Infinity Duels

As I'm getting back into Yu-Gi-Oh!, I thought I'd write a fanfiction based on the game, but with a completely new storyline. I've done this before when I was younger though, and the stories were well-received. I'm going to be tackling this one in a realistic way, with each character having their own motivations and development rates. No two duelists are the same, after all – unless they're doppelgangers!

The story is not based off any particular ban list, but decks will adapt over time.

So, what are we waiting for? Let's begin! It's time to duel!

Chapter 1: The Beginning of the End

"Judgment storm!" Kyo declared, his cloak billowing in the wind as an outstretched hand targeted his dragon's attack toward his opponent. His opponent yelled as his life ticked from three thousand to zero, then slumped onto his knees. With a quick motion, Kyo flicked his hair back from his eyes, and walked over to his fallen opponent as the holographic projections of their cards faded away from the battlefield around them.

"Your card, please." Kyo said, looking down at the other duelist. The other duelist spat, pulling out a seemingly random card from the few left in his deck, and tossed to toward Kyo, who caught it with a flourish. He examined the card.

"Your days as a duelist are over until you can get another one of these." Kyo waved the card about. "Regardless, Necroface is a very poor deck to play at the moment." He said, opening the deck box holstered onto his right thigh and dropping it in. He turned to leave, his cloak swooshing as he went. But something grabbed the end, impeding his exit. He turned back. His opponent had grabbed the hem of his cloak, and was now weakly standing up, not bothering to tidy his tattered jeans, hoodie or blonde hair. He released Kyo's cape, and with his own burning red eyes, looked into Kyo's.

"My name… is Austin! And don't you forget it!"

The arena around the two sprang into life, the stadium and its cheering audience revealed as the floodlights sprang back on. Flags of all shape and colours lined the stands, their intricate designs almost dazzling. The roof opened up to reveal a television screen that descended slowly down, showing the name and photo of the victor. Kyo Hagashami, a twenty-two –year-old with sleek, black hair that'd been oiled to retain its consistency, had been declared victor over twenty-year-old Austin Brightheart.

"I won't." Kyo narrowed his eyes at Austin, once again turning to leave, stepping down from the elevated arena. He adjusted his cloak, ensuring that the red trimming inside remained unharmed from Austin's grab, and buttoned it up over his otherwise-black suit. Stepping through the doors of the stadium between the cheering crowds, he was offered anti-sweat towels by the attendants, but gracefully raised a hand to refuse their offers. Meanwhile, Austin stood defiant at the centre of the stadium, hands clenched, bleeding from a gash above his eyebrow.

"Kyo, that was amazing!" A black-suited bald man in shades gawked at the duelist as he walked into his own private room.

"Of course it was, I would expect no less from myself." Kyo muttered, taking off his duel disk and placing it on a wooden, polished end-table by the door. He did the same for his deck box, unlatching it from his hip's holster and placing it next to the disk. Then he crossed the room, past the paintings of champion duelists, to examine himself in an illuminated mirror at a desk. He took a comb from the desk, brushing back his oiled hair. It'd become slightly ragged in the heat of battle, but it was quickly remedied. Then he looked over to the suited man whom was sat on his couch in front of a coffee table. "Who's next?"

Taking this as his cue to speak, the man chuckled with glee. He brought out his smartphone, pressed a button and grinned. He turned the smartphone to show Kyo.

"It's the best thing!" The suited man exclaimed. "It's only Brian Johnson, but he's made it here by pure luck! Your ratio at the bookers is twenty-to-one to his!"

"Luck, eh?" Kyo raised an eyebrow. He turned back to his mirror, and the man put the phone away. "Luck is a funny thing."

"Says the champion who runs Lightsworn!" The man chuckled once more. This brought a glare from Kyo. He stopped laughing immediately. Kyo turned back to the mirror to check himself one last time, then began to walk to the door.

"This game will be over quickly. Make sure the sponsors have their money lined up." He ordered, putting his duel disk back on, and clipping the deck box back onto his thigh's holster. The suited man nodded eagerly, brandishing his phone again and calling his contacts with utmost haste. Kyo smiled and stepped out of the door.

For the last time.