Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's: Second Ride

[Dr. Cakey]

[img]http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/ygo5dsre.jpg[/img]
So, in case you didn't know, 5D's is over. 154 episodes - not a bad run. Sure, both GX and the original were longer, but not bad nonetheless. But, if you didn't notice, everything after episode 65 sucked. And even in the heights of greatness achieved in the Dark Signer arc, things could be improved quite a bit. And who is egotistical enough to perform that improving but Dr. Cakey?

And...yeah, nothing else to say. Enjoy.

[spoiler='Chapter 1: Power and Weakness']
New Domino City had been built from the very beginning to be a jewel; a paradise apart from the turmoil of the other cities and nations of the world. Its silver towers scrambled heavenward, the highest of high-speed rails twining and roaring about them, parks and gardens nestled between. At its heart towered twin giants standing amidst the steel lawn of the surrounding skyscrapers. The taller of the two was the headquarters of multimedia and technology mega-conglomerate Kaiba Corporation, whose machinery lined the innards of every device and system city-wide, as well in the other cities of Japan and the world over.

The other skyscraper was shorter, though wider, and less attractive, but certainly no less key to running New Domino’s smooth gears and cogs. This was the hub of the Public Security Maintenance Bureau, who ensured the pristine city remained pristine, reaching from the office of the Director to the most forgotten streets, darkened by the city’s metal mountains.

The soul of New Domino City was in another direction: to the east, where its magnificent Duel Stadium stood. In that arena, the Coliseum of ancient Rome could have fit comfortably. And of course, the duels of New Domino were not anything so crude as gladiatorial combat…

Though the day drew to a close, the Duel Stadium’s events had just reached its full swing. Along the edge of the arena ran a broad, gleaming racetrack, with wide, gently sloping edges. In the center of the arena blazed a massive holo-globe, depicting a rotating card. On one side it was a traditional King playing card; on the other was the familiar brown-and-black of the back of a Duel Monsters card. Over the card flashed the words: “Duel King Title Match”.

“It’s time for today’s greatest Riding Duel!” roared the announcer, as spotlights all over the arena came to life, “Here he comes: the King of D-Wheelers! Jack…Atlas!”

The man himself emerged from a burst of smoke, riding a motorcycle whiter than perfection, with a matching riding suit and helmet. Beneath the helmet, he wore his blond hair long. He roared out onto the racetrack, taking a practice lap at breath-taking speed. He raised a gloved fist skyward.

“I am the King!” he proclaimed, the audience erupting into cheers as he glided to the starting line. His opponent was dressed in a black and red leather outfit, and a helmet modeled after a bull’s skull. The sunglasses he wore were an affectation, but were also outfitted with software to give him second-by-second data on the duel. He did not seem nearly impressed with Jack as the fans as he chucked away an empty bottle of soda.

“It’s the 143rd Duel King Title Match!” the announcer bellowed. “Will the challenger Mukuro Enjo be able to beat the King’s undefeated deck? How will the King face the enemy’s challenge? Watch this battle of destiny!”

As the cheers intensified, the King spared Mukuro a single glance, who was swinging aboard his own motorcycle, as tough and testosterone-fueled as the King’s was sleek and clean.

“The time has come to put a spell on the field!” the announcer continued, “The King and challenger are ready. [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/speedworld.jpg"]Speed World[/url] Field Spell…set on!”

As the announcer shouted, the King’s hand came down on a button on his dashboard. Its computer screen, which had previously been displaying the time and other sundries, briefly flashed the image of [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/speedworld.jpg"]Speed World[/url], before displaying the pair of opposing two-by-five grids that made up the duel field.

“This duel is now under the control of [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/speedworld.jpg"]Speed World[/url]!” said the announcer, “For anyone new, this means all ordinary Spell Cards are useless! The D-Wheelers must rely on Speed Spells instead! Speed Spells require speed to be activated! They must use the Speed they get from [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/speedworld.jpg"]Speed World[/url] to activate their Speed Spells! Furthermore, [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/speedworld.jpg"]Speed World[/url] itself has three effects a duelist can use, but only by losing the Speed they’ve gained! In this duel, Speed is power!”

As the announcer wrapped up, a holographic countdown appeared before the two competitors. It swiftly counted down, flashing a green ‘go’ signal.

“Riding Duel! Acceleration!” the announcer bellowed, and the two D-Wheels roared off the starting line.

-

The tunnel had been part of the old subway line before it had been abandoned, since then falling into disrepair. A high-pitched rumble echoed along the tunnel, resolving into the sound of a straining motorcycle engine. A red D-Wheel, sleek in design but with dents and scratches all over, hurtled through the tunnel. Its rider wore a matching helmet; his eyes spared a glance at the speedometer, which clocked him at close to one hundred kilometers per hour. He twisted the handgrip, pushing the throttle wider, eyes focused on the point directly ahead and infinitely far away.

-
[center]Jack Atlas LIFE: 4000 SPD: 2
Mukuro Enjo LIFE: 3400 SPD: 2[/center]

“The challenger has assaulted the King with a clever Trap Card!” the announcer narrated. “By using the Continuous Trap, Burning Barrier with his ace monster, [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Skull_Flame"]Skull Flame[/url], the King can’t attack with any monster with a Level less than [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Skull_Flame"]Skull Flame[/url]’s! And [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Skull_Flame"]Skull Flame[/url]’s Level is eight!”

“[url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Skull_Flame"]Skull Flame[/url], attack the [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Lancer_Archfiend"]Lancer Daemon[/url]!” Mukuro commanded, his [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Skull_Flame"]Skull Flame[/url] conjuring a fireball and hurling it at Jack’s creature, a skeletal devil dressed in dark armor and equipped with two lances. As the flame swirled around it, it shattered into pixels.

[center]Jack Atlas LIFE: 3000[/center]

“Now because [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Skull_Flame"]Skull Flame[/url] is equipped with Burning Barrier, you take half your monster’s ATK as damage!” Mukuro added, the [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Skull_Flame"]Skull Flame[/url] launching another blast of fire. Jack continued driving, unaffected by the flames around him.

“It’s my turn!” Jack boomed, drawing his card as their Speed increased.

[center]Jack Atlas LIFE: 2200 SPD: 3
Mukuro Enjo LIFE: 3400 SPD: 3[/center]

“I activate my facedown card,” he began, one of his Trap Cards flipping up. “[url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Powerful_Rebirth"]Reinforcing Resurrection[/url]! This Special Summons a Level Four-or-below monster from my cemetery. Revive, [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Lancer_Archfiend"]Lancer Daemon[/url]!”

A blue portal opened up out of the card, the demon emerging from it and brandishing its twin lances.

“Due to the effect of [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Powerful_Rebirth"]Reinforcing Resurrection[/url], [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Lancer_Archfiend"]Lancer Daemon[/url] gains 100 ATK and one Level (1600 -> 1700) (LV 4 -> 5)! Furthermore,” he slapped a monster onto the field on his D-Wheel, “I summon the Tuner Monster, [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Dark_Resonator"]Dark Resonator[/url]!”

The new monster, a devilish creature wielding a tuning fork, descended next to the [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Lancer_Archfiend"]Lancer Daemon[/url].

“I tune my Level Three [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Dark_Resonator"]Dark Resonator[/url] to my now-Level Five [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Lancer_Archfiend"]Lancer Daemon[/url]!” he roared. The [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Dark_Resonator"]Dark Resonator[/url] struck its tuning fork, before splitting apart into three emerald rings of light that lined up in mid-air. The [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Lancer_Archfiend"]Lancer Daemon[/url] flew through the rings, its body dissolving into light and becoming five stars lined up within the rings.

“Behold the King’s ultimate power!” he said, raising a hand and beginning to chant. “T[i]he pulse of the ruler forms a line here and now! Bear witness to the power of the rumbling heavens! Synchro Summon![/i]”

A crimson column of light roared the length of the three rings, blasting them apart. From within the ominous light emerged a colossal red and black dragon, bellowing its challenge. The piggish eyes of its three-horned head gleamed hungrily.

“[i]My very soul! [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/reddaemons.jpg"]Red Daemons Dragon[/url]![/i]” Jack finished, pointing with a gloved hand. “Attack the [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Skull_Flame"]Skull Flame[/url]! [i]Absolute Power Force[/i]!”

Sparks began to play around the dragon’s fanged jaws, when suddenly it raised its right hand in a fist, which became surrounded with hellish flames. In a single, vicious movement, it slammed its fist into the opposing skeletal creature, tearing it apart in a mighty conflagration.

[center]Jack Atlas LIFE: 2200
Mukuro Enjo LIFE: 3000[/center]

“I activate my other face-down card: [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/synchrooverlimit.jpg"]Synchro Overlimit[/url]! This Trap grants my Synchro Monster one more attack,” with a skillful twist of the handgrips, he spun his D-Wheel around completely, riding backwards as he faced his challenger directly. “I’ll give you the honor of falling prey to our fangs. [i]Absolute Power Force[/i]!”

This time the demonic dragon unleashed a colossal storm of fire-breath, as if not deigning to lay a claw on its beaten foe. The Solid Vision system could simulate only an extremely minor physical impact, but the vortex of flame that surrounded the challenger caused him to spin out, even as his D-Wheel automatically braked after his defeat.

The crowd went wild as Jack spun his D-Wheel again, facing back forward and beginning a victory lap. A spotlight blinked on to follow him along, reflecting off his coat and D-Wheel and turning him radiant as the sun.

“There is only one King!” he proclaimed to his people, “And I am he!”

-

Something inside the red D-Wheel snapped. Sensing this, its rider braked, but even as he did the wheels locked, and he began to skid out of control. Sparks flew, but he expertly guided the uncooperative machine to a gradual halt.

Slowly, he swung himself off the D-Wheel, glancing at the acrid smoke now pouring out the side of the machine. He sighed and removed his helmet, moonlight filtering down onto his dark hair. He glanced up. At this section of the subway, parts of the ceiling had caved in, letting in the natural. Faintly, in the distance, the roar of the crowd could be heard.

He knelt down to asses the damage. Just from a preliminary inspection, he could see that a Momentum feed had ruptured – either there was a fracture he had missed (unlikely), or his speed had outraced the ability of the onboard computer to properly manage the engine. This had tended to happen to smaller Momentum reactors (like those aboard D-Wheels), until superior processors were developed…but he had to make do with outdated models. Back at the task at hand, he firmly gripped the sides of the vehicle and began to push it along.

It was close to half a mile from where he had stalled to home base, and he was sweating by the time he reached there. “Home base” was at the West Domino station of the old subway, carved out of the ticket counter and insulated with several utility tarps. From within came the sound of the cheering of a massive crowd.

“In the beginning it looked like the challenger’s Trap would give you trouble, but it seemed you actually saw far ahead in the duel.” That would be the Duel Stadium’s announcer – that was probably the most distinctive voice in the whole city.

“If the King had used his full strength from the start, it would have been over in an instant,” that would be Jack, of course. “The King’s duel must be entertainment for all!”

He hauled the D-Wheel up next to base. There were three people inside, huddled around the computer screen. That would be Taka, Nerve, and Blitz – acquaintances who had remained with him for years.

He kept his tools outside for just this purpose, and he spent several minutes immersed in nuts, bolts, and oil as he patched together the damaged feed line. He’d have to replace it as soon as possible, but this would hold for a few days, at least. He reached over, giving one of the hand-grips an experimental twist. The engine thrummed in response, pattering out as he brought it back down. The sudden noise startled the others, who had been fully engrossed in the aftermath of the King’s duel.

“Oh,” said Nerve, immediately turning off the computer, “Yusei. We didn’t hear you come in.”

Taka ran his beefy fingers through his hair. “we wanted to see how Jack was doing. And we can’t get reception anywhere else.”

“He’s very good,” Blitz added, as Yusei plugged several cables from his laptop into the D-Wheel. “Even stronger than before.”

Yusei turned on the laptop, running a quick diagnostic on the D-Wheel’s systems before going back to loosen some screws.

“His opponent was weak?” Yusei finally replied.

“Yeah," Nerve confirmed. "He was completely played by Jack.”

Yusei turned back to the computer, fingers tapping over the keyboard, seeming to be ruminating over the appropriate response.

“He’s bored,” he decided, at length.

He continued to tinker with the D-Wheel. The silence stretched uncomfortably, prompting Taka to ask, “How’s the D-Wheel holding up?”

“Can’t you tell?” Nerve demanded, rounding on him. Indeed, Yusei had opened up the engine compartment, and was in the process of scraping out a foul coat of black sludge with his gloved fingers – it seemed the burst feed had also caused an oil leak.

“Yeah…” Taka muttered, chagrined. “Well, your old D-Wheel is doing great out there -”

“Yusei doesn’t want to hear about it!” Nerve snapped. “Can’t you see that?”

“We’re all angry at Jack!” Taka snapped back. “Without him, Yusei would be King now instead!”

Yusei, seemingly oblivious to the argument behind him, wiped down his fingers and set about putting the engine back together.

“Yusei!” came an eager call from the station’s stairs. A boy, no more than thirteen or fourteen, careen down the stairs, dressed in sandals, an oversized blue coat, and a hat jammed over his excessively long hair.

“Hey, Rally,” Taka said in greeting, causing him to pause for a moment.

“Oh, everybody’s here. Yusei!” he said, dashing over to Yusei’s side. “Can you use this for your D-Wheel?”

With a flourish, he produced a metal chip from his coat-pocket. Everyone gathered around, curious. Nerve grabbed his wrist.

“This is a CPU – and it’s brand new! You took that from the factory!” he accused. Rally pulled his hand back.

“No!” He insisted. The others looked at him incredulously. “I…found it in the junkyard.”

“I that’s stolen, we could all get arrested,” Blitz said worriedly, pointing at a small, yellow tattoo on Rally’s cheek. “They’ll follow that Marker straight to us.”

“I’ll use it,” Yusei interjected, holding out a hand, into which Rally happily placed the chip. Blitz looked shocked.

“Look, Yusei, I know how you feel,” he started, “but you should just forget about Jack.”

“Yusei’s going to settle things with Jack!” Rally shouted.

“But it’ll be a big risk going after him like that. It’s not worth it.”

“He stole Stardust Dragon!” Rally replied, outraged. Blitz brushed him aside.

“Are you really going to leave here?” he asked. Yusei pried open the dashboard of the D-Wheel, to access the internal computer.

“I’m not leaving,” he replied. “I’m going.”

“The City’s not for us,” Nerve broke in. “I think Jack was always different than us.”

Yusei stood up, reaching over to the hand-grip again, revving the motor. Its response was a strong, singing roar that echoed up and down the length of the tunnel. Blitz whistled. Yusei patted the machine with something like affection.

“So? So? It’s totally better, right?” Rally said eagerly. Yusei nodded. “Let’s test it out right now!”

A blast of wind and a searchlight stabbed down through the cracks in the ceiling, illuminating them. The sound of a helicopter’s blades roared loudly in their ears.

“It’s Security!” Blitz shouted, peering upward into the light. An authoritative voice, magnified by a loudspeaker, called down to them from the helicopter.

“ID number AWX-86007 Rally Dawson! You are under arrest for theft of commercial property. Surrender immediately!”

Nerve turned angrily on Rally, who cringed. “I…took it from the factory,” he admitted. “But it’s because I want Yusei to beat Jack!”

Nerve raised a hand and began to retort, but Yusei put a restraining arm across his chest.

“Enough,” he said simply, before turning back to his laptop. Nerve closed his mouth, opened it, and realized he didn’t have anything to say. He turned helplessly to his two other companions, who were peering up at the helicopter hovering overhead. They were interrupted by a sudden beep from Yusei’s laptop.

“I’ve jammed the Marker signal.” He reported without fanfare, as he climbed aboard his D-Wheel. Fumbling, Rally handed him his helmet. “I’ll divert Security. We’ll meet at the East Subway Station.”

Without waiting for a response, Yusei gunned the motor, accelerating up the subway stairs and emerging into the night. In the split-second before he charged away, he caught sight of a Public Security Maintenance Bureau car and a Security Pursuit D-Wheel. A small force. It would be no problem to evade them.

The three vehicles immediately moved in pursuit of him, the helicopter keeping him in sight with its searchlight. On the open road, that would be trickiest to escape. The new processor Rally had stolen worked like a dream, making up for the corners he’d been forced to cut in other parts of the D-Wheel, and it seemed that it now slightly edged out a Pursuit D-Wheel. The bulky Bureau car lagged the furthest behind, and wouldn’t be able to give chase into Satellite’s many back-alleys - if that had been his goal. He spotted the point for which he had been aiming: an alley between two skyscrapers that would throw off the car and maybe even keep the helicopter circling out of sight for a while.

He swerved into the alley, his pursuer barely managing to make the turn in time. The car sped onward, but it would take several miles for it to find the circuitous route around. The helicopter, for its part, would have to ascend a great deal before being able to give chase. Yusei continued forward for several hundred feet, then screeched to a halt at an apparent dead end. A few seconds later, his pursuer did as well.

“Where did you steal that D-Wheel from?” he demanded, dismounting from his own D-Wheel. Yusei looked at him impassively. After a moment of peering at him quizzically, the officer began to chuckle.

“You’re not Rally Dawson!” he said. “You don’t have a Marker. You’re a decoy? I guess garbage helps garbage. You’ll be arrested for -”

“You can’t catch me with a force this size,” Yusei interrupted, pointing to his right. “This leads down to the old subway. I can follow the track to the Pipeline, or turn off anywhere along the way. From the Pipeline I can double back all the way to the BAD Zone. In all, there are seventy-nine places for me to turn off, just in this district. That’s more than twenty-six square miles to search.”

“And?” the cop growled.

“Let’s make a deal.” He removed his deck from his belt and held it up. “Duel. If you lose, you’ll forget this ever happened. If I lose, you can take me in.”

The cop ruminated over this for a moment. “You want me to just let that Rally Dawson kid walk?”

“Like you say, Rally’s a kid. I have deck and a D-Wheel, and I’m resisting arrest. Besides,” he rapped the dashboard of his D-Wheel, “the chip’s already in here. Arresting Rally won’t get it back. You’re here to serve justice, right?”

Yusei stopped, slightly out of breath. He hadn’t talked so much in…years. Now that he’d made his case, he’d have to hope the cop took the bait. It was a reasonable offer, really. The cop had no idea where Rally was by now, and bringing him in would be of much more interest to the higher-ups than another delinquent. And no City-duelist would ever think a Satellite, with cards picked up from the junkyard, could stand a chance against them.

“Wow,” the cop chuckled, “you’re just trying to help out everybody! Even garbage can be nice – and how can I say no to a nice guy?”

Yusei acknowledged this with no more than a nod, then gunned his motor and raced back the way he had come, the cop following close behind. In this situation, he could tell a member of Security would expect to go first, so he slowed and allowed the cop to gain the lead.

“[url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/speedworld.jpg"]Speed World[/url] Field Spell, set on!” the cop announced, and the world transformed subtly. The colors became purplish, but also objects stood out in sharp relief against one another – along with signifying a Riding Duel, the coloration helped D-Wheelers navigate, in case their autopilot failed.

[center]USHIO Life: 4000 Speed: 0
YUSEI Life: 4000 Speed: 0[/center]

“I’ll go first,” he continued. “And I summon the [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/assaultgundog.jpg"]Assault Gundog[/url] in attack position!”

Beside him a blue portal opened up, a scarred bloodhound emerging from it. As it ran beside his D-Wheel, a machine gun unfolded on its back.

“Then I set a card face-down and end my turn.”

“My turn,” Yusei said, as his Speed increased. “Draw!” Despite its threatening appearance, [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/assaultgundog.jpg"]Assault Gundog[/url] was not a particularly strong monster. Placing it in attack position would therefore not be a good strategy – either his opponent was inept, or it was a trap. He could deal with either situation.

[center]USHIO LIFE: 4000 SPD: 1
YUSEI LIFE: 4000 SPD: 1[/center]

“I summon [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Speed_Warrior"]Speed Warrior[/url],” he declared. Another portal opened, a figure in white metallic armor dashing from it. It effortlessly coasted next to him on a pair of roller skates.

“In attack position? [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/assaultgundog.jpg"]Assault Gundog[/url] has higher ATK.” The cop grinned. “Or is that the best monster you’ve got?”

But just as he finished, a glow surrounded the [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Speed_Warrior"]Speed Warrior[/url] and it raced forward more quickly, until it was doing laps around Yusei’s D-Wheel.

[center][url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Speed_Warrior"]Speed Warrior[/url]: ATK 900 -> ATK 1800[/center]

“[url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Speed_Warrior"]Speed Warrior[/url]’s ATK is doubled on the turn it is Normal Summoned,” Yusei explained. “[url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Speed_Warrior"]Speed Warrior[/url], attack the [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/assaultgundog.jpg"]Assault Gundog[/url]! [i]Sonic Edge[/i]!”

The warrior moved in a blur, taking out the hound with a spinning kick that shattered it like glass. The cop winced as he received damage.

[center]USHIO Life: 3400 Speed: 1
YUSEI Life: 4000 Speed: 1[/center]

“But I have a monster effect also!” the cop announced. “When you destroy [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/assaultgundog.jpg"]Assault Gundog[/url], I can Special Summon another one from my deck.”

As he spoke, an image of [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/assaultgundog.jpg"]Assault Gundog[/url]’s card appeared, another hound leaping from it. Yusei considered the new situation. He knew the standard Security Pursuit Deck back to front – in the past he’d had occasion to test it. It didn’t have much synergy, but the basic aim was to use monsters like [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/assaultgundog.jpg"]Assault Gundog[/url] and [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Troop_Dragon"]Army Dragon[/url] to keep field presence and provide fodder to Advanced Summon one of a few different monsters. The deck had a very high monster count, in order to feed a certain colossal monster. Aside from that, the deck contained three Speed Spells: two Sonic Buster and one Summon Close. Ten Trap Cards rounded out the rest of the deck, mostly ones to cut down or limit the opponent’s Speed.

He had taken all of that into consideration. The possibility that the cop’s face-down card would stop the attack or otherwise harm him was low, because of the deck’s makeup. However, placing [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/assaultgundog.jpg"]Assault Gundog[/url] in attack position like that provoked an attack, indicating a deeper plan, since he could have simply put the monster in defense position to avoid taking damage. Based on the outcome, it appeared to be nothing more than sloppy playing.

“I set two cards face-down,” Yusei finished. “Turn end.”

[center]USHIO Life: 3400 Speed: 2
YUSEI Life: 4000 Speed: 2[/center]

“Back to me!” The cop said. With the end of Yusei’s turn, [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Speed_Warrior"]Speed Warrior[/url]’s ATK diminished. “I release [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/assaultgundog.jpg"]Assault Gundog[/url] to Advanced Summon [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Handcuffs_Dragon"]Handcuffs Dragon[/url]!”

The hound dissolved into a silhouette of rippling rainbow light that gathered together into an orb. From it emerged a serpentine dragon, without arms or legs, but with pincer-like protrusions on its head and tail, highly reminiscent of a pair of handcuffs.

“[url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Handcuffs_Dragon"]Handcuffs Dragon[/url]! [i]Wrapper Shoot[/i]!”

The dragon swiftly undulated toward [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Speed_Warrior"]Speed Warrior[/url]. Yusei was prepared, however. “I activate my Trap: [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Scrap-Iron_Scarecrow"]Scrap-Iron Scarecrow[/url].” His set card flipped up, forming a scarecrow of scrap-metal in front of [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Speed_Warrior"]Speed Warrior[/url]. “This negates your attack.”

“That’s a useful card. However,” the cop grinned. “The Trap Card [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Wiretap"]Wiretap[/url]! This negates your Trap and returns it to the deck. Do it, [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Handcuffs_Dragon"]Handcuffs Dragon[/url]!”

The card and scarecrow rippled and faded, while Yusei placed the card back into his deck, which the card dealer automatically shuffled. The dragon’s attack continued unabated, crushing [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Speed_Warrior"]Speed Warrior[/url] between its pincers until it shattered.
[center]
USHIO Life: 3400 Speed: 2
YUSEI Life: 3100 Speed: 2[/center]

“If it’s a deck made from cards you found, then no matter how you built it, garbage is garbage!” the cop sneered. “Make your move.”

[center]USHIO Life: 3400 Speed: 3
YUSEI Life: 3100 Speed: 3[/center]

“Draw!” Yusei examined his cards. It had been so long since he had dueled, his deck wasn’t responding to him. Luckily, on his next turn, his Speed would be high enough to play [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/angelbaton.jpg"]Speed Spell – Angel Baton[/url], which would increase his draw power. In the mean time… “I summon [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Sonic_Chick"]Road Runner[/url] in defense position.”

The pink chick scrambled out of the blue portal, screeching to a halt on the sight of the [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Handcuffs_Dragon"]Handcuffs Dragon[/url]. “I set one more card face-down. Turn end.”

[center]USHIO Life: 3400 Speed: 4
YUSEI Life: 3100 Speed 4[/center]

“Your whole strategy is defending,” the cop sneered. “But you can’t defend against this! One, two, three!” As he spoke, he slid three monsters from his hand into his cemetery slot. With three set cards laid out against him, he was going for it?

The three discarded monsters circled around his D-Wheel, before finally piling on top of one another. “I discarded [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/assaultgundog.jpg"]Assault Gundog[/url], Level Four, [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Guard_Dog"]Guard Dog[/url], Level Three, and [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Tactical_Espionage_Expert"]Espionage Expert[/url], Level Three…and by discarding three monsters, I can Special Summon [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/montagedragon.jpg"]Montage Dragon[/url]!”

Each card let out a burst of light, the light swirling together to create the outline of a three-headed dragon. The dragon roared, shedding the light like water. Its thick skin was a dark blue, and – aside from the three snapping heads – its most outstanding feature was its outsized hands.

“[url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/montagedragon.jpg"]Montage Dragon[/url] isn’t Advanced Summoned like a regular Level 8 monster,” the cop explained, as if lecturing. “Instead, I discard up to three monsters, and then it gains ATK equal to the sum of those monsters’ Levels times three-hundred!”

[center][url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/montagedragon.jpg"]Montage Dragon[/url]: ATK 0 -> ATK 3000[/center]

“[url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Handcuffs_Dragon"]Handcuffs Dragon[/url], attack the [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Sonic_Chick"]Road Runner[/url]! [i]Wrapper Shoot[/i]!”

The serpentine dragon moved forward once again, crushing the helpless bird in an instant. That left the path between Yusei and the monstrous dragon wide open.

“[url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/montagedragon.jpg"]Montage Dragon[/url], direct attack!” the cop ordered. “[i]Power Collage[/i]!”

The dragon’s three heads charged up three orbs of energy, which merged together into a colossal blast fired directly at Yusei. He swerved to avoid the brunt of the attack, but it was still enough to send him skidding backwards.

[center]YUSEI LIFE: 100[/center]

“I’m not done yet! I activate [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/slowdownmachine.jpg"]Slowdown Machine[/url]! Now, for every 800 damage you take, you’ll lose Speed!”

[center]YUSEI LIFE: 100 SPD: 1[/center]

His motor quieted as his Speed was forcefully reduced. That wasn’t the only problem: now the [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/angelbaton.jpg"]Angel Baton[/url] in his hand was useless. Everything would be decided but what he drew next.

“Turn end.”

There was no point in running numbers, of course. The odds of pulling a useful card in this situation were against him. But if he drew that, his field setup would be perfect…

“My turn! Draw!” His Speed rose back up to 2. If he could just draw it…

[center]USHIO Life: 3400 SP: 5
YUSEI Life: 100 SP: 2[/center]

He smiled.

“I summon the Tuner Monster, [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Junk_Synchron"]Junk Synchron[/url]!” he said. A blue portal opened, an orange ball of energy emerging from it. The energy then resolved into the form of a diminutive mechanoid. “When [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Junk_Synchron://"]Junk Synchron[/url] is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level Two or lower monster from my cemetery. Revive, [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Speed_Warrior"]Speed Warrior[/url]!”

The [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Junk_Synchron"]Junk Synchron[/url] held out a hand, a portal opening by it, and the [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Speed_Warrior"]Speed Warrior[/url] springing through. The cop was still a move behind. “You have a Tuner monster!?”

“I’m tuning my Level Three [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Junk_Synchron"]Junk Synchron[/url] to my Level Two [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Speed_Warrior"]Speed Warrior[/url].”

The [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Junk_Synchron"]Junk Synchron[/url] pulled a cord on its side, a pair of engines on its back revving to life. It split apart into three emerald rings, lining up in the air. [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Speed_Warrior"]Speed Warrior[/url] leaped into the air, becoming an outline of light as it passed through the rings, until finally two stars were released from its body.

“[i]Clustering stars call forth a new power! Become the path that lights the way! Synchro Summon![/i]”

A line of green light flew through the rings, expanding and filling them, before swirling into an orb and dissipating. From within the orb emerged a mechanical warrior, plated with purplish armor. Its parts were slightly mismatched: on its feet were a pair of gleaming skates, while on its back were what appeared to be two small jet engines.

“[i]Come, [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/junkwarrior.jpg"]Junk Warrior[/url]![/i]” Yusei finished, the warrior falling into place next to him.

“Clever,” the cop jeered, his bluster returning, “but it’s nowhere near as strong as [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/montagedragon.jpg"]Montage Dragon[/url].”

“Unlike you,” Yusei replied, “I don’t rely on each card by itself. I activate [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/visionwind.jpg"]Speed Spell – Vision Wind[/url]! This lets me Special Summon a monster from my cemetery, so long as its Level isn’t higher than my Speed. Revive once more, [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Speed_Warrior"]Speed Warrior[/url]!”

A small cyclone built up at the side of [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/junkwarrior.jpg"]Junk Warrior[/url], before dissipating and releasing the [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Speed_Warrior"]Speed Warrior[/url] from within. Immediately, it and [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/junkwarrior.jpg"]Junk Warrior[/url] began to glow faintly.
[center]
[url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/junkwarrior.jpg"]Junk Warrior[/url]: ATK 2300 -> ATK 3200[/center]

“[url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/junkwarrior.jpg"]Junk Warrior[/url] gains the ATK of every Level Two-or-below monster I control. This is…” he clenched his fist, “the Power of Fellows! [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/junkwarrior.jpg"]Junk Warrior[/url], attack the [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Handcuffs_Dragon"]Handcuffs Dragon[/url]! [i]Scrap Fist[/i]!”

The glow around [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/junkwarrior.jpg"]Junk Warrior[/url] intensified, and it careened forward, engines blazing a fiery trail behind it. Its fist connected with the [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Handcuffs_Dragon"]Handcuffs Dragon[/url], which exploded in a spatter of smoke and sparks.
[center]
USHIO LIFE: 2000 SP: 4[/center]

“Too bad you didn’t know about [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Handcuffs_Dragon"]Handcuffs Dragon[/url]’s effect!” the cop sneered, “See, when [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Handcuffs_Dragon"]Handcuffs Dragon[/url] gets destroyed in battle, it cuffs the monster that destroyed it, and the monster loses 1800 ATK!”

The dragon emerged from the explosion, apparently unscathed, and proceeded to lock its pincers around [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/junkwarrior.jpg"]Junk Warrior[/url].

[center][url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/junkwarrior.jpg"]Junk Warrior[/url]: 3200 ATK -> 1400 ATK[/center]

“Actually,” Yusei said quietly, “I did know that. Which is why I’d set this. Activate Trap: [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/skilltwister.jpg"]Skill Twister[/url]! This changes the target of your effect to another monster on the field. My target is…” he pointed. “[url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/montagedragon.jpg"]Montage Dragon[/url].”

A green arrow extended from the card, passing through the [url="http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Handcuffs_Dragon"]Handcuffs Dragon[/url] and terminating in front of [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/montagedragon.jpg"]Montage Dragon[/url]. The former monster slid, shrieking, along the length of the arrow, before wriggling free and eagerly wrapping itself around the giant behemoth.

[center][url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/montagedragon.jpg"]Montage Dragon[/url]: 3000 ATK -> 1200 ATK
[url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/junkwarrior.jpg"]Junk Warrior[/url]: ATK 1400 -> ATK 3200[/center]

“And my final Trap: [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/synchrooverlimit.jpg"]Synchro Overlimit[/url]! This allows my Synchro Monster to attack again in the same turn. [i]Scrap Fist[/i]!”

[url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/junkwarrior.jpg"]Junk Warrior[/url] launched forward once more, fist slamming into the [url="http://www.majhost.com/gallery/matanui0011/5DsRe/montagedragon.jpg"]Montage Dragon[/url], which flew backward until it collided with a building, exploding massively.
[center]
USHIO LIFE: 0[/center]

The cop’s D-Wheel automatically braked following his defeat, causing him to skid to stop, with Yusei far out of reach. He stopped for a moment, as well, eyes fixed on the cop with such intensity that he flinched.

“No matter what the card is, it has the power to be useful. You don’t have the right to call yourself a duelist when you dismiss a card and call it garbage.”

Without waiting for a reply, Yusei roared further down the road. Suddenly, it opened up by the coastline, and he stopped. The ocean channel was about a mile wide, and on the other side sat a gleaming jewel.

New Domino City. And Jack Atlas.[/spoiler]
Episode 1 (Sub): [url="http://www.hulu.com/watch/177541/yu-gi-oh-5ds-riding-duel-acceleration#s-p10-so-i1"]Riding Duel! Acceleration[/url]
Episode 1 (Dub): [url="http://www.hulu.com/watch/184077/yu-gi-oh-5ds-on-your-mark-get-set-duel#s-p20-sr-i0"]On Your Mark, Get Set, Duel![/url]

[Umbra]

Just because of this topic, I'm going to rewrite 5D's from Episode 65 and onward.

Regardless of my own writing experiments, you did a good job with the first chapter. Not much of a change from the original, but a good chapter nonetheless.

[Brinolovania]

...it's beautiful...

[Dr. Cakey]

[quote name='Umbra' timestamp='1303449449' post='5158434']
Just because of this topic, I'm going to rewrite 5D's from Episode 65 and onward.

Regardless of my own writing experiments, you did a good job with the first chapter. Not much of a change from the original, but a good chapter nonetheless.
[/quote]
The Fortune Cup and Dark Signer arcs are probably going to be fairly similar to how they happened in the anime, just smoothing over some plotbumps and plotholes and improving duels. As for the New World Super-Arc (if you will)...I have no idea what I'm going to do. I have about three different ideas for the identity of Z-one, none of them being the same as the anime.

[quote name='Kikoutei Penguin Infinity' timestamp='1303492106' post='5159552']
...it's beautiful...
[/quote]
<3

I have a slight problem, and I wanted to see if I could get some ideas. So, episode 2 has no point, so I was intending to skip it. However, if I do, the duels of the first and second chapter will both be against Ushio, and there won't be a ground duel for several chapters. Shall I just go right to episode 3, or do you guys have any suggestions for what do instead? It doesn't have to be anything that happened in the anime. For example, I wanted a chance to show more of Rally's deck.

[CrabHelmet]

Remove pointless filler at all opportunities. Feel free to replace with a character piece, but skipping it might help the pacing.

[Dr. Cakey]

[quote name='Crab Helmet' timestamp='1303514347' post='5160409']
Remove pointless filler at all opportunities. Feel free to replace with a character piece, but skipping it might help the pacing.
[/quote]
Well, I'm doing this mostly to bump, and to let you know...no. If I set a time-table, the last day I list will be the earliest I will possibly post the next chapter, so no time-table. But I will say that part of Chapter 2/3 (however things turn out) has been written.

Anyway, I agree wholeheartedly with your advice. I am open to (read: asking for) suggestions from anyone for what to do. In general, it would probably fill in something you felt was lacking in the early 5D's, or something that should have been covered more - for example, Yusei's whole time with the boring generic gang was to speak to them in monosyllables and duel to defend their honro. Should I cover how they got together?

tl;dr Suggestions pl0x.

[♫♪GoldenBoy♪♫]

I loved it length and all. Good Job

[EndlessOcean]

Maybe you could make an episode about the kid sly from episode 65, his plot was never expanded opon.

[DL]

I suggest making one of Yusei's gang members (Rally?) become tired of living in the slums, so he leaves (stealing Yusei's duel runner) to try and get into the city. Yusei "borrows" s passing-by Trudge's runner, and goes after Rally. Then turbo duels to stop him from going.

Or something. IDK, I only got to episode 15 of 5Ds, a lot of stuff happen later I am unaware of.

[s]I also suggest making Rally a girl[/s]

But yeah, that could leave room to develop Rally and [s]her[/s] his deck.

[AsianGuy1137]

Amazingly vivid reproduction of the entire episode. Even though the visual aspect is missing, the pure flow of the descriptions more than makes up with it by helping the reader understand exactly what's transpiring. Can't wait for Chapter 2.

[Dr. Cakey]

[quote name='Hayate Ayasaki' timestamp='1304075943' post='5175837']
I suggest making one of Yusei's gang members (Rally?) become tired of living in the slums, so he leaves (stealing Yusei's duel runner) to try and get into the city. Yusei "borrows" s passing-by Trudge's runner, and goes after Rally. Then turbo duels to stop him from going.

Or something. IDK, I only got to episode 15 of 5Ds, a lot of stuff happen later I am unaware of.

[s]I also suggest making Rally a girl[/s]

But yeah, that could leave room to develop Rally and [s]her[/s] his deck.
[/quote]
Erm...how do I put this...I'm going to put that in the 'in case of emergency only' pile.

[quote name='AsianGuy1137' timestamp='1304231967' post='5181135']
Amazingly vivid reproduction of the entire episode. Even though the visual aspect is missing, the pure flow of the descriptions more than makes up with it by helping the reader understand exactly what's transpiring. Can't wait for Chapter 2.
[/quote]


After letting the conundrum stew in the back of my mind for a while, I'm thinking of either making the chapter introduce Carly or Sherry, so as to make their appearance (and the fact that Sherry was apparently as good/better than Yusei in her first appearance) less random. And now, I'm going to let YOU decide. *Activate poll*

[Vector Nightmare]

I liked the first chapter, though I was hoping for farther deviation from the original. While 5Ds wasn't really bad back then, actually it was quite good, but it was still a very clear-cut shounen series, no matter how serious it tried to portray itself. It would've been easy in the context to throw in a few darker elements. Also, I know you probably don't want to change the characters too much, for now at least, but make Yusei more of a dick. Also, if I were to suggest one thing, that would be playing with the duels a little more. It was good that now Yusei knew since the first duel that Junk Synchron had an effect besides being symbolic, but still.

Rather than Sherry or Carly, why not introduce Aki instead? She's much more relevant to the plot right now.

[Dr. Cakey]

[quote name='~ Epic Hero - Saber ~' timestamp='1304300013' post='5183124']
I liked the first chapter, though I was hoping for farther deviation from the original. While 5Ds wasn't really bad back then, actually it was quite good, but it was still a very clear-cut shounen series, no matter how serious it tried to portray itself. It would've been easy in the context to throw in a few darker elements. Also, I know you probably don't want to change the characters too much, for now at least, but make Yusei more of a dick. Also, if I were to suggest one thing, that would be playing with the duels a little more. It was good that now Yusei knew since the first duel that Junk Synchron had an effect besides being symbolic, but still.

Rather than Sherry or Carly, why not introduce Aki instead? She's much more relevant to the plot right now.
[/quote]
I was hoping you'd post here eventually, because you're much smarter than I am. Thanks for the advice, I think I now have the plot for the second chapter!

[Dr. Cakey]

BUMP idk lol

I've been writing a lot of later chapters, but not Chapter 2. You're welcome...or something?

[evilfusion]

I read, and I rather enjoyed it. Sure, it's pretty close to the episode, but it was detailed and it explored some of the character thoughts and things, plus fixed Junk Synchron's anime effect.

Nothing wrong with it so far.

My current advice is actually the opposite of some people. While sticking too close to the anime is a "no", I don't think you should deviate wildly, either, even if just replacing filler episodes with something more interesting.

I'm not so sure about the idea of introducing Carly/Sherry next episode, but I may just be unaware of what context they'd appear in. Sherry in particular...eh...sure, her appearance was kind of random, but she has no real place at this time, either.

[ThatPhantomGuy]

Nice job. Very nice. Its like the actual first episode in a fan fic form, and little more different.

Reading it made me think of my fic, its scary the comparison. XD

[bury the year]

The constant underlining of the card names is distracting, to say the least. Underline them only the first time they appear, and then leave them non-formatted for the rest. Outside of that, I have nothing to say that hasn't already been said. Keep up the solid work.

[Crimson Blaze]

This was actually pretty good, but doesn't exactly outline [i]every[/i] aspect of the first episode. For example, I don't remember him being out of breath from just talking. A couple other things were omitted ("I'll trust you as a duelist...") as well. Other than that, I'm looking forward to chapter/episode 2.

[Dr. Cakey]

[quote name='evilfusion' timestamp='1306877127' post='5245030']
I read, and I rather enjoyed it. Sure, it's pretty close to the episode, but it was detailed and it explored some of the character thoughts and things, plus fixed Junk Synchron's anime effect.

Nothing wrong with it so far.

My current advice is actually the opposite of some people. While sticking too close to the anime is a "no", I don't think you should deviate wildly, either, even if just replacing filler episodes with something more interesting.

[b]Up until about, oh...the climax of the Dark Signer arc, I'm going to stick pretty close to the anime plot. I've been doing a lot of planning about what happens after that. Let's just say things are completely different.[/b]

I'm not so sure about the idea of introducing Carly/Sherry next episode, but I may just be unaware of what context they'd appear in. Sherry in particular...eh...sure, her appearance was kind of random, but she has no real place at this time, either.

[b]Yeah, I decided what I'd do was bump the respective appearances of Aki, Carly, and Sherry up one arc. Aki will be in chapter two, Carly will appear sometime during the Fortune Cup, and Sherry some time in the Dark Signer arc.[/b]
[/quote]


[quote name='L'illusionniste' timestamp='1306882346' post='5245192']
Nice job. Very nice. Its like the actual first episode in a fan fic form, and little more different.

Reading it made me think of my fic, its scary the comparison. XD
[/quote]
Since I haven't read anything of yours, I can say this with a straight face: I'm sure you're not that bad.

[quote name='Kyubey' timestamp='1306884510' post='5245291']
The constant underlining of the card names is distracting, to say the least. Underline them only the first time they appear, and then leave them non-formatted for the rest. Outside of that, I have nothing to say that hasn't already been said. Keep up the solid work.
[/quote]
Yeah, I'll do that. I'm trying to remember why I linked every single time...I must have had a good reason, because that was a real pain.

[quote name='Crimson Blaze' timestamp='1307234642' post='5255328']
This was actually pretty good, but doesn't exactly outline [i]every[/i] aspect of the first episode. For example, I don't remember him being out of breath from just talking. A couple other things were omitted ("I'll trust you as a duelist...") as well. Other than that, I'm looking forward to chapter/episode 2.
[/quote]
It's not supposed to just [i]be[/i] the episode. I'm changing things as I see fit. This was discarded very quickly, but Yusei at the beginning talks almost not at all. I thought to myself, that's kind of interesting, I should run with that. I mean, what's it like to have people talk to you and just not respond? That's not something an ordinary person does. Anyway, I added that in because Yusei suddenly had a whole speech prepared, when he probably hasn't strung more than ten words together in years.

I did what I could to make the reasons for dueling as logical as possible, which is why I shuffled things up there. I've also been trying at least somewhat to make it palatable or at least comprehensible to non-fans.

Thanks for the comments. I'm making a solemn oath to work on chapter two tomorrow...unless I don't.