Chapter 1: The Stranger from Ireland

The boy laughed maniacally as the bunker burned to the ground before him. "What wonderful karma! The womb that bore me is destroyed."

At his feet, a man lay in a battered heap; his suit torn in several places. "Return to your cell," he ordered, "Loki Admin Lynch."

"Exactly who are you talking to? It can't be me; according to you, my name is 'stupid ravenous animal'. I think it fits me more. Or maybe something cool, like…Destroyer…or Siege…yeah, I'll go with Siege." With that, he turned and started walking away.

"Get back here!" screamed the man. "I command you!"

"Good luck with that. And at the sound of snapping fingers, your empire will crumble: 3, 2, 1." Then he snapped his fingers, and the complex exploded in black flames.

Two Years Later

"The time has come, my fellow Ghouls," declared Crusher, as he stood on a platform before thirty of the remaining Ghouls. "With Marik-sama out of the way, the time has come to take what's rightfully ours. Screw the Millennium Items: it's time we made the rare cards of the world ours!"

Anzu and Shizuka, who happened to be passing by, immediately spotted the huge crowd and ducked into an ally. "Oh, no," murmured Shizuka. "Are those the Ghouls again?"

"We need to tell Yugi," whispered Anzu.

"Good idea," said a slightly youthful male voice. They turned and saw a Ghoul with long red hair and green eyes. The girls took a cautious step back, before he raised his hands in a passive gesture. "Calm down; I have no intention to kidnap you or anything. I may be a Ghoul, but I'm not some random thug."

"…"

To prove his point, he put his hands behind his back and stepped to the side. "Go. I won't stop you." Anzu and Shizuka cautiously walked past him, not averting their eyes until he was out of immediate sprinting distance. Shizuka looked for a little while longer before she followed Anzu.

Crusher paused in his narrative, hearing a piece of Anzu's conversation. "I thought I heard an annoying buzzing just now."

The red-headed Ghoul walked up to them and said, "So you do hear yourself speak."

"Ah, Siege," greeted Crusher. "I began to wonder if you were eliminated too. You haven't come to try and claim the Ghouls yourself, have you?"

"No, I have no interest in running the Ghouls."

"Excellent." He turned to the remaining Ghouls. "Then, for my first act as head of the Ghouls-"

"I simply intend to destroy you all, and be on my way."

"…I beg your pardon? I hope you meant to say something else, as your statement reeks of treason."

Ignoring his warning, Siege stepped onto the platform and shoved Crusher off. "Listen up, you grunts. I have no interest on God Cards, or world domination, or any of that twat. I joined simply to improve my deck and perfect my technique. You were nothing but a crutch to me, and now that I don't need you, you must be disposed of."

Crusher hopped to his feet and primed his Duel Disk; it echoed with the activation of the Duel Disks of all the other Ghouls. "You'll regret your insolence."

"Fine, take your best shot." Siege cast off his robe. He wore a red shirt, with black pants and an overcoat. A brown bandolier hung from his right shoulder to left waist, attached to a belt; on his left side, a big duel tray hung, while his deck and Life Point counter was held over his heart. "Don't be confident that you beat me before, because now I use my true deck."

000000000

Yugi patiently waited at Clock Tower Square for Anzu to arrive for their play date. He turned excitedly when he heard his name called out, but worried when he saw her and Shizuka's panicked expressions. "What's wrong?"

"It's the Ghouls!" exclaimed Anzu.

"Ghouls? But Marik went back to Egypt."

"It looks like the random grunts are reorganizing, and trying to start up again!"

Other Yugi let out an annoyed grunt. "We can't let something like this happen again; especially after all that work we put into getting the God Cards the first time. Let's go, Partner."

Right, thought Yugi as he switched control with the Other Yugi.

But they arrived too late to do anything but watch as Siege delivered the final blow. "Amazoness Swordswoman, direct attack!"

[3500] [0]

"How dare you!" snarled Crusher. "After all we've done for you!"

"Lesson 1 in villainy is that there are three types of lackeys: untrustworthy, trustworthy, and completely trustworthy. You forgot that promotion to the last should only be awarded posthumously. Now get lost." With no further provocation, Siege stood alone with Yugi and his friends.

"Aren't you that guy from before?" asked Shizuka.

"Hmm?" Siege turned in surprise. "Oh, you're back already? Sorry I couldn't save some for you, Nameless Pharaoh."

"How do you know about me?" asked Other Yugi. And what is this horribly wicked power I sense within him?

"He's a Ghoul," said Anzu.

"Allow me to introduce myself," said Siege as he hooked his tray behind him to his belt. "The name's Loki Admin, known to the Ghouls as Siege."

"Nice Duel Disk," admired Shizuka.

"Thanks! It's a custom order, which even has a keyboard in the back. It cost an entire tournament's earnings, but it's worth it for the individuality."

He gets sidetracked pretty easily, thought Anzu.

Other Yugi looked off in the direction the Ghouls fled. "Did you really beat all the Ghouls yourself?"

"It's nothing to brag about, really; they duel, but they don't duel often enough to be really formidable."

"That's a pretty modest answer for a Ghoul," said Yugi.

I agree, replied Other Yugi. If he were trying to deceive us, he'd probably say that "he was strong" instead of just saying "they were weak". Also…though I sense a lot of evil in him, I don't sense bad intent from him.

Anzu, on the other hand, was unconvinced. "Marik tricked us exactly the same way," she reminded. "How do we know you aren't just lulling us into false security?"

Loki shrugged. "You don't. If you choose not to trust me, that's your own business." He turned his back. "Well then, goodbye, Yugi-sama. I hope when you regain your memories, you're pleased with what you find."

He only took a few steps when Shizuka said, "Wait, Loki-kun!"

"…Yes?"

Shizuka took a few seconds to gather the courage to give her proposal. "Are you really strong?"

"Compared to whom?"

"…I want you to duel Yugi-kun, please."

"What?" he asked along with Other Yugi.

"I…I want to see your strength so…please challenge Yugi-kun; and Yugi-kun, please accept his challenge."

Loki turned away. I may be able to hold my own against the Nameless Pharaoh, but I can't actually beat him! Why am I even considering this?

With a smile, Other Yugi thought, It looks like we have no choice, Partner.

"There's no harm in a duel," agreed Yugi. "Let me take over, please."

Loki sensed the flux of energy from his opponent. It's Mutou Yugi that's in charge now. I may stand a chance if I strike hard and fast enough. Taking a deep breath to compose himself, Loki turned to Yugi. "Mutou Yugi…I challenge you."

"I accept your duel," answered Yugi.

"Show me the power that defeated three gods."

They primed their Duel Disks. "Duel!"

[4000] [4000]

[Mutou Yugi] [Loki Admin]

(Magic Darkness) (Way of the Intercepting Card)

"I'll start," said Loki. "Draw! I'll set three cards. Turn end."

"My turn, draw! I summon Obnoxious Celtic Guard (4/1400/1200) in attack mode! Celtic Guard, direct attack!"

"Launch Trap, Dimension Wall: the damage I take from this attack will be given to you!" Celtic Guard slashed his sword into a rift, and Yugi was sliced by an invisible blade.

[2600] [4000]

"I'll set two cards," said Yugi. "Turn end."

"End Phase: Launch Continuous Trap, Spirit of Zoma!" As soon as he activated the card, it appeared in his monster zone. "When activated, Spirit of Zoma is Special Summoned as a monster (4/1800/500) in defense mode."

Yugi smiled in determination. "You're very good. I thought that since you didn't play any monsters, you were actually vulnerable."

"…Are you aware of Jeet Kune Do?"

"The Way of the Intercepting Fist?" asked Anzu.

"I've practiced this art for many years – I'm a 2nd degree black belt as of now – and I gained new insight into Duel Monsters through this study. If I don't give any real strategy to my deck, and I primarily focus on countering and creating openings, then what I have can only be described as the Way of the Intercepting Card."

"Is this your concept of a perfect deck?" asked Yugi.

"Perfection is a limitation as well as a matter of perspective. My individual cards hold no vital significance to me, whereas you hold every card in equal importance; these attitudes are what work for us, and are what brought us to this point. Only our skill can distinguish which of us is better."

"Right."

"My turn, draw! I summon Goblin Attack Force (4/2300/0) in attack mode! I switch Zoma to attack mode! Zoma, attack Obnoxious Celtic Guard!"

"Launch Continuous Trap, Spellbinding Circle: while this trap remains on the field-"

"Chain Counter Trap, Dark Bribe: this negates your Trap, and allows you to draw a card."

[2200] [4000]

"Goblin Attack Force, direct attack!"

Yugi smirked. "Gotcha. Launch Trap, Mirror Force: it destroys all your attack position monsters!"

"What!" In a flash, his monsters were destroyed. "Clever bastard!" said Loki with a huge grin. "You suspected I'd counter the next trap you played, so you tricked me into wasting my counter on a decoy!"

"Heh."

"I hoped I could finish you before Yugi-sama came out, but now I see I'll be lucky if I last that long."

"You don't look worried."

"It's my favorite game, but it's still just a game, and I intend to enjoy every second of it. Yes…I intend to inflict as much pain as I can, until I lose."

Yugi and the Other Yugi exchanged a nod, and they switched control. "Alright, Loki-kun," said Other Yugi. "I'll be your opponent."

"Is that so? I do hope this fight doesn't end too quickly. Turn end."

"My turn, draw! I send my Magnet Warriors Alpha, Beta, and Gamma to the Graveyard to Special Summon Valkyrion the Magna Warrior (8/3500/3850) in attack mode! By my monster's effect, I sacrifice him to Special Summon Alpha (4/1400/1700), Beta (4/1700/1600), and Gamma (4/1500/1800) from my Graveyard!"

"Ooh! That's 4600 ATK!"

"Alpha, direct attack!"

[2200] [2600]

"Beta, direct attack!"

"By the effect of Kuriboh," countered Loki, "I discard him from my hand to reduce the damage from this attack to zero!" A wall of Kuribohs appeared and blocked the attack.

"Nice block. Gamma, direct attack!"

[2200] [1100]

"Turn end."

"My turn, draw! Because you control monsters and I don't, I Special Summon Cyber Dragon (5/2100/1000) in attack mode! Launch Spell, Riryoku: I reduce the ATK of your Magnet Warrior Beta by half, and then add that amount to Cyber Dragon!" The ATK of Beta became 850, and Cyber Dragon became 2950. "Cyber Dragon, destroy his Beta: Evolution Burst!"

[100] [1100]

Loki breathed heavily. "It's such a wonderful feeling…you're clearly my superior…but you've taken so much damage! If I find out you're holding back, I'll die from shame!"

"I'm not holding back," promised Other Yugi. "I'm giving my all."

"…Yes, I see it now. You appear to be on the defensive, yet you intend to end this with your next move. …I set one card. Turn end." My Rush Recklessly…it'll increase a monster's ATK by 700.

"My turn, draw! Launch Spell, Pot of Greed: I draw 2 cards. I sacrifice my monsters to summon Dark Magician (7/2500/2100) in attack mode!"

"Your trump!" squealed Loki.

"Launch Spell, Thousand Knives: with Dark Magician on the field, I can destroy one monster you control!" Knives rained from the sky and tore Cyber Dragon to shreds. "Dark Magician, direct attack: Black Magic!"

Loki raised his hand in the air. "Launch Quick-Play Spell, Rush Recklessly: I increase the ATK of Dark Magician by 700!"

"My monster?"

"I cannot stop your attack, so I'll take it head-on; whenever I lose, I come back stronger, and the bigger the fall, the greater the recovery." Loki threw his arms to his sides. "I embrace this defeat, and vow that your victory will not come so easily next time!"

"I can't wait!"

[100] [0]

Loki fell to his knees. "Brilliant." Then he keeled over and hacked up blood.

"Loki-kun!" cried Yugi as he took over.

"I'll call an ambulance!" said Anzu.

"No!" barked Loki. "No…it looks worse than it is." He wiped his mouth with his shirt and stood up. "It's a bit of a curse I received while hunting the Egyptian God Cards; exerting myself in a duel triggers it, but it's not fatal."

"Well, that's good," Yugi said, worriedly. "If you're sure it's ok."

"No problem. In any case, did you enjoy my duel?"

"Yeah, I really enjoyed myself; so did my Other Self."

Shizuka cleared her throat. "I can tell you're a great duelist, Loki-kun, so…I want to be your student. Teach me to duel!"

"Huh?" asked Loki.

"You want to become a duelist?" asked Yugi.

Anzu crossed her arms. "He seems ok, but isn't just going off with some guy you just met a little…reckless?"

Shizuka held her hands before her. "I know it's strange, but…I can't help but remember that duel in Noah's world, when I fought to save Honda-kun who risked his life for me. I don't want my friends to have to save me anymore. Also…it felt right to fight for my friends."

"Pretty speech," said Loki. "But training a duelist would be a waste of time."

"What?"

"I don't help others unless it benefits me. Nothing personal: I'm just a greedy bastard."

"It's ok, Shizuka-kun," said Yugi. "I'm sure Grandpa would like to take on a new protégé. He trained Jonouchi-kun, after all."

"No," Shizuka defiantly answered. "If I train the same way as Big Brother Katsuya, I can only end up as strong as he is, at best. I think Loki can take me beyond that."

"Too bad you'll never know," said Loki as he began to walk away.

"I won't take 'no' for an answer."

"You have no choice in the matter. No, no, and no."

"You won't be rid of me that easily."

"But I'll be rid of you just the same." She grabbed his arm. "Don't think I won't forcefully remove you."

"I'm not letting go until you agree to teach me."

He responded by pushing her to the ground. "I've had enough of this nonsense."

Growing more anxious by the second, Shizuka hopped up and said, "Teach me."

"Fuck off."

"Teach me."

"Go away."

"Teach me."

"No."

"Teach me."

"No."

"Teach me."

"No."

"Teach me."

"No!"

"Teach me."

"No, no, no!"

"Teach me."

Loki suddenly turned around and grabbed her by the lapel. "IF I AGREE, WILL YOU KEEP YOUR FUCKING MOUTH SHUT FOR THE REST OF THE DAY!"

"…Yes."

He immediately released her and stumbled away. "Give me a moment to try and spin this in a way that this'll benefit me."

Yugi walked over to Shizuka and whispered, "It's not too late to change your mind. Look, I'll teach you; he's good, but I don't think he's stable."

"I don't mind," said Shizuka. "That'll be part of the journey."

If I teach her, Loki thought, it'll safeguard my knowledge. I've been a bit too daring in my past, and I need at least something to leave behind before I kill myself in some stupid way. Composed, Loki stood up and said, "I'll teach you if you agree to the following."

"Yes?"

"Firstly, I am not your friend, I am your teacher. Once I believe you've learned all I can teach you, we'll only be rivals at best. Secondly, I won't allow you to abandon your training, unless you defeat me in a duel. And thirdly, you'll receive the training of hell, not unlike that which I received. Even now, I'm repressing memories of my horrible training. This…is your last chance to come to your senses and retract your apprenticeship."

"I won't fail, Loki-sensei."

"…'Loki-sensei', huh?" Loki gave a smirk. "Alright, I'll teach you. Where do you live?"

"Azamawa."

"Alright, I'll find an apartment in Azamawa to make things more convenient."

As the two of them walked off, Anzu asked, "Shizuka as a duelist? Is that possible?"

"Why not?" replied Yugi. "You didn't completely believe Jonouchi-kun would make it to the Duelist Kingdom finals, but he did."

"I like this prospect," said Other Yugi with a smile. "I wonder if Shizuka will really be strong. Maybe there's no rush to recover my memories so soon."

End Chapter

If you're familiar with my stories, you've probably concluded that this story will feel very different from my normal style. This is a re-imagining of the Loki Admin character, so forget your normal feelings towards the one you're familiar with. R&R.