Our story resumes at the time of 2:09, back in the sleepy town of Thompson.
"Please, for the love of God, ring." Aaron muttered as he watched the slow ticking of the clock.
He was supposed to meet up with Sarah today to talk about how to use Gearfried's effect, but at this rate he was going to break down from the total boredom of listening of his Algebra teacher.
RING! The bell sounded.
"Out of here!" He called out as he snatched his books and dove out the door.
"What's his rush?" Asked one of the on looking classmates.
Aaron skillfully dove in between the shifting lanes of human traffic as he made his way to his locker, 8 years of this kind of anarchy had trained him how to bend and swerve along with either the slow moving or completely parked kids.
He swung to a halt as he slid to his locker and grabbed his bag. I better move it; I only got another five minutes to catch my ride.
He slammed the door, and ran down the hall.
He broke out the doors and continued his mad dash down the hill and down towards his home town.
Aaron looked at his Dueling brace; a timer was counting down, less than 3 minutes.
"Great, just my luck." He muttered, as he turned to a path through the trees.
His Brace grew to full size as he followed the stone path that lead behind the town hall. He pulled out a card, "Shift!" He slammed the card down, and in a blaze of light, vanished.
He reemerged a good 300 yards northeast on the set of train racks that ran straight through the center of town.
"With two minutes to spare. Alright." He said, sitting down on the rail.
Aaron was still having trouble believing what he had to do to get to the castle. This would be the second time he'd be using it on his own, the first time was a bit of a shocker to him.
He pulled his deck out, and looked through it till he found a Gearfried.
"Now how am I going to figure out how I can use your effect? There isn't exactly manual for this." He wondered, his mind was still replaying the Paralyzing Potion V had used on him, and he couldn't move.
Beep! Beep! The timer on his brace was signaling the 30 second marker.
"Time to go for a ride." Aaron said, placing the card back in his deck, and stood up and faced down the east end of the tracks. But there was nothing coming down either ends.
The seconds were counting down, 10...9...8
Aaron held up his brace, it began to blaze with light.
5...4...3...2...1...
0.
Aaron, in the blink of an eye, vanished into nothing, leaving the train tracks barren.
Or were they?
"Dang, I got to find a new way to get on this freight train." He muttered, rubbing his head.
Aaron stood up and found himself inside a passenger car of an old steam engine.
The Zephyr Express, was the name of the train. A trans-dimensional train, which at certain points across the world, picked up certain passengers, if they signaled for a lift to the Duel Monster World.
Problem was that the train didn't stop for the passengers. So when they boarded, they normally were sent flying backwards from the sudden acceleration.
Aaron sat down in the closest seat, and looked out the window, the scenery was still breath taking to him. A vast ocean with an ivory white sand beach, the brilliance of the sun made the ocean shine and sparkle like a polished sapphire.
Just then, another passenger went flying from the front of the passenger car to the back, bashing his head against the door.
"Ouch." Aaron said, who couldn't help but feel for the guy.
The kid in question was Paul, the kid who strangely reminded Aaron of himself, a 6 foot kid with short brown hair, he wore short rimmed glasses. His attire was a it's a short-sleeved shirt with another shirt over it, unbuttoned and jeans, sneakers and on his arm was the shining Hyozanryu brace. His eyes were one of those things you see very rarely, the right was a normal brown, but the left was constantly changing between hazel and blue with the light.
"You alright?" Aaron asked.
"For the moment." He said.
Just then, an Injection Fairy Lily appeared and crashed into the front of the car.
"Amy!" Paul called out, scrambling to his feet and running down the aisle, with Aaron not far behind.
Lily was dazed from crashing into the wall; her pink hair was a mess in her face. Aaron and Paul picked her off the floor and put her in a chair.
"You ok?" Paul asked.
"I'm alright, just a headache that's all." She said, rubbing her forehead.
"What happened?" Aaron asked, looking at the impact point of the wall. The force was strong enough to dent the metal wall.
"I was trying to make it to the jump site, but the train had already left with Paul when I got there, I changed to Lily to see if I could catch it. Guess I tried a little too hard." She tried to chuckle.
Aaron had to smile; he saw that Paul remained concerned for her well-being, much like a brother. He decided to head try and reach the conductor.
After crossing two cars, he found himself in front of the car loaded with coal. "Great, more fun." He muttered, as he looked for a way around, but knew in his gut, there wasn't any other way than climbing over.
He reached over the rim and pulled himself on top of the coal pile, getting covered in black dust. "Aw man, I just got this shirt!" He mumbled as he stood up, and tried to walk across.
He ducked his head down when he reached the engine and called out, "Hey there, how long till we get to the castle?"
The conductor was a woman, with chocolate brown hair in a pony tail that was sticking out of a cap. She wore overalls with black work shoes, her face was smudged, but the clearness of her blue eyes still bore through. "Another 5 minutes. I'm surprised, not many come up here."
"I'm an exception, a passenger got the wind knocked out of her when she boarded. She'll be fine, but I was checking just in case. By the way, my name's Aaron."
"Kara, pleasure to meet you." She said, holding out her gloved hand.
Aaron shook it gratefully, he held up his brace and called to Paul, "Yo Paul, we'll be disembarking shortly."
"Thanks, Amy's feeling better. She's up and mov- Hey, take it easy Amy."
"Oh come on Paul, you know I can take care of myself." She said on the other line.
"You just crashed into a wall at full speed, I'd be a little bit easier on myself."
"I am!"
"Amy!"
"Ha ha ha. That's most I think I've heard out of Paul in a while." Kara said.
"Sounds like you've known these guys for awhile." Aaron said, hoping off the car and stood next to her.
"I've be around for quite a while, I started to be this train's conductor when my father passed away fifteen years ago. Jeregrine found I had a heart of a pure nature and a thirst for adventure, so he asked me to help him out when the tournament would begin. So I've had time to learn from the kids." She said, keeping her eyes on the gauges.
"So Paul doesn't talk that much? He sounded as talkative as anyone else I've met." Aaron said.
"He's like that around you and the others, but when he's around strangers, he stays pretty quiet. Amy is the one he gets along with the most."
"And Amy is pretty out going, polar opposites due connect." Aaron said.
"I guess you have a point there." Kara said, watching the scenery fly by.
"So you a duelist too?" Aaron asked, realizing he still had his Duel Brace armed.
"Actually I-aahh!"
The train made a sudden and strong jerk to the right, causing Kara to land on Aaron, pinning him against the steel floor. "Ow." He moaned.
Just then, he saw the train had just switched tracks, and was drifting towards the ocean.
"Hey, How'd we switch the tracks?" He asked.
"I don't know. But we've got to hit the breaks." Kara said, trying to get up.
Just then, Aaron heard something sounding like pounding. His Dueling Brace flashed, "Spirit Merge!"
He was swept up in light and emerged as Gearfried.
He jumped up on to the coal car to see a Goblin Attack Force come charging atop the cars. The green humanoids with purple vests, golden head wear, and carrying clubs were running full speed.
"Not smart." Gearfried said, spreading his arms out as jumped towards them.
The goblins were surprise at the move, but were even more scared at how fast he was flying towards them!
Gearfried's body had become the equivalent of a brush, sweeping the goblins right off the train!
Gearfried stuck out his foot as he soared towards the final car, stopping his traveling, but the sudden jerk had released the goblins and sent them sailing off the end.
"Bye bye." He smiled.
Just then, twin red bolts came running down the cars towards him. Aaron could make out they were decked out in crimson ninja wear. Each carried a curved blade of steel, their eyes were blank as snow.
"More trouble." Gearfried spat, bracing for a strike.
Just then, something burst up from one of the cars, and following a quick blue blaze, the Crimson Ninjas burst into vapor.
Aaron quickly recognized the figure as it landed on one of the cars. He was decked out in fire engine red armor, lined in a gold trim, and was styled like that of an elegant knight, but the helmet curved like a crescent signaled that it was a spellcaster. The eyes of the knight were covered in the shade of the helmet's gold visor, but the skin of the face was a light blue. The red cape flowing down its back had golden streaks, and elongated shoulder guards formed curves. Its weapon was a bright blue blade, and in its other hand was a large shield which carried the similar style of the armor.
It was Paul, he had become Breaker the Magical Warrior.
"Thought you were going to have all the fun to yourself."
"It looks like we aren't done, look!" Gearfried pointed.
Up ahead was a number of men, each was dressed in red garments covered in ancient English soldier armor, carrying swords and spears, they had very blank facial expressions.
"Exiled Forces, what the heck is going on here?" Aaron demanded.
"I don't know, but if we don't do something fast, those guys are going to over run us." Paul said, preparing to charge.
"I'll handle this!"
Gearfried and Breaker looked behind them, the petite form of an angel in a nurse's outfit, with pink wings and holding in her arms was a giant syringe!
"Uh oh, Aaron, get down!" Breaker called out, lying facedown on the ceiling of the car.
Gearfried quickly complied, as Lily took flight at mach 2! She shot clear pass the forces, and following suit was a sonic boom!
The sky filled with vanishing soldiers as they were flung into the air.
Gearfried looked up, "Is that all of them?"
"No, I think not." Kara called from the front.
"Now what?" Breaker pondered.
"Guys, it looks like we've got a big problem!" Lily said, pointing up ahead.
It was big, standing at least 15 feet off the ground, its body was completely covered and incased in silver and crimson armor. The features of this being were its armor lined with spikes, a jagged blade held in its right hand, the circular designs on its waist and knee caps, and the golden face mask in the design of the sun.
"I know that card, the Warrior of the Sun." Gearfried said.
"Don't worry, I'll cut it in two!" Breaker said, lunging forward.
"Hey Paul, wait!" Lily called out to him.
Breaker had already made it to the car before the coal car, the blue saber in his hands was sparking with energy.
"Shadow Thrust!" The blade lit up with a dark color, as Breaker swung it in the direction of the Giant monster. A wave of dark energy spewed forth from the arc of the slash.
The metal, warrior giant reacted to the attack with lighting like speed, it swung its left fist right in the wave's path!
"Paul, get out of there!" Aaron called out, the monster's sudden reaction had triggered his memory of the creature's ability.
Too late, the warrior's strike had impacted the wave of energy, but in the process, it managed to change the polarity and send it back the way it came!
Breaker raised his shield to block the wave's return, but the energy was just what was thrown at the giant, there was something else. The wave's power had inverted from darkness to light!
The blast smashed dead center with the shield, sending Breaker careening backwards, and flying off the train!
"Kunai With Chain!" Gearfried called out, a curved hook like metal boomerang appeared under his shield, and shot out like it was launched from a cannon!
The boomerang latched around Breaker's leg, and with its chain, Gearfried pulled him in for a landing on the rear car.
"Thanks, and how'd you do that?" Breaker asked, picking himself up.
"I still haven't figured how to use my effect yet, so I can use equips." Gearfried replied.
"Guys, back to the problem at hand." Kara called out; the train was still coming in for a collision with the Sun Warrior.
The Warrior pulled back his blade, and swung it down. A massive beam of light came flying out of sword, heading straight for the engine!
Gearfried dove forward, it's not the same as my energy, but maybe I can use it to charge my Iron Rock Crusher.
The iron knight threw his blade in the beam's path, and collided with it! The whole arm begun to spin, and gather strength.
"Paul, Amy, I'll do what can, you'll have to finish it off." Aaron called out, trying to draw in as much strength as he could.
"Alright, let's go!" Lily called out, as she dove along side Breaker.
"Here it goes, IRON ROCK CRUSHER!!!" Gearfried shouted as he counteracted the spin of his arm and threw the massive field of geothermal energy right towards the giant warrior.
The field of energy came down on the giant like sandstorm, the energy was drawn to the metal armor and was crushing it like a can. But the power was not enough, the Sun monster didn't fall.
I thought as much, the Warrior of the Sun's effect to increase its attack when facing dark monsters is why Breaker's attack didn't lay a scratch on him, but even with my Iron Rock Crusher, I can't defeat a high level monster like that. Gearfried thought to himself.
"My turn! SPELL SABRE FLARE!" Breaker's blade was over flowing with a magical inferno. He brought the blade over his head, a swung with all his might, and released the blaze on the creature.
"And mine as well." Lily said, her body was shining, and her syringe was growing to the size of a sedan! She held the weapon over her shoulder, and aimed right for the giant, "Hope you aren't afraid of needles! Heyaih!" She threw the giant needle, and it slammed dead center of the creatures chest.
The resulting explosion from the flame and needle, blew the metal being into paper clips, just as the Zephyr Express shot right through the dust cloud.
"Whew." Lily said, landing on the train along side Breaker who was exhausted as well.
"That was fun, now can some one explain to me what the deal with the sortie was?" Paul demanded.
"I don't know, all that I figure is someone is trying to ambush us and they use warri-"
Just then, Aaron felt strange, there was some strange pull coming from around him.
"Hey, what's going on?" He demanded, as he was pulled from the front of the engine to the back of it.
He landed on the floor and he crouched with his arms crossed over his chest. "Hey I can't move." He gasped in disbelief.
Just then, two figures landed beside him. One was a guy with a golden helmet with a blue crescent sticking out of the back, red hair and his red eyes could be seen in from it, his body was completely blue and he carried a green, cone like spear.
The other was covered with golden chest and shoulder armor with horns sprouting from each end, he wore a similar helmet with green eyes, and carried a spear with a curved blade.
"M-Warriors 1 and 2, How can they do that to him?" Lily wondered.
"They attack with Magnetism, and since Gearfried is the iron knight, he's easy pickings." Breaker answered.
"Exactly, I knew you were bright Paul." A voice came from behind.
Amy and Paul looked behind to see a pair of teenagers, both wore similar sweatshirts and jeans, and both had Duel braces ready for battle.
"My name is Jeni." Said the red haired, green eyed girl.
"And mine is Ken. We are going to be your opponents." Said the blonde, green eyed guy of their pair.
"You're joking right?" Gearfried asked.
"I'd be quiet if I were you tin man, you're in enough trouble as it is. Do it." Ken commanded, and M- warrior 2 took something from it's waist and put it in front of Gearfried.
It separated into 4 and surrounded him, but then these four disks linked together by energy.
"We heard you still haven't figured out your effect, so that Ring of Magnetism should keep you busy for now. And if you try to sweep it away like last time with MST, you're conductor friend is a goner." Ken said, as the two M-warriors turned their weapons on Kara.
"What do you want?" Breaker demanded.
"A double duel, us, against you two. We had to make sure your friends didn't try to stop us, so we sent you on this detour to challenge you. You're now too physically weak to fight again so soon, and if you refuse to duel, your metal buddy and girlfriend won't be around for much longer." Jeni stated.
"And what do you get out of it?" Lily asked.
"A chance to participate in the tournament, and our master wants to see how strong you are, so now on with the duel." Ken said, drawing his first five cards.
Breaker looked at Lily, and vise versa, they looked behind at Gearfried and Kara, then back at each other. They both knew what they had to do.
Breaker changed into light, and when it dissipated, Paul was ready with his Hyozanryu brace.
And then Lily changed into light, then leaving Amy, a girl with blue eyes, brown spiky hair with long brades, she wore a small pink cloth that wrapped around the back of her head, with a knot raised up, white shirt with a pick jacket that had white sleeves from the mid shoulder down, and fanned out at the neck and bottom. Pants with flares with white from the knee down, a white scarf that has both ends pulled back, resting between her shoulders and collar, waving like a cape. On her arm was a Blue Eye White Dragon brace.
She reached into a small pouch on her waist and pulled out her deck, she slammed it into her brace and drew her five cards. "Alright Paul, you ready for this?"
"All the time, let's do this." Paul nodded in agreement, his brace unfolded and drew his hand.
"Then it's time to duel, prepare to lose." Jeni said, drawing 6 cards and the duel was on.