into the wall.
"Don't play dumb! That's why you're here, right?! To deliver it to someone who wanted you to steal it!"
"No-no-no! I just wanted to-" Suddenly, the floors begin to shake. Down below, Jaeger spots something rising from the ground to reach their level. It's the yellow robot from before.
After flashing its eyes, it gazes at the two humans. Its scanners note the mark on Yusei, confirming its target. "Target acquired – Yusei Fudo, 100% match."
Shutters fly up, locking them in place. "This area is now under lockdown. No one can leave unless you win this duel."
From his room, Placido watches the screen while smirking: "The guard robot contains all of your previously recorded duels. It's perfect for stalling." He then checks up on the other unwanted guest.
After prying open the door with his collection of tools, Bruno breaks into a different room. Shrouded in darkness, it contains a collection of D-Wheels. He peers inside looking for what it can mean.
"What is this?"
"It's not a place for the likes of you." Bruno turns around to spot Placido and gasps. His brain stalls in pain, as if a memory returned to him.
Placido punches him in the stomach, knocking him out. With the boy out of the way, he turns to the room he almost entered. He passes by the D-Wheels, all of which contain some robotic puppet on board. He reaches the main computer and inserts the drive. It lights up, and the data transfers to the many roids within the room.
"Before the ultimate Riding Roids are born, enjoy the time you have left, Yusei Fudo."
…
Annoyed at the prospect, Yusei focuses on the duel robot. If he doesn't win, he's stuck here. 'But why? What is here that's so important?'
"I accept your challenge!"
Leaping down, Yusei faces the machine. He activates his duel disk as does the machine, unfolding it from its front while shuffling its cards.
Duel Robot: 4000
Yusei: 4000
Yusei explodes on his first turn, summoning Junk Warrior and having Level Stealer on the side with a face down. The machine, having calculated that, begins its turn playing Level Limit Area B. As Junk Warrior is swapped to defense, it then sets three cards.
Yusei immediately understands what it's doing; it has a Lockdown deck. It's perfect for stalling for time. 'But, that Magic card can't stop all monsters.'
So, Yusei activates his trap card Angel Lift to bring out Speed Warrior. "Trap card – Malfunction."
Its trap negates Speed Warrior's summon and resets the trap, before summoning a brand new monster – Lock Dragon. It then activates a new card, Counter Force.
'Lock Dragon prevents special summoning, and Counter Force will build up counters for every move it negates. It's like it has data on my dueling. I'm going to need something different.'
After the machine sets a card and places a Continuous Magic, Yusei begins his turn by empowering Level Stealer using Junk Warrior's attack power. But even this is halted, due to Negate Attack.
…
With Placido, his machine continues its download. By 40%, he's thinking of what to do with Yusei after. "Well, once this is done, we won't need Jose's plan."
He continues to wait while watching, laughing at Yusei's plight. That's when he receives a call. "Placido!"
"What, Jose?"
"You've been gone for a while. What are you up to?!"
"I'm carrying out my plan, one more likely to succeed." He closes his screen, checking the progress on the download. "Oh? It's done."
He activates his machines. "Now, Diablos, go." All of his Ghost upgrades ride out of the factory. Each one heads out to a secret location, passing by the unconscious Bruno. With that settled, Placido returns to his main computer.
"Time up, Yusei Fudo. Now that I have what I want, I don't need this facility anymore." His monitor shows Jack and Crow have broken in. "And now that I have my army, I don't need you Signers anymore."
He presses the big red button behind the glass. As the alert goes off, he slashes into space to produce a white hole. He then enters, leaving the factory.
"Emergency! Emergency! This factory will self-destruct in ten minutes. Please stop what you're doing and evacuate immediately."
…
The alert goes off through the entire building, awakening Bruno. But with Yusei, he's still trapped in his location. Jaeger realizes immediately what's happening.
"Oh god! He's going to kill me?!"
"Oi, Yusei! Are you okay?!" Hearing Crow's voice catches Yusei's attention.
"Crow?"
"What the hell are you standing around for?! Hurry up and run away! This place is gonna blow soon!" That sounds like Jack.
"It will?!" Yusei turns to the countdown next to the robot. That explains that. "… but I can't. This thing has us locked in. It won't let me out unless I win."
"Then hurry up and win!"
"Easier said than done! It's a Lock Down Deck!" Jaeger shouts to the ceiling.
"I'll finish this up. You guys go ahead of me," Yusei tells them.
"What?! As if we could!"
"Don't worry; I have a plan." Yusei gives them a thumbs-up.
After a few seconds of staring, Jack makes his decision. He tells Bruno and Crow, "Let's go. Yusei will make it out in time."
"Are you crazy!? I can't leave him here! If you're gonna leave, go ahead and-" Bruno gets punched in the face.
"If you won't run, then I'll fucking drag you!"
"Bruno," Crow begins, catching the mechanic's attention, "you're not the only one that doesn't like this. But, I have faith in Yusei. If you're going to be his friend, so should you!"
The three of them then leave. The rest is up to him.
Back to Action…
Yusei starts his turn, summoning Drill Synchron. Draw Pass activates, and Yusei guesses the card correctly. He then plays Assassin's Strike, but Magic Jammer negates that. With that, a third counter enters Counter Force.
As Jaeger gripes in fear, the duel robot begins its turn activating Messenger of Peace. It then ends its turn. Yusei draws, focusing on his plan and not the countdown.
"I activate Double Cyclone; this card will destroy two Magic and/or Trap cards on both sides of the field. And I'll choose to destroy-"
"Counter Trap – God's Declaration." The machine activates Solemn Judgment, effectively negating the quickplay Magic. Counter Force gains its last counter.
Jaeger falls over. "No… it's over…"
Yusei smirks, having predicted this. "Got you."
"… got me?"
"You made a mistake, just like I predicted," Yusei declares.
"Mistake? I have made no mistakes."
"Exactly. Your mistake was your perfection. If you were just trying to stall for the countdown, you would have let it destroy Counter Force. But you were planning to win, so you protected Counter Force. And now your life is ready for me to destroy." Yusei begins his move, releasing Level Stealer to Advance Summon Earthquake Giant.
Earthquake Giant: 1600 (5)
Level Limit Area B switches the monster to defense mode, which activates its effect; switching Lock Dragon to attack position. This activates the effect of Panic Wave, which destroys a card Yusei controls to negate all of the faceup cards the machine controls.
"I'll then tune Drill Synchron with Junk Warrior!" All three rings pass by the warrior, and Yusei makes a famous chant. "Synchro Summon – Take flight, Stardust Dragon!"
Yusei's ace appears to the field, charging its attack. "Shooting Sonic!" It completely obliterates Lock Dragon, its zero attack unable to brace and protect the machine's life points. Yusei ends up finally defeating the robot.
With his victory, the duel robot locks up. The shutters open up, and Yusei quickly dashes for safety along with Jaeger.
The countdown reaches 0.
When Jack, Crow, and Bruno reach a safe distance, the facility erupts in smoke and fire. All three get up and look back, wondering what happened to their friend. All they see is smoke and fire.
Crow's keen eyes gaze up, spotting something in the air; it's a yellow balloon with a smile. Jaeger holds the cord while carrying Yusei.
Jaeger looks down at his savior. "That was a close one," he says with a smirk.
"Why did you save me?"
"Let's just say I wanted us to be even. I mean, I'm the reason you're in this mess." Jaeger reaches a hill, before letting him drop.
"So now you're admitting that you stole our program."
"Nope. Don't have a clue what you mean." While angry, Yusei realizes he'll have to accept that. "Yusei, I'll give you some advice; don't get involved any more than you are. These aren't the type of people you can defeat."
Jaeger then floats away. Yusei watches as he goes, checking back to see his friends following him.
…
"What the hell is Placido planning?!" Jose growls.
"He's just being immature. You were like that too."
Ignoring his laughter, Jose angrily replies, "I've grown, you all haven't yet."
"Placido believes your plan in using the Signers is flawed. That's why he's going to force the Circuit."
"Using his Riding Roid Army?"
"Our goal is to activate the Circuit, but there's always more than one path."
"You think it's okay to change the plan this far in?!"
"Why not? If I were to grow up, I'd rather never if I were to become you two."
…
As this has been going on, Aki is hard at work on her new deck. All of her cards are spread out on a table in public. "Hmm…"
She takes a monster card and removes it from the rest. "I won't need you here. Sorry." She gathers her cards together and then shuffles them. If this is to work, she will have to practice it.
While doing so, something flies out of her deck. "Oh, no!" Aki collects her cards to go after the missing one, but it lands out of her reach. She catches the card and holds it up. "I can't lose you. You're the reason this will work…"
Her heart stops at the sight in front of her. The girl stands tall to get a better look at it. There is a figure in the crowd that caught her eye. She rushes deep into the crowd. "Wait!"
The figure keeps moving away, occasionally looking back at her. Aki and her target keep walking, until escaping the crowd and reaching the woods. Aki looks around for her. "Why…"
That's when she hears it, laughter. A cackling, evil laugh that sends chills up her spine. Her heart beats faster, her cells ignite, and her pupils dilate; this may have been a mistake.
"Aki Izayoi…" A hand reaches out, grasping her shoulder. She quickly turns around to see the person, but there's nothing. No one.
Lightz: Thank you for reading. This chapter is practically unchanged from canon because it honestly doesn't need to be. Taking four episodes and merging them into one is fine since one was a clip show. Next time, on Deluxe:
20. The Twins' Father
21. Spirit Hunters of Yliaster
22. Fake Jack