Disclaimer: All respective characters and settings belong to their respective franchises.

Updated: I revised the story because after rereading it, I made a lot of mistakes. Granted, this is the first chapter, so I apologize for any confusion, but keeping track of everything is kind of easier said than done when you're sleep deprived. So, there's that.


Once upon a time.

In a land far, far awa-

Psst! It's "beyond imagination", dear.

Right, right. Wrong script. Ahem…In a land beyond imagination.

Comes the tale of Ever After High.

A highschool for the next generation of fairy tales. Each student is charged with following in the footsteps of their fairy tale parents-

Dang it!

Each student is charged with following in the footsteps-

Oh! Come! On!

Charged with following in the footsteps of-

Yes! Finally! I can do this! I can do this! Just one more turn. Just! One!

What is she doing?

Haven't foggiest. Probably that new game she downloaded.

New game?

Wha-No way! No freaking way! There's no way you could have drawn into that!

Brooke? Honey?

How?! Just how in the hex?!

Oh dear…

I! Was! So close!

Brooke…

The algorithm sucks balls!

Young lady!

Huh? O-Oh! M-Mom!

What in the fairy godmother's name is the meaning of this outburst!?

Uh…I…ahaha…r-right…um…I can…explain…

You better, or I'm taking away your Mirror Phone privileges.

Um, uh, i-it's this game…

And why would a game cause you to lose all control like that? Well?

It's…actually a card game…

I don't care if it's Old Maid Marian or the Queen's Poker, how in the world could a card game have provoked you to that degree?

Now dear, it's not like it hasn't happened before. You know how testy the line of Queen of Hearts can be when it comes to their traditional poker.

True, but our Brooke has never had that temperament. So, I expect there to be a reason, young lady.

There was a long sigh.

I think you're gonna have to stand back and watch for now.

The girl's parents shared puzzled looks.

And why, pray tell, should we do that? Her father asked sternly.

By…letting me do the narration for a short while. But first, I need to make a call.

Wha-


At a certain dorm room…

He cracked one eye open and, in the dimness of his vision, saw the lone source of light—his phone beneath the lampshade, vibrating obnoxiously on the desk drawer. Weakly reaching a hand out, he grabbed the infernal device that had dared to interrupt his slumber. Lying on his side, he begrudgingly answered the call before placing the phone to his ear.

"Hello…?" he groaned.

"Hey, uh, Dex."

"...Brooke?"

"Is it…a bad time?"

"You couldn't have called at a better time. I'm all ears," the boy, Dex, replied, voice dripping with raw sarcasm as he caught a glimpse of his alarm clock and saw it read 3:12 am.

He could feel the girl named Brooke wincing on the other line. She released a sigh before continuing, "I'm sorry, Dex, really, I wouldn't have if it wasn't important. Okay, maybe not that important, but, but, just hear me out."

"I feel like I don't have much of a choice. Shoot."

Heaving out another sigh, she began, "It's about my parents."

"No, wait, don't tell me, they think we're dating."

"Very funny. And no, mom, we're not! Grr! Just…help me out here. I'll make it worth your while…no, dad…!"

"I feel like I don't have much of a choice on that, either."

After a very truncated explanation of her situation, the boy was severely tempted to put the phone down then and there. "You. Owe. Me." He said testily through the drowsiness.

"I know, I know, I'll give you anything in my collection, so please, just, do this for me and I'll totally make it up to you, I promise."

Dex let out a soft sigh, unable to muster much emotion in his sleep-addled state. "Fine. Bye."

"Yeah, bye. Again, sorry. It'll be at the shop"


Back to the narrators…

Okay, now that that's settled, we can get to-

You…and Dexter Charming?

Neither of you are gonna let that go, are you?

I feel like there's something you haven't been telling us.

Indeed. And while we don't…necessarily disapprove-

Dad, Dexter and I are not a thing!

Now, moppet, we-

I am not having this conversation with you two! Okay, let's get to narrating!

Her mother sighed.

Well, I suppose she's already at that age.

Indeed. Why, I recall once upon a time a tale of two aspiring young narrators-

Welcome to Ever After High, a school for the next-generation of fairy tales-

We already established that, moppet.

This is just you getting back at me for interrupting. Ahem! As I was saying, this is a school for the next generation of fairy tales, where those whose destinies have been set in stone by following in the footsteps of the fairy tales that came before them. Generation after generation, Ever After High would hold Legacy Day, a momentous occasion where students are to sign their names on the Storybook of Legends, pledging to their destinies in each of their respective fairy tales-

By Jove, she's a natural.

On that, she takes after me.

Well, yes, but the talent is definitely me.

No, me.

No, me!

I take after both of you! Now if you would just…! As I was saying, Legacy Day, where the students vow to uphold tradition and continue on the legacy of their ancestors for generations more to come. Which should have been the case had a certain Raven Queen not refused to place her name on the eponymous book, and whether she intended for it or not, plunged the school into a divide amongst those who remain steadfastly loyal to their dynasties, and those who wish to rebel. This is that story. But alas, it would seem that another, more unforeseen deviation is about to occur.

What?

Brooke, what…are you talking about?


Village of Book End

In the quaint village of Book End, just shy of dawn, a young man was milling about the empty streets, shivering slightly from the chilly morning air that bit at him. His hands were buried deep in the pockets of his blue jacket, and he let out a soft yawn, having been deprived of whatever precious hours of sleep he could recoup. Rather than stew in bed, he fancied himself a stroll.

Alone.

Undisturbed.

He pushed open the door of one shop that caught his eye, the ringing of the bell signaling his arrival.

"Welcome."

The young man walked steadily ahead, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings. His light bags under his eyes, behind his thick-rimmed glasses, created a weary expression. Behind the counter, he could spy an elderly man busily preparing for the day's business, back facing him.

"You're here early."

The lad spun on his heel once he was an inch from the counter and leaned his back against it, offering no reply.

"Say, your friend Brooke dropped by. Just missed her."

The boy stole a glance to his right, spotting a flat bag lying on the counter. Sighing through his nostrils, he arched his head back, eyes closed. Opening them to stare up at the ceiling, he willed his right hand out of his pocket and clasped the satchel to bring it before him. He pulled at the zipper, revealing to his tired gaze an album packed to the brim, not with photographs, but with cards.

Lacking sleep he may have been, he sharply skimmed over the contents as he leafed through the album until he stopped at a particular set. He carefully fished a card out of a pocket after some careful scanning, and with a satisfied gleam in his eye, he zipped the binder shut and placed it back on the counter. Reaching down to his belt, he pulled a latched pouch open and slid the card inside.

"What did she say?"

The old man smiled as if he hadn't been kept waiting for a response.

"She seemed really sorry about something. Did you two have a fight?"

"..."

The elderly gentleman glanced at the boy from his place on a swivel stool. "What's eating you, Dexter my boy?" he asked. "This old soul could always use someone to talk to."

The boy named Dexter smiled weakly at the offer. Stroking a hand down his face, he explained, "She woke me up at around three in the morning because she had a fight with her parents."

"The narrators? Oh, that can't be good," the old man remarked with a healthy chuckle.

Dexter smiled, and revealed, "Because she was playing Master Duel."

The old man looked up from his task; the smile on his face slowly faded, "She lost."

Dexter nodded, scratching his cheek with a finger. "She was close."

"Too close," the man reiterated sharply. "They've only grown stronger." The man's levity had given way to a weathered visage. "Even I can barely beat them back anymore."

Them?

Shh!

Brooke, what have you gotten yourself into? Who is this man?

And…what is he talking about? And how can he…since when did Dexter…?

The old man held the boy's gaze dramatically for a long moment before…he reeled back in embarrassment, scratching the back of his head as he said, "Those darn bots! Kids these days and their cheat programs!"

The older narrators comically toppled over, with Brooke grinning from ear to ear at the total 180.

Dexter let out a hearty laugh, "You got that right, old man!"

Both pointed at each other, laughing up a storm, much of Dexter's early drowsiness subsiding and further bewildering the older narrators. What was so funny?

Brooke…

Just roll with it, mom.

Dexter soon calmed down. "It can't be helped since it's client based. I mean, I could program one too, but cheating gets kinda dull after a while."

The old man chuckled. "Plenty will tell you otherwise, my boy. Why, back in my day when I was still in the gambling scene, you wouldn't believe the lengths people would go to cheat. Marked mahjong tiles, marked cards, trimmed cards, every trick in the book. Why," he lifted his arm up, revealing his bare palm, then with a flick of his wrist, a card appeared pressed between his middle and ring finger, "I've done a few sleight of hands myself." He tossed the card to the boy, who deftly caught it. "That's yours. You've earned it after last week."

"Thanks," Dexter said to the man, pocketing it as he did the other card.

"Mm, you do have a point, though," the man conceded with a shrug. "Sooner or later, cheating does get pretty dull. There's quite nothing like a game where you can risk it all on just some good old fashioned luck."

Dexter leaned one hand on the desk and the other on his hip. "So, what made you quit?"

The old man flashed him a wink, responding slyly, "Ah! For that, you'll have to beat me again."

"You're on," Dexter agreed, reaching into his hard leather pouch to take out a deck of cards.

Is this it? That card game you were playing?

Just watch.

Now wait a minute, that bag on the counter. That is yours, correct? Where did you-

I work at the shop part time.

Since when?

Since I decided I wanted to earn my own money? Just sit back and relax. I promise this'll be interesting.

But…we don't even know the rules.

That's fine. I'll run you guys through each step.

Both men, young and old, approached a table, a fresh mat already set upon it. Taking their seats, Dexter asked, "How do we decide?"

The old man looked away in thought, "Dice."

He picked up the dice already on the table next to the deck of cards - two of them - and rolled them with practiced ease. "Four."

Dexter rolled next. "Two. Hey!"

The old gambler returned the younger lad's grin unabashedly. "I still got it. Format?"

"TCG. I didn't bring my other deck," Dexter voted. The man nodded and picked out the deck by his right. After shuffling, they exchanged to cut the other's deck.

"Now-" the old man began, before being interrupted by a groan.

"Please, no," Dexter decried, hanging and shaking his head.

"But it's a classic," the man insisted.

"When I was a kid," Dexter mumbled dryly.

The man snorted. "Alright, alright. How about another classic?"

To that, Dexter nodded, and both proclaimed in unison, "Duel!"

DC: 8000 OM: 8000

Both are starting at 8000 life points.

Life points?

Players, usually two, face off in what's referred to as a duel in this game, with each possessing 8000 life points upon starting. The overall goal of each player is to knock down the other's life points to 0, although alternative win conditions do exist, that's generally the central method to win.

What is this game even called?

I…didn't tell you?

No.

Oh, well, it's called Duel Monsters.

Duel…Monsters?

She smiled. You see those brown cards? Her parents nodded to where she was pointing on the table. Those are called Monster Cards, and what players normally use to whittle down each other's life points. Each Monster has a set value of attack and defense points. During a duel, there is an order of sequences that players must follow in each of their respective turns. The first is the Draw Phase, which is the start of every turn. With the exception of the player who goes first, it's usually when you get to draw exactly one card from the top of your deck, so long as you're able to.

Able to?

"I go first," the man declared, wielding five cards drawn from the top of his deck. "I activate Dimensional Fissure."

He laid out a green-colored card, featuring a portrait depicting a purple diamond-shaped rift with a blue sky behind it; its edges crackled with energy. "I then banish eight cards from the top of my deck face down," he said as he picked out the exact number of cards from the top of his deck and placed them on the appropriate sections of the mat. "Doing that, I special summon Gizmek Orochi, the Serpentron Sky Slasher." A brown card was played this time, with the portrait being that of a mechanical three-headed dragon, painted in sharp colors of black and yellow, with three long cannons protruding out of its back.

"I then activate Pot of Desires. With this card, I banish the top ten cards of my deck face-down to draw two cards."

There. Like that, because there are conditions that exist where you either can't draw a card, or get to draw two or more, but we'll get to that. Next is called the Standby Phase, where players have a window to perform certain actions that they can only do in that particular sequence. Like, paying maintenance costs to keep a card or cards on the field, activate specific effects like Monster, Spell and/or Trap-

Wait, wait, Brooke, slow down.

Yes, it's like, whew! This is definitely not Old Maid Marian.

Brooke giggled. Alright, but at least try to keep up. The next sequence is called Main Phase 1, where you do the majority of your plays. Summon a monster, activate a spell, set or activate a trap, and unless your opponent stops you, you can pretty much do whatever you want so long as it falls into the rules of the current format.

Format?

The rules of the game. Every…three years or so, there are updates to the rules to either update the game or to add in new mechanics. That is what's referred to as a format.

Changes to the rules?

New mechanics? That sounds dreadfully tedious.

Indeed. Why, you don't ever see that kind of hullabaloo in poker or solitaire.

Both narrators paused as they noticed their daughter going silent, catching the haunted look in her eye before she perked up soon enough. Yeah, it can get pretty... frustrating to a lot of players, but that's just part of the game. Power creep is something that will always happen, and new kinds of cards are still being made today to keep the game fresh. With that, come certain changes to maintain consistency.

Just…how long has this game existed, and why have we never even heard of it?

Ever heard of Gathering of the Mystics?

No?

There you go. Anyway, the next sequence after Main Phase 1 is the Battle Phase, where you can have your monsters on the field; if you have any, battle with your opponent's monsters. Normally; and you're gonna be hearing that a lot, the monster with higher attack points wins over one with lower points, and the difference is subtracted from the losing player's life points. This repeats for every turn until a winner is decided. Sounds pretty simple and straightforward, right?

Um, yes?

Wrong. The Battle Phase actually has its own set of subsequences.

Oh dear…

Sounds needlessly complicated.

Dreadfully so.

Brooke shrugged. You get used to it.

Both narrators stared at their daughter for that remark. For how long has their little girl been playing such a game?

The old man once again picked up cards from the top of his deck, and placed them with the previous pile face-down.

"You either have Gren Maju or a Necroface on hand," Dexter accused knowingly, with some smidgen of annoyance.

"Maybe I do, maybe I don't," the old man said impishly. "I then set two cards face down."

"Come on," Dexter said coyly, already knowing what he was in for. He drew a card to start his turn and did a cursory scan of his hand. "I activate the quick spell, Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy a face down card in your back row." He reached from across his side of the table and tapped the one on the man's right. The man then placed the card in a spot between his deck and the pile from earlier. To the narrator's curiosity, it was a pink colored card with a strange artwork of a green ogre falling into a pit.

After playing the green card and placing it above his deck, Dexter proceeded to place another card on his side of the mat, this time a Monster Card from their daughter's description. The portrait depicted an elven warrior wearing turquoise armor, about to lunge with his dual swords in a battle ready manner. "I summon Celtic Guard of Noble Arms in attack mode."

The old man laughed. "You're playing your first deck?"

"It may not be competitively viable, but it's pretty sentimental," Dexter proclaimed.

"Sentimental doesn't win you a game," the old man refuted curtly.

"Maybe so, but like you said, it can be fun when you leave things to chance." Dexter brought out another card, this being another elven warrior with alternately colored armor and could be taken as the first's brother, but the card itself was of a lighter yellow in color.

Brooke's father was keen enough to notice this. I say, is that…monster card different?

Good eye, dad. Yes, that kind of card is what's formally referred to as a Normal Monster. To be concise, those kinds of monsters don't have effects.

Effects?

Effects or special abilities. An example would be the first monster that Dexter played, Celtic Guard of Noble Arms. His effect is that he can't conduct an attack so long as Dexter has any cards on hand. Also, his additional effect is that once per turn, Dexter can special summon a Celtic Guard monster from his hand.

Special summon?

Oh, right. When you play a monster card, that's a mechanic of the game called Summoning, which comes in several different flavors, but the most basic is called Normal Summoning, which Dexter did with Celtic Guard of Noble Arms, and because of his second effect, Dexter was able to bring out Celtic Guardian from his hand through special summon.

Normal? Special? What's the difference?

You are only allowed to Normal Summon once per turn, but Special Summoning can be done so long as you have the resources to pull it off.

Resources?

The cards you have on hand. Having advantage is essential if you want to have any momentum over your opponent. Run out of resources, and chances are that you're just a sitting duck. Unless you manage to set up some defenses beforehand.

"Pretty good opening," the old man commented, "but you still have cards in your hand, which means your Noble Arms can't attack."

Quite a restriction.

That's natural. Certain cards have caveats attached to them, either because they have strong effects; which is the common reason, or, to deliberately hinder the player. That's where their ingenuity is tested to work around such restrictions, or if they happen to be really good, turn those restrictions into an advantage.

Has that happened before?

Oh yes. Some of the most ingenious plays that have gone down in Duel Monsters history. And also because of increasing support and the ever changing format. Cards that were useless or difficult back then can now be played without much issue.

Dexter revealed another green colored card from his hand. "I activate Dark Magic Veil." The portrait depicted a circular pentagram that was emanating dark, purple energy, a sight which made the older narrators feel uneasy. Dark magic was only ever done by villains in stories, and after the Wicked Queen's actions, the stigma behind it only grew, but not without reason. "I pay 1000 of my life points to special summon a Dark Spellcaster-type from my hand."

DC: 7000 OM: 8000

The old man laughed again. "Now that is a really good hand."

Dexter snorted from the remark, before placing the remaining card in his hand alongside his monsters. Another Normal Monster, the portrait depicting what the narrators could presume to be a sorcerer garbed in black form fitting armor with gray highlights. His skin was a dull turquoise, his shoulder length hair white, and his eyes a more piercing blue. "I bring out Dark Magician."

Wait, what?

Hm?

Why did Dexter reduce his life points?

Yes, and why does he have cards that have dark magic as a theme?

Duel Monsters have tons of cards that portray dark magic, spirits, ghosts, and other occult elements. In fact, the very first cards were entirely composed of dark and occult themes.

From their expressions, it was clear to Brooke that they didn't approve. And, you've been playing this game since…?

Since I was 11.

What?! Then how could we have not known of this?

Because you two were always busy narrating.

Both reeled from their daughter's answer.

Back then, other than learning to be a narrator, I didn't really have much to do. So I'd go out whenever you guys were occupied. That's how I got into Duel Monsters, but it was kind of by accident. I was going home from Narration School one day, which was when you two were working on the Cinderella story. I had some time to kill, so I thought I could take a walk around Book End. That was when I met Mr. Solly outside of his shop.

Mr. Solly?

Brooke only needed to direct their attention to the old man, her parents eyeing him from their side of the mirror network. He was a head shorter than Dexter, his graying hair disheveled and spilling out of a red bandana, which was etched with odd symbols that resembled dual chalices. He was dressed rather plainly, in only a green t-shirt and black cargoes and blue converse shoes on his feet. A thin beard and mustache decorated his wrinkled face, but the gleam in his eyes still seemed to shine with youthful vigor as he was engaged in his game with the much younger Charming. He's the one who owns and runs Turtle Game Shop, which is where I work part-time.

We always thought you were hanging out with friends or practicing.

I do hang out with friends, and Dexter happens to be one of them. That's how we met. We'd hang out and play some games in our free time and help around the shop, and Mr. Solly ended up hiring us as part-timers to earn some pocket money, but Dexter and Hunter had to quit after entering Ever After High.

Wait…Hunter? As in Hunter Huntsman? He's into this game, too?

Yeah. So, anyway-

Brooke, this is…all a lot to take in.

Brooke stared at the worried and betrayed faces of her parents. I didn't…tell you guys because…I was worried that you wouldn't approve.

Darling, you could have told us. We would have understood. At least you aren't thinking of straying away from being a narrator.

I almost did.

Her mother gasped. Brooke…

I'm sorry. It's just…I was under a lot of stress back then, and I thought that being a narrator just…wasn't for me. After I started working at the shop, and got into Duel Monsters, I thought that that was what I could do, but…after thinking about it, I actually do enjoy narrating, and writing my own stories.

Her father sighed in relief. Well, that's good, wh…wait…what was that last part?

Brooke paled - curse her slip of the tongue. She shrank back from the glares her parents were aiming at her. Eheheh, d-did I just say that?

You certainly did. Brooke, we are narrators! Our job isn't to create stories, but narrate them, and convey them accordingly by tradition! Do you have any idea how much of a responsibility it is? We've been over this. Because of our magic, the power we have over reality, we cannot stray from what has been decided. To bend reality to our will, playing with the lives of the people, the characters that make up these fairy tales, goes against our very credo.

Brooke inwardly sighed. This was precisely what she had been trying to avoid, but there was no helping it now.

Well, who says that I can't be both? I just don't want to narrate stories, I want to make my own. I keep working at the shop to earn money so I can apply for writing classes. Besides, what would be so wrong with making my own original-

Enough!

Brooke winced and reeled back from her mother's tone, and while her father couldn't say a word on either one's behalf, the girl could tell that he was firmly on his wife's side of things. There will be no more talk of this, young la-

"Can you keep it down? We're in the middle of a game."

Everything and everyone stopped, the air becoming silent.

"I have no real business in how other people raise their children, but Brooke has been a very good help around the shop, and," the man now named Solly smiled, "she brightens the place up." He kept his eyes firmly on Dexter, who held his gaze in return, the old shop owner rocking the hand that held his remaining card. "But, whatever disagreements you may have over your daughter's choices, you must already understand that, when it comes right down to it, you're not the ones who'll be living with the consequences."

You…how dare…what do you know?! She is still our daughter! Do you honestly believe that we would risk her well being over something so foolhardy?

The fate of this world, and others, lies in our restraint. Even the tiniest misstep from us would be disastrous.

Solly shrugged. "True, I won't argue with you over that. I'm not a narrator, and I have no real magic to speak of. Not anymore, at least."

The narrators shared curious looks. "But Brooke isn't a child. She is a young woman, with plenty of room and opportunity to grow, and it isn't like she doesn't understand. On the contrary, being here has given her a better perspective over these characters, who and what they are as people, their emotions, their aspirations. Of course, I can't really deny that all we really get around here are hobbyists and nerds, so…"

Dexter chuckled, as did Brooke.

"But we also get children, adults, elderly, men, women, elves, fairies, trolls, and others. This place is where people from different walks of life can come and not only buy games, but play them as well. Through these interactions, understanding is fostered." He grimaced. "Though I also can't deny that we get a couple of bad apples every now and then."

Your point?

Solly's demeanor seemed to shift as he slumped against his chair, letting out a sigh. "Let Brooke enjoy herself for a while. If she still wishes to be an author next to being a narrator, the very least you can do as her parents is respect that."

But…

"Besides, it could be worse."

How so?

"She's going to writing school to learn how to properly weave stories," Solly expounded. "Which means she's learning the things she can and can't do when it comes to writing. Just imagine her, following through on being a narrator with aspirations of being a author, and getting into her head that she can mold the world into whatever and however she sees fit. Rewinding time, redoing certain events, simply because she doesn't approve of how certain stories and narratives flow."

Both narrators paled, the man having elaborated just some of their worst case scenarios. "Oh yes, and I was the one who suggested that she take those classes. I don't suppose it really needs to be said, but fairy tales are real. Not pages in an old tome, or chicken scratch on a scrap of paper, but living beings, and whether they follow through with their destinies or not, they will have to live with the consequences as well."

Brooke looked between her parents, who seemed to be wrestling over the older gentleman's words.

It would be Brooke's father to speak, opening his mouth and saying-

No.

Solly, Brooke and Dexter nearly fell over comically, broken out of their anticipation.

We can never approve of her decisions.

Brooke hung her head, her shoulders falling in dismay.

If this is the kind of life she chooses, then come what may, we will have to be there for her.

The three perked up at the female narrator's words. Back when her father and I were set to inherit such a responsibility, we had doubts ourselves, second thoughts that plagued us on whether we were worthy, fearing that we would stumble.

But we soldiered on, and for better or worse, here we are now. We've made mistakes, sacrifices, all for the integrity of this world. So you must understand where we are coming from that we cannot afford even the most trivial of faux pas. Too much would be at stake. Yet, it is because of our past doubts that we understand where our daughter is coming from.

"So…what, you approve, and don't approve at the same time?" Dexter chimed in.

We mean, young Charming, that we will hold off on whatever will be best for our daughter. For now, we'll give our Brooke some breathing room, and until the day comes that she is to become a narrator, she is free to indulge in these…distractions.

Dexter could only shrug, but was a little bit unnerved. This was the closest that he had ever perceived Brooke's parents being upset. He usually just ignored them after having first heard their voices years ago.

I say, Solly was it? Are you from Wonderland, perhaps?

And how can Dexter Charming hear us, as well? Is it an enchantment?

Solly shrugged and replied, "Nope. I'm not from Wonderland, and as for Dexter, you're gonna have to figure that out for yourselves, 'cuz he's not telling. And, I'm certainly not from Book End either. No, I come from a land far, far away. No, no, not that Far, Far Away. But someplace else, which I can't say."

The narrators stared at the man. They had a rough idea on the identities of most; if not all, the denizens from every corner of Ever After, but due to an official clause on privacy, they were limited to surface level knowledge. From the enchanted lands and forests, to the very depths of the ocean, they sorted through the knowledge that came naturally to them, and this "Solly" character soon came back as a complete blank to them, a mystery. Even they came to know who Cupid was upon sensing her crossing their dimension to transfer schools.

Who…are you?

Solly pursed his lips. "Just a guy who lives for games. And, no, I'm not in any way affiliated with fairy tales where games are involved, thank you very much. You wouldn't believe how often Rumplestiltskin mistakes me for his cousin. Speaking of which. Dexter, my boy?"

Dexter sighed, returning his attention to the duel at hand, with the narrators seeing that the conversation with their daughter would have to wait.

Brooke regained her composure, clearing her throat, seeing as she had no other choice but to resume playing commentator. She inwardly snorted; maybe she could take a crack at being a commentator. Something to fall back on.

"Brooke," Dexter called to her. "How about after this, we hang out?"

The young narrator-to-be smiled. Sure.

Are you sure you two…

Okay, back to the duel.

Dexter regained his focus, taking stock of his board. "Since we're in the Battle Phase, I attack your Gizmek with my Dark Magician."

Dark Magician has 2500 ATK points, while Mr. Solly's Gizmek has 2450.

The difference would be 50 points.

Which would be subtracted from Solly's life points.

Bringing him down to 7950, which might as well be a mosquito bite. Dexter is gonna need to attack again for any significant dent.

DC: 7000 S: 7950

You mentioned there being steps.

In the Battle Phase, when a monster attacks or battles with another monster, four steps take place. Start Step, which is when the player declares an attack. Battle Step, when the clash occurs. Damage Step, where damage is calculated. And, finally, End Step, which ends the battle.

Again, sounds needlessly complicated.

But Solly no longer has any monsters left. Does that mean Dexter can no longer attack?

Brooke laughed, taking her parents aback. Sorry, I was just reminded of a joke. Actually, yes, yes Dexter can still attack. When a player has no monsters on the field, unless there's something that's stopping them or a condition is set in place, the full ATK points of a monster can be deducted from life points. This is called a Direct Attack. And, because of this, another one of Noble Arms' effects activates. When it inflicts battle damage to the opponent, the player that controls him gets to draw a card for every face up Celtic Guard monster on their field. Since Dexter has two, he gets to draw two cards.

DC: 7000 S: 5850

Just as Brooke told her parents, Dexter attacked Solly directly and drew two cards from the top of his deck. "I will now use Celtic Guardian to attack you directly as well."

Celtic Guardian has 1400 ATK and 1200 DEF. It isn't that strong in today's metagame, but only enough to bring just enough damage to your opponent.

Brute strength isn't everything.

Right you are, dad, but it's always a different story when the deck is competitive. It largely depends on ones preferences and play style - either whittle away at their opponent little by little, or use overwhelmingly powerful monsters to win in one or two attacks. Then, there are cards that deal effect damage, but I'll elaborate on that some other time.

Solly winked, sticking out his tongue as he brought up the one card he had left that was face-down on his back row. "Sorry, kid, but that's not gonna happen. I activate the Trap Card, Dimensional Prison." A pink colored card that had a portrait of a human warrior with long blonde hair in knight armor battling with a lizard man, with the same purple portal that was present in Dimensional Fissure between them. "When an opponent's monster declares an attack, I get to target that monster, and banish it."

Banish?

It's when a card is removed from play, and that's what it was originally referred to before it was simplified to banish. See that pile that Mr. Solly's been stacking up from his deck since the start of the duel?

Her parents nodded. That is called the Banished Zone. In Duel Monsters, you both play in what is called a Field or board. This Field is composed of Zones. Main Deck Zone, the Graveyard, the Main Monster Zone, Extra Monster Zone, which are the two in the middle, Spell and Trap Zone, Field Spell Zone, and finally, the Extra Deck Zone. There's also the Pendulum Zones, which are the left and right portions of the Spell and Trap Zone, for Pendulum Monsters to be placed on, but both their decks don't play Pendulum Monsters, so maybe you'll see some for later.

All of this excess information was starting to wear at her parents, causing her to pause in sympathy.

Dexter looked at the cards he drew and smiled. "I end my Battle Phase and go to Main Phase 2."

Main Phase 2 is when you do some of your remaining plays. Set a card to defend yourself with, summon a monster if you haven't already, conduct another special summon, or activate a spell or trap card.

Spells are those green cards, I take it?

Right, mom. All cards are color coded to identify their function and role. Light yellow for Normal Monsters, brown for Effect Monsters, green for Spells, and pink for Traps, and those are just the most common of cards since Duel Monsters was first created.

What other colors are there?

Oh, you'll see.

Both weren't so sure how to take such a cryptic response.

Dexter placed the two cards he drew on his Spell and Trap Zone. "With this, I go to the End Phase. Turn end."

Solly's face morphed into an evil glare, smiling wickedly. "Which will be the last ever turn you'll get, my boy. I draw!"

Dexter and Brooke grinned at Solly's over dramatic flare. "I activate the spell card, Harpie's Feather Duster."

The grin on the young Charming's face disappeared. "With this card, I get to destroy all of my opponent's spells and traps on their side of the field." The green spell card had the portrait of a wing that seemed to be "sweeping" or sending a card flying.

Is that…bad or good?

Good for Mr. Solly. Terrible for Dexter. Harpie's Feather Duster is one of the most powerful spell cards in the game that allows you to get rid of your opponent's back row at no cost. Basically, it gives you a massive opening, and unless Dexter has a back up play, he's pretty much helpless.

Dexter begrudgingly placed two of his set cards in the Graveyard. "Ooh! Magic Cylinder. That really would have been game." The card depicted two tubes with question mark designs. The peculiar thing was, beams of light were filtering through each tube, with the one on the right taking the shape of an arrow.

What's Magic Cylinder?

Magic Cylinder is a Trap Card, and a really good one if you happen to play it in the right deck. When your opponent attacks with a monster, Magic Cylinder can target that monster and negate the attack. Then, you can subtract the ATK points of the monster that attacked you from your opponent's life points.

Oh, so it's essentially filtering the attack back, hence the artwork.

Solly cackled maniacally as he brought out another card from his hand. "The thing is Dexter, the only card I had left in my hand was Feather Duster. That's where this little number comes in." He turned the card around, showing it to be an Effect Monster, and the portrait depicted a rather grotesque creature that seemed to be a chimeric hybrid of what the older narrators could only describe as a demon with the body of a snake that ended in a long sharp tail, the wings of a bat, and long arms that ended in clawed hands. Its entire body was armored in a bright red, sharply ribbed carapace that gave off a skeletal impression, its muscly sinew a sickly green. Its head had no mouth, with four large horns protruding proudly out of the sides of its head that resembled a crown, with an additional row of smaller horns in-between. Two menacing yellow eyes that could pierce into one's soul seemed to stare back at them, the creature ready to reach out and lunge.

The narrators knew of, and had witnessed, nearly every magical creature in Ever After. Manticores, chimeras, unicorns and even hydras, even the most bizarre fauna in Wonderland, but this…being, couldn't rightly be categorized in any bestiary.

Gren Maju Da Eiza

What? Both Brooke's parents exclaimed in confusion.

That's the name of that monster. Sounds alien, right?

It sounds like gibberish to me.

And a lot of the more exotic magical spells aren't?

Touché

Wait, am I seeing that right? It's attack and defense are…

Question marks. That's because of Gren Maju's effect. It will only gain attack and defense depending on the number of all banished cards.

All of them?

No, only from Mr. Solly's pile.

400? From our count, 18 cards are banished, which should bring that creature to…7200?!

"Behold! The power of my D.D. Deck! Mwahahaha!" Solly cackled villainously, arms spread out, assured of his victory.

D.D. Deck?

D.D. stands for Different Dimension, which is; lorewise, the name of the place that cards are banished to. Hence, D.D.

"You're finished, boy! Soon, you shall fall into the inescapable different dimension and be trapped there for all eternity! Kekekekeke!"

Dexter, Brooke and her parents sweatdropped at the man hamming it up. "Since I have no other resources to play with, I go straight to my Battle Phase. I attack your Noble Arms with my Gren Maju."

DC: 1900 S: 5850

Solly continued to laugh evilly as Dexter placed Noble Arms in his banished pile. "And because of Dimensional Fissure, Noble Arms is banished. Waaahahahaha!"

Wait, why would that happen? Why would…Dimensional Fissure banish Dexter's monster?

Because of Dimensional Fissure, players are required to banish their monsters instead of placing them in the Graveyard.

Oh dear. The young Charming just might lose. Solly's monster is practically invincible now.

A snort from Brooke drew her parents' attention. Hardly. It's stupidly easy to get rid of a monster like Gren Maju in the current metagame, you just need to have the right resources on hand to do it. But, yeah, Dexter's in quite the pumpkin. Now, this is where part of the fun is in Duel Monsters. You're down to very little to no cards, your life points are at an all time low, and you're hoping, just hoping that you get to draw that one card that can turn things around.

Ah, when the hero is hanging on by a thread, on the brink of defeat as the villain gloats over their victory, only for said hero to gain a second wind at the very last possible moment. Classic.

A humorless grin drew itself on Dexter's lips at being referred to as a hero, him being the last ever person anyone would expect to be bestowed such an esteemed moniker. Once upon a time, he would have felt vindicated, overjoyed to be recognized as the Charming that he was, hailing from a long line of princes that have galloped on horseback to save fair maidens, damsels and princesses.

He couldn't be bothered by such thoughts now as he began his turn, and a genuine smile replaced his grin upon seeing the card he had drawn.

"I activate Thousand Knives."

Solly reeled back in an exaggerated display of shock, bringing his arms around his head defensively. "What?!"

Thousand Knives? They scanned the card's portrait, which depicted an array of sharp knives suspended in midair, or already flying, set to hit their target.

When Dark Magician is on the field, Dexter can target one monster on his opponent's field, and destroy it.

"Curses! I should have rid myself of Dark Magician first when I had the chance," Solly lamented, fully embracing his role as the villain.

Dexter huffed. "Now, I enter my Battle Phase and go for the attack."

DC: 1100 S: 3350

"I end my turn."

Solly recovered, his eyes flashing with determination. "I draw." He slowly pulled his gaze away from Dexter towards his card, and perked up triumphantly. "I must have the devil's luck, for I summon Necroface!"

The narrators stared at the new effect monster, and it truly couldn't be more fitting for how ghastly the creature in the portrait was, its one glassy eye staring back at them emptily. The…thing was what remained of a porcelain doll's head, cracked open from the side with writhing tentacles exploding out of it, rooted in a grotesque veiny organ that if it ever manifested to reality, they were sure it would be beating with whatever could vaguely be called life.

Oh boy…

We're taking that to mean that this…Necroface, is powerful?

Very. Necroface is an Effect Monster with 1200 ATK and 1800 DEF, which, on its own, is nothing to write home about. However, that's where its special ability comes in. If it is Normal Summoned, all banished cards must be shuffled back into their respective decks.

All of them?

Yes, and for every card that was returned, Necroface increases its attack power by 100 points.

20 cards in total makes 2000, and if added to its base attack, makes 3200.

Oh dear…

The two duelists proceeded to return their banished cards back to their decks, shuffling and then cutting them like they did from the beginning of the duel. Once they were done, Solly, with a sinister expression, declared, "Necroface attacks Dark Magician!"

DC: 400 S: 3350

Dexter soberly placed his fallen Dark Magician in his Banished Zone, his features pensive.

400 life points left. Now young Charming really is in a pumpkin.

You'd be surprised how often his duels go like this.

Really?

How often does he win? How skilled is he in this game?

Dexter's been playing DM since he was ten, and I'd say he's pretty good. Only, when it comes to using that specific deck, it isn't competitively viable. He has a few better ones, but he only uses that one for casual play, as that's his very first deck back when he started. And, while it's gone through some changes over the years, he hasn't switched out his key players, with Dark Magician being the very first card that he got from Mr. Solly.

That does make him sentimental. What about you?

Hm? Oh, my deck? Brooke winked, and the two older narrators immediately knew what that meant in their profession. Spoilers.

Dexter closed his eyes and calmly adjusted his glasses. With no cards on hand or on the field, he was down to the luck of the draw. He suppressed taking a deep breath as he reached his right hand over the stack of cards, pausing for a second before placing the tip of his fingers on the top card. Bracing himself for the outcome, he pulled, and declared, with complete faith, "Draw!" He glanced at the card, and fluidly turned it over to reveal an Effect Monster that made Solly gape in astonishment.

"No…impossible!"

"Since I drew this card, I get to Special Summon him," Dexter declared. "Come forth, Palladium Oracle Mahad!"

The monster; no, the man that was depicted in the card was clad in armor of immaculate gold, his white flowing cape billowing behind him as he seemed to be soaring to battle, a gold scepter in hand. Despite his gold headdress that resembled a crown, for some reason, the narrators could not envision him as a ruler, but a gallant sorcerer and warrior.

That's one of his ace monsters that he received two years ago after it was released. Palladium Oracle Mahad, whose effect is, if drawn from the deck, you can reveal him to your opponent and special summon him on the field.

"Guess you weren't the only one with crazy luck, Mr. Solly," Dexter boasted. "Now, I go to my Battle Phase and attack your Necroface."

Wait, what?

But-!

It's alright. Palladium Oracle Mahad's other effect is, if he battles with a Dark Attribute Monster; which Necroface is, his attack power of 2500 can be doubled.

Attributes?

Each monster has an elemental attribute. These are Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, Dark, Light, and finally, Divine. These attributes are essential in the game to help indicate cards belonging to classifications, with card effects being able to synergize and support specific attributes, counter against certain attributes, or needing monsters with an exact attribute for effects to work. Take for example here, with Mahad facing off against Necroface, and the latter's attack at 3300, it doesn't stand a chance against Mahad.

2500 doubled would be…

5000!

DC: 400 S: 1550

But…

Yeah, Mr. Solly still has 1550 life points. If he manages to draw a better card than Dexter, it's all over.

Both duelists stared each other down, waging everything in what would be the next decisive turn.

Solly quietly drew from his deck to start, and the anticipation in the air seemed to skyrocket as the man lifted the card to stare at it.

This is it. Brooke and her parents waited with baited breath as Solly's gaze shifted to Dexter, a dangerous gleam in his eyes. That was before his features softened in deflation. With a sigh, a defeated smile graced his lips as he revealed the card to be a spell, but before the narrators could believe that the elderly man was making a comeback, he said in surrender, "Good game. It's your win, my boy."

The sun filtering in through the windows brightened seemingly at the same time as Dexter smiled, but it didn't reach his ears. "You should have won this, Mr. Solly."

Solly shrugged, tossing the unused spell on the board, and the narrators saw that it depicted a giant fireball about to descend on a band of soldiers.

Inferno Tempest. Brooke explained to her parents. It's a Quick Play Spell card that, when you take more than 3000 points of battle damage in a single attack, you can activate it. Then, you can banish all monsters from each of your decks and graveyards.

All of them?

My, that does sound like a powerful card.

Yes, but it's a high risk-low reward for the most part. While getting more than 3000 battle damage in the current format isn't exactly uncommon, it mostly falls on a player who doesn't expect it. Anyone who plays a D.D. Deck will, more often than not, have that card, which more experienced players will try to avoid activating by going for lower than 3000.

I see, but Brooke, what did you mean by "Quick Play" spell?

Just as there are different kinds of monster cards, there are different kinds of spells and traps. There are the normal spells and traps, of course. Then, there are Quick Play Spells, Continuous Spells, Ritual Spells, Field Spells, and Equips Spells. Dimensional Fissure is a Continuous Spell, which you can tell by the gray infinity symbol on it, meaning it can stay on the field indefinitely unless it's destroyed by an effect. Other Continuous Spells require you to pay costs to maintain field presence. These costs can range from discarding a card, tributing a monster, to paying a certain amount of life points.

Inferno Tempest, on the other hand, is a Quick Play spell by the gray lightning bolt symbol. Brooke pointed to each of the gray marks to indicate what she meant. Quick Play spells are unique in that they're sort of like trap cards, in that you can set them on your back row and wait for a turn to activate them, similar to traps, which always have to be set for a turn before you can use them. However, Quick Play Spells are a lot faster because you can activate them in any phase of your turn. Then, there are Continuous Traps and Counter Traps. To go into further detail on things like Spell Speed would take longer, so I'm just gonna spare you guys the details until we cross that troll bridge.

Brooke's mother sighed. Again, needlessly complicated.

"A dead hand is a dead hand," Mr. Solly insisted. "The cards simply weren't in my favor. Literally."

Before they could gather up their cards, both were startled when they heard a clapping noise. They turned towards the door and saw a young man about Dexter's age, leaning against an adjacent shelf. He was donned in a red jacket over a camo shirt and gray jeans, his brown boots crossed together. "Nice!"

Dexter grinned, greeting the newcomer with a small wave with the arm hanging over the backrest of his chair. "Hey, Hunter."

"I thought you'd be here," Hunter Huntsman said, sauntering up to the table where the two were now clearing up their cards. "Don't tell me you were in the mood for a duel this early in the morning."

"Long story," Dexter replied, putting his deck back together. "You gonna play?"

Hunter clicked his tongue. "Nah, I didn't bring my deck. But, I could use some new cards."

"Sure," Solly agreed amiably, before his demeanor flattened and added dryly, "So long as you pay."

Hunter winced with a sheepish grin. "Come on, old man, you know I'm good for it."

Can Hunter not hear us?

No, only Dexter, but he can choose not to. Like say, when he needs to…sleep. Ooh…

Both boys wandered the shop, it being a Saturday, a day after Legacy Day. Dexter was checking some new arrivals with Hunter. As they did, the two discussed the recent turn of events. "Pretty crazy last night, huh?" Hunter remarked.

"Mhm," Dexter hummed in response. Having taken his seat on a stool, he was leafing through some new fusion monsters. "But I wouldn't worry."

"Totally worth it to see old Grimm lose his shit though," Hunter snickered, pulling on the chair he borrowed. "You think Raven's gonna sign the book eventually?"

Dexter rolled his eyes in thought. "No. Not unless Grimm handcuffs her to the thing until she gives."

"Then, never," Hunter shrugged, adding after a long pause. "Or maybe he just would. You think we're really gonna…"poof" if we don't sign it?"

Dexter sighed, lolling his head back as he replied, "No, Hunter, it's bullshit. Unless The Storybook of Legends has some exceptionally powerful magic at its current state, it can't warp reality to that extent. You should know that."

Hunter shrugged. "Wouldn't hurt to check."

"We know it to be true," Dexter added. "After…"

This piqued the narrators' curiosity.

It would seem young Charming and Huntsman have been on an adventure of their own.

And how…do they know that the book has no real magic to affect the existence of characters?

That's gonna have to be a story for some other time.

Yet, how are we not aware of such a story? Unless…

Unless powerful magics had blocked our perception, but…that shouldn't be...

Brooke? Do you know something?

Brooke held her parents' gazes before she hung her head. I can't tell you, for it isn't my place to tell. But, know this, the book isn't what it seems. It never has been. I haven't been able to tell you because Dexter made me swear not to tell. All those years ago, when he and his friends were made to face horrors the likes of which would dwarf whatever machinations the Evil Queen threatened with her rule.

An ancient evil?

Her father scoffed. They're a dime a dozen.

Brooke shook her head. No, this one is different. I can't speak the name because it is cursed. We have no memory of it as a precaution, but simply knowing, even remembering it in passing can break the spell.

Brooke…

Is it…really that bad?

Let me put it like this, everything that makes up our reality will be torn down if the spell, the curse, is broken. That evil must absolutely not cross into our dimension. It won't be just darkness, but nothing. Everything will be reduced to nothing.

The narrators shared concerned looks, unsure if they should believe the things their daughter was saying.

All I'll say to give you an idea, is when Duel Monsters first came into the scene, their creation and growth in popularity wasn't in any way coincidental. It was only when they first came to be…that the door of darkness had been opened.


Author's Notes: This is a new story that's been churning around in my mind since I started playing Master Duel and got back into the game. I haven't played in half a decade, but other than watching the anime until I stopped bothering with Go Rush, it took me an entire month to update myself on the current format. Needless to say, I'm rusty, but I was... never that terrible, only that budget and a lot of real life would cut into my game time. Plus, I've gotten to a point that I'll only ever be casual, never a tourney. I'm not exactly young anymore.

First, a few things. Unlike a lot of Yu-Gi-Oh stories that I've read, I'll be following the actual real world rules and current metagame, meaning there won't be any "normal summon monsters in face up defense" or other anime rules. If anything, I'd rather make jokes about those kinds of things. You know the ones.

There also won't be any original cards. To those who aren't aware or haven't played in over a decade or longer, or those who simply don't know about the game, there are over 10 to 12,000 kinds of cards, meaning variety is already a spice I have plenty of. Readers are free to suggest who gets to have what kind of deck though, but I will be following the official formats. OCG, TCG, and Master Duel. Though I do have characters with pre-planned decks already, you can still submit some suggestions in case there needs some changing.

In a way, I'm borrowing from the premise of the OCG Structures manga, which if you haven't read it, is a manga that basically follows the real world rules, format and meta, and is set in the "real world". You can read it for free in most manga sites.

They also won't have just ONE deck. In real life, actual players have more than just one fit for whatever play style. All in all, read and review.