Sorry for being gone so long! The reason I was gone for so long is that I was trying something new where I write the whole story first and submit the chapters in one night. S here's what I've been working on for five or so months.

So I'm a big fan of Yu-Gi-Oh. While I admit it had its fair share of flaws, I just found it so amazing I ignored them.

Right now, or should I say, before this all happened, I was sitting in bed, watching some guy play Duelist of the Roses on a school licensed iPad. Duelist of the Roses was such a good game. The graphics are amazing and very innovative for its time.

I heard creaking of stairs. Shit, it was my mom. I shut my tablet off and hid under the blankets, pretending to sleep. This usually worked, and it did tonight as well. Once she fell asleep, I continued to watch until I passed out.

How I wish I could become the Rose Duelist...

The next day, I got up as usual. I put on a Dark Magician Girl t shirt, a red long sleeve shirt under that, my glasses, a pair of tan cargo pants, and calf length leather boots. I packed in my bag my art kit, and my iPad. My phone went in one pocket, my deck in the other. A day just like any other.

Except, when I opened the door to my room, I fell. I fell into a hole that should not exist. I don't know how long I fell for, but I passed out at some point. I was shaken awake by a robed figure. I has been lying on a stone platform for who knows how long.

"...summoned from the mystic circle of red and white roses, the one capable of harnessing pure power... There was truth to the legend of the Rose Duelist!"

Wait, what? I looked around. Pillars of granite lay scattered about. The sky was an ugly shade of cloudy purple. And it was cold as frig. I brought my hands to my arms, trying to shield myself from wind that was blowing just hard enough to sap the heat from me.

"Lady Margaret! I...I did it! Now we have the means for defeating the evil forces of Rosenkreuz!"

He stared at me a moment. "Oh...My apologies. In my excitement, I'd forgotten I was in the presence of the Rose Duelist. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Simon McMooran, High Druid and a servant of Lancaster. May I be so bold as to ask the name by which the Rose Duelist would like to be known?"

I blinked, pushed my glasses up my nose, and brushed a strand of blond hair out of my eyes. "Lucy. My name is Lucy."

"Lucy? What a fine name indeed! Now here's the situation. The year is 1485 and you are currently in Stonehenge, near Salisbury, England. The British Empire is in turmoil with the House of Lancaster's rightful claim to the throne being challenged by the Yorkist usurpers. The power struggle is referred to as the War of the Roses, a name based on the badges used by both sides- a red rose for the Lancastrians and a white Rose for the Yorkists. Right now, our kingdom is threatened by the Yorkists and their wrongful claim to the throne. All because the Yorkists enjoy the support of the Rose Crusaders and their sorcerous White Rose Cards. Using our Red Rose cards, we summoned you, Lucy, to this day and age. We hoped that your dueling experience would defeat the Rose Crusaders and lead us to victory."

I nodded slowly, trying to comprehend what was happening.

"You will help us...? Of course you will! Foolish of me to even doubt where your loyalties lie... Rumor has it that only the Rose Duelist stands a chance against the power of Rosenkreuz. We appreciate any help you can provide against them. Before I forget, I should warn you that the rules to dueling differ here from those of your age. Here in England, dueling is governed by what is known as the Perfect Rule. In addition to several minor distinctions..."

I was trying to pay attention, really I was. But my mind tends to wander, and I couldn't help but think we weren't supposed to be here.

"...Lucy!" Simon said, snapping his fingers in front of my face. I jumped. "Have you been listening? You must select a deck. It is important that you feel the vibrations of a Deck Leader, the minute resignations that ring true to your soul. The cards themselves draw their power from the energies of the Ancient Ones. The Deck Leader acts as an intermediate between the Ancient Ones and the deck wielder. Lucy... It is essential that you select a Card Leader whose rhythm matches the stirrings of your soul."

He held out three decks. "Here are several decks to choose from. Give it some serious thought and make your selection."

I looked at all of them. "Not to be rude or anything, but I have my own deck right here." I pulled out my deck. The cards were frayed around the edges and some suffered massive damage because I had accidentally put it through the wash once. Still, I was able to salvage them and I loved them with all my heart.

" I see. Very well then." He put the decks away. And your Deck Leader is?"

"Alector, Sovereign of the Birds." I said, showing him the card. It depicted an armored bird man. "By the way, if I'm right and we're in Yorkist territory, shouldn't we be getting the hell out of here?"

As if on cue, I heard a sickeningly familiar voice. "So that's the effect of the Celtic Red Rose cards..."

It sounded like Brock from Pokemon. But this was Yu-Gi-Oh. So it could only be... I stood up and turned around. Walking up over the hill was the one and only douche himself, Kaiba. And god did his armor look stupid.

"It looks like there's some truth to the rumor that the Red Rose cards are capable if time transformation... It's been some time since the Battle of Barnet, old one..."

"Rosenkreuz! What brings you here?!" Simon spat. I took a defensive position.

"Only a member of the Rose Crusaders may call me by that name. If you may recall, I told you once before that you may only address me as Seto. Or does memory fail you, old man?" He looked at me, and my eyes narrowed.

"And you... You must be the dreaded Rose Duelist. I must admit that there is a certain aura emanating from you. I believe an introduction is in order. I am Seto, leader of the Rose Crusaders. There are members of our little group who prefer to call by the name of C. Rosenkreuz."

"I know who you are." I spat.

"I ask you again... What brings you here, Seto?" Simon interjected.

"Mind your manners, old man! What else would bring me here... I've come for the Red Rose cards! After all, it was you who showed me how the summoning capabilities would evolve when the Red Rose cards are combined with the transport powers of the White Rose cards..."

"You aren't thinking of attempting the forbidden Rose Summoning...if so, then the Red Rose cards must never fall into your evil hands! Card sorcery taps into the powers of the Ancient Ones...by their very nature, each card is a double edged sword that can cut both ways... The Rose Cards alone harness tremendous power. There's no telling what horrors one might unleash to the world by combining both Red and White! I will sacrifice my own life if need be to prevent any from uttering the Spell of Doom!"

"The Spell of Doom...? Fool!" Kaiba spat. "The 16 Rose Cards grant power over all. Druid legend has twisted the true meaning of those cards! We Rose Crusaders have sworn to create a utopia free from the ravages of war. We intend to accomplish this with the power of the cards! And we shall do is by extending the rule if Richard 3 throughout the known world!"

We both stared him down.

"By the way, it was clever of you to form a circle of red roses within the white Rose barrier to summon the Rose Duelist...but you were foolish to come alone. This area is surrounded and if you wish to leave with your life, you will do so only by handing over the Red Rose Cards..."

I looked at Simon. "Me a fool? Then what about you? Are you foolish enough to actually believe the Red Rose Cards would remain here in my possession? Right after the summoning, I had the cards dispersed among our best duelists to keep them from your tainted hands."

"Then you leave me with but one option...I shall enlist the aid of your precious Rose Duelist!"

"You take leave of your senses..." No shit! If he thought I was gonna help him of all people, was HE gonna get a rude awakening. I didn't even listen to him as he made his argument. I knew which side I was vouching for.

"I offer you a choice, Duelist. Here are two roses. The white represents me, and the red for old Simon here..."

I took the roses in hand. After examining the two flowers intently, I made my desicion. I dropped the white Rose to the ground and crushed it under my foot.

"Sorry, Kaiba. I always did like Red better. The color of passion and love...the color that streaks my King's hair...the color of blood as it runs on the battlefield..." I said, sniffing the red rose deeply.

"How disappointing. Oh well. You made your choice, and I respect that. For now." Suddenly, I felt a little bad for crushing the flower. I guess I'll cancel that jab I was gonna make at his armor.

"I will guarantee your safe passage until you've met with Yugi. After all, I don't want our little game to end too quickly... That wouldn't be sporting."

He's letting us go, he's letting us go... Don't be an asshole...

" I look forward to the day we meet again, Duelist! Until then..." And he walked off.

"Frickin douchebag..." I said, pulling a candy cane from one if my bag's side pockets. I don't care if it's the middle of July, I have a thing for candy in any form. I broke off the hook, ate it, and held the rest between my fingers like a cigarette.

"Let's get out of here, Simon. Safe passage isn't gonna wait forever." I said.