“Junk Warrior! Finish him with Scrap-Iron Fist!”
The monster drew closer. I braced myself.
BANG!
I lost control of my duel runner. Spinning out of control I was thrown from the machine and landed with a thump on the hard tarmac.
“Better luck next time loser!” the turbo duelist laughed, before speeding off towards New Domino city.
I picked myself up and dusted off my shoulders. I glanced into the horizon. There lied New Domino city, a lively hub for many different people. I shook my head and walked towards my runner. It’s slender and streamline racing bodywork lay on its side in the middle of the combat lane. The damage was only minor, luckily; just a bit of paintwork scraped off. I picked up the bike and sat on it. Turning the key, the runner burst into life. Soon, I was out of the combat lane and travelling back to New Domino at some speed. A strange sound buzzed in my ear. Quickly, I pressed the accept button.
“Dom! How do? You on your way back?”
“Nah, not just yet Eric, I need to be alone for a bit...”
“You lost again didn’t you?” he said slightly concerned. I could see his frown on the intercom.
I didn’t reply. I just stayed silent, thinking. What am I doing wrong?
“Cheer up mate, you’ve still got a week until the entrance exam” The slender faced man smiled
“I’m never going to get in at this rate...” I said, saddened.
“Think positive man! I know you can do it!”
“Wanna bet on that?”
“Well... erm... no actually... you know how I feel about betting...”
“I’ll see you when I get home” I finished, pressing end call.
What am I doing wrong?
I pulled up at the park, turned off my runner and patted it as if to say, “It’s not your fault.” I walked slowly up the grass embankment and sat underneath a large tree, staring out across the lake. I took out my deck and drew my first card. I smiled. My favourite card, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, a card I’ve had for as long as I’ve been duelling. The card meant so much to me, passed down, century after century in my family line. If great, great uncle Seto could see me now... he’d be disappointed in me. I didn’t feel worthy wearing a revolutionary contraption of his, the duel disk, the foundation for modern duelling. I took the disk off my arm and threw it down the hill. It surprised me though how I didn’t hear the water splash.
“Hey! You should be more careful where you throw things!”
“Oh! I’m sorry! I wasn’t aiming at you! Honest!” I shouted, running in the direction of the voice
“You’re a duelist aren’t you?”
A man in his mid-thirties stood holding my white and yellow duel disk. He wore a neat white lab coat. His hair was jet black, with the occasional yellow streak, which reminded me of lightning. His face was inquisitive as his deep blue eyes looked down at me. He also bore a yellow mark under his eye.
“Well... was... I guess, was never much of one” I admitted
“Oh, so judging that you’re the only person here, that’s your duel runner. You’re a turbo duelist.” He stated, nodding at my yellow machine
“How...” I said, gobsmacked that he took that sort of detail into account
“Hey, I used to be a turbo duelist too!” he chuckled, “What’s your name kid?”
“Dom... Dom Mellor” I replied
“Nice to meet you Dom, My name is Yusei, Yusei Fudo, you might already know me...”
A shock realisation kicked in. I suddenly recognised the man who stood in front of me. He was the best turbo duelist that has ever existed. Not only that, he was a legendary signer, said to have rid the world of evil on many occasions along with four other top rated duelists. I stood there, motionless, not knowing what to say.
“Hey, you don’t mind me having a look at your deck do you?”
“No... No, of course not” I stuttered
I reached into my card holder and produced a deck, as Yusei looked through the deck I gave him first.
“Well, I have to say Dom, I’m impressed, this dragon deck looks strong” he said, looking taken aback, “I’ve never seen a Blue-Eyes White Dragon before. There were only three printed right? And you have all three!”
“Well, that’s what you get if your great, great uncle is Seto Kaiba!” I said smiling
“You’re not serious right? Seto Kaiba revolutionised the way we play the game! You must be a real decent duelist if you wield all three Blue-Eyes” Yusei said, shocked.
“I don’t know what to think.” I replied
“I will admit, this turbo duelling deck needs some work... I can attend to that”
He took out a few cards and added a few from his own personal deck.
“I can’t have those cards! They’ve given you such a reputation!” I said
“I don’t duel anymore, I’m too busy being a scientist, my cards deserved to be used, and I think you are worthy of them” He smiled
I was still shocked, but I let him continue. The utter concentration on his face told me he was working on something special.
“... Ok and done” Yusei confirmed, passing my deck back to me.
“... Thank you...” I said, taking the deck from him
“Oh and one other thing...”
He took the chain off his neck and opened the case. He took something from inside it.
“Have this, I think it will fit perfectly in your decks” He said, throwing the card at me.
I caught it and immediately gasped. I couldn’t. That... That’s just too much.
“But Yusei! Stardust Dragon means everything to you! I’ve seen you duel! The passion you have when you summon it and the elegance in which you use it is truely...”
“Dom, look at me, I believe that card belongs with you. You wield one of the most powerful decks I have seen. Stardust is a perfect addition to your already powerful extra deck.”
His blue eyes were firm and knowledgeable. I looked up at him and nodded. I didn’t know how to feel.
“I hope to see you duelling soon, but until then, best of luck” Yusei concluded as he walked off deeper into the park. I looked back at the card he had just given me. Stardust Dragon. I smiled. All of a sudden, my confidence was back. I felt like I could take this entry exam by storm. No-one could hold me back. I’m going to be Duelling Academy’s best.... and nothing’s going to stop me!
