#Crashtown arc is just too good to end in two parts okay

[ferallymine]

Crashtown Crashout Part 2

a/n: i said before that Leo should be given a gun (funny) but also consider Thyme with a gun (war criminal)

aka- thyme still has that muscle memory of being in a gang and reminds the boys how strong they are

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Wood blocks around their necks kept the prisoner's hands at eye level. Tunnels into the mountain were deeper than previously imagined. Kalin's face was the most at peace- the light from his eyes simply gone, vacant. He kept his gaze to the floor. Radley was the most panicked, eyes darting around and nervous whispers on his tongue. Nonsensical murmurs and curses filled the white noise of the walkway.

Yusei kept his eyes focused. A mental map of the path from the entrance formed in his head. I can get us out of here.

Thyme's eyes held nothing but contempt. When you do, I'm killing Barb.

After what felt like ages, the group finally stopped. The entrance before them led into an eternal stone room. Sounds of agony and pickaxes reverberated through the tunnels. Sparks fluttered in the air- from pickaxes against stone and cracks of whips against backs.

"Ya know, you don't have to work with just your hands down here." one of the men stood behind Thyme, hands going up their shirt.

Grit teeth and nothing left to lose. Thyme threw their head back into his nose. Blood burst and he yelled in pain.  With the free space between them, they spun around, kick high enough to connect with the culprit's head. A strong hand grabbed Thyme's block, tossing them backwards. Being thrown against the wall shattered their wooden shackles. Stray nails and splinters scattered in the cave entrance as one of the bandanas pinned Thyme to the ground.

"Last act of defiance, bitch." Metal clicked, a collar impossibly tight against their skin. Electric current ripped through their body. Involuntary contractions as Thyme writhed in pain on the ground.

More metal clicks followed by heavy thuds of wood. The quartet now had matching necklaces to commemorate their arrival to the mountain. Radley turned to Kalin and gripped his shirt collar, "How could you! We're here because you lost!"

Kalin did nothing to respond. His body as vacant as his eyes, yet at peace. One could argue Kalin was simply a walking corpse among the stones. Red bandanas broke the two up, struggling to keep Radley under control.

Yusei, free from the men for a moment, rushed to Thyme's aid. He knelt beside them as the current finally stopped pulsing through their body. Trembling hands found balance against his solid frame.

"I want to kill them all." Soft whispers laced with justified rage.

"I know." Solidarity in near-equal levels of anger. Yusei squeezed their hand, helping them to their feet. Something cold pressed into his palm from Thyme’s hand. Is this-

They subtly shook their head. Keep it hidden.

"Up and at 'em, boys!" Guns drawn as the bandanas finally separated Radley from Kalin, "Welcome to the rest of your life, however long that may be."

The vastness of the mining cavern could not be overstated. Waves of former duelists lined the walls, pickaxes in hand. Red bandanas watched over the labor, placed strategically around the landscape. An iron water tower idolized itself in the center of the room. Carts of Dyne and other precious metals wheeled away on the tracks encircling it. If one could ignore the horrors, it'd probably be a fun rollercoaster.

The men who had led them to the cavern split the group. Guns pressed to their backs said enough about resistance. Worried looks as Yusei turned to catch Thyme's gaze.

They shook their head again. Trust me.

A nod. With my whole soul.

"I'll find you." Hands lingered intertwined as long as they could before being separated.

Radley went west; Thyme was taken to the bottom; Yusei and Kalin were escorted east. The eastern cliff at least overlooked the bottom level, giving Yusei the tiniest relief.

"You should start mining." Kalin grabbed an axe. "It makes the time pass, at least."

"How can you just stand by? This isn't like you." Yusei took his place beside him.

“Fate brought me here. This is where I’m meant to be.” Kalin began mindlessly hacking away with the pickaxe. “Fate has a sick sense of humor, though. I always thought you two would take over the Enforcers back then."

"Kalin..."

"All possibilities of my future lead here. This is where I belong- Where I deserve to be. I won't fight fate's will."

"Deserve? You-"

Kalin hit solid stone, the impact forcing him to drop his axe. Whips cracked against his back. The grunt watching over the pair had a sadistic smile, itching in anticipation to strike again. Kalin managed enough strength to get back up, much to his overseer's dismay.

A loud horn blew, making Yusei and Kalin flinch. The current overseers met with new grunts at the cave mouth. Idle chatter and laughter distracted them for the time being.

Yusei looked down the pit, catching Thyme as they looked up. He's not ready.

They shook their head. Make him.

He shrugged. Working on it.

Next shift change. Time it right. Thyme overheard new voices and their disgusting comments. They returned to their work, plans forming in their mind.

---

Pitch darkness illuminated by only starlight and the crescent moon. Dirt and sand intermingled in trails leading to tunnels inside the mountain. It gave way to heavy tire marks and little footprints fueled by determination.

"We have to find them."

"We will. Just keep pushing."

---

"Kalin, I won't let you wither away here." Yusei's grip tightened on his pickaxe.

"It's fate's will." Kalin hung his head forward. "I've done too much to forgive."

Minutes blended into hours. Any sense of time in this prison was warped beyond comprehension. Before they knew it, loud horns blared again. Overseers left their positions, greeting the incoming shift with banter and grossly incompetent comments.

Window for freedom starts now.

Yusei pulled a nail from his pocket, "Thyme gave me this. We have a way out." He shoved the metal into his collar, gears clicking until the lock popped open. "Now snap out of it and get going."

"You always were good with machines." A somber smile, "Glad your other half is able to get you to safety." Stone sparked at the strike of his axe.

"Kalin-"

"Fate is a cruel mistress." The haze of his mind refused any new hopes. "Leave me to her whims."

A balled fist. "Then call me fate!"

The pain of the punch to his gut hit just the right nerves. Kalin gasped for air before collapsing into Yusei's arms. Pickaxes collided with the earth, noise cancelled out by the drones of other workers. Two collars dropped to the ground. Blue gaze found green eyes staring up from the basin.

A knowing smile on their face. "Run you clever boy."

"Thyme..."

Another nail shoved into their collar, finally freeing them from unfriendly currents. The hateful necklace clattered to the ground. Thyme held their hand up high, "I'll find you."

Iron cracked through years of rust and regrets. Water began to spew from the central tower- whirlwinds of whirlpools surrounded the red bandanas. Screams of surprise and pain as currents tossed them like sacks of flour. Thyme couldn't lie and say they didn't enjoy the revenge.

Backup gang grunts began to filter in from deep within the tunnels. Avoiding the water while trying to take Thyme out would prove difficult. Shots of energy and metal ricocheted and missed all intended targets.

"I can work with more than my hands! Isn't this what you wanted?!"  Rage churned in their eyes. Almost a sadistic pleasure as the assaulters' pain amplified.

Thyme lived up to their fateful Satellite nickname- water weaving around the prisoners and leaving most unscathed. Picks of ice formed, allowing those brave enough to grasp their freedom to run for it. Red bandanas who escaped the whirlpools had to choose to save their comrades or punish the escapists.

Yusei took advantage of the chaos, finding a forgotten tunnel entrance hidden behind Dyne conveyer belts. It stretched into darkness, but freedom had to be on the other side. No one seemed to notice as the two men slipped away.

One final look back- You'd better meet us at the end.