"—Hey. You there. Yeah, you. The one reading. It's been a while since I last asked you this, but do you believe monsters exist?

According to legend, sorcerers once created monsters with magic. But guess what? It isn't a legend. Those monsters? They really exist.

They're called Duel Monsters: Incredible creatures given life in the form of a card. Most of the time, they're holograms at best, constrained by Earth's modern technology. Other times though…?

Well, let's just say they're realer than real. So real in fact, that one of them nearly ended the life of me and my friend.

Hmph.

And ain't that a kicker? I'm not supposed to have friends. I mean, I've gone down that path before. And I've seen damn well how it ends. And yet, despite my reluctance, despite the heart I thought I'd closed off, that girl… she still slipped through.

And damn it. She wasn't the last.

Before I knew it, even Bastion had clawed his way into my psyche. The two pulled me in with their "understanding" and nonsensical declarations of "friendship." But I won't break. I can't break, not after what I've learned since then.

Because only a monster can devour monsters.

…And Jinzo Layered's not the last."

TAG FORCE ALTERNATIVE: VOLUME 2
Twisting the Tale

The afterparty was a sordid affair filled with faces Konami didn't know. Many belonged to Industrial Illusions; Franz's coworkers, no doubt. Any other person would've thought they'd come to congratulate the man for his work, but Konami recognized the look in their eyes. The greed. The mistrust. The desire.

He bit back a scoff.

Praise was the last thing filling those parasites' thoughts. What they wanted was knowledge. Intel on how Franz had pulled off such an incredible feat.

Internally, he knew that he shouldn't blame them. Xyz had made quite the splash. Barely three hours had passed since his duel with Rex, but many Umi no Corp stores had already sold out!

Xyz was becoming the next big thing, and it was all thanks to him.

Thanks to his cards. Thanks to his moves. And most of all, his Duel. And yet, here he was, watching as these jokers flocked to see Franz of all people! A few months ago, he would've been pissed.

Now?

Now, he felt nothing.

This scheme was nothing but a means to an end, one he'd seen to its conclusion. His Deck grew stronger, he'd finally gone Pro, and more—he'd won Tyrant Dragon.

Konami cracked a smile, feeling a warmth in his chest as he thought the card's name. The Dragon was finally his to command, more than a fleeting spirit at last. Oh, his heart did go out to Rex - the poor sap had now lost two dragons - but he'd be lying if he said he felt bad. The Pros were a dog-eat-dog world. Besides, it wasn't as if he'd simply stolen Rex's card and run off. He'd made Kami promise to send the man one or two boxes of the new Xyz packs, and not only that... but a Secret Rare single of Grenosaurus itself. Quite the boon, if he said so himself.

For once, it wasn't in jest.

Konami liked Rex. Despite the sneers and insults he'd shot out so easily, he had to admit that Rex was strong; the strongest man he'd ever faced. Had he dueled with his Ninja deck, Konami doubted that he would have won. Minors or not, Rex was a Pro, and haters or not, he had talent.

Talent that would one day help him, after a quick fix-me-up from dear Kami. Sure, the man was back in the dumps, but Umi no Corp would not let him drown. They'd used him, yes, but that was the life. And in this life, you could be bought. The right amount of money, or in this case, cards, could smooth over almost any problem.

If only Konami's was so easy to fix.

"Oh, so this is where you've been?" someone asked.

Konami frowned.

'Well, I enjoyed the peace while it lasted.'

"Wisteria," he said. "Enjoying the party?"

"But of course. Why would I not?" she inquired. She stepped closer, a smile on her lips as she let herself fill his vision. "A better question is, 'Why aren't you?' You're the star of the show."

"Tell that to Franz and his groupies," he said, tilting his head to the crowd.

Franz nodded back from its center, a smirk on his face as he downed his next drink.

Wisteria laughed, "Oh, please. Franz? Franz means nothing. He might've designed the cards now in use, but it was your skill that played them," she stepped closer still, smiling as she wrapped her arms around his neck dotingly. "You were magnificent out there, darling. Your Duel with Rex was… intoxicating."

She smelled sweet.

He narrowed his eyes.

"Alright," he sighed. "What's your deal? What do you want?"

"You mean besides you?" she asked, leaning against his chest. "I've already told you what I desire. The Fujiwara Clan, darling. Lord Grandfather's made the rules for my clan long enough. It's time someone new took the reins."

"And by someone new, you mean you."

She giggled. "Was it so obvious? Yes, Konami. Me. And I think I've proven I'm more than up to the task. Look at what the two of us have accomplished together. Creating cards is no small feat…" she purred and leaned in, "and for the record, neither is you going Pro."

Konami frowned, feeling her words weighing against him as much as her body. Her ambition was relentless, a tidal storm of desire he'd get swept up in if he wasn't careful. That force had led him to greatness, yes, but it could tear him down just as easily. Especially if he fell for this "lovestruck girl" routine she insisted on playing.

He looked down at her, studied the sultry look in her eyes, and shivered. She was dangerous, far more than Rex, albeit in very different ways. There was only so many times a young man like him could turn down a beautiful woman. And Wisteria was nothing if not beautiful, and she'd made her desires quite clear. If he were any weaker, he'd have dragged her off somewhere private long, long ago; the only thing holding him back was Kami, and the fact he'd seen such acts before.

After all, he'd used them himself while making Kami his first piece.

"Maybe you're right," he agreed. "You and I… we're incredible, aren't we?"

His fingers slid down as he spoke, resting on her hip as he caressed her cheek. She fluttered her eyes, leaning into his hand. Her breath hitched in anticipation.

He pulled her taut, parting his lips…

…passing hers to whisper in her ear.

"But just because we're partners doesn't mean we're Partners. I already have one of those. And for the record, Kami's far more loyal than you'd ever be."

Wisteria gasped, watching him pull away.

"Oh? Playing hard to get?"

"You're not the only one who's got game, Fujiwara. I'm not gonna be your next pawn."

"Is. That. So?" she purred. He saw something flicker behind her dark eyes. Before he knew what, that "thing" disappeared, replaced by another cold smile. "No matter. Resist all you like. You'll still be mine in the end. And as for Kami? Give it some time. You'll soon realize I'm superior."

'Yeah,' he scoffed. 'In another life, maybe.'

This girl was trained by Mackenzie. In terms of skill, she was likely correct, but their loyalty was to themselves. As someone only just beginning to learn to trust others again, he wouldn't dare place his heart in the hands of someone as cruel as himself.

And so, he'd keep things strictly business between them…

Just in case.

"Whatever," he sighed. "Look, I know. You kept your end of the bargain. Thanks to you, I've become a Pro, and even stuck it to all my haters. Even though I haven't settled things to face-to-face to those bastards, even North Academy should know I've got game. And part of that is thanks to you."

"Oh, stop. You're making me blush."

He continued as if he hadn't heard it. "If I really wanted to, I could probably drop out of Duel Academy right now, even. With Kami in my pocket, I'm pretty much set. I could call this whole thing quits right now."

"But?" Wisteria asked, sensing he had more to add to his statement.

"But something tells me you don't want that. And if I'm honest, I don't either. I might've gone Pro, but that doesn't mean I'm letting Czar and the others off the hook. That flame inside me hasn't died one bit, not with what you said about my old teach."

"Indeed. So, that's it, then? You wish to hear the truth from his lips?"

"If Mackenzie really was pulling the strings behind my expulsion that day, then that makes him one of my enemies, too. I won't let him have the last laugh. If he thinks he can push North Academy to new heights by tossing me to the side, then that bastard has another thing coming. I'll crush his dreams like he crushed mine. Helping you is second to that."

"It doesn't have to be," she said softly. "Becoming the next clan head is my goal. You already know that much. But I still haven't told you how I'd do it… and Duel Academy is the key."

"What do you mean?"

"I told you, right?" she asked, giving him a sultry look. "That island used to belong to my kin. And it still houses many secrets. One of which has the means to utterly crush Lord Grandfather's darkest designs."

Her eyes narrowed.

"When Yusuke's father sold the land, he left with it our symbols of power. Symbols that when held, grant one absolute dominion over my family. My Lord Grandfather swore to reclaim those symbols when he took back the clan… but if I were to gain them first, then he, too, would kneel to me."

"So, what? You want me to find these symbols so you can control them by force?"

She smiled at him, "Indeed. I intend to take every last one."

Konami sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "By that, you mean 'I will', right?"

"Oh, rest assured. I'll be there to support you every step of the way. As a leader of North Academy, I will be attending your school quite soon. The upcoming Inter-School Duel will give us plenty of time to trade notes. Of course, you and I will have to be quick when scouring the lands. Lord Grandfather's connection with Mackenzie means other students will be looking, too."

"Other students?"

"Indeed," she said, nodding her head with a frown. "I'm not the only one in Mackenzie's pocket. He has other pawns on the board, each and every one of them conditioned to obey him perfectly. Just like me."

"Hmph. If they show their faces before me, then I'll crush them, too."

"Oh, of that, I have no doubt. I'm looking forward to seeing it. But I digress. The point is, we won't be the only ones searching for power. And should they find it before we do, this entire plan goes up in smoke. We can't let Lord Grandfather gain any further dominion over the Fujiwara. To do so would be the end of us all! Do you understand that, Konami?"

"Yeah, yeah. Spare me the drama. I get it. I won't let them win," he turned on his heel to return to his room. "I'll guess I'll see you back at school."

She watched him go, her eyes narrowed dangerously as he turned the corner.

'You didn't tell him how dangerous things were,' her inner replied in her mind.

"Oh, please. And risk him leaving me high and dry when I need him? No. Those secrets will remain ours to bear… until he's proved himself worthy."

She sighed softly.

"A pity. Seducing him here would've made all this much simpler. It's far easier to control a lovestruck fool than a Duelist like him."

'It can't be helped. He knows our tactics.'

"But that means we know his as well. And while he's turned me down, there's still time to beckon that man to my side. I suppose I'll have to use every trick in the book to bind him. And once I have… Lord Grandfather— Kagemaru, will meet his Demise. The Sacred Beast cards will be ours… And Konami Kodo… my slave."