Money can't buy happiness, so they say, but I bet none of those people have ever witnessed the morning sun rising behind the mountains; the light moving like a wave that swallows up the darkness then revealing all the splendid colors reflecting off roofs and giving off an almost rainbow-like reflection. Has that person seen the grass look like their own sea of emeralds? I bet they haven't felt the touch of stone forged that stood through time and feel like they could own the world!

...Then lose it all over a single night.

Money can't buy happiness, but it sure as hell can make people miserable if you don't have it.

But finally, that's all going to change! I, Wilona Konami, have applied and been accepted to Duel Academy's Curriculum for the Duel Monsters Tourney Associate and Managements. It's a long-winded way of talking about a company that is co-headed and founded by both Kaiba Corps and Industrial Illusions that helps manage major duel tournaments.

Seto Kaiba helped set it up during the Battle City Tournament, and it's been a staple company in managing major duel circuits since.

Since I dabbled into the cutthroat world of understanding economic stock prices, I noticed that their stocks have been slowly, but surely raising even with their 'drops' being not all that noticeable. In layman terms, it looks like a good job to invest in for my future and earn more money!

So that's my plan, get into Duel Academy, graduate, get a job there, and get rich enough to embody Gwen Stefani's Rich Girl without the 'if' part!

What could possibly go wrong?

All I just gotta do is read the guidelines on how to take the initiation test—

Oh.

Okay, so I may be—kinda overlooked one teeny tiny detail.

I have to duel to get into the school. It's literally in the name, Duel Academy, but somehow I missed that.

But no worries! I can do this!

… If I had money for a deck.

… And if I knew how to play the game. Why was it that I was always so distracted by people's hairs whenever I watched a Duel Monster's game? It was cool I thought. I just-just never paid time to learn how to play like every other kid in my schools…

Huh. Those tiny details are sure pilling up.

No, stay calm, Wilona. You can do this, you're currently in Domino City, the home of the King of Games himself! I'm sure there's at least one shop that can get me a deck before the initiation next week!

I bolt out the door, screaming back after getting dressed, "I'll be back tonight, mum! Stay in bed and don't open the door!"

I really do hate leaving dear mum, but at the same time, we won't have to live in a friend's garage anymore if I do this properly.

[Tag Force: Heroes And Villains]

My first stop is the Black Clown Game Shop. I don't know much about it, but apparently, the owner is a guy who made Dungeon Dice Monsters. A game about dice with Duel Monsters—wait Duel Monsters already has dice in it—never mind. All I gotta do is just pick out a deck, duel, and be on my way.

...

Oh my god, it's been how long since I got here, but why are there so many bloody decks?! What the heck is Ritual Summoning? Fusion Summoning? Extra Decks?! We need more than one deck!? The hell's a graveyard!? And why is it different from being removed from play!?

"Miss?"

I was apparently so tense, when I turned my neck I felt a muscle sprained. It didn't stop me from noticing a rather handsome young man looking over me with a customer service smile.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

It took me a second to realize he must have been some employee—since I noticed he and I were the only at this corner of the store with many other people and most kids were all looking at toys and other items like twenty feet away from me. Was I scaring people away with how intensely I was looking at Duel Monster decks?

I cleared my throat. "Yes! Well, do you have a deck for beginners?"

The man, who I swore embodied the Sexy Back theme song, smiled and pointed over to the things in front of her. "An excellent choice you see we're stocked with all the new archetypes decks that have popped up—"

Arch types? Oh shoot, I have no idea what kind of jargon he's saying about the game now. What was that about Tribute Summoning? Wait, the game's rules have evolved!? What do you mean the rules were different during Duelist Kingdom!? What's Duelists Kingdom?!

"That all looks lovely." Is what my mouth says; traitorous bitch she is.

"I can tell you're still a little lost." God bless this already handsome man. "So what type of deck are you looking for? Something fun?"

"… Something that'll help me win?"

The man gave me a look before laughing as if he heard a joke. "Duel Monsters is a game with equal parts skill and luck. There is no one win to all deck, a really good friend taught me that."

As honest as he sounds, why don't I bloody believe him?

He notices me still staring at him and just picks out one of the starter decks. "Here, this deck should help out."

I took the box that said, 'Monarchy Madness'.

(How dare you speak to me like that, filthy, little plebian!)

H-Hold on a second—how "W-Why did you give me this?"

"Is something the matter, miss?"

(W-We have to leave, pumpkin. We need to go—we can't come back.)

I try to stuff the nightmares and memories back down before they start to rise now of all times. "No—no, I assumed—I was just a little surprised you chose this one. Why?"

He gave a smile that seemed to have more layers than an onion. "Some years ago, a friend of mine believed in something called, The Heart of the Cards. I never really understood it, but he always had a way with the game. This deck is pretty strong and it's not too hard to understand."

… I do need to get into Duel Academy and I do need to a strong and easy deck. If this is really the case then.

"I'll buy it."

Everything else is a blur, I just try and get out of there because of some bad memories.

[Tag Force: Heroes And Villains]

Even though the sun's barely out, I'm already feeling this close to an anxiety attack looking at the Kaiba Dome.

The chilling wind going through my light green hair makes me shiver. I wish I grew it longer than just the bottom of my neck, and I wish I didn't style it in a ponytail like I usually do and just let it fall normally to give it some cover for the wind. Because of my warm breath, it fogs my glasses and I have to keep wiping them and letting a cool blast of air hit my face repeatedly. I wish I brought a scarf, maybe something to match my purple-colored irises—but then again my fashion sense can be lacking at times.

The doors of the dome open up and as I spot people in uniforms getting ready to set up a booth. It doesn't take me long to walk out to them and hold my packet for papers for participating. The people are polite in the way they need to be for their job, not because they are. I somewhat tune out what they're saying and only seem to accept the instructions of going in.

My heart's beating too loud for me to hear them fully.

As I exit the hallway, I can't help but marvel at the Kaiba Dome seemingly coming straight from a science fiction movie, even the walls themselves exude that they're more advanced than anyone but Seto Kaiba himself could understand—there's even a rumor he created a machine that even allows him to get into the afterlife.

"Is that a student already? Well, I can appreciate your dedication if you're here the moment we're open!" I turn to the voice, it's some...androgynous person with rather extravagant blue clothes. Is he a professor?

"Allow me to introduce myself since we're still preparing the speakers—a bunch of slow middle management—I am Dr. Vellian Crowler. And you must be here for the initiation test to Duel Academy yes?" He spoke with a strange French-like accent but I was still nervous to care.

"I see, well come along then. I do enjoy seeing students do their best." It looks like I nodded without really thinking. I should probably work on my actions a little more.

"Let's see your papers and set you up with a duel."

He turned his back on me, but I did remember there was something about the instructions that I was supposed to ask him about. "E-Excuse me! I don't mean to bother, really, but I saw that you allow participants to borrow a duel disk if they don't own one?"

"A small issue that can easily be addressed," He's surprisingly friendly despite me not being completely sure he's a guy. "As long as you filled the papers, and by that flier in your hand, you have, then we will allow you to borrow a school duel disk for your test." He turned his head back and shouted, "Can someone give this applicant a duel disk!?"

He sounded annoyed, but luckily for me, I was able to get a duel disk a little later. But… "By any chance, do you have a duel disk for left-handed people?"

Crowler looked over to the men and after a quick talk with them, "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you knew? Even left-handed duelists have to use normal Duel Disks. Kaiba Corps oddly hasn't made a batch for left-handed ones, nor has there been any demand for them. I just assumed most left-handed duelists just make do with it."

Oh. Now that I think back, the videos have never shown a left-handed duel disk.

… Because of course stuff like that still has to happen. "Thank you anyway."

"None the less, you must duel your very best. You will be the first duelist this morning, so who knows? You might define how today is going to go! Good luck, applicant!"

I let out a sigh I didn't know I had. While I look down, I notice my reflection, and I do look horribly miserable.

I just have to win and I'm set.

That's all I have to do.

Just win.

It doesn't take long before I walk into a dueling field. My left hand's my dominant one, so I just hope I don't randomly drop my duel disk if my right hand fails later on. I hope duels don't go too long.

"Applicant!" I looked over to see a man wearing a blue coat and sunglasses—for some reason—walk to the opposite side of the stage. "This is your duel test, win the duel to pass and if you lose, you are allowed to take the test again in the next entrance exam."

Which is next year. I can't afford that!

"Ready?" He activates his duel disk while I activate the one I'm renting.

Here it comes, it's all down to this.

[Tag Force: Heroes And Villains]

"DUEL!" The two shouted as their duel disks lit up.

Examiner: 4000 LP

Wilona: 4000 LP

In the upper levels, above the seats in the Kaiba Dome, a young man walked in and looked down with silence at the starting duel.

"Oh, Zane." The man turned to see a blonde girl walking up to him. "I thought you were going to come here with your brother."

The dark green-haired young man looked back down towards the duel but spoke out. "I'm not responsible for him, Alexis. Are you here to take the test too?"

The one named Alexis had her voice tone turned serious. "I need to know what happened to..."

"I understand. He was my friend too. I'll help you in any way you need."

There wasn't more to be said about that topic. But Alexis was curious and looked over the rail. "And here I thought you were the first one here."

Back down below, the Examiner shouted. "Applicant, you are the one to make the first move!"

Wilona seemed nervous and awkwardly moved her right hand over to her deck to draw her first card.

"Is she nervous, maybe lack of sleep?" Alexis noted as she looked on from above.

"She's left-handed." Zane's comment made the blonde girl look to him. "Her right hand isn't as coordinated and isn't used to holding cards like that. Something about her stance shows she's also using a duel disk for the first time."

"How'd you know all that from up here?"

"I once knew a few classmates that were left-handed that struggled similarly."

While that commentary was going on, Wilona was finally able to grab a card. "I—I set a monster face-down in defense position!" When she said this, she made a motion to put down her card. However, it was not in the position that defense position was supposed to be. The green-haired, glasses-wearing girl panicked slightly when she too realized this and was able to place the card in the right position before she could place it on the disk improperly.

"Is she a newbie?" Alexis asked while looking at the girl. "Cause she's making a lot of mistakes someone not familiar with the game would make."

Zane narrowed his eyes. "She does have the mark of an amateur… but something feels off."

Back down below, Wilona then looked back up to her cards and spoke out something.

"You need to be louder than that, Applicant! Even though it's near empty, I still can't hear you!" The Examiner shouted.

"I end my turn!" Wilona did as she was told, almost doing it too quickly.

Turn 2: Examiner. Cards: 5

As it came to the second turn, the Examiner drew his card. "Take this seriously, Applicant. To enter Duel Academy, a certain level of skill must be met that you aren't showing! I summon, Noble Knight Drystan in attack mode!"

As he placed his card on his duel disk, the light glowed and appeared this beautiful man in knight get up with a harp on one hand while on his face, there was an eye patch over his left eye.

Attribute: LIGHT/ Monster Type: Warrior Card/Level: 4/ATK:1800/DEF: 800

Up above Zane leaned forward. "Huh, is that a new Archetype that I've heard about?"

"What does it do?"

In response to Alexis, Zane answered, "You're about to find out."

Back down below, the Examiner placed a card in a slot inside the duel disk. "I now activate the equip spell, Noble Arms – Arfeudutyr!"

Wilona was confused as to how the Examiner said a word like that before a black sword that looked more like a lightsaber was caught by the handsome knight.

"Now this card effect is long and complicated so pay attention: I can only have one version of this equip card out, but when equipped, my monster loses 500 attack points to activate its ability."

ATK:1800→1300/DEF:800

"Whoa, what!?" Alexis from above had her eyes widen in shock. "Since when do equip cards lower attack points?"

"As I said, I heard interesting things about this deck. I'm more surprised that they're using a deck like this as one of the tests. This year might be tougher than most."

In response to Zane's comment, the blonde girl narrowed her eyes. "I can handle it."

"You? I have no worry for. Her on the other hand?"

Back down below, the Examiner continued. "Even though my attack points are lowered, I activate the effect of Arfeudutyr: when it's equipped, I can destroy one set card, including set monster cards!"

Drystan started to spin the blade in his hand and with an up to down slash, a sword beam fired through and cut through the set card, destroying it before it could even be seen.

The examiner threw a hand outward. "Now you're wide open! Drystan attacks directly!"

The handsome knight spun the blade in his hand once more before firing another sword beam at the girl. Who simply stood there before the hologram attack knocked her off her feet.

Examiner: 4000 LP

Wilona: 4000-1300=2700 LP

"Ow! What the bloody hell!?" The girl with green hair cried out in pain before picking herself back up along with some cards she dropped. "I wasn't expecting that to pack a wallop!"

"You've never dueled with holograms, have you?" The Examiner may have phrased that as a question, but he said that more of an obvious observation.

"The packet said I never had to!" Wilona dusted herself off. "All it said was that I had to be familiar with how to duel."

"Applicant," The Examiner sounded like he knew what was going on. He was facing someone with little dueling experience if they didn't know to brace themselves to the mild shock of hologram dueling. "Brace yourself. The holograms are harmless, but they do simulate mild forces to keep the excitement of the game. You can be knocked over by them if you're not careful. Pick yourself up, and while you do, I'll place two cards face down and end my turn."

Turn 3: Wilona. Cards: 5

Wilona had better moments in her life than the one where she had to pick herself up from falling from a card game. She drew another card to start her turn. She looked at the card she drew and had this unreadable look on her face.

"If my opponent has 2 or more set cards in their spell and trap zones, I can special summon Escher the Frost Vassal! And I place him in defense position!" As the girl placed the card on the duel disk, out spun a blue humanoid figure with blue armor.

Escher the Frost Vassal [/Type:EffectMonster/SubType:Aqua/Attribute:WATER/Level:4/ATK:800/DEF:1000]

"Now, I… err… umm.." Wilona stammered as she struggled with her words. "W-What was that thing you do when you kill one monster for a stronger one?"

"… Tribute Summoning?"

Wilona blinked once. "Isn't that the Summoning with Poly-watcha-ma-call-it?"

Back above, Alexis sighed and folded her arms. "Okay, I had a feeling this entire duel, but that just confirmed it. She's never played the game before today!"

While the girl was exasperated, Zane had a much more muted response in that he had his eyes narrow. "That brings up a curious question: why is a newbie trying to apply for a Dueling School?"

"Maybe she's one of those people who think dueling is just a game and can get in easy."

"… That may be." Zane watched the duel continue though. Why did he have this feeling like he was a detective looking at some off detail in a crime scene? He didn't understand why it felt wrong, but his instincts kept telling him to look at it again.

"That... is called Fusion Summoning." The Examiner sighed as if he was letting out the last of his patience. "Applicant, just hurry up with your move so we can all get on with our lives."

Wilona flinched when she heard the lack of patience in the examiner. However, she still tried to move on and took another card out of her hand. "I remove Escher in order to summon Mobius the Frost Monarch!"

Escher started to crack with blue light as the ice started to gather underneath the humanoid figure and swallow him whole. A new pair of eyes shined behind the large ice crystal before a crack appeared right down the center. Large, plated fingers slipped out through the crack and forced open the massive ice crystal, revealing it to be a large ice giant.

Mobius the Frost Monarch/Type: Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Aqua/Attribute: WATER/Level: 6/ATK: 2400/DEF: 1000

"According to his card, when Mobius is summoned, he can destroy two cards in the spell and trap card zone! I choose your equip spell and the face down on my right!"

At the girl's command, the titanic terror lifted it's arms up and slammed them with enough force to make the ground quake. Ice spikes shot up with the shock wave and stabbed into the set card on her left and piercing right through the other set card.

Wilona smiled at finally being able to make a move that looked good. "Now, I attack Drystan with Mobius!"

The examiner remained stoic before pressing a button on his disk as Mobius started to raise his hands over his head. "I activate the trap card, Sakuretsu Armor! When my opponent declares an attack, this card destroys the attacking monster!"

At the moment of the call, the trap card shot up and coated over Drystan before Mobius unleashed the blow. When the attack did connect, the monarch's attack was repelled the instant after, and cracks appeared all across its arms until it reached all across the body of the beast. Then, like someone throwing a brick through glass, Mobius fell the same way and was scattered into the holographic winds.

"… Oh." Wilona managed to let out as she realized her stronger monster was easily dispatched.

"If I were in her place, I would have used Mobius' ability to destroy the two face downs, not the equip card, she could have destroyed that monster easily even with the equip spell," Alexis commented from above. "She's totally going to lose."

Zane was all but inclined to agree with her at this point. The girl will no doubt lose in the next turn.

Wilona looked at her hands and fished out two cards. "I umm put one card face down and end my turn."

Turn 4: Examiner. Cards: 2

The man drew his next card and placed it in his duel disk. "I summon Noble Knight Medraut in attack mode!"

As soon as he said this, another handsome knight, this time blonde with white armor and a red cape appeared.

[Noble Knight Medraut/Type: Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Warrior/Attribute: LIGHT/Level: 4/ATK: 1700/DEF: 1000]

"Now Arfeudutyr has an ability that allows me to re-equip it back into the field if I have a Noble Knight monster on the field and I have two! And I equip it back to Drystan!"

The equip card slid out of the graveyard slot and the Examiner placed it back in its original spot. Then in the hologram, the sword was linked back to Drystan.

"Wow, I can see why it can remove attack points now," Alexis noted.

"My next move, I put another equip spell on to Medraut! Noble Arms Gallatin!" As he said this, a new sword appeared under Medraut's hand. "And he gains 1000 attack points. The trade back is that for every one of my standby phases, he loses 200 attack points."

ATK: 1700→2700/DEF: 1000

"Well, it's over now," Alexis spoke out as she noticed the board favor heavily towards the Examiner. "She didn't even get a single point off."

Zane looked back at the girl in question. He noticed something weird: the girl was gripping her cards tighter and her eyes were narrowing. It didn't look like defeat, but at the same time, something felt wrong about how the girl was facing loss.

"And now," The Examiner began, I activate Arfeudutyr again! By sacrificing 500 more attack points, I can destroy a face down and I choose your face down!"

ATK:1300→800/DEF:800

As he claimed this, Drystan started to recline his hand back and then fired another blasé slash right for the card.

Wilona noticed the incoming attack and then her eyes widened. "Oh! Oh! I activate that card you're aiming for! Go, Half Shut!" The quick play spell card was played before the beam could destroy it. "So here's how it works, for one turn, I can choose a monster on the field, and for the rest of that turn, it can't be destroyed by battle!" She exclaimed while she had no monsters while her opponent had two.

Alexis put a hand on her head. "Oh, this kinda hurts to watch."

"Wait," Zane commented. "I know that card has a second effect."

"The second half of this card makes that monster loose half of his attack points!" Wilona cried out before she pointed over to Medraut. "And I choose your new knight!"

ATK: 2700→1350/DEF: 1000

Wilona pumped her fist as she saw the new knight's attack points drop.

"Huh, not bad." Alexis was caught off guard by the move since it wasn't that bad by a newbie.

"Alright then, now Medraut's ability activates, when given an equip card, his level raises by one and his attribute changes to a DARK type!"

As soon as he said this, the handsome knight's eyes started to glow a dark red while his shadow seemed to lift up from behind him and transform into something almost demon-like.

Level 4→5. Attribute: LIGHT→ DARK

"And now, I attack with both of my monsters!"

The two knights didn't hesitate to close in and slash the girl with their blades. This time, the girl stood her ground.

"You should quit now, applicant! You don't have the skills to even take out a single life point. Just save yourself from more embarrassment and surrender!"

The Examiner was harsh, but at the same time, Zane could see why he said it. He doubted the girl could win other than by blind luck—he blinked. The number one duelist of Duel Academy noticed Wilona gritting her teeth and her hand trembling slightly. Zane noticed her eyes seemed to be narrowing into a glare again.

Wilona: 2700 LP→ 550 LP

Examiner: 4000 LP

"And with that, I end my turn and Half Shut returns my monster's attack points."

ATK: 1350→ 2700/ DEF: 1000

Turn 5: Wilona Cards: 3

Wilona still had this angry glare on her face before and drew her next card. She stared at her hand for a moment before she inhaled and exhaled deeply.

The Examiner had a monster with 2700 attack points while he had support with a card that could destroy both set and face-up cards. All the while she had an empty field, it wasn't looking good for her.

However, she refused to lose. Too much was at stake, and she loathed the idea of failing now—when she was risking so much to lose just because of this stupid game!

Wilona looked at her cards once more and instead of concentrating on how it made no sense, she started to see it as a puzzle piece. Slowly, something came to mind when she was reviewing over re-runs of old dueling channels during her cramming. "I remove from play, Mobius from my graveyard to summon, Lucius the Shadow Vassal!"

A small imp-like creature with a giant head slithered into the field. It gave a chuckle that was equal parts small, but malevolent.

Lucius the Shadow Vassal [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Fiend/Attribute: DARK/Level: 1/ATK: 800/DEF: 1000]

"He can be special summoned by removing from play an LV 5 monster from my grave. He has another effect, but It's impossible to activate now. So instead, I sacrifice him to summon, Caius the Shadow Monarch!"

The imp-like creature dropped into his own shadow where it suddenly expanded and ripped the ground to like a portal. Two arms grabbed on to the edge and a large beast that dwarfed even Mobius' entrance appeared, showing a devastating creature.

Caius the Shadow Monarch [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Fiend/Attribute: DARK/Level: 6/ATK: 2400/DEF: 1000]

"I'm not done, I have a card in my hand that allows me to special summon it in exchange that its attributes, type, and level match the tribute monster. I summon, the Illusory Snatcher!"

Illusory Snatcher [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Fiend/Attribute: DARK/Level: 7→6 /ATK: 2400/DEF: 1000]

A blob-like white being fell from the sky with a splat. It then rose as some white humanoid creature, but steam started to burn off it and started to take the form of Caius.

"Two 2400 attack monsters? But you forget, Medraut has 2700 attack points." The Examiner pointed out.

Yet, Wilona was also quick to point back. "Caius has a special ability that lets me banish one card on the field, and I choose Medraut!"

The shadow lord put his hands together to summon a powerful black hole. The vacuum sucked in Medraut despite it's best attempts to fight it and soon, once inside, Caius crushed the orb between his hands like a glass ball.

"And there's more! If Caius banishes as a DARK attribute monster, I can inflict 1000 points of damage to you! I guess his ability to change attributes isn't to your favor!"

Caius cackled with laughter akin to a monster of nightmares. He threw and orb of shadows at the Examiner that exploded nearby him, causing him to shield himself from the blast.

Examiner: 4000 LP→ 3000LP

"Now, Illusory Snatcher attacks Drystan! Destroy that knight-pirate wannabe!" The fake Caius roared and ran up to the one-eyed knight. He pushed forward a palm and the knight was sucked into another vortex of shadow.

Examiner: 3000 LP→ 1400 LP

"Caius, your attack was never used, go!" Wilona cried out as the true Caius punched the ground, causing shadowy pillars to appear and surround the Examiner before exploding.

As the dust settled, the Examiner was seen lowering his arms that he used to shield himself, but looking a little worse for wear.

Examiner: 1400→ 0 LP

Wilona: Winner.

It took a second before Wilona realized what had happened before she threw her hand up to bring it back down. "Yes! I did it!"

The Examiner sighed. "Congratulations, you have passed… Student."

"T-Thank you!" Wilona then looked at her watch. "Uh, I can leave now, right? There's somewhere else I need to be!"

"Report to the info booth and they can give you your instructions." The Examiner responded before Wilona gave a polite bow and almost ran out of the arena.

"Looks like she won after all." From above, Alexis got off the rails and started walking. "I might as well apply for my initiation too."

Zane watched her go but not before looking at the girl that left the arena. Something still felt off to him, especially around the last parts of the duel. Why did she look so… angry?

[Tag Force: Heroes And Villains]

The Examiner walked back and put the first deck down.

"A little inelegant, but she passed, so she's in." Dr. Crowler stated as he was looking over the papers of the girl.

"S—Dr. Crowler," The Examiner knew Crowler had a 'thing' with people calling him sir. "I don't think she's ready for Duel Academy. Her skills as a duelist are almost non-existent, and I'm sure that was beginner's luck that her cards could help her beat that situation."

"Normally, I'd agree," Dr. Crowler continued to look at the folder. "But according to her papers, she's not joining the regular Duelist Curriculum, she's joining one that barely has much to do with Duel Monsters itself. So she gets a pass for her sub-par dueling skills."

He turned another paper and raised his brow. "Huh. I see." He put down the paper to his desk. "Anyway, she's the first one to pass. If there are any other applicants take them in."

The Examiner wondered why Dr. Crowler seemed surprised but thought it was time for him to get ready along with the other examiners. Before he left, he did see the paper Dr. Crowler was on: it was on the financial status of the applicant.

[Tag Force: Heroes And Villains]

"Welcome to Burger World! Where there's a burger for everyone!" I faked my smile as I repeated that cheesy slogan. I really wish this wasn't the only job I could get. "What order can I get for you today?"

Though, today and tomorrow will be my last shift here. Duel Academy is located on a remote isle around the Pacific Ocean.

I'm still worried about mum though. I hope she'll be fine without me.

On the bright side, I'm in Duel Academy. That's one less thing to worry about.

When the next customer disappears, and there's no sign of anyone else coming into the cashier where I'm stationed, I fished my pockets to get out the deck I bought.

… Even though I won, why do I still feel like shit?

"Oh hey, are you a duelist?!"

The voice snapped me out of my stupor as I placed the deck back into my nearby purse. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry about that. Welcome to Burger World! Where there's a burger for everyone! May I take your order?"

He's around my age, has a large chunk of brown hair and he's also carrying a duel disk with a deck.

"It's fine. I'm sorry if I spooked ya!" He gave an easy-going laugh. "I'll have the number 3 this time around."

I nodded and added that to the machine.

"But that deck, you play?"

I suppose some small talk wouldn't hurt while he's waiting for his order. I don't see anyone else around and customer service does require me to engage with them if they aren't too rude.

"Yes, I do. I'm even going to Duel Academy."

The other teen's eyes widen and the smile on his face grows. "No way! You got into Duel Academy!?"

"It wasn't easy, but yes. I got in." Huh, his energy must be contagious, I'm feeling a lot better than a while ago.

"That's so sweet! I guess I'll be seeing you there too huh, Burger Girl?"

Oh, he's also an applicant? But with his confidence, I bet he's competent in the game. Hell—I bet he passed easily. "I don't know, I barely passed my test. If you did well in yours, we might be sent to different dorms." For financial reasons, I had to choose to stay in the Slifer Dorms since that was the cheapest dorms to stay in out of all the three. Considering how I won by luck, I might have no real option for Ra Yellow, let alone Obelisk Blue if I was a man.

"I haven't taken mine yet." I looked up to the teen with a fair amount of shock and looked at the clock. "But I'm sure I'll pass it with flying colors."

"Haven't taken—you do know the tests stop at 2 PM, right?" I asked him as I checked the clock again, seeing as it's a little past, 1:45 PM.

With how the other teen seems to have his eye snap open at me, I'm assuming he didn't know. "What!? I thought they end at 4!?"

I shook my head. "I-I'm sorry to say, the initiation tests end at 2 today."

"Holy crap! I gotta run! Thanks for that, Burger Girl!"

And without missing a beat, he bolts out the doors like an Olympic runner. As he left through the doors, I found myself almost opening my mouth. It looked like I wanted to wish him luck even though there's a chance he might not get in.

If he did though, it would be nice to know a friendly face in a boarding school. Or maybe I'm just fooling myself into thinking people that show initial friendliness to me will stay that way.

That's how it always begins, people only act nice for their own game.

Well, I can play along.

[Tag Force: Heroes And Villains]

Wilona was taking in another order, but outside her window, a figure had just watched the interaction.

"… Jaden Yuki… that's his name here?"

"I am a little worried about this. This looks like a past version off—"

"I agree with him. This place is suspicious—more so with that girl."

"Why the girl? I don't even remember seeing her before."

"That's the problem. This world has a few small differences..."

"Ahh, and you're saying the butterfly effect and—or the chaos theory right? One wingbeat can build into a storm?"

"Except the 'storm' is a grand cosmic disaster the likes I've never seen before, even comparing all the ones before and potentially in the future. And we're trying to stop the 'butterfly'."

"Let's not forget, we're trying to stop it. I have a feeling someone else is trying to ensure it."

"Meow!"

[Tag Force: Heroes And Villains: Chapter 1 END]

A/N: Hello comrades! *USSR MEME MUSIC BLARES IN THE BACKGROUND*

Welcome to this story that I've wanted to do for a very, very long time. After several failed attempts, I think this one might finally realize a plan I've been imagining since like three-ish years ago maybe four?

I really, really wanted to write this story, and now? I can write it because I want to, and I do hope you all enjoy it too.

This story is going to have some cannon divergence, but not in the way that most people think. It's also a slight AU and you might even be seeing characters from other Yugioh series in this one... they can be anyone.

But for some reason, I don't see people guessing who they are. Can you?

That's all for now folks. I hope you all had fun reading this as I did with making it.