The Science of Magic
Chapter 1:
The scene opens with two friends, Joey Wheeler and Tristan Taylor, running through the back allies of Domino City to asist their friend, Yugi Muto, who is in deep trouble.
Joey: We're coming Yug!
Tristan: I still don't get it, Joey! What in the world is going on here?
Joey: Hell if I know, T. One second the three of us are waiting for you at Domino Station, and the next thing I know, this creep in a bath robe challenges Yugi to duel.
Tristan: Yeah, I get that part... but what I mean is how the heck did you three end up on top of the Kiba Corp. building!?
The pair enter through a back door Joey left propped open and race up the several flights of stairs as fast as they can. Meanwhile on the roof, King of Games Yugi Muto and corporate tycoon Seto Kiba are engaged in a tag-team grudge match against a mysterious woman wearing a long, black hooded cloak. Only her duel disk, sleek and black, with dazzling ruby-like gems along the sides, can be seen. She stands perfectly calm and collected, a bemused sneer painted across her lips - while Yugi and Kiba are clearly holding on by a thread. Tea Gardner, one of Yugi's closest friends, stands off to the side clad in her pink school uniform, her blue eyes round and full of worry.
Tea (inner thought): Yugi... please hold on...
Yugi: This isn't good. (Glancing worriedly down at his hand) There's nothing in my hand strong enough to save us now. (Glancing over at Kiba, who is breathing heavily and looks equally concerned) And by the looks of it, Kiba's running out of ideas, too. (Yami-Yugi looks up and narrows his eyes at the woman, contemplating their next move) The only thing I can do now is go on the defensive... just to buy us a little more time...
Yami-Yugi: (drawing a card) I place one card face down and end my turn.
Woman: That's it? Surely the great King of Games can come up with something a little more exciting than that? (sighs and draws a card) Oh well... I do bore easily, anyway - so how about I just put you two out of your misery once Mr. Sunshine has competed his turn?
Kiba: Funny. You really think you're going to last another turn. (The woman scowls) I equip my Lord of Dragons with the magic card "Flute of summoning Dragons." Now I can summon another Blues Eyes White Dragon to the field, giving me a total of three.
Suddenly, Tristan and Joey burst through the doors leading to the roof, each a panting, sweaty mess.
Joey: So many stairs... why are there so many stairs?
Tea: Guys!
Tristan: (running over to meet her) Tea, what's going on? What happened?
Joey: (noticing the score) Wait a minute... are Yugi and Richboy actually losing?!
Tea: I'm afraid so. That woman - whoever she is - she's using all these rare and powerful cards I've never even heard of.
Kiba: Now I activiate the spell card Polymerization in order to fuse my three dragons together..!
Yugi (hopefully): Yes! We might be able to pull through this after all!
Yami-Yugi: Hold on, Yugi... (staring at the woman intently. She remains unfazed and calm, though her smirk has been replace with a bored looking scowl.)
Yugi: What is, Pharaoh?
Yami-Yugi: I sense something from her... something dark and powerful...
An ominous, purple aura begins to emerge from the woman's outline and her smile returns once more. Yami-Yugi reacts, as if a chilling sensation has pierced him to his very core.
Yami-Yugi: What the -?!
Kiba: Now attack, Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon!
Yami-Yugi: No Kiba, wait! Call off the attack!
Woman: (muttering) Perfect.
The woman suddenly raises her free arm, and a burst of wind explodes through the air seemingly out of nowhere. It flows straight up, blowing her long cloak all the way back to reveal her red, mini-skirted dress, long Crimson hair, and cold black eyes. A dense orb of energy begins to manifest in the palm of her outstretched hand as she grins menacingly at them, her hair and clothes bellowing in the powerful wind.
Woman: Thank you for your contribution, Seto Kiba! But now I believe it's time for a change of scenery...
The black orb grows larger and dark, shocks of electricity seem to jump from it as it becomes increasingly unstable.
Woman: How about a little field-trip, kiddies!?
Suddenly the woman releases the enegry from her hand tossing it directly at the Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon attack. The blasts of energy connect and a sharp crack! erupts from the contact. To their horror and shock, Yugi, Kiba and their friends are suddenly enveloped in a brillant flash of white light. Yugi turns just in time to see the fleeting faces of his friends.
Yami-Yugi: Tea! Joey! Tristan!
Tea, Joey, Tristan: (in unison) Yugi!
All at once the flash disappears, and a thunderous silence echoes all around the building. The five teens have all vanished and only the woman remains on the roof. She allows her hood to fall to her back, her fiery hair gently settling on top of it. She closes her eyes and sighs, with a satisfied smile on her face. All at once, her tranquility is interrupted when she feels a sharp, jagging pain race through her chest. She clutches at her heart and holds back a pained gasp. Only a few seconds pass before she finally manages to collect herself once more. Using her pointer finger, she taps the gold metal of the bracelet on her right arm. The red stone at the center glows and a voice rings out from it.
Voice: This is home base, awaiting your status Scarlet.
Woman: This is Scarlet confirming a capture. They'll arrive on your side any second now.
Voice: Excellent. Did you have any difficulties locating your targets?
Woman: Not at all. There will be a few extra pests arriving with them, but they should be dispatched quite easily.
Voice: Affirmative. As soon as you're ready move on to your next target, then report directly to Shadow for your next assignment.
Woman: Understood. Scarlet out.
The bracelet's jem suddenly returns to normal, it's glow vanishing as quickly as it came. The woman smiles once more before readjusting her cloak, and covering her head once more. She moves slowly and grimances at least once, before walking to the roof's edge. Her smile returns as she looks up to the sky.
Woman: Two down. Five to go.
The woman vanishes into thin air just before reaching the building's edge.
Joey: What?! C'mon, Noir, you're really gonna leave it there?!
Tristan: I still have no idea how the duel was going! You could have at least filled me in!
EvNoir: You know I have a hard time following the play by play! The most I can do is just keep up with who's winning and who's losing.
Tea: Come on, you two. This is her story and she's really excited about it - so let her tell it the way she wants.
EvNoir: Thank you, Tea.
Yugi: I can't believe you're finally writting this one. You said you were kicking it around for how long?
EvNoir: At least thirteen years. But I was either too busy with school or other projects to really develop it until now.
Joey: What's going on now?
EvNoir: I've... come into some free time in my schedule.
Seto Kiba: She's out of work.
EvNoir: In between jobs, thank you very much... 'Sunshine'.
Tristan: Wait - this draft says it's gonna to be a cross-over?
EvNoir: Yep. I changed my mind last minute.
Yugi: So who else is coming in? Anyone we know?
EvNoir: (with a wink) You'll have to wait and see...