Zac walked out of the General Games Store, his new treasure cradled by searching hands. The bell tinkled as the door swung shut behind him. The short brunette turned left and headed down the walkway for about twenty feet, then sat himself down at an empty bus stop bench. He turned over the shiny pack of cards in his hands, examining the back and the front.

'Eve of Destruction' was printed in gold letters at the bottom, just above 'Duel Monsters' and trademark.

Above the title was a brilliant white dragon with shimmering sapphire wings. Zac loved Duel Monsters cards and he loved the holographic duel disks and he loved basically everything about the game. He didn't even mind loosing that much as long as it was a good game. Unable to contain his excitement any longer, he tore open the packet.

His booster pack contained four spells, two effect monsters and - as Zac was happy to see - a trap card. He found two of the spells very useful and decided he'd add them to his deck with his trap card when he got home. None of the normal monster cards fit in with his theme of deck. He did like one of the effect monster cards: it was weak, just the kind of card people would underestimate.

However, Kurisu had taught Zac how to play Duel Monsters better than that. He knew that the little cards could be just as important as the bigger ones when creating a deck.

'Eve of Destruction' was the newest set of cards released to celebrate the beginning of the new Duel Monsters card tournament. When Zac was younger he used to watch the card tournaments on TV and dreamed of being able to be in one. His two best friends Samual and Ammonia also loved the game. All three of them played, but as of yet none of them had ever been in a tournament before. Kurisu had fallen in love with the game a few thousand years ago, and had watched it develop over the millenniums into what it was today.

Kurisu had taught Zac personally and made him strong.

Samual had a better feel for the game though, and was good at strategy and attack. Ammonia's parents were wealthy enough to get her strong cards, but also her skills at arithmetic made her a good duelist. Plus with all of their training Zac was sure they'd do great in a competition.

Unfortunately, Samual's family hadn't the money for him to enter, Ammonia's parents wouldn't want their daughter to spend time on a card tournament instead of her studies, and Kurisu was...superstitious. He'd told Zac how Duel Monsters had once been a game of terrible evil where people could wager their souls and get sent to a realm of darkness for eternity. These were called 'Shadow Games'.

Kurisu knew that Shadow Games had died out a millennium ago, but still feared that a large competition could attract those who had the powerful items and could cast a Shadow Game. Zac walked home.

"Hello hello," Kurisu loomed around the corner, much like a shadow, as soon as Zac walked through the door. His guardian was very tall, dressed in his typical black cloak and hood.

"Hey Kurisu." Zac greeted. "I got some new cards."

"Good." He said in a way that made Zac suspicious.

"What is it?"

"I just need you to sign a form." Kurisu held out a paper slip.

Zac warily took the paper and read it to make sure he wasn't agreeing to another appointment at the dentist. Then his eyes almost popped out of his skull.

"This is- this is..."

"Yes," Kurisu said, nodding. "An entry form for the new Eve of Destruction Duel Masters card tournament!"

Zac gaped. Until now Kurisu had been absolutely adamant on not letting Zac attend. Only a few months ago Zac had finally been allowed to go to a public school where he'd met his first friend, Samual.

"I don't understand. I thought you said it would be too risky?"

"I did," Kurisu admitted. "Until I became head security and top guy in charge of overseeing the new card tournament."

"Wow!" Zac said, but then his face fell. "But my friends, Samual and Ammonia. I don't think I could do it without them."

"Not to worry, Zac. I've called both of your friends' parents and have arranged to pay for them. I have enough money after all, so its not a problem."

"Thank you, Kurisu! Thank you!" Zac jumped and hugged him. His guardian laughed.

"Consider it an early Christmas present. Now you will need this." Kurisu handed Zac a rule-book. Zac stared at it.

"But I already know the rules?" He said, confused.

"Every tournament has its own slightly varying rules." Kurisu explained. "There is also a forbidden, limited and semi-limited cards list which means you're going to have to alter and strategize with your deck so that it fits in with the rules and guidelines."

"Sounds complicated." Zac said. Kurisu nodded again.

"This is your first tournament. So make sure you read and learn as much as possible."

"Yep!" Zac agreed and grabbed a pen from the other room. He quickly filled out his form, then went to his room and buried his face in the rule-book.

AN: This story has recently gone under editing. It has enough nostalgic value to me that I want to continue it, even after all these years. Comments or questions? Please leave a review!