Author's Note: Here we are, Chapter 3 and the entrance of Seto Kaiba! Also, expect a wee bit of angst from Cole due to losing his Dad to Heishin. (It can't be all fun and card games, right?)
I also want to thank my good friend ABOOKS5117 for leaving a review and saying that I captured the Yu-Gi-Oh! spirit. Truth be told that's what I was aiming for! And for any superhero fans reading this, ABooks has some great Spidey fanfics including Contest of Champions that are worth a read!
Yu-Gi-Oh! Convergence of Champions
Episode 3: 'Assault on Domino City'
Previously on Yu-Gi-Oh!...
In the realm of Lancaster, the warrior-king Yasuke managed to escape death at the hands of his former advisor, the High Mage Heishin. Heishin had gone mad with power and sought to use the mystic energies of Lancaster's Century Items to resurrect the dark titan Reshef. Yasuke scattered most of the Century Items across the universe and fled to another Earth where he encountered the King of Games Yugi Muto and his friend Joey Wheeler. Centuries ago, Yasuke had sealed Reshef away with the help of the Pharoah Atem, who previously took residence in Yugi's body.
Meanwhile on another world, Avalon City resident Cole Yeager defeated pro circuit champion Simon Kaiser using his Knight Deck and the power of the dragon slaying Buster Blader. This marks the first step on Cole's journey to surpass his father Robert as the 'Ace of Cards', and other duelists are starting to take notice of his skills.
The Century Items managed to find champions: Yugi gained the Century Key, Tea Gardner has the Century Necklace, and Ryou Bakura has the Century Eye. Meanwhile, Cole's friend Hana Hikari gained possession of the Century Scales while Simon now holds the Century Ring.
Cole has gained the Century Coin, which belonged to Yasuke, but at a terrible price: Heishin has used the magic of his Century Rod to steal Robert's soul!
And as if that wasn't bad enough, Heishin has directed his fellow mages to gather the Egyptian God Cards and reform the organization known as the Rare Hunters to collect souls for Reshef. Their first target: Domino City…
The Dominion of the Beasts.
Hana Hikari could only remember one time Cole Yeager cried. That was when he learned his parents were splitting up. Despite Robert and Alice Yeager convincing him that it wasn't his fault, he'd locked himself in his room, bawling his heart out. It took the combined forces of Hana, the Weston twins, and a plate heaping with chocolate chip cookies to convince him to come out.
And yet she'd never seem him like this.
Cole knelt numbly on the floor; his usually bright eyes were dark with pain. Hana reached out and tentatively placed a hand on his shoulder. "Cole…?" she said, softly.
Slowly, the knight duelist looked up. Hana's breath caught in her throat as she felt the waves of heartbreak radiating off him. "Hana…my Dad…he…something happened. And it's all because of this…"
Cole held up what appeared to be a jet-black coin with intricate gold markings. Rage gripped his chest and he hurled the coin away. It flew…
And landed at the feet of Yugi Muto.
Yugi reached down and picked up the coin, noticing Cole still kneeling. He took note of the other duelist's pained look – and how could he not? It was one that had crossed his own face. He walked over to Hana and Cole. "Hello."
Hana turned, noticing the boy with the tri-colored hair and the obsidian key around his neck – which matched the scales she was holding. "Oh! Hello…so you're one of these Champions too?"
"Yes," Yugi bowed slightly. "I'm Yugi Muto."
"Hana Hikari," Hana returned the bow. "I just…wish we could have met under better circumstances."
Yugi briefly nodded before turning to Cole. "Can I sit?"
Cole had no response, leaving the King of Games no choice but to kneel in front of him. He placed a hand on Cole's shoulder. "I know how you feel-"
"No you don't," Cole growled, jerking away from his touch.
"I do…because it happened to me." This caused the other boy to finally look up, as golden brown and violet eyes locked. Yugi took a deep breath before continuing. "My grandfather…his soul was taken by somebody who wanted a power I had. And it felt horrible. Like my own soul had been ripped out of my body. It's happened to me time and time again…my friends in danger, my own life on the line, and you know what I did? I fought. So…Cole, right? Are you willing to fight?"
There was a moment of silence. Finally, Cole rose to his feet. "I'll fight."
Yugi smiled, holding out the Century Coin and depositing it into Cole's palm. "C'mon, there are some people I want you to meet." He turned and walked off, and Cole restrung the Coin around his neck before turning to Hana and noticing the scales in her hands.
"Hana…you too?!"
Hana looked at the scales. "Yeah…" She playfully punched Cole in the arm. "Don't go thinking you're the only special person around here, Mr. Dragon Slayer!" A brief smile crossed the knight duelist's face, and it only widened when he saw Eleanor and Eli.
"Cole!" Eli said joyfully, running over to the other boy.
"Yo," Eleanor responded.
And in the background, Simon Kaiser stood, arms crossed. Good, he thought. When I duel him again, I want him to be at full strength.
Cole, Hana, and the Weston siblings approached Yugi, who was deep in conversation with Yasuke. Elsewhere, Joey plucked the Century Necklace out of Tea's hands. "Not for nothin', Tea, but why'd this thing pick you? I mean, I've helped save the world! Four times"
"And apparently you haven't learned how to be humble," Tea muttered, snatching the necklace back from the blonde. "I don't know why I was chosen, but I do know Yugi's gonna need all the help he can get." A smile crossed her face. "Plus, it's really nice to see you guys…potential apocalypse notwithstanding."
"Same," Joey gave her a thumbs up.
Elsewhere, Ryou Bakura rolled the Century Eye around in his hand. A dark laugh fluttered through his mind, bringing back echoes of the past. He shut his eyes…
"Is everything ok?"
He turned to see Serenity Wheeler looking at him curiously. "Bad memories," the white-haired boy said, pocketing the Eye. "You're Joey's sister, right?"
"How did you know…?"
"Yugi and Joey filled me in on what happened when I was…indisposed during Battle City. Apparently you saved my life."
A faint blush colored Serenity's cheeks. "It was nothing," she said shyly before asking the next question that weighed on her mind. "Are…are you scared of the Eye, Ryou?"
Ryou patted his pocket, almost absentmindedly. "Scared? Try terrified. I spent nearly three years being possessed by a magic item. So, I don't know if I'm really ready for another one…or to be a "champion"."
"Yo Ryou!" Joey's voice rang out. "Yasuke's got something to say!"
Ryou and Serenity walked over to where Yasuke was. Tea, Cole, Joey, and Eleanor stood in the back while Hana, Eli, and Yugi – being the shortest – were sitting down. And off to the side stood Simon, arms folded.
"As I was telling Yugi…the Century Items are far different from the Millenium Items on his world," Yasuke said. His eyes turned to Cole and lingered there for a moment before continuing. "I and my fellow mages used them to seal Reshef a long time ago…until now. The mages turned against me and I was forced to activate a failsafe."
"Let me guess," Cole interrupted. "This failsafe involved picking people who wouldn't stab you in the back."
"Precisely, son-I mean Cole," Yasuke continued. "The Items would choose Champions worthy of carrying them…champions who could help seal Reshef, should he ever awaken. For if he does, he will raze the universe down to its last atom and remake it in his own image."
Cole's brow furrowed. Son? Before he could press the matter further, an image popped unbidden into his head…
He stood in the middle of burning rubble…no, in what used to be Avalon City. And towering over him was a massive gold titan, its unyielding gaze burning into his soul…
Shaking his head, Cole became aware that Yasuke was still talking. "The Items possess immense magic. Using them, Heishin and the other mages were able to boost their innate magic abilities…and now they seek that same magic to wake up Reshef."
"But what's the issue?" Yugi asked. "We have nearly all the items, so this Heishin can't raise Reshef."
"The Items are only half of the ritual. He'll also need the God Cards from your world, Yugi…their energy will fuel his own divinity. And with his Century Rod, he can reach across universes to control other's minds."
"Great that's just what we need, anotha mind-controllin' whackjob," Joey muttered.
"Well…what's stopping the guy from mind controlling us into just popping over into the universe next door and giving him the items?" Hana asked.
"When an item chooses a Champion, it's bonded to them for life. The only way to take it from them is to defeat them in battle…or as you might call it, a duel."
There was a deathly silence.
"So let me get this less bent that it already is," Simon finally spoke up. "We have these mystical items that can revive an ancient god, and the only way to stop said god from resurrecting himself is a card game? That's the biggest load of crap I've ever heard in my life."
Cole spun around, facing the dragon duelist. "Dude, listen-"
"No! You listen. If all it takes is beating this Heishin guy, I'm going to walk up to his front door and challenge him. And once I beat him…you're next Cole. My deck is stronger than ever, and with the power of my dragons I'll crush anyone who takes me on," Simon whipped a finger at Yasuke. "You in the bad cosplay! How do I get to Heishin?"
"It takes immense mastery of the Century Items to travel between worlds…even if I did tell you, the attempt to travel there would rip you apart."
"Rip me apart?! Please, I'm Simon Kaiser. I rip others apart!" Simon boasted.
Cole's eye twitched as Eleanor muttered, "Proud of himself isn't he?"
"Well he's a character…" Yugi mused.
"Yeah am I the only one thinking this kid is Kaiba's long-lost relative or somethin'?" Joey asked.
"No…"
As Cole and Simon stared daggers at each other, a faint glow emitted from Tea's pocket. She pulled out the Century Necklace, which glowed with a faint light. Before she could react, images flashed through her head…
An army of robed men marched through the streets of Domino City, Duel Disks affixed to their wrists. Soon they cornered Duelists…and the carnage began. Despite everyone's best efforts, the robed men's skills were too great…and soon, their opponents fell to the ground, a blank look on their faces.
One of the robed men approached a man in a black vest and red shirt, a bandana tied around his head. "We're ready to take over KaibaCorp, sir."
"Good!" Bandit Keith replied, turning and pulling off his sunglasses to reveal a despicable sneer. "Save that punk ass Kaiba for me, I feel he needs to be taken down a peg."
"It will be done sir."
Tea gasped as the images faded, only noticing the others staring at her. "Uh, what the hell was that?" Simon asked.
She paid the dragon duelist no mind, reaching out and grabbing Yasuke's arm. "How do these things teleport people?!"
"What are you-"
"We need to get to Domino City. NOW!"
Domino City.
KaibaCorp.
Seto Kaiba had wanted one day of peace. One day.
He'd promised his brother Mokuba that they would spend the day together after he'd finished reviewing the plans for his KaibaLand expansion in America. And now these robed idiots were in his way.
"Stop him!" one of the Rare Hunters yelled, leveling a finger at the teenage CEO.
A cold smile crossed Kaiba's face.
"You're welcome to try."
Before anyone could react, one of the Hunters screamed and clutched his hand. Embedded in it was a trading card – more specifically, the Dark Zebra. Before he could react, Kaiba's book smashed into his face. Kaiba didn't stop there, whipping off his purple trench coat and wrapping it around another Rare Hunter's head. Gravity took care of the rest, as the Hunter was flung into his fellows.
"This is the best you can do? Pathetic," Kaiba scoffed as he re-donned his trench coat. "Next time, send better men. Or get rid of those stupid robes."
Then…a piercing voice rang from across the room.
"SETO!"
Kaiba's face paled. "Mokuba!"
In another room, two Rare Hunters held Mokuba Kaiba by his arms. A shorter boy, his head covered with a red beanie, crossed his arms as he smiled at the younger of the Kaiba brothers. "Slippery little dude, aren't ya?"
"What do you want Rex?" Mokuba spat, glaring at Rex Raptor. "Last I checked, you and Weevil Underwood were chilling at the bottom of the barrel. No I take that back…barrels are too good for you."
Rex's eyelid twitched. "You little…"
Suddenly the door flew open, revealing a VERY pissed off Seto Kaiba. He stalked toward Rex and the Rare Hunters, venom lacing his voice. "I'm only going to say this once. Let my brother go. And get the hell out of my building."
"Hmm…tempting…" Rex said, pretending to stroke his chin. Then he flipped up his hand, revealing a small cylindrical device. "Counter-offer: you duel me. Or this whole building goes up in smoke. Including your little brother!"
"You must be out of your mind," Kaiba snorted. "Joey Wheeler beat you – twice – and his talent is…scarce. What makes you think I'm going to duel you?"
"…you heard the part about the bomb right?"
Kaiba's teeth ground together, before he reached for the silver suitcase standing on the table next to him. He clicked it open, pulling out his Duel Disk and snapping it on. "Let's make this quick Raptor."
Rex sneered, triggering his own Duel Disk. "Your dragons are about to become extinct, Seto Kaiba!"
"LET'S DUEL!" they both shouted.
Kaiba: 4000 LP/ Rex: 4000 LP
Domino City.
KaibaCorp.
For all the chaos going inside its halls, the outside of KaibaCorp was relatively peaceful. Save for the group of Rare Hunters lounging outside.
"When do you think Rex will beat the Kaiba guy?" one Hunter asked his companion.
"Rex?! Beat Kaiba?! I'd stake my whole deck that that…ingrate loses in five turns!" another Hunter said, his voice insanely high pitched and scratchy.
The other Hunters shared a look. "Remind me why Keith picked this guy again?" one of them said.
Suddenly there was a flash of light…
…and Yugi, Joey, Tea, Serenity, Ryou, Cole, Hana, the Westons and Yasuke appeared, landing right on top of the Rare Hunters!
"Oh man…" groaned Joey. "An' I thought the KaibaLand coasters sucked."
"I…hate magic…" Eleanor moaned. Suddenly she ran to the bushes and a heaving sound was heard.
The others stood up, dusting off their clothes and feeling the aches. "Well, we made it," Cole said, wincing as he stretched. Then a flash of black and white bowled him over. "Hey!" The rest of them turned to see Simon racing into the building.
"Where's he going?!" Hana shouted.
"Come back!" roared Cole.
It was no use, as the dragon duelist had already disappeared into the innards of KaibaCorp.
"I swear…the minute this is over I'm breaking my foot off in his ass," Cole muttered before his path was blocked by a Rare Hunter.
"Well, well, well…" the Hunter sneered, throwing off his robe. Underneath was a boy with a beetle-like haircut, golden glasses, and a lime green shirt with a beetle printed on it. "More victims have been caught in my web! Including a few familiar foes of mine!"
"Weevil Underwood…" Yugi growled.
"So you joined up with these freaks, huh Bug Boy?" Joey said. "Figures, ya get along like a house on fire."
"Master Heishin promised us power…and the respect I lost! I'll beat you Yugi! And then you're next, Wheeler! Nothing will stop my rise back to the top!"
"Except me."
"Eh?" Weevil stared as Cole stepped forward, glaring at the insect duelist. "And who, pray tell, are you?"
"My name is Cole Yeager. Apparently, I'm a Champion. And I have something your boss wants…but he has something I want. Beat me? You get this coin. I win? You tell me exactly where Heishin is."
"Cole, are you crazy?!" Hana hissed, grabbing the taller boy's arm. "If you lose you'll lose the coin! And that Reshef thing gets one step closer to waking up!"
"Then I'll just have to beat him quickly, won't I?" the knight duelist replied. He knelt down next to the unconscious Rare Hunter the group had landed on and unstrapped his Duel Disk, as another Rare Hunter approached Yugi, tossing off his cloak.
This Hunter was a thin bald man, with a rather vacant expression on his face. Piercings studded said face, and his black striped shirt and overalls made him look like a circus runaway.
Yugi paled.
"Strings!"
The silent Rare Hunter opened his mouth, a familiar distorted voice spilling out.
"So these are your Champions, Yasuke? You place the universe's fate in the hands of children? Why am I not surprised…"
"Heishin, I presume?"
The Realm of Lancaster.
In Yasuke's throne room, Heishin sat, flanked by Marthis and Sectmon. Below, Kepura snacked on grapes being fed to him by cringing servant girls, while Atenza sat in a meditating position.
"Ah yes, the so called 'King of Games'," Heishin sneered, twirling the Century Rod in his hands. "I know of your exploits, little Yugi…and though you may have been chosen as a champion, you're nothing without Atem holding your hand."
Domino City.
"Don't you dare bring Atem into this," Yugi hissed. "He was a better man than you'll ever know…or hope to be. And I don't need his help to beat you."
Strings threw back his head and laughed, the sound sending chills down the Champions' spines.
"Then prove it, vessel! Duel this puppet and prove the Key chose correctly!"
"YUGI!"
Yugi turned…and caught the Duel Disk that Cole had flung at him.
"We fight, right?"
"We fight."
Strings, Yugi, Cole and Weevil simultaneously triggered their Duel Disks.
"LET'S DUEL!" they shouted in unison.
DUEL 1
Yugi: 4000 LP/ Strings: 4000 LP
DUEL 2
Cole: 4000 LP/ Weevil: 4000 LP
TO BE CONTINUED…
Next Episode: "Triple Trouble"
It's a three way duel…dinosaurs duel dragons as Kaiba battles Rex Raptor, Cole's knights are pitted against Weevil's insects, and Yugi has a rematch Strings! But even though the malevolent mime no longer has Slifer the Sky Dragon, his Slime Deck still contains formidable cards.
Comments and reviews, as always, are welcome.