Arc-V Alternative:Prologue

[Quillion9000]

Canterlot Park
Zarc was a young boy who had dual colored, side parted silver hair with green highlights and yellow eyes. His attire consisted of blue & white pants, shirt, and shoes. He sat at the base of a tree, the shade from the branches and leaves above welcome as he drew in his sketchpad.

The various drawings were of duel monsters throughout history, primarily those of the various dueling legend. His current drawing was of Stardust Dragon and Red Dragon Archfiend locked in battle. Their respective duelist were naturally on his mind.

"I wonder what it was like to be there in person as Yusei and Jack dueled?"

He suddenly heard laugher, prompting him to get to his feet and peek around the tree trunk. On the nearby path was some girl with pink hair and blue eyes looking to have tripped. Two guys were laughing at her.

"Nice going, Klutzershy."

"Yeah, my baby brother can walk better than you."

The girl was so demoralized by their words, which obviously did nothing to stop the pair from laughing. Without intervention, it seemed they would keep going. Even seeing this and knowing it was wrong, Zarc didn't move from behind the tree.

The one to intervene instead was a girl with rainbow hair and cerise eyes who ran in to stand protectively before the pink haired girl. "Leave her alone!"

"What are you going to do about it, Rainbow Crash?"

"Keep making fun of her and find out." The rainbow haired girl returned.

Just then, a fair skinned man with golden eyes and well-kept green hair walked onto the scene, a navy blue duel disk situated on his arm. He glanced at Zarc, the disappointment of a father evident in in his gaze, before addressing the situation.

"Just what is happening here?" The man asked.

The four children stared at the man. The two boys then looked at one another nervously while the pink haired girl moved to stand behind the rainbow haired girl, peeking out from around her to look at the man. Suddenly, the boys ran off.

"Hey, get back here cowards!" The rainbow haired girl called out.

"It's fine." The man assured, drawing their attention. "I'd seen what happened and knew who was at fault." He looked to the girls. "By the way, I'm a currently on vacation member of Neo Domino's Sector Security, Kensho Ono. Who might you two be?"

"The name's Rainbow Dash." Rainbow voiced confidently.

"I'm Fluttershy…" Fluttershy responded quietly.

"Right then, Rainbow and Fluttershy." Kensho nodded. "You two should move on and enjoy the day. Don't let anyone stop you."

"He's right." Rainbow looked to the pink haired girl. "Why don't you come hang with me, Fluttershy? If we hang out, people like those two won't give you anymore guff."

Fluttershy smiled slightly at the offer. "I'd like that."

The two girls then walked off.

Once they were gone, Kensho looked to the tree. "Are you going to come out or spend all day hiding?"

Zarc walked out to stand before the man. Now that he could see the disappointment in his father's gaze up close, the boy's head lowered in shame.

Kensho got on one knee and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Sometimes the worst action anyone can take is no action."

Zarc shifted his gaze, not saying a word; however, his face indicated he knew he failed.

"Now, I'm expected at Canterlot's precinct soon." Kensho patted his son's shoulder before standing. "Only on break for so long." He started to walk away. "Don't forget to check in with your mother."

Despite this not being anywhere near severe, Zarc still felt chastised to the point he didn't say anything is response. All he did was watch his father's retreating back, noting how he could walk with his head held high.

Four Stables Hotel
Zarc returned to their hotel suite. Inside he found his mother with her silver hair down rather than up in a pony tail and with a book in hand, both indicators she was relaxed. Upon seeing him, her white eyes brightened and she smiled.

That faded upon seeing her son's current state. "Zarc, what's wrong honey?"

Zarc took a seat in the chair beside the bed where he hung his head.

…

Eventually, he recounted everything that happened in the park which only served to make him feel more ashamed in himself.

"If you don't like feeling ashamed or like a failure, all you got to do is act the next time a situation comes along." Mio stated.

"What if the person I'd be acting against is bigger or has more people?" Zarc questioned.

Mio merely gave her son a small smile. "Zarc, do you still wish to one day be a great duelist?"

"Of course." Zarc replied instantly.

"To be a great duelist, you have to confront others who are bigger, far more skilled, or even more numerous." Mio voiced. "With a dream like yours, you'll very likely find yourself in duels were the odds are against you. No matter what, you can't back down.

To be a great duelist, you must not only take this attitude into the duel but live it in your everyday life. Leave no room in your heart for doubt. It is through these moments of adversity, within and outside a duel, where you'll grow to be the duelist and man you aim to be."

Zarc was wide eyed. "Mom…"

"Even without the dream you have, life can be tough." Mio reached around her neck, removing a string and bringing out a pendant she had tucked away under her top. "Dueling and life is actually a lot like a pendulum."

"A pendulum?" Zarc questioned.

"When the pendulum swings one way, you know it'll swing the other." Mio swung her pendant. "What makes the difference, duel or life, is believing in yourself. If you keep pushing on, no matter what, things will swing your way.

Along the way, enjoy the ride." She reached out her hand, pushing her pendant into her son's palm and seeing him instinctively close his hand around it. "Zarc, I believe in you. One day, you'll be a great duelist and an even better man."

Zarc teared up as he looked at the pendant. "Mom, thank you."

Canterlot Park: Next Day…
Zarc was walking through the park to sketch some more, his new pendant hanging around his neck, when he heard a loud cry of pain coming from not too far off. For just a moment, he contemplated ignoring it before he happened to gaze at the pendant.

Zarc's gaze went from uncertainty to determination as he moved towards the sound. There he came to a stop upon seeing a trio of boys his age standing before a laid out younger boy with a green mohawk and matching eyes.

"Give it up, loser." The leader of the three boys spoke, a guy with short orange hair and dull yellow eyes.

"Yeah, get over it."

"Your deck belongs to Garble now."

"That's still my deck." The younger boy voiced defiantly, rising to his feet. "My deck box just happened to fall out of my backpack before you tackled me and snatched it off the ground."

"Whatever." Garble scoffed, holding up a purple and green deck box. "A deck like this is too good for a loser like you, Spike."

"If I'm a loser, what does that make you?" Spike retorted. "Every time we duel, I win."

"It's only because you get lucky." Garble retorted. "Now, drop it and run home with your tail between your legs like a good boy."

"Knock it off!" Everyone there turned to see Zarc as he walked over. "Just because you're bigger, it doesn't give you the right to pick on someone."

"This doesn't concern you." Garble retorted.

"It does when you're ganging up on a kid." Zarc replied. "Pick on someone your own size."

Garble noticed the silver duel disk on his arm, making him smirk. "Tell you what, why don't we settle this with a duel?" He activated his crimson duel disk, causing an orange energy blade to form. "You win, I'll hand back the deck. If I win, I get your deck. Deal?"

Zarc looked down at his deck within his duel disk, familiar feelings of uncertainty creeping into his being. This deck was something he worked hard to create himself. While he didn't think it was where he'd stop, that time he spent still meant something.

"What's the matter?" Garble asked. "Chicken?"

The guys' buddies laughed at that.

"Isn't that just what I've been in similar situations?" Zarc shook his head, dispelling the doubt as he activated his silver duel disk and caused a green energy blade to form. "No, you're on."

"Great." Garble walked back from him while his friends stepped to the side. "Let's get started."

"Hey." Spike voiced, getting Zarc to look at him. "You don't have to do this for me."

"No one should take another's deck, even if you coerce someone into a duel for it." Zarc replied. "This guy couldn't even be bothered to do that, opting to snag your deck through happenstance. Someone needs to do this, and I'm the only one here with a deck who's willing."

"Okay." Spike relented. "I'm Spike, by the way."

"Zarc." Zarc returned.

Zarc and Garble's duel disks connected, showing life points as they drew their starting hands.

"Let's duel!"

(Zarc 4000/Garble 4000)

Turn 1: Garble
"I'll start!" Garble drew. "I summon Dwarf Star Dragon Planeter(LV 4/1700/1200)." A half black and half gold bipedal dragon appeared. "I'll then activate Dragon's Gunfire. Since I control a dragon, I could do one of two things.

Since you don't have a monster on your field, all I can do is deal you 800 life points of damage." Planeter opened its maw to fire off a sphere at the opposing duelist (Zarc 3200/Garble 4000). "I'll then set one card before heading into the End Phase.

During the End Phase of the turn my Planeter was normal summoned, I'm allowed to add any 1 Level 7 light or dark attributed monster I want from my deck to my hand." A card slotted out and he fetched it. "Now, your move."

"Garble is doing his best to dismantle Zarc before he even gets a turn." Spike thought. "Unless he's gotten some new cards, there's only one monster Garble ever can grab with Planeter."

Turn 2: Zarc
"For a bully, he's surprisingly sharp with that deck of his." Zarc drew. "I'll summon Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer(LV 4/1800/700)." A bald monk appeared. "I'll have him attack Dwarf Star Dragon Planeter."

Kycoo charged forward while pulling his right palm back.

"Idiot, you've activated my trap card." Garble voiced. "It's called Tyrant Wing, which grants my Dwarf Star Dragon Planeter(LV 4/2100/1600 effect) an extra 400 ATK/DEF."

As Kycoo threw his palm forward, Planeter's wings glowed. The dragon put them in place to defend, and the residual energy destroyed the spellcaster (Zarc 2900/Garble 4000).

"This isn't good." Spike recognized. "Zarc is now at a disadvantage."

"All I can do now is set one card." Zarc stated.

Turn 3: Garble
"My go." Garble drew. "I activate Hand Destruction. This quick-play sees each of us ditch two cards before then drawing two cards." Both discarded before drawing. "I'll now be dealing with that set card of yours through Stamping Destruction.

Since I control a dragon, this spell lets me destroy any 1 spell/trap on the field, and I'm selecting your face down." Planeter moved forward and smashed its leg through the face down, revealing Spellbinding Circle. "The controller of the destroyed card then takes 500 damage."

The shards of the card flew at the opposing duelist (Zarc 2400/Garble 4000).

"Oh no, unless Zarc has something in his hand or sent something to the grave through Garble's Hand Destruction, he's defenseless." Spike worried.

"Now, I'll summon Spirit Ryu(LV 4/1000/1000)." A small, blue dragon with its spirit outside its body appeared. "With your field clear, I'll end this. First, Spirit Ryu will launch a direct attack."

"This duel isn't over." Zack declared. "Since you've declared an attack, I can special summon Checksum Dragon(LV 6/400/2400) from my hand." A black and crimson red dragon appeared, curled up on his field. "I did so in defense mode."

"Lucky break." Garble voiced.

"Call it whatever you like, fact is I'm still in this." Zarc retorted. "More than you think since this monster being special summoned this way grants me life points equal to half its DEF."

The light from the tips of Checksum Dragon's wings flowed into him (Zarc 3600/Garble 4000)

"I can't do battle with your monster, so I'll move into Main Phase 2 where I'll set 1 card." Garble declared.

"You've weathered these turns, but you got to do more Zarc." Spike said.

Turn 4: Zarc
"I'm working on it." Zarc drew. "I'll tribute Checksum Dragon to summon Trance the Magic Swordsman(LV 6/2600/200)." An armored spellcaster with blond hair and a golden sword appeared.

"A normal monster?" Garble smirked. "What do you hope to accomplish with that?"

"A normal monster isn't half bad if you got a few cards to back them up." Zarc retorted. "As it stands now, his ATK is what I need him for as he'll take your Dragon Planeter down."

"Nice try." Garble stated. "I reveal my face down, Negate Attack." Trance was met by a barrier, which blocked his sword strike. "This stops your monster's attack and ends your Battle Phase. If that were an effect monster, maybe it'd have had something for this."

"I end my turn." Zarc voiced simply.

Turn 5: Garble
"My draw." Garble looked at his hand. "I activate Uradora of Fate. By paying 1000 life points, I can target any one monster I control and grant them 1000 ATK until your next End Phase. I choose Spirit Ryu(LV 4/2000/1000 effect)."

Golden particles flowed from Garble (Zarc 3600/Garble 3000) into Ryu.

"Wouldn't you rather have used that on Planeter since 1000 extra ATK would have helped you get over Trance?" Zarc questioned.

"The reason I didn't use it on Planeter is twofold." Garble replied. "First, attacking your monster with Planeter would have then destroyed Tyrant Wing. Secondly, I'll now have my Spirit Ryu attack your Trance."

"Your monster doesn't have the necessary ATK." Zarc pointed out.

"Spirt Ryu will once I use his effect." Garble retorted. "During the battle step when this monster attacks, I can pitch 1 dragon-type monster from my hand, such as Arkbrave Dragon, to grant this monster 1000 extra ATK/DEF until the end of this Battle Phase."

Spirit Ryu(LV 4/3000/2000 effect) saw its spirit merge back into its body before it fired off a breath of air into Trance, destroying him (Zarc 3200/Garble 3000).

"His field is wide open all over again!" Spike exclaimed in worry.

"While that brat is right, it gets worse." Garble smirked. "When a monster empowered by Uradora destroys a monster by battle, I can reveal the bottom card of my deck." Said card slotted out, so he took it. "Here is my Ancient Dragon(ATK 1400).

Now, I choose between placing him back at the bottom or at the top of my deck. I'll choose the former. Since the revealed card was among one of the listed types on Uradora, I get to draw cards for every 1000 ATK that monster had." He drew one card.

"Lastly, I'll gain 1000 life points for every card drawn by this effect." Garble was sprinkled by green particles (Zarc 3200/Garble 4000). Now, be thankful you have no further monsters as Dragon Planeter can only attack you once."

Zarc was blasted by a breath attack comprised of darkness and golden light. Whereas he had been able to weather the attacks prior, coupled with the setting not being too high, the spellcaster/dragon user was now knocked off his feet with a cry of pain (Zarc 1100/4000).

Spirit Ryu(LV 4/2000/1000 effect)

"Is he okay?" Spike thought worriedly. "Maybe I should have insisted on handling this myself or brought this to Shining's attention."

Given he didn't have any other decks, Spike knew he couldn't have dueled for himself. Still, he could have insisted on.

"That's all, so I'll pass it to you." Garble declared. "Come on loser, show me another lame card for my dragons to tear apart."

Zarc just laid there, uncertainness creeping back into his being. "How can I win?"

He looked to the three cards in hand, which consisted of Megamorph, Monster Reborn, and Shield & Sword. In his grave was every card he used, along with Samsara Dragon and Induced Explosion due to Hand Destruction.

"I could bring back Trance and equip him with Megamorph; however, that can't end this in one shot." Zarc thought. "All it'd do is bring his life points lower than mine, which then means Megamorph back fires to the point it'd at best buy me one turn depending on what he draws."

"My best bet just isn't…" Zarc's thoughts ceased as he heard a soft clanking sound.

His attention was drawn to the pendant his mother gave him. It'd slipped off the side of his shirt to touch the ground.

"Sometimes the worst action anyone can take is no action."

"When the pendulum swings one way, you know it'll swing the other." Mio swung her pendant. "What makes the difference, duel or life, is believing in yourself. If you keep pushing on, no matter what, things will swing your way."

Turn 6: Zarc
"One draw." Zarc shakily rose to his feet, placing his hand on his deck. "With one draw, the pendulum that is this duel will finally swing my way!" He took the top card off his deck. "I...DRAW!" He looked at the card he got before smirking. "This is it!"

"Because Arkbrave Dragon hit the grave last turn, this Standby Phase I'm permitted to summon any other level 7 or 8 dragon-type monster from my grave." Garble interrupted. "I choose the monster I sent through Hand Destruction, White Night Dragon(LV 8/3000/2500).

A dragon made of ice appeared. "Any spell/trap that target's this dragon will be negated and destroyed. Additionally, targeting any other monster for an attack will see me send any 1 spell/trap I control to the grave and force you to attack her. In other words, it's hopeless."

"No, I have everything I need!" Zarc retorted. "First, I activate Shield & Sword which swaps the original ATK/DEF of every monster currently on the field."

Dwarf Star Dragon Planeter(LV 4/1600/2100 effect)
Spirit Ryu(LV 4/2000/1000 effect)
White Night Dragon(LV 8/2500/3000 effect)

"Next, I activate Monster Reborn to summon Samsara Dragon(LV 1/0/0) from my grave." Zarc declared, seeing a small, purple dragon appear.

"That's one of the cards you sent to the grave with Hand Destruction?" Garble chuckled. "I can see why you pitched something that worthless."

"Don't look down on Samsara because this monster can be treated as two tributes for the summon of a dragon." Zarc declared. "Come forth, Odd-Eyes Dragon(LV 7/2500/2000)." A red dragon whose eyes were odd appeared with a powerful roar.

"Big deal." Garble dismissed it. "Even with the first spell you played this turn, our two dragons are tied in ATK. In case you weren't listening, I can just send Tyrant Wing to the grave and force you into attacking White Night Dragon."

"I assure you, I was listening." Zarc smirked. "That's why I'm equipping Odd-Eyes with Megamorph." Odd-Eyes Dragon(LV 7/5000/2000 effect). "Since my life points are lower than yours, this doubles his original ATK. Now, attack White Night Dragon with Flame Strike!"

Odd-Eyes breathed flames over White Night, destroying her (Zarc 1100/Garble 1500).

"You managed to destroy one of my best dragons, but my field still has two others." Garble retorted. "Not to mention I still have life points." He grinned. "Looks like you didn't have everything you need after all."

"Wrong!" Zarc declared. "Odd-Eyes' effect now kicks in. Since he destroyed a monster by battle and sent it to the grave, you take damage equal to half that monster's original ATK it has within said grave."

Odd-Eyes roared as a transparent White Night Dragon appeared above him.

"No!" Garble yelled.

The transparent monster plowed straight into Garble, sending him flying (Zarc 1100/Garble 0). As the monsters vanished, everyone was stunned. While Zarc shared in that emotion, he pushed it aside to approach the downed dragon user.

"As we agreed." Zarc snatched the deck box. "I'll be taking this."

This saw the dragon user rise to his feet quicker than he probably should have, hate in his eyes. Before he could speak, dizziness overtook Garble, and he plummeted to the ground. What little Zarc saw told him they shouldn't stick around.

He rushed over to Spike, pushing the deck box into his hands. "Let's get out of here."

Just because Zarc was now willing to stand up to people like them, it didn't mean he was going to be an idiot about it. Spike nodded quickly, seeing the two of them booking it.

"You haven't heard the last of me!" Garble yelled as his cronies helped him.

Outside the Park
Once the pair were outside the park, checking to make sure they weren't followed, they ended up catching their breath for a moment.

…

"Thanks for that." Spike was the one to break the silence.

"No problem." Zarc assured. "What exactly was the story here? I'd heard enough to intervene, though I'd like to understand just what was going on."

"One day, I ended up dueling Garble and winning." Spike stated. "Given my age, you can imagine how well he took the loss. We've ended up in plenty of duels since, and he's never beat me. I guess it got to be too much."

"When you're deck box fell out your backpack, he was there to take it." Zarc recognized. "If this ever happens again, you should have a second deck or tell someone older." He shook his head. "Taking on jerks like that is never going to end well unless you can fight back."

"Yeah, I'm more of a duelist than a fighter." Spike nodded. "I'll be sure to tell my brother what happened, and he'll set Garble straight. They attend the same school in the city, same one I'll be attending once I reach middle school."

"Good." Zarc started to walked off. "Anyways, I got to be somewhere right now."

"Of course." Spike nodded. "Maybe we could duel the next time we see each other." He smiled. "Most people get a kick out of facing the deck I use."

"I'll look forward to it." Zarc voiced, waving back as he walked on.

 

[Quillion9000]

"Attention duelists!"

Across the world, on every screen, everyone was watching as the current head of Industrial Illusions made an announcement. He was Gekko Tenma, a young man with long silver-green hair who wore a maroon suit.

"Our world has been shaped by the game of duel monsters. A game which contains monsters, spells, and traps. While those have their variations, this announcement concerns cards which have been era defining. It all starts with Ritual and Fusion monsters.

Maxamillion Pegasus created those, each evolving in their own ways before Seto Kaiba invented Synchro monsters decades later. Yusei Fudo would then come along during the era of Synchros and rise to prominence as a duelist before becoming a researcher.

During his time as a duelist, the Arc Cradle Incident occurred. That coupled with his later research would cement the danger of Synchro summoning and lead him to the discovery of Xyz monsters. After Xyz monsters, A safer way for Synchros to be utilized was found.

Ritual, Fusion, Synchro, and Xyz monsters. For the longest time, these have been the four major summons you see conducted. I have said all of this because today Industrial Illusions is looking for that next innovation.

Anyone in the world is permitted to submit what they feel is the next step to Industrial Illusions. The winner will be selected by myself and my younger brother. They will be cemented as the creator of that method and receive a share of the profits.

Additionally, we welcome you to create your own cards. Those who we pick as the next innovators, who gave cards with their submission, shall receive them prior to those cards going into production. Let us see how creative you can be!"

Four Stables Hotel: Late Evening…
Since the announcement of the Next Era Competition, Zarc has been hard at work coming up with his summoning mechanic. He was focused on getting this down prior to cementing any card into it. That said, it's not like he's never imagined a deck full of every card he's ever wanted.

Any time he took a break from his summoning mechanic, he'd note which of his sketch books had those designs within them. This would make it easier for him to gather those up and utilize them to draw his deck upon their return to the house in Neo Domino City.

Mio silently watched her son working diligently from the doorway of their suite, a warm smile on her face. Without saying a thing, she quietly closed the door and walked into the living room where her husband was looking through various papers spread out on the coffee table before him.

"What is all this?" Mio asked.

"Whenever I've had the time, I've been looking into something." Kensho replied.

"Is this something the Canterlot Precinct is aware of?" Mio asked.

"This isn't anything police related." Kensho shook his head. "It's just an urban legend that's been going around Canterlot for a little while."

Mio took a seat next to him. "Alright, what are you looking into?"

"People say at any time of day you could come across someone or something dressed in a crimson red cloak who'll duel you." Kensho replied. "They're small with a hood which fully obscures their features."

"Think it's just some shy kid getting in duels?" Mio asked.

"Could be, though there are irregularities." Kensho noted. "Every person I've asked has said this red cloaked figure has won every duel they've played, yet anyone who's claimed to have dueled them can't name even one card this person played."

"This person wins by not playing any cards?" Mio asked.

"No, every person says an actual duel took place." Kensho replied. "They can recount every card they played, just nothing this person used. They also can't recount the initial meeting with or departure of this person."

"This is starting to sound like what you hear the legendary duelists of the past had to deal with." Mio noted. "Just without the negatives."

There were plenty of tales when it came to duel monsters' history, some of them documented while others had been passed down verbally. All events, documented or passed down as tales, were still argued as to what exactly happened.

People willing to believe what they wanted. One thing that had never been in question were those duelists counted as legends. It was just what exactly one could attribute to them given all things tended to become exaggerated with time.

"Well, I have checked every location given yet found nothing out of the ordinary." Kensho informed. "Despite these duels happening any time of the day, no one but those involved in one can say a duel even took place."

"It doesn't sound like this is anything dangerous." Mio noted. "If anything, it sounds like an interesting facet to Canterlot." Mio voiced. "Given what has happened for our boy, perhaps this is where we should end up settling down."

"Perhaps." Kensho collected his scattered notes into one pile. "It's going to be a couple of years before we can actually make the move, given there is much we would need to wrap up back in Neo Domino to have a smooth transition. I will admit, the Canterlot Precinct has good people."

"I can take on any dueling circuit, so where we end up doesn't impact me." Mio added. "This city has also been good to Zarc. In the short time we've been here, his dueling spirit has been ignited. Living here might just strengthen his resolve further."

"To solidify that, I do believe it is time we put our son through his paces." Kensho voiced.

Anyone who did duel learned it from somewhere. With a dad who was part of sector security and a mother who dueled professionally, on and off a D-Wheel, it was only natural Zarc's own interest in duel monsters would have been fostered under them.

Morning…
After waking and taking care of the usual morning business, Zarc found breakfast takeout awaiting him in the suite's microwave. It was still warm, which was an indication it hadn't been made too long ago. That made sense since his parents were often busier in the mornings.

That is, they were busier in the mornings since the family started traveling around looking into finding a new home. It was something Zarc was relatively indifferent to, what with not having much in the way of family or friends. That's not to say Zarc was the loner type.

He hung around and was friendly with other people. He just hadn't found people he could call friends. While Neo Domino was a great place to live, Zarc didn't feel attached to the place he was born like some others might have. Regardless of such thoughts, he ate his breakfast.

Upon finishing, Zarc dumped the takeout container only to pause as someone had caught his attention out a nearby window. "Who is that?"

Atop the roof of a nearby building, roughly the size of the Four Stables Hotel, stood what looked like a man. His eyes were dim and displayed no emotion, just like the rest of his face. His arm was deformed and kind of reminded him of Galaxy-Eyes monsters in a way.

His hair was black with light blue streaks throughout while his attire was rather strange. Zarc ended up closing his eyes for just a second, only to then see nothing upon opening them again. If the man had been there, he somehow just vanished in what had to be mere seconds.

"Was there even anyone there to begin with?" Zarc contemplated.

It was strange, though nothing was seemingly wrong with what happened. That's even if what happened hadn't just been him seeing things. Perhaps a sign he'd been too invested in working towards the Next Era Competition.

"Though, what I saw certainly was no dragon nor looked anything like a spellcaster." Zarc thought. "Whatever this was, that guy did look cool…even if it was likely just a figment of my imagination."

Zarc shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it. He also wouldn't let something like this deter him from continuing with his submission. The potential to make a whole new summoning mechanic and have the deck of your dreams? He wasn't going to miss such an opportunity.

Afternoon…
Zarc had spent considerable time refining what summoning method he would create. While by no means nearing completion, there was a great deal of work needed in his opinion, he was taking a break as he continued remembering where all his old sketchbooks would be.

"Zarc, come here!" Zarc looked up from his sketchpad, recognizing his mother's voice and realizing she must have just gotten back, before getting up to go see her, "There you are, challenger!" She passed him his duel disk. "I'm here to lead you to the arena."

Zard immediately understood what this was, his mother having said similar things in the past whenever they wanted to test how far he's come as a duelist. Given how their latest words resonated with him, leading to victory from a seemingly hopeless situation, he was excited.

"Alright!" Zarc walked up to his mother. "Where are we dueling this time?"

"At a duel arena called 'The Roof'." Mio smiled as she put an arm around her boy. "You got two duelists lined up for today."

Four Stables Roof
Zarc walked with his mother to the roof, where his father was waiting dressed in full sector security garb. "You're here for an evaluation of your skills." He activated his grey duel disk, seeing a white energy blade emerge. "Let's see what you've learned as we've traveled."

"Alright!" Zarc activated his duel disk as he came to stand across from his father. "I'll show you the very culmination of it all."

Mio moved off to the side as the two most important men in her life faced off. Kensho's expression was serious, though his eyes portrayed a softer side no criminal would see. Zarc was grinning, displaying resolve he had just recently found within himself.

"Duel!"

(Zarc 4000/Kensho 4000)

Turn 1: Kensho
"I'll take command." Kensho drew. "It starts with Armed Dragon Thunder LV3(LV 3/1200/900)." A small, orange dragon sparking with electricity appeared.

"Dad utilizes level monsters." Zarc thought. "Even with his reputation, the people he duels tend to underestimate him because of that. While not among the best in the world, those who would underestimate him are foolish to do so."

"I now activated the effect of my Armed Dragon Thunder LV3." Kensho declared. "I discard a second Armed Dragon Thunder LV3 from my hand, which allows me to upgrade my Armed Dragon Thunder LV3 into Armed Dragon Thunder LV5(LV 5/2400/1700)."

A medium sized red dragon, sparking with electricity, appeared. "Since that second Armed Dragon Thunder LV3 was sent to the grave due to a dragon monster's effect, I can draw one card." He did just that. "I now use Armed Dragon Thunder LV5's effect.

By discarding another monster, such as this second Armed Dragon Thunder LV5, I can evolve him into Armed Dragon Thunder LV7(LV 7/2800/100)." This saw a large red dragon, sparking with electricity, appearing. "The second Armed Dragon Thunder LV5 activates.

Just as with the second LV3, it activates its effect when sent to the grave by a dragon monster's effect. Unlike with that one, this one lets me add any Level 5 or higher wind attributed dragon from my deck to my hand." As the card slotted out, he took it.

"You won't have to contemplate what I took for long as I activate Armed Dragon Thunder LV7's effect. I'll send the second Armed Dragon Thunder LV7 to the grave to evolve my dragon to its apex, Armed Dragon Thunder LV10(LV 10/3000/2000)."

A colossal red dragon, sparking with electricity, appeared. "With that second LV7 having been sent to the grave, I can add any one Armed Dragon card I want from my deck to my hand." As the card slotted out, he took it. "I chose Armed Dragon Lightning, which I activate now.

Why stop at merely activating it when I can utilize this continuous card? Through one of its effects, I can target Armed Dragon Thunder LV10 to grant him 100 ATK for every level he has." Armed Dragon Thunder LV 10(LV 10/4000/2000 effect).

"I'll then set two cards and activate Super Rejuvenation. As I'm heading into the end phase, this quick-play refunds the three dragon-type monsters I discarded this turn." He drew three, bringing his hand to four. "With a nearly replenished hand, I call my turn there."

"Just how will you deal with this, Zarc?" Mio pondered.

She was genuinely curious to see how her son would contend with a monster of this caliber compared to how he's faced such an obstacle in the past.

"Show me weather your new resolve is genuine or doomed to crack under pressure." Kensho thought.

Turn 2: Zarc
"My move!" Zarc drew, unwavering. "I'll summon Blizard Dragon(LV 4/1800/1000)." A normal sized blue dragon appeared. "At this moment, I can't get your dragon off the field, but this dragon can freeze yours until your next end phase."

Blizzard Dragon whipped up a small snowstorm around Kensho's Armed Dragon, seeing ice form up around the larger dragon. "Your monster will no longer be able to attack or change battle position while under this effect. I'll then end my turn with one set card."

"That was a turn made without hesitation." Mio noted proudly.

Turn 3: Kensho
"When faced with overwhelming odds, normally he would spend far too much time contemplating his next move." Kensho gave a small smile. "Seems you've grown, Zarc." Zarc couldn't help himself from beaming at the compliment.

"Growth doesn't mean you'll win." He drew. "As it's a new turn, I'll use Armed Dragon Lightning to once again boost Armed Dragon Thunder LV10 by 100 ATK for every level he has." Armed Dragon Thunder LV 10(LV 10/5000/2000 effect).

"With his current LV10, he could have destroyed Blizzard Dragon on my turn." Zarc contemplated. "The fact he didn't means he has something else in mind for my monster. Fortunately, one of my face downs has that covered."

"Now, seeing as my dragon is on ice, I'll summon Armed Dragon, the Armored Dragon(LV 4/1900/1400)." Kensho continued as a green dragon wearing red armor appeared. "This monster shall destroy Blizzard Dragon."

"I'll counter with my first face down, Sakuretsu Armor." Zarc declared. "As you've declared an attack, this trap destroys that monster."

"Defense is well and good; however, unless you're looking to deck me out, it isn't going to hold up." Kensho declared. "Especially as I use another effect of my continuous spell. You're trying to destroy an Armed Dragon I control by effect, so I can send this card to the grave instead."

Sakuretsu Armor sparked before shattering. This saw Armed Dragon, the Armored Dragon lunging forward unimpeded to slash through Blizzard Dragon (Zarc 3900/Kensho 4000).

"Because Armed Dragon, the Armored Dragon destroyed a monster of yours through battle, I can call upon any Level 5 or lower wind dragon-type monster." Kensho continued. "Though that monster cannot attack directly nor can it be another Armed Dragon, the Armored Dragon.

I select the original Armed Dragon LV5(LV 5/2400/1700)." A medium sized red dragon appeared. "While it cannot attack directly, this monster from my hand certainly can and hits the field if I've special summoned a level 5 or higher dragon-type monster.

Come forth, Knight Armed Dragon, the Armored Knight Dragon(LV 3/1400/1900)." A lankier green dragon in knight armor and wielding a sword appeared. "As I said, this monster shall do by cleaving away a chunk of your life points."

Knight Armed Dragon surged forward, slashing its sword (Zarc 2500/Kensho 4000). Of course, this all was just a duel, so all that came from that was seeing Zarc skid back from the blow.

"This isn't looking good for you." Kensho called out. "You're facing down nearly a full field of monsters and two face downs with currently only one face down of your own to your name."

"Even then, I still got life points and cards to work with." Zarc returned.

"Then, let's see what you can do with what you have." Kensho declared.

Turn 4: Zarc
"My turn!" Zarc drew. "I'll start with Card Destruction, forcing us to discard our hands and pick up new ones comprised of the same number discarded." Both discarded and drew. "I'll now activate Dark Hole, which shall destroy all monsters on the field."

All four Armed Dragon monsters were sucked up and ground into dust.

"I activate one of my face downs, the quick-play Armed Dragon Flash." Kensho declared. "With this, I can special summon any Level 3 Armed Dragon from my deck into face-up defense position. I select Armed Dragon LV3(LV 3/1200/900)." A small orange dragon appeared.

"You're not the only one who will special summon." Zarc voiced. "Since at least one monster was destroyed by a card effect that does not target, I can special summon a dragon monster put into the grave thanks to Card Destruction.

Pitch black dragon, come forth from within the darkness. Special summon Dark Hole Dragon(LV 8/3000/2000)." Dark Hole reappeared on the field before growing in size as a colossal, black dragon appeared from within it.

"That must be a new dragon he is running." Kensho nodded. "I activate another of my face downs, Bottomless Trap Hole. You summoned a monster with more than this card's minimum of 1500 ATK, so it shall destroy your dragon. Then, it shall banish that monster."

"Not a bad trap, though one which doesn't work on Dark Hole Dragon." Zarc returned. "This is one brought back from the grave upon destruction of other, so it will not fall to the same." As the hole opened beneath Dark Hole Dragon, he roared causing it to close right back up.

"That is one strong dragon." Kensho/Mio thought.

"I still have my normal summon and shall use it on Breaker the Magical Warrior(LV 4/1600/1000)." A red armored spellcaster appeared. "Since he was normal summoned, he gains a counter which bestows 300 extra ATK."

Breaker the Magical Warrior(LV 4/1900/1000 effect). "Breaker will now destroy your Armed Dragon LV3." Breaker lunged forward, slashing through the opposing dragon. "Dark Hole Dragon will follow it up with Darkness Hole!"

Dark Hole Dragon breathed a pitch black breath attack down on Kensho, knocking him clear off his feet (Zarc 2500/Kensho 1000).

"That's got to be the first time you've ever knocked me flat on my back." Kensho voiced, slowly rising to his feet.

"Can't say you weren't asking for it, Dear." Mio reminded.

"Yeah, guess I was." Kensho voiced.

"It's proof that no matter how good a field may look; the duel can always swing the other way." Zarc smiled. "All I can do now is set one card."

Turn 5: Kensho
"That dragon of his can handle any of my best dragons at their base, though I have plenty of cards that take them above that. All I need is one of them to bust this duel." Kensho drew. "Well Zarc, looks like this shall be the end."

"What could he have drawn to make him that confident?" Zarc pondered.

He knew of his father's deck, dueled it plenty. That's why it was difficult to say what card he drew which could be behind this sudden confidence.

"By sending my wind attribute Armed Dragon LV7 from my hand to the grave, I'm permitted to special summon my Pile Armed Dragon(LV 7/2800/1000)." A large red dragon whose left arm was replaced by many drills appeared.

"That monster would certainly do it; however, my set card is Nutrient Z." Zard reasoned. "When he attacks, even with that dragon's ability to grow stronger, I'll still have more than enough life points."

"In exchange for only being able to attack with one monster this turn, Pile Armed Dragon lets me send any other Armed Dragon from my deck or hand to the grave." Kensho continued. "Then, I can grant any 1 monster I control ATK equal to 300 times that monster's level for this turn.

I choose to send my Armed Dragon LV10 White, granting Pile Armed Dragon(LV 7/5800/1000 effect) 3000 extra ATK. That's not all as I now equip Pile Armed Dragon with White Veil." Pile was coated in white.

"Armed Dragon LV10 White and White Veil?" Zarc has never seen his father use these before.

"You'll see what this does as I attack your dragon!" Kensho declared.

"I activate my…" Zarc began, only for his duel disk to beep. "What?"

"It's one of White Veil's effects." Kensho informed. "As the equipped monster battles, you may not activate a spell/trap until the end of the damage step. That means, this is the end!"

Pile Armed Dragon drove its drills into Dark Hole Dragon, destroying it (Zarc 0/Kensho 1000). Zarc was knocked clean off his feet, but he was quick to sit up.

"That White Veil equip spell is something else." Zarc noted before smiling. "It was unexpected, though I guess I shouldn't have expected your deck to remain stagnant."

"In any profession that sees you dueling, what separates those who succeed from those who don't is the willingness to never stop learning." Kensho informed. "Even if you're at the top, always assume there is someone better to keep you innovating."

"I hope that's true." Zarc stood, his eyes bright. "Whether it be on my way to the top or after I've reached it, I want to duel those who can challenge me."

Mio smiled upon hearing this and seeing the change in her son. He's always wanted to be the best, and they've supported that. Now, he's seemingly found that missing piece needed to one day make his dream a reality. Just then, Zarc's stomach growled.

"It would seem we should attend to that prior to your duel with Mio." Kensho voiced.

"Can't exactly duel on an empty stomach." Mio agreed with a smile. "With how well you've done, you can pick whatever you want."

"Pizza!" Zarc exclaimed without hesitation.

Mio giggled at that while Kensho just shook his head with a slight smile.

Canterlot
Just outside the Four Stables Hotel, within the shadows of a nearby alleyway, there stood a small figure roughly the size of a child Zarc's age. They wore a crimson red cloak with the hood up, from which one could only see piercing red eyes which gazed at the building.