Chapter 1: Arden, Queen of Thunder

The sun blazed in the blue sky. There wasn't a cloud in sight. It was a typical sunny day in the city of Miami. The cars went by without a care, everyone attending to their own affairs.

Looking out over this scene from a white balcony was a young girl. She had hazel green eyes, shoulder-length, slightly-wavy brown hair, and looked like an average, slim girl. She wore a blue bodysuit underneath a white trenchcoat. The trenchcoat had grey trim, and slightly embraced her body. She wore elbow length gloves that were a darker shade of blue than the bodysuit, with white trim and a white lighting bolt down either side. There was a similar white lightning bolt across her torso and white trim around the collar of her bodysuit. She wore a thin white belt around her waist, and knee-high boots that were like her gloves-white trim on the top, darker shade of blue than the bodysuit, and a white lightning bolt on either side.

Attached to her waist was a dark blue deck case with a silver button fastening it closed. Around her waist, there were an array of small pouches, which held any number of items, like money or her phone. A stray wind blew her trenchcoat a bit, and she sighed.

"There's nothing to do up here… I guess I'll go out and see what I can find."

She headed downstairs, and out to her garage. In it, there was her D-Wheel, the Stormrider. It was white, resembled a normal motorcycle for the most part, except it had a Duel Disk laid into its front, with a Duel Monitor, a spot for her to load in her Deck, and blue side sections with her trademark white lightning bolt motif. The front of it also was blue with white trim, and a white lightning bolt down the middle.

She walked over to it, and put on her white helmet with a blue, but clear visor. She started it up, revved the engine, and headed out into the city. She soon saw someone begin to approach her. The man pulled alongside her, in a simple black D-Wheel, wearing all-black clothes, and a darkened helmet.

"Excuse me, miss, but you wouldn't happen to be Miss Arden Thracia, Thunder Queen of Miami's Riding Duel Circuit, would you?" He asked, in a thick, German accent.

"Yes, that's me, but why do you ask?" Arden asked in turn.

"I want to Duel you. There is not a soul in this city that has given me a challenge. Perhaps the Queen can give me what I seek." He replied smoothly. Arden narrowed her gaze at him.

I still can't tell anything about him. I guess I have no choice. Duels reveal the truth about anything and anyone.

"Fine. I accept your challenge! Let's begin!" Arden said, switching modes on her D-Wheel.

"Riding Duel request sent... request accepted. Permission granted. Lanes assigned." A feminine robotic voice said. In an instant, two lanes were closed off to all other traffic. Arden took hers, while her mysterious opponent took his.

"Riding Duel, Acceleration!" They exclaimed in unison.

Both riders sped off; both trying to reach the curve. The man revved his engine and sped up. Arden smiled and purposely slowed down. The man, thinking he was faster, smiled and laughed.

"Ha! I'm first! I draw!" He said enthusiastically as he drew a card.

Man: 4000 SPC: 1

Arden: 4000 SPC: 1

"Haha! So soon? I activate the Speed Spell, Magic Barrier. With this special card, I can play any type of Spell card. It doesn't just have to be Speed Spells. Next, Graceful Charity. What this card does is allow me to draw 3 cards. Then I have to discard 2."

The man drew 3, but discarded 2. He smiled as he played a monster in Attack Position.

"Come out! Armageddon Knight!"

A man with long black hair, wearing a clear vizor, a red scarf, dusty samurai armor with spikes, and carrying a pirate sword appeared. Since it was a Riding Duel, Knight began running alongside the man. (ATK: 1400)

"Now, when he's summoned, I can send a DARK monster straight to my graveyard. Since I have 3 DARK monsters in my graveyard, I can Special Summon Dark Armed Dragon!" A large, evil version of Armed Dragon LV 7 appeared. It roared so loud that some people from another lane heard it. (ATK: 2800)

"With that, I end my turn." (Man's Hand: 3)

"Is that it?" Arden asked, somewhat impressed.

"Hmm, good, I guess. That is, for an amateur. But you're facing the queen! I draw!" Arden said proudly drew a card.

Man: 4000 SPC: 2

Arden: 4000 SPC: 2

She smiled.

"Interesting. I'll play the same card you did. Speed Spell-Magic Barrier. Now, you better be careful; there's a storm coming. I activate Thunder Storm!"

Arden played the card and suddenly, even though there was a clear sky, dark clouds started forming above. Then, bolts of thunder rained down, striking both the man's monsters and destroying them.

"As you just saw, Thunder Storm destroys all monsters on the field. Since I had none, there was none to destroy for me. But now, I set 1 card and end my turn."

An unknown card appeared and disappeared. The man smiled.

"That was impressive, I must say. I should have expected no less from the Thunder Queen. But I'm not done. I draw."

Man: 4000 SPC: 3

Arden: 4000 SPC: 3

"I summon Ape Fighter in Attack Position." A crimson furred gorilla wearing a metallic helmet with a metallic belt and blue jeans appeared. (ATK: 1900)

"Ape Fighter, attack directly! You made a mistake by leaving your field wide open!" He yelled. Ape Fighter ran to Arden and attempted to strike her. But suddenly, there was shaking. The man looked around for the source of the shaking. Just then, an avalanche occurred and destroyed Ape Fighter.

"Ape Fighter!" He exclaimed, eyes widened. Arden smirked.

"Let me explain that. I activated the Trap card, Avalanche!. When you attack, I can destroy all of your monsters." She explained cooly.

"Grrr…I end my turn." He growled.

Arden then drew a card. She smiled.

Man: 4000 SPC: 4

Arden: 4000 SPC: 4

"Hmm… How about this? I summon you! Frost Giant- The Blizzard Beast!" She exclaimed.

Suddenly, a small snowstorm occurred. A large snowman appeared. (ATK: 2000)

"Frost Giant, attack! Avalanche Breath!" She ordered, directing it with her right hand. Frost Giant inhaled and exhaled a breath of snow, striking the man and knocking him off course for a moment.

Man: 2000

"Grrr….what they say is true; the Queen of Thunder is good. But I'm not just another punk duelist for you to crush under your boot!" He growled loudly.

"Oh, really?" Arden mocked.

"Grrr…I draw!" He growled, forcefully drawing a card.

Man: 2000 SPC: 5

Arden: 4000 SPC: 5

"I activate Speed Spell- Angel Baton. Since I have more than 2 Speed Counters, I can draw 2 cards. I must then discard 1." He said, calming down. The man drew and discarded.

"I summon Drillago in Attack Position." He said calmly. A machine with drills as hands appeared. (ATK: 1600)

"Then I activate Dark Core. I can discard a card and remove your Frost Giant. Drillago, attack directly!" Dark Core's effect took place, and the massive blue giant was removed from the field. Drillago attacked Arden, knocking her D-Wheel off course. Luckily, she managed to get back on track before crashing. Then, a small blizzard occurred, striking the man.

Man: 1500

Arden: 2400

"I lost Life Points!?" The man exclaimed.

"Indeed you did. When Frost Giant is removed from the field, the person who did it loses 500 Life Points."

"Haha…impressive, but this is to be expected of the young Queen… I end my turn."

Arden drew a card, and then smiled. (Arden's Hand: 4)

Man: 2000 SPC: 6

Arden: 2400 SPC: 6

Then, from above, bolts of thunder shot down and destroyed Drillago. Arden smiled. He glared at her.

"Out of monsters again, I see. I summon Lightning Elf- The Bolt Warrior." She said, a hint of pride in her voice. A small elf in green attire with a small, blue fairy floating around him appeared. A symbol of a lightning bolt was on its hat. (ATK: 1200)

"When Thunder Storm is active on my side of the field, I can inflict 500 points of damage to you once per turn." The elf's fairy suddenly turned into a lightning bolt and struck the man, causing his D-Wheel to hit the side of the lane.

"Agh!" He cried, looking at his bruised leg.

Man: 1000

"Lightning Elf, let's end this!" Once again, the fairy transformed into a lightning bolt and attempted to strike the man. But he smiled and activated his face-down.

"I activate Defense Draw. Not only is all damage to me from this attack 0, but I draw an extra card." He said quickly as the attack was reduced to nothing.

"I end my turn." Arden said, snarling a bit. The man drew a card and smiled. (Man's Hand: 2)

Man: 1000 SPC: 7

Arden: 2400 SPC: 7

"Just watch. I activate Dark Zone! With this, I can Special Summon a Level 8 or higher DARK monster from my deck. But I lose 1000 Life Points if it's still on the field at the End Phase. It can't attack or be used as a tribute. Come out, Dark Nephthys!" He said harshly. A dark bodied phoenix with large fiery wings appeared. (ATK: 2400)

"But, I can destroy Dark Nephthys and destroy all of your Spell and Trap cards!" He continued. Arden's eyes widened as the dark bodied phoenix exploded in a dark fire that destroyed Thunder Storm and Speed Spell- Magic Barrier. Then the man smiled as he played the last card in his hand. "A Deal with the Dark Ruler."

Arden gasped; she heard of the Spell before. She dueled against that Spell; it was not easy to overcome. And she knew this situation was no different.

"By your gasp, I'm guessing you know what this card does. When a Level 8 or higher monster is sent to the graveyard this turn, I can Special Summon Berserk Dragon from my deck! Appear!" A loud roar occurred, so powerful, it shook the Earth. Then, a black-skinned dragon with large black wings and long, straight, purple hair appeared. It roared again so loudly that it shook the Earth again and caused Arden to skid off a little. (ATK: 3500)

"Berserk Dragon, attack Lightning Elf!" Berserk Dragon flew at the latter, who tried to strike it with a lightning bolt. Berserk Dragon dodged the attack and destroyed Lightning Elf with a claw attack, knocking Arden off her D-Wheel and into the lane wall.

"Argh! Agh!"

The man stopped next to her, her D-Wheel inches away. She was now covered in bleeding cuts and bruises.

Man: 1000 SPC: 7

Arden: 100 SPC: 7

"Haha! What is this? The Queen has been dethroned!" He mocked, smirking.

"N-n…not yet! I'm not out yet!" She snapped.

"Oh really? Who's on the ground, looking like a weak puppy?" He asked sarcastically, moving to grab her face. She hissed.

Dammit…he's got me…what do I do?

"Hehe…just give up… and your life may be spared!" He offered. Arden looked at her deck, contemplating whether to give up or not. After a little bit of thinking, Arden surprised the man by getting back on her D-Wheel. Though it was painful, she bit her lip and endured. She revved it up and sped off. The man shook chuckled in disbelief and sped off after the Queen.

I can't lose! The people of this town love me… The children all look up to me… I won't lose my title to this madman! She thought, enduring pain as her cuts bled and her bruises pulsed.

"It's my turn! And I'll make it a shocker! I… DRAW!" Arden drew a card, but suddenly, she felt a surge of pain in her right wrist. It was enough to make her close her eyes, and clutch her arm just above it. After a few minutes, she managed to force her eyes open… and could not believe what she saw.

A strange sapphire forced its way out of her wrist, blood accompanying it. No veiny formations surrounded it, and it looked like it was set in her skin as if her skin were a ring. She watched as her blood dripped down her wrists, and a searing hot glow formed around her wrist. It felt as if someone was pouring molten metal on her arm… and she wondered if that was the case, because when the glow faded from wherever it was, a silver band with elaborate, carved designs formed and hardened around her wrist. Her eyes widened in pure horror, and she held her arm away from her, outright terrified of it.

"W-What the hell?! What is this-AGH!" She wondered nervously, before she felt more pain. Initially thinking it was from her previous wounds, she soon realized she was wrong. The band sent a powerful, painful pulse up her arm that was accompanied by a bright, glowing line, and it went through her shoulder and chest, up the back of her neck, across the side of her face, and to her eye, where she felt it throbbing. She soon felt as if someone was carving something on her eyeball with a searing hot tool.

The vision from her left eye was soon filled with blinding blue light, and she howled because it hurt so bad. Instinctively, she pressed her other hand to the side of her face… and felt a warm liquid. She pulled her hand away, nervous as could be, and feeling a pit in her stomach.

"Oh god… Please let me be wrong…"

She wasn't. She looked at her hand, and saw blood pressed in her palm. Her own blood, covering her own hand. Both her eyes widened in sheer terror.

Her left eye was bleeding, and all she could see out of it was blinding blue light. Intense pain, white light, and a burning sensation led to the strange band with the sapphire forming out of nowhere on her right wrist. She had so many questions…

"Hmm… So it finally happened…"

She snapped her head towards the strange man she was Dueling. Ignoring her pain, she forced the Stormrider to go faster, and got up next to him.

"What the hell do you mean, 'it finally happened'?! Do you know what's happening to me?!" She demanded. He didn't answer. She grew angrier.

"You obviously know something! Tell me what the hell is going on! Why can't I see anything out of my left eye?! Why is it bleeding?! What's with this damn band on my arm?!" She demanded louder, pointing first at her eye, and then to the trail of blood down the side of it. She then made a show of the band.

"ANSWER ME!" She roared.