It was a dark, crisp night. A full moon almost as bright as the sun itself was radiating its light down onto a dense forest. Within that forest, footsteps of someone running can be heard as each step planted on the ground crushed leaves or snapped twigs. A young man was revealed; he was slim at average height with light brown hair with blond tips on his fringe. He was breathing heavily and constantly looking back as if he is being chased by something. He had cuts and grazes on his face and body from the stems and branches that hit him as he continues running.
Suddenly he stops running and notices in front of him lots of speckles of bright lights which could only be described as stardust. "No" said the young man quietly and as he slowly looked up into the sky and he saw two large yellow eyes staring at him. The man looked shocked and scared as he started moving backwards before he started running again in the direction he first came. He was breathing heavier in a more panicked state as he desperately tried to escape. He finally made it out of the forest and into a large field but as he looked back up to the sky, he saw the same piercing eyes. This time though he could make out the body of the creature. He noticed widespread wings and a tail but wasn't sure of the rest as the body was camouflaged in the sky. The creature quietly growled and then flew towards him. The man tried running again but this time he tripped and fell. As he turned round he screamed as the creature came to him with it's mouth wide open as it seems he was about to eat him.
A young man rose from his bed breathing heavily and covered in sweat. It was the same man who was running in the forest. He put his hand on his face as an attempt to get himself together and looked to his right at his clock. The time was 3:32am; he got out of bed and opened his window to climb onto the rooftop of the house. As he sat on the rooftop he was looking at the sky thinking about his dream.
MAN: ("What is going on? I've been having this dream for the past month or so now. It must have some meaning but what? Well, I'm gonna have to let it go for now as today is an important day so I better get a few more hours in").
Chapter 1-Welcome to Domino University
MAN: "RYUSEI!! RYUSEI!! WAKE UP!!"
It was morning with the sun shining brightly, wishing a good day to all. The young man from yesterday was still sleeping to the annoyance of his Uncle Hiro. He was standing at the bottom of the stairs in a red jumper and grey trousers with a shaven beard. He looked to be in his early 40s but his short brown hair was dyed so he looked younger.
"I've already called him twice and now he's making me come up there!" he muttered as he stormed up the stairs. Hiro burst into Ryusei's room and noticed he was still sleeping.
"Wake up Ryusei!"
Ryusei slightly turned his head and replied back
"Go away; I'll be up in a few minutes."
Hiro's started to become angry so he grabbed the duvet covering Ryusei and threw it on the floor.
"What the hell did you do that for?!" Ryusei exclaimed.
Hiro stood confused from Ryusei's comment and pointed at his clock which displayed the time as 10:02am.
"CRAP!" Ryusei shouted as he jumped out of bed and bolted out of the door and into the shower. Hiro chuckled to himself and walked back downstairs to have breakfast. Ryusei finished his shower and dried himself quickly. He got dressed into his jeans and blue T-Shirt, stormed out the door and literally jumped down to the bottom of the stairs.
"Your bag is already in the car", Ryusei turned to see Hiro in the kitchen finishing his breakfast, before he could say anything Hiro said
"Since you are late I'll drop you off and after you're done for the day I'll pick you up so you can get your bike okay?"
"Thanks."
After Hiro finished his breakfast and washed up, they both went out of the house, got into the car and they drove off heading towards Domino University.
About half and hour later Ryusei arrived at the entrance of Domino University. Ryusei looked back and said to Hiro.
"I'll be finished by about four so come by then."
Hiro nodded as he drove off and Ryusei climbed up a few steps and went inside. The front room was large and spacious as well as busy with lots of students walking in different directions. There were doors to his left, right and at the back leading to different corridors and areas. He went to the helpdesk located in the middle of the room and spoke to a woman who was the receptionist on duty.
"Hi. I'm here to register myself to the University." Ryusei said politely.
"You know we told everybody to be here at 9:30 sharp so you don't miss any lectures" the receptionist replied. "But anyway, fill in this form and then you'll be done."
Ryusei filled in the form and gave it to her, she entered the details in her computer and in return she gave him a small box of items.
"Okay." She said "In here is your Student ID, your login details for our network system and your PDA which is already preloaded with all lectures and tutorials. Also here is your room key. You will be staying at room 42 at Domino East Dorm"
"Domino East?" Ryusei asked nervously
"Go outside and turn right. Keep walking straight for about 15 minutes and you will see it." The receptionist replied
"Thank you."
Ryusei arrived at the dormitory which was large by its own right. He went inside and saw how big the place was. The ground floor seemed to be a common room with a pool table, magazines, snack machines and plenty of chairs and tables. At the back was a kitchen for people who wanted to cook their own food, and a dining area next to it which could seat about 20 people. He climbed up two flights of stairs and saw the room numbers across the doors. He carried on until he saw no.42. He put the key in and opened the door and noticed a spacious room inside. There were two beds, two desks and two chairs (one on either side of the room). Ryusei saw that the bed furthest from him was taken as someone else's belongings were there. He put his bag and box down the other bed and turned on his PDA. He opened up the timetable and noticed that he has a lecture at 11am. He looked at the clock on the PDA and it displayed 11:11am.
Ryusei: ("Crap! I'm late!")
He grabbed his bag and ran out the door, down the stairs and out of the dorm. He ran straight across a soccer field and in about five minutes he reached the entrance of the University. He went inside not paying attention to anything inside just looking for the lecture room M016. He found the room and gently knocked the door and entered slowly. He noticed a mature woman wearing a grey suit with glasses and tied black hair standing in front of a projector and a class of 20-30 students all seated.
"Ah, so kind of you to join us." The woman said.
Ryusei was slightly confused thinking that does she know him and was about the speak but then the woman said
"I'm Ms. Nakijima, and you are late, show up more than 5 minutes late again for my lesson don't bother coming in."
"I'm sorry."
Ryusei went to the back of the room as the only free chair was at the back with some of the students staring at him.
The day went quickly after various lectures and the time finally reached 4pm. Ryusei went to the entrance of the University and saw Hiro arrive. He jumped into the car and they drove back towards home.
"Tough day?" Hiro asked noticing that Ryusei was completely silent throughout the journey so far.
"You can say that. But don't worry about it." Ryusei replied.
"If you say so, but just remember no matter what happens, have faith…"
"In yourself and in your ability" Ryusei interrupted Hiro in a tiresome way like he's heard the phrase a million times before. "You really got to come up with some new sayings you know".
"Classics are always the best" Hiro said smiling. "Anyway as for tonight you can stay for dinner if you want and then go back after." Ryusei nodded in agreement and they arrived home.
It was evening, around 8:00pm. The sun was nearly set creating an orange skyline. The town of Domino was busy with many people walking the streets, or in restaurants and bars enjoying themselves. Someone walked out of a card shop with a bag of booster packs. He was wearing his Student ID on the side of his trousers and it said 'Shinji Endo-Domino East'. He was a short person wearing grey from top to bottom and brown hair with the front of his hair just touching the top of his glasses. He was walking through the busy town heading back to the University and cut through the soccer field to make his journey quicker. However this time he noticed some guys there, about five of them, drinking a few beers and messing around. Shinji tried to walk past unnoticed but he was spotted. A guy stood up, stood tall and had blonde hair wearing a denim jacket, white t-shirt and jeans.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" the guy said. Shinji froze and saw the rest of the group get up and joined him. The blonde guy walked up to Shinji and stared him down; Shinji got a glimpse of his student ID which said "Yuri Nakamura-Domino South". Shinji was surprised realising who he was as the rest of gang surrounded him. Yuri then grabbed Shinji's bag looking at the many boosters within.
"Give it back!" he shouted.
"No can do little guy, this will be payment for passing through" Yuri replied.
Meanwhile, Ryusei now with a black jacket on was riding his motorbike (metallic blue Yamaha) back to the University and as he looked to his right he saw the situation that was happening on the field. He parked his bike, took off his helmet and ran to the field.
As Yuri was opening a few packs he noticed the cards were useless to him so he threw him on the floor. Shinji got angry and charged at him but one of Yuri's gang members punched him in the stomach, winding Shinji as he fell to the ground.
"What do you want us to do with him?" one of the guys asked.
"Whatever you want." Yuri said ignorantly as he was too busy opening packs.
Shinji was grabbed by the shirt and lifted up. The guy who grabbed him clenched his fist ready to knock him out when a punch out of nowhere hit the guy in the mouth knocking a tooth out. Shinji fell to the floor and noticed someone standing in front of him. The rest of the gang were in shock as their friend was knocked out cold. They looked and saw the man that was standing in front of Shinji, it was Ryusei.
Yuri just noticed what happened.
"That's quite a punch you got there" Yuri complemented stepping in front of his crew. Ryusei put his fists up getting ready to fight as he felt that he will have to fight his way out. Yuri was smiling and then he noticed a pouch on Ryusei's trousers which is where you carry duelling decks.
"So you are a duellist eh?" Yuri asked, surprising Ryusei. "Well, I have an idea, how about a friendly game? You win then you both can walk free." Yuri's gang were protesting but he wasn't listening. Ryusei put his hands down and answered
"I don't have a Duel Disk with me"
"I'm sure someone can lend you one" Yuri stated.
One of his gang members got one from his bag and threw the Duel Disk which Ryusei caught and put on.
"So you accept?" Yuri asked
"Yeah I do, but I think I'll change the terms." Ryusei asked
"Meaning?"
"Meaning if you win I'll walk away and ignore what has happened here. But if I win, we walk free with the cards and I get to keep the Duel Disk"
The gang were angry that this guy had the nerve to ask that of Yuri but he smirked and gladly accepted. They both put their decks into their Duel Disks and activated the holograms and both shouted "Duel!"
LP (Ryusei-4000/Yuri-4000)
"My turn!" Ryusei declared. "I summon Magician's Valkyria (1600/1800) in defense mode! I will end my turn after that".
Shinji: ("A Spellcaster Deck? I haven't seen one of those in a long time!")
"Fine" Yuri said "My turn and I will summon V-Tiger Jet (1600/1800) in attack mode and then play the spell Frontline Base! Due to this spell I can Special Summon a Union monster from my hand like W-Wing Catapult! (1300/1500)"
Yuri's gang started cheering as they know what is coming next. Yuri smiled before he continued.
"V-Tiger and W-Wing! Combine together to form VW-Tiger Catapult! (2000/2100). Now I discard one card from my hand (Z-Metal Tank) to switch your Valkyria to attack mode! VW Catapult, attack his monster with Heat Seeking Barrage!"
VW launched multiple missiles which exploded in front of Valkyria, shattering it to pieces.
LP (3600/4000)
"I play one card face down and end my turn. Your move, unless you wanna quit."
"Not a chance!" Ryusei stated as he drew a card. "I play Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer (1800/700) in defense mode! I then play a face-down and end my turn" a large card appeared behind Kycoo.
"Your move!"
"You're too kind." Yuri replied sarcastically "My turn! And I'll activate Pot of Greed so I draw 2 cards and then summon X-Head Cannon (1800/1500) to the field and due to Frontline Base I can summon Y-Dragon Head (1500/1600) as well!"
Shinji: ("if he's gonna do what I think he is going to do this duel will be over!")
"I then activate my face down card! Roll Out!
"No way!" Shinji said with shock in his face but Ryusei stayed completely calm.
"This trap selects a Union Monster in the Graveyard and equips it to a monster to the field so Z-Metal Tank (1500/1300) is hooking up with my X-Head Cannon! But there is no real point of telling you the details of that as I'm combining them all again!"
X-Head, Y-Dragon and Z-Metal all rose in the air and combined together before coming to the ground "Now XYZ-Dragon Cannon (2800/2600) comes forth!"
"Are you done yet?" Ryusei asked.
"Aren't we impatient? Yuri replied "I don't know why you want to rush to lose but anyway, we all got our preferences. I now combine my VW and XYZ monsters together!"
As the machines split apart and combined again, Yuri's gang was looking in awe and Shinji was looking scared thinking that this duel is over in just a few turns.
"Now! Meet my greatest machine! VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon! (3000/2800)"
Ryusei still looked calm which annoyed Yuri.
"I'll now use my Cannon's special ability to remove from play 1 card on your field like your face-down." Ryusei's trap was flipped face-up and then disintegrated. It was Negate Attack. Yuri smiled as he knows he's more or less won.
"Finally as some icing on the cake I'll equip my Cannon with Fairy Meteor Crush! So when I attack and my monster's attack is higher than your monster's defense, the difference is dealt to you as damage. VWXYZ attack Kycoo!"
The machine lifted two cannons from it's side and shot large lasers engulfing Kycoo and blasting Ryusei, who put his arms up to protect himself.
LP (1300/4000).
Yuri's gang was laughing and cheering while Shinji had a panicked look on his face.
"You are pathetic! All you have been doing is playing defense and nothing meaningful! Word of advice buddy, before you go and try to save people, make sure you have the skills to back it up!"
Shinji was almost in a panicky state. Ryusei noticed this and then said to him "What's your name?"
Shinji was confused as to how calm he was and cried out
"You are about to lose and have me beaten to a pulp and you want to know my name?!" Ryusei turned around and looked at him, Shinji looked back and noticed a resolve in his eyes and said calmly
"Shinji."
"Shinji, I wouldn't have made those terms if I know I couldn't keep them. When I make a promise I will never break it. That is my belief, my principle. So when I say we will walk away free, we will walk away free." This statement gave Shinji a bit of hope while Yuri and his group were laughing hysterically.
"Noble speech man, but there is hope and there is delusional. Anyway, it's your move daydreamer!" Yuri said laughing.
Ryusei closed his eyes and prepared to draw his card.
Ryusei: ("Listen to me, my Deck, listen to my heart and guide me to victory").
He drew his card slowly and held it up to his face. As he opened his eyes he smiled which concerned Yuri. Ryusei placed the card in his hand and said
"I summon Apprentice Magician (400/800) in attack mode!"
"What is that gonna do?" Yuri asked
"You'll see. I activate my Spell Card, Brain Control! I pay 800 Life Points to take control of your V-Z Cannon."
LP (500/4000)
Yuri couldn't believe what just happened as a brain with hands grabbed his monster and placed it on Ryusei's side of the field.
"I then activate Magical Dimension!"
"What's that?" Yuri asked
"When I have a Spellcaster out, I can tribute 1 monster to Special Summon a Spellcaster from my hand. So your Cannon goes to the Graveyard." Yuri expressed a pained face "So I can summon Cybernetic Magician (2400/1000)!"
Yuri and his gang were looking shocked at the play Ryusei made as Cybernetic Magician emitted a white light from its body.
"Next I'll activate its special ability! By discarding a card from my hand I can make a monster's attack become 2000 like my Apprentice Magician (2000/800)!" As Cybernetic Magician embalmed a white light from his hand on to Apprentice Magician increasing her attack, Yuri realised that in one turn he lost the duel that he was controlling from the very start.
"Apprentice Magician and Cybernetic Magician! Attack him directly!"
As two beams came at him, one dark and one light, Yuri put his arms to block the attacks and in the aftermath of the attacks he dropped to his knees.
(500/0).
His gang were completely blown away from what happened. Ryusei deactivated his Duel Disk and picked up Shinji's bag and the cards on the floor and put them in the bag.
"Let's go." Shinji got up and followed Ryusei out of the field and to the road. Yuri punched the ground in anger.
Yuri: ("How could I lose to some nobody?! I will find him and crush him next time! Mark my words!")
Ryusei gave Shinji his black helmet and rode on his motorbike as a passenger. They reached their Dorm and it was quiet as most of the people were out. They climbed up the stairs and Ryusei enquired
"What's your room number?"
"42" Shinji answered
"So you're my room mate?" Ryusei said
Shinji was confused until Ryusei grabbed the key to open room 42 and they both went in. Both of them sat on their beds straight away, tired from the evening's events. Shinji then broke the silence.
"Thank you for saving me. Not many people would have done what you did."
"No problem" Ryusei said
"But I want to know something, how did you remain calm like that? And how did you know you were going to win?" Shinji asked.
"I always believe in myself and my Deck to get me out of any situation. As someone told me before, have faith in yourself and your ability and then you can do anything."
Shinji was almost awestruck with those words and was starting to think who this guy really is.
"I haven't introduced myself properly" He cleared his throat and said "I'm Shinji Endo" as he stretched his hand.
"Ryusei Fujiwara" and the two shook hands.
Preview: Ryusei is pulling all nighters to catch up on his studies. Unbeknownst to him that Shinji is spreading the story of Ryusei's triumph of one of Domino South's elite duellists. A girl called Vanessa, a colleague of Shinji's gets wind of this story and challenges Ryusei to a duel with her expensive Counter Fairies.
Chapter 2-Work Or Play, Mages In The Sky!