EPISODE 3: THE Z-HUNTERS' ORIGINS, AND MIRAI'S AMBITION!

'What do you mean?' Minato asks, frantically. 'You mean the Odd eyes- '

'Yes, the Odd-Eyes Synchron!' Yumi looks around, chasing after where the direction MIrai walked to. She dashed won the street to appoint where little civilians were, only cars as she ran up behind Mirai, he noticed him glaring at him as he turned around and had his bodyguards stop her.

'Give it back!' She yelled, as the other bodyguard took her other arm.

Mirai lifted up her Odd Eyes Synchron 'Yumi Hitoh, age 15, Z-Level 8. I've read a lot about you in the Z-Hunters' files...'

'Z-Hunters? Z-level?' Yumi thought, as she tried to shake herself off.

'Stop resisting.' He said, placing it back into his pocket. 'You're not getting this little token back-'

'UNHAND HER, KAIBA!' Yelled a voice from behind Yumi. It was Minato.

Mirai sighs. 'Muto. Your incompetence has caused me to take action. That's all.'

'You know this man?'

'YUMII!' Minato took off his glasses, showing Yumi his round, violet eyes. 'No matter what he's said, no matter what I say, Please, trust me!'

Yumi had never seen Minato so desperate. She nodded, as Minato continued.

'She's assigned ME, as her supervisor, Kaiba!'

'Well,' Kaiba states 'How long have you been friends with her?'

'Since 4th grade!'

'And how long have you been a Z-Hunter?'

Minato paused, failing to look for a comeback. '…Two years ago.'

'Exactly. Your friendship has gone out of hand. It has compromised out mission to protect the world from potential Evil Duelists! People like HER!'

'She's not like that!'

'GROW UP, MUTO!'

'SHUT UP!'

The pair are silent, as Yumi begins. 'I don't care what organization you're working for; I am not what you say, and I can prove it.'

Mirai scoffs 'And how's that?' He snaps, as the bodyguards drop her. Yumi gets to her feet.

'An invitation.' She asks. 'To your Memorial Tournament. I'll show you I'm not evil, Through battle!'

Mirai laughs a smug laugh. 'Fine, and I'll give you the card back if you win, but only if you wager on the destruction of you oh-so precious card.'

'Yumi freezes, but find courage 'Fine, However, you must wager one more!'

'And that is?'

'The mascot of Kaiba Corp, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!'

Mirai eyes open in shock 'GREAT GRANDFATHER'S- ' He closes of his thought, straightening his back and handing Yumi his white Duel disk. 'Fine. Consider this your entry ticket. I'll buy a new one, don't worry. There's nothing I respect more than a good Duelist. Besides, there's no way I'll lose. I. am. Duelist Royalty!' He declares, walking off.

Yumi inspects Mirai's duel disk, finding turning it on to find its blue-eyes-white dragon-shaped energy disk. She lifts it up, and turns to Minato

'Explain.'

…

'Long ago, there was a entertainer duelist. His name was Z-ARC. He was one of the world's greatest duelists, wanting nothing more than to be the best and please his audience. But an ever-thirsty audience, always wanting more, drove Z-arc into the ground. He became a psychopath, using the solid vision tech to hurt people. Eventually he grew too powerful, and had to be put , he was forgotten. However, a certain group of individuals, in a world without Z-ARC, grew wary and suspicious of the strong duelists of the world. The Z-Hunters exist to stop the rise of a new Z-ARC, no matter the cost.'

Minato talked softly, as they sat at the table of his home.

Yumi starts 'And you've been recruited for 2 years to make sure I fall in line? Who else into this? And how powerful can you get playing Duel monsters?'

Minato thought carefully before speaking again. 'I can't tell her about the Dragon incident files I read, and certainly not about Yuya Sakaki's relation to Z-ARC… not to mention the true power that our cards hold…'

'I've told my parents and Grandpa, no one else.'

Yumi sat down, pondering her discovery. 'Thanks for telling me. I trust you, don't worry. We've been friends since you found me holding Odd Eyes Synchron in 4th grade.'

'I know, thanks.' Minato stood up. 'Now, we should get to practicing, shall we? Action duel exercises, anyone?"

Yumi stood up, and joined Minato as he walked into the action duel room.

…

The old and withered face of Seto Kaiba lay in a hospital bed. Mirai stood above him.

'I don't think I have much time, boy' Seto's raspy voice said.

'I'm sorry, Great-Grandfather, that I couldn't complete your training sooner.'

'Don't give me that sh$3!' Seto coughed. 'I spent millions, extending my life, sot that I could learn the future of dueling, only to end up in this sorry state when Action dueling was announced. I could only do one thing; Train an apprentice.' He pointed his hand towards Mirai. 'You are my successor, boy. Bring glory to the name of' Seto stops, and coughs, reaching into his pocket and pulling out 3 monsters 'The name of Kaiba, and become the world's best, most elite Duelist better than I, better than… Yugi.' He grimaced at that last word.

Mirai stood tall. 'I could never take this from you- '

'Shut up! You will be the one to carry on my name.' He puts the three cards on Mirai's chest, as he reluctantly accepts 'Just promise me. When you're an ace businessman, fire the one who created Action duels.'

Mirai hid his tears 'I promise.'

…

Mirai's mind races to the present. 'I will honour you, great grandfather.'

He holds his 3 Blue Eyes White Dragon to his face, praying to him.

Suddenly, an employee walks in and he puts them away.

'Sir, there's been a hack in the Action Duel Physical Training System!'

'I assure you,' Mirai says 'It is no 'hack'.'

'But sir, those were for the Memorial Tournament!'

'Exactly, which is why I've only spruced them up a little.' He walks out of the room 'Fire whoever designed the original program. I have a meeting.'

As he walks down the hall, he remembers what Yumi said.

'The mascot of Kaiba Corp, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!'

He thinks to himself 'Yumi Hito…. I can't lose this duel...'

….

(Commercial Break Fun Fact: In my head, Mirai is actually Transmasc.)

…

A week later, Yumi's friends hadn't left. She and Minato stood in front of the Kaiba Corp. building. A small group of people gathering.

'Today, I'll reclaim my Synchron.' She thought, joining the crowd as the two bodyguards showed up, taking the invites and allowing them all in. He led them down an elevator, then to an Iron door. Inside the room, was a large computer monitor and multiple sliding Iron doors. The guards had told them to wait for an announcement. Minato managed to name a few contestants, in fact, he couldn't find one he couldn't name

'Is that Rinna Minoru? She plays Eldich, so note that.'

'Yumi look! Ryuru Mikan! He plays Kaiju! He was a local tournament winner-'

'Is that an L.D.S Student? No? But isn't . out of town?'

'I'll just assume that's Ryo Zeta, just in case, note that he plays either Swordsoul or Elementsaber...'

'Wait is, that Ryokii Naki from school?'

At that last sentence, Yumi looked over 'Where?'

Naki pointed to the spiked-haired figure, shuffling through the crowd. It was definetly him.

Yumi sighs 'If I have to fight him again- '

Naki immediately noticed her. 'YOU! HITO!'

'Crap.' She thought.

'I told you; you'd RUE the day you messed wit- 'he was interrupted, with a turning on of the screen, showing a Mirai Kaiba, sitting at his desk in his suit.

'Greetings, duelists.' He spoke. 'And welcome to the first Kaiba Corp, Memorial Duel. I shall be joining you to compete shortly, however we need to be sure that you are indeed suitable for an Action duel tournament. Through the doors, are several Solid-Vision generated obstacle courses, designed to test your skills. Enter whichever one you choose. Failure to complete the course under 3 minutes will result in elimination. Good luck.'

As soon as the recording ended, the doors opened, as each of the Duelists started running.

'Hey, let me finish!' Naki yelled, as Yumi dashed into hers.

…

After jumping over frozen icicles, avoiding swinging axes, and pushing Naki down for balance multiple times, she made it to the other side. About 12 Duelist managed to make it ou, including Her, Naki, Minato, A blue haired kid, and some of the duelists Minato had mentioned, previously having 15.

Mirai Kaiba stood in front of everyone, in the massive underground arena, big enough to generate Holographic castles, massive dragons, with seats laying beside it.

'Welcome, to the Kaiba Corp. Private arena.' Mirai said, pointing to the screen. These are the matchups for the first half of the tournament. We'll finish this in a day.'

She heard voices from the crowd. 'It's just you? Is this some sort of rich boy party?'

At that Mirai struck up in anger. "Party? Do not underestimate the seriousness of this event.' He threw his hands to the side, holographic flames of all colors sprouting from the ground, as it started to rumble. 'This event, honours the passing of Kaiba Corp's former CEO!'

He climbed to the top of the loudspekers behind him, as his voice echoed across the arena 'This, to me, is like his funeral! I declare that I will win theis tournament, fairly, and without cheating or manipulation, but you? Could any of you thire rate Duelists even come close to him? Show me you're worthy duelists, show me that the generation he left wasn't a lost cause!'

The arena erupted into blue flame, as Mirai, in stride declared.

"WELCOME, TO THE MEMORIAL DUEL!'

After Mirai's speech, the duelists sat themselves, and men from Kaiba Corp. waked out to remove the loudspeakers. The screen lit up and spoke

'HERE ARE THE A-BLOCK MATCHUPS:

Rinna Minoru VS Youki Shiro'

Rinna waved her hand, swinging around her long purple hair, waving towards a small timid girl, Youki.

Ryokii Naki VS Yumi Hitoh'

'Crap' the pair thought, eyeing each other

'Sora Shunin VS Ryo Zeta'

A blue-haired child with purple attire, smiled at the grimacing bearded 30 year old man

'THE B BLOCKS CONSIST OF:

Kazari 'Laser' Mikoru VS Lois Magner

Ryuru Mikan VS Loid Myster

Minato Muto VS Mirai Kaiba.

GOOD LUCK, DUELISTS.'

The designated duellists, Rinna and Youki stepped into the Arena. To keep the duels short, every Duellist only had 6000 LP.

The computer booted up a field spell, as the field transformed into a majestic and massive throne room.

The duel begins with Rinna.

'I activate Eldixr of the White destiny which allows me to summon ELDLITCH, THE GOLDEN LORD to the field!'

The field is dominated, by a MASSIVE GOLDEN GIANT, roaring through his helmet-like face.

'However, I activate Eldlixr of Black Awakening to summon DOOMKING BALDEROCH in defense position!'

A black void appears, disappearing to reveal a massive snake-like with a bone like upper body, golden spikes and veins running across his body, holding a staff

'Now, I normal summon Fallen of Allbaz, and activate BRANDED FUSION!

A white haired, red scarfed, vampiric man appeared onto the field, only to blur together with Eldlitch, creating a red and blue portal.

'I FUSE ELDITCH WITH ALLBAZ!'

'COME FORTH TO THE FIELD AND SHOW YOUR MAGNIFICENCE THOUGH YOUR NEW FORM!'

A dragon, flaming head to toe, branded with a mark on the chest, roared its way out of the portal.

'FUSION SUMMON! LEVEL 8, ALBION THE BRANDED DRAGON!'

'And using its effect, I can fusion summon by banishing from my Graveyard and Field!

'I BANISH DOOMKING AND ALBAZ!'

Doomking disappears into another portal

'COME FORTH, FROM THE BLUR, AND SHOW YOUR SHINING ICICLE SCALES!

FUSION SUMMON! LEVEL 8, MIRRORJADE ICEBLADE DRAGON!'

'I end my turn'

Youki draws, nervously.

'I-III' She stutters, looking up at the Branded Dragon 'I-I SUM-Summon my tr-Traptrix Dinonaea t-to the field!'

A mix of plant and human appeared on the field.

'A-a-a-APPEAR! L-LINK CIRCUIT!'

A digital square, with arrows on its corners and centres, appeared as Dinonaea turned into light and was absorbed by one

'A-ARROWHEADS CONFIRMED! THE REQUIIREMENTS A-ARE O-ONE NON-LINK TRAPTRIX MONSTER!'

A little girl, in druidish clothes appeared from the square, jumping down to the field.

L-LINK SUMMON! APPEAR, L-LINK 1, TRAPTRIX SERA!'

'A-and then I'll set a card and activate A-Anti Spell Fragrance! Sera's effect kicks in which A-allows me to summon Tr-Traptrix Mantis!'

A pot appeared on the field, spewing a sick mist, as Another girl, with horns and greenish skin, appeared.

'I use her effect to add t-that set trap to my hand, adding it back, and triggering Sera's effect and setting Floodgate trap hole from my hand and set two cards down and I e-end my turn!'

Two cards lay face down on the field

Youki starts running, looking for a card.

Rinna, disappointed, draws.

'Attack her measly Traptrix Sera, Albion.'

Albion breathed flame at the link monster.

YOUKI: 1300

Youki sprints faster, spotting something behind the Throne, as the other dragon attacks the mantis with a painful ice blast, ending the Duel quick. Youki drops to the ground, breathing heavy.

Yumi observed Rinna's style of dueling, looking for potential weak points. 'She never ran for action cards, so that's one thing…'

The computer voice spoke next. 'WILL MS HITO AND MR NAKI STEP ON THE STAGE?'

Yumi stood before Naki for the second time, duel disks ready.

'BOOTING UP FIELD SPELL: ARTIFACT RUINS'

The surroundings changed into that of a ancient ruined desert temple, surrounded by sand.

'It's time for some payback, Yumi Hito!' Naki pointed.

'Let's Light Em' Up!' Yumi declares, lashing her catchphrase out early.

The computer then continued to announce, as the audience cheered:

'READY?

3

2

1

DUEL!'

TO BE CONTINUED.