Crow's cynical mind had been spot on when it came to identifying the intentions of the competition. Knowing from the start they would be facing too many entrants, the tournament organisers had been setting up events to let the competition whittle themselves down in the chaos. Already cut down to a mere fraction of their original numbers, scores more were eliminated from the contest as an already alert police service drafted every reserve to clamp down on the riots that ruled the mysterious 'preparatory phase'.
Closed off hundreds of shops and formerly adorable privately own little stores turned into death traps as protective owners took arm enough arms to make the constantly combative Leslie envious. In the struggle to secure resources, some took to the sorts of crime Crow formerly performed with the level of skills Leo possessed. In short, they aimed big and got caught.
Those remaining few who had managed to avoid being arrested and survive the looters managed to gather together at the three secure areas set up by the tournament. Although not participating members, the guards at the gate were wise enough to let Luna and Akiza through to see their friends. "I thought you might have to pretend to faint." Tugging a heavy suitcase in either hand, Akiza was playing a game even more tricky than the competitors she was walking past.
"It's lucky they recognised you from the WRDGP." With a bag slung about her shoulders and another on her back, Luna looked like a weekend warrior on a hike. Nobody in their right minds would dare be late for the cut-off and all the remaining players had staggered in with at least an hour to spare. This also meant that worrying shops felt safe enough to re-open their doors to fresh customers.
Trying to gather food the previous night would be an impossible challenge to avoid but the forward-thinking women of the group had hatched a secret plan. From the very second the clock hit nine again, their friends would be unable to get any more supplies. So Akiza and Luna would smuggle them in inside their suitcases.
"Just try and act natural." Following the directions from the guard, they were slowly edging down a thick concrete ramp where the muted din of many voices could be heard. As they walked further down the ramp, a startling sight met their eyes.
A seemingly endless concrete hallway stretched out ahead of them before folding in a corner somewhere in the distance. Chunky openings had been carved out at intervals on either side with Duellists and Duel Runners making camp in each. Some Duellists were repairing and maintaining their machines whilst others were sound asleep from their excursions the night before. A few were even bandaging up wounds as best they could but there were few of the last category.
"Hey," Waiting to one side at the bottom of the ramp, Leo gave his sister a brief embrace and grabbed a bag from either woman. "Hey, Akiza. Come on, I'll show you where we are." All in a rush, he dragged them to a point midway, not noticing the head that had perked up at hearing his voice. Practically diving into a berth just as a loud klaxon sounded throughout the underground structure, Leo breathed a heavy sigh of relief as he collapsed beside three of the greatest Duel Runners he could ever hope of seeing and his own one as well.
"What is this place?" Unzipping the bags, Akiza was quick to hand out the hidden stocks of food, bottled water and medicine.
"Some big American thing called 'Nasty Car' I think." Crow's inflection deliberately dropped the invisible 'r'. He pronounced it as 'nas-ty' instead of the more common 'nars-ty'. "They do these weird endurance things sometimes. Each team has to do as many laps as they can in twenty-four hours. Any crashed cars get brought down here to be mended and they're all checked before the race." Walking down the lengthy ranks of the hallway, several tournament officials were doing just that.
"So what," At that instant, Leo's carelessness and lack of observation came back to take Crow down.
"Groupie alert!" Interrupting what was sure to have been an irrelevant question from Jack, an energetic blur shit into their berth and tackled Crow to the ground.
"What the?" A knife suddenly pressing to his throat was enough indication to narrow down the list considerably. A few pleasantly pressing places told him this was definitely a woman and narrowed the list down to those femme fatales who wanted to see him dead. One was definitely out of the country – Crow was funny in keeping track of his potential murderers like that – meaning that this could only be, "Musume?" Hauling them both upright again, she possibly cracked a few ribs in the tight embrace. "Ack!" Was the last word Crow managed before visions of his entire life began flashing through his mind.
"It's great to see you again." Swinging Crow around in her grip, Musume positively glowered at the rest of the crew.
"What are you doing here?" Possibly the least surprised by her appearance, Leo was quick to blurt the question out.
"I entered the competition." Finally letting him drop to the floor, Crow gripped his knees and tried to inhale as best he could. Still unwilling to share her identity, Musume was hidden behind a black full-face motorcycle mask. A single reflective lens covered her eyes and a reinforced crimson ceramic plate built into the mask protected only her facial features in the event of a crash. They all hoped she had a proper helmet hidden away nearby. Her remaining clothes were simply mundane. A brown leather jacket gave way to deep blue denim jeans with a pair of worn sandals covering her socked feet.
"What? How?" Grabbing Leo next, Musume seemed intent on taking out as much of the competition as she could by squeezing them all to death. "Mask, gk!"
"Professional discretion. I don't have to show my face if I don't want to." Leaving him gasping on the floor, she sized up the remaining two members before grabbing an unsuspecting Luna. "What about you lot? I would have thought Yusei and Akiza would be too busy with work and the rest of you..." Words like 'suck' were in the offing.
"We thought it was important that we take the opportunity to get together again." A good Duellist has the ability to sense a bluff. Musume was one of the best and instantly saw through the subterfuge.
"Okay," Checking over their shoulders in case of eavesdroppers, she lowered her voice to an intense level. "What's really going on?" Nobody graced her question with an answer until she hit the nail right on the mark. "Is it Yliaster?" A trace of genuine fear entered her voice.
"What's it to you?" Not ready to trust her then, Jack was the muscle of the group and towered over her.
"If it was," Holding his brother back, Yusei quickly stopped the fight before it could happen. "Would you help us?"
"Always." It came a little too quick to be a coincidence. She clearly had motives of her own.
"Yliaster seems to have fractured. Some factions want to destroy us, others are willing to negotiate for peace." Speaking quickly, Yusei was aware of how close the inspectors were getting. "We've agreed to help Nanshi – the man who used to be in charge – stop the rogue factions from winning the Legend of Duellist Kingdom. In exchange, we all get a free pass." Just not him. Yusei would be called right back and continue to serve until his brain melted.
"I'll keep an eye out." Drawing herself upright, Musume nodded at the figure who had appeared in the opening behind Jack, Yusei and Akiza.
"Team Meian?" Scrolling through his list, the American observer had a hanging gut and a greasy face. Not a great pick for an observer, perfect for a mark.
"Present." Jogging over, Musume threw a sloppy salute.
"Says here you've got no Duel Runner." Although a few non-Turbo Duellists had made it through to this round, the tournament organisers had already expected such an event. Those who couldn't Turbo Duel by themselves were either offered Runners to borrow or use of short-distance drones to allow them to drive cars and continue to Duel at the same time.
"Nossir, I have my Skates with me." Grabbing a bag she had dropped in the berth on her way in, Musume proudly held aloft the innocuous pair of footwear. "With these, I can keep up with just about anything." Lifting a pudgy hand to his face, it was clear the officiator was not amused. Clearly, others had already tried pulling tricks on him that day.
"Great, so do you want to borrow a Runner or a Drone? We've got enough of each." Just thinking about the sheer amount of money being spent was probably enough to give him a heart attack. From the looks of his blossoming third chin, little seemed to not have that effect.
"My skates will be fine." Flopping the fabric over one arm, she held them tight with a death grip. "Tell you what, put me at the back of the queue. If anything goes wrong, I can't get hurt." Waving an arm frantically behind her back, she signalled one of the others to speak up.
"Put us just ahead of her." First to figure out what she had in mind, Crow was quick to follow the lead. "We'll make sure she's no trouble." A gentle hand on the tablet, a thick roll of notes and a simple smile went such a long way.
"Fine. Just be upstairs in two minutes." Pocketing the bribe, a pudgy digit rearranged the order they would take on the track above, placing Musume at the far back with her friends in the penultimate position. "If you have any problems with your equipment, immediately pull onto the grass and await a marshal to assist you." Droning through a health and safety speech, he trailed off towards the end and turned to go early.
"Right," Throwing the rescued clutch of currency back into her own pocket, Musume seemed ready for the off. "I guess this is it." Noticing she was still holding her Duel Skates in one hand, she slipped off a pair of ragged sandals and began sliding her feet into the narrow uprights. "I'll see you out there." Dragging on the other skate, she was quickly ready for the off.
"If we were, hypothetically," They all understood the game. Where 'hypothetically' was purely hypothetical. "To meet one another out there." Not eager to repeat the recent tackle, Crow bravely edged behind Jack as a meat shield. "What happens?"
"We Duel. One of us walks away a winner." Staring into the mask, Crow felt a playful energy behind it. Whatever else had happened to her, Musume seemed intent on trying to enjoy this one point in her life.
"And may the better Duellist win." Sticking out a hand, he waited for her to shake it before grasping the bones in a stern game of weakness.
"Luna and I had better go." Seeing the tips of his fingers start changing colour, Akiza was eager to leave before they could descend into something more bloody. "There's a grass patch in the middle of the track. We can watch from there." Dragging a bag in either hand, the girls managed to leave the berth before Crow could start whimpering.
Up on the racetrack, Musume was slowly pulled into position behind Yusei and his friends near the back of the impressive display. Rumbling engines seemed everywhere and nobody who seriously wanted to keep their hearing in later years dared sit in the front rows near the track. Every seat was packed, helicopters circled in the sky like sharks hovering over their prey. It was the tournament of the century and it finally seemed ready to get underway. Tension could be cut with a knife but the resulting release of energy might have destroyed several planets.
Screens across the country lit up as the same man who had judged Yusei's challenge appeared to announce the next stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Duellists of all ages. It's the time you've all been waiting for – the Legend of Duellist Kingdom!" Screams, hollers and horns drowned out the announcement for several seconds. "Designed by Pegasus himself, the original Duellist Kingdom was set on his own private island where the winner would be granted the chance to take on the creator of Duel Monsters himself." What history remembered and what actually happened were two very different things indeed. "But Pegasus dreamed of a legacy that would last beyond his lifetime and personally oversaw the first steps in arranging the very tournament you take part in here today."
Whispers had long circulated about a secret tournament designed by the reclusive billionaire but they had all been rumour and hearsay. Nobody had actually taken them seriously before. Some said he had designed an orbiting space station to host contests, others claimed that it was actually a series of hidden challenges in a virtual reality. Where nobody was watching, one very perceptive figure was about to be proven right in their instincts.
"Deciding that inviting only select Duellists did not truly capture the depth of his dream, Pegasus ordered that his tournament – this tournament – be open to all, individuals and teams alike." Behind Blue-Suit, a map of the continent appeared. "Like his first Duellist Kingdom, there are no limits or boundaries to where you can go. Your field? The entire continent of North America!" More tumultuous applause followed. "We are currently on the West Coat city of Oceanside." A large gold star appeared on the left of the map. "Your target is Annapolis on the far East Cost." Appearing just above a shoulder, the finishing point on the map appeared. "In five days, all remaining participants will either be in Annapolis or disqualified."
"It's a trap." As the crow flies, it would take several days hard riding just to reach the city. To do so in five days, whilst undergoing a tournament would be impossible for most. Crow knew this and knew they knew it too.
"Of course, many of your are probably already throwing up reasonable complaints. Too great a distance, not enough time to prepare." Some people still had arms in slings and legs in cast from the previous ordeals. "But believe me, when I say the prize is worth it. Our rules are simple – between here and Annapolis, you only have to win eight Duels." Only? He might as well as asked some of them to grab the moon while they were at it. "Some may think it impossible but I have every faith that the winner will make themselves clearly known – the team that wins this tournament will be able to imprint their names in legend. Not just the Legend of Duellist Kingdom but another legend entirely – the King of Games." Nobody spoke. Nobody breathed. Nobody dared move or blink.
It was unthinkable. There had only ever been two true Kings of Games: Jaden Yuki (who had many believed had simply been granted the title by the original holder) and the legendary Yugi Mutou. Even the greatest Duellists of the time were only recognised as the Duel Monster World Champion. To rise above that station was to touch greatness and become a living part of history. Nobody in their right minds would pass up such an opportunity. It literally came along once in a lifetime.
"In keeping with the original tournament as closely as possible," Up on the screens, Blue-Suit was still talking but nobody was really listening. "Until you reach the finish, you may only use what you already have with you and what you can gather yourselves. This will be a tournament to push you all – mentally, physically and psychologically – to your full limits." On the island of Duellist Kingdom, food and water had been plentiful if raw. To travel across an entire continent using only the resources they had gather in one night was suicide. "Finally, to ensure the continued safety of all members, I ask that you take a look at your tournament cards." Seemingly simply chucks of plastic, Yusei could see several being waved around in the rows ahead. "Embedded inside is a tiny tracker. In the event of an emergency, simply break open the card to send off an emergency signal. Tournament officials will be with you as soon as possible." It went without saying that to break the card meant a forfeiture but it was repeated for the ignorant among them.
"No wonder Yliaster wanted to win this tournament so bad." With the next King of Games under their command, there was no telling how far their reach could extend. Jack had merely been a small prop for Goodwin and the end of the world had almost come to pass.
"If we win, do we all become Kings?" Death likely, traps certain and underhand tactics inevitable, Leo was focused on the real problems.
"Well now," Ideas were sparking inside Crow's brain in silent explosions.
Sitting at the front of their little group, Yusei said nothing. It was impossible to not feel the electric tingle running through everything. That pounding which had gripped his head in New Domino was centre just beside his wrist, a Duel aching to be played in the clash of his Deck against another.
"My final request of you for the next five days." Up the the screen, it was evident the announcer was in a hurry to have them off as the bite of enthusiasm caught him. "On tracks around the city, I would like you all to take a single lap together. Win or lose, you are all part of the history of the King of Games." Engines rumbling, the first rows began to move off in heady impatience. "Once finished here, follow the roads to Pala Mesa. Beyond that town lies the entire country that is your field." Skating forward slightly as the movement in the lines filtered back towards them, Musume held out a closed fist to Crow to bump for luck.
"See you out there." Miming an explosion, he saw the wheels on Yusei's Runner start to turn.
"May the better Duellist win." Flexing her legs, she kept the tiny motors in her Duel Skates from activating as she hitched a ride on his tail for the gentle first lap.
"Oh, I intend to." Feeling the open road calling beneath his Runner, Crow watched Musume gently drift into his slipstream as he powered forward. When the gap was a few hundred feet, she let the complex circuitry beneath her feet kick into action. Those voice that had laughed mockingly were silenced as she quickly came abreast of the compeition and began slipping through them with a grace most dancers couldn't match. The chase was on.
"I can't believe they just drove off and left us." Fuming in rage, Akiza was on the verge of actually calling Yusei and demand he return. Losing the Director of the SRC was probably what politicians dreamed off and the staff feared. Having an angry Din siding against them was far down on anybody's bucket list.
"It's not as if they knew what was going to happen." Acting as the voice of reason, Luna also had the tone of a potential explosion. Twins are among the tightest partnerships possible and seeing Leo just drive off without so much as a wave was making her blood boil. "Or that we can follow them."
"I think," A quiet voice sounded beside them both. "That I can help in that regard." Leaning forward to see around Luna, Akiza wondered if the stresses of the past few months had caused her mind to simply fold up and quit reality. Sporting a pair of flashy running glasses secured across his eyes by an elastic band and with a flowing robe enveloping everything from his head to his knees, Obake looked like a weird monk. "It's good to see you, as always." Turning his hidden gaze, to the lady between them, Obake gently inclined his head a fraction as his right hand tipped the brim of an imaginary had. "A pleasure to meet you." Carefully pulling her friend by the shoulder, both ladies edged away slightly at the sudden intrusion.
"Luna, this is Obake. Obake works at the SRC." Internal monologue screamed the truth and went on to shriek as to how he was even in the same stadium as them.
"Nice to meet you." Holding out an automatic hand, she was amazed when a gentle touch reached out and fastened onto her palm. It shook twice, slow in the movement before being tucked behind his back once again.
"Obake, what are you doing here? I thought that you couldn't leave the SRC right now." She wanted to be more outright about his circumstances but Luna was watching attentively.
"I'm on holiday. Something this big, I've known about it for months. Long enough to clear my schedule slightly." A flat palm reached backwards and slapped a thick metal sheet behind him twice. A slight change of perspective morphed the shipping container into a mobile home of unbelievable sizes. "An... associate has kindly let me give this a test-run. This thing could roll through a nuclear war and come out with all the passengers still healthy." A slight frown tugged at the corner of his mouth for a moment as the bleakness of the statement caught up with him. "A water-filtration system that rivals the space program, adaptive suspension that maps out the road ahead to adjust automatically and six body-contouring silicon-gel beds." The idea of five extra beds had ideas sparking around the shared minds of the two women even as Akiza began looking for the ulterior motive.
"You're going to follow the tournament across the country?" Observing the dust cloud rising in the distance, Obake began rustling his hands through the numerous pockets on his loose leather jacket.
"Of course. With the limitations placed by the governing body, many of the competitors will be at a distinct disadvantage." Finally finding the keys inside his pocket, he began anxiously twirling them through twitching fingers. It had been years since he had used so many words in a month and panic was flaring throughout him. "I intend to operate a charity run truck of sorts. Make sure everybody has a camping bag, plenty of water." Both women understood the idea. On a long journey, bikes and Runners lacked the ability to carry the necessary luggage. If more than a few were headed in the same direction, they would use a 'run truck' to carry the excess. "You are both welcome to come along. I'm not much of a 'people person' and it would be helpful to have a trained physician on hand." From what little Akiza knew of the pale Englishman – and her crumbs of knowledge beat out most other's not even knowing his existence – it sounded like he was trying hard not to sound lonely whilst he extended the invitation.
Pulling back his sleeve to check an old timepiece beneath, Obake carefully did the sort of mental arithmetic that most people needed a calculator and notepad for. "Sadly, there isn't much time to think it over. The Runners will soon be reaching Pala Mesa and spreading out in different directions. If you want to join," Looking up through the veil over his eyes, a slight twinge of sadness awaited at the blank patch of dusty ground beside him. In the middle of his panicky monologue, the prudent pair had withdrawn.
"Hey, Obake." Having hefted their bags inside already, Luna and Akiza were leaning out of the open door with tangled hair drifting easily in the wind. "Hurry up, we've got a race to catch." For just a moment the right side of his face burst into a brilliant smile.
Taking every other of the five steps with a practised grace, he joined the stunned women in a hallway roughly three feet across. It had the sort of decor that graced expensive hotels, all mahogany panels and adjustable lights. Oval panels of jet black were situated in stacks of two at regular intervals down the right as cabinets and a kitchen area slid down the left. There was a sliding door at the rear of the vehicle that was open onto a narrow bathroom with a small toilet and cubicle shower. At the front of the truck was a lengthy drivers cabin that looked like something from a spaceship. Eight seats – one driver, passenger and six behind – had been arranged in two lines with a narrow gap running down the middle. Rows of antique knobs and dials were scattered across the dashboard with a wide touchscreen taking point of pride in the middle. Just by where they were standing at the head of the stairs, a neat little booth had been set up with a comfortable wedge of wooden board keeping the stairs from imposing to one side of the table. They were high enough above the crowds to see out to the horizon where plumes of dust were still rising and there was enough storage space beneath their feet to squeeze in a small car with space to spare.
"Take any bunk you want." Sliding past in the wide hallway, Obake slid back one of the onyx ovals to reveal a compact yet tidy little cabin behind. "This particular model was reconstructed from a mobile operations centre. It was designed for six officers and one driver to use constantly for as long as nine weeks at a time." He was still talking but it was lost on the women. They were starting to bubble over with that nervous energy that erupted just before the start of a holiday or journey of any kind – the thrill of adventure. Easing himself into the drivers seat – positioned traditionally Britishly on the right instead of global standard of the left – Obake made some minor adjustments to the chair.
"Can this thing really catch up with the competition?" Dropping their bags in the open pod, Luna and Akiza shuffled themselves into the front two seats of what they could only describe as the passenger section that sat slightly higher than the driver and navigator seats.
"Don't let the size fool you." An uneasy groan sounded as he settled into the biting point. "It's an advantage." That was occasionally true. Though the truck would inevitably weigh far more than a Duel Runner, it could contain a more powerful engine as a result. Able to output more power, it would be able to keep up with the competition but as seasoned Turbo Duellists, Akiza and Luna highly doubted that it would be able to close the gap. A deep rumble of the engine quelled their doubts slightly and the sheer acceleration crammed them down deep inside as they chased the plume of dust rising in the wake of the competition.
My apologies for the late upload. Real life got real complicated and caused real delays. I was hoping to cover the first day in more detail but it may have to be added in later instead.
Sorry again :(