Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING! NOT EVEN THAT QUOTE FROM THE MATRIX!

Last time, Yugi-tachi was given invitations to a grandiose tournament. However, unbeknownst to them, Hiei, who has been the mastermind the entire time, is plotting their downfall.

In this chapter, we will discover where said tourney is being held, what happened to Yugi and his compatriots, and a hideous new twist that will begin to reveal a much darker side of Hiei.

BTW, in case you do not know, the Messengers of Chaos are actual, powerful cards. More details on the way.

Chapter 11: Duel Fortress, City in the Sky

Helms room of the Des Volstgulph, several miles above Domino City

"System 35N activated. Transport subjects on board. Awaiting next command."

This mechanical announcement was only one of a plethora of sounds in the helm of the dreaded inter-dimensional cruiser known as the Des Volstgulph, a vast, streamlined behemoth of a ship that spanned several miles in length. Despite its great size, however, only a select few could actual see it. This was because it was cursed in such a way that only some high-powered individuals could behold it.

Even if another could see it, it would be the very last thing they saw. Hiei had designed this leviathan to destroy any and all that laid eyes on it...save those he deemed worthy.

It is fitting, therefore, that the ship's designer should also be the captain of such. Therein, he laid his command.

"Computer, set navigation coordinates to Duel Fortress, full speed forward."

Turning towards the security camera panel, Hiei could not help but smile at the weakened fools he had captured. They had obviously never been transported by a spirit atom transfer device before.

What Yugi and his pathetic friends do not realize that this tournament has much more on the line than they can possibly imagine. As soon as their bodies are fully recuperated, I will send them a little wakeup call.

Soon, Yugi, your Millennium Puzzle will be around my neck, where it should have been from the very beginning. You will wander the darkness, alone and afraid, unable to do a single thing, as you watch me bath in the blood of your friends and loved ones.

And don't think I have forgotten you, Inuyasha. Somewhere on your person is the final shard of the Shikon Jewel, the whole of which I will need to defeat Yugi and Yusuke and rob them of their power.

As for you, Botan, your time will come soon enough, as have the times of all others who have opposed me.

As these wicked words echoed in Hiei's mind, an even darker voice resounded.

Talk is meaningless, Hiei. Take all the action and say all of the things you desire, for before long, all that you have gained shall belong to me!

Damn you. You seem to forget that I still possess the power of three Millennium Items and almost all of the Shikon Jewel, not to mention the Shadow Powers I already possess. You cannot stop me, old man!

Remember this, Hiei. It is only a matter of time before I return to my full strength. And when I do, nothing will stop me from sending you to your death.

The phantom voice ceased to be, and Yugi and his friends awoke.

"Perfect. Computer, activate holographic projectors and two-way vox systems for room 26. Oh, bring in Serenity Wheeler as well. It's about time her older brother had a little surprise..."

Suite No. 26

Ugh... What happened? I feel like I got hit by a lightning bolt. And where am I?

Regaining consciousness, Yugi began to regain some memory as well.

Oh my God...

Standing to his full extent, Yugi began to look around his quarters. Since he had been forcibly captured, Yugi had expected small housings and heavy bonds upon him.

What he had not expected was a seven room presidential suite.

The entire main room was paneled in glorious precious woods that would normally cost a fortune. Exquisite paintings lined the walls, framed in varying tones of silver. There was a decanter set, a personal bar, a dining room, and an enormous flat panel big screen home theater system, all inlaid with precious stones. And this was just one of the rooms.

"Wow."

Such an abysmal and redundant exclamation was all that could exit Yugi's stunned jaws. The room in which he stood was absolutely marvelous, fit for royalty, even.

"Enjoy this while you can, my diminutive opponent. Call it a last meal, if you will."

Yugi turned around to face the mysterious speaker, who turned out to be none other than...

"Hiei! How did you get in here?"

"Relax, Mouto. Even I can't attack you from a hologram."

A...hologram? And sure enough, his outstretched hand passed right through Hiei.

"Well, that still doesn't answer how you can communicate with me."

"It's quite simple, really, simple enough for even you to understand. You see, every room aboard this vessel is linked directly to my control room. I can send a message to any room by simply opening a communication port. However, I decided to use a holographic media of sorts to have this conversation. If you would be so kind as to look out of your port window..."

Yugi, still keeping an eye on his twisted host, peered out of said porthole, only to see...

"Clouds. Hiei, where the hell are we?!"

"We are approximately 85,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean. We will be reaching our dueling area in about twenty minutes."

Yugi was at a loss for words, then merged with the spirit in his puzzle.

Not surprised, Hiei greeted Yami with the utmost faux congeniality.

"Ah, Pharaoh Yami, so we meet again."

"What do you mean by 'dueling area'"

"You didn't know? The Hellfire Tournament will be held on a floating city known as Duel Fortress. It should be coming in to plain view about now."

Even as the demon spoke, Yami beheld a glorious city, hovering atop a huge white platform many miles above the earth. In the center of this city was a vast hill, upon which sat a heavily fortified tower. Forming a ring about this city was a barricade of hovercraft about two hundred strong.

Yami turned back towards Hiei. "I assume this city has a name?" His voice was dripping with venom.

Hiei, in a voice that was equally as toxic, responded, "This, Pharaoh, is New Paradigm."

"New Paradigm? As in the original Paradigm City? I thought all the residents were slain."

"Almost correct. You see, it is nearly impossible to destroy these people because they do not exist!

"You see, only three people in that forsaken city were actually human. They were Alex Rosewater, Roger Smith, and Michael Seebach. Everyone else was either an android or simply an imprint upon that vast microchip, blissfully unaware that they were little more than memories. It was therefore easy for the catastrophe to wipe them of their inherent memories; their existence was so fragile that the battle that ravaged the city was enough to remove any trace of their non-existent past. Afterwards, they rebuilt their imaginary lives and continued on living a dream! That is, until I stepped in! Knowing that some form of power was hidden here, I murdered Rosewater in an attempt to summon it!"

"So it was you that disrupted the alignment!"

"That's correct, Yami! And it is in this hovering city that I shall lay claim to all that you have! Oh, one more thing, give this back to Wheeler."

Yami, hearing a clunk from above, turned to find...

"SERENITY!"

Sure enough, Serenity Wheeler, comatose but alive, lay behind him.

"Hiei! What did you do to her?!"

With an insidious grin that froze Yami's blood, Hiei replied, "Don't you know, Your Majesty? Cookies need love...like everything else."

Yami suddenly realized what was going on, and as his fury grew, so did a shimmering Eye of Horus upon his forehead. And all of the hatred that he felt towards Hiei finally was released.

"DAMN YOU, HIEI, YOU SICK, TWISTED BASTARD! HOW COULD YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS?! HOW CAN YOU LIVE WITH YOURSELF?! WHAT KIND OF MONSTER ARE YOU?! HAVE YOU NO MORAL FIBER?

"KNOW THIS, HIEI! WE WILL DUEL AGAIN, AND WHEN WE DO, I'LL PUT AN END TO YOU AND YOUR WARPED PLANS ONCE AND FOR ALL!"

Yami managed to calm down, yet still looked at Hiei with a look of hatred.

The hologram shut down, and Yami slumped onto the floor.

The intercom blared into life, announcing that the ship would be landing soon.

Damn you Hiei. I know you're in this somehow, and when I find you, you will pay for your crimes.

New Paradigm HQ

"I see. So, the legendary Yugi Mouto is coming to New Paradigm. Well, we shall see how he fares."

A gangly man with gaudy clothing and gold hair reached for his cell phone.

"Stephan, this is Beck. Bring the limo around, please. We are going to the docks."

Well, it's longer than my other chapters, right?

Next time, the crew meets up in New Paradigm, where Yugi has his first duel of the Hellfire Tournament. Also, we figure out Botan and Kaiba's role in all this.

So long...for now. And Happy 2004!