Chapter 2

"Swordstalker! GO! Vengeance strike!" the boy yelled to the huge, holographic monster in front of him. He didn't look more than 14 years old. I was witnessing a practice duel. But I couldn't believe it! Perfectly designed holograms that look almost exactly like the cards themselves! I gaped in amazement at the silky smooth frame rate when that kid's Swordstalker ran up and took a jumping slash at some other girl's defense monster. It looked like the Armored Lizard to me, but I couldn't be sure from such a distance.

Anyway, I continued walking down the crowded streets looking around at some of the others who looked surprised to be here. I actually was shocked myself, but I wasn't one to start rubbing my eyes in disbelief or jump up and down like I witnessed others doing. I just kept following the crowd of people that seemed to be headed toward some small building with the sign above it marked "Registration."

"NEXT!" some woman yelled from behind a counter that she could barely see over.

"Yes, hi. I'm registering for this tournament," I said politely.

"Duh! EVERYONE on this island is! Unless you were a stowaway on the boat, in which case you should turn back now," she glared up at me through her incredibly thin glasses and long, dirty, blonde hair as she replied to me rudely all while typing on the keyboard in front of her. I watched her fingers type my name. "Okay, kid. Here's how this tournament is gonna work. It's nothing like Duelist Kingdom or Battle City, or any tournament you've been to before. First, you must win two preliminary rounds to be entered into the tournament itself. At that point, you will be among the 256 seeking to be the "Best at His/Her Game." After the original 256, will be only 128 left. After that, 64 more will be eliminated, then there will be 32, then 16, then 8 in the semi-finals, 4 in the finals, and then just 2 in the "last duel."

"Uh… that's a heck of a lot like the tournaments my school holds," I said with a laugh.

"HEY! I'm just reading what's on the paper given to me! Cut me some slack, got it, kid?" she screamed as she reached over the counter to shove me aside. "NEXT!" she yelled while she motioned for me to go away.

"No Duel Disk system or anything?" I asked kind of aloud to see if any would hear me.

"I was wondering that same thing. But after walking around the whole island and not seeing a single system, it's safe to say that we will be using normal arenas," some boy behind me said. I turned around to see who it was. "Hi, my name's Jack." He said as he motioned to shake my hand. Then I told him my name. And shook his hand. Then we continued walking around. After all, 10am was two hours away.

"So how good of a duelist are you? Do you have any rare cards? What's your favorite card?" Jack said, starting up a conversation

"Uh… I'm pretty good. I have a few rare cards, and I'll just give you a hint of my favorite card…" I replied to all three questions at once.

"Okay… go," he said, looking back at me.

"My favorite card has attack points of 1700," I said with a choked laugh.

"Heh… BIG help!" Jack said sarcastically.

"Ha ha ha! Well you're just going to have to figure it out! There aren't THAT many with attack points of 1700!" I replied as we continued walking around, getting a feel for the massive island.

Sooner than later, it seemed, 10am came and everyone on the island, unless they were stowaways, was in front of some huge field "awaiting a special appearance" I heard someone say. Everyone looked in unison to the right when we heard a jet approaching at an incredibly fast speed. "I bet you that's him!" I said with sarcastic excitement. Jack just laughed. To everyone's surprise, the jet stopped and hovered in midair. A digital screen buzzed on to a picture of a man sitting in a chair hidden behind shadows and darkness. "Maybe he's worried about people thinking he's ugly," Jack whispered to me. I suppressed a laugh as the man began to talk, "Young duelists! I welcome each and every one of you! All of you have been invited to this tournament because your dueling skills have been monitored. Be it by your older brother working for my company… Jack let out a little cough, as did a few others …your school principal who reported to me your excellent performance at a school tournament… "Uh oh… I came in second at our school tournament. Does that mean that Jonathan is here somewhere?" I thought to myself… or if your parents called me personally and told me your desire to be in a tournament, you have all been accepted here. Some of you know what's coming. For others, this is your first tournament ever. But I just want you all to have fun and duel your very best. Oh yes- the prizes. The 32 that make it that far will be awarded $250, each! Then, the 16 that survive that round will each earn another $250! The final 8 will each receive one ultra rare card. Then, the last 4 will be awarded another card with attack points guaranteed to be over 3000. And finally, the one who comes in second place will be awarded an additional $1500 and another rare card. BUT! The duelist who manages to overcome all challenges set in front of him or her and crushes the other 255 duelists will not only be crowned "Best at His or Her Game," and will not only get to keep the other prizes they have already won, but will also get to ask for whatever cards, prizes, or cash he or she desires! Then, to test the true limits of this duelist's capabilities, they will also get to challenge ME! I doubt ANY of you even remotely recognize my voice, so you cannot possibly guess at who I am. So, in defeated all the others, you will be the only who gets to meet me in person. Good luck, all of you! And to the 224 who do not win anything, I wish better luck ahead of time." Many angry groans were heard over the sounds of the jet zooming out of sight. I even think I heard someone say that $250 wasn't a good enough prize to be dueling for. But I'm just glad to BE here! Anyway, everyone walked back the main gate and preliminary match-ups were announced. They had at least 150 dueling arenas, some with stadium seating. I assumed those were for the big battles. Anyway, my name and Jack's name were called. We each went our separate ways and agreed to meet back by the main gate after our duels. I was psyched! I was actually going to play in my first duel in an international tournament! I slowly approached the arena marked 134-C and waited for my opponent.

"Who the heck is my opponent, again?" I said to myself, as I watched hundreds of people walk by me, searching for their arenas. I wondered if he or she would actually show up…