Yu-Gi-Oh: Signers of the Stars [Started/Accepting via OOC/Co-Hosted by evilfusion]

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Number 91 sobbed as she hugged the Dark Signer. [color=#0000CD]"My Master created me to save the world by defeating the Machine Emperors and preventing history from repeating itself. But now I don't know if I am capable of completing my mission. I am programmed to duel. That is my only purpose. But I am doubting my own abilities. What if I am inferior? What am I supposed to do then? Be destroyed as I try to defeat the Machine Emperors, and fail at my task, making my Master unhappy?"[/color] The robot just started wailing. [color=#0000CD]"I don't know what to do!!! All I want is to complete my mission so my Master can be happy and proud of me, but I am...I am..."[/color] Number 91 didn't have a word for what she was, because she had never experienced it before. She quickly searched the 'Net, and came across a concept that fitted. Within the few seconds she had paused, she had added the entire meaning of the word she found to her database. [color=#0000CD]"I am scared."[/color]

[Dementuo]

Leuneth looked out at Lily and #91 from the observatory platform. "So that's the darkness that resides within you... Interesting..." Leuneth said to himself. He then turned his attention to #91. "...She is a strange one... That Karakuri duelist..." Leuneth noted. "...And then there's you, Lily..." Leuneth said to himself. "...Maybe you're not so different from what I was before... Hmph... Interesting what death can do to a person." Leuneth said. "...Now then... I should see what that other duelist is capable of against death's servants..." Leuneth said. Leuneth began to walk down towards the lower level.

[evilfusion]

Lily squinted in confusion as she heard Number 91's wails and fears. [i]Machine Emperors?[/i] she wondered silently. [i]Are those a force greater than the Earthbound Gods? What else could justify creating a non-human dueling entity to combat them.[/i] Unsure what to do, and yet feeling the robot's despair as clearly as she felt her own, she returned the embrace, patting her back uncertainly, yet soothingly.

--

Ven stared at the viewpoint. Not only had the 'catalyst' Dark Signer lost a duel, but the victor had just openly admitted to being an enemy to the Machine Emperors. But that shouldn't be possible. Only those directly related to Yliaster knew about the Machine Emperors. He hadn't even heard of them until he received the Wisel set. He shot a glance towards Sven. "A direct threat to us?" he wondered. "Who could know about us or our plans?"

[Dementuo]

Sven looked over at Ven, then down to the viewpoint once more. "...I'm not sure. This is an unusual turn of events. This..." Sven cut himself off. He got up, unsheathed his sword, and cut open a rift. "I'm leaving for a while. I have to investigate why, and how this happened. No one must know about us until we show ourselves." Sven said. "You know what you have to do, Ven." Sven said. After that, he stepped into the rift, and it closed behind him.

-MEANWHILE-

Leuneth looked at the two from the bottom of the stairway, a good distance, remaining out of sight. "...You certaintly are a strange one, Lily... You seek your own self-succession, you were relentless against two duelists, and you go to great lengths to keep that record of yours... Yet you spared the lives of those two duelists, and you're comforting someone you don't even know..." Leuneth thought. "...Yet you remind me of myself... That's very interesting..." Leuneth thought.

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Number 91 felt a bit better about her mission, and continues to hug Lily.

Doctor Padora suddenly appears next to the duo. [color=#FF0000]"Hello, Miss Lily. I am Doctor Xavier Padora, Number Ninety-One's creator. I confess, I honestly couldn't come up with a better name for her, but she doesn't seem to mind, though her previous opponent called her 'Rose' for some reason. Anyways, I would like to talk to you about the Machine Emperors. Yes, they are a much more powerful force than your Earthbound Immortals. In fact, if it wasn't for the Machine Emperors' owners, Yliaster, you wouldn't be here, serving as part of a nice little distraction for the Signers while they put the finishing touches on their master plans..."[/color]

[evilfusion]

Lily released the robot and gave Padora an icy look filled with suspicion. "And how on earth could you possibly know half of what you just stated?" she demanded. [i]He knew my thoughts, knows about my Immortal, and seems to know my name as well.[/i] "And more importantly, what do you want from me?"

She didnt know what this strange man knew or how it would be important to her, but she was somehow intrigued despite that. What did he mean by she was a distraction for the Signers?

--

Ven nodded, choosing to assume that Sven meant to watch unless it seemed wiser to intervene. He observed the newcomer to the game, the man who evidently had created that robot. This was all very intriguing, yet he did not like the situation at all. If that doctor and his robot girl were an active threat to Yliaster's goals, he may have to intervene to prevent too much from falling out of control. The doctor was not in the tournament, according to his records, and why the girl had been registered was beyond him.

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Doctor Padora chuckled somewhat sinisterly. [color=#FF0000]"I know, my dear Lily, because all of this happened about 2000 years ago. History is repeating itself, and I, along with my creation and my allies, intend to stop it from happening. You see, it is inherent human nature to not want to learn from our mistakes, and to occasionally repeat history by doing exactly that. But for an entire series of world-changing events to be repeated almost exactly? That is not just coincidence. Someone is meddling with this timeline. And other timelines as well. These events are being repeated in other universes, but this universe seems to be the epicenter of the event.[/color]
The Doctor extended his hand to Lily. [color=#FF0000]"Now, here is the crucial point. Will you help me prevent trillions of lives from being lost to some interdimensional prankster, or will you stick with the script you have been given, and continue playing your role in ignorance, knowing that you will be eventually defeated by a Signer and turned to dust?"[/color]

[Dementuo]

"...So you do know them..." Leuneth said from only two feet away, behind Pandora. "If you know them, then I will ask you for everything you know about them." Leuneth said. "But first..." Leuneth turned towards Lily and #91. "Lily... He is speaking the truth." Leuneth said. "And you... The robot girl... After this is over, I will ask for a duel from you." Leuneth said. He once again turned to Pandora. "Now then... What do you know about them... The ones in white... And how do you know of us?" Leuneth asked.

-MEANWHILE-

Sven looked out from atop an observation platform that directly overlooked the group of four. "This should be close enough. And I won't attract attention here." Sven thought. "Now then... Let's hear how you found out about us..." Sven said to himself.

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

The Doctor looked at Leuneth. [color=#FF0000]"I am sorry, but you are mistaken. I am not Pandora. She is an alternate reality version of me from a far-off part of our multiverse. My name is Doctor Xavier Padora, but this is just an alias. You might not know me better as a man who wanted to erase Duel Monsters from history because his world was destroyed by Machine Emperors, but his crusade against Ener-D never was. You might not remember a war waged across worlds that will never be mentioned in any history textbook because the war never existed. You might not be familiar with the name 'Paradox', which is who I am and am not."[/color]

[evilfusion]

"Even if it is true," Lily said to Leuneth, "there isn't much that can be done. As you can see..." she gestured to herself. "I am already dead, confined to a half-life, like you constantly reiterate like a skipping record."

She turned her eyes back to Padora. "If I am meant to lose, then I will lose. But not to try is something I cannot do. I have nothing left but that. Nothing but hollow memories and misplaced desires. Uru chose me," she said, raising her arm to reveal the purple spider mark. "Without it, I'd be nothing but dust anyway. What can I do to change that? I can only keep fighting to win!"

--

Ven's calm composure slipped and he flexed his hands impatiently. [i]I can't sit by and watch our plans crumble into ruins. The spanner in the works is that man...no, no...I must keep calm. He wants us to reveal ourselves, wants us to risk everything with one reckless motion, doesn't he? Just like Wisel's former bearer: to rush to face an adversary is reckless. But what can be gained from waiting?[/i]

[Dementuo]

Leuneth simply stared at Padora for a moment. "...So that's who you are... Yet you still haven't answered my questions..." Leuneth said. "However... I am quite familiar with your name... You've seen Death's door many times now, have you not? You are a rather... Frequent visitor, I must say... I will be looking forward to meeting you there once again, and hopefully... For the last time..." Leuneth said. "Now... What do you know about the ones you refer to as 'Yliaster'...?" Leuneth asked. "And how is it that you know of us...?" Leuneth asked as well.

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Paradox gently stroked Lily's cheek with a gloved hand, smiling. [color=#FF0000]"My dear, I have many of my old foes from the Never War as my new allies. You see, as the loser, I was put in a prison for all eternity for trying to commit a crime so horrible, that death would not be a suitable punishment. However, my jailers decided that I could do better working for them than be locked away for the rest of existence. She I am technically on parole, so to speak, doing what could be interpreted as community service. As I was saying, my superior, and my organization's leader, has come back from death many times. She can even rewrite history. She can undo the damage that was inflicted upon you. Trust me."[/color]
Paradox turned to Leuneth. [color=#FF0000]"I know that, in the original reality, the version of this world before it was corrupted, you did not get crushed by rocks, and became a successful archaeologist for rediscovering the ancient ruins underneath the Nazca lines."[/color]
He then looked back to Lily. [color=#FF0000]"And in that same universe, you did not die from a reckless accident, but lived out a happy and wonderful life."[/color]
The "Doctor" told them. [color=#FF0000]"All you have to do is trust me, and your destinies can be restored."[/color]

[Dementuo]

Leuneth looked at Paradox. "...No..." Leuneth said plainly. "That is not the destiny I want now. This life... Or death, whichever you prefer... Is my destiny. If no one were to watch Death's door, then Death's rule would not apply. I accepted Death, and became what I am now." Leuneth said. He then turned to Lily. "You, Lily, became more powerful than you were before." Leuneth said. He turned back to Paradox. "And you... I only trusted your knowledge of this 'Yliaster' as I have met one of them before. However... Having been through Death's door... And back again... I do not beleive that things would change..." Leuneth said. "And you have kept me waiting long enough... Now answer my questions." Leuneth said, in a slightly demanding tone, but still with the holo, mono-tone voice that he had.

-MEANWHILE-

Sven was intrigued by what he had just heard. "So that's Paradox... Hmm... Another figure from the past. Hmph. So he ishow our enemy, when he knows, fully well what the future he now strives for holds." Sven thought. "He will not be of any threat to us in his current state, however... Not like he is now." Sven said to himself.

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

[color=#800000]"But [u][b]I[/b][/u] am a threat."[/color] A female voice replied from behind the Yliaster member.
Behind Sven was a beautiful young woman with red and black hair styled into Yusei Fudo-like fins, one gold eye and one blue eye, a red and black racing outfit, a black sleeveless trenchcoat, and a gold and emerald amulet around her neck. And she was holding the Yliaster member at swordpoint as she sat on the railing of the platform.
[color=#800000]"Hello! The name's Itsu Solace, leader of Neighborhood Watch, and Paradox's boss. And I wouldn't contact your buddies unless you want your pretty little jugular to not work anymore."[/color]

Paradox sighed. [color=#FF0000]"Well, I can guarantee you immortality, if you would like that. Then you could keep your current forms. And I will explain if you accept my offer of an alliance."[/color]

[Dementuo]

Sven looked at the woman who had just appeared before him. "So you knew. It doesn't matter, though." Sven said. "You have no power here." Sven said. He proceeded to unsheathe his sword once more. "You're forgetting that I have the advantage. I still remain with not only the Machine Emperors, but also ZONE." Sven said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an aquaintance to re-make." Sven said darkly. "And if you won't stand aside yourself, then I will make you." Sven continued, as he walked towards the exit, sword half raised. "One way or another, I'm getting through this door."

-MEANWHILE-

Leuneth looked at Paradox once more, this time with a look of disgust. "...I do not need your assistance with 'immortality', for I have already found myself in a position where I will never die..." Leuneth said. "And as for you... I despise anyone whi thinks that they can overcome Death as an obstacle. Wether it be by my own hands... Or those of another... Death will claim you." Leuneth said. "That is the one destiny that will never change."

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Itsu grinned as she suddenly reappeared in the doorway in front of Sven, her sword pointed at his neck and now much longer than his sword. [color=#800000]"Tsk, tsk, tsk."[/color] She chided the Yliaster member, wagging her finger. [color=#800000]"You apparently have no idea how dangerous I am. I know your plans, and I aim to stop you. Now, let's have a little fun playing a children's card game, eh? You win, you get to not only go through the door, but you get to kill me as well. I don't want anything if I win, however."[/color]

Paradox facepalms. [color=#FF0000]"I meant true immortality! You may be undying, but you still have an Achilles' heel! I could remove it if you aid me!"[/color]

[evilfusion]

"You haven't quite mentioned how we 'aid' you," Lily pointed out. "Only a promise to restore us to our original lives if we do. Exactly what are you after that needs us." In truth, she found the offer of losing her reliance on the Immortal to be tempting, yet part of her still burned with a fire to duel Signers, defeat them, and make her way up the ranks of the tournament. Yet she was afraid now, more than ever, regarding her chances of success by the time the finals arrived. She crossed her arms briefly, still watching Padora, her eyes sweeping the room for eavesdroppers.

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Paradox replied. [color=#FF0000]"We first need to find Akarui and convince him of the same thing. Then, and this is the hard part, but you have to hear me out, we need the Dark Signers and the Signers to stop fighting and join forces. Only then can Yliaster's plans truly be thwarted. You see, the Machine Emperors are powerful cards that use Synchro Monsters, the main cards of the Signers, against them. However, they do not affect Earthbound Immortals. This is their Achilles' Heel. They are still a threat if you do not use Synchro Monsters, but they are much more easily dealt with. Lily, I personally believe that you might be able to defeat one of these Emperors singlehandedly, a great feat in of itself. They also rely on singling out opponents. You must take them on in pairs or small groups."[/color]

[Dementuo]

"...No." Leuneth said firmly. "I returned from Death. Not from hell, but from salvation. I live in this cursed, wretched life so that, when the time arrives, no one will have to remain in it." Leuneth said. "My job is to open the door for those who are not ready to do it themselves, and guide them out of this life, and into the next. Whatever reasoning you may have... I couldn't care less about it." Leuneth said. "You may believe what ever you choose. I will continue my job here, in this life, and every life afterwards." Leuneth said. "Now... I must say, you are trying my patience. While I have a life the span of at least a thousand lives... I have very little patience. Now, if you would... Answer my questions." Leuneth repeated.

-MEANWHILE-

"Hmph. So be it." Leuneth said. "The understanding and logic of humans, I will never quite understand. However, it does not matter. If you wish for nothing in return, then so be it." Sven said, as he backed away to the opposite side of the platform, activated his Duel Disk, and drew five cards. "Since you challenged me, I'll take the first move." Sven said. "Draw. I summon Grand Core. Now, since I control a monster with "Machine Emperor" written in its card text, I am allowed to Special Wisel'sSkiel Artisan." Sven said, as a small, brown, egg-shaped core appeared, and a large, mechanical bat-like warrior appeared next to it (ATK: 2100). "I set two cards. Turn End."

LP: 8000
Hand: 2
Monsters: Grand Core, Skiel's Artisan
S/T Zones: 2
Grave: 0
RFG: 0

[spoiler=Skiel's Artisan]
Machine/Level 5/WIND/ATK: 2100/DEF: 1800
If you control a monster that has "Machine Emperor" written on its card text, then you may Special Summon this card from your Hand. When this card is sent to the Graveyard, Special Summon one monster from your Graveyard. It's ATK becomes 1800.[/spoiler]

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Itsu quickly thought about what she would do in fact, she kept thinking and thinking, as if she was wasting time on purpose...

Paradox explained. [color=#FF0000]"Yliaster is an organization that was supposedly founded to protect the Signers from threats like yourselves, but they became corrupted and turned into a group that simply wanted to make the world what they wanted it to be. Eventually, a trio of cyborgs took over about 2000 years ago, and steered Yliaster towards their objective of preventing an Ener-D-related apocalypse. They first manipulated some of their members into resurrecting the Dark Signers, which they then sent against the Signers to act as a distraction while they prepared the final stages of their plan. Then, the Signers had to fight the new leaders of Yliaster, who turned out to be one complete being, and a colleague of mine. Our leader, ZONE, traveled back in time to prevent the completion of his master plan. Records are sketchy, but the Signers made it out just barely in one piece."[/color]
[color=#FF0000]"Now, a new trio is planning on doing something, but my organization and I cannot figure out what. That's why the repetition needs to be changed to create a sequence of events that results in Yliaster unable to complete their goal."[/color]

[Dementuo]

"You do realize that these are standard rules, correct?" Sven asked. "Meaning that every turn has a 3-minute time limit to it before you're called for Stalling, and you forfeit by default." Sven explained. "Now stop wasting time and make your move." Sven said. "If you simply wanted to waste time, it could have easily been done so by simply holding that sword of yours at my neck for half an hour." Sven said. "Hmph. Whatever your reasoning is, I don't care for it. I do [i]not[/i] appreciate being kept waiting, however." Sven said, with a slight tone of annoyance to his voice.

-MEANWHILE-

"...Thank you for answering my question. While it didn't tell me anything I would care to know, it may still be useful..." Leuneth said. "Now... If you're done, then I will be challenging this 'creation' of yours. I must test her capabilities against mine." Leuneth said. "Lily... Be sure to watch this. You may find yourself once more." Leuneth said.

[evilfusion]

"Pairs or small groups?" Lily repeated with a snort of skepticism. "Most duels are one-on-one, it's nearly impossible to take someone on in multiples without initiating a duel specfically to the disadvantage of another."

"And you're saying we should ignore the missions given by the Immortals, to instead join up with our foes, and together defeat duelists who also oppose our enemies, but aren't as effective against us personally?" Lily continued, shaking her head. This whole situation barely made any sense. If these Yliaster people had someone done something to make them return to life, to play out some strange game...well, that part made sense, but if there was no known reason for it...

---

Ven groaned. "This is absurd. Do we have to hijack the tournament to get things back on track?" he wondered aloud. He slid the tournament Duel Calculator into his gray cloak and stood up, preparing to leave. "Then that's something that will be attended to. If some fool is going to go about inspiring a new ends to combat our means, then a new plan must be made, and a faster action."

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Itsu grinned as her amulet flashed and she suddenly realized something. [color=#800000]"Oh, look at the time! I've got an appointment! See you soon!"[/color] She quickly dashed out of the building.

Paradox continued to stall. [color=#FF0000]"Well, if you insist, you can defeat the Signers. Or you can help me, and not have to rely and the Earthbound Immortals anymore. You have no idea what could happen if the Machine Emperors take the field and-"[/color]
A red-haired woman runs out of a nearby building. [color=#800000]"They did it. They are changing their plan."[/color]
[color=#FF0000]"For worse or for better?"[/color]
[color=#800000]"No idea, but we got their attention."[/color]

[Dementuo]

"Hpmh..." Sven deactivated his Duel Disk, unsheathed his swore, and cut open a rift once more. He walked through, exiting back in the viewpoint. "Ven, Ren." Sven called. "We have a change of plans." Sven said.

-MEANWHILE-

Leuneth looked over at the woman who had appeared next to Paradox. Leuneth sighed. "...How many interruptions will I have to deal with today...?" Leuneth asked himself. "If you will excuse me..." Leuneth walked over to #91. "You, girl. Duel me. Now." Leuneth said, demandingly. He then turned to Lily. "Stay here. Watch this. As I told you a minute ago... You may find yourself by looking at life from a different point of view, as I have..." Leuneth said. "Now then... What will you do? Will you accept, or decline?" Leuneth asked, turning to #91.

[evilfusion]

Ven paused, turning towards Sven. "Oh good, you're on the ball. I was thinking we'd have to go into the fray ourselves, let the tournament continue as a diversion for the meaningless people, and force the Signers to evolve their dragons before taking them from them," he said. "The Dark Signers can still be producing energy from their duels, and their Immortals should still crave the duel, but we cannot let things unfold without interference."

--

"Yes, I heard you the first time. Wonderful things, ears are," Lily said dully. She didn't want to watch Leuneth duel 91. It would be even more embarrasing to have lost if the former won.