Yugioh! Future Conflicts

Chapter 3 "A Door Broken"

The night sky sings of tranquility, lulling all to sleep. A calm sea, black as coal, reflecting only the stars above, surrounds a voyaging boat. It's passengers, Alain and Michael especially, are all asleep on board, all experiencing the rigors of the dream world with only a few late night sleepers and a few navigators awake.

One of them happened to be Nicholas Nahone. Nicholas, in one of the most extravagant rooms on board, was not in a good mood, not that he ever was in one in his life. He had seen a duel, the first duel of the day in fact, of which an Obelisk Blue member had been beaten by a Slifer Red. Talking to his reflection in the mirror, he tries to calm himself down. "How could that have happened? That dragon fusion had a power that rivaled my own Gatlin Dragon, and, to be stopped by a lucksacked, noob trap card, is utterly humiliating!" He lets out a growl of frustration, clenched fist at his sides. "That Slifer shitface should not have even passed the entrance exams much less beat an Obelisk, a dumb one at that. I damn well am going to change that once I have..."

"...the power he promised you?" something in the rooms interrupts.

Looking around, surprised more than confused, "Okay, fucker, where the hell are you this time?"

???? shrieks in terrifying laughter, "Have you looked in a mirror lately?"

"Save it," says Nicholas in annoyance, "What is it you want? Am I getting it now?"

"The master will give you it when he feels like it. What my master wants is for you to gather certain people to help find the five keys."

"And how am I going to find these asses?"

"They'll find you and give you the sign."

"I'd better get what is rightfully mine. I am not a babysitter."

With a look of sincerity??? says, "You'll get what you truly deserve."

In an Obelisk Blue girls' dorm room, a guy leaves with a smile on your face. "That was fun. I'll make sure that I will come back for more."

??? peaks through her dorm room door and says, "You give me what I want and I will give you what you want."

"Whatever you say. I'll get on it right away," he says, leaving his companion with only one thought in her head.

"Men are nothing if not controllable," she says, not realizing tht was the very thought she had.

Another student opens the door in front of her, unsurprised at the site of what just happened. "Another notch on your belt, huh, Valencia? Duel Queen of Duel Academy, my ass. More like village whore."

Valencia Santiago stood there at the mention of the honorary title, more for show than not. The woman from the state of Campeche in Mexico, more specifically Cancun, was too much of an actress to allow her neighbor the satisfaction of knowing her true thoughts. This 5'8", gorgeously tanned, black-haired, deep brown-eyed beauty loved the thought of getting any man or thing she wanted; it was her wild passion that men loved about her, and it was her key to getting the money she sought to gamble and party, not to mention her large debt back home, but she never really thought of that. She responds, her faced twisted in pseudo-anger, "Shut the hell up, Vladmira! You're just jealous that I can have anything I want, especially with men. Your royal blood line, dead as it is, could never get then what I can get now." She shuts her door as she shouts that. That should rile her up a bit. Picking up the brush on her dresser table, she starts straightening out her hair.

Suddenly, the reflection of her mirror speaks, "It's a shame not all men are swayed by your charm."

"What the fuck?! I must have had too much to drink tonight. I could have sworn my mirror spoke," she says, surprised at the sight.

"That may be true but that doesn't stop the fact that not all men are taken by you," her reflection says in retort.

"What the hell are you talking about?! There's not a man..." she fumbles, trying to defend herself.

"Lies," it interrupts, "Try telling that to your bookies in Mexico."

"How dare you! I am the Duel Queen and I get what..."

"More lies. My master has been watching you very carefully and knows everything to know about you. He knows of your overwhelmingly enormous gambling debt and that you can never go home in fear of death."

"But, but...how did anyone know? No one should," the look of desperation now on her face.

"That does not matter. He is willing to give you everything your heart desires...but with one condition."

"What is it? I will do anything to get more money."

"Pledge your services to the master."

"Fuck, yeah, I will!"

"Place your hand on the face of this mirror and you will receive the sign of your allegiance. After that, go find Nicholas Nahone and show it to him. He'll tell you what you must do." And it leaves, her original reflection remaining.

Valencia puts her hand to the face. Her hand now glows a dark aura. Finally, all the money of my dreams. At least I know where Nick's room is, but he won't be back until tomorrow. For now, the pleasures of sleep await me. And she slept the sleep of kings.

Vladmira Jonesova watched as Valencia slammed the door in front of her. Peasant slut. If my Russian forefathers did not haven't screwed up, I would not have to mess with her right now. This was a common thought for the 5'6", mysterious, black-haired, Blue-eyed Russian heir to the now dead throne. Though she revered her ancestor Piotr Rasputin, she hated him for losing his chance at power. What did my ancestor Anastasia ever seen in him anyway?

In a wall mirror ahead of her, an unexpected voice answered, "Probably just wanted to get laid."

After a minute of initial shock, she recuperated and retorted, "Who are you to say such things about my family?"

"A servant of someone who can restore your family's power, of course. But, hey, if you do not want it…"

Curious, but cautious, she asks, "Wait, wait. How? and why?"

"My master can do all things. Why he'll give you your dreams will be revealed later, if you pledge your loyalty to him."

"For my kingdom to be reborn, I will do it." she quickly answers, desperate for her dream.

Place your hand on this mirror and receive the sign. Once given, show it to Nicholas Nahone. He'll give you your next instructions." The strange reflection leaves as Vladmira touches the face of the wall mirror. Though there was a dark aura around her arm, she did not seem concerned about it, only the mark on her arm caught her attention. Her only thoughts were of those things she thought she deserved. And to that, she waited for tomorrow, the day she'll search for Nicholas.

It was midnight on Exodus Isle and it already had its first participant in its gyms, a Ra Yellow by the name of Andrew Pollock. In his short time since his move from Greece, he had found a reputation for being a muscle-bound bully, of both teacher and student alike. The Greek god, as the girls call him, couldn't help but believe that only the strong should survive and rule. Of course, being at a tall 6'0" with brown hair and eyes, no one can normally overpower him enough to make a point. Either that or he uses his brain more, and that was a statistical impossibility.

"One…two…three…four…five…" he counts as he begins his second set of bench pressing. With his arms already warmed up, these took no longer than twenty minutes or so. "Strength is what counts around here; without it, my deck would not be built and the weak would not know their place beneath out feat. Stupid pathetic…"

A voice coming from Andrew's shadow interrupted his train of thought, surprisingly not shocking him, "Marxist to the core, as always. What if I could tell you that my master wants to give you the power to destroy the weak exactly the way you dream?"

Not giving it another thought, he blurts, "Really? Alright, sure, why not?"

"Place your hand at the head of your shadow and then find Nicholas Nahone to begin your journey to the destruction of the weak..." Quiet once again consumes the gym as Andrew, without a thought against it, touches his own shadow, not noticing the aura around his hand.

"Damn that Slifer shit face! I did everything as I should have. I played as I normally do but I still lost!" Ian Raleigh talks to himself, still fuming over the loss to Michael Johnson. Even the company of the women on board the boat could not console him. "That bastard better watch his back. The he turns his back on me, I'll kill him."

Lies and you know it, a voice in Ian's head speaks up, the school won't allow you to even touch him much less fight or kill him. But, if you pledge your eternal soul to the all-devourer, he'll give you the strength to exact you revenge.

Too full of anger to notice that he was talking to himself, he shouts, "I'll do anything to show that shit head bastard his place!" An aura of indescript light surrounds him, "On your palm i a sign, find and show this to Nicholas Nahone, who is on this boat. He'll give you your next instructions." With that, the voice leaves his head, Ian's mind now an echoing abyss.

Eyes filled with power and insanity, "Hehehe..." Ian now leaves his room, filled with purpose and clinical insanity.

"Sire, it is done," the lesser being says, pleased at the thought of finishing his task.

????? responds, "Good. After our newfound army is gathered, give them their transportation and destination to the first key."

"Right away, my liege," it answers, leaving once again to fulfill the task set out for him.

"And it begins. My empire will rise and I shall once again be at my rightful place," said ????? in the silence of this of this dark realm.

The light of a new day seeps through the windows of the passengers' rooms. The smells from the galleys above lofted below decks, filling the hallways with the glorious smells of bacon, eggs, sausage, and chicken, and for drink, of course, strong iced tea or coffee. Alain and Michael lay in their comfortable beds. Michel was still snoring loudly, deeply involved in his own dreams. Alain, on the other hand, though still in his bed, was wide awake. Strange dream, I wish I could remember the details. All I can remember was running from something, something I knew, and some feelings of love. Dang it, I could never remember my dreams very well. I had better get out of bed. I believe we're almost there.

Alain shoves his covers off and heads to the showers to freshen up. About twenty minutes later, he comes out to find Michael up and waiting for the bathroom.

"I was about to get you up," Alain says in shock of him being awake early. "What made you get up?"

"I smelled bacon and eggs," Michael says groggily and with a cracked voice. "Move so I can get my shower."

Alain moves as Michael steps into the bathroom and shuts the bathroom door behind him. His room now a mess, Alain starts gathering the little stuff he brought along with him. While cleaning he comes across a very unique and special box engraved with a clock and his name. Ahh...my soul deck, as my Daddy calls it. Before he and Momma divorced, Daddy gave them to me for my 10th birthday. He said that, since I liked reading alternative history and time traveling stories, still do in fact,. I might like them and I did. I had just started playing this game and did not yet have a good deck to use. Even though I saw them, Daddy told me not to play them just yet, had to wait until their name was called before I could officially play them. And I have waited, almost 11 years now, to use them. Wish I knew when though. He takes his treasured cards and places them in his backpack.

Michael, who took about twenty minutes as well, promptly comes out of the bathroom, drying and dressed, declares with a certainty, "Dude, after I get my stuff together, we've gotta get somethin' to eat."

"I know, Michael, that's why I clean my stuff already, so we wouldn't have to wait. From the time on our ticket stubs, we have about an hour and a half to eat if we leave now."

"Well, let me pack. You go ahead and find us a good seat." Michael starts cleaning up his clothes and other stuff as Alain leaves.

Alain had already finished his first helpings of bacon, eggs and chicken biscuits before he saw Michael in the dining hall. Of course, upon seeing the scraps on Alain's plate, Michael ran for the buffet line with Alain close behind for seconds. After another thirty minutes and another couple of helpings, they patted their stomach in satisfaction and got up to see their new home and campus, Exodus Isle, come up.

"Looks nice, huh?" Alain asks.

"Dude, no kiddin', kinda reminds me of home with all those trees." Michael says.

"I've got the feeling this'll be an interesting year."

Michael doesn't respond to that comment, content to watch the island coming closer over the hour. The port they were boarding in was much smaller than the one they started in but no one complained about that, just the way they would get their carryons off the boat and to their new rooms. Groans and grunts aside, they are marveled at the site of the campus as they walked from the boat to the new main buildings. The forests behind the three main buildings screamed leisure walks. The lakes, as well as the big, luxurious Obelisk Blue boys' and girls' dorms, were a testament of the greatness they might achieve through hard work. Even the lake seen through the sparse trees to the right seemed serene. As they walk down the beaten path, they see Dr. Vivian Crichton appears from the behind with the new students students.

She shouts above the racket being created by the students, "Calm down, children, calm down!" The students little by little settle down. After a few minutes more, she continues, "Thank you and welcome to Exodus Isle, where your journey begins. I am Dr. Vivian Crichton, as you all know. To my right is Valencia Santiago, our resident Duel Queen and the guide to all the new girl students. To the left is Nicholas Nahone. Many have seen him in the Duel Academy recruitment exams as an observer, as well as the boat that brought all of you here. He is the best in terms of grades and duels, and he will be the guid to all the new men here. These two will take you to your new dorms. But, before you go, I will tell you where everything is. First, the personal effects you brought, clothes and luggage, were already take out of the cargo hold and will be more than likely at your dorms now, quite possibly in your rooms. They lakes you just passed are called Alegre and Amistad lakes. It is there where the entire student body meets. The buildings ahead are the administration buildings and classrooms. The forests that surround the school, though a bit thicker than they seem, are called Sanctity Wood. The nearest island, Omegas Isle, is a forbidden area. No one is allowed there without a unanimous decision from the entire faculty. You guys have a week to explore the island. Those who have a way on or off the island have permission to do so with the condition of coming back before the first day of classes. Failure to do so is subject to detention or expulsion. Good luck to you all and goodbye." Crichton leaves the group, heading toward the admin office.

Before the crowd got restless and unruly, Nicholas holds out his hands and shouts, "For all who did not hear, I am Nicholas Nahone and this is Valencia Santiago. You all are to do everything we tell you from now on, regardless of the time or place. If you do not, we have enough powerful friends to kick your asses out of the school, or, if we feel like it, we can have a decisive duel to determine whether or not you have a right here. We do not have to know you. You are nothing but pawns to us. You only have to know us and our wants. Now, behind us are the OB dorms, girls to the left, and boys on the right. Any assigned there are to go there now. I will lead only OB's."

The group diminishes as newly-assigned OB's go to the dorms ahead. Alain could not help thinking about what had occurred. There's no way I'll do as that asshole says, even the girls here will have a tough time making me do anything I do not want to do. Well, speak of the devil, look who is coming. It seemed that the Duel Queen was coming to him.

"Hi, I'm Valencia," she holds out her hand for a handshake...

"Hello, I'm Alain," Alain responds in kind,

"Oh, I know you, the rumors have spread her, you're the one who beat Ms. Crichton."

"That would be me."

"Well, here, comes, Nick. Nice to meet you, Alain," she touches his left arm while drawing herself much, much closer, "If you ever need me to do something, don't be hesitant to come to my room and ask, at any time." She leaves, thinking one thing. He'll be mine by the end of the week. And the money he could earn me would make me a good bit.

Alain, on the other hand, thought otherwise. I will not contest the fact that she is extremely beautiful and sexy, but I can tell she's not my type, especially for my first time from the subtle tones of her voice. It's way too likely that's she's waaaaaay too easy, too sexually active. Lord knows I try to keep my urges until my honeymoon.

Nicholas, now at the front of the group, continues with the rest of his dialogue, "The rest of you follow me." Nicholas leads, following a carved out path in Sanctity Wood to the right of where they were. Once through the thin line of trees, they found a clearing. One could just sit there, right beside that lake, for hours just minding yourself in total tranquility. Of course, the Ra Yellow dorms ahead, along the shores of the lake they were trailing, almost ruined it but no one could complain since it was a good dorm to be in.

"Listen up! I am not going to say this again. Across the shores of Frontier Lake, this lake right here, are the Ra Yellow dorms. Past them are a thin line of trees and the shorelines of the other side of our island. Any Slifer shitheads who need to find their poor excuse of a dorm can take a left while following that shore. Valencia and I have better things to do than chauffeur wanna-be duelists." Nicholas grabbed Valencia by the arm and went back through the forest."

Michael, who had to restrain himself for that period, suddenly lets out what was once on his mind, "Jerk off! The moment I get my chance, I'm gonna give him what's on my mind. Now that Duel Queen, I'll do anything to d……help her out!" Michael catches himself just before he let slip out exactly what was on mind.

Alain nods in agreement to the first statement, "Yeah, well, don't like the dude myself. You can have that beautiful Latina; I do not think she's my type. Now if you want my help, I suggest we get moving. I gotta get to my room and check it out."

"Alright, dude, just sayin'," Michael exasperates.

Even from the distance, the Ra Yellow dorms were easy to see, being two soft yellow, three-story buildings against the green surroundings. Not bad, not bad at all. Not to mention convenient, since that lake there is where we are going to duel, me and Melei. Hey! There's Raj and Gonzalo. I bet they'll know where my room is.

Though very busy with the room rosters, they did notice the pair of brothers.

"Hey, man! Nice to see you made it," Gonzalo says.

"Wouldn't have missed the opportunity and you know," Alain says in response. "Besides, dude, who else would be the best but us?" Michael adds.

Raj comments on that, "We'll see. Okay, Alain, you seem to have room 2H on the second floor. Your stuff should already be there," taking out a key,"and here's your room key."

"Thanks," grabbing the keys, "Once I'm settled and have taken my brother to his dorm, I believe I'll prepare for my duel."

Gonzalo, surprised at the remark, inquires, "You already have a duel? This soon?"

"Yeah, another Ra Yellow challenged me before I came. Her name is Cheung Melei. You know her?"

"Melei? Asked you to duel, voluntarily?" exclaims Raj, obvious astonishment on his face.

"You have no idea how lucky you are, Alano. Melei is famous around here, as little time as we have had, for not dueling often, if at all. You are part of a lucky few. I would love to this in action!"

"You're not kidding. I heard she is nearly undefeated where she comes from," Raj agrees.

"Nearly undefeated, huh? Maybe I should try out my…Never mind, well, if you guys want, the duel is on the shore of Frontier Lake at midnight," Alain points over to the nearby lake.

"Oh, we'll be there," Raj says, already planning out that detail.

Along with Michael, Alain heads towards his room. Up a flight of stairs, taking a couple of lefts, Michael suddenly blurts out a question, "You mind if I come to that duel with a friend? That Ethan Crusoe kid seems to be a cool guy."

Facing the door of the new room, Alain thinks about it and answers, "If you don't mind being up that late. We did lose an hour or two getting here."

"I won't mind."

Alain opens the door to his room to find a nice semi-large room decorated with a queen-sized bed, a desk for homework, a computer, and what appeared like his clothes. Putting the backpack on the foot of the bed, Alain merely pronounces, "Kinda reminds me of a hotel room, but with better looking drapes."

"Whatever. Can we go on already?" I gotta unpack my stuff. Either that or you let me sleep here."

"Nuh-uh, not unless there is an emergency," says Alain while shaking his head, "You and me, sleeping in the same room, it'd be a catastrophe waiting to happen. You can't even stand my snoring and I can't stand the fact that you turn on the TV to go to sleep. If you are in such a hurry, we'll go now." Locking his door behind him, Alain and Michael walk out of the dorm towards the slender line of trees on their left and to the shore.

"Didn't that jerk off say we go to the left?" Michael asks, unsure of his sense of direction.

"Yeah, I believe so," Alain responds, nodding.

And so, they set off on the left, following the shoreline. They walked for what seemed like ten minutes, seeing only trees on the left. They did happen to see a small port about two or three minutes into the journey but with a metal link chain, keeping the small faded green fishing there and a small sign forbidding anyone to use it. They thought it best to go on ahead, or more specifically, Alain just dragged his stubborn little brother away. At the end of their little expedition for the Slifer dorms, they see them ahead. To the naked eye, the red-roof building looked like a two-story, badly painted motel that one would go to with a prostitute. Upon closer inspection, they found it much the same but with the sound of bees nearby.

Looking at his brother, Alain gently says, "I know it doesn't look like much, but at least it is a place to stay. If you want any dinner, feel free to come over to my place and I'll see if we can share a meal. Okay?"

"Oh, alright, but dude, this is crap. We got to do something about this soon."

"I'll see if I can find help to fix this. Now, it's almost time for dinner, I think. Go find your room, have dinner, and meat you headmaster. I've gotta do the same. And do NOT forget the duel at midnight. I know how you are about your sleep."

"Okay, fine, Maybe I'll find Ethan there."

Alain turns back the way he came, his thought on the upcoming preparation. To be honest, I really dunno about what to do about this duel. I could use my defense deck or my Spellcaster deck. They are well groomed for the unexpected but maybe I should use my lockdown deck, just in case. That one always had more in common with my personality. Guess I'll go with that one. Okay, where exactly am I? Alain looks around to see the trees surrounding him. How exactly did I get here? I walked straight the entire way. I think I remember seeing the small port, too. I might be a little lost but not as lost as I usually can be. His heart thumps hard and fast at the thought of being lost. A rustle through the leaves, though surprising to him, makes him inquisitive. Probably not a good idea to go towards the sound, but it'll bug me all day if I do not. Carefully, Alain steps over, step by step, not knowing what may come. Little by little, he hears voices, familiar voices. Hey! That sounds like that jerk-off Nicholas. Wonder what he's doing here. As Alain creeps closer, he begins to see Nicholas and what appeared like others: Valencia, Ian Raleigh with a look of possible insanity, another girl, and another guy. Up as far as he could, Alain listened in to their conversation.

"You all know what to do and where to go now," Nicholas says.

"Wait a goddamn minute," Valencia says in incomprehension, "you're telling me, Vladmira, Ian, and Andrew that we have to depart for Argentina? All because some asshole wants us to find some keys? You are fucking out of you mind!" The other three nodding in agreement.

"Don't talk to me like that, bitch! I told you what was said to me. Now tomorrow, our arranged transportation will come and take us to the airport and then to Argentina. Now go and get ready."

Grumbling in complaint, Valencia and the others reluctantly walk off. Nicholas, proud of irritating his companions, leaves in another direction, mumbling something unreadable into a mirror.

Alain, happy at the thought of him leaving, sits there absorbing the information. This'll make Michael's day. Certainly makes mine. Now let's go find that shore.

Alain was right about not being as lost as he normally gets. After backtracking for a couple of minutes, he found himself at the small port. For no longer that a couple more minutes, he arrives at his dorm, fortunately with just enough time to freshen up and dress in his formal Ra Yellow uniform.

Night time came and the sounds of students talking filled the dining hall as Alain reaches his destination. Raj and Gonzalo, both beckoning him to come, was only partially inside.

"You made it, man," Gonzalo with relief in his voice. "Almost didn't think you'd come."

"I had an errand to run and got a little lost. No worries."

Raj responds to the statement, "that's alright. Let's see if we can find the headmaster. He wants you to meet him, and once done with that, I think we'll be allowed to eat." Spotting the headmaster at the end of the hall, Alain follows both of them to the person to whom runs his new home. As Alain stands behind him, he saw that he was a lot taller than he at the other end, a good foot taller.

Raj introduces him, "I present to you our dorm headmaster, Mr. José Martí." As Raj finishes, the dorm headmaster turns around, revealing the old friend and owner of Alain's old card shop.

"Ahh……Alano, you're here. ¿Cómo te va¿Bien?"

"¡Qué sorpresa! Estoy bien, pero un poquito confundido. How'd you get here? Aren't you supposed to be in Alabama minding the store?" Confusion covered his face at the sight of him.

Martí, smiling, says, "I had applied a while back, sometime last year back when I was having money problems. Though I got through my problems, I never retracted my application. When I got the letter in the mail, I packed up and came here. That was all about a couple weeks ago. I thought that, since I found out about this, it might be a nice surprise for you and your brother, to have someone from home watching over you. Don't worry, the shop itself is now being watched over by the wife and Santiago, so everything is safe now."

Gonzalo, unbelieving the sight of Alain and their headmaster talking like old pals, interrupts, "You two know each other?"

Alain answers before Martí, "Yeah, the card shop owner in my neighborhood. Wait until you guys get a taste of his jalapeño buffalo wings," Alain pats his stomach. "Very good but can literally burn the hairs of your throat." He faces Martí. "Are we having them tonight?"

"No, not until the first night of classes."

"Cool, I'll bring along Michael. He always did like the wings even with the gut wrenching fire."

Raj, back in the sidelines, interjects, "Mr. Martí, I believe we can start now."

"Alano, it's real good to see you. Hasta pronto." Martí and Alain separates , both to their assigned seats, Martí at the head and Alain at the back end. Wonder what kind of deck Señor Martí has. To be our headmaster, it'll have to be unique, por lo tanto, Alain thinks as he walks down to his seat.

The rest of his night went by flawlessly. Dinner was a nicely seasoned beef tips and rice with gravy available for those who would want it, and, as much as he enjoyed it, Alain still stressed over the upcoming duel. About halfway through the night, long after dinner but still hours away he began to realize that he was hyperventilating, with his short breaths and fast paced heart. Oh crap. This has never happened before a duel. I'll pass out if I do not calm down. God, help me overcome my feelings of anxiety. He gazes out his room window upon the lake of which will be his battleground.The image of it calms his soul. As he looks closer, he finds his brother, his friend Ethan, Raj, and Gonzalo, all waiting for him. Michael's here early?! Miracles happen everyday. Wait... Alain looks at his watch and sees that it is indeed much later than it should be, 11:45 p.m. How did that happen? Time is relative, I know, but this is ridiculous. Ridiculous or not, I gotta go down there. His deck, already chosen through much difficulty, and duel disk in hand, he runs out to meet his next challenge. As the door closes, the box of which had his soul deck started ticking and the engraved hands of the clock began to countdown.

The dark of night fills the island's skies, to be only interrupted by the light of the lampposts. An eerie quit surrounds the field in between the Ra Yellow's dorms and the lake, as four men wait for Melei to come.

"When is that girl going to get here? I do have to get some sleep, you know," Michael says, impatient as always.

"Didn't you say she'd come at midnight?" Ethan says, "We can be patient for a few minutes. While we wait, you think you could ask your brother to look at my deck?"

"Let's ask then," Michael looks at his brother, obviously worn ragged by the look of his face but otherwise ready for the duel, and bluntly asks, "Hey, Alain! You think you could give Ethan here a few pointers about his deck?"

Alains turns around and responds, "You think next time, Michael, that you could ask nicely? And yes, I'll see if I can help."

Ethan hands his deck over to Alain and simply says, "It's a Return deck using the effect of Lekunga."

Alain carefully inspects each card as quickly as possible, conscious of the fragility of those worn out cards. Finishing the inspection, he looks at Ethan and says, "Nice idea. The problems I see are that: Number 1, I don't see enough discarding effects, though too much is pushing it. If you had a few more ways to get monsters into the graveyard , like recruiter monster Mother Grizzly, you'll have more options for removing. Regulation of the Tribe would be good here, as a way of defense as well as a way to clear the field for your win condition; Number 2, you do not have enough monster removal. I suggest using Chaos End as an unusual card to offset your opponent; Number 3, I see only one card that'll bring back your monster removed from the Graveyard, Return from the Different Dimension." Alain looks up to see Melei coming, dressed in the formal Ra Yellow dress uniform along with her duel disk. "Ethan, come and see me tomorrow, and together we'll give your deck a good improvement. Right now, I have someone to due;." He carefully returns these cards back to the Australian teen." Facing Melei, he says, "You must have had the same type of event like I did, an orientation dinner. Either way, you look beautiful."

Blushing too slightly to notice, Melei stops some distance away, in a ready stance. "Thank you, but, as I had said before, I am neither comfortable not deserving of compliments. Please tell your friends to step aside so that we may duel."

"I only give out compliments when I know they are deserved but, as you wish," Alain looks back and says to his four man group, "Raj, Gonzalo, Michael, Ethan, would y'all move back further?" After they each moved back a little, Alain continues, "Thanks you guys. Okay, Melei, I know I asked this once before but I must ask again. Why duel me? Of all people, I am but an average duelist at best."

"If you truly want to know, you'll have to defeat me in the duel."

"Okay, let's have some fun then," he says as he activated his duel disk, "I use this deck to shine the light on the silent and give them their due.."

With a look of surprise, Melei thinks, Could it be...? "Let's begin, shall we?"

Alain's LP: 8000

Melei's LP: 8000

They both draw 5 cards.

Alain: "I believe that in this occasion that ladies are first."

Melei: "Thank you. I draw." (Hand: Giant Rat, Banisher of the Light, D.D. Survivor, Smashing Ground, Disciple of the Forbidden Spell, Threatening Roar) "I'll summon Giant Rat (1400/1450) in attack mode." A rat, donned with gray fur, claws as sharp as its big teeth, and glowing red eyes appeared, hunching and standing on its hind legs. With one look, one could tell it wanted to come and scavenge the meat off your bones. "I'll set one s/t and end."

Alain: "Okay, I draw." (Hand: Shining Angel, The Graveyard from the Fourth Dimension, Level Up!, Silent Swordsman Lv3, Cyber Dragon, Sakuretsu Armor) I wish I had an idea of what deck she uses. This deck can stop most decks but, even then, I usually have a small idea of what they use. Well in for a penny, in for a pound. "When I have no monsters on the field while you have some, I can special summon this card without sacrifice. I now bring out Cyber Dragon (2100/1000) in attack mode!" Suddenly, with a roar, a mechanized serpent appears, posed to strikeat a moment's notice. " I also set 1 s/t., and, since my Cyber Dragon was a Special Summon, I can still Normal Summon. So I call forth my Shining Angel (1400/800) in attack mode!" A light from the sky falls to the earth, revealing, not a meteor, but an angel robed with white vestments. "I think I'll do something unconventional. Shining Angel, attack Giant Rat!" The divine angel flaps it wings, thrusting its fist towards the rodent. The rat jumps, as well, readying its claws for its meal. Both collided, a battle started, now ended.

Raj, on the sidelines, confused at the order, blurts out, "Why would he do that? Cyber Dragon more easily. that way he could use the Angel to attack whatever came after.:

Ethan, quiet since the beginning, says, "They are both recruiters. They replace themselves."

"You're right. By replacing them, Alain could possibly find out what Melei has in mind."

Melei grabs her deck and searches her deck: "As we both know, Giant Rat allows me to Special summon one EARTH Attribute monster in attack mode that has an attack of 1500 or less, if he was destroyed in battle."

Alain, also grabbing his deck, says in response: "I do know, but I also get a monstere of 1500 or less, though not of EARTH but of LIGHT." Finding what he wanted, he calls out, "I now summon Silent Magician Lv4 (1000/1000)!" A tornado of wind and particles of light swirls. A seal of light at the base glows as a child, clothed in a white ankle-long vest with matching hat and hair and a look of seriousness, ascends carrying a small white staff with a blue orb pulsing of power.

Melei chose hoer monster and, with equal vigor, calls out: My monster of choice is Castle Gate (0/24000)!" A thick fog develops and revolves on her side of the field. A golem, extremely large in size with red-painted, gold trimmed doors as its body , bursts from the ground and fog. It's transition from the fog completed, the massive stone golem's opens its right door partially.

Gonzalo looks in awe at the sight of this golem. "Man, that is one seriously large monster but why bring out such a weak monster in attack mode when it can be better used in defense?"

"Because," Raj points out, "it has an effect that can only be activated when in attack. For one, it cannot be destroyed in battle. This effect is always active no matter what mode it's in. Second of all, each turn, if it is in attack mode, she can sacrifice one monster whose level is 5 or lower to do damage equal to the monster's original attack strength."

Michael and Ethan listened with interest in their eyes. They all cheer Alain on.

Alain, listening to Raj's explanation, smiled: "I see that monster as a testament of both of us, something whose stubborn nature will prohibit any to pass. Let's see if I am that monster's challenge. Cyber Dragon and Silent Magician Lv4, attack that Castle Gate!"A violent burst of hot fire stream out of the metal serpent's mouth, combining with the stream of light that came from the child mage's staff to make a majestic balanced of fire and light. It hits the doors of the golem creature, the fluttery fire deflects off the doors. Anyone near jumped away to avoid being hit with the simulated deflections. "Ok, I think I'll activate Level Up! By sacrificing one monster with "LV" as part of it's name, I can Special Summon one monster stated in it's text from my hand or deck, regardless of summoning requirements." The image of the kid mage disintegrates into small balls of dimming light from the legs up. At the last second, the seriousness of his face became a smile of mischievousness. "I now bring out Silent Magician Lv8 (3500/1000) in attack mode!" A hurricane of light flurries forms around Alain, the strong wind beneath him. Another seal of light, much bigger that the last, descends from the sky. As it crossed Alain's line of sight, the seal diminishes, the light infused forming the shape of the kid mage's older, adult self. It still held the staff of its childhood, but its one white coat now longer, its once short hair now longer and pointed towards the back, the eyes of the old apprentice not the eyes of a wizened master of magic. "My new magician is now immune to all your spells. With this, I'll end.

Melei's LP: 4900

Alain's LP: 8000

Melei: "I draw." (Spirit Barrier) Another part of the prophecy has now come true. All the evidence points to him. "I set 1 s/t and summon Disciple of the Forbidden Spell (1700/1000) in attack mode." A teenager holding a thick bow and arrow streaks into view from the forest, his wily blond hair covered in leaves and teal suit a demonstration of his rebellion. "I activate my Castle Gate's ability. I sacrifice my Disciple to deal damage to you equal to its attack." The golem opens its doors to the disciple as he runs in. Out of it came a translucent image of him with outstretched fists, striking Alain square on the jaw, knocking Alain back a foot. "I end"

Melei's LP: 4900

Alain's LP: 6300

Alain picks himself off the ground and says: "Hmm...I see what you are doing. An untraditional Burn. I like it. I hate to have to beat it though. Such a great example of originality."

Melei, taken back by the compliment, says only two words: "Thank you." I really think he's sincere. The very look in his eyes proclaims only the truth. But I cannot afford to allow him that kind of attention. I must wait until the personal prophecy given to me comes true. I still remember those words clearly. "Warmth in my soul will be realized when the future meets the present."

Alain notices the face of a thinking mind and continues: "Ok, I draw." (Nimble Momonga) This is the only way I'll see my LP again. "I set one monster facedown and attacks Castle Gate with my Silent Magician." A white fury hurtles towards the massive golem.

Melei, with a flick of her wrist reveals her Spirit Barrier. A semi-globe of pink color surrounds Melei's field.

Alain: "Aww...crap. Now you don't receive battle damage as long as you have a monster on the field. With Castle Gate on the field that means it will be harder now to win. I guess I'll end."

Michael, though not concentrating on the duel per se, comes to the realization, "She's going to burn him away. That's low, dude."

Raj counters him, "No, it's brilliant. With that sort of lock, she has now taken the control."

Alain, still within hearing range, thinks: He's right about the burning but I agree with Raj's comment. My deck can lockout most people's decks from half its cards, but this is not a normal deck. Maybe I should have stuck with Needle Burn. At least it could do effect damage even without the battle damage.

Melei, unfazed and unconcerned by the conversation, resumes: "I draw." (Mistobody) "I summon D. D. Survivor (1800/200) in attack mode." Out from the distance appears a woman vested in torn, gray coveralls, further covered by tattered yellow rags. As she neared, her face had the look of sheer determination. "I now activate Smashing Ground. Now the monster with the highest defense on your field is destroyed, but with two defenses the same, I get to choose. I choose to destroy your Cyber Dragon." A large first drives into the mechanical serpent, any leftover pieces of simulated metal crushed down flat. I do not and will not attack. My decks are designed to test each person's to think above what they know and normally would do. A true challenge. "I end."

Alain, looks on the field and sees her facedown. Skeptical of it, he renews his efforts to duel: "I draw." (Level Up!)

Melei, once again activates a card: "I activate a trap card, Threatening Roar. Now you cannot conduct your Battle Phase."

Alain: "I wasn't going to attack, too skeptical of it. I'll summon Silent Swordsmen Lv3 (1000/1000) in attack mode." A field of sparkles materializes, coalescing into the visage of a golden-haired child wearing a black trench coat and helmet, all studded with pieces of silver armor along the helmet, elbows and knees. Forever silent and serious, it wields it jagged sword in a battle ready stance. "I think I'll end."

Melei: "I draw." (Twin-headed Behemoth) "It's time to place the final piece of my plan. I now summon in attack mode, Banisher of the Light (100/2000)." A light fills the field as a man, wearing a radiant, gold robe and blue hat, walks into the field. "As long as it is on the field, all cards that are played on the field get removed from the game instead of going to the Graveyard. Now I can use Castle Gate's ability once again to do damage to you. Go, my Survivor!" As the Gates open, Banisher of the Light points to a far off point in the direction of those gates. D. D. Survivor flings herself with arms wide open. Her soul bursts out, spiritual fists clinched and gives Alain a powerful punch to the gut. "I now activate Mistobody. Any monster equipped with this card cannot be destroyed in battle. With that I end." Before Alain's turn begins, a rip in space, stars filling this rip, walking through this rip is D. D. Survivor, her look of determination not removed.

Alain, with shock on his face: "How exactly...?"

Melei answers before he finishes: "When D. D. Survivor is removed from play while on th eifeld, she returns to the field at that turn's End Phase."

Melei's LP: 4900

Alain's LP: 4500

Alain: "Cool, basically an everlasting source of Burn for your deck. I might be able to beat it, but if not, at least I learn a new Burn type. Either way, I draw." (Dark Mimic Lv1) "Now, at my Stanby Phase, my Swordsman can grow a little more. I now sacrifice it to Special Summon Silent Swordsman Lv5!" Time passes, metaphorically, for the child, making him grow. His sword, his clothes are now longerwith his sword resting on his right shoulder. "But I am not done yet. I activate another Level Up!, sacrificing my swordsman for his fully-grown adult self, Silent Swordsman Lv7 (2800/1000)!" The styling young adult further grows up. Once a spitfire teen, now a battle-hardened adult, his now longer sword resting in the ground near his left leg in the ground below. "At level 3, my Swordsman could not be destroyed by your spells. At level 5, he's totally immune to all your spells. Now, at level 7, any spells that are activated has their effect negated. I cannot do much more than attack Banisher of the Light with my Mage." A white fury shoots from the magician's staff destroying the once proud man. "I'll end." My ultimate team, on the field, just wish I had my lockdown complete with Royal Decree.

Melei: Hmm...if all of these are the silent, then one thing must happen to fully complete the prophecy, though, from appearances, it has already been fulfilled. "I summon Twin-headed Behemoth (1500/1200)." A winged, two-headed dragonof purpple and gold flys into position at Meleei's side. "I sacrifice D. D. Survivor to my Castle Gate again." After another punch to the gut, his LP drop.

Melei's LP: 4900

Alain's LP: 2700

Melei: "I end."

Alain, once again picks himself off the dusty ground, defiance in his eyes: "Something about this duels just made me realize I should try to win it. So I'll draw." (Silent Monarch Lv4) "I think I'll summon my Silent Monarch Lv4 (1600/1600)." A warrior of regal stature walks forht from the bright light that had just covered the field. It's pure white armored reflect off it, blinding anyone who looked directly at it. It's helmet was worn with the symbol of light, giving rise to its supremacy over all Light Attributes. "I'll end for now."

Melei: "I draw." (Nightmare's Steelcage) "I'll sacrifice my Behemoth to Castle Gate and when it is done by this effect, it returns to the field with 1000 attack and defense at the end on my turn." After the dragon goes in, it's spirit comes forth hitting Alain back to the ground. "I end." And as she said that, her dragon, thought weak and barely flying, appears to her side to once again to do battle.

Melei's LP: 4900

Alain's LP: 1200

Alain gets up from the other hit: "I draw." (Spiritualism) "Ahh...the simple things in life ," he says with mischief in his eyes.

Melei: "May I ask you why you say that?"

Michael looks at Ethan, then Gonzalo and Raj, with a smile on his face, "Guys, you are about to see some serious play. My brother just found a loophole in the gameplay."

"What do you mean?," Ethan asks, " From the look of the field, Melei can't be damaged while every is prevented to use spells.".

"You probably already know my brother likes to use unused deck ideas, like the Silent Swordsman lockdown instead of the Horus lockdown. He is made fun of this but this game is something he wants to enjoy and be unique in, not a regular unseen netdecker.Well, he also likes to find loopholes in his own deck, a way around devastating effects that from time to time turn the whole thing around. You can tell he just found one."

Alain, answering Melei's direct question: "You can. As I already told you, my Swordsman negates the effects of Spells on the field, but...there is one spell that can, not only win me the game, but also not be negated by the effects of other cards. I use the card, Spiritualism!" The heads of three ghosts emerges from the holographic representation of the card, all moving erratically towards the Spirit Barrier on her field, which upon being touched, faded away to nothingness, appearing in her hand. "What I just did was return your trap to your hand, making it impossible to escape damage. Now Silent Monarch, attack that dragon." The king of all Lights rushes toward it, it's large double-bladed axe magically appears. Lifting that large weapon overhead, he brings it down with a force many rarely see. "Now, my Siolent Magician and Swordsman, attack Castle Gate." A white fury forms from the flurries of light around him. When they full gathered, it launches at the gates, cracking them at it hits. With that done, taking his great sword into his hand, the silent warrior jumps higher than the hieght of the golem. He brings his sword down through the mighty stone menace as gravity takes it toll, destroying the monster in a shower of its own rock and splintered wood.

Melei's LP: 0

Alain's LP: 1200

Alain, in the wake of the win, walks by to his former opponent, raises his hand for a hadshake, "Thanks for giving me a good duel. I thoguht I knew all the Burns out there, but today I saw a new one. I really appreciate it."

"You are welcome Alain," Melei says, "I believe I have an explanation to give you as part of the wages of this duel and I expect that your company won't be talked out of not knowing." She looks at the four of them and gesture that they come closer. A few seconds later, Melei continues, "My name is Cheung Melei, and I am a guardian of a prophecy..."

to be continued...

Cards made up this chapter

Silent Monarch Lv4

Light/Warrior

Lv4/1600/1600

Place one Crown Counter on this monster for each Trap activated (max. 3). This monster gains 300 ATT and DEF for each counter. When this monster receives it third counter, on the next Standby Phase, you can sacrifice this monster with its counters to Special Summon one "Silent Monarch Lv6" from your deck or hand.

Castle Gates (from the OCG)

Earth/Rock

Lv6/0/2400

This card cannot be destroyed during battle. When this card is face-up in ATT position, sacrifing one monster on the field will inflict damage on your opponent's LP equal to that monster's original ATT. This effect can onlt be used once per turn.

Mistobody (from the OCG)

Equip Spell

While this card is equipped to a monster card, that monster cannot be destroyed in battle (Damage calculation is still applied.)