//------------------------------// // Level 2: Journey to the Machine City // Story: Yu-Gi-Oh! EQG Side Story: Cyber Duel Saga // by Bahamut0 //------------------------------// "Well, we won't have to worry about getting lost with this map! Looks like we'll need to trek through a desert that's east of here.", Burst said as he examined the map of the land. "But when needs to walk while we can fly there? Three of us have dragons, and spell casters can levitate and fly too. So let's ride!" Burst and his friends summoned their flying monsters, and flew towards the Machine City. "From what the chief said, the Machine City's inhabitants are friendly. So we shouldn't have to worry about them being hostile.", Ace said as they flew towards their destination. Soon, the city came into view. But as they got closer, Inferno noticed the faint trace of something over the city. "Guys stop!" "What's wrong?", Sunset asked. Inferno and Red Eyes got closer and Red Eyes tapped on something that was around the city. "Just as I thought. There's an invisible barrier that seems to be around the whole city!" "Great. We know what's keeping us out. But how do we get in?", Burst asked. "Maybe we could ask at the gate?", Sonata suggested. "What makes you say that?" "Because it looks like there's a checkpoint just outside the city.", Sonata said as she pointed to the ground. The group landed, and went to the checkpoint where a pair of Cannon Soldiers were standing guard. "Let me try talking to them.", Twilight said. "Hi! We were travelling here, but a force field kept us from flying in. Could you please lower it so we can enter?" "Negative. We don't control the field, so we can't grant you access. But there is a way you can enter Machine City.", one of the Cannon Soldiers said. "Perfect! So how do we do that?" "There is a village not too far from here holding a fighting contest. A cyber key was put up as the prize to whoever can defeat their champion. If you win, you can use the key to enter and leave the city as you please." "So, how do we get to the village?" "Just look for a twister. It'll spit you out in the direction of the village." "WHAT?! How can a twister just spin you around and spit you out where you want to go?" "Twilight. This is a video game. It's not supposed to be realistic.", Burst reminded her. Twilight face palmed at remembering just where she was. "Now then! Time to go storm chasing!" They didn't have to wait long, as a twister was blowing by the city that moment. 'Huh. Convenient." Burst and his friends jumped into the twister, and were whisked away to the village the Cannon Soldiers had mentioned. "Inferno, you, Sunset and I should enter the tournament. The rest of you hang back in the village." "Wait! Why do you two get to fight?!", Twilight fumed. "What makes you qualified?" "No offense Twilight, but you don't look like you've played all that many video games. Inferno, Sunset and I have a lot more experience when it comes to gaming." Burst said as he walked up to the registration stand. "Hi! We're here to enter the contest. Are we too late?" "You just barely made it! There's only one round left, and the last opponent ran scared from the champ! So, which of you has the guts to face the champion?" "That'd be me." "Perfect! Make your way to the ring and tell the announcer your name. He'll then kick-off the match." Burst did as he was instructed, and the match was on! "In this corner, the challenger! Burst Stream! And in the other, the champion! Blade Master!", the announcer belted out! Burst's opponent was a guy wearing a helmet that looked like the Black Luster Soldier's. "Ready? FIGHT!" Blade came at him with a lightning-fast punch, but Burst dodged just in time! Burst responded with a series of quick punches! But Blade dodged them and tried to break his footing with a sweep kick. Burst jumped and pulled off a move that a spinning mid-air kick that knocked Blade to the ground and knocked off his helmet! Sunset recognized the person Burst was fighting as Steel Edge. A duelist who she fought at Battle City that had used a Black Luster Soldier deck. "You're pretty good. But I'm the one who's going to win this!", Steel said with a smirk. He charged at Burst with a kick that had the force of a sword strike! "Blade Kick!" Fortunately, Burst managed to dodge the attack! Burst then cleared his mind, and got into a stance. Soon, energy began to gather in his hands. Steel Edge wasted no time in recovering, and made a dash at Burst! "HADOKEN!", Burst cried as he fired a blast of energy that sent Steel Edge reeling! Not wasting a chance to end the fight, Burst charged toward him and unleashed a devastating uppercut! "SHORYUKEN!" "And the winner is Burst Stream! Your prize is a cyber key that can be used to enter the machine city!", the announcer said as Burst was handed the cyber key. Steel Edge came up to congratulate Burst too. "No wonder I lost. You're the Duelist Kingdom and Battle City champion." "I try not to let that get to my head.", Burst replied with a small smile. "Mind if I tag along? My monsters can be pretty helpful." "Sure, why not! Next stop: Machine City!" "Uh...Burst Stream?", Twilight asked. "Yeah?" "HOW CAN YOU DEFY THE LAWS OF PHYSICS?" "Just another perk of the bond between Blue Eyes and me. It released all the energy channels in my body. That in turn lets me pull off moves thought to be only possible in video games. Other benefits are increased durability, and heightened senses. And I'm pretty sure you saw my wings during our duel. Oh! I almost forgot to mention Inferno can do the same things I can. Twilight?" "Uh, Burst? I think ya broke her.", Inferno said as he noticed how hard Twilight was trying to comprehend what she just heard. "Blue Eyes. Could you please carry her? I think she'll be better once she snaps out of it." "No problem.", Blue Eyes said as he hoisted Twilight onto his back. The group then went back to the Machine City. Where they would meet the lone duelist who stood against the Big 5.