Yu-Gi-Oh! The Pitfall Hero

Driven by this escalating jealousy and unable to accept the status quo, Franz made an irreparable mistake by taking the Winged Dragon of Ra with him and fleeing from the International Fantasy Society, arriving at the Duel Academy where the GX tournament was being held.

Pegasus's purpose in coming here was to clean up the mess left by his subordinate, and while taking back the card, he also took the opportunity to punish Franz for doing such a thing.

Pegasus originally intended to personally engage in the duel using his own deck, but after seeing Yusei and the others appear in the principal's office, his idea changed.

Pegasus, who believed in fate and had witnessed Yugi Muto create miracles countless times, vaguely saw the qualities of the Duel King in Yusei, the boy he met for the first time.

Therefore, he planned to take this opportunity to see what kind of miracle this special boy could bring about.

If nothing unexpected happens, Yusei-boy should be a special duelist beloved by the Spirits, just like Yugi-boy and Kaiba-boy, and should also be recognized by the God Cards.

If it had been ten years earlier, perhaps he could have created his own glorious legend in that era when duels began, just like Game Boy!

……

"Alas, in the past, there have been those who tried to copy the God Cards, but without exception, they were punished by the wrathful blade of the gods, and some even lost their lives as a result..."

"...But even with such precedents, even knowing how dangerous and sinful it is to tamper with a copy of a god's card, ambitious people like Franz still keep appearing."

With a deep sigh, Pegasus turned his gaze to Yusei: "Yusei boy, just like Principal Samejima, I also hope you can help me with this and correct this good-for-nothing subordinate's mistakes."

"Ah, just leave it to me. Even without your request, I would have sought out this duelist who uses the God Cards to duel."

Patting his chest, Yusei gave Pegasus a reassuring look.

Now, he is eager to personally experience Camille's imposing aura.

Perhaps this clone of the Sun God has the potential to become a top-tier turtle food, just like the True Dragon Sword Emperor and Red Daddy.

"Franz, is that the name of the person who stole the Winged Dragon of Ra?"

With his chin resting on his palm, Jaden Yuki wore a thoughtful expression.

In fact, he also wanted to duel with the guy who was piloting the Winged Dragon of Ra, but since the guy had already asked Yusei for help, he couldn't bring himself to ask again.

Taking this opportunity, Jaden Yuki also intended to see for himself how this guy named Franz managed to evade the punishment of the gods and repeatedly try to control the Winged Dragon of Ra, which was the God Card.

"That guy named Franz is a card designer, which means... he can print cards, right?"

While pondering this question, Yusei posed a new one to Pegasus.

Since he is Hayato's senior, it is only natural that this man named Franz is also a card designer.

Perhaps, after obtaining the Winged Dragon of Ra, he will specially print some related cards to strengthen his deck.

If you're going to duel with him, you need to think about that beforehand.

"Yes, that's right... I believe he must have heard the broadcast just now, and he might be waiting for us to come and find him at the entrance of Duel Academy."

"Is that so? Then, without further ado, let's set off."

Nodding, Yusei took out his deck.

After confirming the card information, Yusei, ready for the duel, planned to leave the principal's office and duel Franz, who was wielding the Winged Dragon of Ra.

There's no need to hold back when dealing with cheaters who print cards.

Franz... I'll show you just how terrifying Yin Xiong can be!

"Yusei, are you going?"

"Ah, that's it."

"Then take this card with you. It's a card I specially designed for you and Jaden. I hope it can be of help to you."

Yusei: "A card? This is... a Field Spell Card?"

Jaden Yuki: "Huh? I got a share too?"

Kenzan: "Oh! Looks like it's a card exclusive to [Elemental Heroes]!"

Marufuji Sho: "I'm so envious! I want a new card too!"

Hayato: "...Heh."

Seeing that Yusei was about to leave, Hayato immediately reached into his pocket, took out a card, and handed it to Yusei and Jaden Yuki.

Yusei, after taking the card, raised an eyebrow and looked at the card in his hand.

-

Skyscraper 2: Hero City

(Field Spell Card)

Effect: Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can activate this effect by selecting one "Elemental HERO" monster that was destroyed by battle and sent to your Graveyard; Special Summon that monster from your Graveyard.

-

"Skyscraper 2: Hero City..."

Looking at the card in his hand, Yusei softly uttered its name.

Unlike the original nighttime cityscape of skyscrapers, the image on the [Skyscraper 2 - Hero City] card depicts a futuristic city in daylight.

Its effect is not to increase the attack power of Elemental HERO monsters by 1000 during battle, but to revive an Elemental HERO monster destroyed in battle in the Graveyard during its Main Phase.

In reality, this card's effect isn't very strong, and it might not be very useful for Yusei, who excels at burst combos.

In most situations, it may just become a tool card needed to activate the effect of [Beloved Hero], and it may not be able to play its own role.

However, since this was Hayato's kind offer, Yusei naturally wouldn't refuse.

Yusei placed Hayato's card into his deck, ready for the duel, and then strode towards the gates of the Duel Academy.

Yuki Jaden and the others naturally followed Yusei, intending to witness this duel that would be a direct confrontation with the gods.

As the group left in a flurry, the principal's office returned to its previous state.

"...Looking at Yusei-boy, I can't help but think of Yugi-boy from back then. Both of them give me a strange feeling, as if...nothing can stop them."

The automatic door closed as Yusei and the others left, and Pegasus, shaking his head, couldn't help but let out a heartfelt sigh.

Originally, in his mind, the top three duelists had always been Yugi Muto, Seto Kaiba, and Katsuya Jonouchi...

Even a dark horse like Ed Phoenix, a genius with limitless potential, only managed to rank fourth.

But the moment Pegasus saw Yusei, his thoughts changed instantly.

His instincts told him that the boy before him was no ordinary person; he was on par with, or even surpassed, Yugi Muto.

The duelist above him

Perhaps, in the not-too-distant future, I will witness the birth of a new Duel King...

……

"Heh...you lot are just cannon fodder sent by Pegasus to die, aren't you?"

As expected, when Yusei and his group arrived at the entrance of Duel Academy, a young man wearing a white trench coat and glasses walked towards them at a leisurely pace.

"……cannon fodder?"

Narrowing his eyes, Yusei looked at the newcomer with hostility.

A top-tier card player should possess the following qualities: a uniquely stylish and cool highlighted hairstyle, a strong presence that surpasses that of ordinary duelists, an unreasonable aura that allows them to turn the tide no matter the situation, and the added bonus of expressive facial expressions and a high-fashion trench coat...

He wore a pair of thin-rimmed round glasses on his nose, and beneath his gray curly hair was a scholarly face resembling that of a researcher.

The man named Franz gives the first impression of being a scientific researcher rather than a powerful duelist who can control the God Cards.

It lacks the cool, highlighted hairstyles that top-tier celebrities are known for, and it doesn't have the overwhelming presence that makes it impossible for anyone to ignore, like a king.

If I had to say something, it would only be that the white trench coat he was wearing added a certain amount to his fashion sense.

Franz's expression was not very good at the moment, seemingly because he realized that he had made a big mistake and that his boss, Bekas, was about to come and hold him accountable.

While watching Yusei and the others, he also seemed to be constantly looking around for any trace of Pegasus.

"That's right, in my opinion, you're just a bunch of cannon fodder sent to your deaths."

Franz pulled a card from his pocket and showed it to Yusei and the others.

That was indeed the legendary card, covered with ancient Egyptian priestly script that was indecipherable to ordinary people—the Winged Dragon of the Sun God.

Although it's just a replica, this card still possesses a strong presence that's impossible to ignore.

"...The Winged Dragon of the Sun God?!"

Although he was mentally prepared, Yusei still couldn't help but feel a little uneasy when he actually saw his opponent pull out the God Card.

Unlike the three Egyptian God cards that were made into physical cards in the OCG, this Winged Dragon of Ra undoubtedly possesses all the effects of the Winged Dragon of Ra, making it a card that cannot be compared to ordinary cards.

"Hahahaha!!! See that? This is the strongest and best card in the world!"

Franz, quite pleased with the look of surprise on Yusei's face, continued smugly, "If you want to take her from me, then defeat me in a duel first!"

Franz placed the Winged Dragon of Ra back into his deck, unfolded his Duel Disk, and gave Yusei, who was standing at the front of the crowd, a provocative look: "Let you hothouse flower buds experience firsthand the terror of the legendary power of the Sun God!...Duel!"

"Ha... You talk too much nonsense!"

Signaling everyone to step aside, Yusei simultaneously unfolded his Duel Disk: "Duel!"

The Winged Dragon of the Sun is the most powerful of the three God Cards. Depending on the user, it can also become an unreasonable card that brings disaster.

What Yusei will face next is such an unreasonable god.

(Franz LP: 4000)

【! (Yusei LP: 4000)

"I'll go first, it's my turn, draw!" Seizing the initiative in the duel, Yusei drew a brand new card from his deck.

After looking at his hand, he slammed one of his cards onto the Duel Disk: "I Normal Summon Elemental HERO Solidman from my hand in Attack Position, and then activate his effect to Special Summon Elemental HERO Skyman from my hand."

The hero, clad in silver steel armor and wearing hard, spiked gloves, appeared in front of Yusei as he moved.

As he entered the fray, Solidman also pulled Skyman out of Yusei's hand.

"At this moment, Sky Hero's effect activates, and I can add one [Hero] monster card from my deck to my hand. I choose to search for [Phantom Hero: The Almighty]."

With the arrival of Sky Warrior, Yusei also gained a chance to accurately search for hero monsters.

After thinking for a moment, he reached into his deck and retrieved the card he needed.