Decision on use of 5D's plot: Yeah, not going to happen. Sorry if you actually liked 5D's. I just really don't care for it. So, the only part of 5D's actually making an appearance is Neo Domino City. Also, there are nosyncro monsters at all! I'm still trying to get my head around the concept… I'm sticking to the good old rules from Yu-Gi-Oh and GX. So it has been said, so it will be.
Random talk: Results of the poll are at the end of the fic! (If you haven't read my profile.)
Note: The italic text has a purpose besides stressing something. All will be revealed later. Just know that bold-italics are for someone talking to another person and bold is a computer talking. This may change over time depending on what is going on.
Mirror Image
Chapter 1: Mystery
It was a year after the Mariemaia incident and all was rather peaceful. The young Gundam pilots decided to either live in one of the many Winner manors or, in the case of Wufei, somewhere nearby. It was convenient because it was just outside the city where the main Preventers headquarters was located for those times they were needed.
Out of all of them, only Wufei was a full time agent along with Zechs, his boyfriend. To find out Wufei was with Zechs wasn't that unexpected. The blonde man really didn't feel comfortable not knowing what was going on with his sister. Thus, Noin and Zechs split up and Noin left for Mars.
Trowa and Quatre had been together not long after the first war. No one knew until Mariemaia. Besides being a part-time agent, Trowa also helped out with the circus when needed. For the most part, he helps Quatre with WEI when it comes to minor stuff.
Duo and Heero also stayed at Quatre's manor. It was only recently they got together when Duo opened a scrap yard in the city and Heero offered to help out. Their relationship is still secret to the public in fear of Relena's wrath. Usually, they would be seen together, making it seem like they were good friends. There were times when Heero would take off, but no one worried, thinking it was only normal for him.
One day in the middle of January, things started to change. Quatre was in his office, looking over some documents for WEI. One of the companies under WEI was having some problems. Reorganizing Kaiba Enterprises had been giving him problems for a while now because of the military division. It was their pride and joy besides what people call "Kaiba Corp", the games and entertainment division.
Kaiba Corp was the only division that ran like it was a company on its own. The reason being is that they still followed the ideals of Kaiba Seto, the CEO who changed a once weapons company to one that focused on bringing joy to children. In a way, Kaiba became a role model to not only children, but business men since he was only 15 when he took over. Even Quatre looked up to him.
There was a firm knock on the door, snapping Quatre out of his concentration. The door opened to reveal Heero. Without having Heero say anything, the blond teen realized it was already time for lunch.
"I'll be right there," Quatre sighed, looking back at the paper in his hand. "Kaiba Enterprises is giving me some problems again. I'm trying to convince the military division that they need to change the items they are designing or else I'll have to shut them down. Not to mention almost everyone wants me to get rid of Kaiba Corp since it barely makes any money."
There was silence for a minute before a hand snatched the paper Quatre was reading. Quatre snapped up his head to see Heero reading the sheet. There had been a different look in his eyes that had made it seem like the one in front of him was Heero. He looked more like someone who handled this kind of thing every day.
"Get rid of them," Heero said.
"What?" Quatre yelled. Shock was apparent on his face.
"Get rid of them," Heero repeated. "The only thing needed these days in terms of weapons is for defense. The military division is not needed in its entirety. You do have the power, right?"
"Um, yeah… I guess I could do that. But what about Kaiba Corp?"
"Leave it. Duel Monsters was brought back six months ago and is slowly gaining popularity. Nothing could be better for Kaiba Corp since the main product they focused on was Duel Monsters. They are the only company that has the right to manufacture any form of holographic system for that game."
"Not really. Soon after the first colony, they stopped making them since Duel Monsters wasn't as big as it had been originally. Since Seto Kaiba disappeared, his younger brother, Mokuba, said that if production of any form of Duel Disk was stopped, the only way someone could start it up once more is if they had the original patent. No one knows where they are."
"That does pose a problem. No matter. Just do not get rid of Kaiba Corp."
"Fine, I won't. But, Heero, how do you know so much about this?"
Heero just smirked before leaving the young CEO.
Later that night, Duo watched his lover search the closet for his suitcase. Once more, Heero was off to who knows where for who knows how long. His secondary laptop was already packed in a silver metal briefcase. That meant that he was looking for the mysterious black suitcase no one that no one has seen what was inside.
"Can't you tell me where you're going?" Duo wined. "I gave up asking what you were going to do long time ago."
"Japan," Heero answered. "Shouldn't be longer then two weeks."
"Two weeks? Why so long this time? The longest you've been gone has been a week."
"It is different this time. More is involved than usual." Duo sighed, expecting that answer. Heero never told anyone what he had been doing on these trips for the past six months, and it was starting to get on Duo's nerves. Not that he would show it, but he was damn close to demanding the truth.
"Just remember to call. Oh, and bring back something! Like Ramune or Pocky! Or something just as good!"
"I'll try. Behave."
Duo just smiled. They both knew that was something he couldn't promise.
Neo Domino City (1) still had that futuristic feel, as if it came out of a science fiction movie or novel. Everything still looked new and clean. Few buildings from the time of the great duelist stood. Famous places like Kame Game Shop and Black Crown (2) were still in business and still going strong since the revival of Duel Monsters.
On the outskirts of the city stood the original Kaiba Manor, now a museum for all things Duel Monsters. It was just as it was back when the Kaiba family lived there with some minor changes to help it stand the toll of time. Supposedly, many of Kaiba Seto's secrets and work was hidden somewhere within the walls of the mansion.
Security was as strong as it was when the mansion was still in use. Everyone that believed the rumor of the hidden secrets was true wanted to have even a minute just to look for it. To this day, no one has even gotten close to finding it. That didn't stop the figure, a teenage boy, hiding in a nearby forest outside the gates.
"Looks like there are less guards and more cameras these days. Idiots… That just makes it easier for me."
"Sure you can do this?"
"Please, I've already broken in before. If I'm right, no one knows about the room. What we want is there. Besides, only a handful of people have access to that room, and most of them are dead."
"Just get it over with. The loop should start soon."
"Someone is touchy today… If you want to get some gifts, I know just to place."
"Hn."
The teen smirked, making a dash for the wall and jumping over it with ease. He headed for a patch of grass, searching for something. Finding a chain attached to the ground, he pulled it to reveal a hidden passage. Making sure no one was around; he entered the dark room and closed the hatch.
Bookcases filled the room making it look like a library, a layer of dust made it evident no one had been there in centuries. One book in particular was part of the reason the teen was there. He lifted the book, making the bookcase move to reveal a metal door and an access panel. He walked up to the panel, letting it scan his eye. The door opened.
Inside, three large screens and computer consoles made up the small room. Just like the previous room, dust was layered on everything. With a flip of a switch and a press of a button, the ancient computer started up. A blue screen appeared with white text that normally came with start-up. It was replaced with another blue screen and the words 'Seto Kaiba'.
"Running identity verification protocol. Please state your name."
"Cut the crap. You know who I am. You wouldn't even start up without my iris scan now."
"Sorry, old habits are hard to delete. You know, this is the second time you had to break into your own house!"
"At least this time it isn't for some psycho after my company. Look, I'm in a rush here. I want you to transfer some info to a disk while I find the paperwork, wherever that brat put them. We're going to make sure Duel Monsters comes back with style."
TBC
(1) Neo Domino City – this is one of my few references to Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds I am going to use.
(2) Kame Game Shop and Black Crown – for those who don't know much about Yu-Gi-Oh, Kame Game Shop is the store Yuugi's grandfather runs while Black Crown is a game shop owned by Otogi (aka Duke). No clue if they still exist in 5Ds, but I don't care about 5Ds.
Random talk: I'm sure most of you know what's going on now. Hear me out! You have to admit this is a creative way of combining the two shows! If you dislike the idea, please don't flame too harshly.
I actually had to watch one episode of Yu-Gi-Oh again because I forgot how this one scene went. Oh, I also went off the English version for that part since I didn't want to waste hours trying to find the Japanese version.
Deck style: I need some help! I already have concepts of what kind of deck Heero, Duo, and Quatre are going to use in the brief moments. I just need some ideas of what kind Trowa, Wufei, and Zechs would use. Please know that I just need a general idea that I can use for banter as I will never write a duel for the three.
Poll results: In the end, there was a tie between two fics. To honor the tie (unlike I was going to do originally), I will work on both fics. Therefore, the two fics that will be updated are….
Mirror Image
and
The Forgotten One
To Angelic Duels fans: you are very lucky that I want to get to Fubuki before the hiatus. I promise to do at least two, if not three, more chapters before focusing on the winning stories.
Thank you to all who voted! I'm sorry to those who liked the other fics in the poll. As soon as these two are finished, I will post a new chapter to signify a new poll. New fics will be added to the poll, giving more options!
IMPORTANT: Updates might be slow. I recently had knee surgery and have to go to physical therapy three times a week. I will get them out as soon as I can. Please don't be upset about delays. I have written up to chapter 5 way before the poll was posted, so consider yourselves lucky.
Until next time!
Rubai-chan, over and out!