Summer Freedom-part one

Yugi was particularly excited for the day ahead of him. After his grandfather introduced him to Duel Monsters, he couldn't seem to think of anything else. He scowled at his grandfather teasing him, but soon returned the favor after he got dressed in a fresh, summer outfit. It seemed like forever since he wore anything other than his usual school outfit.

After a nice, hot shower, he eagerly got into his change of attire. He slipped on a pair of light gray plaid shorts followed by popping a black Volcom tee over his head. He finished up by adding his usual accessories on his wrists and around his neck. Man did it feel good to be wearing flip flops! He had a special liking for the Reef brand. He made note to take the black tin with his starter deck with him.

He lightly jogged up the stairs to the kitchen. He smiled evilly as he executed his revenge. There was a plate of cinnamon rolls covered with saran wrap sitting on the counter that the neighbors had brought over just because. Making sure his grandpa wasn't around, he swiped the plate and headed out the front door.

Solomon Moto was out back watering the flowers. He wiped his brow before coming inside to get a drink. "Boy this weather sure is heating up quickly this year. I don't remember it being this hot 'til the middle of July! He gulped down his glass of ice water eagerly. Boy I cannot wait to sink my teeth into those cinnamon rolls! ^^ He was sorely surprised to see an empty counter. With disappointment he said, Oh you gotta be kiddin' me! I must've eaten them already!"

Yugi meanwhile was on his way to Joey's house just a few streets down from his. He felt the weak breeze tickle the spaces between his toes and smiled. "The heat from the sun sure feels nice. Now I'll be able to get a nice tan before we start high school."

The lake soon appeared in the distance. Just two years back, the city began construction on the man-made lake to offer residents a feeling of having a beach. It was square shaped, outlined with boulders of all kinds with large dirt paths outlining the perimeter. Yugi walked past, admiring the waters reflection. The water was clear enough to see a few fish swim past. Even though it was man-made, there was something about natural beaches that could never be replaced.

He looked both ways before cautiously crossing the street. To his left was a gated community with a fancy gate in front. You had to have a passcode to enter. It was a surprise that his cousin didn't live within those gates. Instead he lived farther out in his own secluded area with his parents and brother. And they had plenty of money, of course. Coming up on his right side was the catholic church. It was well landscaped and had many beautiful shrubs, stones and exotic flowers. The building was fairly new with red brick and brown stuck-o. He walked about another block down the sidewalk before stopping in front of his friend's house.

He pulled out his new iPhone his parents sent for graduation. Because it was only ten am on a Saturday, he texted instead of knocking. "Hey I'm here, are you ready"? *Message Sent* A few moments later he got the reply: "Yeah, come in."

Joey opened the door, dressed in the same clothes he wore in capsule monsters. "Hey bud, how's it goin"? His eyes grew wide at the sight of the cinnamon rolls.

"Pretty good. So are you ready for this"? Yugi pulled out the black tin.

"...Are those"? Yugi recognized he was looking at the warm, cinnamony goodness. Oh, these? He chuckled a little. Yeah I took them from my grandpa. He teased me, so I took the cinnamon rolls. I brought them over for us to share!

"Sweet! Bring 'em here!" The two sat down on the two sat on the couch in the living room.

Yugi lifted the lid of the tin laid out all of its contents. There was a paper mat divided into sections for monster cards, magic/traps, and the deck along with a two sided gold coin. One side had the millennium puzzle and the other the eye. A manual was also included.

"Alright, so from what I have read so far, each player starts with five cards and draws one every turn. You set trap cards face down here, and the shuffled deck goes there. Only one monster may be summoned per turn. Any monster higher than four stars requires a tribute before summoning it, and that's assuming normal summon. Some cards vary, like this one (Summoned Skull) only needs one tribute whereas this (Dark Magician) needs two even though they're the same level.

Joey took another roll. "This is getting complicated."

"What's complicated"? Serenity came in from the kitchen, wearing a t shirt and basketball shorts. She sat across from them in front of the fire place.

"Hi Serenity." Yugi looked up as she walked in.

"Hey sis. Yug's just showin' me the new Duel Monsters game. It's the way it's set up that's making my head hurt."

"Oh." She didn't seem to take much interest.

"Yeah, supposably this game's really popular in Japan. I wanna learn how to play 'cause this game is coming here, too. So this is technically a prototype." Joey listened while Yugi continued to lecture.

"Sounds cool, big brother, Serenity said as she started to get up. I'm going to go get ready so I'll see you guys later."

"Alright, see ya sis."

*iPhone whistling tone* Yugi took it out. "Oh, got a text from Tristan. He wants to hang out."

"Alright but I vote we go out somewhere. I don't wanna play card games anymore today."

"Well, we could spend a day at the lake. After all, it is nice enough outside."

"Hmm. Joey pondered the ups and downs before answering. You know, a swim does sound pretty good right now...tell Tristan to meet us at the lake in ten."

"K, I didn't pack my shorts, do you mind if I go get them and just meet you there real quick"?

"Sure, bud I'll see ya there."

Yugi was jogging up the long stretch of road before a car stopped on his left side. He kept going until the passenger window rolled down. He hesitated before asking, "Uh, can I help you"? A hooded figure replied in a cocky voice: "Yeah, you can help us." Yugi could hear chuckling in the backseat, and started to panic when the doors opened. He turned to take off before a strong, cold hand pulled him back.

Yugi looked up nervously at the offender. He couldn't see his eyes, but he noted he was dressed in a plum colored robe with a gold millennium eye that topped the hood. The next thing he knew, he was on the ground lying on his side. His stomach started to burn like it was on fire and he soon realized he had been kicked in the gut. He felt liquid sliding down his knees onto the tops of his feet and passed out seeing the sight of his blood.