Chapter 7: The Last Stand

Weeks passed, and there was no sign of Kalin. Yusei and Akiza had hoped he had come to his senses, though they both knew that was a longshot. Still, they put their thoughts about their former friend behind them and began focusing on their own lives.

At the moment, the two of them were working on fixing up a Duel Runner. They'd found it abandoned in an alleyway by Sector Security. It was beaten up, but with a little work Yusei was sure they could make it work. Besides, if Sector Security wasn't going to use it, then why not take a crack at it? If nothing else, they could sell it for scrap metal.

"Akiza, hand me that wrench, please?"

Akiza nodded, and handed it over. Though there was one thing on her mind.

"Even if you can get it to work, then what? What'll you do with it?"

"Leave."

Akiza quirked an eyebrow.

"Leave what?"

"Satellite, Akiza. It's time we left. Too many bad memories, and too much pain."

Akiza couldn't help but agree. What once felt like the perfect escape was now a nightmare, but one thing was still on her mind.

"What if we run into my…my…"

"Your old family?"

Akiza nodded, shuffling her feet anxiously.

"Do you want to stay here? Just say the word and I'll forget the whole thing, I promise."

"No, I want to leave too. But… What if they find us? What if they don't like you? What if they send me away?"

"Akiza, I promise that I won't let them do anything to you. If they want to get to you, they'll have to get through me first."
"Promise?"

"I promise?"

Akzia smiled as the two leaned in to kiss, only for a knock at the door to ruin the moment. Before either of them could move to open it, the door was flung open as Jack and Crow barged into the room.

"Jack? Crow? What's-"

"Its Kalin."

That was all Yusei and Akiza needed, and rushed out the door. Despite everything Kalin had done, he was still their friend and needed their help.

When they reached the old hideout, they found it crawling with Sector Security. The four of them had to duck to narrowly avoid a police searchlight as the head of the operation spoke to Kalin through a megaphone.

"It's over! Come on out with your hands up!"

Kalin's crazed laughter was his response, their former leader sticking his head out to taunt them.

"Oh, it's over alright! For you, that is! I've rigged this whole building with explosives! I may go down, but I'm taking you with me!"

"This is bad, guys! Kalin isn't one to bluff."

"Come on, we've got to talk him down!"

As quietly as they could, the quartet made their way to the back entrance, climbing up the stairs until they reached the top. Kalin saw them enter and ducked down, beckoning them over.

"I knew you guys wouldn't let me down! Here's the plan: Akiza, you cause a distraction, draw their attention away from the front entrance. Jack and Yusei, you go and…"

But Yusei quickly shot down that scheme, pushing the map away gently.

"No Kalin, enough's enough. If they catch you, you're going to prison for life."

"IF they catch me! Come on, we can take them!"

"Maybe one or two," Jack conceded, "But they have a whole army down there! Didn't you once tell us that it's better to run and fight another day?"

Kalin sighed, finally realizing his friends had a point.

"Alright, but how are we going to get out of here? Even if we go out the backway, we won't be able to shake them."

Yusei closed his eyes, thinking over his plan before saying it.

"You guys make a run for it. I'll turn myself in."

"Yusei, you can't!"

"What's gotten into you?"

"Just go, I'll be fine."

Reluctantly, Jack, Crow, and Kalin made their way to the back door, but Akiza stayed behind.

"Akiza, you need to go."

"No. I'm going with you, whether you like it or not."

Knowing there was no talking her out of it, Yusei nodded and motioned for her to follow him. Making their way down to the entrance, they stepped out into the police searchlights with their hands up.

"We give up! We're the leaders of The Enforcers, and we surrender."

The searchlights turned off, but strangely no one moved to arrest them.

"What's the matter with you? Aren't you going to arrest us?"

"Hey, let me go!"

Two officers brought Kalin around the corner, the teen spitting and struggling to break free as they dragged him towards the police van.

"Let me go! You'll pay for this!"

"No, stop! He's innocent, I'm the one behind all of this!"

The police chief chuckled, patting him on the back sarcastically.

"How touching, but don't be stupid. That kid has been on our radar for months."

Kalin, managing to free himself just enough to turn his head, saw the entire exchange. Not being able to hear what they were saying, his mind went to one thing.

"Yusei! How could you! You betrayed me!"

"Kalin, no! I-"

"You won't get away with this! I'll make you pay! I'll-"

Kalin's remark was cut off by the door to the police van shutting, Yusei only able to watch it drive away into the unknown.

"Kalin."

Akiza placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"It's over, Yusei. Let's go home."

But she was wrong, for it was only the beginning.