The Duelist: The Beginning

by UniqueSKD

First published 25th of May, 2014

Yugioh / MLP Crossover story. A young pegasus Duelist sets out to defeat a powerful evil that threatens to bring the world to ruin

(Story takes place in an alternate Equestria, where Duel Monsters are all the rage. No canon characters will appear in the story, however when Episode Zero chapters have been completed, and the real story has begun, you, the viewers, may make a request for certain characters to be referenced at certain intervals in the story. You'll also have a chance to have your own OC's, should you have any, to appear as well, but this won't be in effect until AFTER Episode Zero has been written)

Duel Monsters.

It is a card game unlike any other. Through the use of magically imbued devices, these simple cards become something much more, as they are brought to life to do battle, under the command and orders of those who play the game, known as Duelists.

Of all the Duelists in the world, there is one whom many have sought to find and defeat, even dedicating their lives to such a cause. A supposedly ancient entity known only as the Ancient One, a powerful Duelist who is said to grant one wish to whoever should best him in a battle of the cards.

Many of those who set out to find him do so for the desire of wealth, fame, power, or immortality. For one young Duelist, it is for revenge, for the irreplaceable loss he suffered some years ago. Revenge for being deceived into believing a great lie that has costed the lives of many before himself.

Unique, armed with his father's mighty Deck, the only item he has to remember him by, sets out to face and defeat the one who caused him his pain.

However, unbeknownst to him, his journey, his mission, whether successful or not, will mark his first steps to becoming one of the greatest Duelists ever to rise up in the world.

It's time to Duel.

Episode Zero, Chapter One: Battle in the Forest (Part One)

"If life is a game, then death awaits those who lose"

The birdsong's harmonic melody was interrupted by the sound of a snapping branch, as Unique landed upon the forest floor, having flown over a fallen tree that was in his way. The serene song had been quite wonderful to listen to, so it was a little disappointing when it stopped so abruptly. Unique stood up and brushed a few leaves from off himself. He looked at his Duel Disk attached to his arm, checking to see if it had taken any damage from the landing. Its condition was fine. These Duel Disks were built strong, able to endure most punishment, but it was wise to be sure, just in case.

Unique carried on his way, his jet-black tail and blue scarf trailing behind him as he trekked through the forest, his ears flicking as he surveyed his surroundings. The sounds of the forest were all he heard, from the scurrying of squirrels climbing the trees, to the little woodland critters running around in the bushes and foliage close by. The scene seemed so peaceful, but if the stories he had heard had any truth to them, Unique knew this oh-so-peaceful image was a deception, a distraction from his goal.

His head quickly snapped to something on his right. From the corner of his eyes, Unique had sworn he saw something moving a few yards away from his position. Stopping and standing very still, Unique kept his eyes on the spot where he thought he saw movement, wondering if whatever - or whoever - it was would reveal themselves. Half a minute had passed, but no sign of anything or anyone made itself known. Suspicious, but deciding to let it go, Unique turned to continue his search.

He had only gone a few steps when he noticed a cloaked hooded pony several feet in front of him. Startled for a moment, Unique quickly regained his composure, and stood his ground, his eyes glued to the stallion before him. The stallion simply remained still, his cloak flapping in the breeze that rather conveniently choose that moment to come, as a pair of yellow piercing eyes glared at him menacingly from underneath his hood. The stallion's muzzle barely stuck out from underneath the hood, but enough that Unique could see his frown, and his dark crimson fur.

The stallion took one look at Unique's Duel Disk before speaking. "Have you come to seek my master, the Ancient One?", he questioned the pegasus. His voice was deep and harsh, the tone demanding.

Unique's ears twitched upon hearing that name. He nodded his head. "I've come to challenge him to a Duel," Unique responded, raising his Duel Disk in front of himself. "Take me to your master now!"

The stallion chuckled, as he smirked wickedly. "Little colt, one does not simply challenge my master to a Duel. He will only Duel those who are worthy of his attention." The stallion popped his neck, and gestured to the pegasus. "What is your name, Duelist?"

"Unique. My name is Unique."

The stallion chuckled again. "Of course it is," he said sarcastically. He hunched over slightly. "Well then, Unique. If you wish to Duel my master, you must prove yourself worthy of his attention."

Unique raised an eyebrow. "And how do I prove myself worthy?"

The stallion suddenly cast off the cloak wrapped around his body, revealing a black Duel Disk attached to his arm. With the cloak gone now, Unique could see the features and details of his opponent more clearly. The stallion was an earth pony of dark crimson color, with a mane that looked like jagged spikes running down his back to his tail, which had the same look. Much of his body was wrapped in brown cloth, some of which was torn or starting to wore away. His face held a nasty expression, a great snarling smile accompanying the piercing glare of his yellow eyes.

The stallion revealed his Duel Disk, causing the blade to spring out and attach itself together. The stallion assumed a battle stance, raising his Duel Disk up. "By defeating me in a Duel!", the stallion exclaimed.

Unique raised his fist at the stallion with a smile. "If it's a Duel you want, then it's a Duel you're getting!". Unique's own Duel Disk sprung to life as the blade formed, and both Duelists drew their cards from their Decks contained within the Deck compartments of their Duel Disks

When both earth pony and pegasus had five cards in their hand, the Duel had begun.
- - - - -

DUEL! UNIQUE vs. THE ANCIENT'S SERVANT!

"I'll play first!" Unique announced, drawing a card from his Deck. Looking at the card he had drawn, he saw it was a Spell card - Dian Keto The Cure Master. This Spell card can increase my Lifepoints by 1000 points, Unique thought to himself as he added the card to his hand. Gaining the advantage this early will be useful.

"I'll start by setting one card face-down!", Unique said aloud. He inserted one of the cards in his hand into a slot on his Duel Disk, and a large card materialized in front of him, face-down, just he had said. "Next, I'll play the Spell card, 'Dian Keto The Cure Master'!". Unique inserted the card into a slot next to his other card, and before his eyes, a larger version of his Spell card appeared. "This card increases my Lifepoints by 1000 points, which puts me on 5000 Lifepoints." Unique then took another card from his hand after removing his Spell card and placing it in the Graveyard slot on his Duel Disk, and played it on his Duel Disk blade. "Now I will summon my 'Mysterious Puppeteer' in Attack mode!"

Upon placing the card on his device, a bright light appeared in front of him, and when it dispersed a few seconds later, a most strange creature was revealed, garbed in purple clothing, masked with only its eerie yellow eyes visible, and conjuring some sort of weird wooden puppet in its hands, manipulating it somehow despite there being no visible strings.

"My 'Mysterious Puppeteer' increases my Lifepoints by 500 points whenever either of us brings a Monster into play," Unique explained. "And since this is the first turn of the Duel, my Monster is unable to attack you directly, so I'll end my turn." Unique pointed a finger at the crimson stallion. "Now, make your move!"

The crimson stallion smiled as he drew his card from his Deck. "For my turn, I'll place one card face-down," he growled as he inserted his card into the slot, resulting in his card appearing in front of him. "Then, I'll play a Spell card of my own - 'Reinforcement Of The Army'! This card allows me to take one Level 4 Warrior-type Monster from my Deck, and add it to my hand." The stallion took his Deck out from its compartment on his Duel Disk, and began to look through it. When he found the card he was looking for, he took it out and placed it in his other cards, placing the Deck back in its place after shuffling it.

"Next," he continued, "I'll play my Monster - 'Killer Needle'!". Setting his card on to his Duel Disk, the stallion grinned as a huge bee creature materialized out of thin air right in front of him. "Now, my Killer Needle'! Destroy the 'Mysterious Puppeteer' with your stinger!", the crimson stallion roared.

Heeding his command, the massive bee sprung to life, buzzing it wings wildly as it charged towards the puppeteer creature, its stinger presented and ready to strike.

"Not so fast!", Unique yelled out, turning over his face-down card. "Your Monster triggers my Trap card - 'Trap Hole'!". Upon turning his card over, revealing the artwork underneath, the ground beneath the 'Killer Needle' caved in, and a large thin hand shot out of the hole and grabbed the creature, which struggled in vain to escape its grasp. "My 'Trap Hole' card destroys your Monster if its Attack factor is higher than 1000 points, so your 'Killer Needle' is destroyed!"

The crimson stallion watched in annoyance as his Monster was dragged down into the depths of the earth, the hole sealing itself afterwards. With his Monster destroyed, he was defenseless. He closed his eyes. "Hmm...In that case...I'll have to end my turn," he said after a moment.

"Then it's my turn again," Unique said, drawing a new card from his Deck, a Monster card called 'White Magical Hat'. Unique added it to his hand, and checked his opponent's side of the playing field. Hmm. He hasn't any Monsters in play now to protect his Lifepoints, so I can go for a direct attack, Unique reflected in his mind. Placing the card he had drawn onto his Duel Disk, the white pegasus announced his move. "I'll set one card down." Inserting a new card into the slot which housed his 'Trap Hole' card, "And then, I'll play my next Monster, the 'White Magical Hat' in Attack mode!". Unique played his card, and a new monster materialized in front of him. The new monster that appeared looked like a white-skinned hairless monkey wearing a blue tuxedo of sorts. It also had a monocle covering one eye, and it wore a large white cape and a white top hat.

Unique pointed towards the crimson stallion, who had his arms crossed. "Now, since you've no Monsters protecting your Lifepoints, I command my 'Mysterious Puppeteer' and 'White Magical Hat' to attack you directly!" Unique exclaimed.

Both of the creatures brought into reality by Unique rushed forward toward the crimson stallion, who simply smirked. "Your attack will do no good this turn, fool!", he laughed. "Activating my Trap card - 'Impenetrable Attack'!". He turned his card over on his Duel Disk, causing the larger imitation out on the field to reveal itself. As it did so, the card released a massive force field, which surrounded the stallion. Unique's Monsters came into contact with the force field, and were thrown backwards.

The crimson stallion laughed as Unique's Monsters got up from the ground. "Ha ha ha ha! My Trap Card negates any battle damage your Monsters deal this turn! Your attack was pointless!".

Unique frowned, but kept his cool. His attack this turn would do nothing for him, so there was only one option left for him right now. "Well, if that's the case, I'll have to try again the next time. I'll end my turn"

The crimson stallion drew a card from his Deck and looked at it. He frowned. Grunting in annoyance, he said, "I won't play any cards this turn. I must end my move."

Unique smiled. Now that it was his turn, and since his opponent didn't have any cards on his side of the field, it meant he was free to go in for a direct attack. He drew his card from his Deck, and raised his fist in the air. "Since you don't have any Monsters in play, I order my 'Mysterious Puppeteer' and my 'White Magical Hat' to attack your Lifepoints directly!", Unique exclaimed.

At his command, the two Monsters made their move. The 'Mysterious Puppeteer' waved its hands in a strange pattern, and the wooden puppet came to life, charging towards the crimson stallion and leaping up to him to strike at him with its wooden fists. The stallion groaned as his Lifepoint counter began to decrease, 4000 Lifepoints now reduced to 3000. The 'White Magical Hat' creature then made its move, running straight towards the stallion and throwing a strong punch at him, cackling as its fist connected with the stallion's jaw. The stallion's Lifepoint counter was reduced by another 1000 points, putting him at 2000 Lifepoints.

"Since my 'White Magical Hat' dealt damage to your Lifepoints, one card from your hand must be discarded,' Unique said as his Monster returned to his side. The stallion growled as he regained his ground, the attacks having pushed him back a little. He took one of his cards from his hand, and placed it into the Graveyard slot on his Duel Disk. The card he got rid off wasn't anything important, luckily.

He stood there glaring at Unique with angry eyes, rubbing his jaw where the 'White Magical Hat' had struck him. It was fortunate that these Monsters could not inflict real harm to him - the Duel Disks were imbued with a special kind of magic that placed a warding spell around the Duelist, protecting them from being harmed by attacks during a Duel. Though a Duelist could and would feel a Monster's attack, no pain or wound would befall them.

Despite this, the stallion couldn't hep but imagine the look on the white pegasus' face if his Monsters were able to shred and tear him apart without the warding spell protecting him. How satisfying it would have been.

The earth pony smirked. "My turn, now. I draw." He looked at the card he took from his Deck. His smirk widened into a smile. "I'll start my turn with a Spell card, the 'Chorus of Sanctuary'. This card is a Field Spell, meaning it will affect both our Monsters." He placed the card in a slot on the side of his Duel Disk's blade, and the playing area between himself and Unique began to glow, as a serene little garden with a stream and several rose bushes appeared.

"Next, I'll set one card down, and put one Monster down, and that will end my turn," the stallion said, placing his cards into their respective slots. He pointed to the pegasus. "Go ahead, little fool. It is your turn now."

"'Chorus of Sanctuary'?", Unique muttered to himself, eyeing the card hovering in front of his opponent. "What does that card do? Hmm...he said it was a Field card, so its effect will work for my Monsters as well as his, but how does it affect my Monsters?".

Unique drew his card from his Deck and looked at it. A Spell card called 'Premature Burial'. Unique added it to his hand. There was no need to play it right now, it was probably best to save it for later. He looked at the cards he currently had in his hand, his eyes falling upon one of his Monster cards, 'The Little Swordsman of Aile'. Unique gave a little smile. This card isn't strong on its own, but if I offer one of my Monsters as a tribute, I can make it stronger for a turn. "Okay, servant of the Ancient One," Unique said aloud. "I'll set down one card down, and then I will summon 'The Little Swordsman of Aile'!". Another bright light flashed in front of Unique, and a few seconds later where it had been, there now was another creature similar to the 'White Magical Hat', but this one was smaller and more youthful-looking. It was wearing a brown tunic, and sat on the back of a rather large green reptilian beast. It glanced across the playing field at the crimson stallion, and raised its small sword up at him.

Unique pointed to a small screen on his Duel Disk as he spoke to the stallion. "Remembering my 'Mysterious Puppeteer's' effect, I gain 500 Lifepoints for summoning 'The Little Swordsman of Aile'." The white pegasus chuckled. "So long as I have him on the field, I don't have to worry about keeping my Lifepoints healthy," he said.

Unique gestured to the face-down Monster his opponent had set. "Now, I'll command my 'Mysterious Puppeteer' to attack the Monster you played!"

'Mysterious Puppeteer' began waving its hands about, pulling its invisible strings to make its wooden puppet spring to life, and rush towards the card. The wooden puppet leaped up, and struck the card with its little wooden fist, causing the card to turn itself over. As it did so, the card started to fade away, as a new creature started to emerge from the card's artwork. The creature looked like a floating ball of fire, its coloration a deep blue shade. The living ball of flame had a scowling face that glared down at the wooden puppet, which soon ran back to its master.

Unique stared at the creature in surprise. "What? That attack didn't destroy your Monster?"

The crimson stallion smiled. "The Monster you are looking at is 'Evilswarm Obliviwisp'. It's Attack points are low, but it compensates with a high Defense factor," he explained. "2050 points, in fact. Because your 'Mysterious Puppeteer's' Attack is lower than my Monster's Defense, it couldn't destroy it."

Unique frowned. "But if my Monster wasn't strong enough to break your Monster's Defense, then that means..."

"You lose Lifepoints equal to the difference between your Monster's Attack, and my Monster's Defense," the stallion finished for him. "But you lose an additional 500 Lifepoints on top of that."

Unique's eyes widened in shock. "I lose more Lifepoints? Why?", he yelled in confusion.

The stallion pointed to his 'Chorus of Sanctuary' card. "This Spell card increases the power of defensive Monster by 500 points. Since my 'Evilswarm Obliviwisp' was already in the Defense position, it gains the extra defense boost, so your Lifepoints receive additional damage."

Unique looked at his Lifepoint counter. It started to decrease, the numbers falling down as the damage was deducted from his score. What used to be 7500 Lifepoints had dwindled down to 6450. He still had plenty more Lifepoints than the Ancient One's servant, at least, but now he was faced with a new problem - ridding his opponent's new Monster so that his own Monsters could go in for the finishing blow. And right now, none of his Monsters were strong enough to break the 'Evilswarm Obliviwisp's' high Defense.

The only way I'll beat that Monster is with a stronger Monster, which I don't have right now, Unique thought to himself. I should probably try and hold out until I can draw a better card.. With a sigh, Unique shrugged. "I'll just have to end my turn."

"I draw my card," the stallion called out. Looking at the card he had drawn, he chuckled quietly to himself. So long as 'Evilswarm Obliviwisp' remains in Defensive mode, this little fool can't touch my Lifepoints. But what of that face-down card of his? Possibly a Trap. Let's see if it is so. "I'll play a new Monster, my 'Sea Serpent Warrior of Darkness'!".

Inserting the card into the blade slot, a large bulky armored creature wielding a staff of sorts appeared. It thrusted its staff into the air as it let out a mighty war cry, displaying its eagerness for battle.

Unfortunately for the creature, it would not see any fighting, as the ground beneath its feet suddenly caved in. The creature only had time to look down, before it disappearing down a large hole to the deepest bowels of the earth, its monstrous screams echoing as it plummeted deep underground.

"Your Monster is destroyed, thanks to my second 'Trap Hole'!", Unique said, showing the stallion the card in question. The stallion simply smiled, confusing the pegasus. "Why does he seem glad that I destroyed his Monster?", Unique asked himself.

"Actually, I was counting on you playing that card. Now that it is out of the way, I can focus on breaking you slow and steadily on my next turn.", the stallion said, his voice reeking of confidence, his face a smug expression.

Unique cocked an eyebrow. "What does he have in store on his next turn? Could he just be bluffing, or has he something planned?"

The stallion gestured to the pegasus with a grin not even a blind mother could love. "I will end my turn here. Go ahead and make your move, little fool." His voice held a tone of cockiness, leading Unique to wonder more now why his opponent was suddenly so sure of himself.

Unique drew his card from his Deck. It was another Trap card - 'Two-Pronged Attack'. When triggered, it would allow the white pegasus to tribute two of his own Monsters in exchange for the destruction of one of his opponent's, but that was a move he couldn't afford to do. While it would help in getting rid of the 'Evilswarm Obliviwisp' still in play, it would mean sacrificing two Monsters of his own to do it. Unique felt that if his opponent indeed did have a trick up his sleeve, then having plenty of Monster in play would be wise.

Still, Unique decided to set the Trap card down, in case it came in handy later on. He then set the 'Premature Burial' Spell card he had drawn earlier as well. Unique then switched his 'Mysterious Puppeteer' from its Attack position to the Defensive, the creature and its wooden puppet crossing their arms in front of themselves as he did so. He then ended his turn.

"I draw!", the stallion shouted, picking up his next card from his Deck. He took one look at it, and he began to shake with laughter, which to Unique, was a sound colder than the winds of the frozen wastelands of the north. When the stallions laughter calmed down, he stared at Unique straight in the eye with a menacing look. "Now it is time to make you wish you never came to this forest!", he cackled madly. He turned over his face-down card behind his Monster, and out on the playing field, the larger duplicate turned over as well, revealing its artwork.

"I will first activate my face-down Spell card, the 'Banner of Courage'!". As he said this, a massive banner bearing a strange insignia appeared behind him, towering over him with the sheet flapping in the breeze. "As long as this card remains active, my Monsters will be strengthened by 200 points when they attack!"

Unique looked at the 'Eviilswarm Obliviwisp' in play. The little fiery creature glared back at him. Surely he wasn't going to use this Monster to attack him? Even with the temporary increase in power provided by the 'Banner of Courage', his opponent's Monster wouldn't be strong enough to best any of his own Monsters.

Unless...it wasn't THIS Monster he was going to use...

"Now," the stallion continued, "I will offer 'Evilswarm Obliviwisp' to summon the Monster that will bring about your doom!". As the stallion removed his Monster card from his Duel Disk, so did the Monster itself disappear, right before Unique's eyes. As his opponent inserted the new Monster card into place, Unique gasped in amazement as the new challenger revealed itself.

It was a huge slime-green reptilian creature, with parts of its body seeming to have been replaced with complex machinery and steel. Large metallic spike jutted out from its knees and shoulders, and its wicked mechanical claws gleamed in the light Celestia's day. A pair of terrifying red eyes looked down upon the white pegasus, who took a step back, worry and fear transparent on his face.

"Behold the mighty 'Giga Gagagigo'!", the crimson stallion bellowed, as his Monster threw back its head and roared at the sky above. "With his tremendous power, your defeat is but inevitable, little fool!". The stallion laughed maniacally, as Unique was forced to look upon the beast that was likely to be his executioner.

END OF PART ONE

Author's Notes:

Chapters will be split into parts, presented in a sort of episodic format. All events DO take place in Equestria, just an alternate version that has Duel Monsters in it.

This all part of a new idea I am trying out, so don't expect it to be all fantastic and expertly written or whatever. Some might like it, some may not like it, and a lot may not understand it at all. But I'm still going for it. It's good for my creative writing exercises, and hey! I like Yugioh! You got a problem, brah?

XD

Oh, and the pictures in the chapter were taken by me to represent the Duels going on between characters in the story. There isn't supposed to be much plot explained in the beginning - the story reveals itself as it progresses. Youll have to wait for the next chapters to understand what and why and such.

- UniqueSKD

Episode Zero, Chapter Two: Battle in the Forest (Part Two)

"A card! A card! My kingdom, my armies, my riches for a card!"

Unique stared up into the eyes of the massive beast before him. The reptilian monstrosity let out a mighty roar that forced Unique to cover his ears, feeling a shot of pain ricocheting around in his head. The crimson stallion just stood in place, smiling maliciously.

"This is where the game ends for you, little fool," he laughed, as his Monster stopped roaring and began growling angrily at the white pegasus. "My 'Giga Gagagigo' will bury you ten feet underneath this very forest!"

Unique looked at his Monster cards in play. None of them were strong enough to challenge this new creature, nor were they able to defend against it. And he didn't have any cards right now that he could play to deal with the situation. He could activate the 'Two-Pronged Attack' Trap card he had set earlier, but it meant losing two Monsters just to be rid of one. Unique frowned. He was going to have to let one of his Monster go.

The stallion laughed as he raised his hand in the air. "Now, my great 'Giga Gagagigo'! Show this little fool your terrifying might! Destroy his 'Mysterious Puppeteer'!"

The Monster heeded its master's command, and it suddenly charged forward towards Unique Monster. It did not flinch, nor did it seem frightened of the massive mass of scaly muscle entwined with steel rushing towards it. Not did the 'Mysterious Puppeteer' scream or even squeal, as the creature's great claws completely eviscerated it with a single swipe, slicing even the wooden puppet as well. Unique watched as the remains of his Monster began to glow, dispersing into small particles a few seconds later, carried into the air where they vanished from existence.

Thank goodness I switched it to Defense mode before it was destroyed, Unique thought to himself. Had I kept it in Attack mode, I'd have lost Lifepoints for sure. But now that 'Mysterious Puppeteer' is gone, I won't gain Lifepoints from playing new Monster cards.

"My turn, now!", Unique called out, as he drew his card from his Deck. He eyed it. It was a Monster card, the 'Koumori Dragon'. The image of the creature looked intimidating, but it lacked the strength to face his opponent's 'Giga Gagagigo'.

"I'll play one Monster in Defense," Unique announced, playing the card sideways, face-down on his Duel Disk. "I'll also switch my other Monsters into Defense as well." That way, I won't lose Lifepoints if his Monster destroys them. Unique gestured to the crimson stallion. "Your move," he said sternly.

"I draw," the stallion said. He withdrew his card from the Deck, and looked at it with a smile. His eyes then looked away from the card he held, and at Unique. "If you think my Monster is powerful now, then see him become even stronger as I play my next Monster!", he bellowed. Inserting his new card into the slot on his Duel Disk, a new creature began to materialize next to the giant reptilian beast. It looked like a red starfish with a single eye, and a toothy mouth that smiled mischievously at Unique.

"Meet my 'Star Boy'," the crimson stallion said gesturing to the Monster. "This Monster's ability strengthens the Attack of all WATER Monsters on the field, while weakening FIRE Monsters as well." The crimson stallion lowered his head and grinned. "And since both 'Star Boy' and 'Giga Gagagigo' are WATER Monsters, they both gain 500 points each!"

Unique let out a gasp in shock. That little thing just made his Monster stronger than it is already!?

The crimson stallion pointed towards Unique's Monsters, cackling loudly. "Now, my Monsters! Together, attack the 'White Magical Hat', and that face-down car of his!"

The 'Star Boy' creature began to hover above the ground, and opened its mouth wide. A mass of slimy seaweed exploded from its gaping jaws, wrapping around the 'White Magical Hat'. The creature struggled in a fit of desperation and panic inside of its confines, but to no avail. Slowly, the creature's fight came to an end, its movement ceased and its body limp, suffocated by the tendrils of seaweed. When the tendrils released the 'White Magical Hat', only particles of light remained, disappearing soon after.

At the same time as this was happening, the 'Giga Gagagigo' had charged towards the face-down 'Koumori Dragon' card, impaling the card right through the middle with its claw, and using its other claw to slice the whole card into ribbons. The pieces glowed and vanished before they even touched the ground.

The hulking reptilian beast returned to it's master's side, while the starfish giggled with maniacal glee. The crimson stallion shared in his Monster's mad laughter as well. "I'll end my turn there," he concluded, giving the pegasus a mocking smile.

Unique grunt in frustration. Two Monsters lost in a single turn, leaving him only with his 'Little Swordsman of Aile' to keep his Lifepoints from taking damage. His 'Two-Pronged Attack' Trap card was useless now, without another Monster to tribute.

But he was not beaten just yet. The large supply of Lifepoints he had accumulated since the beginning of the Duel meant he could withstand a couple of direct attacks, so his only real worry right now was drawing a card strong enough to beat 'Giga Gagagigo'. By removing the toughest Monster from his opponent's side of the field, Unique could put the pressure on his opponent again.

The pegasus drew his next card from his Deck and examined it. A Spell card, called 'Shield and Sword'. Unique's eyes lit up as he added the card to his hand, an idea forming in his mind. There might be a way to turn this situation around after all, but his plan relied heavily on what card he would draw on his next turn.

"I have nothing to play this turn," Unique said, putting on a mock look of annoyance, hoping the stallion would believe it and not assume he had a plan in the works. "I'll pass my turn to you." And pray my next card is one that will help me execute my plan

The crimson stallion drew his card, and chuckled loudly. "I'll use my new card, and summon 'Goblin Attack Force'!". Playing his card into the Duel Disk slot, a small group of several little green creatures with menacing yellow eyes and large spiked clubs appeared on the battlefield, grinning their impish smiles at Unique.

"Since my 'Chorus of the Sanctuary' increases the defense of Monsters in Defense mode, I can't use my 'Star Boy' to get rid of your remaining Monster, so I order my 'Goblin Attack Force' to destroy it instead!", the stallion bellowed, looking at the small group of goblins. "Go, my goblins! Destroy the 'Little Swordsman of Aile'!"

The goblins shook their clubs in the air as they charged towards the little creature riding on the back of the green reptile, the look on its face one of shock. Unique could do nothing but watch as the goblins threw themselves upon the poor thing, and proceeded to beat it to death with their clubs, a couple choosing to use their fists and feet to inflict further harm. When they stopped their brutal assault, all that remained of the 'Little Swordsman of Aile' was a cloud of light particles that dispersed and vanished.

Returning to their master, the goblins took their place, and raised their arms up in front of themselves. "After the 'Goblin Attack Force' attacks, it immediately switches to Defensive mode," the stallion explained. "And now that you've no Monster left on your side of the field, my remaining Monster are free to strike you directly!"

Unique grit his teeth, as the pegasus braced himself for what was coming. The crimson stallion gestured to Unique with a wicked grin. "'Star Boy'! 'Giga Gagagigo'! Make your move now, and attack this little weakling!", he roared in glee.

At his command, both of his monsters rushed forward towards Unique, who stood his ground and faced the incoming attack. The 'Giga Gagagigo' swiped its claw at Unique. The claw passed through his body, like as if it were a violent mirage, but as it phased through Unique's body, his Lifepoints counter began to dwindle down. 'Star Boy' cackled, and then opened its mouth, a mass of seaweed tendrils shooting out and striking Unique like a cat o' nine tails whip.

It felt strange to the pegasus to see these Monsters' attacks phase through him like ghostly apparitions. Like, he knew these Monsters weren't real, that they could not harm him thanks to the invisible warding shields protecting him, but still he 'felt' the beast's claws passing through his gut, and each strike of the seaweed tentacles whipping him. To 'feel' this assault, yet not feel pain as a result, was a strange experience for the pegasus.

As the 'Star Boy's' aquatic algae whips slithered back into its mouth, Unique's eyes looked down at his Lifepoints counter. 7450 Lifepoints had he before, but now, only 3050 remained. Unique silently thanked his blessings that he had increased his Lifepoints so early in the game.

"I'll end my turn here, and let you just try to recover from that move," the crimson stallion smirked, his very stance emanating arrogance and over-confidence in his supposedly assured victory.

Unique placed his hand on the top of his Deck. The next card he drew from his Deck had to be a strong Monster. Otherwise, his plan to turn this Duel around was not going to work, and his defeat would be for certain. Breathing in to calm himself, Unique drew his card, and took a look at what it was.

Unique smiled. It was indeed a Monster card, and the strongest one of his Deck. It was the 'Summoned Skull' Monster. Adding the card to his hand, Unique prepared to set his plan into motion. He hoped his opponent would not be able to counter this move.

"This is where the Duel comes back in my favor," Unique smiled. "First, I'll play the Spell card, 'Shield and Sword'," Unique said aloud, inserting the card into his Duel Disk. He then turned over one of the Spell cards he had inserted into his Duel Disk some turns ago. "I'll activate my Spell card, 'Premature Burial'. At the cost of 800 of my Lifepoints, I can bring one Monster back from my Graveyard to the field. And the Monster I choose is the 'White Magical Hat'!" A worn gravestone suddenly shot out of the ground in front of Unique, large bold words written upon it, reading, 'White Magical Hat'. A few seconds later, a bright surge of light shone in front of the gravestone, and the Monster of the same name rose up out of it.

"Now, I'll tribute the 'White Magical Hat' to summon my 'Summoned Skull'!". The 'White Magical Hat' shattered into particles of light and disappeared, and in its place, a massive skeletal monstrosity with a horned skull and menacing green eyes appeared, black wings flapping behind its back. Its face was contorted into a fearsome snarling expression, glaring across the forest floor at the crimson stallion.

The stallion snorted. "Ha! As strong a Monster that thing might be, it's no match for my 'Giga Gagagigo'. My 'Star Boy' and 'Banner of Courage' cards give it more power than any Monster you could summon from your hand!". He concluded with a taunting laugh.

Unique smirked. "Summoned Skull', I command you to attack his 'Giga Gagagigo'!"

The crimson stallion's face changed to a look of complete surprise. "What? But, 'Giga Gagagigo' is stronger than your 'Summoned Skull'! Why sacrifice your only strong Monster so recklessly?" he said in confusion.

The 'Summoned Skull' obeyed Unique's order, and brought its massive claws close together. A surge of electricity sparked all over its body, buzzing and humming as a small black ball of energy began to form in its claws. With each passing second, the sphere expanded and increased in size, lightning blasting out from the ball as it grew. By the time the 'Summoned Skull's' body stopped sparking with electricity, the dark ball of energy was at least the size of an Ursa Minor.

The 'Summoned Skull' held the ball above its head, and threw it straight at the reptilian monster. The dark electrified projectile slammed into the creature, which threw its claws up in an attempt to stop the attack. But to the crimson stallion's amazement, the ball continued to force itself onto the creature, and eventually, the 'Giga Gagagigo' was consumed by the blast, vaporized by the overwhelming power. The ball of energy collapsed in on itself, and vanished into nothingness.

The crimson stallion watched the destruction of his strongest Monster, his mouth agape, a dumbfounded look on his face. "B-b-but how? How could your Monster defeat mine so easily? 'Giga Gagagigo' was far stronger than 'Summoned Skull', thanks to 'Star Boy' and 'Banner of Courage'!", he questioned.

Unique held up one of his cards, the 'Shield and Sword' Spell he had played. "This card switches the attack of all face-up Monsters on the field with their defense for a single turn," Unique explained. "Your Monster had a high attack factor, but I noticed its defense wasn't. So I switched your Monster's defense with its attack, making it weak enough for my Monster to destroy it." Unique then pointed at the stallion's Duel Disk. "And since my 'Summoned Skull's' destroyed your Monster with a higher attack factor, you take damage to your Lifepoints as a result."

The stallion looked at his Lifepoints counter, and saw it had been reduced by 500 points, equal to the difference between the attack factors of both their Monsters.

"But why didn't 'Summoned Skull's' defense switch with its attack as well?", the stallion wondered.

"Because 'Summoned Skull' was not on the field when I activated the Spell card, so it was unaffected. And now that 'Giga Gagagigo' is out of the way, i can focus on getting rid of your other Monsters," Unique replied. His 'Summoned Skull' growled heavily as it used its claws to make a threatening gesture at the surprised crimson stallion.

Unique put his free hand on his hip. "I'll end my turn here. Make your move, servant of the Ancient One."

Snapping himself out of his shock, the stallion drew his next card from his Deck. Looking at the card, he grunted in annoyance. Unique took that to mean that it was a dead end. His opponent had drawn a useless card. The crimson stallion added the card to his hand nevertheless, and turned his attention to the cards on his Duel Disk. "Since I've nothing to play this turn, I'll switch my 'Star Boy to Defense position," he grumbled as he turned the Monster card sideways. The starfish creature curled its appendages over its face as he did so. "I'll end my turn there," he concluded.

Unique drew his next card. "I'll summon 'Robotic Knight' to battle!", he exclaimed as he inserted his card into the slot. A bright flash of light, and a new Monster stood at the ready next to 'Summoned Skull'. The new creature was a mechanical soldier, about half the size of the 'Summoned Skull'. It wore a sort of metallic naval captain's hat upon its head, which complimented its military decorations. It held a sharp cutlass in one hand, while the other was replaced with a rotary machine gun. A green slit of light glared out from beneath the hat.

"Now, my Monsters! Attack his Monster now, and break his defenses for good!", Unique called out, pointing at his opponent's 'Star Boy' and 'Goblin Attack Force'.

The 'Robotic Knight' stood sideways as it raised its gun arm up at the 'Goblin Attack Force', their eyes and faces wild with panic as the gun began to rotate, slowly at first, but steadily speeding up. A few seconds later, a heavy barrage of bullets swamped the helpless creatures, their bodies falling limp on top of each other, riddled with wounds. When the last of the goblins collapsed, the corpse pile began to glow, and shattered into hundreds of fragments of light that floated upwards, vanishing before they even reached the branches of the trees towering over the combatants.

The 'Summoned Skull' reared its head and let out a mighty roar as it sprinted towards the 'Star Boy', a single swipe of its claws slicing the creature clean into halves, the mischievous smirk on its face replaced by a fearful frown as it too, disappeared in a flash of fragmented light.

His Monsters all extinguished, the crimson stallion stared at his non-existent defenses, his own self now left vulnerable to attack, hi Lifepoints now in danger.

"I end my turn. It's your move," Unique said, his Monsters returning to his side.

The stallion gulped. His hand shook as he went to draw his next card. When he picked it up and looked at it, his eyes went wide, and he looked across the field at Unique. Unique could tell what was the matter - his opponent didn't have any Monsters to protect himself with. That was why he was worried now. Because he was going to lose.

"I...I...end my...my turn," the stallion finally said.

Unique drew his last card of the game, and pointed directly at the stallion, who hung his head low in defeat. "'Summoned Skull'! Finish him off with one swipe of your claw!", the pegasus ordered.

The 'Summoned Skull' didn't hesitate, and it charged straight towards the stallion, roaring as it reared its claw high, ready to deliver the final strike. It was just before 'Summoned Skull' was about to deal the finished blow, that Unique suddenly noticed the stallion so slightly raised his head, revealing a smirk, and a glint of confidence in his eyes.

"What's that all about?", Unique wondered.

The 'Summoned Skull' lunged at the crimson stallion, its claw driving right through him, his Lifepoints counter beeping as the remainder of his score dwindled down to nothing. With that, the Duel was over. With a final roar of victory, the 'Summoned Skull' began to fade away from the field, as did the cards set in play by both Duelists, their presence no longer needed, until the next Duel.

Unique removed his cards from his Duel Disk as he approached the stallion, still standing, his back slouched over, his head hanging in shame. Placing the cards back into his Deck, Unique stopped in front of the stallion. "I won. Now you tell me where the Ancient One is," Unique demanded.

The stallion's body began to twitch and shake, much to Unique's surprise. Slowly, the stallion lifted his head, as his face held a disturbing expression, the sound of mad laughter echoing from his mouth. Unique was taken aback at first, but steeled himself. "What's so funny?", barked the pegasus.

The stallion let out another laugh, before replying. "You are, little fool. You came here believing that you're going to beat the Ancient One? That you'll become the first Duelist to win the promised prize of a granted wish?". Another laugh. "You can't begin to imagine the power of my master. His is the greatest power, one that triumphs all others like yourself. You won't find victory here today, only the true meaning of pain and suffering!"

Unique narrowed his eyes, and grabbed the stallion by the scruff of his neck. "I've more than enough reason to face the Ancient One. If he can truly grant the wish of anypony who can beat him in a Duel, then I have to try. Now take me to him!"

The stallion just smiled. "There is no need. He has come to you," he said quietly.

A large shadow fell upon the stallion's face, Unique, confused by this, looked up to see the sky suddenly darken. Strange, it couldn't be late already, and so suddenly. He heard panicked squawking coming from all around him, and he notcied flocks of birds and scores of woodland creatures running off in all directions. "What in Tartarus is going on?", he demanded the stallion in his grip. The stallion's eyes looked aside to something behind Unique. When Unique turned his head around to see what it is, he saw only a pair of shadowy hands coming towards him, before his whole world went black.

Somewhere in the darkness, a voice rang out. "Hell has arrived, Unique."

Author's Notes:

In Chapter Three of Episode Zero - Unique faces the Ancient One for the first time, but nothing could prepare him for what he is about to endure.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I hope you will return to see what happens in the next part. Until then, my audience - Allon-sy!

Episode Zero, Chapter Three: Duel With The Devil

"To give pain, or to receive it? You may have the one, which you hate the most..."

Unique felt an unnatural cold burning through his body as he slowly began to awaken, his consciousness returning to him As his vision became less of a blur, he saw no leaves or twigs of the forest he was in before, but icy, cracked stone. Puzzled, Unique began to pick himself up, and looked around.

He no longer was in the forest. It was a cemetery.

All around him, there were numerous gravestones, many of them worn by time and decay, others cracked and breaking apart. The writings upon them all were withered, almost illegible. An eerie fog shrouded the place, and the air felt awfully cold, seemingly chilling the pegasus from the inside. The graveyard seemed to stretch endlessly, a vast plain littered with burial mounds and grave markers, and far, far away in the distance, massive rusted iron fences marked the supposed edges of this realm, extending upwards and higher still, into a vast infinite sky, that was darker than the blackest of Lady Luna's nights.

Unique felt a great unease in his stomach, as he looked high and low at his surroundings. Where was he? How did he get here? Who was responsible for this?

A voice violated the cruel silence, a deep raspy voice accompanied by possibly a hundred quieter voices, screams and sobbing just faintly heard amid the bone-chilling tone that spoke to him. "And so another enters my sanctum." Unique spun around, but saw nopony there.

"W-ho is there? Who are you?", the pegasus demanded, his eyes darting here and there for any sign of other life here besides himself.

"Many have there been before you, who asked me this question, and to them all did I give the same answer," the voice replied, seeming to come from every direction and angle. "I am a shadow born from the light of the first dawn, a demon that witnessed the birth of the world, and trod its burning sands, drank from its salted oceans, watched it evolve over time and age. I am many things, but to you and those like yourself, I am the Ancient One."

Unique looked to the endless void that was the sky, as if maybe the voice was that of some higher deity, speaking from the black heavens above. "Then you are the one who grants the wishes of anypony who beats you, right?".

Replied the voice, "Yes. But none have there been who have proven worthy of that prize. But perhaps you may be of some amusement, Unique?"

Unique took a step back at the mentioning of his name. "My name...how did -"

"I heard your name through my servant before you Dueled him," the voice replied before Unique had a chance to finish his sentence. "Through my servants, I can see and hear the world through their eyes and ears. They are my connections, my links, to the realms outside my own. But enough talk. Time is withering away, and my cards wish to do battle now."

If the air wasn't cold before, it certainly was now, as Unique swore his very sou had just frozen over, an ill wind causing the hairs of his fur to spike up. He felt a strange presence behind him, and as he turned to look, he watched in surprise as a large black hole opened up in the ground just a few feet from where he stood. shadowy arms slowly rose from the edges of the circle, followed by the moans and groans of presumably tortured damned souls. From the center, a figure began to emerge, adopting the form of a stallion wearing some strange sort of helmet with large horns protruding out of it. Two smaller curved horns stuck out from the top of his head. He wore a very old-looking attire, bits of armor and royal linen adorning his body, tattered strands of cloth wrapped and hanging from his arms. A pair of jagged wings flapped behind his back, and he glared at Unique with a sinister pair of red eyes, an unnerving smile upon his lips.

When the figure had fully emerged from the ground, the shadowy hands were pulled back into the hole, and the hole closed up beneath the figures feet. He looked the white pegasus up and down, before giving a polite bow. Unique's body tensed up, cringing a little, when the figure spoke, his voice the sound of a hundred voices at once, satanic in tone and reeking of falseness. "I am the Ancient Duelist, and I welcome you to my sanctum of Shadows, Unique." He straightened himself up, and held out his arm, a large black Duel Disk appearing out of nowhere and strapping itself to it. "Now, shall we begin?"

Unique gulped as he steadied his nerve, the appearance of the Ancient One intimidating him and putting him in a state of unease. Come on, Unique, you got to pull it together. You've come this far following rumors and hoping they were true. You know they were now, and you can't suddenly lose your cool because of some scary-looking stallion. Taking a deep breath and opening his eyes again, Unique nodded. "I'm ready."

The Ancient One smiled, his Duel Disk brought in front of him. "Good! Then come, and dance with the Devil himself in the abyss of Darkness!"

DUEL! Unique VS. The Ancient One!

Five cards drawn, his hand on top of his Deck, the Ancient One called out to his new challenger. "I'll play first card, and I draw!" Picking up the card from the top of his Deck, he gave it a look, and placed it in his hand. "I'll start my turn," he began as he held up a card between his fingers, "by laying this card on the Field." He inserted the card into his disk, and a larger duplicate of the card appeared in front of him, face-down like the card he had placed.

"And then, I will summon the 'Vampire Baby', in Attack mode!", he exclaimed. He placed his Monster card into his Duel Disk, and in front of the face-down card, a bright light appeared. It flashed for a few seconds, and then disappeared, leaving behind a small infantile creature with eerie blue eyes, a pair of long pointy ears, and two sharp fangs. It giggled like an innocent child, and nuzzled the green cloak wrapped around itself. "My child of the night looks quite adorable, does he not?", the Ancient One asked with a small smile as the creature continued to coo. "I will end my turn. Now show me your power, Unique."

Unique looked at the creature curiously. It probably looks cute, but I'll bet it's a lot more dangerous than it looks, the pegasus thought to himself. "Okay, my turn. I draw my card." Picking the top card of his Deck and dding it to his hand, Unique took a moment to see what he had to work with. "For my turn I'll play one card on the Field," Unique announced, setting his card in his Duel Disk, "and for my Monster, I'll summon my 'Dark Blade' to battle!". Another bright light flashed in front of Unique, and when it went away, a large Monster wearing spiked black armor appeared. A pair of red eyes glared from beneath its helmet. It carried a pair of huge swords in its hands, which it swung side to side as it let out a deep battle cry.

Unique pointed towards the 'Vampire Baby', which was now rocking back and forth on the spot. "Now, 'Dark Blade'! With your mighty swords, attack the 'Vampire Baby'!", he commanded. The Ancient One put that Monster in Attack mode, but its attack power is weaker than my Monster's, so he'll suffer battle damage. For the most powerful Duelist in existence, he made a pretty big mistake.

The 'Dark Blade' held its swords high above its head as it charged towards the 'Vampire Baby'. Neither the 'Vampire Baby' nor the Ancient One flinched when the 'Dark Blade' brought its swords down upon the small creature, slicing it clean in two halves. The halves of the Monster broke into fragments of light, and disappeared into thin air, but not before the destroyed Monster let out a final childish giggle.

The Ancient One smiled. "I'll activate this Trap card of mine in response to your attack, the Jar Of Greed'." He turned his face-down card over, revealing a picture of a weird grinning jar. "This card allows me to draw one card from my Deck," he said, as he proceeded to do so. Looking at the card he had picked up, he gave an approving smile, and added it to his hand.

The Ancient One looked down at his Duel Disk to the counter on top. "I lose 1100 Lifepoints from that attack. It is nothing to fret about," he said with a shrug. His reaction surprised Unique. He just lost Lifepoints, but he's acting it's no big deal to him? I wonder if that card he drew has something to do with it...

Unique decided not to think about it for now. The supposedly scary and powerful Duelist he had sought to battle had already suffered damage, so Unique had a good lead in this fight. "After that attack, my turn is over," Unique said, as his 'Dark Blade returned to his side, its black cape swaying side to side with each movement.

"Now let's see how he retaliates," Unique said quietly to himself.

"I draw my card," the Ancient One called. He examined his new card, and immediately placed it on his Duel Disk, along with another card from his hand. "For my turn, I'll lay these two cards down on the Field, and then I'll set this Monster," he held up the card he was referring to, though with the back side facing Unique so he could not see what it was, "face-down, in Defense. I'll end my turn here."

Unique looked at the Ancient One, a little confused and suspicious. "He didn't try to fight back? Either he doesn't have a stronger Monster to use against my 'Dark Blade', or he has something else in mind," he muttered. With it being his turn now, he drew his card from his Deck. It was a Spell card - 'Dian Keto the Cure Master'.

"I'll start my turn by playing two Spell cards," Unique yelled, inserting two cards into his Duel Disk. On the Field, two larger depictions of the cards he had inserted appeared. One card was titled 'Dian Keto the Cure Master', and the other, 'Goblin Thief'. "My first Spell card increases my Lifepoints by 1000 points, while my second card takes 500 Lifepoints from you, and adds it to mine!", the pegasus explained raising his fist. I was going to save those Spells for later, but it's probably better to get an advantage over him now, thought Unique.

The counter on his Duel Disk beeped as his score increased, his Lifepoints increasing to 5500, while the Ancient One's Lifepoints reduced by 500. The Ancient One responded with a sigh and another shrug. Unique stared at him. "Why isn't he bothered about his Lifepoints going down? What is he up to?", Unique whispered to himself. He took another card from his hand, and played it on his Duel Disk. "I'll summon a new Monster to the Field - go, 'Maryokutai'!", he called out, as a transparent skull with a large red pulsing organ on its cranium appeared. It floated above the ground, green eyes staring forward.

"Now, 'Dark Blade'! Attack that face-down Monster!", Unique yelled. As his command, the 'Dark Blade' ran straight towards the card, and the card turned itself over as it came closer. From out of the card, a large graying turtle with an even bigger pyramid-like structure on its back appeared. With two swings of its swords, the 'Dark Blade' sliced the strange creature into halves, and dispersed into fragments of light.

Unique watched the scene before him in wonder. "What in the name of Mother Faust was that Monster?"

His answer came in the form of laughter from the Ancient One. "The Monster your 'Dark Blade' just killed off was 'Pyramid Turtle', a Zombie Monster with a special effect." He put the cards in his hand into another slot on his Duel Disk, and then took out his Deck from the small compartment they were stored in. "When my 'Pyramid Turtle' is destroyed as a rsult of battle," he explained as he searched the contents of his Deck, "I can special summon any Zombie Monster with 2000 Defense or less to the Field, straight from my Deck." He stopped at one of his cards and smiled wickedly. "Ah, this one will do nicely."

Taking the card out, and shuffling the rest of his cards before placing them back into the compartment, he took back the cards he had in his hand, and then placed the card taken out of his Deck onto the Duel Disk. "The Monster I special summon to the Field, will be my 'Soul-Absorbing Bone Tower'!", he shouted. Suddenly, from out of the ground, a large towering spire of bones burst through, throwing soil everywhere, and knocking over a few headstones in the cemetery. The spire was adorned with thousands of skulls, each one groaning and moaning in agony. At the top of the spire, several ghostly apparitions circled around like vultures, their own cries added to the chorus of pain.

Unique looked on at the sight of the horrendous structure, mouth agape in shock. "What the Tartarus is THAT thing?", he cried, fear evident in his voice, his eyes wide.

The Ancient One grinned. "It is a nightmare, and with good reason." He motioned to the spire of bones. "While I have another Zombie Monster in play, your Monsters will not be able to attack the 'Soul-Absorbing Bone Tower'.

Unique, his eyes still fixed on the Monster, replied, "But, you don't have any other Monsters on your Field besides this one?"

Chuckled the Ancient One, "True indeed, Unique. So I will correct that." He turned over the two face-down cards behind his Monster on his Duel Disk. "I activate ''Call of the Haunted', and 'Book of Life'!" The cards revealed themselves on the Field, and both began to glow brightly. "'Call of the Haunted' revives one Monster in my Graveyard and special summons it to my Field, keeping it alive so long as this card remains in play. 'Book of Life' revives any Zombie Monster from my Graveyard, and removes one card from yours from play."

Unique's eyes widened even more. "But then...that means...!"

The Ancient One smirked. "Yes. The Monsters you destroyed will rise from the shackles of Death once more!" At that, two coffins burst from out of the ground, the lids opening by themselves. A massive cloud of dust and smoke poured out off them, sending Unique into a coughing fit. When the cloud has cleared away, the 'Pyramid Turtle' and 'Vampire Baby' from before stood where the coffins had been, their eyes set on Unique, two pairs of dead, menacing eyes staring him down.

"There is also another effect that the 'Soul-Absorbing Bone Tower' possesses - whenever a Zombie Monster is special summoned, two cards are sent from the top of your Deck to the Graveyard. And since I special summoned two Zombies..."

"...I lose four cards from my Deck," Unique finished, looking down at his Deck, secured in the side of his Duel Disk. Is that why he wasn't worried about his Monsters being destroyed? So he could revive his fallen another turn later?

The Ancient One raised his hand to the 'Soul-Absorbing Bone Tower'. "Correct, and now, the souls of this spire of bone, come forth and wither his Deck!"

At the command of the Ancient One, the ghostly apparitions atop the tower began to descend, spiraling around the tower as they fell. They then circled around Unique, who spun around as he tried to keep watch on them, while trying to bat them away with his arm, but to no avail. A stinging chill ran down his arm as he tried to swat them, his arm passing through them as if they were but thin air.

They then flew towards his Duel Disk, and with long bony arms, they each grabbed a card from the top of his Deck, flying around him and placing it into his Graveyard slot as they passed him. As the forth card was sent to the Graveyard slot, the ghostly creatures circled Unique one last time, before racing back to the top of the tower wailing and screaming.

After he was able to regain his composure, Unique looked at his Graveyard, and his face expression irritation. "Damn it! The cards I've lost from that effect could have been useful," the pegasus growled.

"That is the least of your troubles, I assure you," the Ancient One laughed, a horrible croaking echo. He pointed at his 'Pyramid Turtle' and 'Vampire Baby'. "Because they were only special summoned to the Field, I can still summon another Monster>" He picked one of the cards still in his hand, and played it on his Duel Disk. "The Monster I summon to this battle, will be the 'Mystic Tomato'!"

The new Monster that materialized onto the field looked like a large tomato with a malicious face. It laughed psychotically as it jiggled about on the spot. The Ancient One smiled in amusement. "This Monster may look like nothing more than a rotten vegetable, but his dark powers make him more than a bad stomachache! 'Mystic Tomato'! Attack the 'Maryokutai' with your dark powers!"

The creature was then shrouded in a black aura of magic, which suddenly shot towards Unique's 'Maryokutai' like a shadowy projectile. The aura projectile struck the skull-like creature, exploding upon contact, and destroying 'Maryokutai'.

"With that, you lose 500 Lifepoints from the difference between our Monsters' attack factors," the Ancient One grinned. "I'll place one last card down on the field, and end my turn."

Unique looked at each of the Monsters opposite his side. The Ancient One had more Monsters than he did, but none of them was stronger than his own 'Dark Blade'. Unique allowed himself a little smile, comforted by that fact. "My turn! I draw from my Deck!". He checked the card he had drawn. A Monster card, the 'Mystical Elf'. Hmm, this card doesn't have a lot of attack power, but with 2000 defense, it'll hold its own against the Ancient One's Monsters until I figure out something.

"I'll set one Monster down on my Field, and command the 'Dark Blade' to strike at your 'Vampire Baby'!", Unique shouted, placing his card on his Duel Disk and gesturing to his Monster. The 'Dark Blade' raised its swords and charged at the little vampire creature.

However, before it had a chance to swing its swords at the Monster, the Ancient One raised his hand. "Not so fast! I activate the Spell card, 'Book of Moon'!", he exclaimed as he turned his face-down card over. As he did so, the 'Dark Blade' stopped in its tracks, and then disappeared out of sight. Unique, shocked at seeing his Monster vanishing without reason, looked around him, but saw no sight of the 'Dark Blade'. "What!? W-where did my Monster go?", he questioned.

"The 'Book of Moon' Spell flips one Monster card face-down upon activation," the Ancient One answered. "You still have your Monster, but it doesn't get to finish its battle this turn."

Unique grunted in anger. "Damn it, and my other monster is already face-down. Gah! I'll end my turn, then."

The Ancient One drew his next card from his Deck. His face broke out into a huge grin. "Muhahahahahaha! It wont be long now before you taste the sourness of defeat, mortal!", laughed the Ancient One. "And the countdown to your demise begins with this card!" He inserted the card into the slot on his Duel Disk, and it appeared on the field. A Spell card. 'Zera Ritual'

Unique's face contorted into a look of fear and dread. "Oh no! A Ritual card!". And I bet he has the Ritual Monster for that card in his hand as well!

The Ancient One continued. "By playing this card, I am required to sacrifice Monsters from my field whose Levels total 8 or more. I think it is safe to say I have enough," he smirked mockingly. "I'll offer my 'Soul-Absorbing Bone Tower', 'Pyramid Turtle', and 'Vampire Baby' as sacrifices for this ritual!". The Monsters mentioned by the Ancient One began to glow, and were all suddenly sucked into the Spell card, which then opened up into a large swirling vortex of darkness.

From out of the vortex, a gigantic monstrosity stepped out onto the field. It towered high over Unique, wearing a large purple cape around itself. Its head was long and had numerous horns, its mouth filled with sharp teeth. It had huge vicious claws for hands and feet, and a skull was visible near its groin area. Several gravestones were crushed beneath its feet, as it stepped out of the vortex. The creature reared its head back, and let out a powerful roar, announcing its arrival.

"Behold!", the Ancient One yelled loudly as he gestured to the beast, the vortex from which it came from closing up behind it. "Welcome my 'Zera the Mant', and the countdown to your own destruction, mortal!"

Unique stared up into the monster's soulless eyes, desperately trying to keep his courage from slipping away as he gazed at the newly summoned creature, born from the depths of the darkness within the darkness.

"How will I fight such a powerful creature as that?", Unique whispered to himself

Author's Notes:

In the next Chapter, Unique faces off against the Ancient One's terrifying monstrosity. But little does he know, that his opponent has not yet shown the REAL evil of his Deck...

I hope that you enjoy this Chapter. The next one will be the final chapter for Episode Zero, and then we can move on to the Episode One chapters of this story.

I wish to give a mention to one of the readers of this story - megamataman. S/he recommended the YGOPRO dueling simulation game to me for use in this story. However, as good as his intentions were, I am unable to utilize the system to depict the story's Duels with imagery properly. For reasons of my own, I cannot use YGOPRO to present the images showing the Duel's in the story, so photographed imagery will continue to be placed in the chapters until further notice. However, I still find the YGOPRO simulation to be extremely fun, so thanks to the person in that respect!

Well, I may not be a great writer, but I hope you will consider returning soon for the last chapter to Episode Zero, and stick around for the beginning of Episode One.

- UniqueSKD

Episode Zero, Chapter Four: Consequences...

"And the Devil blackened the sun, eclipsing the Earth in Darkness. The mortals screamed. Cried. Begged for the Light. One soul, standing terrified before the majesty of the Darkness, whispered to the Devil, "What art thou, abomination?" Replied the Devil, "I am Nothing. And to that - AMEN!"

Unique stared into the soulless eyes of the monstrosity before him, the bluish beast glaring back at him with murderous intent. The fog enveloping the cemetery grounds suddenly seemed to thicken, and the ground cracked beneath the feet of 'Zera the Mant'.

Now THAT is a big Monster, Unique thought to himself, unable to take his eyes away from the beast. I don't have any strong Monsters in play capable of beating that thing, either. Thank Faust my Monsters were defending my Lifepoints.

"Now, great 'Zera the Mant'!", the Ancient One bellowed, the Monster's eyes turning their attention to him, "show this mortal the extent of your power, and destroy his face-down Monster with your powers of Darkness!"

The creature let out a mighty ferocious roar, as it stepped towards the card its master had chosen as its target. The card turned itself over, revealing a young feminine creature, the 'Mystical Elf'. Even in the presence of its executioner, the elven creature looked so peaceful and calm, its hands put together as if in prayer, its lips forming an innocent smile.

The 'Zera the Mant' cried out in bloodlust, rearing back its claw, before thrusting it forwards, impaling the poor creature through the chest. The 'Mystical Elf' eyes shot open wide, filled with horror and shock. Unique watched helplessly, as his Monster convulsed and spasmed for a full ten seconds, before its body went limp, shattering into fragments of light that dispersed and disappeared, signalling the absolute end of the poor creature, which tried to swat away the particles with its claw before returning to its master's side of the playing field.

Even the 'Mystical Elf' couldn't defend against that power, Unique elaborated in his mind. I'll have to play an even stronger Monster if I am going to beat this thing.

The Ancient One continued. "Since I already know your remaining face-down card is the 'Dark Blade', my 'Mystic Tomato' won't be able to destroy it, its Attack slightly lower than your Monster's Defense, so lucky for you, you still have a card in play to protect your Lifepoints. I have no choice but to end my turn here". He raised a hand out to Unique. "Go ahead, mortal. Let's see how you try to fight this situation now," laughed the Ancient One.

Unique shifted his eyes away from the Anicent One and the massive monster, drawing a card from his Deck, and looking at what he now had in his hand. Two Monster cards, and then the new card he had drawn, a Spell card titled 'Monster Reborn'. He turned his attention to the cards placed on his Duel Disk, his 'Dark Blade' Monster, still face-down from the effect of the Ancient One's 'Book of Moon' Spell, and the Trap card Unique had set at the very beginning of the Duel, 'Reinforcements'.

The Ancient Ones 'Zera the Mant' Monster is too strong for any of my Monsters to beat. I've got my strongest Monster in my hand, the 'Summoned Skull', but it's not still not strong enough to beat his Monster, unless I can lure him into attacking me. I can use my Trap card to strengthen 'Summoned Skull', and destroy his Monster.

"I'll sacrifice my 'Dark Blade' as a tribute, and summon my strongest card, the 'Summoned Skull'!", Unique shouted, as a bright light surrounded his card. The light swallowed the card whole, and a large skeletal figure emerged from out of the light. The light disappeared as the creature's whole form was revealed, green eyes glaring with anger, its small black wings stretched outwards as it gave a mighty roar.

"Since your 'Zera the Mant' is stronger than my 'Summoned Skull', it'd be suicide to attack it head on, so I will command my Monster to destroy your 'Mystic Tomato'!". Unique motioned to the vegetable creature, which was still grinning that same wicked smile. "Go, my Monster! Destroy the 'Mystic Tomato'!"

The 'Summoned Skull' raised its large claws to the sky, as a great blast of lightning struck its body. Electricity now circling around its claws, the 'Summoned Skull' drew both its arms back, and with a great thrust, a blast of electricity shot out from its claws, striking the 'Mystic Tomato' and causing it to explode on impact, leaving only a scorch mark where the creature had once been.

As the wave of electricity waned away from the 'Summoned Skull's' body, Unique allowed a small to form on his lips. "Since your 'Mystic Tomato' was in Attack mode when it was destroyed by my Monster, you lose Lifepoints, Ancient One," the white pegasus said. Now if he tries to attack my Monster during his turn, I'll activate my Trap card and defeat his Monster.

The Ancient One smirked as his Lifepoints fell. "It matters not that you destroyed my 'Mystic Tomato', mortal, for in doing so you activated its effect." The Ancient One then removed his Deck from his Duel Disk, and began to search through it. "When the 'Mystic Tomato' is destroyed as a result of battle, it allows me to special summon one DARK Monster from my Deck to the field." He took one card out from the Deck, and placed it on his Duel Disk. "The Monster I bring to the field, is 'Melchild the Four Face Beast'!

The Monster that materialized before Unique's eyes was a creature almost as big as himself. The creature, true to its name, had four different faces, its 'body' rotating now and then alternating between them, sad face changing to a happy one, from that to a fierce expression, and finally a look of fear, before the cycle repeated itself.

"Huh, he may have a another Monster to replace his other one, but if he attacks me, I'll be ready," the pegasus whispered quietly to himself. "I'll end my turn," he said aloud.

Said the Ancient One, "That you will, mortal, and your last turn in this Duel, it shall be." He drew a card from his Deck, and examined it. His face lit up, a wide grin splitting across his face, followed by maniacal laughter. "And now I have the card that will seal your fate!", he roared as he took a card from his hand and placed it on his Duel Disk. "You will now bear witness to the power the Darkness, in its most horrifying and evil form, your hopes of winning this Duel crushed from a single blow from my ultimate Monster!"

Ultimate...Monster? But...I thought his strongest Monster was 'Zera the Mant'? What card did he draw? Unique felt a sudden unease wash over him like a tidal wave, a bead of sweat ran from his forehead.

Continued the Ancient One, "and your destruction begins with this Spell card - 'Enemy Controller'!". From out of thin air, small black cloud materialized, and two long clawed hands reached out of it, and grabbed hold of the 'Summoned Skull's' head, causing the Monster to roar in confusion and agony as the hands seemed to be trying to dig inside of it, before disappearing completely, cloud and all. Unique then watched in absolute shock, as his 'Summoned Skull' began walking over to the Ancient One's field, taking a place by the side of the opposing Monsters.

"W-what happened!? What did you do to my 'Summoned Skull', you bastard!?", Unique demanded. "'Summoned Skull'! Come back!". Unique's plea's fell on deaf ears, the 'Summoned Skull' did not heed its owner's order.

"Your 'Summoned Skull' is under my control now," the Ancient One chuckled darkly. "It is under the effect of my Spell card, 'Brain Control'. At the cost of 800 of my Lifepoints, I can assume command of one of your Monsters for this turn." His evil eyes scanned his opponent's field, before returning their focus upon the shocked pegasus. "You've no Monster to protect you from a direct attack. While I could command my Monsters to assault you directly, I would prefer to finish this Duel with my ultimate Monster." He smirked, and Unique felt a strange chill creep through his bones. "After all, it has been a while since it's bloodlust was last sated."

"And so, time will not be wasted any further. Mortal, you shall have the rare honor of meeting your end at the hands of the perfect incarnation of evil most foul!", cried the Ancient One. He grinned, baring his sharp teeth as he removed his Monsters from his Duel Disk. "To summon my ultimate Monster, I must offer sacrifice to appease it. Three offerings are needed, and now that I assumed control of your 'Summoned Skull', I have the necessary tributes to bring my Monster forth." Unique watched as the Ancient One's Monsters, as well as his 'Summoned Skull', disappeared from the Field as their cards were removed.

I've never known of a Monster that required more than two sacrifices to be summoned to the field. Just what the hell kind of creature is he summoning? Something flickered in the corner of Unique's eyes, and he looked up to see very faint lights in the dark void of the sky. They flashed at random intervals, spreading all over the place with each flash. "What the hell is going on?", wondered Unique, awe and fright in his voice.

Unique's attention was brought back to the Ancient One, as a massive vortex of shadows materialized behind him, growing in size as a thin tear in the fabric of reality, and opening slowly as the sound of screams accompanying the noise of thunder echoed all around the pegasus. From out of the tear in the vortex, a massive clawed hand reached out towards Unique, who jumped back in terror.

"Wha...what...is that thing?", Unique stammered, his eyes wide, his mouth agape, his entire being frozen stiff, paralyzed by a sudden feeling of dread.

The Ancient One only roared with laughter, as a massive shadowy figure began to force its way from out of the shadowy vortex. "This, mortal, is the ultimate incarnation of evil. A perfect instigator of torment and suffering in forms most cruel and legendary." The Ancient One turned around, and was greet by a pair of red eyes, and a hideous grin. The Ancient One raised his arm to the creature, which was nearly completely out of the vortex. "This Monster is exactly that - a true Monster. One that heralds the beginning of oblivion, and the end to it. A beast unlike anything you've ever seen in the game of Duel Monsters, and one you'll dream of in your eternal nightmarish sleep, mortal. Behold! Kneel before the might of my ultimate Monster! One of the Gods of Duel Monsters - 'Obelisk the Tormentor'!"

Unique stared in horror at the gigantic monstrosity before him. Never before had the pegasus seen such a terrible creature in his life, nor had there ever been a creature, both real or imaginary, that had filled him with such dread as what was running through him right now. When the creature roared, the skies exploded with thunder, erupting with flashes of lightning and fiery hot streaks at the sound of this ungodly beast.

And only the Ancient One was unaffected by the fear-inducing spell his Monster had on Unique. "Is my God not magnificent, mortal? Few have there been who proved worthy of seeing this glorious card, this perfect living oblivion. He is invincible. No effect can touch him. No Monster can match him. No Duelist can beat him!"

Unique backed away a few steps, intimidated. "A-a-a God M-monster!? No way! It can't be true!"

"Do you see the world with false eyes, mortal? Or are you not yet able to comprehend the truth when it clearly stands before you? Believe your eyes this time, fool. You stand in the presence of a God!"

Unique somehow managed to find the will to swallow the fear consuming him, his mind clear just enough to think. "B-but even if it is a God, it's attack power is still not enough to beat me in a single strike!"

Unique's fact was answered with a shrill laugh. "Have you not wondered why I allowed you to reduce my Lifepoints, mortal?" the Ancient One queried. "I have planned everything from the very moment our Duel began! You were never in control of the game! I permitted you the illusion of victory, so as to assure my own!". The Ancient One took a card from his hand, and showed it to the pegasus. "I activate this Spell card - 'Megamorph'! It is an Equip Spell that doubles the power of the Monster I attach it to when my Lifepoints are lower than my opponents." He placed the card on his Duel Disk. "I allowed you to lower my Lifepoints to make certain I would be able to use this card properly. With only 500 Lifepoints left, My 'Obelisk the Tormentor's' power will double!"

Unique's pupils shrank to the size of pinpricks. Oh no...oh no oh no oh no OH NO OH NO! Then that means... his Monster...he...he...!

The Ancient One let out a dark chuckle. "Yes, mortal. You have lost this Duel! I have WON!". He turned to face Obelisk the Tormentor'. "Great God of all Monsters! With the invincible powers you possess, I command you to end this Duel with my victory, and destroy this vermin! Strike him down, with the Godly Wrath Fist!", the maniacal stallion roared.

'Obelisk the Tormentor' gave a nod of the head, still wearing that awful smile on its face. Its red piercing eyes fell upon Unique, the white pegasus shaking in fear before the presence of the brute. The Monster raised a fist to the dark sky, and a thousand bolts of fire and lightning struck at it, charging it with all the energy of their power. Its fist ignited with flame and sparks, 'Obelisk the Tormentor' reared back its fist, and thrust it forward towards Unique, throwing its punch with all of its godly might while roaring a sickening sound.

When the creature's fist struck Unique, his whole world turned white instantly. Agonizing pain unlike anything even the most imaginative minds could hope to comprehend filled his entire being. Unique's flesh felt as though it had become sentient, and was trying to tear itself away from his body. His bones felt like they were repeatedly breaking into splinters, then reforming themselves, and breaking some more. His veins felt like they were on fire, and melting away like wax of a lit candle, or a plate of butter near an open fire, yet his blood felt not as if it was boiling, but freezing like water into ice.

Oh, the pain! The bizarre and maddening pain! So much of it, and from head to hoof the pegasus felt it. He felt the skin around his eyes pulling back, and the corner of his mouth. He felt his hair on the verge of tearing from his head, and his fur close to ripping from his skin.

And all he could do was stand there, and scream into the white light.

And when the pain finally did subside, after what must have felt like an eternity, his world ceased to be white, instead turning black as he fell to the ground, blacking out, his mind rendered unconscious.

The Ancient One walked over to his unconscious body, gazing down at the still figure, his cards scattered on the ground. "Oh, no no no, mortal," the Ancient One tutted as he shook his head disapprovingly.

"You do not have my permission to die. Not yet..."

- - - - - - - - - -

The sound of birdsong filled the white pegasus' ears as his consciousness returned to him. Opening his eyes, Unique groaned as he tried to sit upright, an immense pain still throbbing all over his body, a strange numb feeling in some places as well. As his eyes began to adjust to the warm sunlight peeking down at him, Unique realized he was no longer in the cemetery world. Of the Ancient One, there was no sign.

Ugh, my head...where...what happened? Where...where am I now? Picking himself up from the ground, he saw he was on a grassy hillside outside of a small town, one which was all too familiar to the pegasus. What the...it's my home town! But how? My travels took me a week's distance away from here. How is it I'm back so soon? Is this the work of the Ancient One?

Grimacing from his pain as he took a step forward, Unique sighed. |The Ancient One...damn it. I thought I had him. I was so close. I could have had my wish granted. I guess there's no point fretting over it now. Father must be worried sick about me. I only hope there is another way to treat his illness. Unique then looked down at his Duel Disk, still attached to his arm, the blades folded. My cards. My Monsters. At least they -

Unique stopped when he noticed that his Deck was missing. Thinking he had dropped them, he turned around to see no sign of them. He scanned the area for a while, but found no trace of his cards. Then a thought came to him. The rumors said that those who lose to the Ancient One lose something precious to them. Damn it! Then the Ancient One must have taken my Deck as his prize!. Unique sighed again, turning back around to carry on his way towards the town. Father gave me that Deck when he taught me the game. I only hope he won't be too disappointed.

Your father has more worrying matters at hand, mortal.

Unique stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widened and his heart skipped a beat at the sound of that voice. "Ancient One!? What are you doing here?". Unique spun around, ignoring how much it hurt to do so, but saw nothing of the Ancient One. High and low his eyes searched, but of his enemy there was no sign. "Where are you? Show yourself!"

An awful laugh echoed in Unique's head, seemingly coming from all around him at once. You shall not find me nearby, mortal. I am here in my dark domain, your cards in one hand, and that which you hold dear in my other.

Unique's face scrunched into an expression of confusion. "What do you mean by that? My Deck was my most valuable belonging in my possession!"

Again, the wicked laughter echoed. Was it now, mortal? Are you sure there was not another thing that you held dear to your heart? A childhood toy? A trophy?. The Ancient One's voice deepened to a hinting sinister tone. A loving parent?

Unique's eyes went even wider at that, as a terrible thought came to him, and caused him to shake, both in anger and fright.. "What...w-what have you...?"

Those before you who have challenged me have sought many things. They sought power. Sought wealth. Immortality. Many have there been before you who sought to defeat me, and claim their prize, the promise of a single wish granted. Many have there been, and all of them have fallen before my power. Do you remember not the cemetery in which we battled? Each gravestone belongs to a Duelist as foolish as you were, broken and destroyed by my power. For the price for defeat in a Shadow Duel, is Death.

However, mortal, as foolish as you were to think you stood a chance against the power of Darkness, you were...mildly entertaining. A more competent foe than those before you were. Thus, you did not meet the same fate as the others. I spared your life, and saved you from meeting a most terrible torture. But merciful, I was not. You lost the Duel, mortal, and you must suffer consequence. Therefore, I exchanged one torment for another, and resigned you to it. Your life and soul are yours, but your dear, poor father...well...parents often sacrifice much for the sake of their children, do they not?

Unique felt weak, his white body turned whiter as it paled, as he began to understand what the Ancient One meant. "No...no, you didn't...you...NO! FATHER!"

His wings shot out and flapped furiously as Unique hastily took off into the air. Pain came with each flap of his wing, but he forced himself to ignore it. His mind was set on one objective, one thing more important to him right now. The sun resonated shades of orange and red as it began to set in the horizon, the pegasus darting as fast as his little body could take him to the little house that he called home.

The front door was broken, torn from its hinges, and laying on the porch. Unique landed, his hooves meeting the wood, and ran inside. The sight within made his heart beat wildly as panic set in. Every room was a complete mess, as if a tornado had swept through the household. Furniture was either knocked over or broken. The walls were stained with sploshes of red, the wallpaper torn and abundant with claw marks. Picture frames had been damaged, shattered glass upon the floor, memories torn and shredded. Unique ran from room to room, terrified of the one sight he dreaded to see, but desperate to find the stallion he held dearly to his heart.

It was only when Unique entered the study room, the one room in the house which his father would often occupy the most, that Unique came upon a most upsetting scene, the pages of countless books torn and strewn around the room, the painting of Unique and his father and mother completely destroyed, and the small desk and table broken and scattered around the place.

And in the middle of the room, perfectly still, and covered in blood, was a sight the pegasus had dreaded witnessing.

"F-f-father...no...oh, divine mother of Faust, no..."

Author's Notes:

Unique's father is dead. And with his death, Episode Zero comes to an end, and the beginning of Episode One.

Hope you enjoy this story so far. Episode One chapters will consist mostly of dialogue, no Duels happen in its chapters. There will be no Duels until Episode Two.

To everyone who is reading my story so far, thank you for giving it the benefit of the doubt, and I hope you'll be here to see what unravels in Episode Two of 'The Duelist - The Beginning'!

- UniqueSKD