Hours more pass through this, the first day of the World Duel Carnival Preliminaries, and evening would soon cast its first shadows of darkness over Heartland City, forcing automatic streetlights to blink to life...
But our attention moves away from the excitement of this grand-scale Duel Monsters tournament towards a more serious manner taking place at a very familiar location: The Heartland City Museum. Apparently, it was once again experiencing a robbery of one of its valued treasures...but unlike the failed attempt by Scorch and Chills, it seems this new character is close to success, if not without a few hitches along the way.
Currently, the figure was atop the roof of the large building, a spotlight shining over their body courtesy of the police who had a team set up down below, one of the co-leaders of this operation being Detective Arata Quen, Tiffany's father. After receiving the go-ahead nod from his sergeant, he communicates with the mystery thief trapped atop the museum via megaphone.
"This is the HCPD! We have you completely surrounded with no openings for escape! Surrender now, put your hands on the back of your head and get down on the ground, slowly!"
Zooming upward, we get a better gander at whom Arata was barking orders to. They were a male in their mid to late twenties, tall and with a pale complexion, black hair that carried a dark blue sheen in a mod-like cut that ran to his shoulders, fringes cut long to frame his face, covered by a black-grey fedora with a mahogany strip running around the base, teal green eyes that sparked of mischief and adventure, and wore an outfit conspired of a white suit jacket with matching pants over a collared magenta-red shirt, a black vest, a thick-woven sarape of light orange with a dirt brown diamond pattern and yellow tassels worn over the shoulders reaching to mid-back, black belt, and brown shoes.
"Not even gonna say please? Now that isn't very polite of you, is it? Nh!"
He shuts his eyes to block the blinding light coming from another spotlight above him, as a few police helicopters come flying over the rooftop.
"And would ya lookit that? You called in the birdies!...I had no idea you clowns would make such a fuss over a simple card..."
Fwipping his left hand, we see a Duel Monster card appear between his fingers, reflecting the features of a Number! Several special ops come sliding down some ropes to surround the male, clicking their electrical batons to life. But even with the appending danger he was putting himself in, the stranger remained unafraid, even a little cocky.
"Whoa-hoh, how's it goin', fellas? Nice touch with the glowy sticks, but I'm pretty sure I got you beat!"
He hoists the arm holding the probable Number into the air...and the card releases a torrent of light brighter than the spotlights to go sparking over the area!
Below on ground level, Arata shields his own dark blue irises from the blast of energy alongside a few of his fellow officers for a short amount of time before it dies down...
"Detective, look!"
He follows the directional point of one of the newer rookies, and gasps when he sees,
"The thief...they're gone!"
Fujina Residence, Adam's POV
Ugh, I'm definitely sensing a long night ahead. I get that Professor Marshall has alot on his plate this semester, but why does he always end up roping me in for these tedious paper grading sessions?
It's getting close to dinner time, and since around past lunch, I've been stuck sitting at my bedroom desk undertaking the task of grading several dozen term papers sent by students in the Duel Monster History Class up at the university I assist in. This isn't so much a hard job, but it can get rather annoying and tiresome after a while, especially when some of these people show obvious signs of not paying attention to the finer details.
"What? No, the game wasn't founded on a whim out of boredom. It was inspired from a section of ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs depicting what is known nowadays thanks to various historians and anthropologists as 'The Shadow Games'."
Note: Another allusion to the original series; your welcome, my fellow fans :)
I mark and critique that mistake while letting out a sigh:
"At least they got the name of the original creator correct...but I swear, each new wave of incoming students is producing more ignorant minds."
Despite my gentle rise of irritation, I found myself smiling a little and almost laughing.
"Oh wow, listen to me, getting riled up...Yet I can easily name three people who would be having a bigger conniption fit than me over something like this. Dad...and two old college buddies of mine."
Speaking of...I wonder what that crazy thrill-seeker's up to these days?
(Briiing, briiing)
"Hm?"
Suddenly, my duel gazer starts ringing, and when I pick it up to check the caller ID, I would become near-dumbstruck by who's name was listed.
No, way...!
(Ping)
"He~y, Adam, how's it goin', buddy? Gosh, been a while since we last spoke, hasn't it?"
...Charlie...
"Charlie McCay?!...Aeh-yes, it's certainly been quite a while since we last chatted. (Knowing smile) But something's telling me that this isn't a courtesy call to an old friend."
"Heh, yeah, wouldn't that be nice?...Listen, I could use a hand out of a little fix."
Leaning back from by desk slightly and bending my chair a bit in the relaxed recline, I ask,
"Alright, spill: What'd you do now?"
"Just took something I needed...from the city museum."
"And by took, you mean you stole."
"I prefer the term 'borrowed without asking', but that's not why I called. See, I gotta deliver this item today, but I'm kind-of pinned down. Feel like lendin' a hand to your old study buddy?"
Oh good grief, his habits haven't settled much, have they?...You'd think that his common sense would've gotten an upgrade during his college years...
Forming a frown with a sigh, I chide in a half-stern manner,
"Charlie, you know how I feel about bending the Law. Those crazy frat parties that were held on unauthorized grounds, sneaking into the museums after dark?...Those may have been memorable, but it was also dangerous, and what you're doing now is skyrocketing to the top of that list. It'd be in your best interest to turn yourself over to the cops before things get too out of control."
On some levels, it looked like he was listening to me, but that calm, casual smirk on his face spoke different volumes.
"Oh come on, it's not as bad as you think, and FYI, those crazy parties and other little adventures I took you on were what helped get you out of your turtle shell. Don't forget that...But we can talk about the old days some more, when you zip down in your old man's truck."
"Uh...!"
"Just rev it up and come meet me. I'll shoot you my location."
Forming a challenging smile, I retort back,
"Oh will you now? And give me one good reason why I should meet with you."
"Uh, because we're best friends?"
...I had to really fight the urge to throw my gazer against my mattress when he pulled out the friend card.
"Oh, and I'm kind-a hungry too, so, if you could swing by a drive thru-"
Groaning, I then form an irritated upturn of lip before exclaiming,
"Damn it, Charlie, you're still as insufferable as ever!"
"And you're still as uptight as ever, kid...Still, I recall us parting on friendly terms during our last meet. Anyway, I'll meet ya in thirty; don't keep me waiting."
With that, he hangs up...Letting out my second groan of the evening, I rise from my desk chair to walk over and flop my back onto my bed to cool my frustrations.
"That, idiot...Hmph."
Turning so I was laying on my side, I look across from my vantage towards the wall that held my bookcase, fixating my green-flaked grey irises on a framed photograph holding my old, annoying friend and me during his graduation day. A small, sad and nostalgic smile forms as I quietly muse,
"Heh...our last meet, eh?"
(Flash)
To put a long story short, despite my outstanding academic achievements in high-school which led to me graduating a year early, I was in no way prepared for what the life of college and university would offer. Unlike my younger brother, I wasn't as confident with my abilities in keeping a conversation with someone, and was one of those awkward wallflowers.
...That is, until I met him during my second semester of my first year. We were in the same history class, and didn't speak much until we were paired by our professor for a research project. It was throughout the assignment that we got to one another, and after seeing what I had sheltered myself into, Charlie became determined to bring out my inner public speaker.
I resisted for a little while, but after a few forced outings, I slowly began to build back my confidence with meeting and befriending new people again. In turn, I gave Charlie's study habits some desperate tweaking before he teetered to the failing grades, and showed him that even the most boring drones can have something to offer a fresh mind. Through each cram session, each party, several dozen coffee clatches...he became the best friend I wish I had since childhood...Well, him and another male who I became close with, but that's another story.
Anyway, that's why come that summer after my third and his final year...I was sad to hear of Charlie's plans to get an early start his world travels.
"Are you sure you wanna jump headfirst into this so soon? This'll be only your second major trip out of the country since that semester abroad we took a year ago."
"I'm definitely sure. You know me by now, Adam: I don't like standin' still for too long...but hey."
I remember the way that sunset highlighted the brotherly look in his smile.
"We'll keep in touch, promise...and it's not like you need me as your shadow anymore."
"Huh?"
"You're gonna be fine. I see a great man shining in you, Adam...Just remember: when those windbag professors start getting to ya, just head back to that woodwork hobby you're good at until they shut up."
Laughing was the only way to stop myself from tearing up, knowing it would be a long time before I'd hear advice like that from that guy's mouth...
"See ya around, kid!"
(Flash)
...Letting out a gentler breath, I rise up from my bed to walk back to my desk, and gather up those term papers to put away.
"I can finish marking these tomorrow...Haaah, the things that friend of mine gets me into."
Just remember my policy, Charlie: if you get caught, I don't get arrested with ya.
Athena's POV
Five duels, four Heart Pieces, three of which fit together while one's an oddball out...
Sounds like a good first day to me.
And best of all, I've managed to steer clear of that vengeful punk...for now.
"Looks like your allergy's finally flared down, Addy."
I blink in a slight jolt out of my thoughts to the sound of Tiffany's voice breaking the period of quiet between us that's lasted for the past fifteen minutes, taken from the last few hours since we parted ways with Tombo. Pivoting my head to her, I reply with a slight smile,
"Yeah, I definitely don't feel the heat of my rash anymore, and my voice has finally lost that rasp. But as the doc said, no more tomatoes for me today...Heh, that duel with Tombo was somethin' else."
"Certainly one of the more unforgettable...Do you think you might someone else to duel before the day ends?"
Shrugging, I face the front of us again as we, and Astral, continue our way down this one street in the downtown area.
"Can't say for sure, but you never know. If this is where my progress will pause, I'm not complaining."
"Just remember to not get too relaxed, Athena."
Glancing over to my right, my friend from another world goes on in saying,
"Those who remain in the Carnival do so because they are skilled."
Hm. Somehow, I just knew he'd say something like that...
"All the more reason for me to enjoy my little victories while I can, 'cause it only gets tougher the higher you climb."
(Briiing, briiing)
"Hm?"
Suddenly, I hear my gazer's caller ringtone go off, so I stop with the other two to answer it.
(Ping)
"Oh, hey Adam. 'Sup?"
"Hey, sis...Are you, not heavily invested in the Carnival right now, and near the main Monorail station?"
"Uh, not overly, (glances up) and yes. Why?"
"Good. Listen, I could really use a hand. There's an old college buddy of mine I'm suppose to be meeting with in the next bit. Here's his pic."
An image is sent to me, and I found myself staring at a man who looked a few years older than Adam.
Huh...Weird, I feel like I've seen him before...
"He should be near the courtyard. I would really appreciate it if you can find him, and keep him rooted for a while."
"Um, alright, but how come you can't meet with him now, and who is he exactly? I feel like I should, but don't know 'im."
The picture of the guy is blocked by Adam's face again as he replies with a small smile,
"Heh, I'm not surprised. You might have only seen him come and go during our study partner sessions back in the day. His name's Charlie, and, he's one of my best friends, even when he gets himself into trouble once in a while...As for your first question, I'm kind-a busy doin' some last-minute mochi prep so I don't have to stop by a fast food joint for the doof."
I rolled my eyes a little with an amused expression:
Hoh Adam, you big heart...Wait, did he say mochi?
My brother must've seen the brightening of my expression, for he smiles a bit slyly and quirks,
"If you help me out, maybe I'll save you a few squares?"
"...Keep talkin'."
I could hear my friends lightly sigh at me in their own amusement, while Adam lets out a little chuckle.
"I figured the promise of free food would sweeten the deal...Oh, one more thing I should mention: Charlie has a hard time waiting in one spot for too long, so when you do find him, be sure to at least keep your eyes locked on his figure."
"Gotcha. I'll see you soon."
"Catch you later, Addy."
(Ping)
Tucking my gazer away in my pocket, I mutter in light exasperation,
"Sheesh, if it's not Terry, it's Adam cavorting me into brother-sister jobs..."
Tiffany chimes with a smile,
"At least the latter's less demanding about it...So, I guess we better head to the courtyard, huh?"
"Yeah yeah, we should."
We all start making our way towards the gate opening to the main Monorail station across the street...But as soon as we stepped foot into the area, we'd find ourselves staring with a much bigger crowd of spectators at a duel that was taking place.
"Oh!" "Hm, 'nother pair of fellow competitors."
...Once I got a better look at who was dueling, mind you, my surprise would scale a building.
"Next I activate Submersible Aero Shark's special ability! Here comes, Torpedo Takedown!"
Uh!...Shark...
Turns out we arrived at the tail end of the match, for my friend's XYZ would blast away against that other kid, taking away their last 1200 Life Points, and ending the duel...But while all these other passers may have cheered for the spectacle, I found myself frowning a little.
Hmm...I thought he said he wasn't participating in the Carnival.
The best way to get your answers, of course, was to ask the source...
"That was quite the win, Shark."
He looks up at me as I approach, his expression no more or less neutral than mine.
"Athena..."
"What's confusing me is the level of seriousness, not something I would see in a guy who dueled just for kicks...You're competing in this tourney, aren't you?"
My question was more of a statement, to which the boy before me wouldn't deny, instead pivoting to stand sideways to my line of vision and answering without looking at me,
"Only for as long as I need to."
"What's that mean?"
"As soon as I do what I gotta do, I'm out."
My ears don't miss the disguised bitterness between his words, which told me all I needed to know.
"...Hmph, then I guess I shouldn't play the ignorant hypocrite and say, 'What're you talkin' about? You're nuts'."
That caught Shark's attention, and he meets my red with his cerulean...
"He's here, isn't he? That guy who played you in the Nationals a year ago, and you're seeking retribution."
"Uh...(Closes eyes) He is, and I am."
"I see...(Bitter smile) You better know what you're getting into, Shark. The sweetness of vengeance doesn't last for as long as some may argue, and leaves a nasty trail of destruction behind."
His eyes narrow a little as he retorts almost too quickly,
"Oh yeah? And what would you know about it?"
"Tch, come on, your memory can't be that bad. Do you not recall my little story session in the hospital? I've witnessed it, time and time again..."
That shuts him up, and I look over the crowd of nameless faces with a distant glare as I add,
"And unfortunately for me...I'm once again caught under the bullseye."
"Uh! Do you mean...that bastard-"
"Yeah...Trilos, is also in the WDC. No idea how he managed to swing that, but he's nevertheless lurking around these streets somewhere, looking for me, and likely some poor innocent duelists to take his anger out on."
I turn to face Shark with a serious expression and clap a friendly hand on his shoulder.
"I'm telling you this so you'll keep your wits about you...and as a friendly reminder to not do anything so over the top that you'll tank your rep as a duelist again. Not saying the first time was your fault...but the second time will be if you let it."
...He says nothing in return, and after a few silent seconds, he lightly brushes my hand away before turning to walk off without another word, I watching him go with an X-Ray kind of gaze.
You better take my advice, Shark...I'd hate to have to pull you out of the quicksand again.
Trilos's POV
Keheheh, this has been alot easier than I thought it'd be. These wussies don't know what a real rumble looks like 'til it hits you in the jaw.
Only the first day of this fancy tournament, and I've already reached near-completion of my Heart Piece. Only missing one more slab of jewel. I was actually expecting a little more resistance than this, but then again, most of the duelists are green kids who've lived a privilege life. Got no clue what it means to really rough it, or how a true fight can damage you.
And I certainly left those brats quaking. Probably won't be able to pick up their disks for a few weeks.
The thought makes me laugh darkly as I continue my wander down a path near the entrance of an alleyway...
"Go, Photon Stream of Destruction!"
"Mm?"
What's this?
I pause and turn back to look around the corner, seeing some teen only a year or so older than I am in a trench coat dishing out some solid pain (well, AR-solid) towards two punks I remember being a part of a rival gang.
Oooo, that'll hurt in the mornin'...
"And now your souls are mine!"
Next thing I knew, the blond shoots out these ghostly arms that go diving into their chests to yank out these orbs of light for him to take...
"Heheheh. Thank you for your donation."
By brow rose the slightest with a sadistic smirk at the display.
Damn, this guy's all business...Interesting way to eliminate competition, both in and out this tourney.
He turns to this little robot that was actin' sidekick or whatever for him and remarks with a dark smile,
"Two Number Cards for the price of one."
"Great de-deal."
Number Cards, huh? Aaah, he must be this Number Hunter my sources have blurted about...
Well after seein' this, I'll admit, he looks tough enough for the role.
I steal away before the guy or his mecha-midget notice me, and start strolling down the street again while musing to myself with a grin,
But it's always the tough ones that're the most satisfying to break.
No POV
A couple minutes have passed since Shark left from the monorail courtyard, leaving Athena, Tiffany and Astral back to the task of finding the second former's brother's friend...
"Addy?"
"Yeah?"
"Should we, be worried about Shark?"
Shaking her head after a hm and making her long black hair tipped copper red tousle slightly, Athena reasons,
"Not at this present, Tiff. He seems calm enough that he shouldn't do anything too stupid for something as pointless as revenge."
"...Revenge is pointless?"
"It is at the end of the road. It's a lose-lose sitch like War and Violence; everybody feels bad about it later on, even the so-called victor...Hm?"
She puts her philosophical session on pause, when her red irises catch a familiar face sitting on a bench situated at the far perimeter of the courtyard.
Is, that...Uh, it is; Charlie!
Hearing the noises of confusion from her two friends, Athena discretely points ahead to the man in the white suit, dark fedora and colourful sarape, before they hum in understanding...
"Yo. You're Charlie, right?"
He darts his teal green irises up at the address, and meets the red of his friend's younger sister.
"Adam sent me. Name's Athena, or Addy."
"He sent his, little sister?"
Once the matter was cleared up, the three persons now turned four would be standing closer to one of the exit points as Charlie mused with a chuckle,
"So Adam sent you to keep me rooted, huh? How are you suppose to do that?"
"Oh I've got my ways, don't you worry none...And this is a nice little break from the stress of the WDC, anyway."
"You're in the World Duel Carnival?"
"I am."
Charlie pulls out a card and suggests with a smile,
"Then what do you say to a little duel right here and now?"
"Oh?"
"See the thing is, I kind-a need to test this little card out..."
"Hey!"
Eyes turn to the left as a large, muscled guy with short pink hair comes walking over to the small group, a snide smirk on his face and Heart Piece holder raised.
"You in the hat. I see you're wavin' a card around. How 'bout we put a Heart Piece on the line right here and right now?"
The addressed replies calmly,
"Well, I'm not in the Carnival, but my friend Addy is. Why don't we wager one of her pieces?"
That idea wouldn't sit well with the said girl:
"Excu~se me?!"
"Relax. Seriously, with the streak of luck I'm having, there's no way this guy can beat me."
Athena hmphs and puffs her cheeks slightly with an annoyed huff usually more reserved for one of her friends with her.
Glad one of us is feelin' confident, but I don't think I like the idea of being a bargaining chip...
Hoh well, worse case, I'll just make sure that oddball piece I won off of Cody's the one that'll be taken.
...Turning our view briefly to the top of the infamous Heartland Tower, we now check in with the masterminds behind the creation of this massive city-wide tournament having another holograph meeting for a progress update.
"Mister Heartland. How is our Kite doing?"
"Good. Kite doesn't even know what it means to lose."
"Excellent."
"And as of now, over half of those who have been competing in my Duel Carnival have been eliminated. Many of those remaining must certainly possess Number Cards."
"Then everything is proceeding exactly as we envisioned it would. I hope you appreciate the opportunity we have here."
Doctor Faker forms an inquisitive frown:
"The envoy from Astral World came here in order to bring us down. However, how fortunate that upon his arrival, an accident occurred and his ninety-nine Number Cards were scattered into the wind!"
He curves his mouth upward in anticipation as he concludes,
"That accident bought us the time we need to plan our counter measures! We need to gather those Number Cards and prevent that envoy from remembering what he was sent here to do, Mister Heartland. Do not let me down!"
Bowing, the male with green hair replies firmly,
"I won't."
...Moving away now from the dastardly schemes being cooked up behind the scenes of this Duel Monsters tournament, we return to the Monorail Station Courtyard as Charlie gets into his duel against the muscular stranger, wagering one of Athena's Heart Pieces as an ante to compensate for his lack of official participation, much to the girl's increasing irritation.
"Uuugh, I can't believe I causally agreed to this! This jock's gonna knock ya flat!"
He calmly replies,
"Don't worry, Athena. I'm not gonna lose."
Folding her arms with a hmph, the girl with red irises grumbles,
"You're extremely lucky that I have more than one Heart Piece under my belt, or it'd be my fist flying your way instead of one of this guy's three, repeat, three XYZ monsters..."
The monsters to which she was pointing to were fairly strong at that: a Level Four with 2100 Attack Points resembling a quadruped beast made from titanium, the second a Level Eight with 3000 Attack Points in the guise of at three-horned, upright dragon with a silver/blue/black/yellow colour scheme, no wings and a very long tail, and the third a Level Two with 1500 Attack Points with the bizarre appearance of what can be guessed as a pterodactyl-like monster with no wings, skin the texture of rough sandstone, lime green armour on its chest, and enveloped in a white-blue flame!
"Not only that, there is a considerable Life Point gap between them."
By that, the extraterrestrial male with blue skin was referring to the 100/4000 difference between Charlie and his opponent...Facepalming, Athena moans,
"Tiffany, Astral, next time someone talks me into doing something this dumb, I need one or both of you to do me a big favour."
"And what would that be?" "What?"
She exclaims as if were the most obvious notion in the world,
"Talk me out of it!"
Chuckling slightly, Charlie remarks,
"You sound just like your brother back in the day...Don't get so worked up. After all, Life is just a Carnival: you're suppose to have fun."
Astral soaked in those words with an intrigued expression.
"Life is...a Carnival..."
Athena, on the other hand, wasn't in the mood for a lesson on life.
"It's not easy to have fun when you're about to lose something important thanks to another's actions."
The tall male with green eyes and mod-like black hair retorts as he draws his next card,
"Who said anything about losing?...Well, lookie what we have here! I'm activating the Reload Spell Card! This allows me to return my hand to my deck, and then, I shuffle up my deck, and draw a new card for every card that I return."
On that note, he draws a trio of new cards to use during this turn.
"Here we go!...Uh-oh. Not sure that was a good idea."
Athena shouts in aggravation as her cornflower blue-eyed friend gently holds back her waving left fist,
"Then why would you go through it, ya dumbass?!"
"Easy, Addy, easy..."
Revealing his nervousness to be false, Charlie smiles and jokes,
"Ju~st kidding. I'm activating Triple Ace!"
One of two face-downs on his field flips upward, showcasing an image of three Aces laying atop a roulette table for all eyes to see...
"When I have three of the same Level One Monsters in my hand, I can use Triple Ace to summon all three of 'em. So now I can toss three Dice Levelers onto the field!"
At that, he sets his hand onto the field, summoning three copies of a Level One Monster with 100 Attack and Defense Points, ascertaining an appearance that looked something along the lines of a semi-warped symbol for the water attribute, with two large gloved hands 'attached'. The muscle-bound male with pink hair taunts,
"Oooooo, a hundred Attack Points. What, you givin' up or somethin'?"
"Actually, this is the part where I start winning. First, I activate Dice Leveler's special ability!"
Three dice materialize and are grabbed by Charlie's waiting hand, causing Tiffany and Athena to wonder respectively,
"What's he doing now?"
"Beats the hell outta me, but if he wants to really gamble, I say go ahead. Can't sink any deeper."
Still, to wait this long for a comeback...How cocky can one guy get?
"Time to test my luck."
Charlie tosses the dice down, causing the three monsters to each toss a singular die with matching celestial schemes.
"When I take a chance and roll the dice, their Levels increase by the number that comes up."
...And much to his opponent's shock as well as the spectators, all three dice stop at six!
Athena curses with a wide-eyed expression, while Astral puts his math skills to work.
"The odds of rolling six on three dice at the same time are one in two-hundred and sixteen."
The male who was fortunate enough to accomplish such a roll just smiles and comments,
"Heheh, looks like Lady Luck's wanting me to power up my Levelers to Level Seven."
"And just like that, he has three Level Seven Monsters on his field..."
Hearing his suspicion, Athena asks Astral in a whisper,
"You're sensing something's up, right?"
He nods, and we turn back to Charlie as he says to his opponent,
"You've had a nice little run, my friend, but the winds of fate are about to change. (Raises arm) I now Overlay all three of my Dice Levelers!"
The triple copies transform into three bolts of yellow energy to go twisting together in the skies before crashing downward into the swirling galactic vortex that opened up on the field. Recognizing the portal's design, the girl with red irises stiffens and exclaims mentally,
Oooh, no...!
"With these monsters, I build the Overlay Network! And then, I XYZ Summon, Number Seven: Lucky Straight!"
The Number Monster we would witness rising from the depths started as an emblem for a folded circus tent, before unfolding into a large figure in a jester-like form, complete with a full-body suit of onyx/yellow stripes, roulette wheels acting as wrist cuffs and a neck collar, curled and heeled shoes of mahogany brown, and wielded a very long cane in its right hand with the number seven symbol at the top. They were also Rank Seven, with 700 Life Points, and held three Overlay Units. The two young teens and one celestial being were left in a mix of awe and realization.
"Whoa..."
"So Charlie had a Number all this time..."
"Interesting. Perhaps this explains his luck..."
Charlie continues onward with his turn:
"And now I'm activating the Dream Dice Spell Card! It's a game of chance! I give this here dream die a roll, and if it comes up a six, all your monsters lose all their Attack Points! But anything else, and its my monster that'll be losing its Attack Points."
The die tumbles on the ground...before miraculously stopping on a six!
"Whaaat?!" Athena was nearly as floored as the muscled male:
"No way! Another six?!"
Okay, now my suspicion alarm's ringing...
"Bingo. Now your monsters are busted. Hope you weren't fond of those Attack Points."
By the end of Charlie's mock, his opponent's three allies were enshrouded in a black haze that robs them of their strengths...Astral once again makes a comment on the probability.
"The odds of rolling that many sixes in a row are, twelve-hundred-ninety-six to one."
The man with teal green irises makes the call:
"Alright! Do it, Lucky Straight!"
"Heh, I can take 700 points of damage!"
"You might be taking alot more than that, 'cause I'm activating Lucky Straight's special ability! When Lucky Straight battles, I can use one Overlay Unit to roll the dice! And then, Lucky Straight's Attack Points get multiplied by the number that comes up."
Charlie adds as he tosses his fifth die through this duel,
"So if luck is on my side, this could be the end, my friend."
The space-coloured die clatters across the ground...and for the third time, we find ourselves staring at a six!
"Whooo-hooo! Now we just multiply Lucky Straight's 700 Attack Points by six, and then, this one's in the books."
That was certainly no lie, for with 4200 Attack Points coming at his virtually defenseless field, the bulky male with pink hair was about to meet his maker.
"This can't be!"
Using their cane, the Number monster strikes down all three of the opposing monster in one swing, leaving their wielder to go flying back from the impact as he loses all of his Life Points!
...Watching Lucky Straight vanish with the AR vision, Charlie says to himself with hope laced in his tone,
The rumours about this card were true. It's incredible.
Tucking his fedora down a touch while turning his gaze downward, he adds more seriously,
Just hope the luck it brings holds out until tomorrow, when I really need it...
Removing her own duel gazer shortly after Tiffany did hers, Athena mutters with bated breath,
"Now that's something for the Duel Monster History Books. Making that big a U-Turn in just one go..."
Astral lightly argues,
"But that turnaround depended so much on Chance. Interesting...seven-thousand-seven-hundred-seventy-six to one. Those were the odds that he was facing."
Struggling onto all fours, the guy who challenged Charlie barks like a sore loser,
"You cheated, I know it! Nobody rolls that many sixes in a row!"
The taller, thinner male just chuckles...before finding himself under yet another spotlight!
"Hm?"
Spotting the police helicopter casting the light, Tiffany wonders,
"What's this about?...Wait..."
That text I got from Dad a few hours ago said he was going to be working late 'cause of an important case...
Uh! Did this man-?!
She would receive her answer in the form of several police cars rolling in from below to block off a possible escape route as another helicopter came flying in...
"Charlie McCay! You're completely surrounded with no exit points! Surrender now while you're still able!"
Tiffany jolts to attention from the voice broadcasted through the megaphone.
"Uh! That was dad!"
Athena asks in her own surprise,
"Your dad's here?!"
Him...on top of all these other boys in blue...
She turns glaring eyes of red onto the man deemed responsible:
"Charlie!"
He glances at her as she demands,
"What did you do; why are there cops here?!"
"Now take it easy there, kiddo, there's a simple explanation..."
He's cut off by another amplified shout from Detective Arata:
"Get down on the ground with your hands in the air!"
...Surprisingly, Charlie moves to comply:
"Whatever you say..."
...But he only goes as far as placing his palms on the back of his head, before retorting,
"See, the problem here, fellas, is that there's somethin' I gotta do. I really don't have time to hang out."
Fwipping Lucky Straight into position, he whispers with a secretive smile,
"It's showtime," as he's circled by several officers...
"Alright people: who's up for a game of chance?"
(...Sheen, whooooooooooosh)
The Number Card flashes that bright light again, before creating a whirlwind to go spinning around Charlie's body, the strength of the current causing everyone to flinch back and shield themselves...
If things weren't already pressing, the gust suddenly forces Athena's deck case open, stealing away one of her cards before her and Astral's eyes!
"Athena...your Number Card!"
"Auh, Big Eye!"
She wasn't the only one experiencing a thieving crisis: we soon see several dozens of other Duel Monster Cards join the whirlwind, much to the dismay of the duelists victimized.
"W-What's going on?!" "Oh no!" "My cards!"
The winds only increase in strength, and go traveling upward to wobble against the neon sign for a local cafe known as Do! Do! Donut!, loosening the support screws...
"Athena, look up!"
"Hm?...Aah!"
"You might, want to run."
(Bzzzz-creeeak...CLANK, shoooooooooom...)
The sign falls off the top-front of the skyscraper building, and starts skydiving downward for the courtyard below, causing all passers to yell in a panic before scrambling to get away...
"Tiffany, Athena!"
The former girl's father then appears from behind several officers lined up with their riot shields to quickly grab both young teens and drag them fast to a safe distance from the crash zone.
"Uh, Dad!"
"Officer Quen!...Wait, Charlie!"
The man of the hour did not move an inch from his spot...
(CRASH)
As soon as the neon sign harshly kissed the ground, Athena's body began to tremble with sick worry over her brother's friend's livelihood.
N...No...
Tiffany was nowhere any better, whimpering in fear before burying her face into her father's work shirt.
"Daddy..."
The male with pale olive skin, brown Zappa mustache matching the shade of his flattop hair, and dark blue eyes gathers both girls into his strong arms before working to calm them down as best he could.
"Shhh, it'll be alright, girls, you're safe...Hm? Uh!"
Hearing the gasp, Tiffany and Athena look up to watch with Arata as all the cards stolen away by the wild winds go soaring towards a central point where the doughnut sign crashed.
"But, how-"
"Unless...he's still alive!"
Indeed he was: through a stroke of good fortune, Charlie was standing in the right spot to avoid getting maimed by the fallen sign, and was now gathering the Duel Monster cards into his waiting hand, much to the protest of their rightful owners.
"How is he doing that?!" "Hey, give those back!" "This is against the Law!"
Ignoring the agitated cries, he comments in near amusement,
"Good thing I was standing right here. This doughnut could've hurt me. Seriously, I mean, talk about close calls, right? But hey, close calls make life more fun, and since Life is a Carnival, the more fun I have, the better."
The girl with long, shaggy black hair tipped copper red almost couldn't believe what she was hearing.
How...Just how can he speak so casually, about dodging death?
...I can't even talk that way, despite myself...It's all numb and bleak to me.
"Hey, Addy."
She snaps her head to Charlie's direction upon his call...
"When your brother gets here, tell 'im I'm sorry I had to bolt!"
With that, the man in the white suit and tan sarape takes off, shaking the girl out of her stupor with an angry expression.
"Hey! You're not getting away with stealing my Number, or with what you just did!"
Athena then starts rushing after him, with Tiffany and her father running after her.
"Wait, Addy!" "Hold on, Athena!"
The three get as far as down the escalator from the courtyard...
(Vrrrroooooom, screeeeech)
Before a familiar red pickup truck with white stripes running down the hood comes stopping fast at the side of the road they came to, driven by noneother than Adam Fujina!
"...Bro?"
Getting out from the driver's side, we see the tame mullet-haired male was wearing a green coat that matched the shade of the flaking in his grey irises, a pale yellow sweater, dark grey khakis, and brown sneakers.
"Alright, what's that daredevil done now?"
Moving to sit on a park bench near the entrance way to the Monorail courtyard, Adam receives a summary from the girls and Detective Quen about what just went down...
"So he summoned a tornado that blew a sign down and stole away people's duel cards before taking off? (Facepalm) Haaah, that sounds so like the idiot. I should've just drove down here before thinking of his meal request..."
He turns to meet Tiffany's father's dark blue irises with his grey.
"And before all this, you say he was responsible for a burglary at the city museum?"
"Correct. According to my superior's report from the museum curators, the card that your friend stole has been granting everyone whoever wielded it with an incredible streak of Luck. In just a few short months, people have been winning fortunes and became overnight celebrities."
Tiffany's eyes widen as she mutters in awe,
"That's crazy," and Athena asks her brother,
"Okay, I think now would be a good time for more details, Adam. You said that you and Charlie went to college together for a few years, right, but what did he get into after he graduated?...He's not a con artist, is he?"
Laughing a bit, the male with the black tamed mullet replies with a tired smile,
"No, Charlie may be reckless, but he doesn't have that kind of grit...He actually majored in Anthropology, and sometime around his second year, he started an internship with our Dad."
"Whoa, really?!"
"Mhm. Even went on a few expeditions together, and I myself did a collaboration project with them and a few other historians...(Small frown) But once he got the taste of the adventure bug, Charlie was off like a bullet, becoming one of those amateur treasure hunters."
Looking out into the distance, Adam remarks with a sad smile,
"It's funny, though: every time it feels like years since I last saw him, that's when he will show up out of the blue...Hah, I sometimes wish he could be more grounded, but, then he wouldn't be my best friend..."
"Well friendship or not, Charlie McCay will still have to answer for multiple robberies and endangering the public."
The young adult turns to Arata and nods with a regretfully understanding expression.
"I know..."
"Alright...I think I've heard all I need to go on, and I'm assuming that none of you are simply going to stand back?"
The eldest male receives a collective shake of 'No', making him sigh a little.
"I thought not...Very well. I won't stop you, but I will implore each and every one of you to use caution and contact me if you find McCay. (Glance) Girls, stay together and do not approach him alone."
"Yes, sir." "Promise, dad."
"Good. Now Adam, since you know McCay's pattern better than most, I would appreciate some further cooperation on your part by assisting me in the search."
"Of course, sir. We can take my truck."
With that, both adults climb into the red pickup and drive away, leaving Athena, Tiffany and Astral as their own search party...
"So, where should we start looking, Addy?"
"Hm, well, if we did this based on Charlie's label as an amateur treasure hunter, I'd say we should hit other places like the museum where he took Number Seven from...But that'd be way too easy."
The girl with red irises pivots her head up her mid-left to meet Astral's mismatched white and gold.
"Have you got any ideas?"
"Just this one...It has to do with the words he used during our encounter with him."
"Words?"
"Yes. That, phrase...'Life is a Carnival'. At first, I was not sure why I recognized those words...and then, I realized. Eighty-sixth District, Seventh Area. I have seen those words while riding the D-Line Monorail with you. They spin around at the top of a building. I admit this would be what you or Tiffany would call, 'kind of a stretch', but it might be worth looking around that rail line. Perhaps if we were to look around those areas, we may find this Charlie McCay, and retrieve your Number Card."
Feeling that this was a good enough clue after re-discussing the information with her other friend, Athena would then be leading the charge towards the D-Line Station...And it would seem the authorities had caught onto a similar tip, for come about halfway there, the two teenage girls and one celestial being spot several police cars driving under the bridge going over the main city highway.
"See that?"
"Yep. Looks like they're heading to the Bay Area...One of the D-Line's more noted stops. Charlie must be there."
Small Time Skip
Arriving above the Bay Area monorail station, we find the party of several dozen police officers already gathered, finishing up the last of the prepping before going forth with their second phase in apprehending Charlie...
"Lieutenant. We've stopped the monorail and evacuated all passengers and personnel. Suspect is surrounded."
The bulk of the uniformed mass was crowded around one of the transportation vehicle's entrance/exit points, boxing the 'person of interest' in with riot shields and batons at ready.
"Get down on your knees, McCay!"
"Man, you guys just do not give up, do you?"
Holding up Lucky Straight between his right fingers, the man with teal green irises quirks,
"Did your bosses not give you the memo about what this card can do?"
By that point, Athena, Tiffany and Astral had made their arrival, rushing past the crowd through the ticket barrier, much to the protest of one of the station masters controlling the crowd.
"Uh! Hey, the monorail's closed!"
"It's alright, my good man."
The male turns to see Arata and Adam appear next, the former chiding firmly,
"They're with me," before he and the latter continue after the girls...
(Ca-BANG)
Suddenly, a crash of energy summoned by the Number Card playing a hand in this latest fiasco comes to blast down at the area near the monorail, knocking the wall of policemen to the ground while simultaneously glitching the train's control panel to life...
"No hard feelings, boys, but I got somewhere I really need to be."
On that note, Charlie darts back into the monorail, while Athena leads the other four in the odd party inside another cart just before the large rail vehicle starts to roll away down the tracks...And it seems that the electrical bolt from a moment ago did much more than jolting the monorail's failsafe, as we spot some sparking coming from the police helicopters, much to the dismay of the ones driving them via police scanner.
"S-Something's wrong! Our controls are jammed!"
...Inside the monorail, the party of five slowly creep towards the door connecting their cart to Charlie's, and Arata holds a hand of silence before making contact with his superior.
(Ping)
"Sargent. This is Detective Quen. Suspect is on the Westbound D-Rail, moving through the Bay Area. I have three citizen investigators with me, each of which familiar with McCay, and we are about to make our approach."
"Citizen invest-?!...Haaah, copy that, Detective. Approach with caution, and have those three 'investigators' stay behind you the entire time."
"Roger that, sir."
"And Quen?...When this case is complete, I expect you in my office with a completed report and ready for a conversation."
"Yes, sir."
(Ping)
As her father tucks away his duel gazer, the girl with black bobbed hair asks meekly,
"Are, you in trouble, dad?"
He replies with a half wry, half nervous smile,
"Aeh, not anymore than usual, honey." Athena asks with an awkward smile,
"You and your boss butting heads again?"
"What can I say? He and I have, clashing ideals to what is considered helpful during an investigation...But nevermind my work life."
Arata forms a serious gaze and says,
"There's no exit point for McCay now, which means this is our last chance to try and bring him down peacefully...Are all of you ready?"
He receives a collection of firm nods, before all eyes focus on the door as the detective reaches to slowly and quietly open it.
(Sliiiiide...)
The five slip their way inside the next train cart where Charlie was, he currently laughing over making it this far...Adam would be the one to make their presence known to the gambling man.
"Charlie."
Jolting quiet, the other turns around to see Athena and Tiffany glaring his way, Astral sharing their expressions, while Arata held a more stoic, serious gaze, and his old friend a sad frown.
"...Adam...So, you found me. Little quicker than I imagined."
"Times have changed, my friend."
"That they have..."
Arata speaks up next, his tone strong and convicted:
"Charlie McCay, you're under arrest for multiple counts of Theft and Endangering the Public. This is your last chance to surrender before this gets anymore out of hand than it already has."
"Aah, I recognize your voice from the museum. You're the one who tried to talk me into giving up..."
Feeling the pierce of red irises, Charlie turns to look over at Athena.
"Whoa-hoh, that's a real scary glare, kiddo. You could make a ghost shiver with that face."
"...You took one of my Number Cards. Return it to me right now."
"Heh, direct and to the point like the detective here. Well as it happens, I jammed this monorail so it can't be stopped by the control center."
"Gh!"
"And I'm afraid our destination is all the way on the other side of the city...So-uh, whaddo you say we pass the time with a little duel?"
"A duel? Really?...At a time like this?"
"Sure, why not? And if you beat me, I'll give you your card back, and maybe consider coming with the detective here quietly."
Athena's brother and Tiffany's father were appalled by the man's proposal.
"Wha-Charlie!"
"McCay, you can't be serious! What could possibly be gained from a du-"
"I accept your challenge."
Eyes of surprise fall on the girl with long black hair tipped copper red.
"Athena!"
"Young lady, you do understand the seriousness of this situation."
"Of course I do, Officer Quen...but nevertheless, I need to do this, to prevent a bigger mess from ensuing down the road. Besides..."
She turns to meet Arata's dark blue irises with her red:
"Given what Charlie just said regarding the current conditions of this monorail, there's no telling if this thing will actually stop when we reach where he's having this go...at least, not on a dime."
A few seconds of confusion pass...before both adult males catch onto what the young girl was implying.
"Rgh!" "You're thinking-?!"
"Yeah, which is why I'm begging you both to leave Charlie's position to me, and go find a way to get some control over this potential runaway train."
Reluctant though they were, given the underlining danger factor, Adam and Arata had no other choice but to trust Athena's word.
"Al...Alright."
"Okay, sis. We'll leave this to you...but please be careful."
"I'll do my best, bro."
The girl's focus turns back to Charlie as she finalizes her response to his challenge.
"Okay, Charlie...let's get it on! Duel Disk: go! Duel Gazer: activate and open the gate to the impossible!"
The opponents climb out of the cart to stand on the roof for more room as the AR World finishes warming up.
Duel Interface Set...Augmented Reality Vision Link Established.
Tiffany sets herself up by her arms in the rooftop emergency exit, and her father orders just before speeding after Adam for the engine,
"Tiffany, keep both eyes on them at all times, and don't hesitate to drag them back inside if it gets too dangerous!"
"Yes, dad!"
My eyes won't leave them for even a second...Athena, please stay rooted to the roof.
"(Both Duelists) Let's Duel!"
(Jerk)
"Wh-Whoa!"
Athena stumbles some as the monorail makes a sharp turn across the tracks, and Tiffany cries out the former's name as they force themselves steady with a nerved pant of breath.
"Hah, hah...I'm alright, Tiff!"
Damn, fighting for balance is only gonna make this duel alot harder...
"That's right, Addy, don't be scared."
She darts her irises up to stare ahead at Charlie as he says with confidence,
"Nothing bad will happen. Luck is going to protect us, so let's get this duel started!"
As the train's whistle blared over the rattling wheels, the girl thinks to herself with a brave frown,
I dunno if I can fully believe him...but he's right. Freaking out won't help any...
I need to look Fear in the eye, and stare it into oblivion. That's, how I'll prevail in this battle.