a/n: And so it begins.. the prologue might be lengthy, but if you don't read you'll wind up lost, so torture you I must! This work was co-written by shadowesque13, coming straight off one of our roleplays, so you'll note the differences in writing style. I won't talk much, don't worry. Let's get to it!
It had been something they had all dealt with before – you could even call them experts in the field – and it was something they wished, or at least he did, would never, ever happen again. Over the years, they had dealt with all manner of villainous foes. Fruity soul-stealing lunatic obsessed with Happy Bunny? Check. Angsty tombkeeper vowing revenge on the Pharaoh? Check. Brainwashed Atlantean serving the will of some freaky evil seal? Check. Psychotic king of thieves bent on world domination? Check. Crossdressing German Nazi seeking the total humiliation of one very stubborn and very sexy CEO?
..Seto, Seto, Seto. How want times must we tell you? If you don't kill them off or trap them in the Shadow Realm for all eternity, they'll ALWAYS come back to haunt you.
And that's exactly what happened.
Siegfried never quite forgot the wretched defeat he was delivered at the hands of none other than the very person he sought to destroy. Even when he was sent off to the loonyhouse, he was still plotting, still scheming, still remembering. He never said a word, never moved, hardly ate. He was in a state of complete shock, incapable of thoughts and feelings, or at least that's what the doctors said..
January 21st, 2008. It was to be a day that everyone would remember, because that was the day the spell was broken. His sentence long since over, he had finally earned his freedom, and the workers boasted that he had left a changed man.
They couldn't have been farther from the truth.
Salvaging the ruins of his now bankrupt corporation, Siegfried built himself back to full power from the ground up, but even he knew that wasn't enough. While continuing to operate in secrecy, he confronted the representatives of Germany's government with an interesting proposition. He claimed himself the very heir of Adolf Hitler himself, presenting historical evidence to the skeptics.. along with some very hefty bribes.
"I can lead Germany in a new direction," he said excitedly. "The entire world will be ours, and its riches ripe for the taking! Let me take you under my wing, and I promise you.. his legacy will rise again!"
Naturally, the council members eagerly agreed, electing him to one of the highest positions available. Two days later, the current dictator was assassinated, paving the way for a brand new era in Germany's history – an era of world conquest that would reach to the ends of the earth.
It began innocently enough. Thanks to immense funding from the fledgling German empire, Schraider Corporation started the manufacturing of what were known as Zoids – giant machines closely resembling animals built for use in casual competition. The expected onslaught of media coverage hooked children from all corners of the globe, and worldwide interest soon grew to such a phenomenal level that the robots were able to be offered at affordable prices. It was not long before each and every family possessed a model of these fabulous creatures, and Kaiba Corporation found itself struggling just to survive. No one wanted to duel anymore – it was all about the Zoids battles and tournaments. Required schooling was over when children reached thirteen and the need for human workers was eliminated. Zoids became a way of life, and pilots in every continent squared off for prize money often totaling in the millions. With the battles monitored by judges, arguments rarely escalated into violence, and it was a happy time.
Of course, there was always one person who was greedy and wanted more money, and more Zoids, and more power, and that's where the trouble originated from, because if there was anything that was impossible, it was maintaining world peace and keeping everyone satisfied. Conflicts arose and fights were rarely, if ever, not to the death. The judges were unable to lock each and every instigator away and were overwhelmed. Anarchy ruled and lawlessness was commonplace. It almost seemed like a scene straight out of hell.
Siegfried's plan had succeeded, and it hadn't even taken a year. He legally changed his name befitting that of a king – Siegfried von Hitler – and swooped in for the kill. His armies decimated nations weakened by internal opposition and pockets of resistance were annihilated quickly. German influence spread until there was virtually no territory left.. none but Japan, which Siegfried had purposely saved for last.
March 10th, 2009. The fifth anniversary of Siegfried's downfall, and it was today that Seto would join him. He had lurked in the shadows, waiting for this opportunity, showing his face to not a single opponent. Nobody knew the mastermind behind this diabolical plot, and it was only appropriate that Seto be the first soul to discover under this new world order. Is all hope truly lost? Or is Seto in for yet another adventure that involves him being dragged into saving the world?