Authors Note; Sorry for the hold up! I have to do a few test in college in order to make up my grades so I delayed my writing. However, that is now passed and I post more stories during the holidays! Also, if you take that I skipping the scenes too fast, I'm sorry as well. Thanks for reading!
*I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS show! I own the OC characters and cards!
Chapter 3: Battle City Start!
Yusaku and Yugi are transferred to Domino Hospital to check on their wounds. Yusaku's condition seem normal which the doctors decided to release him earlier while Yugi need to stay there for one day.
Yusaku knew himself that this place is a virtual simulation of the other world which is why he doesn't seem to have injuries. Right now, he is in Yugi's hospital room along with his friends.
(Yugi) "I appreciate for all of the help you've done for me, Yusaku-kun. Still, I'm feel bad that you got caught up in this mess."
(Yusaku) "I've told you before that this is my choice. Don't worry."
(Yugi) "Still, thank you."
(Jonouchi) "Same here! I'm Katsuya Jonouchi, a classmate and best friend of Yugi!"
(Honda) "I'm Hiroto Honda! Same thing like Jonouchi here! Nice to meet ya!"
(Anzu) "I'm Anzu Mazaki and I'm really thankful for you helping Yugi earlier!"
(Yusaku) "Yusaku Fujiki. Nice to meet you all."
The gang give their greetings to Yusaku who does the same as the topic has been shifted about the Millennium Puzzle.
(Yusaku) "I'm still impressed that you managed to complete the Puzzle in that fire."
(Yugi) "Me too. It took me eight years to put the Millennium Puzzle together the first time. This time I did it in no time at all. It's as if my other self was helping me put together the puzzle."
(Jonouchi) "I see."
(Yusaku) "You keeping talking about your other self. What do you mean by that?"
(Yugi) "Oh! I forgot to mention this earlier to you when we got interrupted and that fire has started. In the Millennium Puzzle, there is another soul in this item that duels in my place."
(Yusaku) "Another soul?"
(Yugi) "Yeah, it sounded unbelievable but it is the truth. He came out when I finished putting together the Millennium Puzzle a while back…"
Yugi explaining about his other self to Yusaku who listening carefully. The other Yugi is the real "King of Duelists" and the cause of Yugi's success. He came from the Millennium Puzzle when Yugi finished it and takes over whenever he's in his duels. He helped him and his friends out of their predicaments many times in Duelist Kingdom and other times.
(Yusaku) "That is really unbelievable story…"
(Yugi) "Yeah, I know it sound weird but it's all true."
(Jonouchi) "I can vouch for that! You see, I'm also a duelist and the other Yugi's number one rival!"
(Honda) "Wouldn't that be number two? Kaiba beat you for the spot for Yugi's top rival."
(Jonouchi) "Shut it, Honda!"
(Yusaku) "However, I think I believe that your story might be real… The true is, back then I heard an unknown voice telling me what to do in that incident earlier. That must have been the other Yugi you've mentioned."
(Jonouchi) "See! I knew the other Yugi would figure things out! He is real and also our friend as well!"
(Honda) "Yeah! But I thought you guys were gonners when we found you."
(Yugi) "Thank you, guys too! You both saved my life as well!"
(Honda) "It's no big deal."
(Jonouchi) "It's something anyone would do."
(Anzu) "I'll go get us something to drink."
(Yugi) "Thanks, Anzu!"
Anzu offer the gang for some drinks as she gets out of the room. Yusaku noticed that her behavior seemed to bit off when Jonouchi ask something to Yusaku.
(Jonouchi) "Yusaku, I heard from Yugi that you take his place to duel against that creep Keith."
(Yusaku) "Yeah, that's right."
(Jonouchi) "Then you won't mind that I face you here right now?"
(Yusaku) "You and me in a duel?"
(Jonouchi) "Yeah! I wanna give you a warm welcome duel for visiting Domino City and see how strong you are as a duelist."
Jonouchi challenge Yusaku in a duel as he show off his deck while the latter is perplexed about it.
Five minutes later-
(Jonouchi) "Gaahh! I lost!"
Jonouchi threw his cards in frustration as he easily lose against Yusaku three times in a row. Yugi and Honda have wry expressions towards their friend while Yusaku seem indifferent about it.
(Jonouchi) "I can't believe that I lost so easily again! This deck helps me get through in Duelist Kingdom. Why am I so unlucky…?"
(Yusaku) "I can think of some reasons of why you've lost. #1: Your deck is unbalance which causes too many holes in your strategies. #2: You rely too much on your luck and didn't depend much on your skills. #3: You are overconfident on your past victories that you've been neglected improving your deck."
(Jonouchi) "Wha-?!"
Jonouchi was taken back and turned speechless due to Yusaku stating out those three facts about him as Honda laughs at this.
(Honda) "Ha Ha Ha! He has gotten you there, Jonouchi! Yusaku spoken out your three main bad points!"
(Jonouchi) "Whaaaat! What do you mean my three main bad points?!"
(Honda) "What the hell?! Ain't it true?!"
(Jonouchi) "Why you-!"
(Yugi) "Stop fighting in a hospital, you two."
Yugi tries to warn the two as Jonouchi start to pick a fight with Honda which led to their usual bickering. Anzu then enters the room with drinks and saw the usual commotion between those two which led to her asking what the cause of the argument. Honda delightedly summarize what happened between Jonouchi and Yusaku which Anzu laughs as well as Jonouchi delivers a grapple hook to Honda in anger. Eventually, Yugi joins in the laughter as Yusaku saw the close bond between those four.
(Yusaku) Friends, huh…
After saying his goodbyes to Yugi's group, Yusaku left the hospital and walking through the streets of Domino City. The city's scenery is just like Den City as Ai came out and start teasing Yusaku about his reactions from earlier.
(Ai) "What's wrong? Your face look a bit sulky than usual. Could it be that you're jealous of their friendship earlier, huh?"
(Yusaku) "I prefer that you stay silent along the way."
(Ai) "How cold. Just what I expected from you. Well, even you don't have many friends, you still got me!"
(Yusaku) "I've told you before that there's no friendship between us. I don't need warmth from people."
(Ai) "Aaw! I also expected of you saying that. You're still colder than an AI. Anyway, looks like our objective of gaining the trust of our target is a success. Now what?"
(Yusaku) "We have to wait for something happen in this world and join Yugi on his adventures."
(Ai) "Eh?! Then where we will stay before that happens?"
(Yusaku) "We have to find a place ourselves."
(Ai) "Why did I figured you would say that... Hm?"
Ai became dejected when hearing his owner's word before noticing a small light flashing on the Duel Disk.
(Ai) "What this?"
(Yusaku) "What's wrong?"
(Ai) "There's a beeping light coming out from your disk. Could it be from Mysterio?"
(Yusaku) "Maybe. He shows up when we don't know where to find our target."
Yusaku stated as he has Ai to check on the flashing light which a digital key appears in front of them.
(Ai) "What this? A key?"
(Yusaku) "A gift from Mysterio perhaps, but for what… Wait a minute."
Yusaku grabs the key and insert it to one of the doors of the stores near him when he heard a click sound which indicates it was open. Then he enters where he find himself a white chamber with a bed on the side and a table in the middle. There's also a clock which indicates the time.
(Ai) "Whoa! What is this place?"
(Yusaku) "Something that our accomplice left for us."
(Unknown Voice) "Welcome to the Chamber of History. I'm been waiting for you."
Yusaku turns to the voice where he find someone sitting on a chair while having tea. The person is dress up like a butler with a golden mask on his face. On the right side has a clock symbol in place of the right eye as the mysterious person gets up after putting his tea down.
(Ai) "Huh?! Who are you?"
(Axl) "Pardon my late introduction. My name is Axl, an AI designed by my creator, Master Mysterio. On my creator's order, I'm here to assist and guide you through the archives of the Akashic Records."
(Ai) "Our own butler, huh? How classy of that weirdo."
(Yusaku) "Then can you tell me what this place is? And how will you help me?"
(Axl) "Certainly. This is the Chamber of History where it is separates and isolate both of you from the timeline of that world."
(Ai) "Wait! You can see and hear me?"
(Axl) "Of course, Mister Ai. I'm not part of the Akashic Records so it is natural."
(Ai) "Oh, I see!"
(Yusaku) "What do you meant by 'separate and isolate me'?"
(Axl) "This chamber existed in a separate digital space in the Akashic Records where time doesn't flow here. Here, you can move to the next event with little time to spare."
(Yusaku) "Move to the next event?"
(Axl) "My creator has little patiences so that's why he created me and this chamber to help you keep things forward. It also serves a resting place for you and your little companion. Think of this as a 'save point' for your travels."
(Ai) "With all of this stuff, it makes you feel like you're in a game."
(Yusaku) "How did we move forward?"
(Axl) "I'll explain that in the meantime. I'll give you a few tips about this world in order to avoid suspicious."
(Ai) "A tip, huh? This really is feels like a game!"
Axl tells Yusaku about a few things about the world he is currently in. Next, he shows Yusaku of how to move to the next event by lifting his hand which has an orb on it when it starts to glow. Soon, there's trembling in the Chamber of History as Yusaku and Ai were startled by it until the shaking has stopped.
(Axl) "There we are at the next scene. Go outside and take a look. This will serve as an example of its power. Oh, I almost forgot! I'll signal on your Duel Disk to return to the chamber when you're done with the event or a save on your adventures."
(Yusaku) "Understood."
After nodding to Axl's word, Yusaku gets out into the streets of Domino City and the door behind him shuts itself. He tries to open it where he saw a different inside. He realized that Axl will open the chamber for him when he is ready so he decided to look around his surroundings until he saw Yugi and his friends in casual clothing coming to his way. They appear to be shopping as Jonouchi and Yugi carrying plastic shopping bags as Yugi noticed Yusaku.
(Yugi) "Yusaku-kun! Nice to see you here!"
(Yusaku) "Yugi! You've already out from the hospital?"
(Jonouchi) "What are you talking about? Yugi gotten out from the hospital a few days ago."
(Yusaku) A few days? So what Axl says is true.
(Yugi) "Yusaku-kun? What's wrong?"
(Yusaku) "It's nothing. What are you guys doing out here this late?"
(Anzu) "Yugi and Jonouchi are getting their Duel Disks for the upcoming Battle City Tournament."
(Yusaku) "Battle City?"
(Honda) "What? You didn't hear the news?"
(Yusaku) "I was kinda busy in the past few days so I didn't keep track on the latest news."
(Yugi) "Well, you see-"
Yugi is explaining to Yusaku about the tournament happening in Domino City. Battle City is a Duel Monsters tournament hosted by Seto Kaiba, the owner and CEO of the world's largest multinational gaming conglomerate, Kaiba Corporation. Yusaku remembered the facts about the organization from Axl as Yugi also explain that duelists need a Duel Disks in order to enter the tournament which is why they were out here in the first place.
(Yusaku) "I get it. I'm surprised that the event is happening here in this city."
(Jonouchi) "I know, right?! That Kaiba...! He also didn't invite me, the number 2 at the Duelist Kingdom! Well, I'll show him who's the best when I win first place!"
(Yusaku) "Seem like you guys have a history with the CEO."
(Yugi) "Yeah, we have a few clashes with him in the past."
Yugi tells Yusaku about their first encounter with Seto Kaiba when the latter stole his grandfather's card and Yugi beat him for it which started a rivalry between them. Their next encounter is during the Duelist Kingdom where he tries to get his little brother, Mokuba and his company back from Pegasu.
(Yusaku) "Sounds to me that he is a troublesome fellow."
(Honda) "You bet he is! We have a few troubles because of him!"
(Anzu) "But he is a strong duelist. Yugi have a hard time beating him each time in their duels."
(Yugi) "Hm? Yusaku-kun, you also have a Duel Disk on your arm."
(Yusaku) "This is given to me from an acquaintance that I know of. I didn't know before that it is made for this tournament."
(Yugi) "Does that mean you'll entering it as well?"
(Yusaku) "Who knows. Maybe I'll give it a try."
(Yugi) "Great! I can't wait for us to meet at the finals!"
(Jonouchi) "Geh?!"
Yugi is excited about Yusaku joining the Battle City Tournament while Jonouchi freaks out a little about realizing his chances of making the spot of the finals.
After a short conversation, the gang say their goodbyes to Yusaku
as Jonouchi went to the hospital where his sister, Shizuka Kawai, is having an operation while his three friends went in the different direction.
(Ai) "Yusaku, are you really going to enter this tournament?"
(Yusaku) "I'm not entering for real since I'm not from around here. It was an excuse to avoid suspicious from Yugi and the others."
(Ai) "But you still going to hang out during that time, right?"
(Yusaku) "Of course. This must be one of the events needed for us to pass through."
(Ai) "I see!"
(Yusaku) "Battle City, huh? I have a feeling this tournament will not be simple."
After saying that, Yusaku then noticed the signal from his Duel Disk which means that Axl is calling him as he head back to the Chamber of History.
The next day, Yusaku is crossing the streets where he saw many duelists roaming around the area. Some duelists glares at him when they saw his disk which disturbing Ai about this much hostility.
(Ai) "Ugh. Their staring are giving me the creeps."
(Yusaku) "This city has become a battlefield for the duelist so it is naturally for them to act that way."
(Ai) "Whatever. Let's keep finding our target. He is near around here."
Yusaku keep searching for Yugi for a while until he found him near a kid's playground. It appears that Yugi is looking for something before he saw Yusaku coming.
(Yugi) "Hello, Yusaku-kun! Are you ready for Battle City to start?"
(Yusaku) "Sort of. What are you doing, Yugi? Looks like you're searching for something."
(Yugi) "I'm looking for the starting point where the tournament can begin. This place is where the map has located. Looks at this."
Yugi show a clear card with a prismatic coating containing a small portion of a map to Yusaku. It appears that this is a map of Domino City.
(Yusaku) "What is this card?"
(Yugi) "I don't know. It came along with the Duel Disk and I follow the directions."
(Yusaku) "But this place doesn't seem a right setting for a duel."
(Yugi) "Kaiba-kun should broadcast the starting ceremony soon."
(Unknown Male) "My fellow duelists, welcome to the Battle City!"
Both of them were shocked to hear that voice when a blimp flies over the city. Yugi went up the roof with Yusaku following behind him as they saw a man's face on the blimp's TV screen. The man has brown hair and his outfit is consists of a long white sleeveless KaibaCorp-designed coat featuring shoulder pads and a raised studded collar, with black sleeves from his shirt coming out from under. He has extra belts in pairs strapped around his upper arms and shins.
(Yugi) "Kaiba-kun!"
(Yusaku) "So that man is Seto Kaiba."
(Kaiba) "I will now explain the contest rules. Those who came here are all chosen by Kaiba Corporation, as Level 5 or higher duelists. The Duel Disks on your arms are proof of that."
(Yusaku) "Level 5 or higher duelists?"
(Yugi) "There's actually a grading system for the duelists when we first buy these. They have this in order to distinguishes duelists of their skills for the upcoming tournament."
(Yusaku) "I see. That way, they only select the best duelists to participate."
Yusaku understood Kaiba's system as the CEO continues to explain the rules. Domino City has become a stage for the duelists and they must play with a deck of at least forty cards, with at least one rare card in it. They will play an Ante Rule where the winner will take the loser's rare card. Also, there will be only eight duelists in the finals and its location is unknown even to Kaiba. The only way to receive information of the location is the Puzzle Cards that each participant's possesses and same like the Ante Rule, the winner of a duel was entitled to take one Puzzle Card from their opponent. Only collect six of them will revealed to the location of the finals.
(Yusaku) "I see. So that card in Yugi's hand is the key to the finals."
(Kaiba) "Now, the Battle City will begin! Duelists! Scatter across the city and locate your enemies!"
Kaiba announced the the start of the tournament as the participants shouted out in excitement.
(Ai) "That Kaiba guy. He sounds very arrogant and prideful, which is going to be a pain if we went up against him."
(Yusaku) "Yeah, but he's also seem very confident of his chances."
(Ai) "Anyway, this tournament is going to be a blast!"
(Yugi) "Alright! I can't let my guard down! Hm?"
(Yusaku) "What's wrong, Yugi?"
(Yugi) "It's Jonouchi-kun! He's over there!"
Yusaku look at Yugi's direction where they find Jonouchi is walking angrily towards the man at the cafe. Both of them headed down towards the cafe where they met up with Jonouchi.
(Yugi) "Jonouchi-kun."
(Jonouchi) "Yugi! Yusaku!"
(Yusaku) "What's the matter?"
(Jonouchi) "This bastard is one of the Ghouls! And he stole my Red-Eyes!"
(Yusaku) "Ghouls?"
(Yugi) "A dark syndicate of rogue duelists and card thieves! They are also known as Rare Hunters and they collect rare cards from around the world through any means!"
(Yusaku) Kinda sound like the Knights of Hanoi.
Yusaku thinks of that as he stared at the Ghoul member. The man has gray hair and snake-like eyes as he grins at Yugi. Jonouchi steps up in front of them as he wants to confront the Ghoul member himself.
(Jonouchi) "Yugi! Yusaku! Don't try and fight this bastard!"
(RH #1) "Oh? So you want to fight me once more? Even though you already lost your Red-Eyes from your deck?"
(Jonouchi) "Grr!"
(RH #1) "But I'm afraid without rare cards, I no longer have any interest in you! Yugi Mutou! You'll be my opponent!"
(Jonouchi) "Wait! This is my problem!"
(Yugi) "No, I accept this duel."
(Jonouchi) "Yugi!"
Jonouchi and even Yusaku look at Yugi when his Millennium Puzzle starts to glow. Yusaku is the only one who have noticed this as he is shocked at this strange phenomenon.
(Yusaku) "Yugi?"
(Yugi) "Duelists put their lives into their cards! Those who try to steal them…"
The light from the puzzle glows brighter as Yugi's expression and atmosphere has changed. Yugi now has a more mature appearance and his eyes are narrower with a more intense, determined gaze. Yusaku is shocked at his transformation as Yugi speaks in a more sterner voice.
(Yami Yugi) "I won't forgive them! Garbage like you is a disgrace to the city! I'll clean you up right now!"
(Yusaku) "So this is the other Yugi…!"
(Ai) "Yusaku! The Chronicle Factor's signal is getting stronger!"
(Yusaku) "As I thought, he is our real target."
(Jonouchi) "Yugi. They'll do anything to win. They're gathered hundreds of powerful cards and bootlegged rare ones to make their decks! In his deck-"
Jonouchi stop speaking when Yugi put up his hand towards him.
(Yami Yugi) "Don't say another word about it, Jonouchi-kun!"
(Jonouchi) "But...I…"
(Yami Yugi) "No matter what cheap tricks the opponent uses, I have no right to know the enemy's strategy before the game!"
(Yusaku) "Are you sure about that?"
(Yami Yugi) "Don't worry about it, Yusaku-kun. I'm very confident on my skills as a duelist."
(Yusaku) "Understood."
(Yami Yugi) "Rare Hunter! Use your strongest tactics on me. My deck will crush you into oblivion!"
(Jonouchi) "Yugi…"
(RH #1) "Heh heh heh! I admit I like guys with high fighting spirit and confidence like you, but that's all useless in a duel! I'm going to teach you that your worthless talk of justice means absolutely nothing in front of us Ghouls! All that awaits you is the despair of losing your rare card and falling into the pit of darkness!"
(Yami Yugi) "Well now, is that so?"
Both duelists are getting ready to duel as they stand their positions and activate their Duel Disks. While they are dueling, Yusaku ask Jonouchi about his relation of that Rare Hunter.
(Yusaku) "Jonouchi, what happened back there? You said something about him stolen your Red-Eyes."
(Jonouchi) "Yeah, it is an embarrassment of my pride as a duelist!"
Jonouchi tells Yusaku of how he lost his rare card from that Rare Hunter. It happened when Jonouchi was separated from the gang last night to go see his sister's operation. The Rare Hunter ambushed him in the alleyway, defeat him in a duel using counterfeit cards, and took away his Red-Eyes Black Dragon.
(Yusaku) "Are you sure not telling Yugi about this?"
(Jonouchi) "I want to help him, but knowing Yugi, I'm sure that he will figure out that guy's strategy."
(Ai) "I don't understand why Yugi decided not taking his friend's advice."
(Yusaku) "It must be his pride as a duelist."
(Ai) "Huh? Pride?"
(Yusaku) "You won't understand about it."
After done whispering to Ai, Yusaku watches the duel as Yugi finished his turn by setting two cards and summon one monster. The non-duelist crowd were impressed by the Solid Vision as Yugi's opponent only draws more cards and set up his defense monster before ending his turn. Yugi then summon both Baphomet and Phantom Beast King Gazelle before activating his set card.
(Yami Yugi) "I activate the Spell Card, Fusion! I fuse Baphomet and Gazelle together to summon the Fusion monster, Chimera the Flying Mythical Beast!"
(Ai) "Fusion Summon? What's that?"
(Yusaku) "It is a summoning method where you can fuse two or more monsters in order to summon a powerful one from the Extra Deck. It depends on the requirement about the materials for different Fusion monsters and you usually need a 'Fusion' Spell Card in order to work, but there are different ways to Fusion Summon without it."
(Ai) "Heh. Neat."
Yugi Fusion Summoned a chimera that was formed by his two monsters earlier. It has wings from Baphomet and has two heads which one of them have horns. The Battle City's Rule states that Fusion monsters cannot attack on the turn it was summoned so Yugi ends his turn by setting his card. His opponent then use the Spell Card, Graceful Charity, to draw and change his cards again. He also set more defense monsters to strengthen his wall.
(Yusaku) "It's weird. He's only keep drawing cards while increasing his defense."
(Ai) "Guess he has bad set of cards on his hand."
(Yusaku) "Or maybe he is gathering the cards in his hand for something."
(Ai) "For what?"
(Yusaku) "I don't know, but it is definitely not a simple strategy."
(Jonouchi) "Yugi! There's no need to fight him anymore! This duel is being rigged by that Ghoul from the start!"
(Yami Yugi) "That's where you're wrong, Jonouchi-kun. I will continue fighting fairly until the end. To defeat him! A true duelist, no matter what the opponent is like, must not underestimate."
(Jonouchi) "Yugi…"
(Yami Yugi) "Jonouchi-kun. For you, I will win."
Yugi reassures Jonouchi as he turns to his opponent and figured out his strategy.
(Yami Yugi) "I figured out your plan! I won't let you summon Exodia!"
(RH #1) "Eh?!"
(Jonouchi) "Yugi!"
(Yusaku) "Exodia?! That Rare Hunter has those cards?!"
(Ai) "What is that?"
(Yusaku) "It is a very rare set of five cards that formed together to create a powerful monster known as Exodia. Whoever assemble five cards of its parts will automatically win the duel!"
(Ai) "Eh?! Instant win?! Those cards will let you do that?!"
(Yusaku) "Yeah, but its effect will only work when you assemble them in hand or field. That Rare Hunter must have several copies to make it easier for him to win a duel."
(Ai) "Seriously?! How will our target win before that happens?"
(Yusaku) "I don't know, but Yugi must defeat him before he collects all parts of Exodia."
The duel continued before Yusaku's eyes as Yugi destroys another defense monster and set his card which ends his turn. The Rare Hunter about to draw his card when Yugi activate his Trap Card which made his opponent to skip his turn. Yugi activate his Spell Card which banished one of his opponent's cards in his hand. The banished card turn out to be one of the Exodia parts which hinders the opponent's strategy.
(Ai) "Wow! What luck! He managed to stop that guy's plan!"
(Yusaku) "Only temporary. This suspense of this duel is getting anxious."
Yugi's opponent managed to seal Yugi's attacks to stall time to draw the Exodia cards. After a few turns, Yugi trick his opponent into setting one of the Exodia cards into DEF Mode which Yugi activate his Trap Card to destroy the copies of the summoned monster, ending the Rare Hunter's strategy.
(Ai) "He did it! He managed to destroy Exodia!"
(Yusaku) "Yeah. So this is how the other Yugi duels…!"
Yusaku is amazed at Yugi's strategy as the latter finished off his opponent with his own monsters and wins the duel. Yusaku, Yugi and Jonouchi walk over to the Rare Hunter's side as Yugi picks up the deck and take the Puzzle Card and Red-Eyes Black Dragon due to the Ante Rule. While he's at it, he shredded the Exodia cards into the air.
(Yusaku) "Why are you destroying them?"
(Yami Yugi) "Those cards are fakes. It was a disgrace for him to use these in a duel so that's why I did it. I used to have the completed real set, but I lose three cards during my trip to Duelist Kingdom."
(Ai) "Phew! Thankfully for us, cause if he had them, I didn't think you have chance of dueling this guy."
(RH #1) "I lost… My… ultimate deck… Aaahhh!"
The Rare Hunter suddenly gets up and hold his head in panicked as he continues to scream. Yusaku, Ai, Yugi and Jonouchi are shocked of his reaction as an glowing eye symbol appears on the Rare Hunter's forehead.
(Yusaku) "What with this guy?"
(RH #1) "It's been a long time, Yugi. The great duelist who defeated Pegasus. And also your friend who duel Keith the other day."
(Yami Yugi) "This presence…! It just like the one from Keith at the warehouse!"
(Ai) "Huh?! What's going on, Yusaku?"
(Yusaku) "I don't know."
(RH #1) "Yugi, the man you just faced was the weakest of the Rare Hunters. Us Ghouls have much more strength than that!"
(Jonouchi) "H-Hey… What's this guy talking about?"
Jonouchi is frighten about the man's strange behavior as the latter explain that the one talking to them isn't here and is controlling the man from a different place. He demonstrated his ability by making the man move around like a string puppet which frightens Jonouchi even more.
(Yami Yugi) "Who are you?!"
(RH #1) "Like you, I am chosen by the Millennium Items. I'm controlling everything he does, with the power of the Millennium Rod!"
(Yami Yugi) "Millennium Rod?!"
(Yusaku) "Millennium Rod? Millennium Items?"
(Rare Hunter #1) "In any case, I was merely introducing myself. My name is Malik, the leader of the Ghouls!"
(Yusaku) "So he is the leader of the Ghouls…"
(Yami Yugi) "Malik! What are you Ghouls after?!"
(RH #1) "To gather the God Cards, three legendary rare cards that have revived in this modern world."
(Yusaku and Yugi) ""God Cards?""
Both Yusaku and Yugi mutters the name as Malik explain to the rest about them. The three God Cards, Slifer the Sky Dragon, Obelisk the Tormentor and the Winged Dragon of Ra, are one-of-a-kind all-powerful cards created by Pegasus J. Crawford, who modeled them after three Ancient Egypt divine beasts whose likenesses surround the Millennium Puzzle on the stone tablet said to hold the memories of the nameless Pharaoh. His plans was to take those cards and become Pharaoh to control the world. His Ghouls have already attained two of the cards and the remaining one is in this city.
(RH #1) "Yugi. The Game has just started. A Rare Hunter with a God Card is already lurking in your town. And if you meet him, Yugi… Even with your skills, it will be your complete defeat…"
(Yami Yugi) "We'll see about that. I'll never hand the title of Pharaoh or the power to rule the world to the likes of you! And even if the Rare Hunter holding a God Card appears before me… I won't lose!"
(RH #1) "Heh heh heh. I'm looking forward of testing that theory. Very well, Chosen One. The Millennium Battle has begun!"
(Yusaku) "Millennium Battle…"
The Rare Hunter collapsed after Malik finished what he said to Yugi. Yusaku stares at the collapse man as he saw Yugi gives back Red-Eyes Black Dragon card to Jonouchi. However, he didn't take it as Jonouchi explain his reasons to them.
(Jonouchi) "Right now, I can't take Red-Eyes Black Dragon. If I did that, I won't be closer of becoming a true duelist like you."
(Ai) "True duelist?"
(Yusaku) "He means that he feels that he is not ready to take the card back until he's proven himself."
(Ai) "But isn't he already a duelist?"
(Yusaku) "You wouldn't understand."
Jonouchi explained that he lost the drive to improve after Duelist Kingdom and learn a lesson from Yugi's duel about a duelist's pride. He decided to use this tournament as a chance to improve himself and leaving his precious card to Yugi.
(Jonouchi) "I put together a new deck for today's tournament. I still got my Puzzle Card and my Time Magician, the last rare card I can bet so I'm still in this tournament. I want to become someone I can respect… a true duelist. No, in this Battle City, I'll become one! Yugi, when I win this tournament, and when the time comes where I can call myself a true duelist… Will you duel me?"
(Yami Yugi) "I understand. We'll fight each other then, Jonouchi-kun!"
(Jonouchi) "Thank you, Yugi. And Yusaku, I want to duel you as well! I'm thinking about what you said to me the other day so I want to face you when I become a true duelist too!"
(Yusaku) "Y-Yeah, same here."
(Yami Yugi) "Jonouchi-kun, I'll wait for you. I'll take care of your Red-Eyes until then! And Yusaku, I'm looking forward dueling you some day!"
Three of them have made their promises as Jonouchi and Yugi went their separate ways while Yusaku is currently taking in the information that he heard.
(Yusaku) "Ghouls, Millennium Items and the three God Cards… This situation has already turned complicated than I expected."
(Ai) "You've got that right. There's also facts about Ancient Egypt and Pharaohs. It sound crazy no matter how many times I've heard it."
(Yusaku) "But since these events have already happened, it's safe to say that these sort of things are properly true."
(Ai) "Don't tell me that you're seriously believing this?!"
(Yusaku) "It's really doesn't matter to me whenever it is true or not. All I need to know is how to get the Chronicle Factor from our target.'
(Ai) "Works for me! I cannot comprehend these strange informations that I'm learning…"
(Yusaku) "Ai, keep on track on Yugi. We can't lose our target now."
(Ai) "Roger!"
(Malik) "You found the owner of Obelisk?"
(Ghoul #1) "Yes. The owner of Obelisk is none other than Seto Kaiba."
(Malik) "Hmph. I should have known."
(Ghoul #2) "But how did Kaiba get hold of it?"
(Malik) "I can imagine… He hosted this tournament because he got his hands on it… His purpose is to unify the gods."
(Ghoul #1) "Kaiba is still in the North Block. Shall I assemble a team to attack him?"
(Malik) "No, let Kaiba be for the time being. It is time to intercept the Pharaoh. Call Pandora the Conjurer for a duel!"
(Ghoul #2) "Yes sir!"
(Ghoul #1) "I also have another thing to report. The man from the other day is following Yugi at the moment."
(Malik) "The one with the strange cards, huh. Assemble a team to ambush him! I don't know why, but I have a feeling that he will be a nuisance to our plans."
(Ghoul #2) "Yes sir!"
At that moment, Yusaku is currently following Yugi's movements when the signal becomes weaker all of the sudden.
(Yusaku) "Ai, what's going on?"
(Ai) "I don't know! The signal is getting weaker as if he is going somewhere far."
(Anzu) "Yusaku!"
Yusaku turns and saw Anzu and Mr. Mutou coming to his way. Their expression look like they are panicking as Yusaku speaks to them.
(Yusaku) "You two! Did something happen?"
(Anzu) "Yugi…! He has disappeared!"
(Yusaku) "What?! Are you sure?"
(Mr. Mutou) "He went into a circus tent when we first find him and when we following after him, Yugi went inside some kind of box and the item just collapsed itself with him inside, vanished just like that!"
(Yusaku) "Then do you have any ideas where he could be?"
(Anzu) "No, that's why we came out and look for him! I thought that you might help us on searching him."
(Yusaku) "I got it. I will search for Yugi on my own. We will cover more ground that way."
(Anzu) "Understood!"
(Mr. Mutou) "Be careful."
Three of them went in their different directions as Yusaku use the radar to find Yugi. As he walks upon the alleyway, one hooded figure stand in his way.
(Yusaku) "Who are you?!"
(RH #2) "Are you a man called Yusaku? I heard that you have some unusual cards in your deck. May I see them in action?"
(Yusaku) "Are you a member of the Ghouls?"
(RH #2) "Guess you've already heard of us. That's right. On Master Malik's orders, I'm here to take away your deck!"
(Yusaku) "I don't have time to play with you lot! Move!"
(RH #2) "On Battle City's rule, when duelists lock their eyes to each other, they must battle! Are you perhaps a coward to face us Ghouls?"
(Yusaku) "Che! It seem that I have no other choice…!"
Sensing his opponent's intention of blocking his path, Yusaku activate his duel disk and his opponent did the same as they began the duel.
DUEL!
Yusaku: (LP: 4000), (Hand:5), (Field:0)
Rare Hunter #2: (LP: 4000), (Hand:5), (Field:0)
(Yusaku) "I will go first! My turn! I summon Balancer Lord!"
A white and green cybernetic knight wielding a sword and shield appears on the field.
[Balancer Lord/LIGHT/Cyberse/LV 4/ATK 1700/DEF 1200]
(Yusaku) "I pay 1000 LP to activate Balancer Lord's effect! In addition to my Normal Summon this turn, I can summon 1 Cyberse monster. I summon Cyberse Wizard!"
Yusaku: (LP: 4000 - 1000 = 3000)
Yusaku summons a humanoid magician wearing cyberpunk clothing and holds a staff as it appears next to Balancer Lord.
[Cyberse Wizard/LIGHT/Cyberse/LV 4/ATK 1800/DEF 800]
(Yusaku) "Then I set 1 cards. Turn end."
Yusaku: (LP: 3000), (Hand:2), (Field:3)
Rare Hunter #2: (LP: 4000), (Hand:5), (Field:0)
(RH #2) "My turn, draw. I summon Marauding Captain!"
The Rare Hunter summons a humanoid warrior with blonde hair in silver armor as it raises its sword.
[Marauding Captain/EARTH/Warrior/LV 3/ATK 1200/DEF 400]
(RH #2) "When Marauding Captain is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower monster from my hand. I summon a second Marauding Captain!"
Another copy of Marauding Captain appears next to the first one.
(RH #2) "I activate the Spell Card, Graceful Charity, which let's me draw three cards, then discard two from my hand. Next, I activate the Continuous Spell, Solidarity, from my hand! If I have only 1 type of monster in my Graveyard, the rest from my field gain 800 ATK if they are the same type!"
(Ai) "Huh?! 800 ATK increase?!"
(Yusaku) "Addition to draw more cards, he discarded a monster with the same type to his other monsters to activate his other Spell Card."
(RH #2) "The two cards that I discarded are Warrior Lady of the Wasteland and Warrior Dai Grepher, both which are Warrior monsters. Which means that all of my Warrior monsters gain 800 ATK!"
[Marauding Captain x2; (1200 → 2000 ATK)]
[Warrior Lady of the Wasteland/EARTH/Warrior/LV 4/ATK 1100/DEF 1200]
[Warrior Dai Grepher/EARTH/Warrior/LV 4/ATK 1700/DEF 1600]
(Ai) "Ah! Both of them are now stronger than our monsters!?"
(Yusaku) "I activate the Trap Card, Three Strike Barrier! If my opponent have exactly three cards on the field, I can activate one of its three effects! I choose that my monsters won't be destroyed in battle this turn!"
(RH #2) "You may save your monsters but you still take damage. Also, I activate the second Solidarity to power up my monsters once more!"
[Marauding Captain x2; (2000 → 2800 ATK)]
(RH #2) "Battle! I attack Balancer Lord with my first Marauding Captain!"
The opponent's monster swing its sword towards Balancer Lord which a barrier formed around the monster, blocking the attack while Yusaku receive damage.
Yusaku: (LP: 3000 - 1100 = 1900)
(RH #2) "I attack Balancer Lord again with my second one!"
The copy attacks in the same motion as the first which replays the same event.
Yusaku: (LP: 1900 - 1100 = 800)
(Yusaku) "Kuh…!"
(RH #2) "Before I end my turn, I activate two Equip Spells, Mist Body, to both of my monsters. Now they cannot be destroyed in battle. By the way, when Marauding Captain is on the field, you can't attack any of my Warrior monsters except this one. However, there are two of them which means that you can't attack either of them!"
Both monsters are covered in a fog veil as they crossed their swords together.
(Yusaku) "An impenetrable defense, huh?"
(RH #2) "That's right! Let see how you can struggle against this. I end my turn!"
Yusaku: (LP: 800), (Hand:2), (Field:2)
Rare Hunter #2: (LP: 4000), (Hand:0), (Field:6)
(Ai) "Mmm… This defense looks tough… Any ideas how to break it?"
(Yusaku) "This thing won't stop me on my quest. My turn. Draw! When there's a Cyberse monster on the field, I Special Summon Backup Secretary! "
Yusaku summons a humanoid female with futuristic clothing and purple hair as it appears on the field. Its outfit consist of a purple suit, a visor and holding a tablet.
[Backup Secretary/LIGHT/Cyberse/LV 3/ATK 1200/DEF 800]
(Yusaku) "Next, I Normal Summon Draconnet from my hand! Its effect also lets me Special Summon a Level 2 or lower Normal monster from my hand or deck in DEF Mode. Appear from my deck, Bitron!"
A digitize being with a vague dragon-like appearance and circuit patterns and a white cybernetic being that's hovering in the air appears on the field.
[Draconnet/DARK/Cyberse/LV 4/ATK 1400/DEF 1200]
[Bitron/EARTH/Cyberse/LV 2/ATK 200/DEF 2000]
(Yusaku) "Everything has been set. Appear, the circuit lead to the future!"
His palm glows bright and the Arrowhead portal appears above him as he stated the summoning conditions.
(Yusaku) "Arrowhead Confirmed! The summoning conditions are two Effect monsters! I set Draconnet and Backup Secretary!"
Two of his monsters turns into hurricane-like energies as they went into two Link Markers which causes the portal to glow again.
(Yusaku) "Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Appear, Link 2 Underclock Taker!"
A cybernetic being with a tube-like body appears on the field as it was placed on the Extra Deck.
[Underclock Taker/DARK/Cyberse/Link 2/ATK 1000/←↓]
(RH #2) "Ooh! So this is Link Summon…!"
(Yusaku) "Not done yet! Appear once more, the circuit lead to the future!"
(RH #2) "Another?!"
The Rare Hunter is shocked that Yusaku is doing another Link Summon as the Arrowhead portal appears above him again.
(Yusaku) "Arrowhead Confirmed! The summoning conditions are at least two Cyberse monsters! I set Bitron, Balancer Lord and Cyberse Wizard in the Link Markers!"
Three of his Cyberse monsters turns into hurricane-like energies as they went into three Link Markers which causes the portal to glow again.
(Yusaku) "Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Encode Talker!"
Yusaku summons a light blue armored humanoid that look similar to Decode Talker except with lighter color scheme, yellow orbs and wielding a shield as it was placed on the zone where one of Underclock Taker's link arrows point to.
[Encode Talker/LIGHT/Cyberse/Link 3/ATK 2300/↑↓↘]
(RH #2) "That's pretty impressive, but they won't be enough to destroy this perfect defense of mine!"
(Yusaku) "Every strategy has a flaw, and I'm going to prove it to you by winning this duel! From my hand, I activate the Continuous Spell, Battle Buffer! As long as Underclock Taker and Encode Talker are linked to each other, both Marauding Captains' effects are sealed!"
(RH #2) "What?!"
Yusaku's card fires a beam towards two Marauding Captains as they turned grey due to their effects negated.
(Yusaku) "Underclock Taker's effect activates! I target one of my opponent's monsters and reduced its ATK by one monster that's linked to Underclock Taker. Encode Talker is linked to it so its 2300 ATK are subtracted from one of your Marauding Captain's ATK."
(RH #2) "No way!"
[Marauding Captain; (2800 → 500 ATK)]
(Yusaku) "Battle! Underclock Taker attacks the other Marauding Captain!"
(RH #2) "You're attacking the one with higher ATK than yours!?"
(Yusaku) "Encode Talker's effect activates! The linked monster isn't destroyed in battle nor take damage!"
Yusaku's monster charges at Marauding Captain with higher ATK which Encode Talker intercept them and using its shield to prevent the other Link monster's destruction.
(Yusaku) "Encode's other effect activates! It gains ATK equal to the other Marauding Captain's ATK! Also, Battle Buffer's effect! I place 1 Battle Buffer Counter on this card. Cyberse Link monsters on my field gain 700 ATK per Counter!"
His Link monster glows due to gaining ATK as it turn its shield downward which a blade came out from the bottom.
[Encode Talker; (2300 → 5100 → 5800 ATK)]
[Underclock Taker; (1000 → 1800 ATK)]
(RH #2) "5800 ATK?!"
(Yusaku) "You believe so much on your defense that you fail to see this coming."
(RH #2) "Hee…!"
(Yusaku) "I end this! Go, Encode Talker! Attack the weaken Marauding Captain! [Final Encode!]"
Encode Talker charges at the weaken Marauding Captain as it slashes the monster with its blade, destroying it in the process as well as sending its controller flying backward from the shockwave.
(RH #2) "Gaaahhh!"
Rare Hunter #2: (LP: 4000 - 5300 = 0)
Yusaku: WIN
(Ai) "Alright! You beat that nuisance so let's get out of here!"
(RH #3) "That was a nice play you've shown us. Heh, heh, heh…"
As their monsters vanishes after the duel, Yusaku looks at his defeated opponent before resuming his quest. However, more of the Rare Hunters block his way as they corner him in both paths of the Alleyway, leaving him no way to escape.
(Ai) "Gah! More of these creeps!"
(Yusaku) "More away! If you don't want to end up like your companion here, I suggest that you get out this instant!"
(RH #4) "I'm afraid that isn't possible. Master Malik's orders."
(RH #5) "Remember the Battle City's rules? Duelist must face each other in a battle!"
(RH #6) "You got some unusual and rare cards. They will make a good price if we sell them."
The Rare Hunters smirks and laugh at this before activating their Duel Disks. Yusaku gritted his teeth in annoyance of the interruptions as he battles more of the Ghouls.
