Chapter 3: A New Start and New Encounters

It's been a week since that very day and looks like the war between the Signers and Dark Signers are now over. I can tell by a shining looking dragon going pierce through that big Earthbound Immortal bird-like monster from my new apartment. Whoever owns it must be pretty good duelist. Some say that Yusei Fudo owns that card with the help of the Crimson Dragon. Well, it doesn't matter anyway. I'm hungry and the fridge is empty.

Storm: I guess it's time for me to eat at outside for tonight. Better buy some groceries while on the way back.


As I took off with my D-Wheel, I was thinking that I should start a new life here. I have thought of myself that I have to be independent on my own from now on. I don't know how much money I have left from my earnings in the organization. In this place, they say to use Duel Points (DP) as their currency and can only be obtained them through dueling. And you earned them depending on how well you performed it. Well, that one way to earn a living. Suddenly, a firework display is can be seen from the bridge that I crossed and it caught my attention. I just went ahead and saw a huge banner in front of that building.

Storm: "Welcome all of the duelist of the world to Neo Domino City"? Looks like my kinda party. I wonder what's up with it…

As I park my D-Wheel at the basement parking lot, I just went to the lift and when the lift opens, I saw a lot of people, regardless of age and where do they come from. Looks like something big is coming up. While I get myself something to eat, a short clown appears from the upper floor came with his fancy clothes came to make a speech. Wow, not to be rude, but I never thought of clowns will be joining this tournament as well…

Lazar: Good day, everyone! As Vice Director of the Public Security Bureau, I welcome you all. As I'm sure you're aware, Neo Domino City has undergone some major changes. The opening of Daedalus Bridge has linked to our city to Satellite. And the World Racing Grand Prix, aka the WRGP, that will serve as a symbol of our new city. So, as a prelude to the WRGP on this fine day, I would like to announce the opening of the World Tag Duel Grand Prix, aka the WTGP!

Storm: World Tag Duel Grand Prix? That's new… I might enjoy this one.

Lazar: There are two members a team, no age limit and both citizens and non-citizens can join in. Every duelist can participate in the WTGP, which is the purpose of its creation! All matches will be held at Combat Lane, built just outside the city, as well as the WRGP finals. Nothing else can compare with it. Think of it as a way to turn more people onto dueling.

Storm: It sure got my attention, alright…

Lazar: The WRGP and WTGP will define our town as an even more perfect place to live. Neo Domino City- where people from all walks of life, young or old, can enjoy a good duel! *grins* These two tournaments will be the events of a lifetime and a bridge to eternal peace!

After that speech, that man just walk away from there and go to who knows where… now then, a new problem is occur to me… who will be my partner for this tournament? I hardly knew anyone here in this city and obviously had no one I knew either from the Army or from my village. What should I ever do now? And then, it hit me… a familiar voice shouted towards me…

Jack Atlas: Hey, you over there! Quit standing around by yourself. Get over here!

Crow: Come on, Jack. Show a little manner, huh?

Storm: *surprised* U-uh… right. Better do what he says.

As I walked towards them, I can't believe that I met not only Jack Atlas, but also the city's savior, Yusei Fudo. Please tell me it's just a dream…

Crow: Since you're here, I take it you're a duelist like us, right?

Storm: Yes, I am. I've been dueling since I was a kid.

Crow: I'm Crow and this is Yusei. And the moocher here is Jack.

Storm: (Yep, I'm not dreaming after all…)

Jack: Crow? Did you just call me a "moocher"? What's your problem?

Crow: Isn't it obvious? You're a regular freeloader, sponging off others, so it's perfect.

Jack: Come and say that to my face!

Crow: Hey! You wanna piece of me or what?

Yusei: So, your name's Storm, is it? Don't be a stranger, okay? We're all duelists here.

Storm: Oh, right. And uh… *pointing at both of them arguing* Aren't you going to stop them, Yusei?

Yusei: Don't worry about Jack and Crow. They're always goin' at it.

Storm: Right…

As I watched both of those men fighting, a teenage girl went towards us, or more specifically, Yusei…

Aki: Wow, as rowdy as always, I see.

Yusei: Aki? I didn't know you were here.

Aki: The WTGP doesn't require a D-Wheel, so it looks like I'll be able to join.

Crow: Hey, Aki. I bet you're dying to team up with Yusei, right?

Aki: *blushes* Well, sure… if you don't mind, Yusei. What do you say we partner up?

Yusei: Don't get caught up in the excitement and make any hasty decisions. Think it over.

Aki: *angry* Fine… someone from Duel Academy might be entering the WTGP after all. I might just enter with them. *stares at him* Too bad for you, Yusei, if that's how the chips fall!

Storm: Is it me or is Aki is being a little bit prickly?

Crow: Well, that's because-

Jack: Good one! Aki's best monster is Black Rose Dragon, right?

Storm: Uh… what?

Crow: No, Jack! That's not what he meant at all. But you're a lot smarter than you look, Storm.

Storm: I'll take that as a compliment, Crow.

While I still just blushing and rub the back of my head because of the compliment, a pair of identical twins running towards us. One boy with a single ponytail and a blue shirt and white jacket runs towards here and a girl with double ponytail and a red shirt and a pink jacket just walk casually and sigh over her twin brother's behavior… I think.

Rua: Yusei! Aki-nee-chan!

Yusei: Rua? You're here, too?

Aki: And Ruka, too, of course?

Ruka: *nods* Uh-huh. How are you, Aki-nee-chan? Isn't this a great party?

Rua: Crow and Jack, how've you two been? I've never been better myself. *points at me* Uh, who's this?

Yusei: That's Storm, a duelist we just met.

Storm: Nice to meet you, Rua.

Rua: Hey, Storm! What do you say we duel some time?

Storm: Sure, anytime, Rua.

Ruka: I'm Ruka. Rua and I are twins. It's nice to meet you.

Storm: Likewise, young lady.

Ruka: Hey, Yusei! You guys are gonna duel in the WTGP, too, right?

Yusei: That's the plan.

Jack: Riding or standing, shrinkin' away from a duel ain't my style.

Rua: Same here! *smiles widely* Since I can't ride a D-Wheel, I couldn't join the WRGP but I can duel in the WTGP, and I'm goin' for the top prize!

Storm: The top prize?

Ruka: Through and through, Rua really is one big show-off.

Aki: This should be great if all of us are joining in.

Crow: You better believe it! But, on top of that, it'll be held at Combat Lane, which'll also be used for the WRGP.

Yusei: If we know the course inside out, than can change what D-Wheel settings we use.

Storm: (He sure knows his stuff… unlike me. I just got my D-Wheel a week ago and still not familiar with it.)

Aki: Really? Seems like there's a lot of D-Wheel and Turbo Duels then…

After we chat for quite a while, I found out that he's actually a pretty good guy, having friends care for him and vice versa and also have bonds with others… to tell you the truth right now, I kinda feel a little bit jealous now that I'm on my own. But its good to be friends with them. Never have a dull moment with them. Soon, everyone except Yusei and Jack went somewhere else… maybe they went off to find a good partner or just chatting with them.

Jack: By the way, Yusei. Who've you got in mind for a tag partner?

Yusei: Actually, I haven't decided yet. I had my mind on the WRGP all this time. How about you?

Jack: Heh… who I team up with is irrelevant. In fact, what about you, Storm? How about we partner up, huh?

Storm: You and me, Jack? Well…

Yusei: Hold on, Jack. Since the WTGP is made up of Tag Duels, you better think about it. And Storm, if you find someone you wanna team up with, go talk to them.

Storm: Talk to them, huh? (I wonder if I can meet her again, just to clear out of that confusion from that time…) Alright, I'll try that.

Jack: The cards will bring two people together if they're meant to team up, right?

Yusei: You got it.

?: Jack! There you are! *runs towards us*

Storm: Uh… who's the girl?

Jack: What the…? Carly… Y-you're here, too?

Carly: Of course, I am! I can't pass up the chance to get a story on these famous duelists! Now it's time to do some serious fact-finding, but… *blushes* if you need someone for a partner, maybe I'm the one that you need? We'd make a perfect team, Jack. So how about it?

Jack: I, uh, think about it. This is a big, important decision after all. Anyway I, uh… totally forgot I need to go shopping for some late night snacks now. *began to walk away*

Carly: Hey, hold your horses, Jack! Wait up! *follows Jack*

Storm: (I guess Jack has some love issue, huh?)

And then, 2 people walk towards me and Yusei. Most likely in their working suits.

Ushio: Heh heh heh! How's it going, Yusei? Enjoying the party?

Mikage: I know I said to let everyone enjoy the event, Ushio. But can't you focus on your work?

Ushio: Right, sorry….

Yusei: Arena partol, huh? Sound rough.

Storm: Yusei, do you know these people?

Yusei: Yeah, I've known these two for quite some time. Ushio and Mikage, this is Storm, a duelist who just moved into town.

Storm: Hi there. My name is Storm Ryder. Nice meeting you both.

Mikage: Hi, Storm. I'm Sagiri Mikage, Sector Chief of Special Investigations. If there is something you want to know, feel free to ask me or Ushio.

Storm: *nod* Will do.

Ushio: I'm Vice Chief Ushio. It's our job to be of use to the citizens here. Come and talk to me anytime.

Storm: Alright.

Mikage: By the way, isn't Atlas-sama with you today?

Yusei: He was here until he left a minute ago.

Mikage: *frowns* Well, bad timing I guess.

Yusei: Hey, are you guys gonna be in the tournament?

Ushio: Every part of my being wants to be.

Mikage: We just don't have the time. We'll probably have to help manage it instead.

Ushio: With keeping watch and so on, I don't think we can squeeze a break in for days.

Storm: Geez, that's sound harsh…

Ushio: But I shouldn't complain. It's a living after all.

Mikage: Spectators must be pouring in from all over the world. I get a headache thinking about it. Let's go, Ushio.

Ushio: Right.

Wow, looks like Yusei have a lot of friends in Neo Domino City. Lucky him… I wonder how he meet all of them. With a lot of friends, he sure has a lot of enemies… and then, a female blonde woman walk towards us.

Sherry: Excuse me, you're Yusei Fudo, right? Hee hee, I recognized you right away. I only interested with a big, strong men, just like you, Yusei. Did you already choose a partner?

Yusei: Not yet. But I'm probably not what you need.

Sherry: Why not?

Yusei: In Tag Duels, it's important to know your partner well, but we just met, so…

Sherry: So? Time has nothing to do with it. There are ways for us to get more… intimate… all it takes is a few turns together, and you'll have a deep understanding of me. But for today, I just came over to say hi. Au revoir, for now. And you, the one with a green headphone, you don't look like a typical duelist either. How about being my partner?

Storm: (I don't think I gonna like this…) Um… I better think about it, like Yusei said.

Sherry: you'll think about it? Pity. I wanted a strong man to take me by the arm here and now.

Storm: (For some reasons, I just got goosebumps by just talking to her…)

Sherry: But I am not a woman who gives up on someone so easily. See you two again.

She waved at us and walks away with confidence. Whoever got her as a partner might have a little bit of trouble. Not to be rude but I think she really desperate for a man. She got her reason of her own. After I turned back to Yusei, I saw someone who was staring at us, wearing a red visor and a purple jumpsuit. He just staring at us most of the time and after that, he just walk away.

Yusei: Huh? What's wrong, Storm?

Storm: That man... the one with purple jumpsuit.

Yusei: That man? I didn't notice anything odd. At least he's gone now. What was he doing?

Storm: He's been staring at you.

Yusei: From the beginning?

Storm: Yeah…

Ushio: I had pegged as suspicious myself on that man.

Yusei: Ushio… sure you weren't imagining things? He didn't really ring a bell with me.

Ushio: Maybe you're right. I'm so wrapped up in my job, they all look a little suspicious. But you're kind of celebrity in this town, so it wouldn't hurt to keep your eyes peeled. Anyway, Mikage's expecting me. I better head back.

As Ushio went back to Mikage, I looked at Yusei with my worried look. Just how many people really wanted to duel Yusei? Is he like a threat to certain people?

Yusei: You're pretty concerned about me huh, Storm?

Storm: Who doesn't? After what I heard from Ushio, I really think you should follow his advice.

Yusei: Heh, is that right? I have a feeling we're gonna be good friends.

Storm: *smiles* Yeah, we do. Man, look at the time. I better go now. I'll see you later, ok?

Yusei: Yeah. Later, Storm.

After a little walk back to the lift and while going to the basement parking lot, I feel happy because I've made new friends today. I guess you do need to go out once in the while. And not only that, as soon as the lift opens its door, I saw her and she look at me back…

Storm: Wait, you're…


I know it has been a long time since I last posted it. All thanks to high pressured tests, exams, assignments and so on. So, I'll try my best to update it as soon as possible. Later, yo!