Note: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or anything that deals with it. I hope all who reads this story of mine can enjoy my writing style and this story. I wrote it in this dialogue since it is easier on me to describe the various duels that will take place. Also, the main character's deck is based upon my very own deck in real life that I use in tournaments as it contains a lot of very rare Japanese cards. So I suppose it'll be a treat to find out about some decent cards that the show hasn't shown. Hope you all will enjoy this.
"The Heart of the True Duelist"
Chapter 1: A New Dueling Prodigy…The "Underground Dueling League"
A year has passed since the 1st annual Battle City tournament held by Kaibi Corp had concluded with the terrible drama caused by Malick and the Rare Card Hunters. Yugi and friends have reached their senior class year at Domino High School as their friendship has stayed strong throughout the trauma. The first day of school arrives as the gang rallies at Grandpa's Game Shop in their usual school uniforms as Joey spots a familiar face walk past them.
Joey: "Huh…? Wait a minute…isn't that…? (He stares in astonishment at the young man that walked past him.)
Yugi: "What is it Joey?"
Joey: "Hey!" (He calls out to the guy.) "Is your name Lee?"
???: (He turns around to the familiar loud-mouth voice) "Joey Wheeler…it's been awhile."
Joey and Tristan: "LEE!!" (They both run over to him astonished to their surprise.)
Lee Gilford…the main character of this side story. A childhood friend of Joey and Tristan from their days of troublesome kids. Joey and Tristan seemed to have changed for the better as they share a long awaited reunion.
Lee: "Joey and Tristan…it seems the "Troubling Trio" is reunited eh?"
Joey: "You said it my man! How ya been buddy?!"
Lee: "Hmph…fine I suppose. I'm only in town for awhile though…"
Yugi: "Hi Lee. I'm Yugi…and it's a pleasure to meet you." (He extends his small hand for a handshake.)
Lee: (He turns to Yugi quietly.) The winner of Duelist Kingdom and Battle City…you're quite the star I must say…it's an honor. (He simply nods his respect to Yugi.)
Tristan: "Is that a deck I see strapped around your belt Lee…?" (A slight smirk forms across his face.) "Are you a duelist too now, Lee…?"
Lee: "…I suppose." (He looks down to the ground as he spoke his statement.)
Tea: "HEY GUYS!!!" (She runs to catch up with her friends as her eyes fall upon Lee once she arrives.)
Lee: "Are you Tea Gardner…the famous dueling cheerleader I've heard about?"
Tea: "I wouldn't know about being famous…but I always support my friends in any way I can."
Lee: "I see…" (He pats his deck as he turns away.) "I must be off…maybe I'll see you all around sometime-! (Joey runs in front of him stopping his path.)
Joey: "Not so fast tough guy!! You and I are gonna duel!!"
Lee: "I heard you couldn't win any tournaments…but you're the holder of the legendary Red-Eyes Black Dragon…is that true Joey?"
Joey: "Damn right…hey, wait! Well, I was always in the finals, so there!!!" (He clenches his fists to Lee's statement, knowing it is the truth.)
Lee: "…I suppose I have a few minutes…before my prior engagements." (He gently slides his small deck out of its crimson, velvet pouch.)
Joey runs inside and grabs Yugi's Battle City duel plate along with his, as he hands it to Lee.
Joey: "Put it on Lee…do you know how to use it?"
Lee: "Yeap…all too well. Are you ready Joey Wheeler…? If you are, then let this duel commence!"
They both shuffle and slide their decks into the deck holder and set their Life Points to 4000.
Lee: "I'll go first, so I'll draw my hand now." (He draws his hand and takes a look at his opening hand.) "Hmm…not bad, this will be over rather quickly Joey. I"ll place a monster is defense mode, and set 2 cards on the board, and end my turn." (He plays out his cards swiftly like a veteran duelist.)
Joey: "Alright, I'll draw and summon the Axe Raider in attack mode!" (He slaps the card down in attack mode as it's image forms showing it's stats.) "I'll have Axe Raider attack your defense monster-! Huh?!"
Lee: "Activate trap card! Magic Cylinders!!" (He flips up the trap card and activates it.) "The effect of Magic Cylinders will reflect one attack of my opponents back to him as direct damage to his life points…you fell right into my opening trap…just like a novice Joey."
Joey: "Damnit! I've already lost 1700 Life Points!! I end my turn Lee!"
Lee: "Fair enough. I'll draw a card of my deck and flip up my face down monster, the "Swarm of Scarab Beetles!!" (He flip summons the Scarab Beetle monster to attack position, its ATK power 500, and DEF power 1000.) "Its lovely effect is that it can instantly destroy one monster on the field as soon as it is flipped up so I'll kill off your Axe Raider!" (The swarm overtakes the Axe Raider, sending the card to the graveyard.) "Next, I'll summon the "Thunder Knight Spirit" in attack mode!" (He places the Thunder Knight Spirit on the field, its ATK 2000, and DEF 1600.) "Next, I'll have them both attack you directly for about roughly…2500 Life Points!" (The monsters attack Joey, reducing his Life Points to 0.)
Joey: "Ughhh……whoa!! I lost THAT quick!!! I've never been beaten that bad before!!" (He covers his eyes ashamed at his quick defeat.)
Lee: "Well…I'm beginning to wonder how you got to the finals at Battle City…maybe it was luck."
Joey: "Hell no! It was pure skill, and the support of all my friends that helped me win!"
Lee: "Maybe…" (He sighs, knowing that we would overcome Joey's feeble deck as he turns to Yugi.) "Yugi…can you go and get your grandfather for me? I'd like to challenge him to a duel please…"
Solomon: "That won't be necessary Yugi…I'm already here and watching this young one here."
Yugi: "Grandpa! Are you gonna give us the chance to watch the master in action?!"
Lee: "So you're Solomon Motou…I've heard a lot of you sir. You're a dueling legend, and I would like a quick duel with you sir, before I take my leave of you all."
Solomon: "I watched your duel with Joey…I must admit your skills are very sharp…but I've never heard of you before. You must be an "Underground" duelist…aren't you?"
Lee: "!!" (His eyes widen at Solomon's question in amazement.)
Yugi: "Umm…what's an "Underground" duelist Grandpa?" (A puzzled look overtakes Yugi's features.)
Solomon: "It's a duelist who duels only for riches and pride in a system of underground dueling tournaments held in different cities…I've heard that there is supposed to be one held here in Domino City soon…and very few people know about it since you have to know someone dueling in the tournament to get inside."
Lee: "You are wise Mr. Motou…yes, I'm an "Underground" duelist…and this tournament is tomorrow night. I'm here in Domino to compete in it for the prize money of 500,000 dollars."
Tristan: "Whoa! Talk about cash baby!! Hey Lee, can we all come and see?!"
Lee: "No spectators are allowed…only duelists that have paid to enter can compete."
Joey: "Well, I'll enter, to prove that I've got what it takes to be a true duelist, and to get my rematch against you Lee!! No one will defeat me like that!!"
Lee: "Hmph…do what you want Joey, but I won't hold back against anyone…including you in the tournament. I've come here to win that money and head off for the next challenge…." (He looks at his watch as he takes off the Duel Gauntlet and hands it to Yugi.) "I'll duel you and your grandfather and win, the next time we meet so be prepared…if you wish to enter this tournament, the entrance to it is at the abandoned Domino Power Plant tomorrow night…if you wish to see what you're truly made of, then I suppose I'll see you there. ( He reaches into his pocket, and takes out 3 badges and places them in Yugi's palm.) "Use these badges for each of you to get you access to the underground arena and you'll see a new world of duel monsters tomorrow night…prepare your decks gentleman…I'll see you all tomorrow night I hope. (He turns and heads off, waving back to Joey and his friends as he runs off into the distance.)
Yugi: (He looks down at the badge as it says "Rookie UG Duelist" on it.) The "Underground Dueling League"…I have a feeling this is the beginning of a new adventure…and I'll show Lee and all of those other duelists who is the REAL King of Games…
Joey: "Ain't it da truth Yug'! He'll feel the power of me and Red-Eyes! For sure!!! We'll turn that place inside out when we're done!
That's the end of the 1st chapter. Please review and tell me what you think. Thanks!