Disclaimer: I own nothing here! BACK, FILTHY LAWYERS! BACK, I SAY!

Well, as you know, last chapter featured Hiei destroying a greedy necromancer, after which he took a black box from him. The contents of this box will come into play later in the fic.

Now, since I do not want to go to the trouble of integrating how Yugi-tachi met Yusuke, so here it is.

As you know from the second chapter, Yusuke was called upon to investigate the murder of Alex Rosewater. However, Yusuke did not return in time to stop Hiei from murdering Koenma. Therein, the detective was banished from Spirit World, his hometown was sacked by Hiei's servants, Keiko was eliminated, and Yusuke arrived in Domino, where he befriended Yugi after losing to him in a duel.

As for Kuwabara and Botan, theirs will be a much bigger role in this tale than I thus far have led you to believe.

Well, enough of that boring intro! Let's move forward, shall we?

Chapter 10: The Hellfire Tournament

Kame Game Shop

Silence had come upon the small card shop, and for a moment or two, time seemed to have slowed down.

You see, there had thus far been no public announcement, no huge overture, no grand celebration. There was simply the invitations, and five forearm length gauntlets of varying shades of silver. Attached to each was a crest, a key, and a medium-size jewel. Aside from a deck slot, a life point counter, and a small sealed compartment midway up the gauntlet, there were no other distinguishable features.

Inuyasha was the first to speak.

"Okay, WHAT the heck is going on? And what are these gauntlets, anyway?"

If the half-demon said anything else, it fell on deaf ears, for at this point, each of the gauntlets began to glow an eerie green. While this was occurring, the crests was lifting until it was about five inches above it's original position. And from these elevated ensigns came a life-size hologram of a human.

A human that Roger Smith recognized all too well.

"Alex Rosewater..."

The late head of Paradigm Corporation and the faux domineuce of the legendary Big Fau had supposedly been wiped from existence five years ago in the battle of megadeuces that wiped out a huge part of the City of Domes. Inexplicably, however, Rosewater returned several weeks after with a militia strong enough to defeat the shattered remnants of the Military Police. Since the Big O was completely shut down during this time and Roger had been exiled immediately after the apocalyptic battle, there was nothing stopping him from establishing a totalitarian rule over the people of the Domes until Hiei eliminated him.

Of course, the ex-negotiator of Paradigm was completely unaware of the turn of events that had occurred since his expulsion. Therein, he had had no idea that Rosewater was still alive. Yet before he could in any way respond to this turn of events, the holographic Rosewater addressed the people before him.

"Greetings, duelists. My name is Alex Rosewater, and in case you are too simple to determine this fact, I have deemed you worthy of entering the Hellfire Duel Monsters Tournament!

"If you have received your invitation, than the Duel Gauntlet will activate in five...four...three...two...one. System Initiate!"

Suddenly, each of the gauntlets in question began to hover in the air. At the same time, the molecular structure altered into a fluid, mercury-like form and attached to Yugi, Joey, Inuyasha, Roger, and Yusuke.

"Gah! Get this thing off me!" Joey's exclamation pretty much summed up the feeling of each person unlucky enough to have the gauntlet attach to them. It quite literally felt like the forearm it attached to was being melted away and replaced with molten iron.

For the most part, this was actually happening.

As soon as the pain ceased, which didn't take very long at all, the holographic Rosewater spoke again.

"Ignore the sense of pain you have just experienced, as it is simply the assimilation of the gauntlet. It will fully replace your forearm until the end of the Tournament.

"As to the details of such, the rules are as follows. Duels will be played by Battle City rules, with the exception of the fact that each duelist must use their cards as an ante. This is optional.

"Secondly, you have probably noticed the key and hidden compartment on each gauntlet. These are vital components, as you must gather seven keys to unlock the compartment. This will in turn reveal a jewel shard. In order to reach the finals, you must give this jewel shard to the finals transport site official. Only then can you be transported to the finals location.

"Finally, there will be a grand prize: five demands will be granted to whomever should win this tournament.

"Transport vehicles will be arriving two hours after all gauntlets are active. Best of luck!" The hologram shut down afterwards, and the shield returned to it's original position.

Five seconds passed, seconds that seemed like eons, before it happened.

*Yugi, I sense a dark force bearing down on us. Something is about to happen!*

And happen it did. For suddenly, a wave of iridescent light bathed over everyone in the parlor, including Tea and Solomon Mouto. The bodies, minds, and very souls of the victims were being materialized into sub-atomic light particles. And as the beams roared up into the heavens, a thought ran through Yugi's head.

This has something to do with the tournament, I can feel it!

Another short chapter, but a good cliffhanger never hurt anyone.

Alright, next time, Yugi and co. are about to find out that this tournament is being held on a much grander scale than previously anticipated. Hiei also is preparing, as he sets his hired thugs onto his enemies, one of which is a mysterious figure none will suspect!

Also, we find out exactly what the Messengers of Chaos really are!

Until next time, REVIEW, READ, and DON'T FLAME!