Author Notes:

Forgot to mention the time setting for Zexal.

This fanfic holds true for subbed episodes following Zexal episode 24 but with no mention of the WDC. (Mostly for dueling purposes)

Disclaimer in Ch. 1

Reminder: Thoughts are in Italics

The streets of Heartland offered a variety of shopping plazas for the two to search. Local people were helpful enough to point the two travelers in the direction of a parts and supplies store. Although it was a tiny corner store, Yusei was hopeful.

"Well this looks promising!" said Jaden. He gave his mechanic friend a friendly shoulder pat. Jaden noted that Yusei looked pleased with what the shop's shelves held. "Well I'll check over on this side and you check that side." The brown-haired duelist went to his suggested area of the store before thinking, Then again, what parts am I looking for?

On his side of the store, Jaden spied something that piqued his curiosity. Steel gray eyepieces with mismatched colored lenses filled a shelving unit in the store's corner. Jaden had seen a youth outside earlier with on of these on. What were these-

"You interested in a D-Gazer Sonny?" a voice startled Jaden from his right.

"D-What?" Jaden swiveled quickly only to come face to face with nothing.

"You're quite a joker Sonny boy. Don't tell me you don't duel!" answered the same voice.

This time Jaden focused on where the voice came from. All he had to do was look down. It came from the tiniest old man Jaden had ever seen. He eyed the little man and recovered from his shock.

"Of course I duel," Jaden answered, "I'm going to be the next King of Games!"

"Oh, and the newest King of Games doesn't know what a D-Gazer is?" The old man didn't seem to believe Jaden in the slightest. "Well go ahead and put one of those on Sonny. That way you'll learn for yourself."

"The name's Jaden, not Sonny," replied the tall youth. He slipped a red and gray eyepiece on and immediately the world around him transformed. Every wall was lined with Augmented Reality labels and, for a brief time, the room adjusted to a different color hue.

"Now if you've got yourself a Duel Disk, and I really hope you do Mr. Next King of Games, test out a card." The old man was shocked to find the youth in front of him pull a dated red disk out of his pack; the color matched the red jacket he had on.

After setting his deck in the holder, the youth pulled a random card and smiled.

"I summon Winged Kuriboh!" announced Jaden. The white-winged furball took to the skies around the shop. "You look more lively than usual partner!" replied the boy to the monster.

"That is the power of the D-Gazer Sonny," replied the shop master. "In this new space the monsters really do come to life."

All the while, Yusei watched the excitement from the other end of the shop. He had located another shelf of the eyepieces and had slipped one on to watch the old man's lesson. Although impressed, other store products interested Yusei; they included potential suspension parts.

Winged Kuriboh circled Jaden and let out a happy "Kuri-Kuri!" It took Jaden only a couple seconds to decide what to do next.

"I'll take the D-whatever Old Man. Oh and do you happen to know where people go to duel around here?"

The shop's miniature owner looked absolutely delighted. "Of course Sonny, you'll probably find numerous people in Heartland Park at this time of day."

"Sweet!" yelled Jaden as he ran toward the door. "Yusei! I'll meet up with you later!"

"Wait, Jaden-" Yusei tried to reply but his energetic traveling companion was long gone. Suddenly, the shop was dead quiet.

"Now what can I help you with Sonny?" asked a familiar voice to Yusei's right. The young man sighed. He'd finish collecting the parts he needed and then go find Jaden.

Author's Notes:

Jaden's on the loose and things are going to get crazy.

Thanks for reading,

Next chapter coming soon.