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When the daughter of a powerful industrial family suddenly disappears alongside her known longtime companion from the Satellite, Security fears a politically explosive kidnapping case. Yusei Fudo and Akiza Izinski were brought in to assist investigating before tensions between New Domino and Satellite spiral out of control once again.
But the truth proves far more complicated.
Mika Takanashi and Kaya never intended to become fugitives. Bound together by years of friendship… and a bit of love hidden beneath class divisions, the two girls secretly operated a Duel Runner theft ring targeting Security officials and wealthy elites, selling stolen machines to feed struggling Satelliters abandoned by the city’s promises of reform.
Now exposed and cornered, apparently not so kidnapped, nor innocent, Mika is willing to fight anyone to protect the person she cares for the most from the consequences of their actions.
Even the legendary Yusei Fudo.
The confrontation came inside an abandoned storage warehouse of the girl’s family company deep within the industrial sectors of Satellite.
After tracing reports of a stolen company vehicle into the district, Yusei and Akiza finally located the missing girls. What they expected to find was a kidnapping victim and her captor.
What they actually found was something far more complicated.
Still Kaya and Mika had no intention of surrendering, the latter urging her companion to get out of there, fearing her punishment would be worse than her own.
Convinced that Yusei and Akiza had come to take them in and drag them apart, reacted in the only way she knew how. With a duel.
“Wait! We’re not here to-” Yusei had tried one last time as Kaya ran off, Akiza in pursuit but he was almost immediately cut off from following himself as the girl they thought they had come t0 safe blocked his path.
“Save it! I won’t let you break us apart, now let’s Duel, High Class lapdog!” Mika shouted, visibly hesitating to find a suitable insult, a relic from her upbringing in New Domino, also realising how ironic it was that those words came from her mouth.
As the two duelists squared up, both of their disks snapping in place and their decks autoshuffling the displays sprung to life.
Round 1
Mika Takanashi - 5 cards - 4000 LP
Yusei Fudo - 5 cards - 4000 LP
Mika, determined to protect Kaya, drew her first 5 cards to see what she got. She held Machina Gearframe, Machina Defense Perimeter, Generation Shift, Machina Irradiator and lastly Machina Megaform firmly in her hand.
Yusei wanted to protest and attempt to talk her down, but seeing the determination in her eyes he was quickly convinced that no matter what he said the girl would not back down and thus he drew his own cards. Turret Warrior, Lefty Driver, Scrap-Iron Scarecrow, Junk Breaker and Junk Servant. Not a bad hand
“I will not let you through, I draw!” Mika said, revealing Machina Soldier as the card to complete her starting hand.
“Now I summon Machina Gearframe, come forth!” Mika slapped the card onto her disk, a hole of light opened up on the floor, the sound of mechanical whirring filled the warehouse as the robot soldier jumped out of the ground, backflipping and landing on the ground. The robot made a few mock punches before lowering itself into a fighting stance.
Machina Gearframe Lv 4 - 1800 ATK {} 0 DEF
“When summoned, this fine machine allows me to choose any Machina monster from my deck and add it to my hand.” she held her hand close to her Duel disk and a single card popped out. “And I chose Machina Unclaspare!” She said, revealing the dark robot in her hand.
“But that’s not all! When Unclaspare is added to my hand, I get to Special summon him.” Another hole of light opened up, the loud whirring of another starting up engine roared through-out the warehouse. This time accompanied by the creaking of an old rusty machine moving for the first time in ages, it crawled its way out of the hole and kneeled down, its massive cannon aimed right at Yusei.
Machina Unclaspare Lv 4 - 1800 ATK {} 800 DEF
“And we’re still not done, when Unclaspare is summoned I can choose a card from my deck and send it to the Graveyard and I choose Machina Resavenger.” A smaller, eight barreled launcher robot briefly appeared before exploding.
Yusei looked confused for a moment wondering why she’d willingly sent a card to the graveyard, before realising it likely had a graveyard effect and he’d have to prepare for it.
“Lastly I place one card face down and then I end my turn. You’re up Mr. Fudo, let’s see you trying to get past these two!”
“Alright if you say so, I guess I’lll draw.” Yusei said evenly, he wasn’t exactly ecstatic to go beating up some little girl for no apparent reason other than her jumping to conclusions, but he’d go for it anyway. From his deck he drew the spell card One for One.
“And then it’s my turn, I start by summoning Junk Servant.” Yusei declared placing the card facedown, summoning the small robot which did the Robot before spinning it’s arms into a boxing stance.
Junk Servant Lv 4 - 1500 ATK {} 1000 DEF
“But he won’t be sticking around long, as I use my Turret Warrior’s ability from my hand, where I can tribute a warrior from my field to summon him.” He said, revealing his Turret Warrior in his hand.
Junk Servant jumped up and glowed before shattering into a bright light, paving the way for the massive Turret Warrior appearing and crashing down onto the ground, towering over the two robots opposing it.
Turret Warrior Lv 5 - 1200 ATK {} 2000 DEF
Mika actually set a step back gawking at the big monster, but Yusei was not done.
“And thanks to its ability it inherits the attack points of Junk servant giving it a great boost.”
Turret Warrior Lv 5 - 1200 ATK > 2700 ATK {} 2000 DEF
“Now Turret Warrior, attack Machina Unclaspare!” Yusei commanded by pointing at the monster in question.
Turret Warrior’s cannons rotated in Unclaspare’s direction and fired, obliterating it where it stood. In reflex Mika squinted and raised her arm to shield herself from dust and fragments from her destroyed monster.
Mika Takanashi - 4000 LP > 3100 LP
He placed down Scrap-Iron Scarecrow. “Then I place one card facedown and with that, I end my turn, it’s your turn Mika, But you have to stop. This isn’t helping anyone. You and Kaya have only caused more damage by stealing those runners and if you don’t stop by yourself, you will have to be stopped another way.”
Round 2
Mika Takanashi - 3 cards - 3100 LP
Yusei Fudo - 3 cards - 4000 LP
Mika gritted her teeth in annoyance. “You had a good first round but I’ll put a stop to it before you can make it a streak, I draw!”
Drawing a card revealed Machina Sniper.
“We are doing what we think those uptown punks deserve, you may speak of equality now but believe me, besides free access to the city, your “home” hasn’t changed a bit!” Mika’s voice was full of venom. “Oh who am I kidding, speaking to you is just a waste of my breath.”
“Before anything else I’m revealing my facedown card, Generation Shift. With it I can destroy a card on my side of the field, then add a card with the same name from my deck, goodbye Gearframe!”
With that said Gearframe’s eye started to blink, then blew apart as if it self-destructed. Shortly after Mika added another Gearframe to her hand.
“With my field empty I have all the room to block you off anew! And I’ll start by summoning Machina Soldier!”
From the sky a green metallic form crashed into the ground, the now very much regular mechanical hum kicking to life. The robot's singular eye lit up and a blade slit down from its right hand before it mechanically saluted with its left.
Machina Soldier Lv 4 - 1600 ATK {} 1500 DEF
“But a soldier rarely fights alone, that’s why he’s calling in some fire support when he is summoned and all by himself. I Special summon Machina Sniper.” She said pointing to the field.
Soon after Machina Sniper appeared, Yusei noticed it bore a striking resemblance to the Unclaspare he destroyed before, it even took on the same kneeled stance its counterpart had..
Machina Sniper Lv 4 - 1800 ATK {} 800 DEF
“When Machina Sniper is on the field it covers all other Machina monsters and prevents them from being attacked except for itself.” Mika said, seemingly a lot more confident with this card out.
Yusei guessed this was because the card represented her own will to protect her companion but before he could think further on this Mika continued. “But I’m not done, I won’t leave my Sniper vulnerable to your attacks just like that, so now, by discarding one Machina monster from my hand I can summon Machina Irradiator to my field, in defense!”
She stated, throwing Machina Megaform to the grave to give life to her new machine. The turret’s barrels shone bright white as they powered up, turning a few degrees to either side before the monster turned blue to signify it being in defense position.
Machina Irradiator Lv 8 - 1700 ATK {} 2400 DEF
“Thanks to this card I can bring this little card online. Machina Defense Perimeter,” She said, placing the card down, instantly a Big radar dish appeared behind Machina Irradiator, before starting to spin around as if searching for targets. “With it I will ensure my defense will become impregnable. With that I end my turn.” Her confidence grew steadily as she spoke those words.
Yusei immediately saw her strategy, unable to attack over his Turret Warrior the girl had shifted to a full defensive strategy. He knew with the cover from Sniper and the defense perimeter from Irradiator he wouldn’t be able to attack any monsters the regular way. He was gonna have to find a work around.
“My turn then. I draw.” He said pulling another card from the top of his deck, gaining the trap card, Spirit Force. For a moment Yusei contemplated what he would do. He could use Junk Breaker to negate the effects of all monsters on the field, but it would leave his Turret Warrior without its attack boost. He decided he would just have to bide his time.
“I place one card facedown and I end my turn.” He finished as he put Spirit Force down.
Round 3
Mika Takanashi - 1 card - 3100 LP
Yusei Fudo - 3 cards - 4000 LP
“I draw! And then I summon my other Machina Gearframe to my field.” She said, drawing Shredder from her deck, before the girl’s second Machina Gearframe marched onto the field.
Machina Gearframe Lv 4 - 1800 ATK {} 0 DEF
“And with him successfully summoned you know what time it is. Time to call in some back-up!” She said excitedly, a small smile appearing on her face when she added her boss monster, Machina Citadel, to her hand with Gearframe’s effect.
“That’s all for now. Guess it’s your turn again Champ.” Her enthusiasm had seemingly already deflated. Her goal was to delay this champion duelist, but deep inside she wished to go on the offensive, still, she’d bide her time for now, patience was a virtue her parents had luckily bestowed upon her, even if she sometimes wished they hadn’t.
Yusei shook his head, this girl was totally focussed on defense. That would be her downfall if she continued like that. “Very well Mika, but if you’re gonna keep holding back, I promise this duel will come to an end sooner than you wanted. I draw!” Yusei drew Tuningware from his deck. Exactly what he had hoped for.
“I’m starting this round by activating my One for one for spell card, by discarding one monster in my hand I can summon one level one monster from my deck.” As he said this he discarded Lefty Driver, the monster briefly appearing, drilling a hole into the air before bursting apart, “and I choose the tuner monster Junk Mail.” The little monster rolling out of the hole before turning blue.
Junk Mail Lv 1 - 400 ATK {} 100 DEF
“And then, from my hand, I summon the always ready, Tuningware.”
Tuningware Lv 1 - 100 ATK {} 300 DEF
“But I’m afraid these two won’t stick around for long, with these monsters on my field I’m all ready for a synchro summon!”
“Level 1 Junk Mail Tunes level 5 Turret Warrior and Level 2 Tuningware, thanks to Tuningware’s effect to act as Level 2 monster when used for a Synchro Summon!”
Lv 1 + Lv 2 + Lv 5 = Lv 8
“You said Kaya used to be a big fan of mine, so I am sure you know what is coming next. My dragon, with the power of the cosmos within him.”
Again Mika took a step back, she had anticipated a Synchro Summon soon, but this was sooner then she had expected.
Yusei pointed high into the sky where another hole of light appeared, from which Yusei’s ace monster appeared. “-I Synchro Summon, my Stardust Dragon!”
Stardust Dragon Lv 8 - 2500 ATK {} 2000 DEF
“And with him summoned I also get a little bonus from my departed Tuningware, allowing me to draw a card when he is used for a fusion summon.” He told her, drawing the spell card Tuning.
“With all of that I have the first piece in order to break through your invisible wall, but for now, I end my turn. It’s your turn Mika.” Yusei said with a small smile, clearly trying to get under the girls skin.
Round 4
Mika Takanashi - 2 cards - 3100 LP
Yusei Fudo - 2 cards - 4000 LP
As Yusei had hoped, this left Mika feeling enraged, all this gloating and he didn’t even have a plan to attack her yet. But then she smirked. What she viewed as arrogance was something Yusei would come to regret if she could help it. “I’ll show you, I draw!” She drew the trap card Wiretap, pretty useful, she thought.
“Now I’ll show you why gloating will get you nowhere! I summon Shredder to the field!” As she said this right beside her the sound of metal grinding against each other screeched as a large robotic industrial shredder with arms, legs and glowing eyes marched forward to join the field next to Machina Sniper.
Shredder Lv 4 - 1600 ATK {} 1000 DEF
“You said Stardust was your first piece to break through my wall, well you better wave goodbye, when I discard Machina Citadel to my graveyard. I can destroy any card with the same or a lower level then itself, considering he is level 10 your dragon is toast!” She said pointing at the majestic looking creature. “Now Shredder, destroy his dragon!”
Parts of scrapmetal that belonged to Machina Citadel appeared above Shredder, one by one, parts started to be dropped in, being ground to dust. Then all at once pieces of scrap shards launched themselves at the dragon.
Yusei looked worried for a moment but then smiled “Clearly Kaya didn’t tell you enough about my duels, or you didn’t listen well enough. If you had, you would’ve seen coming what happens next. I play Stardust’s ability, Victim's Sanctuary!”
Stardust curled up and burst into light, absorbing all the scrap shards, then firing them back out to destroy Shredder instead.
Mika shrieked in surprise as the sudden reversal caught her completely off guard. Her Shredder detonated beside her.
“It was a good try but I really think it would be better for you if you just gave up. You’re only making things worse for yourself and Kaya.” Yusei pleaded one last time, hoping to bring her back to her senses
She growled, gritting her teeth. “How dare you…” She was actually fuming, even if it was a minor loss she felt played, she recomposed herself quickly and tried to respond coolly. “No matter, when a monster is destroyed while Defense Perimeter is active I get to return a card from the graveyard to my hand and I choose Machina Megaform.” As she placed the card back in her hand she continued. “I will not give up so easily, Kaya will defeat the Black Rose and I will take you down. We will get out of this and I’m not gonna let you stop us!”
The girl then started to snicker, then outright laugh. “Besides Yusei, your field is empty and Shredder wasn’t the only monster capable of attacking!”
“Machina Gearframe, show him what you’re made of!” The girl ordered her monster to advance. It jumped into the air and let out a barrage from its arm cannons, straight at Yusei.
But the straightfaced turbo Champion was unfazed as he responded. “I’m sorry Mika, but that’s not gonna happen either, I use my facedown, Scrap-Iron Scarecrow to disperse your assault. And after that I get to return him to his facedown position, ready for next time”
“Grrrrrr, Machina Sniper, finish what Gearframe couldn’t.” Mika said coldly as her next Machina wound up to strike, it’s massive cannon charging before firing a single large shot in Yusei’s direction.
“I activate Spirit Force in order to protect my Life Points once again! Any battle damage I would have taken goes to zero and I get to return a warrior type tuner from my grave. Junk Mail returns to my hand.” Yusei responded without even flinching as this blast harmlessly bounced away from Yusei, dissipating against the roof of the warehouse.
“You’ve gotta be kidding, Machina Soldier, continue our onslaught now!”
This time Yusei did instinctively brace as the charging Machina Soldier brought down his blade on Yusei’s head, with which Mika scored her first damage of the duel.
Yusei Fudo - 4000 LP > 2400 LP
Seeing Yusei’s Life Points drop down actually cooled her temper slightly. “They put you on posters and suddenly everyone pretends the city changed! This was only the start Yusei, me and Kaya have plenty left to do and Sector Security won’t stop us, my pompous family won’t stop us and you won’t be the one to stop us either.”
“Count on that, now it’s your move, I'll end my turn!” She challenged while thinking to herself, even if you manage to take down one of my machines, you will only fail even more spectacularly. As she stared at her Duel Disk intently for a short moment.
Yusei slowly straightened after the attack, one hand briefly brushing his shoulder before his gaze settled back on Mika. “You really think this ends well?” he asked her resolutely. As at that same time Stardust Dragon emerged back onto the field, shooting up from behind him and landing in front.
Mika’s expression hardened instantly. “Better than sitting around waiting for New Domino… and my parents, to suddenly grow a conscience, a reason to care.”
Yusei shook his head slightly. “I know Satellite’s still suffering. I know people are getting left behind.” His eyes narrowed just a little. “But stealing Duel Runners and parts… and dragging Kaya into something this dangerous isn’t going to fix it.”
Mika immediately snapped back at that last remark. “I dragged her into nothing!” she shouted. “Kaya chose this! We chose each other!”
The words echoed through the warehouse. For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then Yusei finally rested his hand on his deck. “…Yeah,” he said quietly. “That’s what worries me. Your loyalty to each other could destroy you both.”
A card slid from the top of his deck. “I draw.” Yusei got the spell card Double Summon, that would be useful later, for now though, he decided he’d power up his dragon some more.
"I start by activating the effect of Lefty Driver from my Graveyard." Yusei explained. "By banishing her, I can add Righty Driver from my deck to my hand."
A faint image of Lefty Driver appeared, before disappearing into a swirl of light, moments later another card emerged from Yusei's Duel Disk. "And then I summon Righty Driver."
A tiny machine flew onto the field, its drill-like arm spinning excitedly. Before it took a knee and turned blue.
Righty Driver Lv 1 - 100 ATK {} 300 DEF
"When Righty Driver is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon Lefty Driver from my deck."
A second, twin-like, tiny machine burst onto the field beside it, mimicking it’s sister by taking a knee into Defense Mode.
Yusei added to this. “When Lefty is Special Summoned, her level rises to three.”
Lefty Driver Lv 2 > 3 - 300 ATK {} 100 DEF
Mika folded her arms, unimpressed by the tiny machines, a Level 4 Synchro monster couldn’t pose a threat to her.
"You know what happens next" Yusei pointed toward the pair. "Level 1 Righty Driver tunes with Level 3 Lefty Driver!"
Lv 1 + Lv 3 = Lv 4
"The weapon that supports every warrior, lend me your strength!"
The lights condensed into a silver mechanical gauntlet.
"I Synchro Summon, Armory Arm!"
A metallic arm descended from above.
Armory Arm Lv 4 - 1800 ATK {} 1200 DEF
Yusei simply smiled. “And we’re not done!”
"I equip Armory Arm to Stardust Dragon."
Armory Arm dissolved into particles of light before attaching itself to Stardust Dragon's forearm. The dragon roared as new metallic armor formed around one of its claws.
“With it, its power grows with another thousand attack points!
Stardust Dragon Lv 8 - 2500 ATK > 3500 ATK {} 2000 DEF
"And with that, I think that will be all." He folded his arms. "I end my turn."
Round 5
Mika Takahashi - 2 cards - 3100 LP
Yusei Fudo - 4 cards - 2400 LP
"Alright, I draw!" Mika immediately looked at her new card. Machina Redeployment, she frowned that wouldn’t help her right now.
But then she grinned. “Oh well, they can’t all be winners.”
"This one however, definitely is." She said excitedly. “I tribute Machina Gearframe and Soldier so I can summon Machina Megaform from my hand.”
A gigantic machine descended from above, crashing onto the warehouse floor, its massive weapon immediately rotating downward to aim menacingly in Yusei’s direction.
Machina Megaform Lv 8 - 2600 ATK {} 1500 DEF
"Now we're talking." Mika's confidence increased tenfold instantly.
She pointed at Yusei. "You're bound to be running out of tricks, Yusei." she added in her head, I however, have more than enough left. All that needed to happen was for Yusei to attack her Machina Megaform, she would be able to summon Citadel and Destroy Yusei’s precious dragon with its effect, even if that dumb beast were to use its effect, she was prepared.
Yusei remained silent. Seemingly unimpressed by the very large monster. Then again, Mika thought, he has no idea what is waiting for him in my graveyard. Still, she couldn’t help but gloat a bit, she needed to make sure he attacked.
She crossed her arms. “What, nothing to say Champ, Well? Say something!”
“This will not end as you hope Mika. And I’m sorry you and Kaya felt pushed to these actions.” Yusei said genuinely pitying this broken girl.
“You keep talking, I’m not backing down so come at me, I promise you this will be your Dragons last turn Yusei!” Mika finally decided as she ended her turn.
"My turn, then." Yusei drew. The card slid into his hand, Quillbolt hedgehog
Perfect. "I activate the Spell card, Tuning. Allowing me to add any Synchron
His deck automatically shuffled as a card emerged. "I choose to add Junk Synchron to my hand." The next card from the top of his deck was immediately sent to the Graveyard.
Yusei glanced at it, Speed Warrior. Exactly what he needed.
"And now I activate Double Summon."
Mika's confidence wavered slightly.
Yusei's field was suddenly becoming very busy. "I Normal Summon Junk Synchron."
A familiar orange machine appeared.
Junk Synchron Lv 3 - 1300 ATK {} 500 DEF
"When he's summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 2 or lower monster from my Graveyard."
He pointed toward the discarded card. "Speed Warrior, come to the field!"
A small warrior emerged beside Junk Synchron.
Speed Warrior Lv 2 - 900 ATK {} 400 DEF
"And then for my second Normal Summon Quillbolt Hedgehog comes to the field."
Electric sparks crackled across the field as the robotic hedgehog appeared.
Quillbolt Hedgehog Lv 2 - 800 ATK {} 800 DEF
Mika stared. Now she was getting nervous, very nervous in fact, this combo could make a way larger monster
But before she had time to contemplate for too long, Yusei pointed forward. "You probably already guessed it but I tune Level 3 Junk Synchron with Level 2 Speed Warrior and Level 2 Quillbolt Hedgehog!"
Lv 3 + Lv 2 + Lv 2 = Lv 7
"The hunter who strikes from beyond sight, pierce through the darkness!" The warehouse ceiling lit up with Ener-D energy. "I Synchro Summon, Junk Archer!"
A powerful warrior materialized holding an enormous bow.
Junk Archer Lv 7 - 2300 ATK {} 2000 DEF
Mika's eyes widened. While not super familiar with Yusei’s deck she did know this card, it was one of the monsters he used against Rex Goodwin after all. She had forgotten he had that card, something she regretted immensely.
Yusei pointed at her field. “And now I will make use of Junk Archer's effect."
The archer pulled back its bowstring, a glowing arrow shot across the field. "I banish Machina Irradiator."
The arrow struck, the turret glitched and then vanished instantly.
Mika's mouth hung open in mild shock.
Her entire defensive formation suddenly collapsed, making it so her other machines were vulnerable.
"No-" She spoke out quietly, sounding as if in almost complete disbelief.
"And now we Battle." Yusei pointed forward. "Stardust Dragon, attack Machina Megaform! Star Claw Strike!"
The Dragon barreled towards the massive machine, then slashed straight through Megaform. A second later, the giant machine exploded.
Mika Takahashi - 3100 LP > 2200 LP
For a brief moment, Mika smiled a relieved smile. He had taken the bait! "Hah! That was your mistake Yusei, because now-"
Yusei had stayed quiet for a moment but now he raised his hand to shut her talking down. He shook his head and simply said. "No."
Mika's smile faltered. "N-no?"
Yusei pointed toward Stardust Dragon. Or rather specifically, toward Armory Arm.
"When the monster equipped with Armory Arm destroys a monster by battle, its controller takes damage equal to that monster's original attack."
Silence. Absolute silence. Mika couldn’t bring herself to talk as she slowly looked toward Megaform's still visible wreckage as it slowly dissipated.
Then toward Armory Arm and then finally back toward Yusei.
"...W-What?" She barely managed to utter out.
"Machina Megaform has 2600 attack points."
The realization hit all at once. Her eyes widened, this time she was in true shock. "N-No, i-it can’t-" She set several steps back
"So you take 2600 points of extra damage! This Duel is over Mika, you lose."
The mechanical gauntlet glowed brilliantly. Stardust Dragon raised its claw and then brought it down in one final slash. And as a beam of silver energy erupted across the field, turning the warehouse into a lightshow…
Mika Takahashi - 2200 LP > > 0 LP
The Duel Disks beeped loudly.
WINNER: YUSEI FUDO
For a moment neither duelist spoke.
Then Yusei lowered his arm.
After a bit longer, so did Mika, the realization kicking in that it was indeed over. Then she collapsed onto her knees and slowly started to sob.