On My Own
chapter 15
Author Notes: Time flies when you're having fun-or so the saying goes. If you ask me, time flies period, especially when you got a million and ten things to do...not eleven, eleven's too much. But uh yeah. It's been long enough, I do not own Yugioh.
3rd P.O.V
'Are you serious Blister?' Yusei couldn't at all believe what he was hearing. 'Yeah. Twenty people...over the course of five years have gone missing. And that's not even counting your father or other J-IPA agents.' The man found himself paling at the new.
A sickening feeling in his stomach. 'Why? Why are you telling me this!?' This had to be a lie. Or some some cruel joke. 'Because i'm here to recruit you. I'm not going to give you any bullshit to convince you-no you need to know what's at stake for if you refuse.'
The guns were still trained on Rally and Yusei, and the atmosphere's gone cold as Blister stares right at his target. One that had no problems glaring in defiance-even if it means a bullet to the skull. He's not going just give in when this was completely illogical.
'I don't know why you chose me but i'm telling you i'm not hero material. I'm just some mechanic from the shittiest part of town. My dad may've been an agent-but the only thing he trained me in was self defense and THAT's because it's easy to get mugged on the streets.'
Rally bit his lip as he gripped his adopted brother's sleeve. His false bravado long gone after seeing all the weapons trained on him and his brother. Shivering as the elder male tried shielded him from view.
Sadly neither of them felt any safer, desperately the red head wished Martha was here. The wonderful woman would tear Blister and his posse to shreds for coming into their home and bullying them like this.
'I chose you partially because of your father-he was my partner after all. But I wouldn't be busting your door down and threatening you to take the job if I didn't think you couldn't pull it off.' His reports don't lie.
Even if he himself does. 'Besides I know you got some friends there that could eventually be part of the missing lists I have. Better to pick someone who can be fully motivated right?' Ok, technically yes, the government didn't specifically choose Yusei despite keeping tabs on him.
But out of all potential candidates, there was no one else Blister felt he could trust to take on this mission. Yusei said he wasn't hero material, but that was exactly why Blister sought him out. He was smart, wise, kind and had a good sense of justice that didn't make him arrogant or blind to the world around him.
He was a hard worker, he was a reliable guy who could adapt to any situation thrown his way. Traits all too familiar to his old man. 'We've found some bodies of those who have vanished but before Isao disappeared himself he submitted a recording of his investigation, and frankly it's the only lead we have.'
Yusei watched with narrow eyes as the agent brings out his phone. He taps a few buttons before placing it on the table. It takes a few moments for any sounds to play, and even longer for a familiar voice to speak out over the static.
But it still left the mechanic frozen in place, barely able to breathe as the one person he thought he'd never hear from again speaks on the phone. However it wasn't from a man of calm, confidence-but a man who knew his days were limited.
"Blister-I don't know if this will get to you but I'll try to be quick and to the point. I've got a lead. That Yugi kid I told you about before who went missing. I found him. Underneath the ring there's a secret floor full of cells. I found him chained there, unconscious. And it looks like he's not the only one." Static overtook him for a moment.
Making everyone's hair stand on end. Even Blister who had memorized this entire report from listening to it so many times. "I don't know why they're doing this, or what exactly, but there's a lab here. They're Experimenting on these duelists! I found logs detailing the status of each victim and their backgrounds I'll send it out as soon as I can."
With that the phone shuts off. Leaving an anxious tension with the ominous words spoken. Blister gives the pair of siblings a few moments to absorb the information. Knowing that this...wasn't exactly an easy thing to stomach.
'Miraculously we got those logs, which is how we knew how many people were missing, as well as each victim's background-but after that, Isao disappeared. Gone just like the rest.' A sigh escapes the man.
A feeling of remorse filling his frame as he pockets his phone. 'Of course we tried infiltrating this secret dungeon and lab he described, but we couldn't find it no matter how hard we searched. And of course the agents sent in either vanished like Isao or were returned to us in a body bag.'
They were getting desperate. This was an operation that had been undergoing for nearly half a decade. With every new year meant more victims. Both duelists and agents sent from the government were at risk.
'We decided that we needed someone who had the skills to enter the competition. Who could blend in with his peers and access things without raising suspicion.' It was then their gazes met once more.
Several emotions were flickering through those young blue eyes. 'Yusei, despite your accident you are arguably one of the best duel racers of your generation. If your friend Kalin didn't sabotage your bike, you would've won the competition. I have no doubts that you're more than capable of handling the underground tournament.'
Rally's eyes widened in shock, out of breath as if someone just punched him. 'It was Kalin?' Immediately he turned his attention to his brother, seeing his face twisted in pain. It was a surprise to them both. A surprise neither of them wanted.
And well...didn't the J-IPA official feel like an ass. He stood up then, waving his hands so that his men could FINALLY relinquish their weapons, but the tension between the two groups were still there.
'I think that's enough bombshells for the day. I'll think we'll take our leave for now. But make no mistake Yusei, I'll be back in a few days. I hope you'll have made the best answer.'
Cheers were ringing on all sides as the flashes from cameras blinding the top twenty duelists of the competition. Dust found himself wincing from all the lights and noise. The tension was even worse since he was saddled in between Blackrose and Crow.
Two individuals that before they were lined up gave him piercing stares. As if they were seeing right through his façade. As if he wasn't unnerved enough with how things have been going. He just had to make it through this ceremony...then he'd be free to leave.
"And now ladies and gents we will be beginning the long awaited second half of the tournament~ As you can clearly see on the screen behind me are all the duelists who have made it this far! Give them a round of applause." The screams and claps grew ten times louder.
It took everything for Dust to stay still. To keep smiling. "Now we've drawn a random lot for who our contestants will be paired off against starting tomorrow morning~ Let's see who's got Lady Luck in their corner!" The announcer grinned as he pulled out a small piece of paper.
Looking absolutely giddy as he raised his voice a touch higher. "When I call your name step forward so I can lead you to your designated spot. Keep in mind folks, the pairs I call out also determines who order these matches take place. First up...our lady of mystery-our only lady at all...Blackrose!"
She doesn't bother giving audience her attention as she steps on a little pink circle. It doesn't deter any support for her. "Her opponent...Gumshoe! Our beloved man in black~" This was a bad sign as Trudge's mouth twitch.
Still he gives an easy going grin as he follows her lead, standing on the other pink spot on the floor next to her. One by one, each name was called out. Making Dust all the more nervous as he waited for his turn. "Crow! A favorite among gingers is going toe to toe with Commander Koda-the Duel Profiler~"
Both men sneered at each other, giving small quips of rivalry. "And finally-we have Dust Fairfite our Sweetheart Steampunk going up against Krest! Our Lord of the Shadows~" Out of all the duelists Yusei found himself against this is the one he had the least knowledge of.
"Good luck on our future duel." He lifts his hand out, hoping he kept his voice steady as he tried showing good sportsmanship. Only for him and the audience to feel shocked when his hand is harshly slapped away.
The man was wearing a mask and cloak similar to that of Blackrose, but his was in dark purple, with a black mask that represented an angry demon. "I will enjoy tearing you apart limb from limb. You will suffer greatly~"
With a raspy hysterical laugh, Krest walks away, completely ignoring the fact that his actions were broadcasted on live tv. A chill crept up Dust's spine as he watched him walk away. There was something about the man that was clearly off.
And it wasn't just due to his personality or mentally unstable speech. "W-well folks that's it for now! Starting tomorrow we're gonna see these boys and girl go head to head for the Champions crown!" He had essentially two days before his duel since his match was the last of the bunch.
This was the prime chance for him to do some snooping, especially now that Crow wasn't bunking with him and his injuries were healed up. He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck as he walked off the stage. Ignoring the concerned looks he was receiving.
"So you're the famous Dust am I right?" A man was waiting for him as the secret agent made his way back to his room. "I am, and you good sir?" The man didn't look familiar to Yusei, and he looked normal enough.
Chestnut brown hair, a sleeveless green vest covering a gray dress shirt and jeans. Giving an easy going posture as he leaned against his door. "Names Sayer. I think we're long due for a chat." Movement was found in the corner of his eye.
What was just one man standing in front of him was now five. "Is there a need for such hostile expressions among your acquaintances? Seems hardly fitting for a discussion." The man laughs, surprised that Dust didn't even bat an eye of the added numbers.
Confirming that there was more to this man than what meets the eye. "We're a rather serious bunch. Especially when a certain gentleman duelist has caught the attention of our little princess." Princess?
Dust frowns as they shuffle closer, inching their way slowly to limit his movements. "I don't recall interacting with any royalty, if I have caused offense I am truly sorry." That rushing feeling of fight or flight was sinking in as Sayer gave a cool smile, his eyes full of animosity.
"I think you should be. Does the Lady of Thorns, Blackrose ring any bells? A worm like you shouldn't be anywhere near her." He should've known this was going to happen. Blister DID warn him of the Arcadia Movement and her role in it. Still he didn't expect to be confronted like this.
If they were trying to be intimidating...they'll have to be better then this. Especially considering the few interactions between them could've easily not happened if these protectors actually fulfilled their role.
"It's hard not to interact with her when we're in the midst of competition-and I don't recall any of you coming to her aid when the earthquake struck. If you're truly her knights in shining armor-i'm afraid you'll have to do a better job than an ordinary inventor." He struck a nerve.
Despite his 'polite' speech, he knew he went too far the moment arms reached for him. This wasn't the first time Yusei's been surrounded and knowing his luck it probably won't be the last either. However it came as a shock to Sayer and his group when Dust managed to maneuver and subdue his men.
All of them on the floor. "My apologies for the harsh treatment. But don't come tittering to me with complaints when you cannot seem to have the basic credentials to do your job properly. There is such a thing as manners and courtesy-I expect that in return as it is a two way street."
The leader of this little ambush found himself seething. His fists clenching at his sides, ready to pounce himself before a voice stopped him. "I couldn't agree more. What on earth are you doing Sayer?" Both men freeze before turned towards the shadows.
"Akiza!?" It was Blackrose herself, huffing as she steps forward. Ignoring Yusei's expression of shock to address the latter. "I don't need you and the others to baby me Sayer." Her mask was still on, hiding her face and expressions, but her tone said it all.
She was embarrassed. She was pissed. "There's no need to be so mad. I was just warning him-" Her hand spread out in a sweeping motion, cutting him off. Her voice distorted in anger. "You don't need to try beating him black and blue as a 'warning.' I told you he saved my life and you do this?"
It was the most emotion she's showed in a long time, and it wasn't a good thing as she glanced down at the fallen members of the movement. She felt no pity as she scoffed in their direction. "Honestly, you lot deserve to be on the ground. You're just lucky he managed to do it and not me!" An ass kicking was due.
With her emotions a harsh wind fluttered around her. Her hair and clothes flying from the sudden gust. "We're leaving Sayer." It was then she finally turns towards Dust. The hostile tension in her body still there.
"Make no mistake though. You are my enemy Dust and when I face you in the tournament you will fall. Don't expect me to come to your rescue or be your friend because I needed to stop these guys from doing something stupid."
Dust could only give her a soft smile as he patted to ironically 'dust' off his clothes. Not able to see her eyes widen or hear the small muffled gasp she let out. Why the hell was he smiling at her when she just threatened him. And why did her heart have to pound against her chest seeing it!?
"If I'm being honest I didn't appreciate the scuffle, but I can understand their desire to protect you Miss. Blackrose. Still, I look forward to our duel. Though I'd rather not get ripped apart by your dragon. As beautiful as it is, it looks rather dangerous...much like its owner."
Having said his piece and having a faint hunch that he caused her to blush, he gives a small bow. Excusing himself. Leaving the group stunned as his gaze turned serious the moment he was out of view.
His mission was nothing but a royal mess with the missing duelists, but now there was a name that he really didn't think he'd find here of all places. He had no proof, however the hair and name set off alarms.
He had no proof...but it couldn't have been a coincidence. "Akiza...Akiza Izayoi is the Blackrose. As if things couldn't get complicated enough." He really needed to get ahold of Blister. Now.
to be continued
Author Notes: Number fifteen is complete yes~ Now granted this isn't too big of a chapter since not a lot has gone on but hey-we got some character dynamic and set up for the next...not arc but section of the story.
Fun times await~ Next time. Everyone thanks for reading my story. If you like what you're reading so far please feel free to fav/follow/review since it means a lot ot me to support and just liking my stuff. I'll see you all at some point(hopefully when i'm not slaving over hw) tchao for now.