“What do you mean someone’s looking for me?!” Twilight exclaimed, her wings jutted out.
“According to Akiza, that Sector Security Officer seemed to be quite positive you were here,” Yusei replied.
“But how? He didn’t see me!”
Yusei and Akiza glanced at each other.
“So what happens now? Is it normal for people to just vanish like he did?!” Twilight continued.
“Not at all,” Akiza answered.
“Then how…”
“I don’t know,” Yusei said. “But that aside… if we assume that officer is somehow able to report back to his superiors—as unlikely as it is—then Sector Security knows where to look. They’ll probably want to take you back to the laboratory, where you’re considered the property of those scientists that most likely want to perform tests on you.”
Twilight shrunk, folding her wings slightly. Her breathing and panting became faster.
“Oh no, oh no… what do we do? Do we just leave and find someplace to hide?” Twilight asked, frantically.
“It’s not that simple,” Akiza answered. “If we assume you actually weren’t seen by the officer, it would still take some time for them actually come here and get you.”
“What do you mean?”
“If they didn’t see you, then they’d have to search the premises for you… and if we refuse their request, the only way they could enter the apartment is if they have a search warrant,” Yusei added.
“So how long do we have?” Twilight questioned.
“They’ll probably consider the fact that the last time you were actually seen was when Dobocle kidnapped you and I pursued him… then how you and I left Dobocle behind to be arrested. If they wanted to, they could push for a warrant by the end of the day.”
“Can’t we just leave?”
“If we do that, that’ll give them more reason to suspect Yusei,” Akiza replied. “As it stands, Yusei has a strong reputation as a hero. Accusing someone like that has the great potential to ruin someone’s career if it turns out to be false. That’ll probably set back the D.A. with regards to signing the warrant.”
“With this in mind, we’ll most likely, at least, have until the day after tomorrow to figure out a solution. On top of that, we still have to find your crown, Twilight,” Yusei said.
With a worried expression on her face, Twilight lowered her head. It was, indeed, quite a bit to take in. Suddenly trapped in a new world… her friends may in danger back in Equestria or, for all anyone knew, this world… her Element of Magic missing—in the ocean, no less… and now… she felt like she was being hunted… and her new human friends… they were putting themselves on the line to protect her.
Twilight nearly jumped when she felt Akiza’s hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t worry,” Akiza reassured her. “We’ll get through this.”
“How can you two be so calm at a time like this? Aren’t you scared that something bad might happen?” Twilight asked.
“Why wouldn’t we be?”
“Huh?”
“In times like these, it’s important to remain calm and stay strong,” Yusei stated. “And most importantly, believe in your own power. If you do, you’ll surely find a solution.”
Twilight stared at Yusei. There it was again. That confidence Yusei seemed to have… almost completely unshaken. It surprised her that anyone could have so much in them.
The three turned towards the door as it was opened from the outside.
“Yuse—” a tall, blonde man in a white outfit started.
Silence quickly filled the room.
Twilight began to sweat as this human stared directly at her.
“What in the world is that thing? Is that what’s causing all the commotion I keep hearing about?!” the man exclaimed.
“Jack!” Yusei replied. “Hold on a second.”
“All afternoon, I keep hearing rumors about some alien creature in the city. Then I get a call from Crow to keep an eye on you… telling him that it would be absurd that you might be hiding said alien… only to come here to find out you have some purple horse with wings?!” Jack continued.
“That’s ‘pony’ to you!” Twilight replied.
“So you can talk. Whatever. Like I care what the difference is. Yusei. Akiza. You want to tell me what’s going on and then why this creature is here?”
“Right, but first… we should close… the door?” Yusei said. The three turned to see a magenta aura around the doorknob and Twilight’s horn as it was closed.
Twilight turned around, only to see the humans staring right at her.
“What? I said I could use magic,” Twilight reminded them.
“What nonsense…” Jack said.
“Twilight, this is Jack Atlas,” Yusei stated. “Jack, this is Twilight Sparkle.”
“What kind of name is that?” Jack asked.
“Hey! I heard that! I happen to like my name!” Twilight shouted.
“So what? What’s this horse even doing here?”
“PONY! And it’s not like I chose to be here! For all I know, you’re in league with those humans that attacked me and my friends back in Equestria!”
“You’re accusing me? Jack Atlas? Of attacking you? That’s crazy. I’ve never seen the likes of you before. I’ve never even heard of this… ‘Equestria’.”
“Likely story!”
“Enough, both of you!” Akiza interrupted. “Good grief…”
Jack folded his arms, as he and Twilight glared at each other.
“What nonsense…” Jack scoffed.
“But Jack, she did come here from another world,” Akiza said. “And right now… Yusei and Crow have been trying to find her crown that’s been lost in the ocean.”
“Her crown? What? Is she some sort of princess or something?”
“I am, as a matter of fact,” Twilight replied, irritated.
“Well, excuse me, princess.”
Twilight groaned.
“Yusei, you’re not seriously putting this… pony… above our friends, are you?” Jack asked.
“But, Jack. She needs our help,” Yusei answered.
“And so do Leo and Luna! Or have you forgotten?”
Yusei stepped back, startled.
“You were the first one to tell the rest of us, remember? And I’ve been searching the city all day for them!”
“I know that,” Yusei answered.
“Then why?”
“Because Twilight is a friend, too.”
“You can’t be serious…”
“Of course I am. And she does need our help.”
“Besides, it isn’t just any old crown! It happens to contain the power of one of the six Elements of Harmony!” Twilight intervened.
“Elements… of Harmony…?” Jack repeated, turning towards the door and opening it.
“Yeah, it’s only one of the most powerful forces and strongest defenses against threats in Equestria!”
“Well, Your Highness, if you’ve been thrown into this world with that precious crown of yours so easily… not to mention being unable to keep track of it… I’d say you, your world, and that trinket are pretty weak.”
“Hey!”
“Enough!” Akiza interrupted, again.
Jack scoffed as he opened the door. “I’m going around the city once more… to find our friends. Yusei. Akiza. I suggest you get your priorities straight. As far as I’m concerned, our Signer friends… come before some pony from another world you just met.”
The door slammed shut.
“Hard to believe someone like that is your friend,” Twilight commented. “He’s supposed to be a Signer?”
“Don’t let his behavior get to you,” Akiza replied. “Jack certainly means well.”
“Really?” Twilight looked at Akiza, curiously.
“Yeah. While he can be a bit brash and rude sometimes… and even really competitive… he does care about his friends and will do everything he can when push comes to shove.”
Her words echoed for a bit in Twilight’s head as she glanced back at the door to the outside. “Well… what do you know…? Sounds a lot like…” she thought, as the image of a cyan pegasus appeared in her mind. She then frowned at the memory of her argument with Jack just minutes earlier. “And they both could use an attitude adjustment…”
Crow stared into the orange sky as the sun began to disappear into the horizon. He stood quietly in front of Sector Security headquarters.
“This search is getting nowhere,” Crow commented.
“We have to find it, though,” Yusei replied. Both stood on a boat beneath the Duel Lane, waiting for the officers that dove into the water to surface.
“It’s gotta be pretty important if you’re still insisting on finding it.”
“It is.”
“So what’s the big deal?”
“When we retrieve the crown and get back home, I’ll let you know. I’m not sure it’d be a good idea to talk about it here.”
“All right.” A sudden ring interrupted them. Crow pulled out his cell phone. “Hello?”
“Officer Hogan,” the voice on the other end spoke.
“What is it, Lieutenant?” Crow asked.
“I have an assignment for you. I want you to search Yusei Fudo’s apartment.”
“What for?”
“He wants you to retrieve something for him. We suspect he’s harboring the alien. Also, do not speak of this to Yusei Fudo or anyone else regarding this matter. Is that understood? This matter is not to be discussed with anyone else but you and me.”
“All right… Got it…” he said, hanging up. Crow stood with a conflicted expression on his face.
“What’s wrong, Crow?” Yusei asked.
Crow remained silent.
“Crow?”
“It’s nothing, I… just have to send one of the officers to go get something.”
“Get what exactly?”
“It’s… confidential.”
Yusei returned the silence. “…I understand. Let’s get back to the search.”
“Right.” Crow said, dialing on his phone.
“I would’ve done it myself… there’s no way Yusei could be guilty of harboring the alien…” Crow thought. “I probably should’ve checked myself instead of sending another officer to do the job… It’s crazy to think that Yusei could break the law. This shouldn’t even be an issue for me… yet… what is this uneasy feeling I’m getting?”
“Officer Hogan,” a man in a dark gray uniform stepped in front of him.
“Yes, Lieutenant,” Crow quickly saluted.
“I thought I made it clear that I wanted you to retrieve it.”
“The alien?”
“What else could I be talking about?”
“How do you know if Yusei even has it?”
“The alien was last seen with Dobocle, whom we arrested… with Yusei following him. Since we have Dobocle and not the alien… it stands to reason that Yusei has it now.”
Crow remained silent as the lieutenant paced around him.
“Look. I know he’s your friend. I know how big of a hero he is… but he isn’t above the law.”
“I know.”
“This is a serious crime. And if you’re not up for it, I can always replace you with someone else. I’m pretty sure I could find someone more competent if I tried, especially after your last failure.”
“What do you mean?”
“I know that you sent another officer to Yusei’s apartment.” The lieutenant stopped in front of Crow and leaned his head closer.
“What’s your point?” Crow stepped back.
“That officer… he’s missing.”
“What?! Wait… you couldn’t possibly…”
“Yes, an officer’s life is on the line, and we have no choice but to suspect your friend, Yusei Fudo, of kidnapping him.”
“But Yusei wouldn’t…”
“You think I care about his fame as the hero of New Domino City? It means nothing if he’s committed a crime. Two, at that.”
Crow stood silent.
“Since you’re his friend... and it’s your home… you can be the one to question him about it. I expect results by tomorrow evening,” the lieutenant stated, walking away from the building. “What was that dream of yours? To give those kids in the Satellite Sector someone to look up to? To strive to be the best for them? I’m pretty sure that’ll go down the toilet if you lose your job here.”
Crow clenched his fists as he hung his head.
“Have a good night, Officer Hogan,” the lieutenant said.
Crow stood in silence. “No…” he thought. “I won’t believe it. Yusei wouldn’t do any of that… I'm going to need some time to myself to think about what I'm going to do next.”
He walked inside his headquarters to get ready for the end of his shift.
“All right. See you tomorrow, then,” Yusei said, hanging up his cell phone.
“What happened?” Twilight asked, as they both stood in the garage alone. Akiza had already left for home.
“Crow said he’ll be spending the night at Martha’s place.”
“Who’s Martha?”
“Martha is the woman who took care of Jack, Crow, and I when we were young. She’s in charge of the orphanage we stayed at over in the Satellite Sector.”
“You were orphaned? What happened?”
“Well. To make it short, my dad was a scientist working on an Ener-D reactor, until a man named Roman Goodwin sabotaged it and caused an incident we call 'Zero Reverse'. The result was that Satellite broke off from the mainland.”
“Oh, my… and your dad… he…”
“Yeah…”
“I’m… sorry to hear that.”
“It’s fine. You didn’t know.”
“I hope you don’t mind my asking… but… what’s this… Ener-D… reactor? It sounds like the word ‘energy’…” Twilight observed.
“That’s because that’s what it is, in a way. It’s short for “duel energy”, and it’s the life force of New Domino City,” Yusei explained.
“Duel… energy… you mean ‘Duel’ as in…”
“That’s right. The Duel Monsters card game. The reactor is just meant to channel the energy so that it powers the city.”
“I see… that’s interesting… we have nothing like this back in Equestria… then again… we don’t have a lot of stuff this world has. Even the other human world wasn’t nearly as advanced as this.”
“‘Other human world’?”
“Long story short, there’s a special mirror residing in my castle that acts as a gateway to an alternate world. On the other side is a world of humans.”
“I see. Are you sure you didn’t travel through that?”
“That isn't possible. I wasn't in my castle. That, and I somehow take on a human form in that alternate world… yet…”
“You’re still a pony here,” Yusei finished. “So that could only mean this is a completely separate world from the human world you’ve been to before.”
“Yeah… it’s strange…”
“Anyway, it’s getting late, and it’s probably not a good idea for you to be down here in the garage for long,” Yusei cautioned.
“Right… where are you sleeping, though? I only saw one bed up there.”
“There are a few beds around here that Crow and I usually use. That bed upstairs that you’ve been on is Jack’s.” Yusei pointed in the direction of a mattress near the desks.
“Oh… didn’t notice that. But wait… won’t he get angry?” Twilight recalled Jack’s attitude from before.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll convince him to use Crow’s since he’s spending the night elsewhere.”
“You also said this was an apartment, right?”
“Yeah. I’m renting it from the landlady, Zora. But she and her son are out of town for a few days, so they won’t get involved at least until they return.”
“What about Akiza?”
“Akiza is living with her parents until she graduates from Duel Academy.”
“…Let me guess…”
“Yep,” Yusei replied, knowing what Twilight was going to ask.
“I figured as much. Well… see you in the morning, I guess.” Twilight trotted up the stairs.
“Yeah. Good night.”
Jack traveled along the edge of the sea on his white, wheel-shaped Duel Runner.
“I can’t believe Yusei is putting some horse above his own friends… and calling that thing his friend… It’s absurd,” he thought. “They can have that girly pony and do whatever they want… I’ll be the one to find those two if it’s the last thing I do.”
He slowed to a stop then stepped out of his Runner to face the sea.
“Although, I have to admit… this timing can’t be just a coincidence,” he figured. “First, the twins disappear… then this pony appears out of nowhere… claiming to be from another world…”
Jack closed his eyes and crossed his arms.
“What could it mean…?” he mumbled.
“It means the two events are related,” a female voice stated. “I’m sure anyone with a brain could figure that out.”
“Who’s there?” Jack turned his head side-to-side.
Footsteps echoed in an alleyway between two small nearby buildings.
“Show yourself!” he demanded.
A hooded female figure emerged from the opening, turning towards Jack.
“Who are you?”
“My name is Celena…”
“And what do you want?”
“My, my, is that how you speak to all women? I came here to help you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I came to tell you that the disappearance of your two young friends and appearance of a certain pony—Twilight Sparkle, I believe—happening very close to each other… is indeed no coincidence.”
“I figured as much. But how would you, of all people, know?” Jack asked. “You look awfully suspicious.”
“You ask a lot of questions, don’t you?” Celena replied.
“Tell me!”
She chuckled as she turned back into the alleyway.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Jack began to follow the woman until he heard the sound of a Duel Runner. She then burst out of the alley on her vehicle.
“If you follow me… I can take you to them,” she said.
“And why should I trust you?” Jack asked.
“Do you have a choice?” she quickly drove off.
Jack scoffed as he boarded his Duel Runner and started it up. He took off after her and pursued her onto a Duel Lane.
“The Duel Lane… why here?” he asked.
“Because… let’s just say it’s the fastest way to reunite you with your friends,” Celena chuckled.
“So I have to defeat you to find out where they are? You had something to do with their disappearance, didn’t you?”
“Maybe I did.” She then pressed a button on her touch-screen monitor. The Speed World 2 Field Spell appeared on both of their Runners' screens.
“DUEL MODE ENGAGED,” said a computer voice.
“You’ll regret challenging me, the great Jack Atlas!” he boasted, as both drew five cards from their Decks.
DUEL!
Jack (LP 4000) VS Celena (LP 4000)
“You can have the first move, Jack,” Celena stated.
“Fine, then. I draw!” he declared. “I Summon Power Breaker!”
Power Breaker
LV: 4
ATK: 1900
“I’ll Set one card face-down and end my turn!”
“Then it’s my move!” Celena responded.
Jack
LP: 4000
SPC: 0 + 1 = 1
Celena
LP: 4000
SPC: 0 + 1 = 1
“I Summon Disharmony Rush!” A griffon-shaped creature appeared with blades attached to its cheeks.
Disharmony Rush
LV: 4
ATK: 1400
“Disharmony Rush’s effect activates! Once per turn, I can banish a card from my hand to increase its ATK by 700 until the End Phase!”
Disharmony Rush
LV: 4
ATK: 1400 + 700 = 2100
“Battle! Disharmony Rush, attack Power Breaker!” she commanded. Her winged beast charging at Jack’s humanoid monster.
“Not so fast! I activate the Trap Prideful Roar! Since my monster’s ATK is lower than yours, I pay Life Points equal to the difference, then I increase my monster’s ATK by the amount paid plus 300 until the End Phase!”
2100 – 1900 = 200
Jack
LP: 4000 – 200 = 3800
SPC: 1
200 + 300 = 500
Power Breaker
LV: 4
ATK: 1900 + 500 = 2400
“Go, Power Breaker! Counterattack!” His humanoid monster smashing its fist into the griffon-like creature, vanquishing it.
2400 – 2100 = 300
Celena
LP: 4000 – 300 = 3700
SPC: 1
“How do you like that?!” Jack boasted.
“Not bad,” Celena replied. “I place two cards face-down and end my turn!”
Power Breaker
LV: 4
ATK: 2400 – 500 = 1900
“My turn!” he declared.
Jack
LP: 3800
SPC: 1 + 1 = 2
Celena
LP: 3700
SPC: 1 + 1 = 2
“I Summon the Tuner Monster Top Runner!” Jack declared.
Top Runner
LV: 4
ATK: 1100
“A Tuner, eh? So you’re going for a Synchro Summon? I don’t think so,” Celena stated.
“What?!” Jack exclaimed.
“I activate the Continuous Trap Discord! While this card is face-up, neither of us can Synchro Summon. However, I have to send this card to my Graveyard on my third End Phase from now.”
“That won’t stop me! Power Breaker, direct attack!” Jack commanded.
“Now I activate the Continuous Trap Card… Dissonant Spirit! When the opponent’s monster attacks, I can banish a “Disharmony” monster from my Graveyard to negate that attack! I banish Disharmony Rush!” Celena declared. An image of her griffon appeared to block the humanoid monster’s strike.
“Fine, but I still have Top Runner! Go!” His second monster moved to strike Celena.
Celena
LP: 3700 – 1100 = 2600
SPC: 2
“I’ll Set two card face-down and end my turn,” he concluded.
“You’re as good as they say… former King,” Celena stated. “But I’m afraid that won’t last long.”
“Like you’re in a position to talk, lady. In case you haven’t noticed, I have the advantage here.”
“Oh, really? You’re sadly mistaken.” She chuckled.
“What?”
“Watch… I shall show you a sample of my power… my turn!” she declared.
Jack
LP: 3800
SPC: 2 + 1 = 3
Celena
LP: 2600
SPC: 2 + 1 = 3
“I Summon Chaos Caller!” A serpent-like being appeared next to Celena.
Chaos Caller
LV: 2
ATK: 900
“I activate Chaos Caller’s effect. Once per turn, by discarding any number of cards from my hand, I can Special Summon the same number of “Disharmony” monsters that are currently banished with their effects negated. So I’ll discard two cards…”
“That’s far enough!” Jack interrupted. “I activate the Continuous Trap Fiendish Chain! While this card is face-up, one Effect Monster’s effect is negated!” Chains shot from the image of the card towards the serpent.
“How very perceptive… you want to prevent me from Summoning more monsters… but it’s not enough… I activate the Trap Card Chaos Spike! This card destroys up to two face-up Continuous Trap Cards and inflicts 300 points of damage to you for each one!”
“What?!” The images of the Discord and Fiendish Chain cards shattered.
2 * 300 = 600
Jack
LP: 3800 – 600 = 3200
SPC: 3
“Now where were we… ah, yes… Chaos Caller’s effect… come! Disharmony Rush! Disharmony Cell!” Celena continued.
Disharmony Rush
LV: 4
DEF: 1500
Disharmony Cell
LV: 1
DEF: 100
“Here I go… I tune Level 1 Disharmony Cell… with Level 2 Chaos Caller and Level 4 Disharmony Rush!”
1 + 2 + 4 = 7
“Harmony fades as chaos begins! Cut through the balance of nature! Synchro Summon! Disharmony – Double Blader!”
Disharmony – Double Blader
LV: 7
ATK: 2300
“Behold, Jack Atlas! This is only a preview of the power you and your friends will soon face… and you will all soon fall to us!”