I've recently found myself falling back into the Yugioh Genre. This fic was something that I'd thought of making for some time, but never really got around to doing either from lack of interest or lack of time. Either way, I finally managed to think of something well enough to right, and here it is. You're welcome to think of it as a simple novelization of the Tag Force Games taking place during Tag Force 4, but because I see the MC as the same one through all the games, you can expect a small crossover with GX. Still, I won't forget the story takes place during 5D's, so don't expect any long-time appearances, besides a few brief conversations here and there.

And of course, Yugioh does not belong to me. Enjoy.

Chapter 1: Prologue

"Red Hat" Konami sighed. He'd been here again and again over the past few months… and no matter how hard he tried to change it, no matter how hard he worked to ignore it, it always came back to him.

"This dream again…" he murmured to himself quietly in his sleep, his subconscious-self looking up towards the great obstacle that had placed itself before him.

His hat drooped as he gazed upon a single slab of solid rock, and subsequently the large pentagram carved into its form.

Now, Red Hat was no fool. During his time at Duel Academy he'd been exposed to all kinds of strange things, and with his moving to Neo Domino City he was certain that the cards had decreed a new fate for him yet again. After all, when he was involved there was instantly a ninety-nine percent chance that whatever the problem was had something to do with Duel Monsters. The only problem was he didn't know how his dream fit into it.

Was it some new card he was destined to find, some ancient seal that threatened the existence of life as he knew it?

He narrowed his eyes, attempting to get a clearer view of the slab that was slowly blurring in and out. And just when he thought he saw something that would give him a clue-

He awoke.

Red Hat said nothing for several moments, staring quietly up towards his ceiling as he listened to the soft sound of his blaring alarm.

It was just another day for the red-capped super duelist.

-DM-

"That makes this the twenty-fifth time you've had that dream. Are you sure you're feeling alright? That offer to join me at DA is still open if you're looking for a place to cool down for a bit."

"Really Alexis, I'm fine." Red Hat replied through his webcam, "Besides, we both know Chazz would throw a fit. You know how easy it is for him to misunderstand things."

"Misunderstand what?" the pro-duelist announced as he entered the chat, "Oi! Red Hat, you haven't been drifting around with that deadbeat slacker have you?!"

The young man sighed, exhaling softly as he glanced away from his computer, "No Chazz. Honestly, just because you ask the same question a million times doesn't mean the answer is going to change. I haven't seen Jaden since the last tournament. Rumor is he's somewhere in the Himalayas, and that's a bit too far for my tastes."

"Heh, you haven't changed one bit slacker." Chazz smirked through his own cam, "That's why you'll never make it in the pro-leagues."

"Enough you two!" Alexis hissed, "It doesn't matter where Jaden is right now. Besides, he still keeps in contact with me regularly. Anyway Konami-kun, weren't you telling me about those dreams of yours?"

"Huh?" Red Hat blinked, having forgotten his original reason for hitting up the old gang in the first place, "Oh right! There haven't really been any new changes but…"

"But?" Chazz asked, raising a brow impatiently. He may believe in the cards, but the supernatural forces never ceased to annoy him at times. (Despite Red Hat thinking he's just jealous)

"This time I think I saw something new." Red Hat said aloud, glancing off into the distance. "A pentagram and a flash of gold…"

"Something like a gold pentagram huh?" a third, familiar voice added through Alexis' cam, "Sounds like you'll have a lot of work cut out for you in the future."

Chazz's eyes shot open as he recognized who the voice belonged to. "S-Slacker?! What the hell are you doing in Alexis' room?!"

Jaden grinned, waving hello to everyone from the far back of Alexis' room. It was obvious to all that he'd only just gotten out of the shower, which only served to infuriate Chazz more.

"Hi guys!" the kuriboh-headed ex-Slifer greeted, completely ignoring Chazz's question, "You know Konami, I wouldn't worry too much about your dreams just yet. Just go with the flow and see what happens!"

"Go with the flow?" Red Hat asked, adjusting his cap so it fit back into its regular drooped position.

"Yeah! I mean, it's not like anything too bad could happen. You were only in Neo Domino for a few weeks right? Everyone knows nothing bad happens until a good couple months into one's stay. Just ride out the waves so you'll be prepared when the good stuff starts happening!"

"It's not like I have much choice in the matter." Red Hat sighed, ignoring Chazz's bickering sounds in the background.

Alexis nodded in agreement, glancing idly towards her clock, "Huh?! It's that late already?! Sorry guys but I'm gonna have to punch out! I have to be ready to teach class in half an hour!" she paused to smile at the webcam, "Anyway Konami-kun, Jaden's right. Worrying about it isn't going to make the problem go away. And who knows, maybe it's just a phase you're going through. It has been some time since you've lived on your own after all. Anyway, I need to head out, so bye!"

With a soft click, Alexis' screen turned pitch black, leaving only Chazz and Red Hat on the screens.

"I hope your right Alexis." Red Hat whispered to the young teacher before punching out himself.

Chazz glowered. Why the hell was he being ignored?!

"Are you sure that was the best course of action Jaden?" Yubel, one of Jaden's trusted Duel Spirits asked, "We both know just what events are to occur in Neo Domino City, and with the dreams that Red Hat's been having…"

Jaden smiled, "We can't get involved in every supernatural occurrence Yubel. Besides, you're forgetting just who it is we're talking about.

"True, that "Red Hat" friend of yours is a talented duelist… especially if he was capable of standing up against the might of the Supreme King and Light of Destruction.

"Yeah, and that's why we don't have to worry." Jaden said, "If there's anyone who can handle the events set to occur in Neo Domino City… it's him."

-DM-

The man in question frowned, kneeling down and collecting the sixth card he'd found lying on the ground in the past five minutes. He knew there were some things that couldn't be called coincidence, but he had to admit, fate was being a little rough with him as of late. First the new ban list rendering his old deck obsolete, and then the rising popularity of the relatively new Synchro Summon… it was as if the heaven's themselves were calling to him.

"Sangan huh…?" Konami frowned, "I don't know why someone would throw away a good card like you. No matter, I'll be sure to find a place for you in my new deck!"

"I can't believe the way some people treat their cards…" a spiky-haired man murmured as he approached, "There's not a single card in this world that's not useful in some way…."

There was a brief moment of silence as the two stared at each other. Finally, the spiky-haired man spoke once more.

"I see you around here a lot… What's your name?"

"Me? My name's Konami, but everyone calls me Red Hat."

"Red Hat… I'm Yusei Fudo." The man introduced, "Well, thanks a lot for saving the cards."

Red Hat nodded in acknowledgement, and opened his mouth to speak when yet another person joined the pair.

"Yusei!" a young child shouted as he approached the pair energetically.

"Oh," Yusei's eyes widened for the briefest of moments, acknowledging the arrival of what appeared to be his friend, "Rally."

The child stopped, grinning as he joined the two. He paused upon seeing Red Hat. "Oh, it's that guy that's always hanging out around here. Do you know him Yusei?"

Fudo nodded, "We just met a second ago."

"Oh, okay. It's pretty rare for you to be talking to a stranger."

"Really…?"

Konami chuckled, "You remind me of someone else I know. Anyway, I'm just about done here so…" he waved, turning around and heading in the opposite direction.

"What a weird guy…" Rally said quietly.

"Maybe," Yusei said seriously, "But there's something about him that tells me we're sure to meet again."

-DM-

"Yet another card…" Red Hat sighed, bending down on one knee to grasp the small item, "Let's see what it is this time. Huh? This is a ritual card…"

"Hey! Stop right there!" an individual with spiky orange hair shouted, "What are you doing?"

Red Hat frowned, revealing the card he had grabbed from the ground. The orange-haired man narrowed his eyes in thought.

"Oh, you're just picking up cards off the ground. Sorry… there have been lots of suspicious people around here lately…The kids are too scared to even go outside. That's why I'm out here on patrol. What's your name?"

"The name's Konami, but you can call me Red Hat."

The man grinned, "Red Hat eh? I'm Crow. Nice to meet ya! Just be careful around here. You might get run over by my Blackbird. See ya!"

With nothing else to say, the man turned, no doubt heading deeper into Satellite. Red Hat blinked.

"Well, that was weird… but I guess I can't get picky about the kind of people I meet," He looked down at his new card, "or the cards I find."

-DM-

By the time Konami returned to New Domino City the sun was already high in the sky, alerting all to the fact that it was nearly noon. The red-clad duelist had gathered many lost cards, all of which seemed to fit perfectly with the others he had found. It was almost as if they were calling out to him to create a new deck with those he found…

And he was never one to disappoint the heart of the cards.

"Gene-Warped Werewolf… I expect we'll do great things together." He whispered softly, gazing kindly towards the latest card he had found floating outside the Arcadia Movement.

Red Hat had never studied too far into the Movement, but what he did know was that it was called a "Sanctuary" for those with unique skills. Too be honest, the whole thing didn't sit well with him, reminded him far too much of the Society of Light several of his close friends had been dragged into during his years at Duel Academy.

He sighed.

"Excuse me…" a beautiful woman with flowing red hair stated as she approached him quickly. "What are you doing? I've seen you wandering around here a lot recently. And you're just picking random cards up off the street, I see…"

"I'm just saving the cards."

"Saving the cards?"

"Well, yeah… I guess I can't expect you to understand."

The woman stared at him with a strange look on her face.

"Ah, excuse me! Yes, you two lovebirds!"

Red Hat turned to find an average-sized, long-haired girl with curly glasses running towards him. "Lovebirds? I just met the girl."

"I'm looking for the building for an organization called the Arcadia Movement around here. Could you point me in the right direction?" the girl in glasses said politely, "I looked it up on the GPS in my car, but then I got lost walking around looking for it."

"The Arcadia Movement is right here. And by the way, we're not actually together," said the girl with red-hair.

The glasses-wearing girl gasped, "Whoa! Wait a minute… Aren't you Akiza Izinski?! You are! Ohhh, today's my lucky day!"

"Um… who are you?" the other woman, now known as Akiza, asked warily.

"Oh… I'm a reporter for a newspaper. Carly Carmine. I'd like to ask you a few questions if you don't mind…"

Akiza stared at Carly in complete silence with an expressionless look on her face. Without saying a word, she turned around and began walking away.

"Huh? Wait up! Wait!" Carly shouted, taking chase after the woman.

"And they're gone…" Red Hat murmured, "Well, I guess we'll see them again later, won't we Gene?" he asked, receiving no reply from his new card. Smiling, he turned in the opposite direction, and began walking away.

-DM-

"Even here at the duel stadium…" Konami said quietly, looking sadly down towards the latest card he'd found on the ground. "Don't worry Manju; you'll be safe in my new deck."

"Get out of the way!" a blonde-haired man shouted as he stormed towards, and promptly pushed past, Red Hat. "You're standing right in the middle of traffic!"

"Huh? Hey! Aren't you gonna apologize?" Red Hat growled, dusting off his coat from the sudden push of the taller man.

"If you're going to stop to pick up cards; do it on the side of the road!" the man yelled authoritatively, as if he were some kind of king.

It was then that Konami realized just who it was he was talking to. Jack Atlas, the current "King" of Neo Domino.

"Mr. Atlas!" a blue-haired woman shouted as she charged after him, "So this is where you were!"

Jack Atlas scoffed angrily, "I can be wherever I want can't I?!"

"I just… wish you'd let me, as your secretary, know where you're going." The woman said softly, obviously concerned with "Mr. Atlas's" well-being. She paused, turning towards Red Hat curiously. "Oh, do you know this person Mr. Atlas?"

Jack glared, "Nope."

"Not at all." Konami agreed, not overly fond of the man before him.

"Oh, there you are! Mina!" a Sector Security officer with a scar near his left eye called, walking over to the blue-haired woman.

"Agent Trudge…" the secretary acknowledged, suddenly appearing far more professional than she did mere moments ago.

The agent frowned, "Agent…? Please don't act like you don't even know me…"

"So… what do you need?" Mina asked, cutting straight to the chase.

"I was looking everywhere for you!"

"Humph!" Jack Atlas grunted as he walked away, "I have no time for this!"

"Ah! Mr. Atlas! Wait for me!" Mina cried, chasing after him.

"Ahhhhhh! Mina!" cried Trudge as he chased after her in the same fashion.

Red Hat shook his head at the display, "Someone really needs to knock him off his high horse. But I don't think that's our job, right Manju?"

The card said nothing, but somehow Konami got the feeling that it agreed. With the two in agreement, the duelist headed off to his next location.

-DM-

"No way… first Manju, and now Senju, this is so messed up." Red Hat murmured as he grabbed the latest card from the floor.

"Hey! Excuse me!" someone called out.

"Huh?" Konami stopped his thoughts to turn towards the young boy who had approached him, "Was there something you needed?"

"Stop that, Leo! You don't know what kind of person he might be!" said a small girl who looked nearly identical to the boy, save for two pigtails sticking out in the front of her head.

"Mom always said not to talk to strangers…" Red Hat thought to himself as the two began to squabble.

"It's okay! The card spirits are saying it's fine right?!" the boy, Leo, said.

"Well yes, but…"

"Hey, I'm Leo! This is my sister, Luna! We're twins! What's your name?" Leo asked energetically.

"Konami." Red Hat said simply, "But you can call me Red Hat."

"Oh, Red Hat! Cool name! You're picking up cards, so that must mean you're a duelist, right?" Leo asked.

"Yeah. There's just something about these cards…"

"Awesome! Then why don't you due… H-Hey, what is it, Luna!?" Leo asked as the girl began yanking on his arm.

"You can't just go around challenging random people to duels, you know?" the girl huffed, "Anyway, you have to get home and do some study! Aren't you behind in your networking class?"

"That doesn't matter! Not when I'm gonna be the Duel King someday!" Leo protested.

"You can't even do simple addition and subtraction! How can you be the Duel King?"

"Luna, stop pulling me!" Leo cried as Luna dragged him back to their apartment.

"Heh, I guess this means I won't get to duel after all." Konami said quietly, turning to leave.

-DM-

It was starting to get late… but Konami couldn't go home just yet. His deck was only at 39 cards… if fate was truly pushing him to build this deck, there had to be one last card hiding around for him to find… One last duel monster for him to take into his fold…

"The Cards work in mysterious ways." Jaden had once told him, "It may seem as though they're stringing you along just to see you dance to their tune, but there's always a plan. There's always some light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to remember to look for it. That's what I learned… when I dueled THAT man."

Konami had never learned just who it was that had reminded Jaden of the fun in dueling, but for his Slifer-slacking buddy to have changed so much from the last time he'd seen him, it had to have been someone powerful.

A soft breeze cut Red Hat from his thoughts as the familiar shade of a Duel Monster card flew past him.

"Eh?!" Konami shouted, stumbling in his steps as he watched the card fly past. Recalling what he just saw, he chased after it, moving with the wind as it guided the card towards its final destination.

"Fate sure can be stubborn." Konami growled, nearly tripping as he attempted to grasp the card out the sky. "Come on…! I almost had it that time!"

The card swayed with the wind almost playfully, drifting off with the current towards the local hotel.

Needless to say, Konami was not amused. He followed the card inside, panting almost wearily as he knelt down to take the card from its resting place.

"You really didn't want to get caught… did you ya little bugger?" he asked aloud.

"Or perhaps it was you, who did not want to catch me."

Konami's eyes widened. He had certainly never expected the card to respond. Still, it wasn't anything new to him; he'd dealt with Duel Spirits back at the Academy after all.

"Do not compare me to those eager spirits that prance about the human world like children! I am a great and noble power, one capable of drowning the land beneath the waves of my infinite power!"

Konami sighed. Just what he needed, one of those power-hungry evil Spirits. And one that could read his mind at that!

"So this is what fate had in mind for me…? Playing babysitter for some god card?" he asked, still not having seen the identity of the card he was now holding. It was as if the power of the card itself was keeping him from grasping its true form.

"God? Fool, even the Gods tremble beneath my might… I am far more capable than the gluttonous Slifer, the tormented Obelisk, and yes, I shine more brilliantly than the Winged Dragon of Ra itself. My might stands at the pinnacle of existence, amongst the great power of Horahkty!"

"Horahkty...? Never mind, I don't want to know." Konami decided, "What I do want to know is just what Duel Monster it is I'm dealing with. Mind toning down that presence of yours so I can see what you are?"

"You mean you can't see for yourself? Ha! And you call yourself a duelist… You should be ashamed of yourself."

Konami narrowed his eyes at the card, "Acting pretty high and mighty for someone who won't stop hiding from behind their shell."

"Ha! You think I'm hiding? Fool. The fact you cannot see my true form lies is a problem on your end, not mine. It would appear as though my seal has not yet completely broken, though the fact you are capable of hearing me shows that it has at least weakened to some extent. But I grow tired of this conversation. Speak to me again when you've grown beyond your petty human weakness."

Konami growled and prepared to reply with a sharp retort when a beautiful woman with flowing dark hair appeared in the hallway. Being the person he was, Red Hat knew all too well that a majority of the human population lacked a connection to the Spirit World, and as such, would take him talking to a card as a sign of mental instability. The last thing he needed at the moment was to get the reputation of some psychopath, especially when he'd only been in the City for a few weeks.

Coughing quietly, he placed the card with the rest of his deck, pretending to be staring off into the distance as the woman made to pass him by.

…

That was, at least, until she got a closer look at his face.

"…! Huh?!"

"Huh?!" Konami shouted back, fearing that the woman had in fact seen him talking to the card, "I-Is something the matter?"

"Oh, never mind… Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you like that," the woman apologized with a soft look on her face, "What's your name…?"

"Konami…" Red Hat sighed in relief, "But if you want you can call me Red Hat."

"That's a nice name. I'm Misty."

"Now that I think about it… I think I saw a poster of this woman out by the stadium… She must be pretty famous, but I usually don't care for those kinds of things."

"Do you come around here often?" she asked, snapping Konami back to reality.

"Not really. I just happened to be called here by the cards."

Misty nodded thoughtfully, taking a single step closer to Red Hat. "I see." She paused, glancing down at her watch, "Oh no… I'm going to be late for my rehearsal. I have to get going, but…"

Turning her attention back to Konami she placed a single hand on his cheek, as if searching for something.

"Eh…?" Konami squeaked, unsure of just what it was the woman was doing.

"Your face is very interesting. I see that you have met a lot of different people today. I can tell by looking at your face… And I'm one of those people!" Misty explained, smiling cheerfully, "From this day forward, you're going to experience a lot of different things… with the people you've met today."

"The people I… met today…?" Red Hat asked again, as if looking for some deeper meaning.

"Indeed." Misty nodded, "Some of those experiences may be more difficult than you could ever imagine… but you will make it through them. I know you are strong enough… but yet, there are so many different paths in your future."

Red Hat frowned. It sounded like his time in Neo Domino was going to be reminiscent of his time in DA. Misty watched him for a moment more, before realizing she still had a rehearsal to get to.

"I have to go now…" she explained, taking two steps back, "But I'll see you again. Goodbye and take care."

Red Hat watched as the woman disappeared into the deeper recesses of the Hotel.

Konami stood silently in that spot for several minutes, pondering over what the model, Misty, had said to him. Finally, as if overwhelmed by the sudden rush of feeling, he sighed.

"That's… a lot of people."

He blinked, realizing he was now the only one left in the hallway. "Man, between that and these new cards… I sure have my work cut out for me. Better go home to prepare."

-DM-

Finally, after having spent hours upon hours roaming Neo Domino and its Satellite neighbor, Konami returned home. Following his daily ritual, he set his boots by the door, and threw his cap onto the stand, allowing his spiky brown hair to finally show itself. Ruffling the hair softly, he turned his attention to the computer in the corner of the room.

"Huh? A message…? It better not be Chazz trying to spam me again." The man sighed, walking over to the computer and pressing the Enter Key.

Almost instantly, the screen changed. The relaxing blue background became a vivid green, and a file in the corner of the computer opened up, revealing the downloaded video file.

"Greetings, Red Hat."

"Huh? Sartorius?" Konami mumbled, taking a seat. "Why is he contacting me…?"

"I am sure you are curious as to why I am contacting you, but I'm afraid I must ask you to hold off on any questions. What I can tell you is that the meaning of this call is of the upmost importance, and it would be ideal if I could finish what I had to say prior to answering any and all questions you may have."

"…The guy's creepy as always…" Konami deadpanned.

"It has recently come to my attention that you intend to stay in Neo Domino City. As such, it is only right that I warn you."

At that Red Hat clicked out the video. He'd had enough of people "warning" him about Neo Domino City for one day. It certainly didn't help that most of them where simply saying the same thing in different ways.

He sighed, letting the computer shut down as he tossed his jacket to the side.

As far as he was concerned, it was time to sleep.

Not too much happening in this chapter, just the generic introduction from the game itself, with a few added conversations and a sprinkle of plot.

Be sure to give me your thoughts, should I continue?

Who should "Red Hat" Konami go visit first? And just what card was it that he managed to get his paws on?

Find out next time, on Yugioh: Tag Force!