YuGiOh: Black Hearts and Lost Souls

by Perramortum

Alistar was always an oddball in a world dominated by Monster Cards. One day a tragic event changes one Satellite boy and creates shockwaves that permeate through timelines. Years later, Alistar is a young adult living with best friend Pippin Hellwig. Determined to get revenge for what happened that night, Alistar devises a plan that jump-starts a journey that he never expected.

1. chapter 1

A/N: Hello reader! This is me, the author. Welcome to my FanFic based on an spin-off anime that's based off a manga based off a children's card game.

A little backstory before you dive into this. This story would take place in the time period where YuGiOh 5D's would usually be. This is basically a story of, What would happen if there were no Yusei or Crow or Jack or Akiza. How would things change? Well, That's what we hope to find out in this story.

This is based mostly on 5D's, so There might be alot of similarities between the two story arcs. I hope to make this it's own original story and not have it rely on its source material too much.

I will admit that things do begin slow at the start. I tried to keep the pace simple, so I could explain everything that needed to be explained but also keep things interesting. I honestly can't tell you if I've found that balance, so please let me know what you think. I'm always willing to accept constructive criticism and feedback.

Also, The rating is currently low due to the fact that the story hasn't progressed much. I do think that by the end this will be an M for mature audiences story. There's going to be some language, violence, craziness, and Monster Cards!

As far a lemons go, I've got no experience when it comes to them. Both in writing and real-life. Asking me to write a lemon is like asking a blind man to paint Mozart or Beethoven. Wait... That's not right. What were the names of the Ninja Turtles? Oh, Raphael and Michaelangelo. Those guys. I'm not saying there won't be lemons, but the fact that I have no fucking clue how to write them might result in none being in this fic.

Anyways, I've bored you enough with my incessant rambling, so let's bore you with my rambling story.

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{1}

-A Dark Warning, The Beginning of Destiny!-

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This is crazy. Absolutely crazy. Until this day, No one with as little experience as me has ever made it to the finals. No one from Satellite has ever been in the tournament before. It was thought impossible for someone from Satellite to ever pose a challenge to the Duel King. No one ever expected that something like this could happen, but with the new rules allowing duelists from Satellite to compete, the precedent was set for the impossible to occur. So, Here I am with the opportunity of a lifetime. 18 years of my life lead to this one moment. All I have to do is defeat the winningest duelist to ever grace a track in New Domino City. All I have to do is defeat reigning, defending, and undefeated champ.

Not an easy task.

Thinking about it all, I can't help but remember the path I had to carve to get here. I lean against the wall of my apartment and breath out a yawn, letting my mind wander back to simpler times.

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"Alistar, You look ridiculous!"

My eyes widen in shock. Do I really look that bad? I mean, I know I'm not much to look at. Two eyes, a nose, and a mouth on a face, but do I really look that my bad? I decide to take a look in the mirror and see for myself.

As I turn to the mirror, I take in the building I'm in. It's not much of anything, but has served me well during my life. One small room is all that lies in here, but it's home. A bed sits to my right, and a little wooden dresser stands next to it. On the dresser is a green backpack that contains my PDA, duel disk, and backup deck. There's not much else here. With the condition Satellite is in, it's better to have as little in your possession as possible.

My hazel eyes widen as I look at my reflection in the mirror. My dark chestnut hair sits in a tussled mess. Pretty bang-up job Pippin did when cutting it. Short tufts of hair sway like waves in the ocean, a small set of bangs hang down just above my left eye and a long set of bangs fall just below my right eye. I always liked my hair. Specifically, I like the way its dark shade contrasts with my pale skin.

I turn my head to get a glance at the small gold washer-shaped earring pierced in my right ear. A small smile graces my lips as I remember fervently I had fought getting the piercing. Now I can't imagine not having the gold ring in my ear.

I take a quick look at the rest of me in the mirror. The grey sleeveless shirt I wear is definitely a size too big, but in Satellite having any shirt at all is lucky, so I never complained. My black jeans and thigh length brown boots are probably my only items of clothing that fit properly. The jeans have some rips in them from the various misadventures I've gotten into, and the boots haven't been washed in months. I've honestly forgotten what they look like without the dirt and grime covering them.

Overall, I wasn't the nicest looking guy in Satellite, but I could definitely do worse.

"So, You ready to meet Prince Charming?" A cheeky sounding voice pulls me from my self-admiration. I turn to face the direction it came from and come face to face with my best friend Pippin.

My smile widens as he tosses me my red collared jacket. I quickly slip it on; the dark grey shoulder pads settle against me, calming my nerves as its familiarity wraps around me.

Pippin was always a reliable, calming presence.

I owe alot of where I am now to him. When I was young, he took me into his home and provided me safety. An admirable act by itself, but the fact that he also watched over most of the children in Satellite made me respect him even more. I try to follow the his example, but sometimes my cynical nature wins over. We've definitely clashed over my negative outlook on life, but I wouldn't have it any other way with my foster brother.

Pippin's five years older than I am, but with the way he acts, sometimes I wonder if he just as childish as the kids he watches over. He always has this goofy smile on his face and a funny anecdote or two to break the ice in any situation. Ever since the day he took me in, He's always been there with a funny quip or to and a wise phrase or two. Now he stands before me as I prepare for one of the most important moments of my life.

His blonde hair sweeps down in a soft bowl shape; the ends coming down in sharp bangs over his forehead. His emrald green eyes stare intently at me. I swear, He could be an interrogator for Sector Security with those piercing irises of his.

As far as clothes go, He wasn't doing much better than I was. His dusty brown vest covered a long sleeve orange shirt, and his jeans and boots were much like mine. Dirty and torn.

I let out a groan as my I glance at his criminal marking. It's shaped like a small "v" that begins under his right eye and stops midway down his cheek. He got the marking helping me get some duel runner parts from a shop in the slums. Apparently, The dealer didn't buy them from a very reputable source, resulting in them being hot-potatoed to us. We should have realized that something was up when the dealer offered them to us for a ridiculously low price. We ended up in a chase with Sector Security that resulted in the marking on Pippin's face. He let himself get caught, so I could get to safety. Just another reminder of how much I owe him.

I mentally punch my self. Pippin's always been one of the nicest people I've ever met. He would never hold a price over my head, even if it's a substantial amount.

"Do I really look ridiculous?" My voice comes out in almost a whisper, so I clear my throat and repeat the question. Pippin's icy green eyes move over me as he examines my outfit choice.

"Well, You don't look horrible, so that's something." He half smiles as he pats me on the shoulder.

I can't help but smile. Pippin always finds a way to make any statement a compliment. I grab my backpack off the dresser and follow Pippin as he exits the our small abode and enters Satellite.

"So, We have a couple of minutes before we have to go to New Domino." Pippin begins as we stand on the dirty streets of Satellite. "What do you want to do 'til then?".

I look at the buildings that surround us. Years of strain have worn away at Domino City creating the cesspool that is Satellite. Run by gangs and card games, Satellite is everything I despise. It is everything I hope to eliminate. In truth, Satellite is everything I am. Corrupt and broken. I despise everything about this place because it is a reminder of who I am. I yearn to escape, but I can't. Satellite is my home, for better or worse.

I couldn't leave this place, anyway. The social elites of New Domino would never take to having "Satellite scum" in their city. It angers me to end how they act all high and mighty, but never try to help with the situation here. It doesn't help that Sector Security will take any opportunity to take advantage of the helpless people of Satellite.

"Hello? Anyone home?" A gloved hand waves in front of me as I realize that I didn't answer Pippin. I turn to him and laugh as his crooked grin reminds me how much of a goofball he is. I mock punch his shoulder, and he feigns pain. I turn away from him, trying to contain the laughter that threatens to break through.

I look around the streets and wonder if any of the usual hotspots are available. The bowling alley is practically empty this time of day, and the old highway is too far away to walk to. If only our duel runners were in working condition. Damned Sector Security. If we hadn't been ambushed by them, We'd never run our duel runners that hard. The bike shop is also closed, but I wouldn't want go there anyway after the incident with the parts.

I begin to walk through the streets, aimlessly at first, but I pick up my pace as I begin to recognize an area I haven't visited in years. My pace quickens as my heart begins to beat like a drum. I swiftly move through the slums with Pippin following close behind before I come to an abandoned part of town. The ground here is dark from the fire that swept through twelve years ago.

My heartbeat quickens, and my palms begin to sweat. I haven't been here since that day so long ago. I place my hands in my pants pockets as I come to a stop near a burnt husk of a place, hoping that I can keep myself steady. I look up at the sky, hoping the clouds can calm my nerves. This area was once home to families; It now stands as a reminder of a dark memory I wish to forget.

I'm suddenly stopped in my tracks. A heavy weight falls against me. My heart feels like it might jump out of my chest. I can feel my throat tighten as my breaths become shallow and harder to come by. I know I'm here, but I don't want to be. Why did I even walk this way? I haven't been here since the day of the fire. I haven't been here since I lost them. I lower my head to the burnt ground and feel everything within me tighten.

A burnt shell of what used to be a house stands towering over me. The family that lived here was a happy one. A husband, a wife, a son. They loved each other, even when they couldn't. They shared a bond that I envy. A bond I barely remember. Tears begins to roll down my cheeks as I begin to remember that night.

I was just a young boy then, maybe six years old. I was a very timid person, but that's usually what happens to kids in Satellite. If you don't join a gang, you end up a victim of the gangs. Thankfully, I had my mother and father to keep my head on straight and keep me away from the bad influences.

I hated the gangs. They brought so much unnecessary violence to Satellite. They are the reason that access to New Domino City is blocked off. The gangs tore the place to shreds, claiming to be freeing it from the pompous elites of New Domino, but they just used their newfound power to take advantage of innocent people. The gangs were a poison, but they wouldn't be nearly as powerful if not for Monster Cards.

The stupid card game came to Satellite in a flurry. Card shops were opened, tournaments were set up, and Satellite's downfall began. It started when a few shops were robbed. Satellite became known a thief central, and The shop owners stayed away, preferring to pay the exorbitant rent of New Domino than risking thier business here. People became desperate for cards, and this led to duels where players put their rare cards on the line because that was the only way to get them. Eventually, Full fledged wars were being waged for cards. I avoided the damned things for as long as I could, but sometimes the things you avoid the most are the things that hurt you most in the end.

My father and I had been working on repairing an engine he had brought home from the factory, when a stray spark found a puddle of oil. Before we knew it, The entire garage was engulfed with flames. I can still feel the smoke in my lungs to this day. The feeling of death invading my mind. The fear that my last breaths would be in that garage.

Mother must have heard our screams. Why else would she have run in there. Whenever I close my eyes, I can still see the fear in her eyes. My father used one of his wrenches to break a window. At first, I thought he had broken it to get some of the smoke out, but when he grabbed me and told me to get help. I had refused at first. I didn't want to leave them, but my mother's soft, caring voice eventually convinced my to go into Satellite for help.

I ran. I ran as fast as my little legs could. I remember running down the hill, choking on the smoke in the air, tears rolling down my face. I screamed for anyone that would listen. I didn't care who it was; I screamed my throat sore. I didn't pay attention to anything as I ran. I simply wanted to help my mother and father. I wish I had paid attention. I wish I would've seen the small group of five that stood in my path. I wish...

I ran right into them. I can't remember their faces. Sometimes I have nightmares about that night, running out of one fire and into another. I do remember one thing about them: The leader of the group. His light green hair blowing in the wind. His beady little eyes burning a hole right though me. The look of anger and disgust on his face. He was someone I was very familiar with. The daily beatings. The torture he put me through. His name will always be etched in my memory. His name...

...Bryan Rhodes.

I had tried to explain to him that my parents needed help. I begged them to help me. I tried to plead my case to a jury, waiting to deliver a verdict they already had. I had to try. My parents needed me. I couldn't let them die like this.

"Why should we help your ma and pa? They created an embarrassment like you. That deserves some sort of punishment."

I couldn't believe my ears. They were seriously going to stand there and do nothing. I begged again. I pleaded with them, but they simply responded by punching me in the face. All five of them jumped me there in the middle of the street. I was simply easy prey for them. Allowing me to beg was thier way of toying with me. The pain that rippled throughout my body tore deep into my skin, cutting my bones. Fists and boots left bruises on the surface that would eventually heal, but the scars that lie inside would never heal.

I lost consciousness sometime during their attack. I can't remember if it was the third or fourth boot to the head that did it, but I remember the darkness that enveloped me. I woke up in a sewer outside of Satellite. My body was broken. My will was broken. I was broken.

I walked into the city hoping for something. Maybe I had already known the truth when I asked about the fire. Part of me likes to think I couldn't have done anything. That my parents were destined to die in that house. That, even if I had gotten help, they wouldn't have made it out of there. As I stood alone for the first time in my life, I realized that I had nothing to live for. The only two people I had cared for were gone. I had nothing. As I began walking, I half hoped I would wake up and it would all be a nightmare.

I wasn't lucky enough for that.

The next few days were a struggle spent trying to figure out how I would survive. I was only six years old, so there weren't many jobs I could do. The factories were always willing to hire anyone that could work regardless of age, but decided that wasn't a possibility. I had enough of fire and smoke for one lifetime. I eventually decided to somewhere to sleep worry about the rest later.

I had been searching three days before I met a dashing blonde Casanova with a heart of gold. Eleven year old Pippin Hellwig was the first person I had met in a long time to have such a genuine personality. He oozed charisma and charm. He took me in and gave me the first meal I'd eaten in days. When he offered a place to stay, I quickly accepted. He and I quickly become close. In him, I found a person to confide my deepest fears, and In me, He found a buddy to hang out with. Befriending Pippin didn't heal the pain inside me, but it did help me forget about it.

An itch in the back of my skull pulls me from my memories. A shiver runs down my spine as the wind hits my exposed skin. I reach back to scratch it, and as my fingers move over the itch, a sharp pain shoots through my skull. I clench my eyes shut and drop to my knees, gripping the sides of my head. The pain is unbearable as it shoots from the back of my head to behind my eyelids and back again. I try to scream, but I can't.

"Alistar Langford," A deep, commanding voice freezes me. The pain disappears, leaving my head feeling empty. "Your time has come."

I open my eyes slowly, not wanting to make any sudden movements, and begin searching for the source of the voice, but am shocked to find that I am no longer in Satellite. More specifically, I'm shocked to find that I'm nowhere.

Surrounded by darkness, I look all around, but there's nothing, except me and the emptiness that settles into this area. I pull myself to my feet, but almost fall back down as what I assume to be the sky opens as a lins of light breaks through the darkness. From the light, A ball of energy begins to form causing the atmosphere to become heavier. Clouds begin to form in the sky, swirling around the energy ball; lightning strikes down and thunder shakes the ground.

I would lying if I said I knew what was happening. I look around hoping to find Pippin.

"Alistar Langford," the voice speaks again and pulls my focus back to the ball of light. "I am the spirit of The Dark Highlander. I am here to bestow upon you a great destiny."

My legs suddenly begin to shake as the light speaks. A great destiny? For me? What does the hell does that mean?

"Soon," The light begins to pulsate as an image of a dragon flashes in my mind. The giant red beast send chills through my body. Its wings spread for what seems like miles, and the horns on its head curve downward. Rows of sharp teeth glisten in its open mouth. Its body burns brightly as flames circle it. Bones protrude from the tail, leading to the arrow tipped end. "You will make a choice that will change the landscape of your world. You must make a choice between denying the darkness within your soul and accepting your darkness. When your choice is made, An evil force will come for you and those you love. Thier intentions relying entirely on the choice you make."

My eyes widen. Did I just hear that correctly? Deny my inner darkness or accept the monster within me? And what did this 'thing' mean by "An evil force will come for you and those you love".

"Hey..." I begin to speak, but my eyes and limbs suddenly become heavy. I fall to my knees; The blood rushes out of my head as my vision blurs. The last thing I hear before everything goes dark is a final warning.

"The time will come soon. In New Domino, You will find your destiny."

I blink my eyes, clearing my vision and giving me a hell of a headache. Did that just happen? I place a hand on my head and look around and find everything the same as it was before I blacked out. As I turn around, the wind blowing against my cheeks reminds me that I had been crying. I quickly wipe the tears from my cheeks, but flinch away as I feel a stinging on my left cheek. I remember what happened just minutes ago when I scratched that itch and withdraw my hand from my face. I don't want to experience that again.

"I think we'd better get going." My voice is husky as it leaves my lips, and a dryness in my throat makes me regret not bringing any refreshments. As I look up at my best friend, I see that he has turned away from me, likely to allow me time to mourn. As I begin to walk towards him, Pippin turns back to me shaking his head.

"Yea, The boat to New Domino won't be waiting f- Woah!" Pippin flinches away from me, taking a few steps back. Shocked by his reaction, I quickly twist around expecting to be attacked from behind, but no one is there. I turn back to him with a questioning look on my face, which becomes a confused look as I see Pippin digging around in his backpack. He pulls out a PDA and jogs over to me as he taps on the screen. He lifts the device to my face and my eyes bolt open at the ghastly face that greets me.

It's my face that stares back at me. I takes me a moment to realize this, but my usual features --my dark hair, small nose, defines eyebrows, and pale skin-- are a dead giveaway. It's not the usual things that are so ghastly, but a very distinct, very new thing I didn't have a ten minutes ago that leaves me at a loss for words.

A dark purple marking runs down my face. A thick straight line, starting under my left eyebrow and going down all the way to my jawline. Two thin black lines run along the mark starting on the corners of my left eye going down to my jawline on either side. Unable to find words, I stand there dumbstruck by the mark. Did I get this from the vision? Was what the voice said true?

My head begins to throb as I try to wrap my brain around this whole situation. How could I know if this was really happening? A thought strikes me as I grab my deck from its holster on my belt. I quickly shuffle through the cards in the deck, searching for a specific one. I come to a stop on the next to last card. Its white frame shines in the sun; The name at the top standing out as I hold the card. The lettering glitters as the sun's rays bounce off of them. I've never even seen the card before, but the name threatens to send me into cold fits.

In my hand I hold a level seven Dark Highlander.

My breaths become shallow as I remember what the voice had told me.

"You must make a choice between denying the darkness within your soul and accepting your darkness."

"Hey, I hate to interrupt the crisis you are currently going through, but can you please explain where the hell that marking came from?" Pippin's voice cuts through my thoughts and reminds me that I've been ignoring him this whole time.

"Sorry." I shake my head and explain to him everything I've gathered to this point. As I finish, He furrows his brow and whistles at the bombshell I just dropped on him.

"So this vision has something to do with our trip to New Domino?" His voice sounded more uneasy and lost than I had ever heard it. The charm that always seemed to drip into his voice was now gone, replaced with doubt and uncertainty. "Should we just cancel the whole thi-"

"No!" I can't afford to miss this chance. I have to make it to the Fortuna Qualifiers. Even if going to New Domino would put me in danger, I have to be there. "I've got to go to New Domino. There's nothing that's going to stop me from making it, and if there's some ancient prophecy that wants me there, Even better."

Pippin just nods as he places the PDA back in his backpack. I had completely forgotten that he still had it in his hand. He tosses the backpack over his shoulder as he steps closer to me and places a hand on my shoulder.

"Well, If you're going to follow some wild prophecy into the abyss, I'm going to be right there with you." He glances out at the ocean. "We're going to miss the boat if we don't hurry. Race you there?"

He flashes me his pearly whites as he takes off into a full sprint. I silently thank whichever Gods gave me this wild destiny that they also gave me Pippin. I'd go crazy if I didn't have him by my side. I place my deck back in its holster as I follow after him, hoping that any adventures waiting for me don't mind that I'm from Satellite.

A/N: Well, There you go! Pretty exciting, right? Maybe not edge of your seat exciting, but we'll get there. For now, We settle for exposition, and more Alistar and Pippin. And dueling. Can't forget that.

Let me know what you what you thought of this first chapter. I spent months experimenting different stories and characters, and I think I've finally found the right combo of plot, characters, and motivation.

Next chapter, Alistar and Pippin have a 'friendly' duel, major characters are introduced, and we get to spend some time with Pippin. What more could you ask for?

Besides better writing from me ;)