Hello, Yu-Gi-Oh! fans! It's been a very long while since I've written anything—let alone done any story-writing for my favorite fandom—and I recently got back into it and decided what better way to make a comeback than to write something fresh. I had this idea come to me during a delirious night of insomnia and pizza-induced lazyness.

I'm not sure whether my writing style has changed or not, but whether or not it has, I hope you find my story enjoyable and continue coming back for more! Please review to let me know how I'm doing so far!

This first chapter is a prologue of sorts. Anyway, onto the fic!

Chapter One: Scouted

"I'm sorry… could you run that by me one more time?"

The older man sitting across sighed quietly and leaned back against his seat in favor of giving his knees a break from his elbows. He ran a tanned hand through his soft, dark hair—though it was graying somewhat, indicating his age—and fondled the edge of his neatly-ironed dark blue suit, gray tie hanging perfectly in place. He was obviously a bit more of a higher-up in the business. He looked ahead at his guest sitting across from him–who happened to be sporting a very confused facial expression—and took a breath to speak.

"Kaiba Corporation would like to hire you."

"Why, exactly?" Joey blurted, thoroughly confused. Was this a prank Kaiba was pulling on him? Where were the cameras? He promptly started looking at the ceiling in the corners of the room which they were in, but found no cameras whatsoever. Is he bugged then? "What's Kaiba pulling?" He asked aloud. He wasn't about to fall for anything.

"Mr. Kaiba knows nothing about this as of yet, if that's why you're confused. Just let me explain." The man implored. Joey simply stayed quiet, but nodded to indicate that he could continue and that he was listening. The other nodded in response. "Very well. Within Kaiba Corp. there are many, many departments for very different things. There are even entirely full-on companies within the building that operate inside the building as their own, with their own floor. You think it's just us in this big tower?" The man asked rhetorically. "Now, I happen to be a representative and a scout for the KCDA, which stands for Kaiba Corporation Dueling Agency. We'd like you to join our agency as a professional duelist. There are a few others and we'd be happy to have you join us. You were highly recomme—"

"Hold on," Joey interrupted. "You're telling me you want me to duel for you guys? Like, a pro duelist who gets paid to duel? And has a manager? And… travels? All that?" Joey was a bit excited at the thought, but horrified that he was being approached by Kaiba's employees. Does Kaiba really not know this conversation is happening right now? And wait, had he started to say he was highly recommended? By who?

"Yes, and between travels, you'll be living in the share house provided by Kaiba Corp. when you're in the vicinity. That would mean, of course, that you'd no longer be staying at your current residence and since you're still in school, you would be finishing out the year electronically—with online teachers—and then next year you can do an independent study. We provide tutors and professors as required.

"You will have many benefits and advantages. For example, we will pay for all travel expenses, you—that is to say you, duelists—will fly in a private jet if needed, you'll have full coverage in terms of health insurance, and I've already mentioned the home and schooling provisions. Also, there's no penalty for breaking the contract if—and only if—you break it because you wish to leave the agency to pursue a normal lifestyle. In fact, once you leave, whether early or once the contract ends, we'll make sure you have proper living arrangements and good references for work. Mr. Kaiba ensures that you won't just be dumped on the street with nowhere to go once you're finished, especially when we provide a home."

"Whoa," was all that came out of Joey's mouth. He was amazed, impressed even. Kaiba really outdid himself with provisions for this little dueling agency of his. There's no way that he thought of being so generous all on his own unless he wasn't involved in it. "Who runs the agency? I mean, Kaiba couldn't possibly be in charge of absolutely everything in this company, could he? And you said he doesn't know I'm being recruited right now."

"If you accept, you will get to meet him—the one in charge, I mean. For now, I'm going to let you take time to think about the proposition. You will be under contract, after all, and the discussion of pay can be made then as well; however, if you're interested in what that would look like, I can tell you that for now, since you'd be just starting, you're sitting on a pay of about $15k per duel, win or lose." Joey's eyes widened. That was more than he'd expected. "That will likely change over the course of the year if you show interest, involvement, effort, all that jazz. It will be much higher as you go. But, as I said, we'll discuss that at a later date. I'll give you a week to think about it and then someone will call to meet with you and see what you've decided. Until then," the man stood up and Joey did, too. They shook hands and Joey made his way out of the room and into an elevator. He was out of there within a few minutes and nearly sprinted home.

He had to tell someone… and ask their opinion.

And there's the short prologue. I don't have any set day to update because I'm really stretched right now. So it will be slightly random. Also, if you can't wait for the next chapter, here's a little hint. The last word of each chapter will be the title for the next one. I'm so sneaky, wahahaha! However, because this chapter's so short, I'll be uploading the next one immediately. That's two in one day! I'm so nice.

Anyway, like I said earlier, please review so I can see how I'm doing. Have a good day!