Yu-Gi-Oh! 5 Deluxe Dragons
Disclaimer: This one doesn't own the Yugioh series.
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Chapter 15 – What Lies Within the Wind
Darkness. That is all Yusei sees as he awakens. He looks around as his eyes adjust, only to see nothing. His hand rubs a sore part of his head as he ponders his situation. "Where am I?"
He tests the floor. It's hard and metal. He can also feel himself moving. That leads to one conclusion; he's inside a truck.
Looking around, Yusei notices a sheet. He gets closer and removes it, revealing his D-Wheel underneath. That's when it all comes back to him. "That's right… I got a call to go fix something…"
He recalls the event that took place; he was hired for a job and approached the house, but there was no answer. That's when he heard a scream and barged in. But it was a trap. A bunch of men jumped him.
"So the job was just to get to me… who were they?"
A light shines behind him as if answering his question. On the screen is a sinister-looking gentleman in a suit, resting his chin on his fingers. "So, you've finally woken up, Yusei Fudo."
"Who the hell are you?" Yusei asks in a demanding tone.
"Let's just say I work for this Riding Duel business group and keep it at that."
"Looks more like you're working for some criminals."
"It just goes to show how desperate we are to have your services." He chuckles a little. "You see, we've been impressed by your dueling record. The W.R.G.P. will be taking place in a year, and our group would benefit greatly monetarily if the winner of the Fortune Cup were to be in our back pocket."
Yusei scuffs at that. "If hiring me was your intent, you're not gonna get it. Hell, even if you didn't kidnap me, I already have plans for my own team."
The man on the other end laughs. "You say that like your compliance is a factor. We already have you where we need you. Once you're at our location, you WILL be joining us. We have doctors who are experts in psychological manipulation to help 'change' your mind."
Now the Signer is angrier than before. "And what? You think you'll get away with this?!"
He slams his fists into the table. "WE ALREADY HAVE! This conversation is between you and me, and no one else knows where you are after all…"
Yusei grits his teeth as the man laughs. "So why don't you just sit back and enjoy the ride?"
Elsewhere…
Jack and Crow are out driving. After that message, they have been searching for their friend Yusei.
"What's the word, Jack?"
"Nothing. Anything on your end?"
"Nah. I was just about to return to deliveries too."
A third voice enters the video communication of their D-Wheels. "Are you two not taking this as seriously as you should?!"
"Aki, calm down," Crow says, a little freaked out by the pressure in her voice.
"Just because we couldn't get into contact with him doesn't mean we should overreact," says Jack with confidence.
Over on Aki's end, she's with Mikage also joining in on the search. The latter adds, "Don't worry Aki. Yusei can take care of himself."
"Not if he's been kidnapped!"
"Well, even that call was weird. Someone we never heard of just told us Yusei has been kidnapped and hung up. That alone makes it pretty sus."
"Crow, don't say sus like you're a kid," Jack tells him. "But this could be a trap."
"But until we can confirm Yusei is safe we won't know for sure!"
"Right, right." He shakes his head. "I swear, whenever Yusei is involved you always get like this."
"LIKE WHAT?" That terrifying face shuts him up.
The tone luckily shifts when their communications have been jammed. Or in this case, hacked, as another screen enters. As Mikage checks, they receive a new message.
"The car Yusei is on is heading north of Blue Hill Route in West Valley. Hurry up, or they'll get him."
Mikage, unable to focus on the message itself, asks, "Who are you? How did you get this-"
The signal cuts out. Since it's all they have to go off of, the girls drive there being the closest. After a few minutes of driving on the looping freeway, Aki feels her arm burning. She checks the mark. "We must be getting close!"
As they make a turn, the feeling gets stronger for a brief moment. She glances over down to a lower road. "Wait. Go to the bottom route!"
After making the crossover, Aki and Mikage reach the route where a Dragon Up truck is. The blunette kicks it into high gear and drives faster as the redhead directs the driver. Reaching the driver's side of the window, Mikage gasps when she sees the vehicle is automated.
Aki then checks her arm. "This feeling… it's no mistake. Yusei is inside."
She gets up out of the seat and attaches her Duel Disk. It turns on and she draws a card. "I summon Rose Tentacles!" A towering vine monster sprouts from the top of the truck, and on her orders, it bashes into the door. Each strike manages to damage the metallic door, shocking the inhabitant.
"Aki?"
"Don't worry. I have complete control now."
The door starts falling off, exposing Yusei within. He shields his eyes a little from the light before they adjust, allowing him to see his savior. "Aki? Mikage?"
"Yusei! You're okay!"
On the other side of the screen, the businessman's flunkies realize the problem. He growls under his breath. "Damn it. I guess it's time for plan B."
The goon controlling the truck flips a switch. This causes the truck to shift gears and drive faster. Such an increase in speed causes Rose Tentacles to fall off and shatter. "If we can't get you, then we'll just get rid of you."
Yusei reaches the doors and forces them open. He almost loses balance but corrects himself. Aki, still standing, calls out to him as they get closer. She lunges for the left door, a vocal gripe of pain as her heels scrape the pavement.
Yusei manages to reach for her, pulling the Psychic Duelist closer. But as he does, the door begins to fall off. He pulls her close into his chest before it comes off completely, breaking off her duel disk in the process. Both of the items crash into Mikage's vehicle, leaving her in the dust.
"Mikage!"
"Aki, you can't be so reckless!"
"Who do you think I'm doing this for?!" is her retort, both of them still holding hands. The truck is going crazy, knocking them over inside. "At this rate, we're gonna crash!"
Getting back up, Yusei goes to his D-Wheel before unhooking it. He then throws on his helmet. "Yusei?"
"We're getting out of here!" he says, opening the seat compartment to pull out a spare helmet. Tossing it to her, he says, "Get on and we'll jump off."
"That's too risky! It's a one-wheeler!" she says as she catches it.
"It can handle two people. Trust me."
"But…" Aki pauses for a minute. 'Wait… this could be an opportunity in the waiting…' She then smiles internally at a chance to sit intimately with Yusei. It's dangerous, but they've gotten out of much bigger danger before. A win-win! "Let's do it!"
However, the setup is vastly different. Instead of being behind him, holding his waist and chest, she's sitting sideways on the inner ring. "Just have faith in me, and we can get out of this."
'… of course, he wouldn't let me do that…' A little angry at him, she adds, "Yusei, if we end up crashing after making me prop myself like this, there'll be hell to pay."
While he's not sure if she's serious, Yusei is more focused on the not-crashing part of this moment. That, sadly, will be at the back of his mind when he sees something up ahead coming their way.
It's a D-Wheel of grey and gold designed like a unicorn. Its rider is in a white bodysuit with burgundy highlights and a knight-like helmet, orange visors covering their face. They approach the truck and say, "Yusei, jump. And then duel me."
Believing them to be on the side of the villains who kidnapped him, Yusei contemplates his options. For a second. If he doesn't jump, they die. So, Yusei revs it up and makes the leap. At the same time, the truck breaks through the barrier and swan dives into the wet rocks.
Duel Mode On.
All of a sudden, his D-Wheel switches to Duel mode against his will. It catches his attention quickly enough for him to miss the truck crashing and exploding. The other rider makes a side slide before turning completely to give chase.
"We meet at last, Yusei Fudo," speaks the masked driver.
"Who are you?! How do you expect me to duel in this predicament?!" Yusei demands, not in a mood to be polite.
"Have you ever seen the movie Speed?" The rider's words worry Yusei as he contemplates what that means. "Your D-Wheel is rigged to explode should it brake. That's why Duel Mode is turned on."
"What?!"
"A bomb?!" Aki gasps.
"Well? How will this go?" They ask them.
"So you can't win by normal means, is that it?!"
Instead of answering that, they turn on Speed World 2. The roads turn on as a result, clearing an optimal duel lane. Reaching the duel road over the seas, Yusei prepares himself.
"Aki, hold on tight so you don't fall off."
"Un." Aki stares down at him. She is about to experience a Riding Duel for the first time.
RIDING DUEL ACCELERATION
The Unknown: 4000
Yusei Fudo: 4000
The opponent draws to start the turn. They summon the Noble Knight Spearholder in defense mode, a female knight heavily armored while branding a spear.
Spearholder: 800/400 (2)
With a facedown set, their turn ends.
Yusei immediately draws, busting out Speed Warrior. His skater enters attack position and races for Spearholder, his attack power doubling.
"Flora Shield activate." A barrier made of white petals forms over the spear holder, blocking the attack. "It lets me negate your attack and draw a card."
Annoyed at the failure, Yusei sets three cards and ends his turn.
As the enemy draws for turn, they then take a monster and summon it, the Swift Horse of the Floral Knight.
This proud knight races down the loft next to Spearbearer.
Swift Horse: 400/800 (3)
"Upon summon, this monster allows me to draw." They add the card to their hand before moving to two other cards. "I'll then activate the Speed Spell – Overboost."
Their Speed Magic increases the roar of the engine, along with their speed counters to 6. This allows the rider to activate another speed spell – Speed Fusion. "I'll fuse Swift Horse and Spearbearer."
Their monster merges together, transforming into a beautiful redhead centaur knight. Basically centaur Erza. "Come forth, Centaur Mina!"
Centaur Mina: 2200/1600 (6)
"Centaur Mina, attack Speed Warrior!" Centaur Mina turns around to attack Speed Warrior.
"Trap activate; Scrap Iron Scarecrow!" Yusei's trap flips over.
"Nice try, but Centaur Mina has an effect." The monster steps over the trap, resetting it to the field. "She can negate a trap that activates and reset it. Resume the battle! Grace Illuminate!"
Making a U-turn, the centaur comes around Yusei's left and slashes Speed Warrior. Aki cries out at the sudden destruction.
Yusei: 2700
"Aki, are you okay?" Yusei asks after hearing her.
"I'm fine…" Internally, she's actually amazed at the dueling. 'There's something about a Riding Duel that delivers a height of emotions my heart has never felt before. Is this what Yusei feels every time he's behind the wheel?"
The rider sets a card before ending their turn, their Speed Counters reducing to one due to Overboost.
Ready to take back the duel, Yusei draws for his turn. "I summon Junk Synchron!"
His main tuner pops onto the field before he uses its effect to revive Speed Warrior. "I'll tune my level 2 Speed Warrior with my level 3 tuner Junk Synchron!"
His tuner pulls the engine cord and transforms into rings. Speed Warrior leaps through them in the air, allowing them to transform him. "Clustering stars will call upon a new force; become the path the light shines upon! Synchro Summon!"
Appearing from the light is his star fighter, Junk Warrior. As Aki gazes in awe at how different and better a Riding Duel Synchro Summon is, Yusei commands his monster to attack Centaur Mina. But her owner has different plans.
"Fleur Guard!" Centaur Mina blocks the giant fist with her shield. "One monster on my field won't be destroyed by battle."
Unknown: 3900
"I'll set one card and end my turn."
Before the others can begin their turn, Aki analyzes the two. 'Both of them are laying their attacks on thoroughly, but it's almost like they've faced each other before.'
"Just what is he up to?" Yusei mutters, catching her attention. "He clearly doesn't act like someone who is a part of that group. It's almost like he's enjoying this duel."
As the other rider begins their turn, they chuckle. "I summon Fleur Synchron."
Coming out is a bulbous-like monster tan in color.
Fleur Synchron: 800/0 (2) Tuner
"A tuner…" Yusei realizes, going on guard immediately.
"I'll tune Centaur Mina with Fleur Synchron." Fleur explodes into stars that circle the air into rings. Centaur Mina leaps through them bravely. "Body born from the speed of light, the time for revolution has come; bring victory into my grasp!"
Light explodes around the field, as a new monster appears; this female knight encased in silver armor stands tall. The monster's helmet comprises her entire head, with a flower bud as the top of her head. "Synchro Summon – Sparkle, Fleur de Chevalier!"
Fleur de Chevalier: 2700/2300 (8)
"When Fleur is used as material for a Synchro Summon, I can special summon a level 4 or lower Normal Monster from my hand. Apprentice Knight!"
Her next monster is a female knight dressed as an unofficial knight looks.
Apprentice Knight: 1000/1000 (2)
"Is she going to attack, despite you having Scrap Metal Scarecrow?"
"He definitely knows that. He doesn't seem like an idiot, which means he has a plan." Yusei smirks as he contemplates what the other can do.
'Is… is he enjoying this?'
"Fleur de Chevalier, attack Junk Warrior!" The flower knight moves in to slice open Junk Warrior.
"I activate Scrap Metal Scarecrow!"
"I knew you would. Fleur de Chevalier can once per turn negate a Magic or Trap card, and destroy it!" Fleur de Chevalier moves in and throws her sword, stabbing the scarecrow. As it shatters, she pulls her sword back up to slice Junk Warrior into pieces.
Yusei: 2300
"Not bad, but I had a feeling that might happen. Miracle's Afterglow!" Yusei's trap opens u, and from it revives Junk Warrior.
"I'll set two cards and end my turn." The rider sets two cards, before ending their turn. "Well, I'm impressed Yusei."
Fleur's owner slides to a stop, before braking completely. Smirking, Yusei slows down before stopping too. At that, Aki gasps when she realizes something. "Then, the bomb…"
"A bluff. Isn't that right, ma'am?" That also shocks her. "I couldn't tell through your voice, but now it's more clear."
"Sorry for the ruse. It just seemed like the best opportunity to assess your strength." The woman removes her helmet, revealing herself as an extremely beautiful blond with green eyes. "My name is Sherry Leblanc."
"A woman D-Wheeler?"
"Sorry for deceiving you, but Yusei Fudo, I want to take you for my team as well." She smiles staring at him.
"Another person after me?"
"You don't realize how captivating you are, do you? I want you to join my team for the W.R.G.P.." She attaches her helmet. "This duel, however, is just a greeting. So let's enjoy it and then you can give me your answer."
Sherry resumes the duel by driving forward. Yusei intends to chase, but Aki takes precedence. "Aki, get off. It's dangerous."
"No, I want to finish watching. Your Riding Duel first hand is something I feel I can't miss."
After a brief pause, Yusei says, "Then hold on tight," before resuming.
Catching up with Sherry, Yusei draws for his turn. He immediately summons the monster drawn, Turbo Synchron, before performing a Synchro Summon. Turbo transforms into a ring that Junk Warrior passes through. "Clustering bonds will weave a greater force! Become the path the light shines upon! Synchro Summon – roar your engines, Turbo Warrior!"
Turbo Warrior returns after his battle against a giant spider, steam blowing off of him. "Turbo Warrior, attack Fleur de Chevalier!"
His red pompadour monster flies in. "When Turbo Warrior attacks a level 6 or higher monster, that monster loses half of its attack points!"
Chevalier: 1350
"Not bad."
"Accel Slash!" His monster fires a strike, forcing the chevalier to block with her shield.
Sherry: 2750
"Trap card, For Our Ideals." Sherry's trap opens, causing Apprentice Knight to fade away. "I can send one monster I control to the grave to negate the destruction of another monster."
Yusei grits his teeth. Sherry is just as skilled and powerful as him apparently.
"Turbo Warrior's effect only works when IT attacks, so what will you do now?"
"Synchro Out." Yusei's trap opens up as he explains its effect, allowing him to return his monster to bring back its materials.
Sherry thinks about it. 'Fleur de Chevalier can only use its effect once per turn, but it's on either player's turn. There is no way he wouldn't expect that, and he activates that regardless. But the only way this strategy makes sense is if his facedown was Urgent Tuning. I wonder how he'll handle this.' "I'll allow it."
Turbo Warrior splits back into Junk and Turbo. Almost instantly, Yusei activates his trap card, Urgent Tuning. At that, Fleur de Chevalier negates it, throwing her sword to destroy the trap. "With no traps left, you can only use Magic. But, when a card you control is destroyed, this trap will activate. Chain Close!"
A sphere forms around Yusei. "Now you can't use Magic or Trap cards until the End Phase."
"So, that was your plan…" Yusei realizes.
"Now… what do you intend to do next?"
"Yusei, what are you doing?!" Aki shouts in shock. "She's got you completely cut off!"
Yusei smiles. "Let's just say I knew this would happen. Turbo Synchron, attack Fleur de Chevalier!"
His tiny monster lunges at Fleur, its effect turning her into defense mode. The female knight smacks it aside, the rebound hitting its owner.
Yusei: 100
"Yusei! What are you thinking?!" Aki asks in shock.
Even Sherry is surprised. "Why would you do that?!"
"Turbo Synchron's effect; I special summon a monster from my hand whose attack is less than or equal the damage I took from that attack. Come forth, Junk Collector!"
He reveals his new card, a robot man of junk parts.
Collector: 500/1000 (5)
"Junk Collector's effect; I banish him and one trap in my graveyard to activate its effect so long as the condition is met." Collector fades into a void after capturing Urgent Tuning.
Seeing it, Sherry gasps as the effect goes off. Turbo Synchron and Junk Warrior synchronize and construct Turbo Warrior. "Turbo Warrior, attack Fleur de Chevalier."
This time, the Accel Slash pierces through and destroys the knight. At that, Yusei ends his turn.
Both ladies watch at how clever Yusei is to bring that combo full circle despite interruptions. Aki is amazed that despite his problem, Yusei is enjoying this duel, as much as she is too. 'This is the first time they've met, and yet Yusei's having more fun dueling than he ever did with me. Or with Jack or even Crow. But this woman is able to bring out the innermost part of Yusei's soul…'
Sherry especially watches him from behind with her heart pounding a bit. 'He let himself get that close to defeat just to have a shot at me. Amazing!'
"Are you impressed?"
"Impressed? I think I'm in love," she replies, causing an anger mark to form on Aki's head, "however, you've left yourself in a predicament. I have enough Speed Counters to finish the duel. All I need is a Speed Spell. You've already passed the safety line of a Riding Duel."
She proceeds to draw for her turn. As their counter increases, she summons the card she drew, Noble Knight Shield Bearer. She's a female knight with a mighty shield protecting Sherry.
Shield Bearer: 1300 (4)
"Shield Bearer allows me to banish a Knight from my graveyard and draw one card from my deck." That shocks Aki when that allows Sherry to make another draw.
She takes the card she drew and sets it. "All those chances at victory and fate has turned against me. Now I want you even more."
"Back off!" Aki suddenly shouts in anger. Or jealousy. Either all.
"Yusei, what exactly are you dueling for? Why do you enter the W.R.G.P.?"
Immediately, he responds with, "To find a new goal. To understand where to go from here in my life."
"So nothing?"
That catches them. He asks, "What's that supposed to mean? What's your reason?"
"Oh, there's a reason…" she replies, gritting her teeth in burning resentment. "A huge reason called revenge."
That suddenly changes everyone's bearing. Sherry continues, saying, "I was the only daughter of the Leblancs, a family with a long history involved in the card industry. Problems arose when a rival company wanted to buy my father's businesses, but they always put up a strong front for me. Then…"
Her heart twinges as she remembers the gunshots. The sight of their bodies. Being rescued by her butler Mizoguchi. "Even though they killed them, they trailed me for some reason. While running, I did learn that their actions came on the orders of someone above them… Yliaster."
"Yliaster?!" That immediately shocks Yusei to full attention, even more than he already was.
"Yliaster… isn't that…" Aki recounts the time she's heard that name, as the evil that opposed the Arcadia Movement. But with Arcadia's shady principles, it is hard to see it as such. Even more, she feels she's heard it once more before.
"Yliaster is an ancient organization that steps over good and evil. But they do eliminate anything that gets in their way. Like my family." Sherry breathes deeply. "It was then I understood what they needed from me."
She turns to Yusei. "That's why I need your help. As the one who put an end to those Dark Signers half a year ago, you can help me put an end to them. Yliaster is pulling the strings behind this tournament. The only way I can get close to the truth is through the W.R.G.P.."
Having heard everything, Aki speaks, "You can't force Yusei into throwing away his ideals for something as selfish as revenge. So why don't you-"
"I don't remember asking you, little girl!"
"Too bad! You don't even know the first thing about Yusei!"
"I've learned a lot about him…" Sherry's retort shuts Aki up. "A duel is more than just a game or a ritual. For people of our level, it is a means of understanding one another. This speed and wind have told me more about Yusei's heart than mere words can convey, as well as my own."
She returns to the track. "That is what a Riding Duel does. By fighting on the brink, you learn more about yourself and others than you normally would. If you fight with me, you'll be able to find your goal as well, Yusei. But first, it's your turn…"
Returning to the duel, Yusei draws his card. With seven counters, he removes them to draw an extra card. "I summon Drill Synchron!"
With Drill Synchron's appearance, Yusei immediately attacks with Turbo Warrior. Drill Synchron allows for piercing damage and allows him to draw a card.
Sherry: 1550
"Trap card open; Freedom At Last!" Sherry's trap opens up, and all of Yusei's monsters disappear.
"I'll set two cards and end my turn."
Once again comes the worry of Sherry's draw. But then… "I summon the Noble Knight Joan!"
Joan: 1900/1300 (4)
"When she attacks her attack is reduced by 300." Joan summons a sword made of light before rushing in.
Yusei's trap Synchro Spirits activates, allowing him to banish Junk Warrior to summon Junk Synchron and Speed Warrior. The former rushes in and blocks the attack with his life.
"Turn over."
As her turn concludes, Aki stares down at Yusei while in awe. 'All of this. Is she right? Can a Riding Duel help understand another's heart?' The more she thinks of it, the more she understands Sherry's right. Yusei has dueled so many others so effectively before.
It's a world she has yet to understand.
Yusei draws for his turn, before saying, "I activate High-Speed Crash. This Speed Spell activates when I have two counters or more, and lets me destroy one card I control and another on the field."
"Oh, I see…" Sherry says, looming at her knight. 'But, destroying her won't help when you only have one monster to attack. And Joan can add a card from my graveyard to my hand when destroyed by a card effect.'
"I'll destroy my two cards." His facedown opens up, revealing Starlight Road and surprising her. "And, Starlight Road allows me to negate an effect that would destroy two or more cards I control. And I can Synchro Summon Stardust Dragon."
Yusei pulls out his Stardust Dragon ready to summon it. But then, a truck comes down after them from a higher road. The perpetrators are the same thugs who kidnapped Yusei earlier. It's about to hit them when Aki takes action.
She grabs the card and imbues it. "I'll summon it."
"Aki!"
(You Say plays in the background)
"Take flight, Stardust Dragon!" After slapping the card to his field, the dragon emerges from the light. It stops the truck, allowing both duelists to pass harmlessly.
Looking back, Sherry realizes who Aki is. A Psychic Duelist.
After they pass under, Stardust removes the truck from its back, allowing it to fall over and crash into the road. Due to the interference, the Riding Duel ends up being called off. The shelters descend, and both riders stop. Up above, a man most likely to be Mizoguchi, beats the shit out of the businessman and his goons while Sherry has a moment with Yusei and Aki.
Sherry looks down at her duel disk. "It's a shame, but I looked forward to that duel concluding properly. Stardust would have destroyed Joan and Speed Warrior would have attacked, but I would have 50 left. My next draw would have determined everything."
Yusei then asks, "What would it have been?"
"Who knows?" She smiles. "It's a past I will also obsess over."
Her eyes focus on his. "The world of speed won't end, not for me nor you. I'll see you next time… you and your friend over there."
At that, Sherry drives away, leaving Yusei alone with Aki. And the burning truck several meters behind them.
"Sherry Leblanc…" he whispers, thinking about the French blond that has gone.
Aki looks over at Yusei. She wants to enter that world too, the world of speed that has captivated her and her friends. Truth is, she doesn't know a lot about him, and this can give her the chance she craves.
Lightz: And now we're moving to the next major plot point. Yusei vs Dark Glasses. Or whatever he called himself at the time.