[Contest] Write Me A Fan Fic 2!! (FINISHED)

[The Dark Knight]

Sorry about my extreme lateness in declaring the winner. My power went out due to Hurricane Irene at the beginning of this week and I was unable to get online. I'm currently at a friends house using his internet, as he still has power.

The winner is Umbra. This may seem silly, but the main reason was that his duel had a written ending (no offense to DA). I'll send your points, Umbra, but I will not be able to post the stories here until a later date (when I get power back at my house).

Thanks for participating!

[Umbra]

Thank you, very appreciated. Duels really aren't my strong suit - I don't use them as much as I should - but apparently, I can still get them right when I have to.

If anyone wants to read the entry, I still have it on my computer - could put it up here if you'd want it.

[Synchronized]

[quote name='Umbra' timestamp='1314905415' post='5484461']
Thank you, very appreciated. Duels really aren't my strong suit - I don't use them as much as I should - but apparently, I can still get them right when I have to.

If anyone wants to read the entry, I still have it on my computer - could put it up here if you'd want it.
[/quote]

Totally should; I'd be interested to see that.

Oh, thanks for telling Saber to check out HL btw

[Not-so-Radiant Arin]

Yea, I knew that I wasn't going to win if I didn't conclude the Duel. I wasn't being lazy, I just wasn't sure who I wanted to win, because both are epic...

[Justice Master]

Why did I have to learn about this the day after it was over? D:

[The Dark Knight]

Here are the two entries that made it in if anyone would like to read them. Also, I will probably be holding another similar competition not too far in the future, so be on the look out for that.

[spoiler=Devil's Advocate]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]It was all calm during the afternoon in Domino City. There were no street riots, Duel Monsters attacking the city, or deranged maniacs trying to endanger the city. It was the first time in quite a while that Domino City seemed so peaceful. There was a great blue sky over the towering skyscrapers and endless buildings. A nice spring breeze rolled through the town, and people were chattering away about the newest and greatest Duel Monsters anyone could ever get their hands on.[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]And Yugi Mutou was one of the many people in this city who shared that ideal.[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]He had remembered the last incident that happened in Domino City: the time when Paradox tried to erase the entirety of Duel Monsters, the game that everyone loved and cherished. He had also remembered the two Duelists that fought alongside him in the fight. There was Yusei Fudo, a man from the distant future who had mastered the art of Duel Monsters and something else called Synchro Monsters. Then there was Judai Yuki, a child duelist who had mastered the art of his Elemental HERO monsters. Yugi could never forget the time that he saved the creation of Duel Monsters, and he would also never forget the promise that he made to Yusei Fudo after the battle.[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i]“If you are ever back in this time era, give me a shout out, will you?”[/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]Well, it was the least that the two could do. Duel Monsters was supposed to be fun, not something that can cause devastation and destruction throughout the course of the future. Paradox clearly had no idea what he was talking about.[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]Yugi Mutou was looking at his favorite card packs in his Grandfather’s shop when he heard the bell ringing. Who could that be? There weren’t usually customers that came around this time of the hour. Yugi looked up at the person, and his eyes lit up.[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“So, it’s you again, isn’t it,” said the person, masculine and young. “I never forgot what you said after our encounter with Paradox, so I’m here again right now.”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]Yugi looked up to see the man that he was having flashbacks about. It was none other than Yusei Fudo! He had jet-black hair that spiked up with yellow highlights in, wore a black coat with a red undershirt, and had a Duel Disk fastened to his arm. He was standing in the doorway grinning at Yugi. “Like I said, it bugs me when I still have unfinished business to take care of.”[/font]

/-/

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“So you want to duel?”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]It was nearly nighttime as the sun set over the horizon and the temperature cooled. The two were standing on top of a large building, waiting to see if Yusei would answer Yugi’s question. Yusei looked out to the sky and said, “Exactly. I’d never break a promise to a friend, even if we were driven apart by other dimensions. I’ll tell you though, it took quite a bit of effort to try and get back here.”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]Yugi chuckled, but also shuffled his Deck. He had never let his Deck fail him before, and, even though he was a good friend, he was not going to fail this time. “I can remember back to the time when we dueled alongside each other in order to stop Paradox from destroying Duel Monsters. Boy, was that a real thrill.”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]Yusei did not turn to Yugi, but instead concentrated out to the sky, slowly turning red and orange as it set past the imaginary line of horizon. “It can’t be all that bad. Right here, right now.”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“Fine by me,” said Yugi, standing up. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a real challenge, and I think you are the perfect guy who’s going to mold my Deck.”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“I wouldn’t get your hopes up. Remember, where I come from, we play on an entirely different level,” Yusei remarked. “It might take you a few tries before you can get through to me.”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“Alright, that settles it then. Let’s duel, Yusei!”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]The two had set up their arena at the top of the building, and now this friendly duel would be taken to the next level. Yugi had seen Yusei play before, but now, they were playing on an entirely different set of rules. There was no telling what kind of things that Yusei might pull on Yugi. But then again, Yugi trusted Yusei for dueling with pride and honor.[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]“Alright, everything is set-up,” said Yusei, drawing his five-card hand and setting his Life Points. Yugi followed in similarity, and the two were then ready to Duel.[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][b]Yusei LP: 4000[/b][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][b]Yugi LP: 4000[/b][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“I’ll be making the first move,” said Yusei, drawing his sixth card. “First, I activate the Spell Card “One for One”. By ditching the “Speed Warrior” that I have in my hand, I can Special Summon “Level Eater” from my Deck to the field. [b](Level 1/600 ATK/0 DEF) [/b]Then I’ll Normal Summon “Junk Synchron”. [b](Level 3/1300 ATK/500 DEF) [/b]And when “Junk Synchron” is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon any Level 2 or lower monster from my Graveyard, like my “Speed Warrior”. [b](Level 2/900 ATK/400 DEF) [/b]Now I tune the Level 3 “Junk Synchron” with the Level 2 “Speed Warrior” and Level 1 “Level Eater”, in order to Synchro Summon the Level 6 “Junk Gardna”!” [b](Level 6/1400 ATK/2600 DEF)[/b][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“Interesting,” Yugi said. “You actually never told me how Synchro Summons work, Yusei,” Yugi said. “Otherwise, I’d get overwhelmed.”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“Ahh, right,” Yusei said. “Well, a Synchro Monster is a kind of Special Summoning by using a Tuner monster, like “Junk Synchron”, and a regular monster, like “Speed Warrior”. It’s almost like a Fusion Summon, but with requirements that are more specific. See, when you Synchro Summon, you add the Level of the Tuner monster with the level of the Non-Tuner monster or monsters, and you Synchro Summon a card that has the same level from your Extra Deck. “Junk Synchron” was a Level 3 Tuner monster, and I used it to tune my Level 2 “Speed Warrior” and Level 1 “Level Eater” together. That adds up to a total of six, therefore, I can Synchro Summon a Level 6 monster.”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“I think I get it now,” Yugi said. In reality, he didn’t. This was way over his head. “Oh, are you done?”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“Yea, you can go ahead.”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]Yugi said nothing as he drew his card. He was thinking of ways to beat his opponent’s monster. “I Normal Summon “Alpha the Magnet Warrior”. [b](Level 4/1400 ATK/1700 DEF) [/b]Then, I’ll place one card facedown.”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“Alright, we’re off to a great start,” remarked Yusei. “I activate the effect of “Level Eater” from my Graveyard. By reducing my “Junk Gardna’s Level by 1, I can Special Summon “Level Eater” to the field. Then, I Normal Summon “Nitro Synchron”. [b](Level 2/300 ATK/100 DEF)[/b] And now, I’ll tune the Level 2 “Nitro Synchron” with the Level 5 “Junk Gardna” and Level 1 “Level Eater”.[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i]“Clustering wishes will form a new star. Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon, Stardust Dragon!” [/i][b](Level 8/2500 ATK/2000 DEF)[/b][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]Yusei’s ace monster was now out on the field. However, Yugi’s face remained unchanged. Yugi wanted Yusei to attack, for he could activate his facedown card if he did so.[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“Now “Stardust Dragon”, attack “Alpha the Magnet Warrior” with your Cosmic Flare!”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“Not so fast, Yusei,” Yugi said, flipping his face-down card over. “I activate my Trap, “Spellbinding Circle”, which reduces your monster’s ATK by 700 points and stops it’s attack completely. Also, it’s effect is negated and “Stardust Dragon” no longer switch Battle Positions.”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“That was a clever move,” Yusei said, grinning. [b](8/2500/2000>>8/1800/2000) [/b]“I guess I’ll place one facedown and let you have a turn.”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“And I’ll make it so,” Yugi said, drawing his card. This was almost too perfect. “I play the Spell Card, “Ancient Rules”, which allows me to automatically Special Summon 1 Level 5 or higher Normal Monster from my hand, and I am choosing my “Dark Magician”.” [b](Level 7/2500 ATK/2100 DEF)[/b][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]No way! Yusei could hardly believe it. Yugi was able to get his ace out onto the field just as quickly as he was able to. Now he understood why he was called the “King of Games”.[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“I’m not done yet, though. Next, I activate the “Secret Village of the Spellcasters” Field Spell. If I control a Spellcaster-Type monster, and you do not, you can’t activate any Spell Cards. With that settled, I’m going to attack “Stardust Dragon” with my “Dark Magician”. Go, “Dark Magic Attack”!”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]Yugi had effectively pinned Yusei down. He can’t use his monster, and he can’t use Spells either. But he still had one last thing. “I activate my Trap, “Scrap-Iron Scarecrow”. This negates your attack, and afterwards, I can set this card back down to its original position instead of sending it to the Graveyard.”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“Fine then,” Yugi said. “Your move.”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“And I’ll make it,” Yusei said, drawing his card from the Deck slot. “I Summon “Bicular” in Defense Position. [b](Level 2/200 ATK/200 DEF) [/b]That ends my turn.”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“Oh well, it was nice knowing you, Yusei,” Yugi said, drawing his card. I activate my “Mystical Space Typhoon” in order to destroy your facedown “Scrap-Iron Scarecrow”. Then, once again, I am having “Dark Magician” attack “Stardust Dragon”.[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]The magician of dark magic held out his rod. From it appeared a spark of white lightning, which coursed through the air and struck the dragon, disintegrating it.[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][b]Yusei LP: 3300[/b][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“Then, I’ll have “Alpha the Magnet Warrior” attack your “Bicular”.”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“Alright, I can deal with that,” Yusei said, “because when “Bicular” is destroyed in battle, I get to Special Summon “Unicycular” from my Deck to replace it.” [b](Level 1/100 ATK/100 DEF)[/b][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“In that case, I’ll place one card facedown,” Yugi concluded. The duel was practically at a stalemate. One would play something, and the other had something to counter it. This was the definition of what it meant to have a great Duel. The Duel continued on into the night, under the cover of blackness.[/spoiler][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][spoiler=Umbra][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]Seto Kaiba, CEO of KaibaCorp, was not pleased, not at all. His defeat at the hands of Pegasus in Duelist Kingdom was most humiliating, and he could only find the tiniest amount of joy in the fact that the island had been closed off from the public. Yugi had emerged victorious, of course, and worse, he'd actually saved both his and Mokuba's lives. While he did appreciate that... it was embarrassing. Yugi had succeeded where he had failed... just when he thought he was on the right track. Had he been able to take Pegasus down, defeat him at his own game, he would've been redeemed.[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i]You're a failure, [/i]he thought to himself. [i]You don't deserve this company. You don't deserve that deck of yours.[/i] He sighed.[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]He was down by the docks, coincidentally not too far from where Yugi and everyone else had boarded the cruise to Duelist Kingdom. He himself had arrived by helicopter, of course, and wasn't aware of that. Standing by the water, the tide now on its way out, with his deck in his hand, he felt everything slip away from him. If he just let go now, and threw everything away, it would be alright. He and Mokuba could leave the company to someone else. What was it to him, really? Just money. It couldn't buy him what he wanted.[/font]


[font=times new roman,times,serif]Being the ruler of Hell had its ups and downs. It was awfully boring, for one; with him and his queen being the only intelligent beings in a thousand-mile radius, making conversation was practically impossible. How long had they been doing this, now? Ten years? Twenty years? More? Things were hard to measure when you'd stopped aging. Their Eternal Wings, the majestic Aslla piscu, had granted them a life without death – but what was such a life?[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i]Boring[/i], the Dark King thought. In his previous life, he had cared about nothing less than becoming King, to achieve that ultimate goal. Briefly, he had been dethroned by Yusei... but that was in the past. No reason to think about it. Though the Mark of the Dragon was still burned into his arm, he was no longer a Signer. The flames had changed, now, from a crimson red to the bright purple of his new, glorious god. He wasn't Jack Atlas any more, not in a true sense. Now, he was the King – a ruler of an empty land.[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]He sighed. He needed something to do, something to fill his time. He had grown tired of raising the flames of Hell on his mindless servants, only for them to reanimate at his wish and resume their work. If they felt anything, they did not show anything. He had split them in two and told them to fight each other; the battles had been grand, but just as dull and mindless as the combatants. Even his queen had begun to bore him; their existence together was little more than acting, a play without an audience. There was nothing, not anymore.[/font]


[font=times new roman,times,serif]“[font=Courier New][i][i]Jack Atlas[/i].[/i]”[/font][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][font=Courier New]“[i][i]Seto Kaiba. [/i][/i][/font][i]”[/i][/font]


[font=times new roman,times,serif]The two looked up. They couldn't identify the source of the voices – at least not until it identified itself.[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“[font=Courier New][i][i]My name is ZONE. I am here to offer you a way out. One duel to prove your worth. The future depends on it. [/i][/i][/font][i]”[/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]Their responses were identical.[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“Let's do it!”[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]Then, a brilliant flash of light – and off they were.[/font]


[font=times new roman,times,serif]Kaiba couldn't believe what he was seeing. Looking down from this floating platform, he could see the magnificent city below. It had taken him a few moments to recognize it, but the shoreline of the outer part – an island, connected to the main part of the city by a complicated network of bridges - struck him as very, very familiar. After all, he had been there but moments ago. This was Domino City... but far more advanced than how he had left it.[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i]Is this some sort of... virtual reality?[/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]Some board members at KaibaCorp had been working on a virtual reality system, and he had tried it out a few times, but it couldn't produce something of this scale. He could see hundreds of people in the streets below them, if not thousands, running away in their own movement patterns. The city seemed to stretch out for miles on end, on both sides, and he assumed the same thing would be happening there. There was no way their servers could handle that kind of strain without collapsing. Therefore, there could be only one realistic solution.[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]He was in the future.[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]“[i][font=Courier New][font=Courier New, monospace][i]Welcome, duelists, to the Ark Cradle.[/i][/font][/font]”[/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]Kaiba spun around, only to face something out of a nightmare. The platform was much larger than he had expected; it was at least eight hundred meters across, if not more. His opponent had been standing on the other side, but was now coming closer. As Kaiba too walked toward the center of the circular platform, he could see the other man's face – and it scared him more than anything. He had had his mind shattered and rebuilt, and had his soul imprisoned in a card, but this... this was beyond that. The man across from him reeked of ancient evil, of a darkness from below the Earth... a darkness that shouldn't have been released. He couldn't be much older than himself; his face was youthful and the blonde, spiky hair still fresh, but his eyes showed a way with the world that had lasted for centuries. They were completely dark, save for bright purple irises, and they were tired. He smiled.[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]“Is this my opponent, ZONE, if that's your name? A frightened school-child to face the Dark King?”[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]Suddenly, Kaiba realized they weren't alone – although he strongly suspected he was the only human on the platform now. A machine was hovering near the middle of the platform, roughly shaped like a giant comma. It seemed to speak of its own accord; presumably, it was it who brought them there. It, too, was powerful, but there was nothing good or evil about it. Just science.[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]“[font=Courier New][i]This is no ordinary student, Jack Atlas. This is Seto Kaiba, CEO of KaibaCorp, from his time. Then, he was known as one of the most powerful duelists in the world.[/i][/font]”[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]The machine's words, although monotone and dull, inspired Kaiba. Sure, the man across from him was as frightening as ever, but what was he compared to the great Seto Kaiba? [i][i]Nothing![/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]The dark man only shrugged.[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]“That name is just dust in the wind! The Dark King is supreme to everything in history!”[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]He smiled.[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]“But it's something different, I give you that.”[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]Kaiba felt the dark man's gaze fall upon him, and almost shied away. [i][i]I'm Seto Kaiba. Whoever this guy is, he's no Yugi.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]They nodded at each other.[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]“Let's duel!”[/font]


[font=times new roman,times,serif][font=Courier New]Seto Kaiba: 4000 LP[/font][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][font=Courier New]Jack Atlas: 4000 LP[/font][/font]


[font=times new roman,times,serif]Without warning, some sort of contraptions appeared on their arms, closed in around their wrists. Kaiba could barely hold back a shout as it attached itself around his wrist, and extended to form a blade-like shape. His opponent laughed.[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]“Haven't you ever seen a duel disk, boy? They don't have it where you come from?”[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i]Duel disk?[/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]Kaiba looked at the contraption – and sure enough, he could see it for what it really was now. The blade represented the field, with two rows for monsters as well as spells and traps. There was room for the deck, as well as the Graveyard and the Fusion Deck.[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i]This is amazing! No, more than that, it's a revolution! People can play anywhere, without an arena or anything![/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]KaibaCorp had been working on something similar – he had brought it with him to Duelist Kingdom in a vain attempt to shield himself from Pegasus – but this was leaps and bounds beyond that. He had to bring this back with him, somehow. It was already loaded with a deck – his deck, conveniently missing from his pocket. Normally, he would have questioned that, but now was no such time. He had a duel to win.[/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif]Both players drew five cards. The dark man – the machine had addressed him as Jack Atlas, Kaiba remembered – noticed a light on his, and smiled.[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]“I'll go first. Draw!”[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]Here we go.[/i] [/i]Kaiba had no idea what a man of his opponent's stature could play, but surely, it was nothing to worry about. The man placed a card on the field.[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]“I summon the Tuner monster, Dark Resonator!”[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]Clearly, Kaiba had been mistaken. [i]Tuner monster? [/i]As the monster came into play, a small display on the duel disk lit up, showing some information on the monster's effects. [i]Once per turn, it can't be destroyed by battle. That's not too much of a problem.[/i] [1300/300] He already had one Blue-Eyes in his hand; he could just summon it next turn, and then -[/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][font=Courier New]Kaiba, there is much you need to know.[/font][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif]Before he had a chance to respond, his mind was overloaded with information – rules, clarifications, game mechanics... hundreds of years of advancement. Ritual Monsters, the Tuner and Synchro monsters, spell speeds, and... Tribute Summons. [i][i]What?[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][font=Courier New]That's how the game plays, Seto. Even if you were to take that duel disk of yours back to your time – and I won't stop you if you wish to - it would be programmed to use these rules. That is how it is.[/font][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]He sighed. [i][i]Fine, but don't call me Seto ever again.[/i][/i][/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]The machine didn't respond – it wasn't even there anymore.[/i][/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]Kaiba looked at his opponent's monster, now knowing exactly what he was up against. A Synchro Monster was coming his way, but he could take it. Whatever that little fiend with the tuning fork could summon forth was nothing. The dark man nodded.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“Then, I activate Double Summon! This allows me to Normal Summon once more! Come forth, Mad Demon!”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]Another fiend surfaced – this one much larger than the other one, but no considerable threat. [1800/0] However, the King wasn't done. He had a Tuner and a normal monster on the field; he would definitely-[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“I tune my Dark Resonator to Mad Demon!”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]The two monsters took off in a cascade of light, sending star-symbols flying across the field. Once more, Kaiba found himself very interested in what these duel disks were capable of. His opponent continued.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“[i]The star of death that shines at the zenith of the heavens. Descend to the Earth and make judgment upon the living! Synchro Summon! Heavenly King – Black Highlander![/i]”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]A bolt of black lightning struck the surface as the new monster emerged from the light. A tall, human-like demon in black robes with golden ornaments, and with a giant scythe in its hands, the Black Highlander was certainly a foe worth noticing. [2800/2300][/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]Yet, Kaiba didn't worry. All of his opponent's monsters seemed to have some sort of special ability ([i]at the cost of attack points, apparently[/i], he thought) but this one didn't harm him in the slightest. Its effect to stop Synchro Summons only hurt his opponent, and he didn't use many Equip Cards that he would be able to destroy.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“You finished, Atlas?”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]The dark man laughed, just a little.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“You've got guts, Kaiba, I admit that. Most people here would be scared shitless if they saw the Black Highlander. I set two cards. Your turn.”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]Kaiba drew a card.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i][i]Perfect.[/i][/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]Until now, he hadn't been lucky enough to draw these cards at the same time, much less in his starting hand. Now, he had a feeling he needed them more than ever.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“I summon Lord of Dragons!”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]The mage that appeared on his field, dressed in a brown robe and blue cape with gray, dragonic ornaments, was barely a challenge on its own. [1200/1100] However, there would be more to come.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“The spell card Flute of Summoning Dragon can only be activated while this card is on the field. However, it lets me summon any two dragons from my hand! Come forth, two of my Blue-Eyes White Dragons!”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]A horn appeared briefly in the spellcaster's hand, and when he blew it the earth and heavens seemed to rumble. The sky seemed to open up and divide as the two majestic dragons appeared in a shower of brilliant light, soaring above their master. The white-scaled dragons were things of beauty, their slender incomprehensible to beings not of this world. [3000/2500] [3000/2500] Kaiba smiled. Nothing could stop him now.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“Blue-Eyes White Dragon, attack! White Lightning!”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]The dragon roared, and a beam of white light erupted from its mouth.[/i][/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]However, the demon its attack was aimed at roared back at the dragon, and Kaiba watched hopelessly as the defender's attack points were raised. [2800 ATK → 3300 ATK] The dark man, the one who called himself King, smiled.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“Trap Card, Roar of Pride, activates. I pay Life Points equal to the difference between our monsters, and my Black Highlander gains the boost it needs to defeat your dragon.”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]The demon dodged the incoming beam of light easily, and lunged out at Kaiba's dragon with little effort. As the scythe buried itself in his monster, Kaiba felt a sting of pain. The dragon shattered.[/i][/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i][i]Jack Atlas: 3800 LP [Paid 200 for Roar of Pride][/i][/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i][i]Seto Kaiba: 3700 LP [Took 300 damage from battle.][/i][/i][/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]He was about to end his turn... until he saw that the Black Highlander's attack points had dropped again.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“You may have taken out one of my dragons, Atlas, but there's more coming your way. Blue-Eyes White Dragon, avenge your fallen friend! Finish the Highlander off with White Lightning!”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]This time, there was nothing to protect him. The Synchro Monster could do nothing other than simply take the hit, letting the white light devour him. The dark man didn't move a muscle as his life points dropped even further.[/i][/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i][i]Jack Atlas: 3600 LP [Took 200 damage from battle.][/i][/i][/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]Kaiba nodded again. His confidence had skyrocketed with the past turn; there was simply no stopping him now.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“Lord of Dragons, attack him directly! [i]Dragon Spell![/i]”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]The mage raised his arm at Atlas, and a stream of fireballs erupted from it. Once again, the dark man didn't seem to care.[/i][/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i][i]Jack Atlas: 2400 LP [Took 1200 damage from battle][/i][/i][/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]Kaiba, not worried for a second, smiled at his opponent.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“Do your best, Atlas. I end my turn.”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]His opponent smiled back, and drew a card.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“You're interesting, Kaiba, far more interesting than I thought you'd be. However, you are facing the the Dark King, the ruler of the mortal world. You cannot win. I activate a Field Spell Card.”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]Kaiba barely had the time to think [i][i]arrogant bastard[/i] [/i]before the world changed around them. They were standing in what seemed to be outer space; around him, Kaiba could see galaxies, clouds of gas millions of light-years away, and distant stars. [i]This duel disk really is something.[/i] His opponent continued.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“Future Visions immediately removes from play any monster that is Normal Summoned for a turn.”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i][i]That, on the other hand, could be a problem.[/i] As opposed to his opponent, he didn't have many ways of Special Summoning monsters; a deck like his would be in for a challenge. He didn't mind. The dark man continued.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“When I control no monsters, and I face one of yours, I can call forth Vice Dragon from my hand. By doing so, its attack and defense points are halved.”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]A purple dragon with green, leathery wings appeared on his field. [1000/1200] He tapped the face-down card on his field, flipping it face-up.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“Then, I activate a Trap Card, Revival Gift! By giving you two unfortunate souls as a gift, I can revive a Tuner monster! Come back, Dark Resonator!”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]The tiny fiend with the tuning fork returned, [1300/300] and two small creatures emerged on Kaiba's field. [1500/1500] [1500/1500] For the life of him, Kaiba couldn't understand his opponent's moves. He had only succeeded in giving himself two weak monsters, while he had given his opponent the means to defeat him.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“You surrender already, Atlas? Those monsters will do you no good against my Blue-Eyes-”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]He would have finished the sentence if something hadn't appeared in the air above them.[/i][/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]It looked eerily similar to a beating heart, only made of stone. It radiated purple energy that seemed to corrupt the flow of space around it, as if the laws of the universe had called in sick for the day. The Dark King laughed.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“You are so innocent, Kaiba. You think you've seen it all, the darkness in man's heart. I have witnessed the end of the world – I brought it upon you. I come from a distant future, where Earth has been reduced to a hellish domain and I, Jack Atlas, have taken my place as rightful King and Ruler. This is what made it to happen, the wonderful God that has made me His vessel in this world and elevated me to where I already should have been. I sacrifice Dark Resonator and Vice Dragon to summon Aslla piscu!”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]For an instant, the two monsters seemed infinitely stretched out toward the stone-heart, and then... the sky was lit aflame. Kaiba saw something horrifying flicker in his vision, a gigantic bird-creature, ablaze with the flames of Hell itself. This was the ancient evil he had sensed in the dark man, the creature that lurked in the depths and urged to be released. However, it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“Future Visions activates, removing Aslla piscu from play until my next turn... and triggering its effect! [i]World-Engulfing Fire![/i] All of your monsters are destroyed, and you take eight-hundred points of damage for each one!”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i][i]What?[/i]The flames exploded across Kaiba's field, seemingly ripping his monsters apart by sheer force. Including the two Gift Tokens, he felt each of their pains as his own, and fell to the ground.[/i][/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i][i]Seto Kaiba: 500 Life Points [Lost 3200 from Aslla piscu's effect][/i][/i][/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]The dark man smiled. This duel was over. Kaiba had no monsters left, and Future Visions would stop any Normal Summon he tried to make. Next turn, Aslla piscu would return, and he would finish this. He felt its strength flow through him, the will of the God that had brought him this power, had made him who he was. Once, he had tried to fight it, tried to defeat the woman he now called Queen, but that was a long time ago. Since then, he had never fought a duel that challenged him. This... Kaiba had seemed promising at first, but now he too had proven to be a disappointment. One more turn, and it would be over. He nodded.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“I end my turn.”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]However, he was far from finished.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“This is defeat, Seto Kaiba. If you return to where you came from, remember it well. Know that you tried to stand against the darkness, and lost. Know what dark fate awaits your world, when it will serve under my wonderful God. Know that the struggle is meaningless. Know that-”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“[i][i]Shut up.[/i]”[/i][/i][/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]Kaiba had risen to his feet. The flames hadn't harmed him in the slightest; he was unmarked, unscathed. The only thing that burned was the determination in his eyes, two fierce beacons that would have scared the dark man, had he been capable of such emotion.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“You thought you had me defeated, didn't you? That someone like you could bring me to my knees in surrender? Well, let me tell you this, Atlas. You may be powered by some forsaken god, harnessing power unknown to man. You may even be the ender of existence, the ruler of Hell. We may be in this strange future, which may even be the past to you, and I may be fighting with technology beyond my wildest dreams, but let me tell you this.”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]He drew a card.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“I'm Seto Kaiba. And this isn't over 'til I say it's over.”[/i][/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]He looked down at the card just drawn, and smiled.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“Let me teach you a lesson in arrogance, Atlas. You've just left your field empty, certain that I couldn't bring out a monster strong enough to take you down.”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]The dark man was silent, though Kaiba thought he could see something in that tired face of his. Surprise? A shade of it, maybe.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“I activate the Spell Card, Raise Dead! This allows me to resurrect any monster to my field! Return... Blue-Eyes White Dragon!”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]A font of white light burst out from his Graveyard as the majestic white dragon once again appeared on his field. Its bright blue eyes blazed in accordance with its masters, but these were flames of rage and anger. The white dragon rushed through the air and rose to high above them, before diving again and hovering in front of its master. Kaiba smiled.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]“Finish him, Blue-Eyes. [i]Burst Stream of Destruction![/i]”[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]Only one thought passed through the dark man's mind as he saw the stream of white light approach him, tearing up everything in its way.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i][i]I am sorry[/i].[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]Then he too was gone.[/i][/i][/font]


[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]He was back at the docks. Little to no time seemed to have passed, but Kaiba knew that he must have been gone for much longer than that. He knew that he had been gone, that it wasn't just a dream; the being called ZONE had kept its promise. The duel disk was still attached to his arm, cards and everything with it. With it, he held the key to revolution. The new regulations would have to come with it, to render them useable at all... but that would be worth it. This sort of freedom was unparallelled in anything he had ever seen; the masses would love it. He needed to get the technology out there, though, some sort of promotion...[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i][i][i]A tournament.[/i][/i][/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i][i]Of course! A tournament, perfect to show off the new rules and the new duel disks. It would be very open, of course, with battles all over Domino City, and some sort of qualifier system to get to the end. He'd have to think about it, get some determinations down, but that was the basis. Battles all over the city.[/i][/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][/spoiler][/font]