Okay, here's the chapter. I know the introduction doesn't tell as much, but that's only because this story will only have Atem from the other previous stories and nobody else. Like what you see in the introduction is ALL you need to know. Okay, in Duelist of the Roses, you actually can choose to join the Lancastrians or the Yorkists. Review please!
It is the late 1400's at Stonehenge in the southern part of England. A mysterious old man in a tan cloak and mysterious eyes arrived inside Stonehenge. He lifted his hands and chanted a spell in old English. Glowing blue energy appeared from his hands and shot right into the sky like an alien beam. The old man's eyes began to glow a bright blue as the beam grew larger and larger before it disappeared, and then the same beam shot down from the sky and landed in the middle of the Stonehenge circle.
A figure began to appear as the old man gasp in astonishment, beginning to see the full figure. It stood still in such odd clothing. He wore black jeans and shoes, a white long sleeved top under a black tank top, and earrings on his ears. He had medium-sized black hair, violet eyes, and a blank face with widened eyes. The figure was finally seen in the flesh with a frozen expression.
"Oooooooooh!" The old man said, looking up at the figure. "Summon from the mystic circle of red and white roses, the one capable of harnessing pure power. There was truth to the legend of the Rose Warrior. Now, we have the means for defeating the forces of Rosenkreuz!"
"あなたは一体誰なんですか!？なぜてめぇは私をここに持ってきたの!?" The figure shouted loudly.
"Oh sorry, just hold on one second. I must make sure I can understand what you are saying. I forget that you're not of this world. You probably don't even know what I'm saying, don't you?" The old man halfly joked, then he chanted a spell as the figure glowed blue before the glow disappeared. "Much better, now we can understand each other. Now, what was that you said?"
"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU AND WHY DID YOU BRING ME HERE!?"
"Oh... my apologies. In my excitement, I've forgotten I was in the presence of the Rose Warrior. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Simon McMooran, High Druid and servant of Lancaster."
"So, you're some sort of high priest or magician working for some Lancaster? Great, I'm being kidnapped by a warlock. This day could not get any worse!"
"May I be so bold as to ask the name of which the Rose Warrior would like to be called?"
"Atem, now will you be so kind as to TAKE ME BACK TO F***ING HOME!?"
"Wow, such strong language."
"Get used to it old man, because I'm really pissed right now!"
"I'm afraid I can't. The year you are in is 1485 and you are currently in Stonehenge, near Salisbury, England."
"Oh yeah, home of the stake, that's what I'm talking about," Atem replied sarcastically, then his eyes widened. "Wait, I'm in 1485? Damnit, you stupid druid! This cannot be happening! How the hell is this possible!? I mean I can see why Yugi would've known about me in the future, but you? This is f***ing bullshit!"
"Anyways, the British Empire is in turmoil with the House of the Lancaster's rightful claim to the throne being challenged by the Yorkist usurpers. The power struggle is referred to as Wars of the Roses, a name used by the badges used by both sides: red rose for the Lancastrians and a white rose for the Yorkists. As you can see, I am a red rose Lancastrian. Right now, our kingdom is threatened by the Yorkists and their wrongful claim to the throne! All because the Yorkists enjoy the support of the Rose Crusaders and their sorcerous White Rose seals. Using our Red Rose Seals, we summoned you Atem to this day and age. We hoped that your fighting experience would defeat the Rose Crusaders and lead us to victory!"
"That's great, just a few questions," Atem replied with the most fake smile he could make before turning it into a serious angry face. "One, how the hell would you know I have any fighting experience. For all you know, I could be a farm boy with no fighting experience. If that was the case, you'd be totally screwed, now wouldn't you? Two, how did you even know that using your summoning powers would choose the specific person you wanted. If I was a rabbit, you'd be even more screwed, now wouldn't you? Three, what if I was 'the bad guy' and ended up choosing to work for the Yorkists or whatever they're called? You'd be even doubly screwed, wouldn't you? Four, WHY THE HELL SHOULD I CARE, YOU DUMBASS OLD MAN!? I don't care about Britain, I don't care about these Rose war shit, and I don't care about any of this shit! I'm not FROM here! I'm not from this country and don't give two shits about England or any of this bullcrap! England has no effect on Japan and can go straight to hell! Besides that, we're going to be enemies in a few hundred years, so knowing I'm on your side or not is way beyond your knowledge of knowing! I could hate Britain for all you know and that would be totally screwing you over to hell, now wouldn't it!? Even if it was a last minute desperate effort, it's the dumbest one I've ever heard in my entire f***ing life! You took me from my home, my family, my country to bring me to this dumb wasteland just so you can use me to screw over to war and do all your f***ing dirty work? You are f***ing dumb and insane, old man!"
"I-I'm sorry, I was just following orders of king Henry Tudor of-"
"Oh great, using the 'I was following orders' excuse. Kiss my ass, old man. Kiss my f***ing ass," Atem said, flipping Simon off. "Oh wait, my bad, you don't know what middle finger means. Okay, then this." Then bit his thumb. "Suck my d*** you f***ing asshole!"
"S-Sorry. Rumor has it that only the legendary Rose Warrior stands a chance against the power of Rosenkreuz."
"How the hell do you know that and what power is it that I have? What am I, some sort of Jesus figure or something? Look mister, I'm not your Jesus and I'm not your slave! People like me don't work for people that force them to do their shit. That's not how it works! You never asked me to be part of this YOU FORCED ME! This is something out of a cliché Superman movie and don't ask what that is, I'm not in the mood! By the way, something to note, what if I was a decedent of this Rosenkreuz, you'd feel pretty stupid then, won't ya?"
"You have to ask our king about that. We'd appreciate any help you can provide against them."
"Translation: we kidnapped you, so do our shit or else. Yeah, at this point, I'm not interested in joining your little group just to be a part of History. I don't even like History, so what makes you think I want to be a part of this. I just want to go home! By the way, do you even plan to bring me home after this shit is over?"
"Of course we will. I'm sure our majesty will provide you a transport home."
"How?"
"W-Well... I don't know exactly."
"Oh damn, you are so dumb! This is stupid shit! I'm stuck in this time line, no thanks to you, and I've got nowhere else to go! You know, you just won the dumbass reward! I was planning on giving it to Edward Cullen, but you deserve it alot more for pulling off this shit!"
"A-Anyway, my lord requires me to release your monster spirit, who lives inside you."
"Monster spirit? Okay, now you're putting way too much faith in me," Atem chuckled, finding this all too amusing.
"The monster spirit-"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know about that shit. I've even changed into my own monster spirit. Just do whatever shit you're going to do already."
The old man brought out his hands in front of Atem and they began to glow bright blue. Atem's body began to glow a bright blue, and then Atem began knowing the knowledge of changing into his Ka monster. He decided to save this knowledge to get back at whoever sent him to this bizarre time line later. This king whatever had alot of explaining to do and alot of beating he deserved. Atem changed instantly into the armor of Black Luster Solder.
"So, that is your powerful monster spirit," Simon said in astonishment.
"Interesting," A mysterious and familiar voice arose. Both men turned and found a Seto Kaiba look-alike with armor and an army behind him. "It looks like there was some truth to the legend or I might be just seeing the best play in all of Britain."
"Rosenkreuz!"
"It's been some time since the Battle of Barnet."
"What brings you here?"
"Wait, you're Rosenkreuz?" Atem asked, showing a half a smile. "Nice armor by the way."
"Only a member of the Rose Crusaders may call me by that name. You and the old man may only address me as Seto," Rosenkreuz stated.
"One of my best and closest friends is named Seto as well. In fact, you look an awfully lot like him."
"You must be the dreaded Rose Warrior. I must admit, there's a certain aura of power emanating from you."
"That's what this old d***head keeps calling me, Rose Warrior. I don't even know what the hell that is! This dumbass just kidnapped me from my time line, home, and country, sends me to the middle of f***ing nowhere, and expects me to happily agree to fight against you guys! So far, he's making me more than uninterested in this little charade, especially since he has no way of sending me back except up his ass."
Rosenkreuz chuckled darkly, feeling entertained by this coincidence and decided to use this to his advantage. He replied, "I believe an introduction is in order. As you already know, I am Seto. I am the leader of the Rose Crusaders. There are members of our little group that refer to me as Christian Rosenkreuz."
"I ask you again, what are you doing here?" Simon asked furiously.
"Mind your manners, old man. What else would bring me here? I'm here to defend my land from the likes of you and perhaps even collect the Rose Seals. After all, it was you who showed me the summoning powers of the magic when combining the Red Rose and White Rose Seals. Combined, they can send enough magic for a Rose Summoning."
"If that is what you are up to, then these Red Rose Cards shouldn't fall into your evil hands."
"Evil hands? Okay, since when did we get to declare who's evil and who isn't? I mean, this isn't a cartoon," Atem said, putting his hands up, then glared at Simon. "Besides that, the only evil people I see are the ones that kidnapped me and are forcing me to do their dirty shit!"
"You don't understand! This kind of summoning taps into the power of the ancient ones, by their very nature. Each seal is like a double-edge sword that can be cut in both ways. The Rose Seals alone harness tremendous power. There's no telling what horrors one might unleash to the world by combining red and white! I will sacrifice my own life, if it means to prevent any from uttering the Spell of Doom!"
"Wait, so let me get this straight. You came all the way here, to enemy territory no doubt, to kidnap me to do your dirty work, using the seals, which Seto is wanting to get his hands on? You are not only risking the fact I might end up siding with Seto, if he ever comes (which he just now did), but you're also risking your own life and Seto possibly winning the war by stealing the seals from your hands. Seriously? Are you seriously this stupid?"
"Not only that, but the 16 Rose Seals, red and white, grant a great power that could help gain more power and win this war with the help of summoning the great one. This power also has a hidden power to this, besides summoning. We Rose Crusaders have sworn to create a utopia free from the ravages of war. We intend on accomplishing this with the power of the seals; and we shall do so by extending the rule of Richard III throughout the known world!" Rosenkreuz explained.
"Can't argue against that. At least you're not kidnapping people to do your shit for you. See Simon, you should follow Seto's example," Atem said, pointing his thumb at Rosenkreuz as Simon stood quiet. Atem was liking this, seeing that Simon was finally starting to doubt Atem was going to side with him finally, and it was about time too.
"By the way, it was clever of you to form a circle with the Red Rose Seals to summon the Rose Warrior, but you were foolish to come alone. This area is surrounded and if you wish to leave with your life, you will do so by handing over the Red Rose Seals," Rosenkreuz offered, handing over his hand.
"Thank you! See, even this guy knows that what you did was stupid!" Atem shouted aloud. "I mean even bringing an army with you to do this mission would've given you some respect toward me, but noooooooooooooo you just had to go and be the most idiotic druid on the face of the earth! Whose idea was it to make you come here alone, Spongebob and Patrick?"
"I am not a fool! What about you, Seto? Are you foolish enough to actually believe the Red Rose Seals would remain here in my possession? Right after the summoning, the spell sent them back to our best warriors to keep them from your tainted hands!"
"... okay, I'll give you one point for thinking somewhat ahead of this, though I still think you coming here alone in enemy territory was a dumb idea."
"Then, you leave me with, but one option," Rosenkreuz smirked, then turned his head to Atem's direction. "I can already see there's friction between you and the old man and I sincerely apologize for this war taking you from your home. I will make it up to you with an offer of joining my quest."
"You take leave of your senses," Simon glared, though Atem just shot a glare at him.
"And you speak too soon, old man!"
"Who died and decided I was joining either of you assholes?" Atem argued.
"Heed my words, Rose Warrior! If you wish to return to your home and time line, you must collect 16 Rose Seals red and white," Rosenkreuz explained in a stoic tone.
"Go on," Atem said, his eyebrows furrowed while rubbing his chin.
"The Red and White Rose Seals must be laid out in reverse of the summoning order to send you home."
"Really? So... collecting these seals and placing them in a certain order can send me home right?"
"Right."
"Huh... sounds interesting, but I don't know..."
"I propose a partnership. You need the 16 Rose Seals as much as we do. Help us gather the seals and I shall guarantee your return, after we've achieved our ultimate goal. Besides, you don't have much of a choice anyways and I doubt the old man will give you a better deal than that. In fact, I doubt if he planed on sending you home to begin with, since he never had a plan to send you back anyhow."
"An absurd proposal! Do you think that the honorable Atem would even lend an ear to your ridiculous proposal!?" Simon snapped.
"Can you be so sure, old man? For one, you already made your Rose Warrior pissed. Not to mention your side just has 8 Red Rose Seals, while I have 8 White Rose Seals. The numbers are even and he could side with either of us. In fact, he's probably leaning toward me, since I never angered him and am even offering him a ride home."
"He's got a point there. He never dragged me into this shit hole and is offering me a ride home," Atem said.
"I think it's quite clear which side is better-positioned to send you home."
"A-Atem! Heed not to the words of this power-hungry lunatic!" Simon warned.
"You seriously have the right to tell me which side is the bad side after kidnapping me and making me an offer to do your dirty work without anything in return!? F*** that shit!" Atem snapped.
"He's right. Is it not for him to decide his own future?" Rosenkreuz agreed.
"Well... yes... but..." Simon replied before being cut off.
"Splendid! In keeping tradition of the Old Temple gardens, I offer you a choice, warrior," Rosenkreuz offered, facing Atem.
"No, don't do this, Atem! Don't choose the side of evil!"
"I think it's obvious which side I'm going to choose. Seto, I want to update the offer," Atem said as Rosenkreuz looked up with two risen eyebrows. "I don't want to be your slave or someone for you to use just because I'm on your side. I want both of us to have equal power to the other. After all, you could have me get all your seals and you just have them for yourself and nothing for me."
"That is true. You are the Rose Warrior, are you not? You will be the one in possession of the Red Rose Seals you collect, while I'll be in possession of the White Rose Seals. That way, we will both be even in power."
"Sounds good to me. Very well, I will take your offer, but if you double-cross me, I won't hold back from attacking you. In fact, I might even kill you; and don't think I won't."
"Fair enough," Rosenkreuz shrugged. He held out his hand and him and Atem shook hands. "I see you are well-versed in judging a situation. Welcome to the Rose Crusaders! I am honored." He turned to Simon, who stood there dumbfounded. "Okay, old man. It's time you made yourself scarce."
Suddenly, an arrow shot from one of Rosenkreuz's men right into Simon's heart and he choked, then fell onto the ground dead. Atem jumped aback from the shock, but then turned to Rosenkreuz's direction. Rosenkreuz smiled almost sinisterly at Atem, who then changed his focus to the man he agreed to join sides with.
"Now, let's talk about the Red Rose Seals. Simon mentioned that he spread the seals among several individuals after summoning you. I think it's safe to assume that a large number of those people are his confederates currently located in France," Rosenkreuz explained.
"So, I'm going to France? Now, I'm wishing my girlfriend was here," Atem smirked as Rosenkreuz snorted a chuckle, finding this person amusing.
"I would like to ask you to enter France from Dover and retrieve those cards for our cause."
"What about you?"
"I would go myself, but I am needed here to maintain our barrier against any invading forces. I promise I will send you forces under your command, if you wish to have them. Though, the forces must be lower than our opponent's forces in order to prevent innocent bystanders from being harmed from war. We are fighting to end this war, not make matters worse. I've also heard somewhere that the Celts inherited their Red Rose Seals from the original inhabitants of Stonehenge, where we are standing currently," Rosenkreuz explained, his eyes furrowing deeper. "This would mean that our enemy Yugi, who comes from a line of Welsh nobility, would likely have inherited one of the Red Rose Seals."
"Wait, did you say Yugi?" Atem asked, almost dumbfounded.
"Yes, why do you ask? Do you know someone of that name or heard?"
"I... once did... he was an old friend, who died long ago."
"I can safely say this one is not the same Yugi you know. His true name is actually Henry Tudor-"
"Yeah, not the same guy. The Yugi I'm thinking... his real name is Akiiki."
"Weird name. Must be an outsider. Anyways, those who oppose the Rose Crusaders are sufficiently equipped to fight against us equally. Given their desperate situation, they will retaliate with everything they've got. It would be wise not to underestimate them. I'm depending on you."
"Gladly, but I don't know how to lead a war, let alone fight in it."
"No worries. I will be sure that you are trained in combat and some points on leadership. It shouldn't be hard, if you have some skill in fighting and leading."
"I run a business that sells games. Is that enough?"
"Business?"
"It's a system that runs sorta like a government to sell products. We call them companies. I run one in Japan under the president of Kaiba Corp."
"In other words, you do have skill in leadership and commanding?"
"Yes, I just don't know about fighting combat. I've only fought against those that have tried to rob my house and the forces of evil."
"Then, it shouldn't take long to train your properly. It seems you have enough experience for it. I will take you to my palace and get you started."
"Thank you, Sir Rosenkreuz," Atem smirked, standing at attention like a soldier as Rosenkreuz chuckled.
"I suppose I can allow you to call me that now."
"It's the only way, so I don't get confused with you and the other Seto back at home."
"Fair enough."