Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's my story 28

(Nervin slams the side of a dark metal box with his back, then tries to pry at a seam; this clearly isn't the first time they've tried to get out of the undisclosed metal cargo crate they're being kept in.)
Nervin: Nnngh! Come on, open up!
Tank: Knock it off, Nervin. It's not gonna budge.
(The other three are in the opposite corner of the box; Tank sits on the floor, leaning against the back wall; Blitz is leaning on the side wall, and Rally is standing around.)
Nervin: Hey come on, let us outta here already!! Any of you guys see who those thugs *were*?

(Flashback; the four of them are cornered in their subway tunnel hideout by a trio of masked thugs with guns)
Tank (VO): I couldn't see anything, I was so scared I had my eyes closed!
(End Flashback.)

Rally: I wish they'd feed us. Ugggh! Or at the very least tell us what we're doing in here!

(At the Fortune Cup...
Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, the most intense duel we've seen so far has roared to a close.
(Akiza is supporting her still-glowing Signed arm with her left hand as Sayer leads her through the arena door and out of sight. Cortez watches them go, covering his face still filled with through his glove.)
Announcer: Cortez has finally defeated the Black Rose and emerged as the winner. Now he faces off against Jack Atlas in the Fortune Cup finale!

(Up in the stands, Luna's mark is glowing against her arm, on which the sleeve has been rolled up. The group is looking at it in awe)
Yanagi: Could it really be?! Luna, you're a Signer!
Leo: She's a *what*?

(Akiza's mark is still glowing. Cortez peers at glowing card of Number 39: Utopia.)
Cortez: Okay, this is new. *Last* time I couldn't see this card. What's going on?

(He looks up at the control tower, from which we segue to Jack and Goodwin)
Jack: So now you know who four of the five Signers are.
Goodwin: That's right. So when you duel Cortez, be sure to push him to his limits. Because the power your duel generates will reveal the fifth Signer, and unite you all!
(As he speaks, Jack, too, cradles his right arm, on which his Sign is glowing)



(Cortez takes the steps of the stands three or four at a time. Across the aisle from his friends, several stadium workers, in matching jackets, seem to be doing damage control from the last duel; several rows of chairs are partially demolished.)
Cortez: Guys! Listen. You have to get Luna outta here.
Yanagi: Cortez! Luna's got a mark, she's a Signer like Yusei!
Cortez: That's why you need to get her out of here! Like, *now*. I'm thinking it's dangerous for Signers to be near each other. Look at what happened during my last duel with Akiza.
(Behind Cortez, the guys across the aisle are also comforting a few young kids, who must have gotten lost in the chaos, or at least badly scared.)
Luna: Cortez, do you know what's going on here?
Cortez: I'll tell ya what I find out after I see Goodwin. For now, head toward Blister's place and don't stop for anyone!
(He dashes away down the steps.)
Luna: Oh...
Yanagi: I'm sure everything's gonna be okay. We had better do what he says, kids. Follow me and stay close behind.
(They leave their seats and climb the stairs.)

(As they enter the hallway, they are accosted by several security guards.) <3:00>
- Stop right there!
Yanagi: Augh!
(They're surrounded, and the guys in suits and sunglasses are intimidating. Luna cowers halfway behind Leo; Tanner looks around defensively.)
Lezar: You weren't planning to *leave*, were you?
Tanner: Huh! And what if we *were*?
Lezar: Well, Director Goodwin would like you to stay and enjoy the rest of the tournament. Hmhmhmhmhahaha!
Tanner: Well you tell *Goodwin* that we're sick a' him tellin' people what to do!!
(He grabs Lezar by the front of his blazer and lifts him into the air. Lezar doesn't stop smirking once.)
Lezar: Say, did you know that Yusei has friends back in the Satellite Sector? Mmhmhmhmhmhm!
(Tanner's face shows shock; he sees exactly where this is going. He roughly drops Lezar, who straightens his jacket with a 'hmph!')
Lezar: Hmph! I heard that they went *missing* a few days ago. I hope nothing *bad* happens to them. So I think it would be best if you return to your seats *now!*


(Cortez open the double doors, and walks into the control tower. As soon as he got in, he pays attention to them.
Cortez: I have had it! This duel I had was nothing I have ever felt! I want to hear the real truth, Goodwin! The whole truth and nothing but the truth!
Goodwin: So you want the *truth?* Very well then, but they have to be answered by Jack.
Jack: Since you won, I'll tell you the truth, you want to know. Yusei needed to verify that he had a mark, so the director needed him and I to duel, with passion, so he created a situation in which the stakes would be as high as possible!

(Flashback, clear picture but the lighting scheme is different. The Satellite is murky and grey, the landscape almost sepia-tone. A day in the Satellite a couple of years ago. It looks slightly less decrepit and foggy than it does in the present. A younger Rally, his hair shorter, runs out from behind a corner, chased by a group of three wacky-looking toughs.)
- Ya can't run forever, half-pint!
- We ain't gonna hurtcha *too* bad!
(Rally trips and falls; one of them raises his bat, ready to hit Rally, but a thrown card causes him to drop it. Rally stands up while the leader of the punks is cringing and holding his hand.)
- Hey, how'dj'you do that just now?
- Up there!
(Rally looks up; above them, standing on the third story of a building that no longer has a wall there, is Jack, back when he still lived in the Satellite. His long blazer is white, as we've become accustomed, but less fancy, and he wears a light blue shirt underneath it.)
FB Rally: Jack?
FB Jack: You boys are trespassing.
(Jack easily jumps down to approach them)
- What're you talking about?!
(The punks step back; Rally runs over to stand behind Jack)
FB Jack: Nobody steps over that median line.
(Indeed, there's a white line painted on the pavement that they are now nervously retreating behind.)
- Hey, come on, man, be cool. We don't got no beef with *you*...
(In a flash, Jack has his duel disk on and is summoning something.)
FB Jack: You do now, my *friend!*
(Red Dragon Archfiend appears, roaring. It roars in their faces, and they flee in terror. Rally runs a few steps after)
FB Rally: Haha! Yeah, that's what I thought! (turns) Huh? Jack, where'd'ja go?
(Rally is standing in the street alone. Jack is nowhere in sight.)

(Elsewhere and probably later, Rally peeks in through a door, and finds what he's looking for.)
FB Rally: Ha!
(The building is an abandoned theater with a massive hole in the roof, through which shine rays of sunlight on an old set. The last show was apparently something medieval; dusty red curtain draped to the side, dark blue banners upstage on either side of a throne on a dais midstage center. Rally enters from house right to approach Jack, who's sitting on the throne. This entire scene, his eyes remain in shadow.)
FB Rally: Hey, Jack! So, this is where you're hangin' out these days, huh? Nice place!
FB Jack: What d'*you* want?
FB Rally: I wanted to say *thanks*, for earlier.
FB Jack: I was just protecting my *turf*, that's all. Think nothing of it.
(Rally cleans an ear contemplatively, then has something to say.)
FB Rally: Yusei just finished building this awesome new duel runner, it's looking *really* sweet! We're doin' a test-run tomorrow! Uh... hey, you should come! He's gonna try to break the Canal Street record, it's gonna be *great*! (Jack is silent) Mmmmgh, come on! I know you and Yusei had a little falling-out, but it's been *months!* Can't you guys just shake hands and make up?! Uh, hello?
FB Jack: You should get back, before it gets dark.
FB Rally: Yusei won't even tell me what happened.
FB Jack: Nothing happened. <8:00> It's just... people change, Rally.
FB Rally: Well, okay, but... I just want everyone to get along again... you guys were best friends! Best friends don't just *stop* being best friends! Well... we'll be in the Canal Street tunnel at noon, if you change your mind. Later, Jack!
(Rally runs off; Jack watches him leave.)

(That night, the full moon is massive and the fog turns it greenish over the abandoned theater. Moonlight shines through the smashed ceiling. Jack is still sitting on the throne, maybe he's fallen asleep in it, when a stranger approaches. Jack hears him before he sees him.)
FB Jack: Hm? Who is that?! Show yourself!
FB Lezar: Quite the nice pad you've got here; *very* spacious. The 'must and mold' motif is a brave choice.
FB Jack: Who're *you*?!
FB Lezar (unabashed, stepping out from behind the throne): Oh, silly me, I forgot my manners. My name is Lezar, Mister Atlas, and I am here to see you on behalf of Director Rex Goodwin.
FB Jack: That name supposed to mean something to me? <9:00>
FB Lezar: Director Goodwin would like to extend you an invitation.
FB Jack: Hmph.
FB Lezar: We've been watching you from afar, Jack, and we think you're an incredible duelist.
(Lezar steps all the way in front of the throne as he speaks.)
FB Lezar: A talent like yours is being *wasted* out here in the Satellite. You have what it takes to be a champion, Jack. To sit on a *real throne* as the king of the turbo-duels. Haven't you *always* wanted to be a champion, Mister Atlas?
(Jack is silent.)
FB Lezar: Furthermore, haven't you wondered about that mark on your arm? Uh-hmhmhmhmhm!
(Jack looks at his sleeved right arm, shocked.)
FB Lezar: That's right-- we know all about it! Tomorrow evening at seven, the Maintenence Department will shut down the flow in the main pipeline for one hour. (Lezar sits down on the throne under the last line) We'll be waiting for you on the other side, Mister Atlas. However; we do require that you bring one thing with you. We've heard there's another duelist here, some up-and-coming hotshot.
FB Jack: Huh?
FB Lezar: We don't know much about him, other than that he uses the Stardust Dragon card. But some say *he* has what it takes to be the best. You need to find him, and get his Stardust Dragon card. <10:00>
(Jack's teeth clench slightly; he knows already what that would mean.)
FB Lezar: Think of it as your ticket to a new life. And believe me, Director Goodwin *can* give you a new life, Jack. No one will know you're from the Satellite. You'll be a respected resident of New Domino City. You'll have screaming fans, you'll attend fancy parties.
(Jack looks down evasively, then his glance shifts to another patch of ground near his foot, where a roach is about to climb on his shoe.
FB Lezar: But hey, if you want to dwell in the slums and live with the cockroaches all your life, you're welcome to do so.
(When Jack looks up at the throne again, Lezar is gone; it's as though he was never there. His voice echoes through the dark theater.)
FB Lezar: The choice is yours, Jack, what's it going to be?
(Jack is silent.)


(The flashback continues. The next day in the Satellite is misty and grim as ever. Jack stands alone on a rooftop, gazing at New Domino City in the distance across the sea, when Rally approaches him)
FB Rally: Hey, Jack. Um, why are we meeting up here?
FB Jack: I think I'd like to come watch Yusei's test-run after all.
FB Rally: Really? Well then let's get going!
FB Jack: Sure, but... I need help with something first.
FB Rally: Whatever ya need, Jack, 'cause I still owe you one from before!
(Jack doesn't turn. His voice sounds slightly menacing.
FB Jack: Yes... ya *do*.

(In the subway tunnel hideout, Yusei and the other guys are performing last-minute checks on the white runner; it looked far more run-of-the-mill back then. They've set up a floodlight for working on it, and a wooden box of tools is sitting on the ground. Nervin appears to be helping Yusei, while Blitz and Tank watch. They look about the same; perhaps their voices are a bit younger.)
FB Nervin: Where's Rally? <11:00>
FB Blitz: He'll be bummed if he misses Yusei test out his new duel runner.
FB Tank: When he headed out earlier, he said somethin' about goin' to meet up with Jack.
FB Blitz: Huh?
FB Nervin: He went to see Jack?! What a traitor!
FB Yusei: Come on. Rally can hang out with whoever he wants to hang out with.
FB Nervin: Yeah, but what about loyalty?
(Yusei closes the hood; no sooner has he than the radio rings and Jack's face appears on the screen.)
FB Yusei: Huh? Jack?
FB Jack: Some east-side thugs just ran off with Rally.
FB Yusei: They did WHAT?!

(They're mobilized to search in a moment, Yusei on the new runner. Blitz, Tank, and Nervin run for the stairs, and Yusei jumps the curb takes off through the tunnels.)
FB Yusei: You guys go uptown, I'll head downtown!

(Nervin, Blitz, and Tank search the markets)
FB Nervin: Let's split up!

(Yusei is riding along the street downtown, wearing a very funny-looking old runner helmet, when his radio rings again. Jack appears on screen.)
FB Jack: Yusei, I found him. Come down to the waterfront right away.
FB Yusei: Huh?

(Jack is standing on a concrete pier, and the waves and the dark smog overhead hint at a storm in the making, when Yusei rides up and parks.)
FB Yusei: Where is he, Jack?!
FB Jack (points out to sea): He's out there.
(Yusei looks; Rally is a long way out amongst the choppy waves, tied up aboard a small, flat boat. A rowboat would be less likely to capsize.)
FB Yusei: Rally!
FB Jack: The tide's still going out; he could be swept out to sea! <12:00> And then there's that big storm front approaching.
FB Yusei: Jack, what is he doing out there?!
FB Jack: I guess there's no reason to keep on lying to you. (looks at Yusei) I *put* him out there.

(Flashback to earlier on the rooftop.)
FB1 Rally: Whatever ya need, Jack, 'cause I still owe ya from before!
FB1 Jack: Yes, you do. (jumps down and walks over to Rally) And now you're gonna pay me back tenfold.
(A buzzing beep of some kind, a stunner or taser or something, and Rally collapses. End Flashback.)

FB Yusei: But Rally's your friend!
Jack: Know what people are saying? That you've got what it takes to be the best. But we both know that's not true, *don't* we, Yusei?
FB Yusei: What're you saying?
FB Jack: You can either duel me and prove yourself, or you can swim out there and save Rally-- What'll it be?

FB Rally: Whoa-oa...!

FB Jack: What's more important to you, provin' that you're a true duelist? (points at Rally) Or are you willin' to put dueling aside to help your little friend?
(Yusei grimaces.)
FB Jack: *What're you made of?*
(Yusei throws off his jacket and dives in, swimming out toward Rally) <13:00>
FB Jack (think): Pathetic. You don't deserve to have Stardust Dragon.
(He takes Yusei's deck box out of a pocket of the abandoned jacket, pulls out a card, slips it into his blazer, and lets the rest of the deck fall to the ground, the case falling shut.)
FB Jack (think): Time for that test-run.
(He rides away on the runner Yusei rode to get there.)

(Rally's boat pitches him overboard and he begins to sink, unable to move from the rope tied around his arms. He's gone about ten feet down when Yusei grabs him by the rope he's tied up with and they re-surface, gasping and coughing.)

(Meanwhile, Jack is already taking the sewage tunnel to freedom.)
FB Jack (think): So long, Satellite.

(Yusei steps back onto the dock, dripping, and picks up the abandoned deck box. He looks at it for a moment, then puts it on his belt at the small of his back. He accepts his jacket from Rally.)
FB Rally: Man, this is all my fault. I'm so sorry.
(Yusei pats him on the back consolingly, and they walk away together.)

(Jack rides down the tunnel out of sight.)
Jack (VO): Goodwin could never have made Yusei the same offer, because he would never have left his *friends* behind. Not for fame and fortune, anyway. I, on the other hand, walked right into it, and by tricking me into taking his card--
(End Flashback.)

(Cortez is listening intently. Jack puts his glove back on. Goodwin has been sipping his orange drink in the background.)
Jack: -- He gave Yusei a reason to come after me. But then came you. You ruined everything, because of Akiza's obsession! Now because he lost, I wanted nothing but to crush ever fiber in your being. And I think that brings us all up to speed, more or less. (to Goodwin) I have a demand to make. To bad Yusei's not here; right? But I have a feeling, you just either wanted not just Yusei, but Cortez as well, so here's the deal. Let his friends go, he doesn't need to be coerced. I want this duel to be legit. No threats, no gimmicks, just us.
(Goodwin raises his glass slightly.)
Goodwin: If that is what my champion wants... then so be it.

(In the cargo container, Yusei's friends hear a click and look up.)
Rally: Huh?! (he runs over and pushes on the door; it gives way.) No way-- it's open.
Nervin: Don't joke around--
(Blitz and Tank crowd toward the door too, and the four of them end up tripping over each other and spilling out of the container into the open. Only Blitz stays standing, looking out suspiciously.)
Rally: Anybody know where we are?
(They are standing in the middle of some sort of dump. Rally, Nervin, and Tank stand up as they hear a speaker-distorted voice:)
Announcer (on TV): The time has come!
Tank: Hm?
Nervin: Hey, look.
(By some crazy coincidence, or nothing of the kind, there's a desktop-size monitor lying on the ground, tuned into the Fortune Cup. The four of them crowd around it.)
Announcer: The final showdown is about to begin! Satellite's very own Yusei Fudo has won the chance to take on Jack Atlas!
Tank: *Yusei* is duelin' *Jack*?!
Blitz: When did *this* happen?
Nervin: Hey, look-- look at his face!
Rally: They *marked* him!
(Rally looks worried and upset...)
Tank: Guess you miss a lot when you're locked up!

(Cortez visited the hospital to see Yusei.)
Cortez: Hey Yusei, you looking better?
Yusei: Yeah. The doctor said I should recover for a few days. I'm in no position to move is all.
Cortez: I don't know about this. After my duel with Akiza, I'm worried about something else is going to happen when I duel Jack.
Yusei: Well, I only hope you be careful out there. Who knows what else will happen. I'll watch your duel with Jack. I'll be rooting for ya, pal.
(Cortez nodded and Yusei laughed. They both grabbed their hands and fist-bumped each other.)


(Cortez rides up to the second starting block, above which the bowled sides of the track are shattered, cracked, and unstable from the previous duel.)

Luna: There he is!
Tanner: I wonder if Goodwin told him what he wanted to know.
Yusei: Hope I don't miss this.
(Yusei walks to the crowd to join them, while covered in bandages.)
Luna, Leo (union): Yusei!
Yusei: Whao now, I'm recovering for now. I'm here to watch the duel from here.
Leo: Hey Yusei, is Cortez gonna use your Stardust Dragon to beat Jack?
Yusei: That I can't say for sure. But either way, I know he'll win this.

(On his runner screen, Cortez sees an image of Rally, Blitz, Tank, and Nervin, crowded around the video screen outside the cargo container.)
Cortez (mutters): They're okay.
(The screen changes to a live call with Jack)
Jack: You ready? Cause I'm about the send you to a world'a hurt!
Cortez: I am.

(Backstage. Jack straightens up from leaning over his runner screen, and is now preparing to appear in the arena. Mina hands him his helmet and he puts it on.)
Mina: You know, for what it's worth, big setup or not, I still think that you're an incredible duelist, Jack.
Jack: Of course I am.

(Goodwin and Lezar are watching from the control tower...)

(...As is Sayer from his hallway)
Sayer (think): So, you're really going to try and summon the Crimson Dragon. This should be interesting...

(3D shot, aerial of the stadium, going past the Sphere with Yusei and Jack on it, then over to the minuscule starting blocks next to the shattered portion of the track, and finally down to a bug's-eye view of the two duel runners lined up to begin.)
Jack: It would of been better, if Yusei was here now. Now I'm just gonna take my anger out on'ya!
Cortez: Well I'm here. And Yusei said we be working together, since I have his Stardust Dragon.
Jack: Haha, then that means that there are more pieces to the puzzle for when we uncover the secrets to bringing out the Crimson Dragon! For all I know about you, you must be the fifth Signer!
Cortez (think): The fifth Signer...? That's right! Yanagi said there were five marks of the Dragon! So there's Yusei, Luna, Jack and Akiza, but could I be that fifth Signer?

Announcer: Alright! It's time to activate-- the "Speed World" field spell!

Computer: Duel mode engaged. Autopilot standing by.

(The air in the entire stadium turns purplish.)
Announcer: *This* is the moment!

(Yusei, Tanner, Yanagi, Dexter, and the twins are waiting anxiously...)
Announcer: Will Jack Atlas continue to reign as the king of turbo-duels?

(As are Rally, Blitz, Tank, and Nervin...)
Announcer: Or will he be de-throned by the mysterious duelist?

(Goodwin waits in the tower, smiling nastily.)

Announcer: It's time to find out!
(The countdown hits green, and the two runners are off so fast the wheels appear to turn white with heat. The crowd goes wild.)
Jack: Now I'm going to crush you for ruining my destiny!
Cortez: We'll see about that. I'm summoning out my Necro Guardna in defense mode!
[Necro Guardna 600/1200/L3/Dark]
Cortez: I set one card and end my turn!
Jack: In that case...
(He draws; Scoreboard. Cortez, 4000, 1; Jack, 4000, 1.)
Jack: I summon Twin Sword Marauder in attack mode!
[Twin Sword Marauder 1600///]
Jack: You may've just scrapped your way to the title match, but those other duelists were just amateurs compared to me. Now allow my Twin Sword Marauder to give you a proper welcome to the big leagues!
(Cortez's lifepoints now read 3600.)
Jack: I've thrown away everything I believed in! I've wanted to prove myself I'm better than Yusei, but then you came into Yusei's and my life and ruined it!! Now I'm going to clobber!! And when Twin Sword Marauder attacks a monster in defense mode, it can attack again!
Cortez: Huh!
Jack: I said that I was *two* steps ahead of you, Yusei, not just one! Go!! Double Marauder Mayhem!
(Cortez screamed as his life points became 2000.)
Jack: And to end my first turn, I place one card facedown.
(Jack looks down at his hand-- Tuner's Mind, Dark Tinker, Speed Spell - Overboost, and Speed Spell - The End of the Storm, and he's looking at the latter.)
Jack (think): I already have in my hand the card that will lead me to victory, and settle this matter once and for all! (aloud) You can't defeat me, Cortez!
(Scoreboard; Cortez, 2000, 1; Jack, 4000, 2.)
Cortez: We'll see, Jack! (draw) From my hand I summon Elemental Hero BubbleMan!
[Elemental Hero BubbleMan 1300///]
Cortez: Since he's summon with no cards on my field, I can draw two cards! And since a warrior type is summoned, I can summon out Blue Mountain Butterspy!
[Blue Mountain Butterspy 0/1700//]
Cortez: And now I'm gonna overlay my Bubbleman and Blue Mountain Butterspy, in order to Xyz-summon Gen Knight Pearl!
(The monsters became flashing orbs and got absorbed to the vortex and the galaxy exploded to bring forth a man made of crystal white rock)
[2600/1900/Earth/Rock/Rank 4]
Cortez: Now take out that Marauder!
(Jack's lifepoints are now 3000)
Jack: Now you're dueling, mate... (draw) But you won't be for long!
(Scoreboard; Jack 3000, 2; Cortez 2000, 2.)
Jack: Because from my hand, I summon Dark Tinker!
[Dark Tinker 1000///]
Jack: Then I activate the "Powerful Rebirth" trap card! And with this card, I can re-summon Twin Sword Marauder from my graveyard!

Tanner: Alright, Dark Tinker is only level three, and that Sword Marauder is a level-four!
Yanagi: Mmm!
Tanner: So he hasn't got the power that he needs to summon Red Dragon Archfiend! This is your chance, Cortez!
Yusei: I wouldn't count Jack out yet. That's not all he's got.

Jack: Now the monster resurrected by "Powerful Rebirth" gains one hundred attack and defense points, and its level increases by one!
Cortez: What?!

Tanner: Ugh!!

Jack: Kid, I'm the best turbo-duelist New Domino City has ever seen; and that move I just made, was one more example of why *I'm* the champ, and now I'm going to show you why I'm gonna *remain* a champ! I synchro-summon Red Dragon Archfiend!

(Tanner gasps, as do Rally and the Satellite bunch; Goodwin is rather pleased)

Cortez: Man, he's not wasting any time! I'll set a card face down and end my turn.
Jack (think): Back in the Satellite...

(As Jack thinks, he flashbacks again to the day he left the Satellite. Jack watches Yusei dive into the choppy sea and swim out toward Rally; he doesn't move, just calmly watches his friends in danger.)
Jack (think, VO): I knew that to realize my full potential, to climb up from the bottom of the world, I had to throw away everything. I had to turn my back on the Satellite. On my friends. Nothing was more important to me than being the best!
(End Flashback.)

Jack (think): But now here *you* come, and ruined everything. You're trying to take *me* down? You're not a real duelist; just a chump!  Well I'm finally going to put *you* in *your place*!
(Rapidfire quick shots. The End of the Storm is ready in Jack's hand; Red Dragon Archfiend roars, and Gem Knight Pearl faces it down; Jack glares over his shoulder, and Cortez matches his gaze.)
To Be Continued...