Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!, Bakugan, or any such properties. All rights belong to their respective owners.
Chapter 7: Turbo Duel, Accelerate!
The subway station was filled with the dull roar of Haruka's Duel Runner as he started up the machine. He revved the engine, the sound resounding off the cracked cement walls, and smiled as some familiar sensation coursed through him. It was nostalgic and happy, yet he still couldn't place it.
Up on the platform, Rally was jumping with joy. "We did it! We did it!" he yelled, his voice only just audible over the sounds of the vehicle.
"One step closer to my memories," Haruka agreed above the roar of the engine. He smiled, almost sadly. One step closer to leaving here.
He looked down at the Duel Disk on his arm.
This "Taka" person had been silent ever since that first encounter. A part of Haruka's mind nagged at him, certain of his familiarity to the mysterious person speaking through the device, but unable to place it. He felt guilty, too; Taka tried to hide it when he spoke, but Haruka could sense the hurt in that voice when he said that he didn't remember the unseen speaker.
Not for the first time, Haruka found himself wondering what would be waiting for him across the water. This interest was only compounded upon with the addition of the mysterious voice.
"So what do you think?" Rally asked, snapping Haruka out of his thoughts.
"Hmm?"
"Now that your Duel Runner is ready, don't you think you should give it a test drive?" Rally said patiently. "You've only got a week, after all…"
There was the kicker.
After Yusei's successful escape through the Pipeline, New Domino was going to make some major upgrades to its security systems, no doubt to prevent similar escapades. The work was set to begin in a week. The Pipeline would go down for maintenance again, and after that… well, depending on how tough the upgrades were, Haruka didn't like his prospects. Not with the computer they had in the tent, anyway.
Not that he even knew what he did with the terminal in the factory, or if he could even replicate it, likely on a much larger scale.
So, it was easier to do it this way.
Haruka gave Rally a slight nod. "You're right. Is there anywhere to go around here?"
Rally thought about it. "Yusei usually rode the tunnels to get practice for the Pipeline," he said slowly. "But I'm not sure that's the right place to start for you. You've probably got some experience since you're a Turbo Duelist, but who knows how long it's been since your last ride?"
"Makes sense," Haruka agreed. "Somewhere more open, then…"
"I've got it!" Rally said suddenly. "There's an old highway a few minutes south of the factory. It's still in pretty good condition, so it should be safe!"
Haruka decided he would temporarily ignore the 'should be.' "That should work," he said. "Is there a way topside that I can take from here?"
Rally gave an awkward smile. "Well… Yusei's the one who knew these tunnels really well, so…" he shifted on his feet. "You can try looking around if you want, or…" he inclined his head slightly in the direction of the stairs.
He felt sure that he almost bit through his tongue on the teeth-chattering ride up the subway stairs, but as he came out onto the street, Haruka couldn't help but smile.
The sensation of sitting on a Duel Runner, sun on his face, was a familiar one. Those butterflies in his stomach were going crazy. He revved the engine once, and shot off down the street.
Haruka wove through the cramped roads of Satellite with carefree speed, the wind rushing at and around him. The grin never left his face.
He rode over the metal 'bridge' without a second thought, bolting once again as soon as his wheels touched solid ground. Lenny's factory appeared in his peripheral vision and disappeared a second later. Then, he arrived at the site of the old highway.
Shooting up out of the ground like a wilted sprout, a ramp connected to the winding highway a good twenty feet overhead. The pavement was cracked in some places, and in others it looked like the guardrails were rusted away or close to it, but the hum of the Duel Runner drowned out any of Haruka's doubts as he guided the machine onto the ramp.
He didn't think. He didn't try to remember anything. As he piloted the Duel Runner across the old road, ruined buildings popping up on either side, Haruka's mind felt truly clear for the first time since he'd woke up in the Satellite.
His life in the City was the last thing on his mind—not that there was much to think of. There was just a man and a machine, a symbiotic partnership. Where Haruka wanted it to go, it went; when he leaned, it leaned; when he revved, it sped up, and when he braked, it slowed. Together, they sliced through the rushing wind, indifferent to anything else surrounding them.
Until the Duel Runner shuddered and began to decelerate rapidly.
"What?" Haruka said, shocked. He revved the engine, desperately hoping that this was just the growing pains of a newly finished Duel Runner, but to no avail. The motorcycle didn't come to a stop, though, instead decelerating until reaching a steady speed and staying there. "What's going on…?"
"AUTOPILOT ENGAGED."
Autopilot?
Haruka was then aware of a siren wailing, distant at first but rapidly approaching. He looked over and saw a pair of red and blue flashing lights attached to another Duel Runner, sleek and white and ridden by someone in a Sector Security uniform.
There was a hiss of static, then Haruka heard a voice coming through his helmet: "This is Officer Izumi of Sector Security. Unknown rider, identify yourself!" the voice ordered.
It sounded somewhat familiar; after considering it for a moment, Haruka was able to place it as belonging to the officer who had hassled him and Rally the other day. A happy reunion, he thought bitterly, twisting and pressing everything that he could find that could be twisted and pressed, hoping something would work.
"Unknown rider, you are hereby ordered again to identify yourself!" the officer demanded. "It's no use trying to escape—Security vehicles are equipped to override your machine's controls!"
That's not going to stop me from trying, though! Haruka thought, struggling with his Runner in vain. He couldn't move it an inch one way or the other, it just kept moving at an almost sluggish pace compared to its original speed.
"If you will not comply, then I will have to duel you into submission!" the officer warned. When Haruka once again declined to respond, the man finally said, "You've forced my hand, Satellite. Don't worry—we'll be sure to take good care of your Duel Runner in the impound center!"
"DUEL MODE: STANDBY. ACTIVATING SPEED WORLD."
The display screen on his Duel Runner lit up. It showed the image of a Field Spell which Haruka took to be Speed World. Suddenly, a wave of blue spread out from both the Duel Runners, expanding and dyeing the world around them.
"DUEL!"
Haruka: 4000 LP / Izumi: 4000 LP
"I will take the first turn!" Officer Izumi stated. "I draw!"
Izumi SC: 1
Haruka SC: 1
"I'll begin by summoning X-Saber Airbellum in attack mode!" the Security Officer said. A portal appeared beside him, and out jumped a muscular, bipedal lion with a long mane and tough-looking armor, equipped with hooked claws that looked as long as swords. (3) (1600 ATK/200 DEF) "Next, I'll set two cards facedown and end my turn!"
"My move… draw!" Haruka said.
Izumi SC: 2
Haruka SC: 2
Glancing at the screen on his Duel Runner, Haruka saw that above the field display, there was a set of twelve small oval shapes. Two were filled in, the other ten were empty. There was also a second set below the field, similarly with two filled in and ten empty.
Speaking up, Haruka said, "Okay… here we go! Normal Summon, Pyrus Gargonoid!"
A tall, muscular gargoyle took flight next to Haruka. Its skin was orange and it had leathery red wings, as well as a long tail and long, twisted horns. (4) (1800 ATK/1400 DEF)
"When Gargonoid is summoned, I can send a FIRE monster from my deck to the graveyard in order to inflict half that monster's ATK to you! I'll send Pyrus Tuskor!" Haruka stated. "Since his ATK is 2000—that means you lose 1000 LP!"
Haruka's deck glowed with a faint red light as the indicated card was automatically sent to the graveyard. The glow leapt away from the deck and settled in Gargonoid's clawed hand, where it combusted into a fireball which was then thrown at the Sector Security officer.
It struck, and the Security vehicle wobbled in its course briefly. "Ngh! Not bad, for a Satellite!"
Haruka: 4000 LP / Izumi: 3000 LP
Izumi SC: 1
Hmm? His Speed Counters went down… Haruka noticed. Oh well—time to press the attack!
"Alright, Gargonoid—turn up the heat on that big cat!" Gargonoid channeled fire into its clawed hands to create a pair of fireballs. It faced Airbellum, pulled its arms back, and just as it was about to throw—
"Nice try! I activate my trap, At One With the Sword!" Izumi cut in. "While I only control a single X-Saber monster, I can treat this card as an equip and pump up that monster with 800 ATK!"
X-Saber Airbellum: 2400 ATK
Gargonoid threw the fireballs, but as they approached Airbellum sliced through them like they were nothing. The lion then launched itself forward and delivered an X-shaped cut across Gargonoid's chest.
"Ah!" Haruka gasped as the resulting shockwave threw his vehicle off balance for just a moment before the stabilizers kicked in.
Haruka: 3400 LP / Izumi: 3000 LP
"Also, due to my equip's effect, when Airbellum destroys one of your monsters, I get to draw a card! So thanks for that!" Izumi taunted as his monster returned to its original position, flying alongside his Duel Runner.
That was unfortunate… sorry, Gargonoid, Haruka thought. He glanced through his hand again. "I'll also set two cards facedown, then, and end my turn!"
"I draw!"
Izumi SC: 2
Haruka SC: 3
"I see no reason to let up—I summon X-Saber Galahad in attack mode!" Izumi said. On the other side of his Duel Runner, another portal opened up, this time spitting out a bipedal amphibian in green armor. It had a long gray ponytail and a sharp yellow spear with a purple jewel stuck where the shaft and spearhead met. (4) (1800 ATK/400 DEF) "Galahad, direct attack! Spear Thrust!"
The amphibious warrior drew back its arm and lunged toward Haruka. Though at the last second, Haruka called out, "Activate: Speed Spell – Sunrise Gift!"
One of the cards Haruka set flipped up, revealing the image of a dragon silhouetted against a bright orange sunrise.
"I'll have to give up all my Speed Counters, but with this, I gain Life Points equal to the ATK of a FIRE monster in my graveyard. Let's call it a last gift from Gargonoid!"
Haruka SC: 0
Haruka: 5200 LP / Izumi: 3000 LP
Haruka's Duel Runner began to decelerate rapidly in response to the card's activation, while a green aura surrounded him. Izumi and his monsters sped past him, and Galahad had to swivel around to renew its attack, this time cocking back its shoulder and hurling the spear, which flew through the air and struck Haruka.
Haruka: 3400 LP / Izumi: 3000 LP
The shock was a bit more jarring this time, but nothing that Haruka couldn't handle. The stabilizers brought it back under control within seconds. Still, it wasn't a pleasant sensation, being jostled about like that. Was this something he really enjoyed back in the City?
"Oh well—you've just delayed your defeat for another turn!" Izumi taunted. "There's still Airbellum's attack to look forward to, after all!"
On cue, the big lion launched itself toward Haruka and clawed the air in an X-shape, leaving a visible trail that flew out and struck Haruka hard. The frame slammed against the concrete barrier to the side, but aside from a slight squeal of distressed metal, the only noticeable damage was to Haruka's Life Points.
Haruka: 1000 LP / Izumi: 3000 LP
"By the way, when Airbellum inflicts damage to you by a direct attack, a card from your hand is randomly discarded!" A second X, this one tiny in comparison to the one that just struck, spun through the air like a shuriken. It stuck into one of Haruka's cards, which automatically slipped into the graveyard slot. "And just to make sure you don't get any ideas about winning, I'll go ahead and tune these two together! Level 3 Tuner, X-Saber Airbellum, and Level 4 X-Saber Galahad combine to create the Level 7 X-Saber Souza!"
The lion and the amphibian collapsed into the ever-familiar rings and stars, lining up in the usual pattern. Izumi didn't seem to be the creative type, or just didn't bother with chants or theatrics, as moments later a pillar of light shot through the rings, a deep, earthy brown rather than the flames Haruka usually saw. Taking their place next to Izumi was now a single human, tall and burly, with tan skin, spiky gray hair and a beard, carrying two swords and wearing heavy armor with a tattered red cloak hanging off. (7) (2500 ATK/1600 DEF)
Haruka glanced at what remained of his hand, then down to his set card. Actually… this is giving me plenty of ideas.
"I end my turn! Make your last move worth it!"
"I draw!" Haruka said.
Izumi SC: 3
Haruka SC: 1
The Duel Runner began to pick up a little more speed, and as it did so, Haruka couldn't help but smile to himself. I'm starting to understand why City-Me enjoyed this, he thought, though in the back of his mind, he could feel something lacking. This was fun enough on its own, but there was just… something missing to it all, something he couldn't place.
Briefly, his thoughts drifted to Taka.
He gave his head a quick shake to correct his focus. Time for the counterattack.
"I summon Pyrus Monarus in attack position, and will use her effect right away! By discarding a card from my hand, I can summon a FIRE monster from my graveyard!" Monarus took flight overhead as he slid Laserman into the graveyard slot. (3) (1100 ATK/1000 DEF) "And with that, I'll summon my Pyrus Tuskor!"
The massive red elephant appeared next to Haruka, running alongside his Duel Runner. It raised its spiky trunk and let out a trumpeting sound. Haruka chose to take that as a sign of triumph. (5) (2000 ATK/2000 DEF)
"Now—I'll tune these two together! Level 5 Tuskor and Level 3 Monarus, let's begin the experiment!"
Monarus flapped her wings once more and collapsed into three green rings, while Tuskor leapt into the air, lunging between the rings and becoming five stars. The burst of fiery energy was already appearing as Haruka began the chant—
"From the depths of despair arises a new hope! The doomed give up their spirits to awaken the fire within! Synchro Summon! Evolve to fight, Pyrus Omega Leonidas!"
It was one thing to have the creature standing before you awaiting a command, but as the fierce dragon soared overhead, its imposing wings stretching almost across the entire roadway… Haruka couldn't help but stare at it. Izumi couldn't seem to keep his eyes off it either, perhaps because of how effortlessly this Satellite had summoned something that could defeat his own monster. (8) (3000 ATK/2700 DEF)
"Now, I activate Leonidas's effect! By removing from play a FIRE monster in my graveyard, Leonidas gains ATK equal to that of the removed monster—I'll say goodbye to Laserman, giving Leonidas an extra 2500 ATK!"
Pyrus Omega Leonidas: (5500 ATK/2700 DEF)
"You can't be serious!" Izumi practically yelped.
"Dead serious," Haruka responded, unable to keep the grin off his face. He looked up to the dragon above him, and through the visor of his helmet, he saw Leonidas looking back at him. There was a brief moment of connection between the two, and Haruka could feel the fleeting trace of a shared thought—Let's do this, partner! "Go, Leonidas! Attack X-Saber Souza with Omega Eraser!"
The dragon roared in response, drawing its head back and opening its mouth. A fiery beam erupted from it, slashing up the road in the direction of Souza.
"J-just a moment!" Izumi interrupted, an audible quiver in his voice. "I activate my Speed Spell – Shrink! By sacrificing two Speed Counters, I can halve Leonidas's ATK!"
Izumi SC: 1
"Not good enough!" Haruka shot back. "I activate my counter trap, Battle Audience! When you activate an effect that targets a monster, I can negate that effect and change the attribute of the targeted monster! Just for fun, let's make Leonidas a WATER monster!"
A sudden change came over Leonidas, as the red and yellow features of his body became blue and silver. Also, the beam of fire became a jet of rushing water. It struck Souza, washing him away instantly. The torrent then hit Izumi's Duel Runner, sending it spinning as Haruka shot past.
Haruka: 1000 LP / Izumi: 0 LP
"AUTOPILOT DISENGAGED."
The blue coating on everything faded away, and Haruka seemed to have control over his Duel Runner again. Leonidas faded away, too, but for just a second, Haruka's eyes locked with Leonidas's. That faint connection was there again. Leonidas gave a short nod of approval, then disappeared.
Haruka shot off down the highway, hitting the engine with as much speed as he could. He might not have remembered much about Turbo Dueling, but he felt like it was common sense to get the heck out of there when you just beat a law enforcement officer in a fight.
"Dispatch? This is Izumi, requesting a pickup. Duel Runner is currently inoperable." Pause. "I engaged the male I reported days ago, the one who resembles Haruka Godai. I was… unable to defeat him. I do have duel data, however." Another pause. "Understood."
Izumi pounded his fist against the right handgrip, and unsuccessfully attempted to start it again. It wasn't unusual for a Duel Runner to be temporarily disabled after a duel loss, but for it to be entirely inoperable was unheard of, barring heavy damage sustained after the fact.
He glared hatefully down the road, toward the curb the kid had disappeared around ten minutes ago. I don't know what that punk did, but he'll pay for wrecking my Duel Runner and getting the better of me. I'll see you again.
"Not bad, Haruka, not bad at all," Cyclone mused to himself as a window on the computer tracked the movement of Haruka's Duel Runner. "Kida, he's far enough away now. You can release the lockdown on the officer's Duel Runner whenever you please."
"Roger," Kida answered dutifully. Her voice had taken on an almost militaristic hardness when she volunteered to ensure the officer couldn't pursue further.
"I eavesdropped on the guy's call to Dispatch," Taka chimed in. He sounded like he was holding back a laugh. "He's going to be in so much trouble when they get there to pick him up."
A short, shared laugh ran between the three unseen speakers, but it was quickly cut off by the sound of a series of quick knocks on the door. Several extra windows on the screen were closed almost instantly as Rex Goodwin stepped into the room.
"Good day, Cyclone, Taka, Kida," he said cordially. "Have you had any luck in your hunting today?"
"Possibly," Cyclone said. "We came across a Turbo Duel in Satellite. We haven't been able to determine which cards were used just yet, but that in itself is enough of an anomaly to be looked at."
Goodwin seemed to accept this, nodding once. "Keep looking into it. With the other Satellite escapee in custody, that is curious." A smile flickered on his lips. "It wouldn't surprise me at all that Haruka managed to cobble together a Duel Runner. That boy is a bright one."
An unspoken sensation of doubt ran between the three hackers.
"Very well. I'll leave you three to your work. Do attempt to pin down this Turbo Duelist, if you can." Goodwin folded his hands behind his back and turned around, walking back toward the door. "Oh, one more thing. Just in case you're having any doubts… we will find Haruka. One way, or another, we'll find him. And I know that he would be so upset if you three weren't able to welcome him back."
Goodwin exited promptly after, allowing a short silence to settle until Taka spoke up.
"You think he knows?"
"I think he knows," Kida agreed.
"He knows," Taka lamented.
"He knows," Kida repeated.
"He suspects," Cyclone countered. "We've got our reputation for a reason, after all. We can only 'just miss' evidence so many times."
"In other words, no more sandbagging?" Taka suggested.
"No more sandbagging," Cyclone agreed. "Next time he comes, we give him something real." He paused. "Taka, stick with Haruka. See if you can't give him a push our way."
"Why me?"
"Because you've already made contact," Kida pointed out. "If more mysterious people he doesn't remember started talking to him through his Duel Disk, it would probably freak him out."
"And because watching him frustrate you is funny," Cyclone said.
"I hate you, Cyclone." Taka said, before his window closed.
Author's Note: Heeeeya folks. Been a while… yeah, sorry about that. Definitely was not planning on taking an almost 7-month break, but between just overall being stuck on this chapter, and the various stressors related to not being able to live in student dorms anymore and having to find an apartment… well, there's no need to keep making excuses. I won't say I'm back back yet, as I don't know if I'll be able to keep a proper schedule for the time being, but I will say I'm not expecting another long break like this. (Not that I expected this one, but it's the thought that counts, right?)
Anyway, how have things been with you guys? Apologies if this hasn't been my best chapter. As I said, I've been stuck on this one for a while so my skills might have depleted over time. I hope the duel was alright though, I kept flip-flopping between what deck I wanted Izumi to use, and how I wanted Haruka to finish it, either sweeping with Helios or bringing out Leonidas to show his and Haruka's connection. Obviously, you see how it turned out. Plus, new effect for Gargonoid, and the first custom Speed Spell! (I totally didn't make that one up as I went. Definitely not.)
Smell ya later!
Cards Used:
Pyrus Gargonoid
Level: 4
Attribute: Fire
Type: Fiend/Effect
ATK/DEF: 1800/1400
Effect: When this card is Normal Summoned, you can send 1 FIRE monster from your Deck to the Graveyard, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to half its ATK.
Speed Spell – Sunrise Gift
Type: Quick-Play
Effect: Activate by removing 3 Speed Counters. Gain Life Points equal to the ATK of 1 FIRE monster in your Graveyard.
