#Leon Dracnus

[z-iridest]

Yu-Gi-Oh: Renegade

Chapter 5:

Previously on Yu-Gi-Oh: Renegade:

' "In 3 months, I will be holding a Derby Duel Tournament. It is open to all who wish to compete." Leon Dracnus announced on live TV.

"Look, everyone deserves to play the game they love without facing prejudice, without consequences… This baby," Yuko gently patted the broken down Phoenix Whirlwind, "is the key to jump starting that change. But, I'm gonna need you guys behind me on this."

"There'll never be a time you can't count on me." Adom replied.

"Good luck, Yuko, my girl." Pops told her before Yuko raced out of the garage and away from her chosen family.

"Remove your helmet and deactivate the gear, reject. I know you're a duelist, and one from the Jade Phoenix Duel Gang judging by the symbol on your back."  

"You have Derby Duel gear yourself, right, Takano? Duel me. If I win, I go about my business and you act like nothing happened." 

"And why should I listen to what a reject like you asks of me?"

"Winning against me means you could get redemption from the big man topside. See, you're right in assuming I'm a duelist, I'm the leader of the Jade Phoenix gang, their best duelist."

"You're on, Birdie. You're in for one heck of a match, I hope you know what you're getting yourself into, kid! Wait, that Duel Disk... Where did that come from?!" Yuko felt a smirk cross her face at the Chaser's shock of the tech she'd built herself.

"I built it into my gear!"

What have I gotten myself into? She thought nervously as a countdown began to the beginning of the duel.'

With the Duel World spell activated, the world around them had changed giving it a bluish hue. "Ready... Set... Duel!" The computer counted down. Both duelists took off, their Life Point counters set to 4000 Life Points. Wait, are my eyes playing tricks on me? Why are my Life Points only at 4000? Yuko thought, her brow furrowing.

"In case you aren't familiar with Derby Duel combat, allow me to explain the rules. In Derby Duels, our decks are cut down to 40 cards each and our Life Points are only set to 4000 points. Unlike Turbo Duels back in the old days, we're allowed to use normal spells, but we do have hurdles that make things harder. For one thing, in the actual arena, if you knock your opponent out of bounds, they automatically lose. The first two to take that first turn are the first duelists to begin dueling. If one of the duelists in focus gets knocked out, either by a duelist or an obstacle, either the duelist that butted them out or the duelist closest to the remaining duelist takes over the duel. Much like Turbo Duels, though, if you hit zero while Derby Dueling, your wheels will lock up and you'll be forced to wipe out." Takano explained.

"In other words, you wanna be the last duelist standing." Yuko summed up.

"Too bad it won't be you, Birdie." Takano smirked. 

"We'll see about that, Takano." Yuko glared.

"Ready... Set... Duel!" The computer counted off, the two taking off as soon as the countdown hit the go mark.

Yuko- 4000                                           Takano- 4000

"Ladies first, reject." Takano smirked. Yuko rolled her eyes as she drew. A frown crossed her face. Mystical Space Typhoon, Spell Shattering Arrow, Shield Crush, Blast Magician, Monster Reborn and Unexpected Dai... Not too much to work with defense wise, but one monster's better than nothing but spells the first draw... Yuko thought. "What's the matter, giving up already?" Yuko scoffed at Takano's taunt.

"You wish! I'll kick this off by activating Unexpected Dai from my hand! Since I have no monsters on the field, I'm allowed to Special Summon a Level Four or below Monster from my deck, as long as it doesn't have any effects... So, Flamvell Guard, take to the field in defense mode!" The metallic dragon roared to life, flames coming off its body as it curled up in defense mode (ATK/ 100 DEF/ 2000). "Next, I summon Blast Magician in attack mode!" Blast Magician spun his staff, taking his place next to Flamvell Guard and standing at the ready, his eyes trained on the enemy (ATK/ 1400 DEF/1700). I'll end my turn there for now. Your move, Takano." 

​​​Yuko- 4000                                           Takano- 4000

"My turn! I draw!" Takano observed the cards in his hand before smirking a bit. "First, I'll summon Honest in attack mode!" An angel looking monster took to the field on Takano's side of the field, his wings unfurled and his eyes glaring fiercely (ATK/ 1100 DEF/ 1900). "Now, since I'm not dumb enough to attack you with a monster that has less attack power than Blast Magician, I'll end my turn with a facedown." 

"Wow, who knew you guys were actually smart? It's my turn now!" Yuko remarked, but before she could take her turn, she noticed something hurtling her way. She moved to the side, dodging it by a hair. Takano laughed at her. 

"I told you there were hurtles... From here on out on every other turn, the Duel World field spell automatically throws obstacles our way. In an arena, it would have obstacles set up, but this isn't your typical arena." Takano revealed.

"You were hoping I'd get knocked down by one of those, didn't you?!" Yuko accused.

"Don't accuse me of such a ridiculous thing, girl, now take your turn or I'll take it as a surrender!" Takano threatened.

Yuko- 4000                                           Takano- 4000

"I draw!" Yuko kept a steady pace as she looked at the cards in her hand. While she'd gotten one spell card out of the way, she still had her original four, plus her trap card: Trap Jammer. Least he won't be able to do anything to me with a Trap Card this upcoming turn... Yuko thought. "Blast Magician, let's leave a scorch mark! Attack Honest!" 

"You won't be able to touch him, Birdie! I activate the trap card, Compulsory Evacuation Device! This card allows me to target one monster and return it to the owner's hand, and I choose my Honest!" Takano smirked.

"I guess your dueling skills are rustier than you thought, because all that does is switch Blast Magician's target from your monster to you directly!" Yuko called out his mistake as his monster returned to his hand and Blast Magician turned his attention on Takano. His eyes grew wide.

"Wait, wait, wait!" He shouted but it was too late, Blast Magician closed in on Takano and sliced through the Ex Chaser with his scepter. Takano stumbled due to the damage he took, but managed to get his footing back. Yuko smirked.

"I'll end my turn by throwing down a facedown. Your move, Takano." Yuko smirked.

Yuko- 4000                                           Takano- 2600

"You snot-nosed, insignificant little- AH!" Distracted by his need to insult Yuko, he was tripped up by an obstacle thrown his way, the teenager snickering as he barely managed to stay on his feet. "What?! You cheater! You did that on purpose!"

"You forgot one of the rules: Since it's just the two of us dueling and we're outside the normal arena, any time one of us takes direct damage, we have to avoid an obstacle at the end of the turn." Yuko reminded him, smirking. Takano growled in response. 

"I draw!" Takano drew a card, but the look he gained on his face made Yuko uneasy. What is he planning? She thought as she kept pace with the ex Chaser. "I summon Horus the Black Flame Dragon Level Four! (Atk/1600 Def/1000)" Yuko's face paled as she came face to face with her own brother's dragon. There were 3 dragons with the same name: Level Four, Level Six and Level 8. Liam's entire deck had gone missing, and it chilled Yuko's blood to know that the dragons that her brother had once held dear were now on the hands of someone like Takano. Takano, meanwhile, smirked. "What's the matter, little duelist?! Dragon got your tongue?!" Takano cackled. Yuko glared.

"Take your turn, snake!" Yuko yelled. 

"As you wish! Horus the Black Flame Dragon Level Four, destroy her Blast Magician!" Takano announced the attack. The dragon roared and did as it was told, making Yuko cry out in pain as 400 life points were taken from her, her magician destroyed. "Now, his special effect activates! When I destroy a monster this turn, I'm allowed to send him to the graveyard and Special Summon Horus the Black Flame Dragon Level 6 from my hand or deck!" He laughed as the level four dragon disappeared, it's Level 6 version taking its place. It roared, Yuko recognizing the pain it was in. Don't worry, I'll find a way to get you guys away from him... I promise! She thought, hoping the dragon could hear her. "I end my turn due to Horus the Black Flame Dragon Level Four's effect!"

Yuko- 3600                                               Takano- 2600

"Then, it's my move now!" Yuko shouted before she dodged the hurtle coming her way and drawing her next card. Keeper of Dragon Magic! Yuko thought, smiling a bit before schooling her features. "I summon Keeper of Dragon Magic in attack mode! (Atk/1800 Def/1300)" She watched as the dragon armored magician burst to life, facing Takano and the level 6 dragon. 

"What is it with you and Spellcasters! You know that magician's far too weak to beat my dragon!" Takano called out.

"I know, I'm not attacking with him!" Yuko called out. "I activate his effect! By discarding Spell Shattering Arrow, I can draw Polymerization from my deck to my hand. But, that's not all! By revealing a fusion monster from my deck, I can special summon one of the materials needed to summon it in defense position! So, Luster Dragon, join us on the battlefield as I reveal First of Dragons!" She showed the fusion card as she summoned Luster Dragon (Atk/1900 Def/1600) in defense position. "Now that the effect is complete, I activate Polymerization from my hand, fusing my Flamvell Dragon and Luster Dragon together to Fusion Summon First of Dragons in attack mode! (Atk/2700 Def/2000)". First of Dragons roared to life, his grey scales glistening in the street lamp light and his tail hitting the ground as he roared. Yuko smirked. "Now, First of Dragons, attack Horus the Black Flame Dragon Level 6!" Yuko ordered the attack, and watched as a black lightning ball left her dragon and hit her brother's dragon, destroying it and knocking Takano's life points down another 400 life points. Takano cried out in pain and once again struggled to maintain his balance as Yuko took the lead, easily turning around to face Takano and skate backwards. The ex Chaser growled and the smirk on her face. "Now, Keeper of Dragon Magic, it's your turn, attack Takano directly!" She extended her hand, making Takano's eyes widen as the Spellcaster attacked, knocking his Life Points down another 1800 points and causing Takano to falter once more." I set two cards facedown and end my turn!"

Yuko- 3600                                                 Takano-800

"You no good reject! You'll be locked up for sure! I draw!" Takano barely avoided another obstacle before drawing his next card, and a flash of red caught Yuko's attention. The Dragon Kings were nearby...

"Says the guy about to lose this duel! Make your last turn count, Takano!" Yuko fired back. Takano suddenly started laughing.

"I plan to! I use the effect of Monster Reborn to bring my Black Flame Dragon Level 6 back from the Graveyard! Next, I summon my Honest back to the field! But, instead of attacking, I'll set one card facedown and end my turn!" Wait, why isn't he attacking? Yuko thought. It didn't make any sense...

Yuko- 3600                                               Takano-800

"I draw!" Yuko announced her turn as she drew a card. "I summon Dark Blade in attack mode! (Atk/ 1800 Def/1500)" She smirked behind her helmet. "Dark Blade, attack and destroy his Honest!"

"Not so fast, I activate the trap card Rising Energy! By discarding my Two Headed Dragon, I can give my Honest an additional 1500 attack points! (Atk 1100+ 1500= 2600)."

"Nice try, but you forget about my facedown! Trap Jammer! Using this trap, I can negate and destroy Rising Energy!" 

"WHAT?!" Takano exclaimed in horror as he watched his trap crumble and shatter.

"And that means Dark Blade is clear to keep his attack going!" Yuko exclaimed. Dark Blade's sword slashes through the angel, making it give a cry as it shattered and Takano yell in pain as he took the 700 point damage. He stumbled, barely managing to catch his balance for the final time. "First of Dragons, let's finish him off once and for all! Attack his Black Flame Dragon and end this duel! Black Lightning Attack!" She yelled out, the dragon roaring as it fired off another ball of black lightning, once again destroying the Black Flame Dragon. Takano cried out as the last damage of the Derby Duel rendered him down to zero, taking his last 100 Life Points and making him finally fall as Yuko came to a stop, standing tall.

Yuko- 3600                                         Takano- 0

"Should have attacked while you had the chance." Yuko snarled. "Now, you're going to give me my brother's dragons back right now. All three of them. It's the rules of a Derby Duel. Any rare cards the losing duelist has go to the winner." Takano growled, the snarl eventually growing so loud it eventually became a roar of rage!

"NEVER, I'M TAKING YOU IN!" Takano yelled in anger, but before he could lay a hand on Yuko, a punch came from over the female's left shoulder. When Yuko turned her head, she had to admit that she was surprised to see Kai Cunningham behind her, along with the other members of the Dragon Kings.

"Not in our turf. She beat you fair and square, and you had some of the rarest dragons in the game since the creation of the Blue Eyes. You don't deserve to be a duelist." Kai threatened, scooping up the cards Yuko had requested from the deck and glaring at him. Yuko tensed, ready for a fight if that's what it came down to. "Relax, Adonis, and take off your helmet already, Yang wants to see you." Yuko hesitated for a minute. "Look, idiot, you want your brother's dragons back or not?" He questioned. Yuko pressed a button on the side of her helmet that made the skates and her helmet collapse, allowing her to walk freely. Kai placed the dragons in her hand before leading the way toward the Dragon Kings' hideout. Yuko placed the dragons in her deck, smiling when she heard their spirits purring on happiness. Once inside the hideout, Yuko saw that it was a den, filled with members of the Dragon Kings either training or cooking a hearty meal, the smell of which made Yuko's stomach rumble. "Being this close to an entrance of Cypher City has its perks." Kai told her as he held her to the center of the den. "We also have informants all over Cypher City, they keep us updated if anyone even murmurs about an attack on the Underground." The closer they got to the center of the den, the warmer it became. Yuko noticed many of the members of the rival duel gang stopping to stare at her. Kai glared at them once they reached a door, making all of them head back to their stations. "Yang's through here." Kai opened the door for her, letting her go through.

"Thanks." Yuko spoke. "For the backup back there and bringing me here." 

"Just following Boss's orders." Kai replied before closing the door behind her. When Yuko turned her back to the now closed door, she found a haven of an office. Books of Duel Monsters history lines the shelves, titles listing the pat Kings of Games, their rivals and the history of the fame itself. A picture frame sat center stage in the middle of it all, a picture of a young girl with snow white hair and sapphire blue eyes next to a younger and much happier Yang.

"My younger sister." Yang clarified from the desk in the center of the room before Yuko could ask, not glancing up from whatever he was working on. "The last time Cypher City tried a raid, my sister was coming up the stairs and was killed. We were able to fortify the passageway to not allow anyone but residents of the Underground in, but the update came too late to save her. Her name was Kisa, and no, I don't want to talk about her other than to make you understand why I don't mention her." Upon closer inspection, Yuko noticed a locket around both siblings neck in the picture, a locket that still hung around Yang's neck now despite the pain it must have brought him to remember his sister.

"We're similar that way, I guess." Yuko responded, remembering her own grief as Liam's face flashed in her mind. She heard Yang's chair scrape against the floor before the sound of his boots marked him drawing closer to her.

"Sometimes I wonder if you're just as crazy as your brother. Risking your neck to go up top, all to take part in some tournament that'll just be another blip in the history of Duel Monsters and end with your death." Yang told her, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I have to. Especially considering I have the chance to kickstart the chance for people to be able to duel freely." Yuko replied, facing her rival. He easily towered over her, his ruby red streaked, jet black hair hung in his face, his hazel eyes regarding her.

"You know they'll be able to keep track of you with your prosthetic, Yuko. You're not an idiot, don't do this over one stupid tournament."

"The gang and I thought of that, Raven was able to hack the systems so my ID shows as someone else rather than who I am, and it's also why my hair and eyes are a different color. I'm two steps ahead of you, as usual." Yuko turned to leave but found her arm in Yang's grasp.

"Yuko, please. One leader to another, don't go up there. You'll get caught, tortured and killed and your friends will be left down here alone." Yang reminded her of the punishments that waited for her if she were caught.

"And you know why I have to do this. Any day now, a piece of vital information could slip past your informants, Dracnus could lead an army down here and then Duel Monsters would be destroyed forever. That risk is why I have to fight back for us, because no one else will." She argued. Yang stared at her.

"I still think it's a stupid idea... But, nothing I say or do is going to change your mind, I've seen that look enough times to know. You die up there, I'll kill you." Yang let go, leading her to a bookcase that swung open when he pulled on a book titled An Incomplete History of Underground City and other Adrenaline Junkies. Yuko gave Yang a deadpan look.

"Cliche much?" She asked.

"Hey, it hides it better than an out of place stone tablet that's impossible to move." Yang replied. Yuko passed him to climb up the steps when a thought crossed her mind and she stopped, facing Yang.

"If something happens to me up there, will you make sure my gang stays safe?" She asked. Yang nodded.

"You have my word." He swore.

"Thanks... For everything." A smile crossed her face before she ascended the steps without looking back, the secret door swinging closed behind her. Her boots smacked against the cement stairs as she climbed higher and higher until she reached a heavy metal door. She touched the center of it, causing it to slide upward. Once she exited the staircase, the door slammed shut behind her. She was in someplace that looked like a normal apartment. It was abandoned, covered in dust and most of the furniture covered with a white cloth. Where she had just come from was behind a dusty old bookcase. Really? Just when I thought that guy couldn't be more cliche? She thought, shaking her head as she looked around. Since the applications didn't open back up again until the morning, Yuko set to work sorting out the apartment, dusting and cleaning until it looked almost like a new apartment. Once she finished, she looked out the window she had just finished dusting watching the stars glimmer in the sky above her. She gave a small smile, taking the stars as a sign of what she hoped would be a bright and peaceful future to come

But only time would tell for sure.

(Taglist: @kitsunephantom09 @iheartbarbie)

#fanmade original #Yuko Adonis #Yu-Gi-Oh Renegade #Leon Dracnus #Ritsu Takano

[z-iridest]

Yu-Gi-Oh: Renegade

Chapter 4:

A few days after Yuko first found the damaged Phoenix Whirlwind, the members of the Jade Phoenix Duel Gang were gathered in Yuko's garage. "All right, Yue, give us the details. What're we talking in terms of damage?" Raven asked, using Yuko's nickname as she regarded her best friend.

"To be frank, it's worse than it looks. The engine alone poses the biggest problem." Yuko pulled up a blueprint of the engine, causing Raven to stand a little straighter along with the boys.

"Is that..." Adom started to ask, the unfinished question being answered with a simple nod.

"A planetary particle engine, the very same engine that Yusei Fudo built before the Grand Prix. From what it looks like, Yusei installed this engine into Jack's Duel Runner some time ago. Obviously, it was something that Dracnus didn't like due to how much damage was done to the engine alone."

"Of course he didn't like that somebody could keep up with his Chaser idiots. They use the very same engine in their Runners..." Adom pointed out.

"Knowing Dracnus, he probably found a way to steal the programming from Yusei so he could duplicate it." Jacob added.

"So, the real question becomes how do we one up a program that Yusei Fudo himself designed?" Isaac asked.

"I'm not sure..." Yuko answered. "If I can get my hands on one of those engines and study the way it's built, I might be able to find a way to upgrade it so it makes our Runners even faster than the Chasers."

"But, the only way to do that is to infiltrate Cypher City, risk getting arrested by the Chasers and enduring unspeakable torment just for being from Underground City. You know Dracnus would do anything to find out the location of the secret entrances to get here. If he found this place, he and the Chasers would have a heyday burning our homes to the ground... Besides, getting one of those engines is not gonna be easy. It's gonna cost a fortune just to get your hands on one of those." Adom told Yuko.

"I know, I know." Yuko responded, running a hand through her silver hair. However, before she could say anything more, Holden came running downstairs with Alita right behind him, both of them scampering up to Yuko.

"Yuko, you gotta see this!" Holden exclaimed, both he and Alita tugging on Yuko's arms to lead her upstairs.

"Okay, okay, you guys, I'm coming." Yuko told them, following the two kids to her shop. When the group reached her shop, Alita pointed to the TV just as an announcement was airing.

"My fellow citizens of Cypher City, it is I, Leon Dracnus..." The man on the TV introduced himself. His eyes were chartreuse, holding a look of kindness that only people from Underground City could see through. His hair was midnight black, streaks of yellow, purple and maroon running through it like his hair stylist had just splattered his hair with paint trying to make a masterpiece. Covering the remainder of his face was a half black, half white mask, his body dressed in a business suit that looked as nice as he pretended to be.

"Looking as dignified as a murderous tyrant can." Jacob mumbled sarcastically, earning a snicker from the friends that had heard his smart aleck remark.

"In 3 months, I will be holding a Derby Duel Tournament. The winner of the upcoming tournament will not only be crowned as Duel Monsters royalty, but also win a cash prize of 10 million yen and the opportunity to live in the High Ends of Cypher City. The Derby Duel Tournament is open to all who wish to compete. All applications are due by the end of the second month, so sign up soon. Anyone late to enter will be disqualified."

"Okay, did anybody else think he sounded like Seto Kaiba with that last statement?" Isaac asked. But, two of his friends weren't listening to him. Yuko looked in thought while Adom was staring at her like he knew what she was thinking.

"Yuko, whatever you're thinking, it's a bad idea." Adom's sentence brought the girl's attention to her friend. Raven, Isaac and Jacob all turned their attention to the duo.

"How is it a bad idea? The money alone would be more than enough to fix up the Phoenix Whirlwind like new, let alone get a planetary particle engine..."

"You know why. They hate people like us, you think even one person up there cares about what happens to us 'Junkies'? We're street rats, the only joy they'd get from watching someone like us duel topside is watching us be defeated and thrown into the Facility afterward. Just going up there alone, you have the Chasers to worry about... Plus once you're topside, Dracnus can use your prosthetic to track you anywhere. Yuko, I'm begging you, don't do it... Don't you remember what happened last time?" Adom pointed out, causing Yuko to touch her mechanical arm subconsciously.

"How could I forget? But that was a different time, Adom. You have to admit that if I could enter and win it, the chance of kick starting change is worth the risk."

"That's where you're wrong, Yuko. We already lost your brother, the risk of losing you too isn't worth it..."

"So, what're you saying? That you'd rather nothing change? You'd rather I just stand by and do nothing while innocent lives are put in danger every single day? If Dracnus remains in charge of Cypher City, he'll eventually have the Chasers keep taking innocent lives until he annihilates every last duelist, including us. Maybe you can sit on the sidelines and watch him do whatever he wants, but I can't anymore. I'd rather fight for what little I have than wait for my demise by his hand just for the sake of just surviving." Yuko argued. Just as Adom opened his mouth to argue back, Raven spoke up.

"If we disguise you, you could get in without suspicion." She told Yuko.

"That's what I was thinking." Yuko replied, affirming what Raven had originally thought. She softly sighed as she turned back to Adom. "Look, everyone deserves to play the game they love without facing prejudice, without consequences… This baby," She gently patted the broken down Phoenix Whirlwind, "is the key to jump starting that change. But, I'm gonna need you guys behind me on this." Holden and Alita both immediately gave her a hug to show their support, beaming up at her and making her laugh. "Of course." Raven was next, standing next to her friend. Jacob followed Raven, Isaac looking at Yuko with a furrowed brow. "I have a bad feeling about this, Yuko, but I believe in you, so... I'm with you." Isaac said to her.

"Isaac, you always have a bad feeling." Jacob told him, but Yuko was hardly listening. She was looking at Adom.

"Adom?" Yuko questioned, her voice soft in tone. Adom noticed the look on Yuko's face as she stared at him and sighed heavily.

"I swear, if you get killed up there, I'll bring you back from the dead just to kill you myself." Adom told her, earning a laugh from the others.

"So, I can count on you then?" Yuko asked.

"Yue, there'll never be a time you can't." Adom answered honestly, earning a smile from Yuko.

"That just leaves the question of how you get topside without getting spotted by the Chasers patrolling around here." Raven turned to Yuko, voicing the thought on everyone's minds.

"I'd say use Daedalus Bridge, but since Dracnus destroyed it, that's out of the question." Jacob said.

"How did Yusei get to New Domino from Satellite again?" Isaac asked.

"Wasn't it the trash chute?" Raven countered.

"If I remember correctly, yeah. The day he got out of Satellite, they'd shut it down to check the compressor pumps… He got through the maintenance hatch that automatically opened up, but it's only open for 3 minutes and Yusei barely made it with his Runner." Yuko responded to Raven's questions.

"Damn, you know your stuff." Raven commented.

"It's Duel Monsters History, how could she not?" Adom asked. It fell quiet for a good minute.

"What about going through one of the secret entrances from here to Cypher City? A door in is also a way out, right?" Holden asked, his voice holding out hope as he spoke what was on his mind.

"You know what, little man, that's not a bad idea." Yuko answered, ruffling Holden's dark hair.

"Yeah, not a bad idea if the only door leading directly into Cypher City wasn't halfway across Underground City in Dragon King territory." Adom brought up.

"I can handle the Dragon Kings, Adom." Yuko deadpanned.

"All of them at once, though?" Isaac questioned, looking a little too unsure.

"Isaac, don't worry so much, I'll be fine." Yuko reassured him, though the look on his face told her that he wasn't quite convinced of it.

"You do realize that you're gonna need Derby Gear, right? You can't go topside to participate in a Derby Duel Tournament without proper gear." Raven pointed out.

"I know." Yuko paused for a moment to pull up blueprints for the Derby Gear Raven was talking about. "That's why I was working on this."

"Now I know why it took you so long to develop your Duel Disk... You keep bouncing back and forth between design ideas. You have a serious problem with that ADHD brain of yours, you know that?" Jacob commented, getting an unimpressed look from Yuko. Jacob was referring to Yuko's habit of working on one idea before getting a different idea and switching gears to the newer idea. Was it weird considering Yuko hated leaving anything unfinished? Possibly, but the Jade Phoenix crew just saw it as part of who Yuko was. She wouldn't be herself without that one specific fluke.

"How close is the gear to being done?" Adom asked.

"All I need are a couple more parts. It'll only take me another day or two." Yuko answered.

"That is, if you don't get distracted with a different idea altogether." Jacob remarked, earning a glare from Yuko. "I mean, am I wrong?"

"In the meantime, we can also look for parts that we can scrounge around from down here in order to get in a good enough condition to where we can test it after getting the engine in." Raven pointed out.

"Good idea." Yuko replied.

"We'll help too!" Holden shouted, Alita giggling as she copied Holden's gesture of enthusiasm, making everyone laugh. For once, in that dingy little shop on the west side of the Underground City, things were starting to look up....

Yuko knew it wouldn't have been an easy feat to juggle taking care of Holden and Alita, running her shop and collecting the parts she needed, and quite frankly, after nearly two months had passed, she still hadn't known how she'd managed to do it. True to her word, Yuko had finished the Derby Gear, albeit with the set back on fixing the Phoenix Whirlwind with a few modifications to make it truly her own... The old Phoenix Whirlwind was no longer the mono-wheeled, iconic white Duel Runner it had been for Jack. While still white for the moment, the Duel Runner was now a bi-wheeler, the framing having been opened up and let out, and Yuko had found evidence of the procedure they had finished on it having happened in reverse some years ago. She didn't think anything of it at the time, not knowing what she'd been so close to uncovering, but merely refurbished the old frame with some help from her friends. The tires they had chosen for the moment were patched, but since it didn't have a working engine yet, it didn't really matter. "Looking good, Yue." Pops complimented as he hobbled down the stairs, being helped by Raven as the two children Yuko had been looking after led the way, rushing to her side.

"Yeah, well, it's not done yet." Yuko replied as she stood, using the rag in her back pocket to wipe her hands clean of the oil. She stumbled back a bit as the kids tackled her into a hug, making her laugh as she hugged them back.

"It's gonna be so awesome, and we get to ride with you on it first, right, Yuko?" Holden asked, bouncing in excitement.

"Of course, you guys helped get the parts I needed, after all." Yuko promised, making the two kids cheer. She smiled at the kids, but glanced over to see the way Pops smiled warmly, as if he was remembering someone near and dear to his heart. Yuko felt a pang of alarm when he teared up, though the smile on his face still remained. "Pops? You okay?" She asked the green eyed, elderly male. Pops sniffled, wiping his tears as he nodded.

"I'm all right, dear, I promise. You just remind me so much of someone I used to know… I miss them." Pops replied.

"Aw, Pops…" Yuko trailed off, hugging the old man with Holden and Alita right behind her. Pops chuckled as he held the three kids close to him. Later that night, Yuko finished putting on her Derby Gear, knowing it wouldn't be easy getting through Dragon King Territory without being spotted. Her silver hair had been dyed jade green, and her eyes were now silver due to contact lenses. As she put on her helmet, Raven spoke.

"All right, now that I've hacked the ID chip in your prosthetic so your name now is Andra Tanuki, a mysterious duelist from the slums of Cypher City. You remember the plan for getting up top?" She asked. Yuko nodded in reply.

"Stick to the shadows, and if I get seen, duel my way out." She echoed the plan, putting on the bracelet with some help from Holden. He beamed at her as she ruffled his hair in thanks, the female taking a deep breath as she rolled around the garage for a minute to get used to the wheels on her feet, Alita sitting on the couch as she watched the older female move around the room.

"This won't be easy, but if all goes well, the entrance'll spit you out right in the center of Cypher City, it'll be in an old abandoned building you can take refuge in." Isaac told her.

"She knows." Adom put in.

"It won't be easy to stay out of sight of the Dragon Kings, though."

"She knows!" Raven echoed her friend's prior statement.

"Chasers'll be on your butt faster than anyone else, and since they can cause the same shocks Dracnus does topside, it's best to just avoid them..."

"She knows!" Jacob, Raven and Adom all shouted at their worry-wort friend, who was ever the pessimist.

"Yue's the smartest and the toughest, if anyone can do it, she can!" Holden told Isaac.

"I'm certainly gonna do my best, little man." Yuko told him before glancing at Adom.

"Just be careful, Yue." Adom responded to the look she was giving him. She nodded in reply, determined to get topside.

"It's go-time." Jacob called to his friends, all of whom stopped what they were doing. Yuko's pacing around the garage stopped as the garage door eased open with a clanging sound. She took a deep breath, getting into a ready position, her eyes narrowing into a focused glare.

"Good luck, Yuko, my girl." Pops encouraged her.

"Kick their butts for us, Yue." Yuko smiled at her friends before lowering the visor and speeding out the garage door, her feet moving in a rhythm she knew she'd get used to eventually. Despite having her little shop on the west side of Underground City, she knew every inch of the town she grew up in, including where the Dragon King's territory began and ended. Except for the sound of the wheels on her feet rolling, it was eerily quiet... Too quiet... A look around told her some of the residents of Underground were peeking out their windows, their eyes following her as she skated past. Maybe one of these days, they won't have to live in fear anymore... But, it'll take some work to actually get there... Yuko thought, looking away from them.

"YOU THERE!" Shoot, she'd been found... She glanced behind her and sure enough, one of the Chasers' Duel Runners was right on her tail. The Duel Runner in question was an off-white color, biwheeled like most Duel Runners, but it had a sinister design, the color of it the same black as the darker half of Dracnus' mask. "HEY, STOP, WHAT'RE YOU DOING HERE?!"

"You really expect me to answer that?!" Yuko asked, blinking when her voice sounded different than when her visor was up. She didn't remember putting a voice synthesizer in... Did one of the boys do that?

"You little punk!" The Chaser shouted back, giving chase as Yuko led them through the city. I didn't expect them to be on me this fast... This might not end well... She thought, parkouring over obstacles to hopefully lose the pursuer behind her. But, every step of the way, the Chaser was right behind her. Eventually, Yuko found herself in a dead end, forced to come to a stop. She grit her teeth before turning around to find the Chaser closing off the only way she could escape. The Chaser removed his helmet, revealing a scarred face with a menacing grin. Her pursuer was none other than Ritsu Takano, one of the ex-Chasers that had been kicked out of Cypher City just 5 years prior. The main reason there were Chasers patrolling Underground City to begin with was because of him. Takano had hazel eyes that held an unnatural bloodlust, his hair crimson red and more wild than his topside days. He had several scars over his face, but the most prominent was one that ran along the left side of his face, a scar that began at the left side of his hairline to his jaw. "Remove your helmet and deactivate the gear, reject. I know you're a duelist, and one from the Jade Phoenix Duel Gang judging by the symbol on your back."

"First off, reject? That's rich coming from someone kicked out of Cypher City for lackluster dueling. Second, you act like you have the authority to make me do anything." Yuko responded, seeing a figure move out of the corner of her eye. One of the Dragon Kings' scouts had spotted what was going down.

"Either way, you're not going anywhere, so you might as well remove that helmet and come with me."

"There's no point."

"Huh?"

"You have Derby Duel gear yourself, right, Takano? Duel me. If I win, I go about my business and you act like nothing happened."

"And why should I listen to what a reject like you asks of me? What's in it for me? I can just electrocute you with your prosthetic arm until you're knocked unconscious and drag you in."

"You could... But, winning against me means you could get redemption from the big man topside. See, you're right in assuming I'm a duelist, I'm the leader of the Jade Phoenix gang, their best duelist. You win against me and I'll tell them you caught me dueling, I tried to flee the scene and you caught me. Something like that ought to get you back in the Chaser ranks, right?" Yuko told him. He listened before a grin crossed his face.

"You're on, Birdie. You're in for one heck of a match, I hope you know what you're getting yourself into, kid!" Takano laughed manically, dismounting from his Runner and putting his helmet back on. His fingers grazed a button and Yuko watched as his body was covered with Duel Derby tech that was built into every Chaser's helmet. Yuko glared in determination as she activated her Duel Disk, putting her deck in place. "That Duel Disk... Where did that come from?!" Yuko felt a smirk cross her face at the Chaser's shock of the tech she'd built herself.

"I built it into my gear! Pretty resourceful for a reject, huh?" Yuko smirked. A growl was the only response from Takano as they lined up just outside the dead ended alleyway Yuko had just been cornered in. Yuko swallowed, her nerves creeping up on her as Takano set the stage with the Duel World field spell. What have I gotten myself into? She thought as a countdown began to the beginning of the duel.

-To Be Continued-

Taglist: @kitsunephantom09 @euphorical-angel

#fanmade orinigal #Yuko Adonis #Yu-Gi-Oh Renegade #Leon Dracnus #Ritsu Takano