Disclaimer: The following story is a fanfiction based on the Gamecube game Yu-Gi-Oh: The Falsebound Kingdom with a slight Teen Titans crossover. Yu-Gi-Oh! belongs to Konami and Kazuki Takahashi, and Teen Titans belongs to DC Comics. I am not associated with any of the aforementioned parties. This story is fan-made speculation and nothing more. Anyway, please enjoy.
Chapter 1: Disappearance
It is an early morning in the kingdom of Rondeval. The Duelist Colosseum at Sygh-Varths, the capital city of the imperial continent, had just opened up about an hour beforehand, so only a few people were there to witness the possible rise of a new member of the Emperor's duelist armies. She had passed each one of the previous tests with flying colors, and now only one test remains – the single deciding factor in the young newcomer's future as an imperial duelist. She must do battle with – and defeat – a preexisting member of one of the three imperial forces. As the two combatants' monsters clashed in one brawl after another, two teenagers watched them from atop the stands, while a few assorted members of the imperial staff were seated across the open-air stadium.
"Tch. You look like you're having the time of your life," one of the teenagers, a blonde seventeen-year-old wearing a lime-green jacket, sarcastically said to the other, a somewhat dour-looking guy of about the same age wearing a large cerulean coat that nearly reached the floor. "Come on, lighten up. Try to enjoy the match. It's actually pretty good; your boy is doing pretty well, considering…well, you know."
"…I suppose," the guy mumbled, in an almost inaudible tone. The girl picked up on it, though, and playfully jabbed him with her elbow. He merely looked away for a couple of seconds, then resumed watching the match.
At this point in the duel, the challenger appeared to be on the homestretch; her life point count (twenty-four hundred) outranked her opponent's by twelve times as much, and except for one of her Trap cards, the entire field was barren. However, it was now the opponent's turn, and as everyone in the dueling armies knows, anything can happen should the right card be drawn at the right moment. The challenger watched nervously as her opponent, a ten-year-old boy in a strange green lab coat, drew the top card of his deck and examined it. Originally, he planned on placing the monster he just drew face-down in Defense position in order to safeguard his life points, but his opponent's Light of Intervention prevented that, which vexed him somewhat. Change of plans, he thought to himself before taking action.
"Here goes!" the boy declared. "I summon Gear Golem the Moving Fortress in Defense position!" Just after he placed the card on the machine he wore on his arm, a holographic image of the summoned monster appeared before him – a mechanical being of questionable origin and incredible density. Its mechanical make-up afforded it great defensive power, but its attack capabilities left much to be desired, and the boy could not afford to sustain any more damage. "That's it from me for now, but I warn you – I am not going to lose!"
"We'll see," the challenger said as she drew a new card of her own. Her eyes grew ablaze with excitement when she took notice of the monster she had just drawn. Her opponent cringed slightly when she did, hoping it was just a bluff. "Check out this monster – Injection Fairy Lily, Attack position!" A holographic image of a winged sprite wielding a giant syringe and sporting a nurse outfit turned up as she spoke, but unlike her opponent's monster, this one was primed for battle. "Also, I equip my monster with the Fairy Meteor Crush Equip Spell!" As she placed the Equip card in one of the five spaces intended for Spells and Traps on her own dueling machine, a holographic picture of the card became visible directly behind her monster, with a light-blue energy line attaching the two that indicated who the appropriate target was. "With this card in effect, my Fairy Lily causes piercing battle damage if she attacks a weaker Defense monster! Tough break, kid!"
"Yeah, for you!" the boy retorted. "Your fairy isn't even close to being stronger than my Golem! What in Obelisk's name were you thinking?"
"I was thinking about my Fairy Lily's ability," the challenger replied. "During the Damage Step, if I pay two thousand of my life points, her Attack power rises by three thousand!" This revelation earned her a loud "WHAT?!" and a dumbfounded look from her opponent. "Watch! Injection Fairy Lily, attack his Fortress!"
At her mistress's command, the fairy perked up, placed herself atop her syringe, gave a soft but determined shout and, riding her syringe like a rocket, made a beeline for her mechanized foe. At first, it appeared to be a futile effort; the needle of her weapon seemed much too inadequate for such an endeavor. At the last minute, however, as her controller's life points took a sudden nose-dive, the weapon increased to much larger proportions, and once it connected, the fortress was smashed into several large pieces, while the syringe continued en route straight for its other opponent. The resulting damage was too much for the boy to take, and his life point count dropped to zero, causing him to lose the duel.
"Arrgh! Not again!" the boy repined as the referee for the match began to make his way towards the center of the stadium. Upon reaching his destination, he withdrew a hand-held microphone from his person, activated it, and began to speak.
"The match between challenger Mizumi and Gizmo of the Red Dragon military division has ended! I have received confirmation that Mizumi, as a result of her outstanding achievements during these past few days, shall be drafted into the White Dragon division of the Emperor's army! Congratulations, Mizumi!"
An ecstatic Mizumi giggled gleefully as resounding applause filled the stadium. Finally, after three days of vigorous testing and backbreaking effort, she had earned a spot in one of the Imperial Three forces. The feeling of all her efforts paying off in this manner placed an ear-to-ear grin on her face.
Gizmo, on the other hand, was not so lucky…
"As for Gizmo…" The referee waited a few seconds for the applause to fade before continuing, "You are once again slated for execution at noon tomorrow. Any last words?"
Gizmo said nothing; he was used to this sort of thing by now. The number-one bylaw in the Empire was that anyone who loses a duel is to be executed at earliest convenience. How Gizmo managed to evade his execution time after time puzzled a great number of people across the Empire, not the least of whom is Lee Headcutter, the warden of the Sygh-Varths maximum-security prison…though not quite for the same reason. He knew exactly how it happens…he just doesn't know why.
"Very well, then," the referee said after a few seconds. "I hereby proclaim this duel over! Everyone is to vacate the stadium until two o'clock tonight, when former champion Slade Headcutter faces down the mighty Mammoth in an effort to reclaim his championship title! Thank you, and have a nice day! Also, make sure to buy souvenirs until your wallets are empty!" The referee moved to put away his microphone amidst some grumbling and a shout of "Screw you!" from the audience as the spectators proceeded to leave the stadium.
Upon exiting the stadium, the blonde teenager caught up with her acquaintance. "Hey, Maryaka!" she called out, at which the guy turned his head to look behind him. "So, where's our Imperial Prince headed now?"
"None of your business." Maryaka had tried to sound indifferent in his reply, but his companion noticed a slight twinge of irritation in his voice. It didn't take too long for her to know where he was going or what he was going to do there.
"Oh, that's where." Her response puzzled him for a brief moment, but he shrugged it off once he realized she knew what he was up to. Maryaka never was one to share his personal business with anyone, so this insight didn't sit too well with him. Still, all he did was roll his eyes as she resumed speaking. "How many times does this make, twenty-four or so?"
"Twenty-six, actually," Maryaka corrected her.
"Wow. That many, huh? Something tells me the Emperor's not going to let you keep this up for too much longer. And I imagine Lee's none too happy about it, either. You know how he feels about-"
"No offense, Alexis, but it's really none of your concern." Maryaka was beginning to get a little peeved about Alexis constantly exercising her curiosity on his matters. "Why do you care so much about my business?"
"Because."
Maryaka heaved a large sigh and then began muttering something to himself, his focus drifting away from what was right in front of him. He looked up at the last second, only to collide with a man in a strange uniform, which Maryaka recognized as the uniform for imperial foot soldiers that had little, if any, overall influence in the Empire. This one, however, had an odd green-and-yellow color scheme that differentiated from the usual red-and-black, causing Maryaka to quickly identify him as one of the Emperor's personal bodyguards. This man did seem a little irritated by Maryaka's lack of focus, but chose to ignore him as Maryaka was of a much higher rank than he. Instead, he strode over toward Alexis, who stood at attention upon recognizing him.
"Lady Alexis," he addressed her. "Our almighty Emperor has requested your presence. You will go to see him immediately."
Alexis winced at the thought of having to stand before the Emperor, but promptly followed the messenger to Castle Sygh-Varths. "I'll catch up with you later," she whispered to Maryaka as she left.
As Alexis disappeared from sight, Maryaka shook his head out of concern for her, and then proceeded to take care of his own matters.
In addition to losing a duel, there were a large number of ways people could get themselves on a waiting list for execution, such as committing treason or some other infraction of imperial law. Until the date slated for execution, those people get to spend the remainder of their lives at the Sygh-Varths maximum-security prison where, under the ever-pitiless care of warden Lee Headcutter, prisoners will be begging for their time of death to come sooner. Hundreds have tried to escape from this hell on earth, and none have succeeded…
…Except for one.
And that one is making his twenty-sixth trip to the prison at this point in time.
Gizmo ended up with a slight bruise on his bald head as the prison guards remorselessly threw him into his cell. He took a quick glance around and noticed that he had been tossed into the exact same cell he had been in twenty-five times before. During his first time, he had used a green marker to write "Gizmo Waz Hear" on one of the walls. Sheesh, he thought to himself. You'd think these people would actually take the time to clean these cells once in a while. Of course, he figured this wouldn't be the case; Lee doesn't exactly regard the inmates' personal hygiene as a priority.
Gizmo peered out of the small, barred window at the end of his cell, waiting anxiously for something or someone. After about a half hour, something in the distance caught his eye. In a flash, he perked himself up to get a better look…
…And, right on cue, Maryaka was approaching the prison.
All right! Gizmo knew it was bound to happen eventually, but he was excited nonetheless. I'm getting out of this pit hole in record time! He made his way to his cot and waited eagerly for his call to leave the prison once again.
"For Ra's sake, Maryaka, why do you even bother bailing out that hopeless cause?"
"I just do. What's it to you?"
"It's a colossal waste of time! He's just going to keep ending up in here! You know that as much as I do!"
"What makes you so sure?"
"Listen to me. He is the absolute worst duelist in the entire kingdom! Give me one good reason why I shouldn't end his existence right now!"
"Because I am the Imperial Prince, meaning you have no choice but to do as I say."
"Gaaah! Fine, fine. Here's the damn cell key. Now get going."
So ended another one of Maryaka and Lee's infamous bull sessions, and as usual, Maryaka came out on top. It was no surprise, really; Maryaka knew just how to get Lee to cave in to his demands from experience. This time, however, Lee was not going to take it sitting down. As Maryaka turned to leave the warden's office, Lee decided to bring up a point he was sure would make even the Imperial Prince cringe in fear.
"By the way, Maryaka, a few days ago, I brought this little routine of yours up before the Emperor, and I must say, he was none too happy about it. You know how much he detests weak duelists fighting in his name, right? If I were you, Maryaka, I'd watch my back from here on out."
"Perhaps…but then again, you're not me. Good day to you, sir," Maryaka told him before exiting, after which he muttered, "Even though the likes of you don't deserve one."
Maryaka's nonchalance struck Lee more than a bit harder than he would've thought. Unbelievable, Lee thought to himself. How can he not care what the Emperor thinks? That's blatant insubordination! Why, I've got half a mind to report this insurgency!
While Lee was busy fuming to himself, Maryaka had arrived at the entrance to Gizmo's cell. Without even looking, he swiped the card key down the appropriate slot next to the door, undoing the electrical lock and causing the iron door to slide open. As per Maryaka's expectation, Gizmo was standing right in front of the door as it opened, and afterwards, he happily jumped out the door somewhat clumsily before falling all over himself as a result of the straitjacket he was forced to wear.
"Thanks, Prince," Gizmo said after Maryaka removed the straitjacket from his person.
"No problem," Maryaka remarked. "Now, let's quit this place."
Even though he was relieved and delighted to be leaving the prison for the twenty-sixth time, Maryaka could tell that Gizmo was depressed about something. Maryaka isn't usually the type to go sticking his nose in other people's business, but all the same, he couldn't stand seeing his companion so downtrodden. As soon as they returned to the outside, Maryaka decided to see what was on Gizmo's mind.
"What's wrong? I figured you'd be happy to be out of there," Maryaka inquired.
"Prince…" Gizmo hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Do you…Do you think I'm a failure as a duelist?"
"Oh, that tired story again." Maryaka had previously tried to assuage Gizmo's doubts on this particular subject, but no matter what he said, it seemed like Gizmo's inadequate dueling just wouldn't stop tormenting him. After a few seconds of quiet thought, an idea formed in Maryaka's head that he hoped would put an end to the emotional torture once and for all.
"Gizmo," Maryaka told him, "Tomorrow, I am headed to the supplies shop at Anker-Hill, where supposedly, the owner got his mitts on an ultra-rare Machine-Type monster card. I was hoping to surprise you with it, but maybe it's better that you knew now."
As Maryaka had hoped, Gizmo's mood began to brighten up. "Seriously? That's so awesome! I can't wait!"
"That's more like it," Maryaka mused. "We depart for Anker-Hill tomorrow at daybreak, then."
Unbeknownst to both of them, someone else was listening in on their conversation. As the two faded into the distance, Lee pondered what he had heard through the strange machine situated next to his window. So that's what's going down, huh? Well, not if I have anything to say about it! As Slifer is my witness, that child will meet his end soon enough!
A meeting with the Emperor in person– the one event most people in the Empire dread above all else. If there's anything the Emperor is well known for, it's either his cruelty towards anyone he regards as weak, his self-serving impulses such as hoarding all the tax money in the kingdom to himself, or his unpleasant attitude towards everyone else. Few people in the kingdom have any sort of respect for him, and even fewer can stand being within thirty yards of him.
Alexis is not one of those few.
Yet, she is burdened with the displeasure of having to meet with him on such short notice. Personally, she would much rather swallow a hive of Killer Needles than hear what His Highness, a term she uses very loosely, has to say.
Even still, the alternative to answering his summons might just be worse than Killer Needles, so she trudged alongside the Emperor's bodyguard towards the throne room.
Once they reached the gold-plated, jewel-encrusted door that led into their destination, the bodyguard turned to face Alexis. "As you can see," he told her, "we are about to enter the chambers of our magnificent king, so try and be as respectful towards him as you can. I doubt you'll want to know what'll happen otherwise."
"I think I'll manage," Alexis spoke up, trying as hard as she could to hold back her nervousness.
"Very well, then," said the bodyguard as he withdrew a card key from inside his cloak. He swiped it through the appropriate slot, and after a few seconds of beeping while the electrical lock recognized the key, the door began to open slowly while emitting a loud, groaning noise.
As the door opened, the first thing Alexis noticed was a large golden throne on the opposite side of the spacious enclosure. Seated atop the large throne was a man in his early forties with a golden, jewel-embedded crown atop his head and wearing a large, royal purple cape. Alexis shuddered as her bright blue eyes met his cold, dark hazel eyes. She shrank back a bit, but the bodyguard roughly nudged her to go forward, after which she reluctantly made her way towards the menacing figure that was the Emperor.
"It's about time you showed up, child," the Emperor snapped as she kneeled before him.
"Your excellency," the bodyguard said as he, too, bowed before his master, "I have found the girl with whom you requested an audience."
"I can see that, you buffoon," the Emperor rudely stated. "Now go stand guard outside until we're finished here."
"At once, my liege," spoke the bodyguard as he rose to take his leave, which left Alexis alone with the Emperor. Her nervousness reached a new pinnacle once the door slammed shut behind him, and she began to expect the worst; the few times the Emperor requested a private audience were for matters of gravest importance.
"Y…you wanted to see me, sir…?" Alexis could barely get the words out of her throat, causing her to nearly choke on them.
The Emperor glared down at her for a few seconds before he finally saw fit to speak, and by then, she was practically quaking with anxiety. "As you know," he began, "I have no family member left alive to speak of, and therefore, no offspring to pass my kingdom down to when my time comes. Three years ago, I made an effort to rectify this matter by hosting a card battle tournament, the winner of which would become my successor. The end result was that a young man named Maryaka became the Imperial Prince and, once I've departed from this earthly realm, would rightfully inherit my glorious Empire. Are you following me so far?"
"Yes, sir," Alexis told him. She had calmed down somewhat, but was still very nervous.
"Recently, I've begun to question whether or not I made the correct decision in letting this boy become my second-in-command. I do admit he has incredible dueling prowess, and he appears to be loyal and respectful towards me, both of which I admire. The problem is, he seems to be a bit too…how shall I put this…merciful towards the garbage of my kingdom, and by garbage, I don't just mean that child, uh…Gizmo. This sort of thing does not sit well with me in the least; if trash like Gizmo is allowed to roam freely throughout my kingdom, my empire's reputation will be tarnished. Still with me?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Good, because here's where you come in. As you know, I cannot simply relieve young Maryaka of his rank, because then I'll have no one to pass leadership of my beautiful Empire down to. However…" The Emperor paused for a second or two, stroking his chin as he pondered how to word the next part of his speech. "I have come up with an ingenious plan to remedy this situation. Once my plan's all said and done, he'll be forever out of my hair, and a new, more powerful candidate will become my new successor."
Alexis was a bit confused; in the innumerable duels he had fought in the Emperor's name or otherwise, Maryaka had never once come close to losing. Who, besides perhaps the Emperor himself, could be powerful enough to defeat him? She felt it necessary at this point to ask the Emperor who he thought could undertake such an endeavor.
"If I may ask, Your Excellency…" Alexis nearly gagged as she said this, but refrained from doing so for fear that the Emperor might take it as a sign of disrespect. "…Who did you have in mind for this mission?"
"You haven't figured it out yet?" As the Emperor spoke his reply, a frigid chill ran up Alexis's spine. He couldn't mean…could he?
As if knowing what she was about to ask, the Emperor gave his answer to the question Alexis was about to pose. "Yes, I mean you, my darling Alexis. Your track record in the Empire is just as spotless as his, and I've heard endless approvals regarding your dueling skills. If anyone in the Empire is fit to knock Maryaka off his high horse, it's you."
Alexis's face turned a ghostly white as her mind began to comprehend what the Emperor had just asked of her. Of all the people in the Empire, her loyalties rested with Prince Maryaka even more so than the Emperor himself. The thought of being forced to engage such a respectable figure in a life-or-death battle was almost enough to make her lunge straight at the Emperor and put a knife through his coal-black heart, but as she knew she was powerless to do so, she merely retained her kneeling position while keeping her head down so the Emperor couldn't see her reaction.
The Emperor was not so easily fooled, however; he seemed to know exactly what she was thinking. As such, he made one final commandment that he figured would cement her submission to his latest decree. "I shall give you three days. If you fail to meet this deadline, your own life will be forfeit. Am I clear?"
Alexis reluctantly nodded her head while at the same time fighting back her tears. The Emperor's throne room is the last place anyone would want to be caught crying, but she just couldn't help herself. The Emperor frowned upon shows of emotion in his presence, and watching the emotional wreck before him made him curious as to whether or not she would carry out his orders.
The Emperor began brainstorming possible solutions to this little matter, and after a while came upon one that suited him just fine. "Very well. You're dismissed," he declared, at which Alexis slowly stood up, her head still down in a vain attempt to mask her emotions. "Leave the door open behind you as you leave. And remember, you have until noon three days from now. Being the smart girl that you are, I trust you'll make the right decision. Do not betray my expectations."
Alexis slowly started out of the throne room barely holding her composure together, and after a minute or so that felt like hours to her, finally reached the massive door leading out into the royal hall. Leaving the door open behind her as the Emperor ordered, she made her way out of the castle and to her transport, all the while trying to hide the despair that had taken hold of her being mere minutes prior.
"Joel! Get in here!"
At his master's command, the bodyguard from before rushed into the throne room and kneeled before the Emperor as fast as he could. "What is your wish, O exalted one?"
"I want you to follow young Alexis and make sure she carries out the mission I have bestowed upon her. If she has not done so by noon three days from today, notify me immediately."
"Yes, my lord, but…what mission is that?"
"She is to defeat young Maryaka in a card duel. Maryaka is starting to become something of a problem, one that must be dealt with quickly and as efficiently as possible. Do you understand?"
"Clear as a crystal, your Majesty," Joel assured him. "Truthfully, I never really thought Maryaka's intentions were on the ball, and-"
"Yes, yes, I get it already! Now get going!"
"At once, your Majesty." As he spoke, Joel rose up and gave one last bow before leaving the throne room. As soon as he exited the throne room, he wasted no time in finding out where his target had gone. A soldier who had just arrived at the castle told Joel that he had passed Alexis's transport, which appeared to be heading northward, possibly towards her main castle at the Maryah-Denn Plains. Upon hearing this information, Joel promptly boarded an imperial sky cruiser and set course for Castle Maryah-Denn to fulfill the mission he received from the Emperor.