5 years later, and it remains my most famous story, spawning 3 sequels, becoming the most read story on its first host siteand inspiring many new writers to try their hand at writing.
Weapons of the Gods was my starting piece.
This is my opus, the culmination of all I have learned
Many are probably saying, "What about GX: Hunters?". The truth is, I am still working on it. But it has been hard. You see, the show, in my opinion, went the wrong direction. Everything that Yu-Gi-Oh did right with Wake the Dragons and the VR arc GX did wrong. They made it plodding, with waaaaaaaayyyyy too many characters, a spastic plot, and worst of all, ruined the main message. In the manga, Jaden is told by his hero, "Always duel for fun." That was the message, that no matter what happens, always duel for the love of the game.
What is the message in the third season of GX?
Jaden, stop dueling for fun, get serious, duel for a reason.
The worst move…ever.
The instant that happened, I decided that GX Hunters would have to break from the show. No way would I put the Hunters in that situation, and no way would I have them dealing with Jaden. Period, no way. I will not ruin my story because the anime writers don't know how to tell a story without turning the hero into a brooding jerk.
And thus, I have spent months totally reworking the final half of season 2 and all of season 3 of Hunters. I have finally got the redrafts done, that will get the Hunters out of the situation and into a better one. It will mean more old school characters, more Anarchy, and a very dramatic plot that will leave the Hunters either in control of the world or dead.
Because it will take me a while to get GX Hunters back on track, as I must go and rewrite several chapters, I decided to post this, another story I did for another site. It is one of my best works, and I think, once you read it, you will forgive me for the hunter-wait.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Glory Days
An Uncompromising View of the Future of Our Game
&&& June 12, 20274 P.M.
They it used to be a kids' game, believe it or not. Found packs in the toy department at Wal-Mart, 10 year olds asking mothers for advances on their allowances just so they could get the newest pack of cards. Didn't matter how good they were, because back then every card was basically the same…no real good or bad, no real super strong or super weak.
I find it hard to believe.
Of course, I wasn't playing during that era, back when Maximillion Pegasus painted the cards himself and tournaments were little more then distractions on a rainy day. Nah, all I can remember is things like cookie-cutters and ban lists and cheaters and flames. Things like card thieves and making little kids cry because they try to enjoy a game and end up acting like "noobs". That's the Duel Monsters I know. The sporting event that is a mix of pro wrestling, chess and bull fights. You don't come for the monsters; you come for the adults that were larger then life and with egos to match.
They say the Romans went to see the gladiators to escape the problems facing the kingdom. Maybe that's all Duel Monsters is, a way to escape. Don't know for sure, but I will tell you one thing:
The game isn't that safe anymore.
My name is Chaos. Robert Chaos. I'm a detective, running my own private agency out in Domino's west side. Nice place, close enough to the scum holes that make my bread and butter yet enough distance so I don't fear for my life. When you've seen some of the things I have, you tend to get a bit leery.
It was a boring day. There was a gray tint to the world outside my window, like the sky didn't know if it wanted to rain or shine. The kind of day that could get anyone's mood down. I was trying to watch the ball game, hoping to see if my Tigers had beat the White Soxs. Just because I'm stuck in Japan doesn't mean I can't enjoy my nation's pastime.
"Someone to see you, Mr. Chaos."
My assistant, Henry Shin. Good guy, great at finding out the news stories the rich and famous don't want you to hear. And in a town like Domino, you need someone like that on your side.
"Send them in." I said, punching off the intercom and flicking another Dark City spell card into my hat, which sat a few feet away from me. When things get slow in the private eye business, you find ways to pass the time.
Just as the card scrapped the brim of my hat, she walked in. Long brown hair tied up in one of those librarian buns, big doe eyes wet with tears, dressed in dark colors. Just the hint of wrinkles forming at the corners of her lips, from years of smiling and play. Just as her better years were behind her, from the looks of it, so were her days smiling. Looked like a puppy whose favorite ball had been thrown under the fridge. Would have tugged at my heart stings, if I weren't use to seeing these kinds of dames come breezing through my door.
"Mr. Chaos?" She asked her voice as sweet as the rest of her.
"What is says on the door, don't it?" I asked, glancing her over.
"Yes…of course. I…I want to hire you."
"Would be surprised if you didn't, dollface. Tell me though, you got a name to go with that figure?"
The woman blushed. "Serenity…Serenity Devlin."
Serenity. Only someone in a coma for the last 25 years wouldn't know who she was. Sister of Joey Wheeler, she was the only family he could rely upon. The girl that had once been blind, now allowed to see the world for what it truly is. Don't know if that's a blessing or a curse. She is moving as if she's trying to appear confident, but just can't pull it completely off.
"You want to hire me?" I ask, wanting her to confirm just one more time.
She looks a little startled but manages to nod her head. "Yes…yes I do."
"Then sit down and spill your story, sweetheart." I said, kicking a chair out for her, waiting for her to take a seat. After a moment of indecision, she finally managed to park it. "Come on, I get paid by the hour, toots." I said, wanting her to hurry the heck up. I had muted the ball game, and it wasn't the same without hearing the crack of the bat.
Serenity still looked like she wasn't sure if she should be in my office or not. A good sign, for the most part. When a dame walks into your office all puffed up and vigor and confidence, it usually means she's trouble, the kind that ends with you in a pine box. Won't mean I'll ease up on her any, the best conmen, or women in this case, know how to play the game, and know these tricks.
"I was told not to talk about this to anyone…"
"Who told you that?" I interrupted.
"The police."
I rolled my eyes at that, kicking my feet up onto my desk. "The police have a nasty habit of not wanting people like me making them look bad." I pause for a moment. "So, what's the matter? Jewels stolen? Got a stalker?"
"My husband was murdered last night."
That got my attention.
"You mind saying that one more time." I asked, feet hitting the floor and eyes locking onto hers. "Because I thought you said that Duke Devlin was killed."
"I…I did." Serenity whispered.
I cursed. "This…you are joking, right?" I ask, knowing she isn't. I cursed once more, rubbing my forehead. "Someone plugged the king of games." I muttered in disbelief.
For several years, Yugi Moto held the title of King of Games, a title he won from Maximillion Pegasus in the first Duelist Kingdom competition. Held onto it against some strong opponents, I might add, to the point that some wondered if he'd ever give up the title. Didn't help that he refused to duel most of the Pro League members, as he felt that dueling wasn't about making money but about the love of the game. I know…crazy for this day and age.
Finally though, he was beaten. Some kid from the Duel Academy, his name escapes me, took him on…bitter fight, but the kid won the title, and Yugi slipped away to life after fame.
The kid held onto his title for a little while, but that didn't last. There is a line in "The Masterpiece", about how it is better to struggle to the top then to reach it. That pretty much sums up the kid. For him, it was the thrill of becoming the King of Games that mattered, not actually holding the title. He gave it up to someone else, and thus began the cycle that would last for almost 15 years: A nobody becomes King of Games, holds the title for a few months, maybe a year if they are lucky, then loses it to the newest nobody, and can never win it back.
At least, that's how it was until Duke came along. No idea why, maybe it was a middle life crisis, maybe he was sick of being only known as a second rank Pegasus, but Duke Devlin stormed onto the scene and destroyed most of the competition. He had a brand new deck, one that pretty much everyone copied the day after he won the title, and became one of the longest ruling King of Games the world has seen. Hell, he was close to beating Yugi's record…only a few months off.
And now he was dead.
Things were going to get rather messy.
"What do the police think?" I ask finally, still trying to process everything.
"They…they think it was a mugging that went wrong…he was in a bad part of town when he shouldn't have been." Her lip began to wobble. "But I know Duke…he wouldn't have been there if there wasn't a reason. I…I need to know why this happened. I need to know who killed my husband…" She broke down at that point, big fat tears rolling down those pretty cheeks as she lowered her head to her hands. I had the decency to toss her a box of tissues, before bashing the intercom button.
"Shin, get the car ready." Serenity looked up at me blankly as I issued the orders. "Get the usual gear ready for a crime scene investigation, inner city…where did it happen?"
"A…an alley." She stammered. "On Fifth Street…"
"You hear that?" I asked.
Shin responded. "Yea, loud and clear boss. Car will be ready in 5."
I nodded, clicking off the intercom and turning to Serenity, hand outstretched. "Mrs. Devlin, if you would be so kind?"
"W-what?" She managed to say. "You'll t-take the case?"
I smiled ever so slightly. "Madam, you are asking me to solve the murder of the King of Games…I'd take the case for free." I paused. "But you're still going to pay me."