The hardest part of writing this is having to imagine everything out. I have almost zero reference to go on this. If Wings of an Era would finally update I could write faster, but oh well...
Creative Commons apply.
Enjoy.
Edited: 26 November 2011
Turn Two: Pyro Clock of Destiny
"Six million between the three of us," Yami counted when the six had gathered close to midnight in a chosen room, Jounochi having elected to travel through Europe before meeting up in the next city. "With a discrepancy of a million either way, but that is accounted for."
"Huh?" Yuugi blinked. "It's a discrepancy!"
"It's accounted for," Yami replied. "Travelling fees and the like. Minus another three million as our cut, and he can use the rest." He closed the briefcase with a thud. "Before that..."
"Yeah," Marik smirked. "You, get out here." His voice was undeniably laced with power almost none can defy. A thud preceded the entrance of the Dark Knight of Gotham via the window.
"It's rude to eavesdrop, you know," Yami commented. "Dark Knight."
"Oww," Batman groaned. "Do I want to know how you managed that trick?"
"No," Yami shortly replied. "Explain."
"Or don't," Bakura smirked.
"We don't care," Malik shrugged.
Three pairs of eyes reminiscent of pooled blood glared at Batman. Batman glared back.
"Got it," Malik smirked evilly, thankfully not stretching his facial skin. "So, there's monsters attacking the cities, eh?"
"And you noticed the pattern," Bakura smirked.
"Then you think it's us..." Yami continued.
"...or another capable of summoning monsters," Ryou timidly volunteered.
"So you're here..." Marik cocked his head.
"...to ask a lot of questions, ether politely or impolitely," Yuugi finished.
Stunned silence met the conclusion of this amazing feat of synchronisation.
"Since you're too stunned to answer, I'll continue for you," Malik giggled, a sound that would have caused lesser people to flinch. "The attacks are too coincidental and with too wide a range to be any lone agent."
"Which would imply that it's a group, acting in concert," Marik finished. "Ah, now you're thinking."
"What is the target of this group?" Ryou continued, green eyes becoming slightly glazed.
"Why are they doing this?" Yuugi started.
"Ask, and you shall receive," Yami stated.
"But three questions, and no further," Bakura laughed.
The Batman took a long while to start. "Are there any possible ways to summon real monsters? As in, except for all of you?"
"You already know," Yami shrugged. "You just wasted one question."
The six of them leaned their heads close together, all the better to hear the Dark Knight's train of thought:
Okay, if I had the power to summon such creatures, assuming that the card game was truly magical – well, why not? – what would I do? Seeing as any weapons the Justice League throws at it is mostly ineffective, world domination seems a viable choice. But the fact that some of them were beaten proves that that is not possible. Except that Flash says that the pillowcase was one of the weakest monsters in the game... if that was the weakest I don't want to know what's the strongest possible... So... if I were looking for world domination, I would be looking for... stronger monsters. Of course. That or more help, more pawns, more allies. So, I stage attacks around, attract attention from potential allies. Seeing as the game's not really known in mainstream society, therefore I can pretty much gather allies unnoticed... So...
"If I were someone looking to gather more allies in the game," Batman spoke out loud. "Where would I go?"
"A tournament," Yami answered.
There was a pause.
"What?"
"Actually, the answer is, I would go to a place where Duellists gather," it was Yuugi who answered. "Fortunately, or unfortunately, Duellists of the game are loners and professional ones tend to travel. The only time any significant number would gather would be at the major tournaments. As you noticed," Yuugi pointed out, "All the monsters summoned now are rather weak. Only a professional Duellist who has reached the Heart of the Cards or a beginner who wholeheartedly believes that the monsters are real and waiting can summon anything of comparable strength."
"Believe?" Batman stated. "No, wait, that wasn't a question." He forestalled Ryou saying anything. There was a long pause before he next opened his mouth.
"How many people can summon monsters of comparable strength?"
"The definition of comparable strength?" Ryou asked.
"Enough to take down a meta," the Batman volunteered.
"That leaves a lot of ground to cover," Marik frowned.
"If we're talking weak-ass humans," Bakura sneered. "Plenty."
"If enough to take down, say, a trained hero..." Malik mused. "Enough."
"If enough to level a city..." Yami trailed off calculatingly. "A well chosen monster will solve that. In the end, all it takes is someone hurt enough, someone desperate enough, brave enough to place everything to use the Shadows and stake everything to seeing their opponent down." Crimson eyes bore into the Batman's own cowled eyes. "In a Shadow Game, the only thing that matters for it to succeed is to the will to see your opponent defeated at all costs. To kill through the Dark Game, all that is needed is the will to see your opponent dead more than your opponent's own will to live. Three questions we have answered, no more, no less."
Batman exhaled. "I see. Thank you for your time."
"Just a moment," Yami said as the Batman prepared to leave. "Our payment. It is your turn to answer three questions. This is non-negotiable, except that you may choose which questions to answer."
Batman stiffened for a moment. "I accept."
"Game start," Yami smirked. "Welcome to the Dark Game. Of all the mages you know, why choose Zatanna? Oh yes," he practically purred as Batman stiffened. "We know. Now answer."
Don't even try lying, the magician's words echoed in his mind. That gives them an excuse of accusing that you cheated. And if you cheat in a shadow game, you're toast. No god will help you, no magic can save you, no force on earth will save you.
"... I know Zatanna," he decided. "She wouldn't withhold information unless it was sensitive from me, and even then, she's honest if she can't answer."
"Fair enough," Yami shrugged. "Next question: do you believe it?"
Batman blinked. "... Excuse me?"
"Do you believe that the cards are magic?" Yami clarified, pulling out a brown-backed card for emphasis. "Do you believe that the cards hold magic, and that only if you believe in it enough, it will come to life?"
"...I don't know," the hero confessed. "I was attacked by a psychotic clown who could give the psychotic clown back home a run for his money. I don't know what to think. I've seen proof. I know. Whether or not it's just you people, or any ordinary person, I don't know, but I think there's more to the game than it looks at first."
"Well reasoned," the young man, boy really, mused, eyes half lidded. "Your last question..."
Eyes flickered, wine turned to blood red as they focused wholeheartedly upon the Batman, and the skin of both Batman and Bruce Wayne crawled once more as he recalled one summer night, when a laughing spectre with white hair had hospitalised the Joker and Penguin and even now, the Joker was afraid of the dark. Gotham, being the Dark City, was, needless to say, Joker-free for the next six months. Sweat collected upon his brow as he recalled the sadistically grinning contortionist clown, the maniacally laughing Bakura, the purple mists that were so cold, yet so welcoming...
The Pharaoh of the Shadows gave him a smirk. "Are you afraid of the dark?"
"The Batman, running scared," Oliver Queen whistled the next day. "Never thought I'd see the day."
"I dare you to try it," Bruce Wayne snarled at him, already dressed to the nines despite it only being eight-thirty in the morning. "Face him on the poker table. You'll lose all your cash that way."
"Already saw that," Oliver mused. "So, saw anyone familiar?"
"Six of them," the Wayne Enterprises CEO nodded. "I think you'd be familiar with two of them."
"I will?" he sounded surprised.
"Domino City ring a bell?"
It was probably bad to enjoy seeing the blonde's face turn an ashen pale, the Wayne heir mused. Then again, the man probably deserved it.
"Excuse me," Bruce Wayne politely asked the reception counter later, putting on his most charming act. "My little friend, Yuugi Mutou, said that he was staying in this hotel, but I forgot his room number. Could you please help me, ah... find his room?"
The lady blinked. "Yuugi Mutou checked out with his group already, Mr Wayne," she kindly replied.
The CEO blinked. He certainly wasn't expecting that answer. "Ah. Did he leave a message?"
"In fact, he did," the lady nodded, a sly smile on her face. "Left to a Mr Bruce Wayne. Guess the kid wasn't joking." She handed him a piece of paper.
Dear Mr Wayne,
Sorry we had to leave on such short notice, but the Battle City is starting soon. For your information, that's the next major Duel Monsters tournament. Kaiba Kun finally lifted the old ante rule and it's been going strong for the past four Battle City tournaments already. Any city that is chosen will definitely see a grand showdown. The showdown at Hero City is about to begin.
Yuugi Mutou
PS Your tactics of covering your tracks leave much to be answered.
It was then that Bruce Wayne felt his blood run cold.
"It was like they could read my mind," the Wayne Enterprises CEO continued to Zatanna. "They knew what I was thinking. And somehow they managed to control me. Is there anything else you forgot to mention?"
"I need a name to work with," Zatanna protested. "You haven't given me even a single title, never mind a name. You only asked about Shadow Games. I answered best as I could."
"Nothing said that they could read minds," Bruce growled. "They know. They know the face under the cowl. They know I'm Batman. Hell, they even addressed a letter to me and left it before they left."
"Calm down," the magician instructed. "If they wanted to expose you, it would've been front-page news already. Ergo, they don't. Did they say anything?"
"Battle City," Bruce mused. "It's... a tournament. That's it; the next tournament. The next tournament is a target." he stood up immediately. "Thanks, Zatanna. Unless you could tell me more about …" A thought came to mind. "The Nameless Pharaoh of the Shadows?"
She blinked. "No," she whispered. "But I know someone who can."
"Can I help you?" an old woman's voice murmured as the bell over the door clinked to admit Zatanna, with a fully suited Batman following behind. "Zatanna, long time no see."
"It's business, Madame," the female magician admitted. "Batman needs information."
"I know a lot of things," the tarot reader murmured. "What exactly?"
"The Nameless Pharaoh of the Shadows," Batman murmured.
Madame Xanadu drew a heavy breath. "What for?"
"Maybe I met him," he shrugged.
Madame Xanadu chuckled weakly. "It is a legend, a tale of magic. Would you believe in what we have to say?"
"I'd take whatever I can find right now," Batman shrugged.
"It is as many tales goes," Madame Xanadu began. "A long time ago, there was a great evil, unleashed through an ancient game played then. The Pharaoh mustered up all his strength to seal the dark powers that threatened his people. Whether by his bloodline, his nobility, or his sacrifice, he won a game played against destiny, giving up his name to seal the dark powers this game inspired. The price, however, may not be worth it. The Pharaoh had his soul rend into two, one half of light, and another half of darkness. Ba to reincarnate through the ages alone, ka to remain trapped within the enchanted metal of the Puzzle of a Thousand Years to trap the dark powers. The Puzzle itself was shattered and left under the shifting sands, awaiting its burial.
"However, it was said that destiny itself would underestimate the lengths to which ba and ka will go to be reunited. Whoever manages to piece together the Puzzle will gain the power and knowledge of darkness, a prize many would kill for. However, to piece the Puzzle is to play a game against fate."
"You can't win," Zatanna murmured.
"Only one person will ever piece together the Puzzle," Madame Xanadu inclined her head. "That person will be the Pharaoh's reborn light. With light and darkness reunited once more... the Doorway of Death will open. The Dark Games will begin anew."
"Magic," Batman muttered. "More magic."
"I hate the feeling of teleportation," Batman growled as he and Zatanna appeared within the Metro Tower. "Is everything supposed to be spinning?"
"It's a bit uncomfortable, I agree," Zatanna nodded. "Anyway, so Flash is here, right?"
"Recuperating," Batman nodded. "The last monster hit him hard on the ribs. And that was a weak monster."
"Magic card games," Zatanna shook her head as the two walked down a corridor. "Now I've heard of everything."
"You felt that terror," Batman growled. "Whether they're a threat or not, they... seem to inspire fear."
"I think that's the point," Zatanna murmured. "Magical fights are like that, too; a battle of wills. It always boils down to who has more will in the end, if you draw it out."
They turned a corner and reached the room Flash was currently at, busily typing away at a computer. A very admirable feat, given how his left arm was now in a cast. Light overhead and from the window overlooking Metropolis reflected off the monitor and made it impossible to see whatever Flash was typing.
"Bats?" Flash blinked. "Never thought you'd step out of the man Bat-cave during the day."
"There is a situation," Batman growled in the tone that indicated: you are very annoying. "The next target is the Battle City tournament, wherever that is."
"Battle City?" Flash yelped. "Sweet! Where?"
"I don't know," Batman growled. "Unless there is actually a place called Hero City, I don't know where it'll be held."
"Hero City?" Flash muttered. "That's a card. Full name, Skyscraper Two – Hero City. Guess it's Duellist code for where it's going to be held."
Zatanna blinked. "I just realised. Which city can be best described as 'Hero City'?"
Flash stopped for a moment before he gulped. "Bats," he swallowed. "I think I just figured it out."
A silver helicopter was hovering above Metropolis, heading towards the Metropolis Square. Even from the Metro Tower, Batman could not miss the KC logo on the copter, nor the large crowd assembled at the Square.
Flash quickly brought up an online live broadcast.
"The Chief Executive Officer of the première gaming conglomerate Kaiba Corporation, Seto Kaiba himself, is descending upon Metropolis Square in a grand entrance at exactly noon," the newscaster professionally announced. "Metro News bring to you live footage of his words."
"Duellists!" Seto Kaiba roared in English. Around the world, his words were being quickly translated and broadcast in every language known to the Duel Monsters community. "Within three days, in this very place at this very time, Kaiba Corporation will host the sixth Battle City Duel Monsters tournament!"
"I knew it," Flash's voice was barely a whisper. "I only guessed, but I was right..."
Batman, on the other hand was kicking himself. It's not like the League has headquarters anywhere else.
"The rules of the Battle City will not change," Kaiba stated. "Except that the ante rule has been scrapped. You need a puzzle card and a DuelDisk to participate. Each Duellist must collect six puzzle cards to enter the quarter-finals, in which only sixteen are allowed. From those sixteen, we will go through a tournament style elimination with the last one standing winning a prize of two million dollars, tax free!"
More cheers.
"The Duel arena is... the city of Metropolis!" Kaiba declared. "Anywhere within the city is your battleground!"
"What?" Superman yelled, his voice audible even through fifty feet of concrete.
"However, you have only twelve hours to collect the six cards that reveals the location for the quarter-finals!" Seto Kaiba declared to the crowd. "Three days from now, this city will become Battle City Six! The showdown at the Hero City will then begin!"
Whee... Now the heroes have something to worry about...
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