My name is Yuto Yamamoto. My parents disappeared when I was 8. I currently live with my friend, Iris Hamasaki. Before my father left, he gave me a special gift for me on my birthday; a rare Duel Monsters Dragon Deck. Over the years, I perfected the Deck I was given, using new cards to improve it. But now, this isn't fun and games anymore. This is because recently, the Duel Disks started hurting people, and there is a ruthless Duelist who goes by the name, "Avatar", who humiliates his opponents with vicious cards. Because of those reasons, the Dueling Security Bureau has banned Duel Monsters. Whatever the circumstance, me and my Deck will stand firm, ready for our destiny.
Yuto is in his room, looking at his cards that he used to Duel with prior to Duel Monsters' ban. He then noticed one of his best cards, Decoy Dragon, a tiny, cute aquamarine dragon with 4 eyes, a set of big eyes that made it look cute and a smaller pair next to them, showing that it's very sneaky. This card won Yuto many Duels due to its effect. But what was most special about it was its Spirit. Yuto could see the Spirits of Duel Monsters, a trait that came from his mother. When he saw the card, the Spirit came out and squeaked, happy to see his friend and master.
Yuto: Hey, Decoy Dragon. Sure has been a while, hasn't it? Now that Duel Monsters is banned, we barely get to Duel anymore.
The dragon chirped in agreement.
Yuto: If only we could find out about who is causing the Duel Disks to harm us and why. The DSB's ban isn't really helping.
Iris Hamasaki walks in.
Iris, blushing: Oh, Yuto. Was I disturbing you?
This is Iris Hamasaki. She happens to be my best friend. After my parents disappeared, I lived with her ever since. I really like her, but I can't bring myself to say it.
Yuto, blushing as much as Iris: No, come in.
Iris: I was just wondering why the Duel Disks are hurting people.
Yuto: Same here. Even Decoy Dragon doesn't know why, but he knows it isn't pretty. But no matter what stands in my way, I won't stop until I find out.
Yuto walks out of the Hamasaki house with his Deck and his Duel Disk, which is unique among other models; Having a Deck Zone that holds up to 60 cards, and Extra Deck holding up to 15 cards, and a Graveyard and Banished Zone that can hold up to 75 cards each, has an Infinite Life Point Counter, and an Automatic Deck Shuffling Device. In his spare time, Yuto has tweaked into his Duel Disk to improve it as well, to the point of looking like a dragon's head.
Iris, running to Yuto, worried for his safety: Yuto, you know of the rumors about the Duelist, "Avatar", it isn't safe out there. Please don't go out there with your Duel Disk.
Yuto: I have to, Iris. If I'm going to find out who caused Duel Monsters to be banned by the DSB, I might have to Duel my way through.
Iris, eyes beginning to water: But I don't want him to hurt you.
Yuto, with absolute seriousness: Don't worry, I can take care of myself.
Iris, not hesitating: Then I'm going, too.
Yuto, smiling at her determination: I can tell you have your Duel Disk in your bag; it's a little obvious.
Iris: Maybe, but if you're going to find out about this case, you'll need help.
Yuto: Thank you. Now let's get going.
Yuto and Iris made it nearly half way to the center of Domino City III, until they were stopped by an officer of the DSB.
This officer is Chief Nakahara, head of the DSB. Despite his good reputation, he is a very fierce officer who'll do anything to capture his targets, even if it means foul play.
Nakahara: Yuto Yamamoto and Iris Hamasaki. What do you think you're doing here with Duel Disks, knowing the DSB banned Dueling? Are you looking to go the Facility? Don't think I haven't forgotten those criminal markers on your face, Yuto. I kept a close watch on criminals like yourself.
Yuto: I'm no criminal, and I'm trying to find out who's causing the Duel Disks' corruption.
Nakahara: Not too bright, I see. All that had to be done was ban Duel Monsters.
Yuto: Wrong, people will disobey the ban, either out of boredom or just wanting to find out what is going on.
Nakahara, losing some patience: Look! Either we ban Duel Monsters or the Duel Disks will continue to harm us all. And besides, the DSB has everything under control.
Yuto: No you don't, you're just making the situation worse than it should be.
Nakahara: If you're going to keep questioning me, I'll-
Yuto: Tell you what, Duel me.
Nakahara: Are you insane?
Yuto: If I win, you let us both proceed and swallow your pride, you win, I go down the river.
Iris: Yuto, no. It's too dangerous. I hear he uses the ultimate lock-down Deck that prevents his opponents from making different moves.
Yuto: I'll be fine; I promise.
Nakahara, activating his Duel Disk, which looks like a phoenix head: Now let's cut the gab and Duel.
Yuto, activating his own: Let's do it.
Both players started off with 8000 Life Points and 5 cards in their hand each.
Yuto: The first move's mine! I activate Hieratic Seal of Convocation, letting me add 1 Hieratic Monster to my hand, and I choose Eset, which I Normal Summon with its effect. However, its original Attack Points become 1000.
He then summons a dragon made of violet light in golden armor.
(Hieratic Dragon of Eset, Lvl 5, ATK 1900, DEF 1200, Light, Dragon)
Hieratic Dragon of Eset ATK: 1900-1000
Yuto: Now I sacrifice Eset to Special Summon Su.
Eset dissolves into light and becomes a sky blue light dragon in golden armor.
(Hieratic Dragon of Su, Lvl 6, ATK 2200, DEF 1000, Light, Dragon)
Yuto: And since Eset was sacrificed, I can Special Summon a Dragon Type Normal Monster from my hand, Deck, or Graveyard. However, it loses all of its Attack and Defense Points. I choose Sky Dragon.
He then summons an purple feathered avian dragon with four wings out of light.
(Sky Dragon, Lvl 6, ATK 1900, DEF 1800, Wind, Dragon)
Sky Dragon ATK: 1900-0
Sky Dragon DEF: 1800-0
Nakahara: So what? You Summoned a Dragon with no strength and intend to scare me with that?
Yuto: Not quite, because I have the requirements for an Xyz Summon with my Level 6 Dragons. Now watch as I build the Overlay Network to Xyz Summon the Hieratic Dragon King of Atum!
The 2 dragons disappear into a black hole, and the a white hole opens up and brings out a dark gray light dragon in golden armor with 2 yellow orbs around it.
(Hieratic Dragon King of Atum, Rank 6, ATK 2400, DEF 2100, Light, Dragon)
Yuto: Now for its effect, by detaching an Overlay Unit, I can Special Summon any Dragon from my Deck, but it can't attack the turn I activate it, and the Summoned Dragons' total strength is 0. I choose Exploder Dragon in Defense Mode.
Atum absorbs 1 of the Units into its hand, which then becomes a beam of light summoning a dragon with a bomb in its hands.
(Expolder Dragon, Lvl 3, ATK 1000, DEF 0, Earth, Dragon)
Exploder Dragon ATK: 1000-0
Iris, in her head: I see, he Summoned his Eset as a tribute to Summon Su, which Summoned Sky Dragon for him to Summon Atum, 1 of his ace cards in just 1 turn. Yuto's skills haven't gotten rusty.
Yuto: I place 1 card-face down, and end my turn.
Nakahara, drawing his next card: My turn, and I Summon Horus the Black Flame Dragon Level 4!
He then summons a metallic phoenix-like dragon out of fire, screeching upon appearance.
(Horus the Black Flame Dragon Level 4, Lvl 4, ATK 1600, DEF 1000, Fire, Dragon)
Nakahara: Now I activate Level Up! This card lets me sacrifice a Level Monster for a new beast from my hand or Deck without a cost, so I upgrade Horus from Level 4 to Level 6!
The dragon then becomes a bigger dragon upon the upgrade, which then screeches upon appearance.
(Horus the Black Flame Dragon Level 6, Lvl 6, ATK 2300, DEF 1600, Fire, Dragon)
Nakahara: Don't bother with any Spells while he's on the field, because I know your strategy, you'll try to use Shrink to weaken Horus. But that won't work. And I know of Exploder Dragon's effect, destroying a Monster on my field once destroyed. I activate Forbidden Chalice on your Exploder Dragon.
Exploder Dragon ATK: 0-400
Nakahara: Now its effect is useless, and Horus can attack without destruction!
Horus releases a black flame that consumes Exploder Dragon, causing the bomb to explode along with it.
Nakahara: Now I end my turn, thus upgrading Horus to Level 8.
The dragon then upgrades into a bigger bulkier dragon, which roared upon its appearance.
(Horus the Black Flame Dragon Level 8, Lvl 8, ATK 3000, DEF 1800, Fire, Dragon)
Nakahara: This card destroys Spells, so they are useless overall.
Yuto: Maybe, but its my turn. And I activate Atum's effect, Summoning Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King.
With Atum's effect, he summoned a huge golden egg-like shell.
(Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King, Lvl 6, ATK 0, DEF 0, Light, Dragon, Gemini)
Yuto: Now I Gemini Summon the Seal, and activate its effect, sacrificing it to Summon a Hieratic Dragon in Defense mode from my hand, Deck, or Graveyard, and I choose Su. And now I banish my Seal and Eset to Summon Asar!
He then summoned a green light dragon in golden armor.
Hieratic Dragon of Asar, Lvl 7, ATK 2600, DEF 700, Light, Dragon)
Yuto: Now I sacrifice Atum to Special Summon Nebthet!
He then summons a lavender light dragon in golden armor.
(Hieratic Dragon of Nebthet, Lvl 5, ATK 2000, DEF 1600, Light, Dragon)
Yuto: I now activate Nebthet's effect by sacrificing Asar to destroy Horus!
Nebthet then fires a beam of light at Horus, destroying it in the process.
Yuto: Now I activate Call of the Haunted, bringing back Atum, and since he was Summoned after its effect was activated, it can attack this turn. So Atum and Nebthet, attack!
The 2 dragons then fire beams of concentrated light towards Nakahara.
Nakahara: 8000-4000
Yuto: Now I activate Double Summon to Summon Decoy Dragon.
(Decoy Dragon, Lvl 2, ATK 400, DEF 300, Fire, Dragon)
Iris, in her head: I see, he knew of Horus' Spell Destruction effect, so he used Nebthet to destroy it by sacrificing Atum so he could use them again, and then Special Summoned Atum back for more power. Yuto...you...
Yuto: I Set 2 cards face-down, and end my turn.
Nakahara: You got lucky that turn, but that turn is your last, because I activate Level Modulation, so you draw 2 cards, and I can Summon a Level Monster, no charge.
He then summoned his Level 8 Horus.
Nakahara: However, it can't attack when Summoned or activate or apply its effect, so I activate Monster Reborn to Summon its Level 6 model.
He then summoned his Level 6 Horus.
Nakahara: Now I activate Magical Stone Excavation.
Yuto: I counter by playing Solemn Judgement.
Yuto: 8000-4000
The payment of Life Points destroyed Nakahara's Spell.
Nakahara: Very well then, I attack Nebthet!
Yuto: I activate Magical Arm Shield.
Horus Level 6, upon attacking its Level 8 counterpart, gets destroyed by its target.
Nakahara: 4000-3700
Nakahara: I place 1 card face-down, and my Horus gains its effect, now go.
Yuto: I'll just place 2 cards down.
Nakahara: Very well then, I attack Nebthet with Horus! Ancient Black Flare!
Yuto: Ring of Destruction!
A ring full of fire clamps on to Horus and explodes, sending debris towards both players.
Nakahara: 3700-700
Yuto: 4000-1000
Yuto: Next, I activate Cemetary Bomb, which inflicts 100 Life Point of damage for each card in your Graveyard.
Nakahara: 700-0
Yuto wins.
Yuto: You did your best officer, I'll give you that much. Now if you'll please let us pass.
Nakahara: Very well, but I go with. I'm trying to figure this case out myself, but it seems more complicated with Avatar arranging all of this hysteria.
Iris: You mean that he's responsible for the Duel Disk's self harm?
Nakahara, certain: Apparently, yes. I'm guessing that you don't know what he looks like. Here's the latest shot of him, Dueling professional Duelists with deadly cards.
Yuto, recognizing the face of Avatar, in shock: Sosuke Fuma!?
Nakahara: You know him?
Yuto: He was a fellow classmate of mine. When we were in the Eclipse Academy. He was one of my best friends at that time. To think he would do this after graduation.
Nakahara: That answers 1 question out of many.
Yuto: But the question is: Why?
To be continued...