Yu-Gi-Oh! 5 Deluxe Dragons
Disclaimer: This one doesn't own the Yugioh series.
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Chapter 16 – T.G.R.I.
It is a bright and early morning. Two weeks have passed since Yusei was kidnapped. The men responsible have been apprehended and taken away. Apparently, these men have been leaders of the local Yakuza still around and wanted Yusei to bring out big bucks for them.
But none of that is on Yusei's mind at the moment as he sits in his bedroom looking at his deck. Ever since Sherry brought up Yliaster, he's been reminded of Rudger and what he told him. Even more, he's reminded of Ghost and its Synchro Killer strategy.
"If the W.R.G.P. is controlled by Yliaster, then there's a chance Ghost is too. But why? And how do I beat them if they can seal Synchro?" These are his thoughts as he rearranges the cards in his deck.
After doing so, he comes down to where Jack and Crow are with a simple request for the former King.
"A duel?"
"Yusei? Why do you wanna face Jack?" asks Crow as he adjusts his D-Wheel for deliveries.
"Remember Ghost?" At that, Crow realizes where he's getting at. "I want to create a strategy to overcoming their Synchro sealing."
"A new strategy?"
"Back then, I used the power of the Crimson Dragon to create Savior Star Dragon, but it won't be enough next time if they know what to expect. I need help determining what that can be."
Having heard enough, Jack gets closer to Yusei. "Alright. Let's see this strategy of yours."
Outside, the two duelists have their little practice duel. Even though Yusei has his strategy to use his Synchro monster's power without actually summoning them, Jack easily shows that it is a useless effort. Because all that does is create a one-time beat stick that becomes nothing during the End Phase. It's a one-trick pony.
After proving that, Jack cancels the duel. "This is over. The outcome was clear from the start."
"Jack!" Crow says as he pulls up next to them.
"I know what you're feeling; you believe you can't win unless you can work around their strategy," says Jack as he begins his speech, "but none of that will work without power! Even without Synchro Stealing, Wisel can defeat you with power alone."
With that, he drives off. Crow silently sighs before going off, returning to his job.
Yusei remains there alone. He groans thinking of what to do. "Damn it…" While moping, he feels someone's presence. Looking back, he spots no one.
Who was that?
Later That Evening…
"Alright!" Lua shouts as he looks around the room.
The Signers team is at the World Riding Duel Grand Prix Premium Event. Well, five of them are there together, and only the twins and Aki are dressed their best. Yusei and Crow are in whatever they already wear.
As reporters take pictures, Crow takes a look around the room. He spots Luca pulling her brother away from tables where he's annoying people. "This is a nice event, but it's sure an oddity. I'm surprised the kids and you showed up, Aki."
"Eh? Ah…" Aki looks at herself. "Well, we were after all the plus 1s you invited. By the way, thank you for inviting me, Yusei."
"Ah." Yusei looks over at her, noticing the beautiful red dress she's wearing. "I'm a little surprised you agreed to this."
"Well, if you invited her…" Crow mumbles coyly.
"I'm actually more interested in Riding Duels than you think," she tells him, remembering the inspiration for this choice. 'Sherry…'
Speaking of whom, she looks around in search of Sherry. She is after all entering the tournament. Instead, they find Carly in her tacky cyan dress.
"Ah, hey!"
"Carly? You're here too?" asks Lua in surprise.
"You're damn right, I am," she tells them, readjusting the strap of her dress. "Everyone's been waiting for the Premium Event. There are so many front-runner teams here, and I'm going to report them like crazy!"
Carly proceeds to take pictures. But before she can get the Signers and Crow, her thoughts notice something. "Curious… where's Jack?"
"Oh, he left ahead of us," Yusei says as he examines his surroundings.
"Yeah. He'd be the type of guy who would be here before anyone," Crow adds.
"SORRY TO KEEP YOU WAITING!"
Coming to his friends is the former King himself. But he stands stylishly in an outlandish outfit. With long, wide sleeves, gold-rimmed coattails that glide across the floor, and a top hat straight out of a noir all-colored white, he indeed looks like a king.
And so, Crow flips out. "JACK! DID YOU BLOW OUR CASH ON CRAP AGAIN?!"
"You can't attend a party event like this looking like you're straight out of a trailer park. You should have dressed up too," Jack tells them, especially Crow and Yusei.
"I'd blow money if I could AFFORD TO!"
Carly just sighs. It's Jack being Jack.
Soon, the event starts; up on a higher podium, Jeager speaks. "I would like to welcome you all to this Premium Event for the first World Riding Duel Grand Prix. As you all know, Neo Domino City has undergone some great changes. Most important of these is the Neo Daedalus Bridge connecting Satellite to the city, transforming both into a utopia where everyone can enjoy dueling in peace. To commemorate this and celebrate the boundaries between both places disappearing, we have promoted this W.R.G.P. This will be a major event that will build bridges to peace for our future!"
The crowd claps at the conclusion of his speech. But while they do, Yusei is too focused on other things. That, and it feels like someone is watching him.
Following this, the famous announcer's voice returns. "EVERYBODY LISTEN! I'll take the opportunity to give a brief summary of our first World Riding Duel Grand Prix!" Images appear to show what he's saying. "The course will be the circling course currently being constructed in Neo Domino City's suburban areas. In a year, a series of hot duels will heat up our city in varied courses to the final round by those who clear the local preliminary events! Oh, and just a reminder, these will be three man team Endurance Riding Duels!"
As the party takes off, Yaeger enters a new room. There, he comes before three familiar figures; the three emperors of Yliaster. "The party is going off without a hitch."
Luciano smirks. "And no one knows they're being played with."
"This is a lot of effort for what we need."
"It's for a greater power," Jose states. "Duelists like them have possibilities we lack. They will work hard and hone their skills for the Grand Prix, and bring us closer to our objective."
Back at the party, Yusei looks around. A strange feeling rips into him as it comes to him that someone may be watching him.
"Yusei Fudo?" He comes out of his thoughts when Team Unicorn approaches him. The redhead says, "So, you're the Yusei Fudo who won the Fortune Cup. A pleasure to meet you."
The Signer remains silent. "Oh. Let us introduce ourselves. We're Team Unicorn."
"Team Unicorn?" Crow comes over hearing their name. "I heard about you guys! You're that team that won the Atlantis Cup!"
Feeling out of place, Yusei turns around to walk away. "Excuse me."
"Yusei?"
Crow turns to Unicorn in apology, before leaving. "Yusei, what's up?!"
They come to a hallway where Crow tries to stop him. Yusei pushes him off. "Yusei, what's your problem? Is this about Ghost?"
The aggravated duelist stops in his tracks. "Bullseye, huh? I'm not saying I don't understand, but that wasn't right back there. They came over to greet you and everything."
A little calmer, he says, "Sorry. Tell them I apologize." He then keeps on walking, until he hears something.
From the other side of the glass, a D-Wheel breaks in to crash the party. A tubby punk riding this spiked wheel monstrosity laughs as he garners all the attention. "Look at you rich shmucks here being all fancy and shit!"
Carly notices him, saying, "It's the town roughneck, Duvackle!"
"World Riding Duel Grand Prix my ass! Riding Duels ain't some little game! None of you deserve to be here!" He drives about in a rampage, knocking over any Security members who try to stop him.
The three emperors watch from their private room. As the crusher continues his hate-filled rampage, Placido laughs in enjoyment. "Now this is a party!"
They then watch as Duvackle drives further and comes upon Aki. She activates her Duel Disk and places Black Rose Dragon summoning it. The flower dragon roars as it summons vines, slamming Duvackle so hard that he turns over and crashes outside through the glass.
As Security surrounds him, he drives off. The screen cuts off with the Duel Chasers going in pursuit, but Jose doesn't care. He is more focused on the redhead responsible for stopping Duvackle. "So… she's the Psychic Duelist."
Placido gets up to leave. "I'm going on a rampage."
At the party, the others recover from the randomness. That is when Ushio gets a call. "Have you reached him yet?" There is a bit of conversation on the other line, before he suddenly says, "What?! Ghost is there!?"
That catches the ears of Team 5D's, and they all go racing for the garage to chase down their target.
Crow snickers at the chance. "About time he popped back up!"
"He's about to get a severe thrashing from Jack Atlas!" says the man speaking in the third person.
Yusei is calm, yet nervous.
As they reach the garage, they near their D-Wheels. However, a man comes out of the shadows. They all stop to gander at him for some reason; he's a tall person with blue hair slicked back to be spiky. He is decked head to toe in a blue riding outfit with yellow stripes and a grey chest plate, and his face is covered by a blood-red visor.
"This is…" Yusei stares at him. Something about his presence feels familiar.
"I wouldn't go if I were you," says the man, his tone cold yet stern. "It's already over."
His words bring them to gasp in shock. He knows what they were planning already. "And that's how fast you would have lost against him, Yusei Fudo. None of you can defeat the real Ghost."
His words bring silence to the garage. Crow steps forward, saying, "Now hold on. You've got some nerve stepping up and acting like a big shot."
"I'm only stating the truth. You can come up with alternate strategies to avoid Synchro sealing, but in your heart, you can't relinquish Synchro Monsters. This is especially true for you, Yusei, and that's why you won't win at your level."
Yusei narrows his eyes slightly. "What do you mean?"
"You don't believe me? Then let me show you." He walks over to his D-Wheel. His vehicle is an impractical violet cone with small front wheels attached and one big wheel at the end.
Later…
After his little fun, Placido returns to the room where the emperors are having their meeting. Jose stares at him in disapproval. "Did you enjoy your little fill?"
"Oh, save it. No one's gonna miss a burning corpse," he replies, shrugging it off as he takes a seat.
"Well, you almost missed this!" Luciano says as he points to a screen.
Placido looks up and immediately becomes attentive; Yusei is about to have a Riding Duel with some stranger.
Back to the action, Yusei and the new guy drive down the road. As they do, the former wonders if this person has a strategy that can overwhelm Ghost. His earlier spar with Jack was a failure, but this guy must have been watching him. What does he know?
Lifted by the very G-Force he's pushing, the man pulls ahead of Yusei. Taking the challenge, Yusei goes full throttle and hunts the man. But despite the twists and turns, he can't catch the man.
It intrigues him. 'High speed turns and perfect maneuverability… he's employing the ins and outs of riding a D-Wheel perfectly… better than me even.'
While coming to a curve, Yusei follows through with the same speed. But as he nears and tries to turn, he is forced to slow down and bumps the edges. The man smirks, saying, "If you can't handle this trifle bit of speed, you'll never catch Ghost."
The two continue with high-speed consecutive turns, but this time, Yusei manages to pull it off. The man, finally impressed, says, "Good. Now you've earned the right to learn this technique."
"Bring it!"
"Speed World Th-" He pauses for a minute. "Oh, wait. Speed World 2, set on!"
Duel mode activates, and autopilot proceeds on standby. As a route is cleared for an authorized lane, they follow it to prepare for their duel.
"RIDING DUEL ACCELERATION!"
Yusei Fudo: 4000
Dark Glass: 4000
"I'll start!" Yusei draws first, examining the cards in his hand. Sadly, the most he can do is set up to feel out the situation. "I'll summon Tricler in defense mode!"
His monster is a machine being with three wheels. "I'll set one card facedown and end my turn."
Tricler: 300 (3)
Seeing his setup, Dark Glass immediately goes on the offensive after his draw. "While my opponent controls a monster and I don't, I can special summon T.G. Striker!"
Appearing now is a tall, cybernetic warrior in black spandex with blue armor.
Striker: 800/0 (2) Tuner
The onlookers watching realize that this is the first time they've heard of such a monster. Even Yusei is perplexed.
"Next, this monster can be special summoned when another monster is special summoned. Come forth, T.G. Warwolf!" His next monster is a cybernetic werewolf with brown fur.
Warwolf: 1200/0 (3)
"Next, I will normal summon T.G. Cyber Magician!" Appearing now is a tiny cybernetic mage.
Cyber Magician: 0/0 (1) Tuner
"With Cyber Magician, I can perform a Synchro Summon using monsters in my hand." Dark Glass reveals his monster Rush Rhino in hand, before sending it to the grave.
"You can what?!"
As Cyber Magician turns into a ring and passes through the level 4 rhino man, light shoots out upon the field. "Limiter removal, level 5! Regulator open, thrusters warm up, OK! Uplink, all clear! Go! Synchro Summon!"
Coming out is a man adorned in bright white and black clothing of an imperial style. A white cape with a ruby interior flows as he opens a book. "Come on! Tech Genus Hyper Librarian!"
Hyper Librarian: 2400/1800 (5)
"A Synchro Monster already…" Yusei analyzes the power of this monster and his opponent; is this his ace?
"I'll tune my level 2 Striker with my level 3 Warwolf!" Striker bursts into Synchro Rings, passing by Warwolf. "Synchro flight control! Limiter removal, level 5! Booster injection 120%! Recovery network range updated, all clear! Go! Synchro Summon!"
Popping out is another cybernetic Synchro monster, this one in the shape of a Roman gladiator with an ax. "Come on! Tech Genus Power Gladiator!"
Power Gladiator: 2300/1000 (5)
Yusei looks at the new Synchro. 'Is this his plan to overwhelm Synchro Stealing? Consecutive Synchro Summoning?'
"Hyper Librarian's effect; when a successful Synchro Summon is performed, I can draw one card." After the man draws, he points forward. "Battle!" Power Gladiator lifts his ax and moves in, slashing Tricler. Yusei shields himself as he gets hit by piercing damage.
Yusei: 2000
"Tricler's effect; I can special summon Bicler in defense mode!" The remaining two wheels of Tricler reform into a single monster with both wheels.
Hyper Librarian then takes aim at Bicler, firing a beam upon the monster and destroying it. Unicler takes the place of the single wheel left behind. "I'll set one card facedown and end my turn."
Yusei looks upon his field, wondering how to get around this. After drawing, he reveals his magic card. "I activate the Speed Spell Angel Baton." Using the spell's power, he draws two cards before discarding another. "Next up, I summon Drill Synchron."
Drill Synchron makes a return next to Unicler. "And Bolt Hedgehog's effect; it special summons itself from the graveyard!"
The screw-wearing hedgehog appears from the floor next to Drill. "I'll tune my level 1 Unicler and level 2 Bolt Hedgehog with my level 3 Tuner Drill Synchron!"
Drill Synchron fires off its drills that turn into rings, passing by the non-tuners. "Clustering power will turn into a spear that pierces the earth! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon!"
Popping up is a new warrior orange/brown in color. Its right arm is a large drill. "Break it apart, Drill Warrior!"
Drill Warrior: 2400/2000 (6)
As the opponent draws due to Hyper Librarian's effect, Yusei goes on the attack. "Drill Warrior, attack Power Gladiator! Penetrate, Drill Lancer!"
Drill Warrior moves in at the warrior, running its drill through its body.
Dark Glass: 3900
"I'll set a card and end my turn."
Dark Glass begins his turn, looking at it briefly before saying, "Not bad, but not even close enough. So, try this."
He opens up his trap card. Seeing it, Yusei realizes his plan. "Synchro Spirits… he's going to revive his Power Gladiator's materials."
As he said, Warwolf and Striker appear on the field. "I'll now tune my level 3 Warwolf and my level 2 Tuner Striker." The two rings pass by the wolf once more. Limiter removal, level Five. Booster launch, ok! Inclination, ok! Ground support! All clear! Go! Synchro Summon!"
Coming out now is a female magician of cybernetic design. "Come on! Tech Genus Wonder Magician!"
Wonder Magician: 1900/500 (5) Tuner
"Another Synchro…" Yusei then notes that the duelist is going back in again. As long as he can Synchro Summon, he can keep this up since he draws for every Synchro Summon. That librarian is such a useful card.
As Dark Glass draws, he sets it before ending his turn.
Yusei then draws, seeing it as Synchro Defuse. 'This magic call allows me to steal his Synchro Monster, just like the Machine Emperors… maybe I can force out his strategy with this.'
"I activate Speed Spell – Synchro Defuse."
Watching, Jack smirks at the activation. "There we go. Yusei is forcing his hand."
"Alright! Now let's see this anti-Synchro Stealing strategy," says Crow with intrigue.
Aki is silent with Luca as Lua cheers.
As the effect chooses its target, Hyper Librarian, Dark Glass speeds up. His vehicle moves so fast light seems to bend. Yusei can't keep up anymore either and is even blinded.
'This is…' Yusei's eyes shine as he sees something he has never before.
The bright light shines so hard it blinds everyone watching. All of their screens are cut off by the color white. Even the Three Emperors can't see what's happening, much to their chagrin. Placido especially wants to see what he was showing Yusei.
On Yusei's end, he opens his eyes to see that Dark Glass has disappeared. 'Where is he?'
"Behind you!" Yusei gasps at being called out, before turning around to see Dark Glass. He also spots his field has changed; both of his monsters have disappeared, and instead is a single monster in its place. This creature is a cybernetic warrior like the rest of his monsters, this time wearing heavy green armor. On its back is an ammo pack containing heavy artillery, and its right-hand holds a gun with a bright green blade extended.
Tech Genus Blade Gunner: 3300/2200 (10)
"What the? Where did that come from?!"
"You just witnessed an Accel Synchro Summon."
At that, Yusei gasps. From the context of it, it sounds like Dark Glass was able to Synchro Summon on the opponent's turn. He was able to make a monster far stronger than his others and dodge his Speed Spell at the same time. But, where was the Tuner?
"Wonder Magician was a Synchro Tuner. An Accel Synchro Monster can only be summoned using a Synchro Tuner and a Synchro Monster." Dark Glass smirks as he awaits Yusei's next move. "Well? Synchro Defuse lost its target, so what next?"
It's a powerful tactic, and useful in avoiding the Machine Emperor's effect, but he still doesn't understand what else he did to pull it off. It seems he sped up too. But, he'll worry about that later; he has a duel to win.
'I may need the Crimson Dragon's power… then I'll force him to expose his secrets.' "I activate Drill Warrior's effect."
Drill: 1200
"By cutting its attack power by half, it can attack directly. Drill Shoot!" Drill Warrior rises high above Blade Gunner and fires its drill at the opponent, hitting him through the tire.
Dark Glass: 2700
"Turn end." As he ends his turn, Drill Warrior regains its power.
As it does, the screen returns to normal revealing to everyone watching the field.
"What the hell is that?!" Jack shouts seeing the Blade Gunner.
"Where did that come from?" asks Aki in shock.
Even the emperors are perplexed.
Dark Glass draws for his turn. "Not bad, Yusei. But, I think you've seen enough. This duel is over."
"No, it's not! I won't lose!"
"Yes, it is. The Crimson Dragon won't help you this time." Dark Glass reaches for his duel disk. "Speed World 2's effect; by removing 4 Speed Counters, I can deal 800 points of damage to you for every Speed Spell in my hand."
"What?!" Dark Glass reveals his two spells, Accel Draw and The End of Storm.
Dark Glass: 5 → 1
Blue lightning strikes Yusei, who cries out from being hit.
Yusei: 400
With that, Dark Glass then pulls side by side with Yusei before stating, "Blade Gunner, attack Drill Warrior!"
Blade Gunner fires rapidly in the air, adjusting its pistol before aiming at Drill Warrior. "Trap card open, Wave Force!"
"Blade Gunner's effect!" Dark Glass discards his card recently drawn to negate his trap card. "Pierce it, Shooter Blade!"
A flurry of blade bullets rains down upon Drill Warrior, slicing it to pieces. Dark Glass pulls ahead of Yusei with ease as the other Synchro monster is massacred. He cries out as well.
Yusei: 0000
With his loss, his engine port opens up, smoke billowing causing him to slow down and stop.
"No way!" Lua says in a distraught tone.
"Yusei…" begins Luca in shock.
"Lost?" Aki can't believe it either.
Jack and Crow gasp as well. Who is this random duelist to get around and overpower Yusei so easily?
Dark Glass pulls into a turn, stopping to face back at the defeated Signer. "I hope you learned from, Yusei."
Yusei dismounts and faces Dark Glass, removing his helmet. Steam blows from his machine in the wind. "It's not as easy as you think. A Synchro Tuner is just part of it; if you can't maintain that speed with a clear mind, you won't pull it off."
"Clear mind?"
"Clear Mind." With that, Dark Glass drives away.
With him gone, Yusei contemplates everything. His loss, this opponent, and Accel Synchro; how can he pull it off? Who was this person who knew about him and the Crimson Dragon so well? Why was he even here?
Lightz: Thank you for reading. Next up is Aki's duel. With Sherry.