The Numbers War (Yu-Gi-Oh ZeXaL RP)

One month ago...

As the first day of the World Duel Carnival preliminaries drew to a close, the buzz of excitement still hovered around Heartland City. Of course, there still was that underlying disappointment that originated from losing out in a tournament but many were still enjoying their time. It was hard not to, since Heartland City was practically a theme park. Even if you got eliminated, there was still plenty to do. Rollercoasters, cotton candy booths, clowns scarring children for life, it was all part of the Heartland City package. At least, now that it was due to the city finding itself in the epicenter of one of the world's most popular passtime.

But none of that was important now. All the booths and attractions were closing down for the night. Duelists, tourists, and citizens alike were making their way back to their homes or hotels. The cool evening breeze was silent above the excited chatter of people sharing epic stories of how they managed to clutch out an incredible play, how they saw the most one-sided duel of all time, and how if they had been given just one more turn, they could have turned it around.

The enormous TV screen on Heartland Tower flickered for a moment. Only a few people noticed. Fewer gave it a second thought. None would but there's always those bizarrely aware ones. That and paranoid weirdos camping out in tin foil hats too. But when every TV and D-Gazer began to stream a shadowy figure, Heartland City quickly found their attention focused.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" came a jarringly harsh voice filled with reverb and explosions. Those close to the outer rim of the city could see the flames while even those in the center could see the smoke. "Beloved citizens of Heartland City and esteemed World Duel Carnival participants, lend me your ears. I shall try and be brief but I do get easily carried away with my speeches..."

The figure became more substantial on the screens as the stream closed in on his face. It resembled that of a human's but it wasn't. The skin was a deep blue while his wide gold eyes shimmered with anticipation. His lopsided grin showed his large fang-like crimson teeth, with a jet-black tongue flicking back and forth behind them. "We have eliminated any and all form of leaving Heartland City. One might say you cannot escape, but that feels far too... Restraining. Oh and all you trying to communicate with the outside world using your D-Gazers and phones, I commend you on your quick thinking and ingenuity. It is, of course, all for naught but I would like to thank you for trying none-the-less.

"The world is filled with injustice. That is a thought that no doubt plagues many people on a day-to-day basis. Sure, it may not be your first thought waking up but whenever something goes wrong, people cry out 'Why me?' Well today is your lucky day! I am bringing you an opportunity of a lifetime and all I ask is that you listen carefully...

"How does one erase injustice in the world? After all, one person is a single man, woman, or child against a few billion. Those are not exactly charitable odds. I say we... Even the odds. I'd say one god could stand against a few billion powerless humans, wouldn't you?

"That's right; one of you lucky ducks will get to become a god! You'll get to implant justice on your own terms! The weak can be protected; the hard-working be respected; you alone be loved and worshiped! Whatever you want will become a reality!"

The being sneered, his tongue continuing to dance between his teeth. "Of course, I can't go handing out god powers all willy-nilly. So we'll have a little contest to decide. Oh, it'll be a lot like the tournament that's going on. It'll even focus on a preliminary set-up! Isn't this exciting?!

"But to make sure that I see the best dueling possible, I shall use both the carrot and the stick. I am opening up a portal to another dimension. Specifically, my home dimension. Within it, lies an incredible power known as Numbers. They are incredibly powerful Xyz Monsters that cannot be destroyed by battle unless it is with another Number. However, I do not have an infinite supply of them. I am releasing about 50 of them. Whoever gets their hands on one will be bonded to it."

The being clasped its hands and giggled, which was a disgusting sound coming from the shadowy entity. "Of course, separating a Number from a bonded host... It isn't easy, to say the least. One must defeat them in a duel then either use your Number to absorb the bonded soul or, should you not have one, kill them." Audible gasps escaped mouths all throughout the city, while others seethed with anger at this disregard for human life. And yet, there were some who grinned at this news.

"That sounds a little harsh doesn't it? Well, as we've established, the world is unjust. Might makes right. That's the only true law of the world and now it shall shine forth once more. Of course, killing someone will be a lot more humane than allowing someone to live without a Number.

"An airborne plague has been released throughout the city. Anyone without a Number, that's all of you right now, is infected. Their soul will quickly be devoured and controlled by the monstrous little parasites that exist within the plague. They seek to end their own pitiful lives so they obsess over claiming a Number. So, anyone infected for long enough, will find the same urge. Your entire existence will mean nothing but a chance to find a Number and cure your soul.

The being swung his arms out in an open gesture while wearing a wicked mocking smile. "So I think that's enough talk for now. I am Khaos, God of the Number Realm. Obtain five Numbers and you will earn the right to duel me. Defeat me, and you will be granted powers beyond your imagination. Lose and well... Well, don't lose. Best of luck and may you make your Numbers count! Game on!"

The sky warped and was torn asunder, as many black beams shot out of a wormhole, scattering throughout the city. Most people stood still in shock. The smarter ones ran towards the nearest location of a Number. The war was about to begin...

Current Day

You all find yourselves gathered together standing outside the ruins of a bowling alley. The chill winter air is colder than it should've been, not that any of you really noticed. For all the terrible side-effects of Number-wielding that Khaos left out, they were at least kind enough to keep their hosts warm.

A holographic image of the Roman numerals XIII appear before you all, as a woman's voice spoke up. "Good, you're all here. I'm glad I could make contact with some of you poor bastards who are stuck in that hellhole of a city. I know that this doesn't seem like much consolation, but we've lost a lot of our own men trying to get into the city. That fucker Khaos has the place on some major lockdown. So now we are stuck trying to beat him at his own game. From what I can tell, he has no idea I'm in contact with you guys. Spirit Contact isn't something that many people know and he hasn't shown any knowledge of acknowledging it. I mean, unless that Spirit is a Number, then all the fucking world can see that shit. Not to mention that this whole techno-spirit blender is really fucking unstable. I mean, I'm surprised we managed to keep this conversation going this lo--"

The image disintegrates and the voice is cut off. Now it is just the lot of you standing around outside a former three-time winner of "Best Bowling Alley in Heartland City" according to the newspaper clipping that was barely visible from some rubble. Well, you guys (and gals) and a bunch of psychopathic Numbers that only aren't killing each other for fear of drawing a large crowd of other also psychopathic Numbers.

What do?

edited 29th Jun '13 12:08:40 PM by EviIPaladin

Aya shifts uncomfortably.

"Uh...um... _hi"

A miniature version of the Blackship circles around her head in a lazy manner. Aya looks down at her feet.

This...is awkward...and bad.

edited 29th Jun '13 12:45:58 PM by PhilosopherStones

Mac sighed, and glared up at the grey sky.

"Useless idiots. 's not like they're gonna accomplish anything. They in, they get swarmed by Ghouls or a Number-holder, they're fucked, life goes on."

He stuck his hands into his pockets, and glanced around at his not-quite-allies.

"They'd pro'lly deserve it too."

Naoto Shakuro just glared at the screen and grumbled, "The idiot shouldn't have rambled on so long."

It looked like the group was all here. It was time to begin operations.

Naoto looked over at Aya, from where he reclined against a wall, and at first debated even saying anything, but decided to do so anyway.

"Hello. So, what made you decide to join this group?" She is too awkward. Might we be making a mistake?

As he thought this, a light outline of his Number, the huge and intimidating Heart Earth, appeared behind him.

Ichigo smiled at them, happy to have people around that don't seem to want him to lose his soul. That's pretty nice.

"Hello, the names Ichigo Frollino. Nice to meet ya."

He glanced at the bowling alley.

"Maybe we should go inside and talk there?"

Dave lay on the ground, looking into the sky, resting his head on his hands, looking perhaps even relaxed, but the actual feeling was more one of resignment.

Well, as long as I'm in this mess, might as well try to survive it.

As he stared upwards, Dave's eye happened to catch a deep black cloud. It looked like it was in the shape of an arrow, like...

Never forget me, peon. I am always watching you.

He tried to shake the thought and returned to the conversation at hand.

"Go inside? It's fine out here. Everything looks more organic."

Anabella stood leaning against a wall as she watched the group with an irritated frown on her face. Her fingers twitched for her duel disk and their Number, but she knew from her own Number that it was not the best idea to do that then.

"It's useless to exchange pleasantries right now. We should keep moving." She said as she walked forward. "It's been a month already, and I still only have one Number with me, and I'm willing to bet the same of all of you. Right now, someone could be walking around with three or even four Numbers. We can talk while we hunt."

Naoto nodded in agreement with Anabella, "We should be concentrating on doing more proactive things, I agree."

What would these people do with Godhood...most likely not fix the world's problems.

He then got up and looked around. They needed to increase their number of Numbers. Well, he did anyway. Once he obtained the Numbers, he would become justice, and rid the world of evil.

"Uh...um... _{fear...I don't wanna lose my soul}.."

The Blackship continues to bob up and down as it orbits around her head. She looks over at Ichigo.

" N-nice to mee you. I'm Aya..."

The Blackship listly starts to orbit around Ichigo.

Vlad Drago had never expected to be a duelist playing that ridiculous Duel Monsters game. He had been in town for a hard-drinking vacation with some Army buddies who had wanted to go to the states. But then Numbers started popping up, so the moment the mention of airborne contaminants hit his ears, he used his military training to push past the swathes of children, high schoolers, their parents and grandparents, and a few weirdos who still played card games as an adult, to secure his own Number.

He had also grabbed a nice set of dueling equipment off of a less-than-fortunate contestant who had succumbed to the infection. A deck as well. Ice Barrier, the cards said. How appropriate.

Now he found himself outside of a bowling alley, lumbering over the assortment of people there as a voice over the projector gave a speech that was cut short.

"What make me decide to join group," Vlad said in response to the young man, "was crazy Americanski spirit man killing everyone who did not play his game."

Mac glared at his sorta-kinda-maybe allies. As if bickering would help them. Though they had managed to not die, they would need to actually be proactive in finding the Numbers they'd need to get out of this city.

"Well, suggest somethin' then, 'nless you suggest we have a mini-tourney 'n wreck ourselves, hmm?"

edited 29th Jun '13 5:06:47 PM by Krika

Anabella turned to Mac. It may not have been visible behind her visor, but her glare was ice-cold.

"Like I said, we should keep moving. We are losing time by standing around and talking." Then, to cut off all conversation on the matter, she turned around and walked away.

As the group was on the move, it was clear that the month of anarchy and chaos had taken its toll on the once proud city. Most of the buildings lay in ruin from the destruction caused not just by the Numbers but by the wielders of said entities of mass destruction. Gangs had been quickly formed and were staking claim to the land. When they clashed, the victors would destroy the old base of the fallen as a symbol of victory. Might makes right indeed.

The group would approach a former mini-carnival. This wasn't exactly anything major, since Heartland City was covered with them. Key word in this case being 'was'. Most were destroyed during the first month but there were enough all over the city that some survived. Survived being used in the loosest sense of the word. This particular one had a few booths still standing. There was a worn down stand in particular that had a shredded red-and-white awning and a cotton candy machine. There was also a small house of mirrors and a rickety mini-rollercoaster. More or less, everything else had been razed to the ground.

If anyone wants more information about something in your surroundings, feel free to have your character go up to it and examine it.

I smell a trap...

Aya cowers a bit behind Ichigo as the Blackship drifts over to the rollercoaster.

"I-I smell a trap..."

That's what I said!

"I don't like it here. I think we should be careful, and watch our surroundings."

Naoto supposed it would be good to prune as many ghouls as possible, but to walk into a trap was inane. He did worry for the awkward girl, as she seemed like she would only get herself in trouble.

Maybe it would be good to take her under his wing until she was able to survive on her own.

The rollercoaster was a tiny one. At its peak it maybe was twice the height of anyone there. The cart was in the shape of a bee, with a lot of the paint chipped off. The power box had the front panel dented and knocked off one of its hinges. The wires were still connected and it looked operational and safe, if a bit lame. Sure, it smelled funny and looked a little on the rusted side, but it didn't seem to have any structural flaws.

A carnival.

Vlad knew right away what to do. He went and looked for where they would have kept the animals, if they had any. He hoped there was a bear exhibit. It had only been a month, as long as there was water any animal should be fine.

This wasn't one of the fancier carnivals of the city with all their fancy doohickies like animal cages, bumper cars, and balloon games. You needed permits for that stuff. No, this was just another two-bit operation which was started up to cash-in on the incoming tourists for the WDC. Which may be for the best, as having as many loose bears as there were carnivals would have been just about the only way this whole thing could've been worse.

Aya goes over to examine the mini-coaster herself. The Blackship floats over to a cotton candy machine. Aya turns to Naoto.

"Uh...um what did you say your name was?"

Vlad frowned, guess it wasn't his lucky day.

He looked up and saw the others, "Bozhe moy, oni vse slabyye deti, kotoryye nikogda ne chuvstvoval obyatiyamedvedya zimoy?" he muttered to himself as he walked towards them.

"Don't worry," he told the girl who had been hiding behind the teenaged boy earlier, "If it is trap, we deal with it."

Naoto looked over at her and said rather coldly, "Shakuro...Naoto Shakuro."

He ignored the Russian for now, deciding to not move too far into this circus.

edited 29th Jun '13 9:27:06 PM by NickTheSwing

Anabella looked around the carnival. The place was ruined and seemingly abandoned. Seemingly. With the entire city in shambles, someone desperate and afraid could be hiding anywhere. Like, for example, a house of mirrors.

Anabella walked over to the house of mirrors and examined the exterior. It wasn't a particularly big house of mirrors. In fact, it was pretty small, so if someone really was hiding inside, they shouldn't be too hard to find.

Ichigo followed Aya to where Naoto is because, well, Aya's the only one he's talked to so far who doesn't seem like an asshole to be honest.

Plus, you know, cute girl. It's a nice upside.

"So, how do you wanna do this?"

He pulled a cookie out of his bag and started eating it.

"Any of you want one?"

edited 29th Jun '13 9:48:40 PM by luckybreak91

"Spasibo!" Vlad said at the mention of cookies, "I will like cookie, tovarishch."

"That's a nice name. I'm Aya. Or did I already tell you that? >_<"

She accepts a cookie from Ichigo and munches on it happily.

"So do you think there will be others here? 'cause I hope there won't be...