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The Story of METROCON Thus Far...

ABOUT METROCON >  The Story of METROCON Thus Far...

2003 Creation of METROCON

METROCON is founded as the nexus of worlds, thus allowing characters from other dimensions to come together in the same place to meet. The Gear, the symbol of METROCON, is the put in place as a filter on reality so that ultimate evil cannot come through. Feel free to read the "Story of METROCON" in it's entirety, or skip ahead if you just need to catch up!


SEASON 1: THE NEXUS OF WORLDS
2004 Chess Match - Year One: Cat Girls vs School Girls
2005 Chess Match - Year Two: Pirates vs Ninjas
2006 Chess Match - Year Three: Kawaii vs Kowai ( Cute vs. Scary )
2007 Chess Match - Year Four: Anime vs Video Games - Shattered Dreams
2007 Fantasy Masquerade
2008 Chess Match - Year Five: Light vs Dark

SEASON 2: DARK RENAISSANCE
2009 Chess Match - Year 6: Fantasy vs Sci-Fi - SIEGE
2010 Chess Match - Year 7: Ninja vs Samurai - VISIONS
2011 Chess Match - Year 8: Monsters vs Hunters - ESCALATION
2012 Chess Match - Year 9: Agents vs Outlaws - ESCALATION

ANIME HUMAN CHESS MATCH - Season 1: The Nexus of Worlds

2004 Chess Match - Year One: Cat Girls vs. School Girls

After receiving an anonymous message describing the great wealth METROCON’s infamous gong held, Lupin the Third plotted to steal it from Roy Harms, the owner of the convention. During opening ceremonies, his plans were foiled as Spike Spiegel and Faye Valentine of Cowboy Bebop, whom had also received the same letter, wanted the gong for themselves. Using his knowledge of chess, Lupin the Third decides to challenge them in the first ever Anime Human Combat Chess for possession of the gong. This way, no innocent bystanders at the convention would get hurt during the fight.

During the match many sides changed and there was plenty of backstabbing. This left leaving Spike and Faye un-victorious in their journey to retrieve the gong from Lupin. Although the gong was safely returned to METROCON in the end, Lupin himself escaped the clutches of security disguised as Zenegata.

2005 Chess Match - Year Two: Pirates vs. Ninjas

In 2006, Roy’s attempt to get through Opening Ceremonies without interruption was unsuccessful as Gendo Ikari was in search of a specific boy for his Human Instrumentality Project. Using the status of METROCON to find him, Gendo asked for a Mister Edward Elric to make his face known. Along side his brother Alphonse Elric, Ed is persuaded to challenge Gendo to an Anime Human Chess Match, as Gendo is using Edward’s mother as leverage.

During the beginning of the match, Edward’s effort to get Roy Mustang and the State Alchemists to help him is thwarted as Mustang sends someone else as Edward’s back up instead: Naruto and his ninja clan. As the fight became desperate and Ed showed no sign in giving up, Gendo proceeds to break the rules and shoot Edward’s longtime friend, Winry Rockbell.

Rei Ayaname then turns on Gendo, finding the whole situation unfair. Proving, also, that more sinister forces are behind everything, the Homunculi Lust appears telling Edward to give up and hand himself over to Gendo.  Edward agrees, only hoping not to lose anyone else and get his mother back. Then if on cue, Lupin returns to inform Edward Elric that the “mom” Gendo has is a fake! After defeating Gendo , and giving him over the pirates as their new cabin boy, Rei Ayaname sacrifices herself in order to restore Winry’s life.

After the momentary “happy ending”, Edward tells Sosuke Sagara of Full Metal Panic to take Lust to his headquarters and keep her there. Unfortunately for them, Lust escapes as Sosuke is actually Envy in disguise.

2006 Chess Match - Year Three: Kawaii vs. Kowai ( Cute vs. Scary )

Receiving a unidentified package during Opening Ceremonies, Tohru Honda decides that gifts from strangers can’t be bad – unfortunately, Yusuke and  Kuwabara  of YuYu Hakusho appear telling her to hand over the book, because there is something obviously wrong with it. Trying to prove to them otherwise, Tohru removes the slipcover only to show that it is the Death Note ( a book that can kill anyone by just writing their name in it!)

As Tohru and Yusuke argue as to whether or not to give it up, Yomiko Readman and Miss Deep of Read or Die interject trying to convince Tohru to give it over to them so that they, the British Government, can study it. Tohru unable to decide to give it too, allow Yomiko and Yusuke to challenge each other to a game of Anime Human Chess for possession of the book. To keep Tohru from running off with it, Yusuke handcuffs himself to Tohru for the remainder of the time, much to Kyo and Yuki’s displeasure.

During the match, they call upon the service of Edward Elric again along with government issued Turks and their president Rufus Shinra who is still confined to his wheelchair. Disliking the way Yomiko and Miss Deep are playing the game, he switches sides on them to fight for Yusuke and his gang. Also during this time, Tseng of the Turks takes on Kuwabara, only to be killed in battle which changes the direction of the match entirely – people are now dying and it’s time for Yusuke to get serious.

Putting Yusuke easily in checkmate, Miss Deep proceeds to beat him ( and consequently Tohru who is still attached to him ) which results in an all out battle between everyone for possession of the Death Note.  Little did they  know that Miss Deep was slowly becoming less and less herself and began to take on everyone left on the board, including Yomiko Readman herself. After being taken down,  Yomiko’s boss and colleague, Mister Joker appears asking for the Death Note, which Yomiko managed to receive during the shuffle. Once in his hands, Joker reveals himself to not be Joker at all but Gendo Ikari, back for revenge! Using his plant Asuka Langley Soryu, he then uses the power of the Death Note to kill everyone left on the board. Killing Edward Elric last and slowly was the wrong choice because using the last strength he had, Edward Elric stabs Gendo killing them both.

As the end seemed evident, Belldandy returned by suggestion of the Yusuke’s friend Botan, returning all those who died back to life. Forgetting about the Death Note, believing it’s gone, Yusuke uncuffed himself from Tohru and everyone returned to their respective homes.

However, Rufus Shinra who had remained quiet in the back corner, rises from his wheelchair only to appear as Raito, who seemed to be behind this from the beginning. Failing on killing those on the board, he, with Misa, take the Death Note for themselves in hopes to find a new user of it.

2007 Chess Match - Year Four: Anime vs. Video Games - Shattered Dreams

METROCON 2007 CHESS MATCH MOVIES

Epilogue: Operation Full Deck	Episode 1: Dreams of the Soul	Episode 2: 141.12	Episode 3: Fate Revealed

Prologue:
Being granted a second chance, Tseng, along with the Turks and Yomiko Readman, proceed to track down the real Mister Joker and free him from his captors. Unfortunately, upon finding him, it’s worse than they all feared as Joker proceeds to tell them of something more far ominous than the Death Note and more dangerous than they could have ever imagined...

Folken and Dilandau leave on a mission to stop the destruction of the Zaibach Empire. The Fate Engine has shown them that this can be averted by acquiring the Sword of Light from Gourry Gabriev; however, the sword cannot be taken by force otherwise the distruction will occur.  Both go on a mission to prevent this fate from happening. Upon approaching Gourry, they offer him compensation for the sword but he refuses. Lina Inverse accepts a challenge from them to test her intelligence and agrees to put the sword up as part of the bet. The game, of course, is chess. This particular game, can only be held at METROCON - the nexus of worlds. METROCON is protected from harm by The Gear - a filter for the nexus keeping out anything that is pure evil.

Cervantes, has been having dreams of a powerful sword of infinite power that he can add to his Soul Edge. Usually the undead do not have dreams and he is compelled to go to where he knows the sword will eventually be. Taking a route other than the nexus, he shows up at METROCON and takes over the Riverwalk outside. He agrees to abide by all rules and not cause any trouble while he is there.

Opening Ceremonies:
Folken, Dilandau, Gourry, and Lina show up at METROCON already having approval to hold their chess game there. Of course, Lina and Gourry haven't prepared at all and didn't realize they needed to have enough players to fill their side of the chess board. During opening ceremonies, Terry Bogart and Chun Li show up and agree to fight for them. Dilandau, however, says that video game characters are not allowed since this is an "anime" human chess match. Roy Harms, the owner of METROCON, tries to state that they are allowed to play but is interrupted multiple times by everyone. Terry and Chun Li, assuming they are not allowed to play, leave but warn that they will be back. A while later, they show up with a bunch of their friends and a fight ensued. Upon winning, Terry challenges Roy to a chess match for the whole convention otherwise people will get hurt. Having no choice, Roy agrees. The others try to leave but Roy states that they have to fight for his side since they caused all of this. Folken devises a new plan - keep your enemies on your side where you can control them.

Chess Match:
During the chess match, Roy receives a package from an unknown source. Later a fight between Ryoga and Kilik accidentally results in knocking Xianghua out. Roy agrees to let Terry have another piece to replace her. Cervantes walks onto the board and is immediately challenged by Sailor Moon. Her powers are no use against him and he kills her. This sets off an all out fight where Cervantes takes control of the video game side of the board. Roy calls the match but Cervantes says if he forfeits, then he must abide by the terms set up and turn control of the convention over to him. Terry Bogart changes sides and joins Roy against Cervantes.

Dilandau fights Link and wins. Cervantes uses Link's unconscious body as a bargaining chip and forces Princess Zelda to fight Nausicaa. Nausicaa eventually forfeits the fight and Zelda demands Link back. Cervantes returns her champion by impaling him upon the sword Zelda is holding. Zelda is overcome with grief at Link's death and vows revenge.

Dilandau, going against Folken's plan, kills Gourry and Lina and takes the Sword of Light by force. He then turns on Folken and mortally wounds him. Cervantes attacks Dilandau to take the Sword of Light for himself. Vincent Valentine, having been sent to find out what is really going on, comes to a horrifying realization. The Soul Edge and the Sword of Light are two swords of infinite power that shouldn't be able to come together under normal circumstances. Since METROCON is the nexus of worlds, this unique place has allowed them to be in the same place at the same time. If the two swords hit, something catastrophic could occur. A melee breaks out between the surviving players and Cervantes is stopped. Zelda, seeking her revenge, stops Vincent from killing Cervantes so she can do it herself. As she knocks his gun aside, he accidentally shoots Roy, who was holding Cervantes, in the shoulder. Both Cervantes and Dilandau head straight for each other and before anyone can stop them, the swords collide.  The backlash of the resulting explosion is so powerful that it destroys The Gear.

The gateway opens and it is revealed that the person behind Cervantes dreams of the sword is Sephiroth. Having been trapped in the void between worlds, he engineered the meeting of the two swords so they would collide and shatter The Gear and allow him access back to the world. He comes through the gateway and rains destruction upon those left. Ichigo dies in a valiant attempt to stop him. As all is lost, Cloud shows up to battle Sephiroth one last time. Sephiroth appears that he is about to win when Roy steps back on the board with the package he had been given earlier. It contains the materia used in summoning The Knights of the Round. The Knights attack Sephiroth and weaken him allowing Cloud to finish him off and he disappears into a cloud of black feathers.

A piece of The Gear lands on stage and Roy picks it up. Having been shattered, who knows what evil will now be unleashed upon the unsuspecting world.

Epilogue:  
The Prince of Persia makes his way back home but falls in the desert as elsewhere Rukia holds Ichigo's sword and mourns his death.

Link's body has been wrapped in fine cloth and put onto a boat. Zelda, grieving for Link, lays the Master Sword on his chest and pushes the boat out into the river. It floats away and she cries knowing it will be the last time she sees him. Hyrule, for the first time in years, is now without its champion.

The boat floats downriver and eventually comes upon an embankment. A black boot stops the boat. After a few moments, Links gasps loudly and sits up under his funeral shroud.

2007 Fantasy Masquerade

Prologue:

A black glove is seen closing a book and says that none shall escape from the story within.

Tohru Honda, Kyo, and Yuki come back to METROCON because Momiji wants to finally see it. They all agree to avoid going anywhere near the Chess Match. They split up and Momiji gets lost and runs into Naruto. They meet a green cloaked figure who says he is a storyteller. He tells them they must go find Tohru and bring her back with them because only she can resolve a great story that is happening right now.  They leave and Tohru accidentally runs into the cloaked figure herself. He pulls her into the ballroom and everything goes dark.

Later on, Naruto and Momiji come back to talk with the cloaked figure and they are transported to another world. One in which Tohru has been stripped of her memories and thinks she is a servant girl in a castle.

What transpires next is a story in which Tohru has been added as an extra element. This story has been repeating itself for years and the hope is that Tohru will break the cycle.

Two brothers, Kyo and Yuki live in a castle with their stepmother, Queen Beryl. Their father died a long time ago and Beryl became queen of the land. The throne was to pass to whichever of the King's sons had found a bride on his 18th birthday. Beryl did not want to give up being queen, so she transformed Kyo into a beast and eliminated any girl that Yuki got close to. Kyo's father had figured out what the queen had done and prepared a special bracelet to remove the curse but Beryl had him killed before he could give it to him.

Now, on the eve of both brother's 18th birthday, Tohru comes to the castle. She meets both brothers and both of them like her. Beryl tries to eliminate her but her staff thwarts her attempts. Roy Mustang along with Huges, keeps her safe from harm and prepares her for the royal dance. During the dance Kyo chances to come out of his room dances with Tohru. She doesn't mind his beastly appearance and knows there is someone wonderful underneath. Beryl sees them together and orders her generals to take action. Yuki steps in and tells his brother to run and decides the best way to protect Tohru is to proclaims that he is going to marry her. He hopes this will keep her safe for the time being.

Tohru does not know what to do and meets Momiji and Naruto. They have been allowed into the story by the cloaked figure to help her. She doesn't remember them but they know of the bracelet. They acquire it and give it to her.

Kyo hates his brother for "stealing" Tohru away from him and fights Yuki for her. Yuki wins and tells Kyo that he only did it to save Tohru for who she's really meant to be with. Tohru puts the bracelet on Kyo and he returns to his human form. A fight ensues with all of them against the queen's generals. Momiji and Naruto stop the story and rearrange everyone so that the good guys win.

Beryl herself tries to kill Tohru and is instead impaled upon a sword. She dies and the kingdom is finally set free. Tohru and Kyo are now free to be together.

Tohru wakes up and runs into everyone else. They've been looking for her at the convention for hours. She tells the story of what happened to her but no one believes her.

The cloaked figure stands watching them go. After they depart, he pulls of the cloak to reveal that he is actually Roy Mustang. He had tried to send help to Edward Elric in year two of the Chess Match but had gone missing. He had deduced some of what had been going on with the nexus and was in route to tell him when he was trapped in a book by someone very powerful. A book which had a story that had been made up using some of the people that were in the same Chess Match that Edward Elric was in so long ago. Over the years he had gained enough power to bring someone else into the story with him. He chose Tohru. She had been innocent enough not to use the Death Note when she had it and was pure enough that her love for Kyo had ended the story and released him. Now, he was out and knew what had been going on behind the scenes for years and vowed to put his plan into action to see that the whole cycle of evil was broken.

2008 Chess Match - Year Five: Light vs. Dark

With The Gear shattered into who knows how many pieces, how can anyone stand against the forces of evil that are prepared to strike against an unsuspecting world.

2008 ANIME HUMAN CHESS MATCH MOVIES

PROLOGUE
With the Gear being shattered, Mr. Metrocon (Roy - the CEO of METROCON) called an emergency meeting of the METROCON Staff to figure out exactly what was going on. Unbeknownst to them, fate had already scattered the broken shards of the Gear throughout the known worlds. At the same time, a mysterious cloaked figure came to Princess Zelda with a proposition. He claimed to have the power to bring the fallen Link back from the dead, and convinced her to challenge Ganondorf to a Human Combat Chess Match at METROCON. The purpose for this is to reclaim Ganondorf’s piece of the TriForce. As proof of his intentions, he returns to her the recovered Master Sword. Mr. Metrocon agreed to host her chess match in exchange for her help in locating the missing pieces of the Gear.

OPENING CEREMONIES
At the opening of the convention, Zelda had still not received word on Ganondorf’s decision. By opening ceremonies, however, his presence was well known (Roy got beaten up..again). He agreed to her challenge, but before things got out of hand, the cloaked figure appeared and intervened with what seemed to be Link. The cloaked figure explains that while this is Link, he is only partially whole, because they still lack Ganondorf’s piece of the TriForce.

CHESS MATCH
By the beginning of the match, it was apparent that several former heroes had fallen to darkness, and most of the pieces of the gear had found their way into the hands of combatants on both sides. Over the course of the match (and the Fantasy Masquerade the night before), all but one of the pieces were recovered by Mr. Metrocon. Near the end of the match, the cloaked figure revealed himself to be Xemnas. After dispatching of Pride and placing Ganondorf in check, he requested that Zelda loan him the two pieces of the TriForce that she possessed, so that he may be assured victory over the dark lord. Ganondorf, all too quickly concedes the match. As the forces of light are reveling in their victory, Xemnas reveals his true intentions by handing over the two pieces of the TriForce to Ganondorf. As Ganondorf assembles the Triforce, Xemnas reveals that he has been the mastermind behind not only the creation Anime Human Combat Chess Match but it's events for the last 5 years. Each year was another failed experiment intent on opening the door to Kingdom Hearts. At this point, the efforts of Zelda and Mr. Metrocon have been futile because the Gear is still one piece shy. Ganondorf then presents Xemnas with the completed TriForce, and the broken shards of Soul Edge and the Sword of Light (broken in last year's match), which he then combined to forge two keyblades of infinite power. Because the power between the keyblades was so diametrically opposed, they worked in conjunction with the nexus of worlds to open the door to Kingdom Hearts, and unleashed a flood of Heartless into this world. As the battle ensued, the forces of darkness quickly realized that they had been betrayed, as the Heartless indiscriminately killed whoever was in their way. Amidst the carnage, the true Link emerged from Kingdom Hearts, dispatching his evil doppelganger. As the wave of Heartless pushed the remaining Heroes and Villains back through the gate, Link took his place at Zelda’s side to defend her once again. As Xemnas and Ganondorf combined their powers to destroy our heroes, Link presented Mr. Metrocon with the final shard of the Gear, allowing him to make it whole once more. The Gear, taking the form of a shield, was wielded by Mr. Metrocon to aid Link and Zelda in the defense of this world. Despite Ganondorf’s fatal wounding at the hands of Link through obvious betrayal, Xemnas proved to be more than a match for our valiant heroes. Just as all seemed lost, and Xemnas was preparing to unleash the true power of Kingdom Hearts on this world, Link revealed that he was not the only one trapped in Kingdom Hearts. Amidst Xemnas’ gloating, he was impaled from behind through the gate by an enraged Sephiroth, who vowed to make Xemnas pay for not only engineering his death the year before but also underestimating his true power. Twisting his sword, Sephiroth pulled Xemnas back through the gate and into the bowels of Kingdom Hearts, where he would suffer for an eternity. Although the day seemed won, the portal had not yet closed and was still able to let evil back through. A panicked Mr. Metrocon cast the shield back through the portal. In a cosmic stroke of luck, the portal closed and the Gear ascended to it’s rightful place among the cosmos, and all was as it should be.

EPILOGUE
With the Gear now restored, heroes and villains alike were returned to their realm of origin. Even the Gear, however, does not possess power to return life to the fallen, as so many fell over the course of these five years. Those who survived were able to reclaim some sense of normalcy in their lives. All but Sephiroth and Xemnas, who will remain locked in battle for what promises to be an eternity…

ANIME HUMAN CHESS MATCH - Season 2: Dark Renaissance

While all seemed right within the nexus of worlds, the next great threat was simply lying in wait to seize any opportunity to exert its power. While peace reigned in many realms, others still were gripped by the same internal struggles they had always suffered. It seems only a matter of time before these conflicts invade the sanctity of the nexus of worlds, like so many have before them.

2009 Chess Match - Year 6: Fantasy vs Sci-Fi - SIEGE

METROCON 2009 CHESS MATCH MOVIES

Prologue 1: Ashram's Journey	Prologue 2: Aznable's Findings	Prologue 3: Prophecy	Epilogue: Fate Unleashed

Prologue
Lord Ashram, of the Isle of Marmo in the land Lodoss, searching for a power that will gain him the victory he needs to end the suffering of his people, leaves his beloved Pirotess behind to seek the council of the witch Karla. Amidst veiled insults and ambiguous clues, she enlightens him to the existence of the nexus of worlds and the means to travel there, being that when the time is right, the portal will open itself to any who know of it and have need of it when the time is right. Much to Lord Ashram's dismay, the witch also informs him that the nexus of worlds is where he will meet his destiny...

---

Captain Char Aznable, of the Independent Republic of NeoZeon, had just received the vital piece of intelligence he had been waiting for - the whereabouts of a girl who may be the next evolution of humanity, past even Newtypes. Included in the intelligence was the first proof he received of the existence of the nexus of worlds. He hopes that this girl, after years of struggle, will be the key to unlocking his people's freedom, and sends his lieutenant to inform his people that their fight will soon be over.

---

Meanwhile, Hitomi Kanzaki, while practicing for upcoming track meet, is suddenly struck with disturbing visions of her companions who have been missing for quite some time. She rushes home to find her house empty, and proceeds to do a tarot reading on the matter. As though the voice of the universe itself were speaking through her, she finds herself reciting what can only be a prophecy in tune with her reading:

Even those feared by men are not without dread, as often the greatest harm is done with the best intentions.

There is no rest for the weary, as even the strongest of wills can be bent to the will of another.

When confronted with evil, even the pure will find strength in darkness, but beware, the seeds of darkness are quickly rooted, and dark roots grow strong.

Those who seek only vengeance shall never find redemption, yet one who follows the darkest path needs only the smallest light to guide them.

All hope is lost as the malevolent storm gathers, but the greatest of evils is not always apparent.

As she finishes the prophecy, her pendant begins to glow as she is consumed by the white light of the presumed portal to Gaia. She will soon find out that she presumed wrong, and that all this time she was under the watchful eye of two near-omniscient eavesdroppers, who appear to have some stake in her new journey...

Opening Ceremonies
A very lost and confused Hitomi finds herself in the nexus of worlds. After politely introducing herself, Lord Ashram, realizing that this girl is the source of the power he has been seeking, confronts her and demands that she aid him in his quest to save his people. Almost immediately, Char steps foreword claiming the girl as his own for much the same reason. Ever the kind heart, Hitomi quickly agrees to help them both in return for aid in finding her friends. As neither Char nor Ashram are willing to take secondary priority,  they immediately begin posturing against one another. With use of his dark powers, Ashram quickly dispatches of the gun-wielding Zeon soldiers that Char had brought has back-up, sending his honor guard to attack Char. Not to be outdone, the mighty red comet slays his would be assassins with great ease. Escalating the confrontation further, Lord Ashram begins boasting of his numerous forces poised to invade the nexus of worlds, and makes quite clear his resolve to go to any length to achieve his goal. Char, in like fashion, reveals that a colony is prepped and positioned to be dropped from orbit on this very location unless his demands are met. As the tension builds, a darkness falls on the nexus of worlds, bringing about an end to the ensuing chaos. As light returns, our would be villains find themselves confronted with a strange new figure - Auron. He advises that to settle their conflict they enter into a game of Anime Human Combat Chess, the stakes being that the winner will leave with the girl, and that the loser will undoubtedly die. Being both men of honor and skilled tacticians, Ashram and Char quickly agree to the terms, and Auron states that his roll will be that of mediator, and ultimately protector of the sought after prize. Standing in front of Hitomi, they both vanish into the darkness, and the two men are left to gather their forces for the upcoming match

Chess Match
At the match, as Lord Ashram was assembling his side of the board, he was interrupted by the entrance of Pirotess, who he had strictly ordered to remain behind in Lodoss and lead his people. She informed him that she was unable to enforce that order, because her place was at his side. Realizing that it is hard to say no to a dark elf with a whip, he allowed her to take her rightful place as his queen, relegating Clare to a Knight's square on their side. While filling the last empty spaces on his side of the board, the assassin Altair made a surprising appearance, having previously turned down Ashram's request.

As Char began to call forth his gathered forces, he was embarrassed much in the same fashion as his opponent by the appearance of Asuka Langley-Sohryu, who had apparently whined and moaned until Captain Aznable acquiesced to give her the Queen's square on his side of the board. With both sides assembled the match began.

The match proceeded in a typical fashion, all the while Hitomi and Auron watching from afar. At one point after a series of seemingly needless deaths, Hitomi could not help but question Auron's reasoning for staging this event in the first place. Auron then lectured her on the simplicity of death, and that it in fact is always fair, as well as inevitable. Meanwhile, after fending off what looked to be a sure checkmate, Char ordered Gene Starwind to attack Altair. Altair, bettering him for most of the fight, mortally wounded him to the point that he needed his pal Jim to carry him off. Altair then cast a glance in Char's direction, and received an affirming nod in response, having been paid by Char to infiltrate Ashram's forces to get close enough that he might kill Lord Ashram. Muttering an insincere apology, he hurled a dagger straight at the dark lord's chest. Ever vigilant, Pirotess, sacrificing herself, shielded Ashram with her own body, intercepting the incoming dagger and changing the fate of everyone present.

As Ashram grieved over the loss of his love, Auron reappeared in an attempt to regain control of the situation. His emotionless words fell on deaf ears however, as Ashram's grief turned to rage and he charged the assassin, impaling him in a fit of fiery vengeance and ordering his army into a full on charge against what was left of Char's forces. Amidst the ensuing chaos, the tables were finally turned when Char called in reinforcements (in the form of Briareos armed with two machine guns) who then proceeded to lay waist indiscriminately to all those present. Auron, who had spent the entire battle defending Hitomi, seized an opening to incapacitate the gun-toting cyborg, leaving him to be dragged off by his comrades.

His voice finally showing frustration, Auron called the men to a halt as he cleared the board of the fallen. He then informs the two great kings of men that since they were unable to uphold the terms of the agreement that had been struck, he would now present them with new, non-negotiable terms. They were to settle this themselves, once and for all, in one final duel to the death. Asuka, being ever inappropriate, claws herself out from underneath the bodies of the injured and dying that she used to shield herself from the gunfire, and misinterprets these terms to include herself, both insulting Ashram regarding his loss and presuming far too much of Char's "good nature". Having sympathy for the Dark Lord's loss that day and having endured enough of the young girl's arrogant babbling, he drew his pistol and silenced her once and for all. As the two kings squared off for what would be their final, deciding conflict, Char apologized to Ashram for the loss of Pirotess, informing him that his intention was to kill him, not her. Regardless of the mutual respect and understanding gained by either party, the two men had unfinished business and neither was willing to yield to the other.

Not long into the clash of these two great leaders, their attention was drawn to Auron, who stood grasping his throat, unable to breathe for some mysterious reason. Before either could react, his body was hurled away from Hitomi and into the ground, landing motionless as the lights fell. When light returned, they found themselves joined by the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader, who explained that he too was here in the nexus of worlds to acquire the girl for his own dark purposes. Char and Ashram, neither of whom were willing to give up their claim to Hitomi, established a temporary alliance to defeat this newcomer, agreeing to settle the business between them later. As the heated battle ensued, Lord Ashram found that due to the magical properties of his sword, he was able to withstand and negate the strange power that this Darth Vader seemed to possess. This, combined with the Gundarium alloy of Char's sword, allowed the two a fighting chance against this seemingly invincible opponent. However, what seemed like the inevitable finally occurred, as Char's leg was wounded and he was unable to stand and fight any longer. Vader seized the chance to lash out at Ashram, disarming Ashram of his magic sword, rendering him defenseless to both the Force and the blade of his lightsaber. With both his opponents wounded and helpless, the Sith Lord needed only to deliver the final blow to end the conflict and claim victory.

Moments before he struck, however, he was interrupted by Hitomi throwing herself in harms way, selflessly saving her would be captors. With great strength of will from a mysterious source, Hitomi realized that Auron's philosophy was incorrect, and that death is only inevitable so long as you sit idly by and let it happen. Knowing there was only one way to save these men's lives, she willingly agreed to go with Darth Vader, so long as he agreed to spare both of their lives. The Sith Lord accepted these terms, and huried her through the swirling portal, only to immediately break his word as he dispatched his helpless opponents once she was safely out of view. A darkness descended on these two great men for one last time...

Epilogue
In a dark room somewhere in a galaxy far far away, after many hours of torture and interrogation, Darth Vader had finally broken Hitomi's will, and she conceded that she was willing to do anything to get her friends back. He informed her that if she would commit herself to his teachings, with their combined power they could destroy the Emperor, seize control of the galaxy, and effortlessly find her friends. She agrees, giving herself over now and forever to the Dark Side...

Elsewhere, Auron, revealing himself to still be alive (or as alive as he ever was...), muses at the fact that everything had gone according to plan, or in his words, all too easy...

2010 Chess Match - Year 7: Ninja vs. Samurai - Visions

METROCON 2010 CHESS MATCH MOVIES

Prologue 1: Acceptance	Prologue 2: The Council Convenes	Prologue 3: Seeking Help	Epilogue: Visions

Prologue
Following the intervention of Darth Vader the preceding year, Auron revealed himself to be alive and well, and recruited Belldandy's help in reaching his ultimate goals. Belldandy was unreceptive to Auron's means, and his disregard for the welfare of the young girl, Hitomi. Auron felt that all of the events that transpired in the nexus of worlds were pivotal to the overall agenda, and felt no remorse for his actions. His only concern was that they were not certain were the souls of either Ashram or Char had ended up, and that they would need outside help to pinpoint their whereabouts. Belldandy, being unable to shake her guilt, contacted the psychonaut Raz and tasked him with psychically rescuing the young girl, wherever the Dark Lord of Sith may have taken her.

Unbeknownst to any of them, a mysterious power had approached the spirit of Ashram as he drifted between life and death, with promises of power and revenge should Ashram accept. Knowing nothing but hatred for the nexus of worlds, and blaming that place for the death of his beloved Pirotess, he readily accepted, and continued forward on whatever journey that awaited.

Opening Ceremonies
Opening ceremonies proved... interesting... as it was derailed by both Misturugi and Naruto arguing over who had invented ramen, ninja or samurai. As customary, this led to a challenge for an Anime Human Combat Chess Match to take place the next day.

Chess Match
Naruto and Mitsurugi, showing up horribly unprepared and ill-staffed, relied on the nexus of worlds to provide their forces for them, and it was soon discovered that the "gate" has a "random" setting. This led to some discussion about the nature of this conflict being ninja vs samurai, which was then explained away as a gramatical error. Filling their respective sides of the board with whatever warriors, rejects, and atrocities the gate spewed forth, among them Raz, the match began.

The match itself was filled with unexplainable and puzzling events, including Ultraman wrestling "Godzilla" across the Tampa Bay "city-scape", Mitsurugi teaching us that he will survive through song and dance, and an inflatable orca whale making a mysterious cameo with a rather poorly-made shadow clone, before finally drawing to it's close.

As Mitsurugi and Naruto squared off one final time, they were interrupted by a "Cloaked Figure" who revealed himself to be Lord Ashram, disguised as a spooky ghost, disguised as Rufus Shinra, disguised as Emperor Palpatine (no, really). As if things weren't strange enough already, Lord Ashram, claiming to be responsible for everything that had transpired, drew his revolver (?) and shot both Naruto and Mitsurugi. Victory seemed inevitable for the Dark Lord of Marmo, but before he could claim the nexus of worlds as his own, his plans were foiled by none other than...Indiana Jones? Jones drove Ashram away, and proceded to save the day, get the girl, lose his hat, and run off stage pursued by a giant Katamari.

The end.

Epilogue
Hitomi wakes suddenly inside of her chamber to find Raz with a self-satisfied grin on his face, revealing that the events of the chess match were the creation of her troubled psyche. Raz explains his attempts to help her, while elsewhere Auron confronts Belldandy about her interference in what he refers to as "his plan", and his disapproval with Belldandy's attempts to help Hitomi. Hitomi, feigning gratitude, uses the opportunity to relish her newfound power by slaying Raz with her lightsaber, completing her transformation. At this moment, a mysterious woman joins Auron and Belldandy, informing them that she has news from the spirit world...

2011 Chess Match - Year 8: Monsters vs. Hunters - ESCALATION

METROCON 2011 CHESS MATCH MOVIES

Teaser: Clues Revealed	Trailer: War on the Horizon	Epilogue: There must always be...

Prologue
The newly empowered spirit of Ashram, seeking to fortify his influence in the material world, sought out the legendary vampire Kain of Nosgoth. A bargain was struck, and these two mighty forces of darkness allied themselves against the nexus of worlds, with promises of a rich untapped world tipping the scale of Kain's decision. Botan, the newest member of Auron's "council", informs both Auron and Belldandy that neither Char nor Ashram are anywhere to be found in the realms of the dead, and this could only mean that Ashram had accepted the deal, but the whereabouts of Char's spirit remain a mystery. Auron enlightens the council that with the death of Xemnas in the Nexus of Worlds caused the gear itself to become corrupted with an unspeakably evil power when it was reformed, and that the only way to destroy this evil would be to place it in a mortal vessel capable of death. This was his hope in using Hitomi to draw both Char and Ashram, men fueled by ambition and necessity, to the nexus of worlds, knowing one of them would die and potentially accept the power from the corrupted Gear.

As Ashram sought out Kain, so did another force reach out to the famed Sir Integra Wingates Hellsing, leader of the Hellsing Organization in London. Integra received information through her computer from an unknown source warning her of Kain's forthcoming invasion of the Nexus of Worlds. Ever at the ready, Integra took this information and began recruiting other like-minded agencies and individuals, including the Paladin Alexander Anderson, and the now defunct S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team, led by Albert Wesker.

Unbeknownst to Auron, Belldandy proposes to Botan that with her aid, they could seek out a more powerful individual to facilitate the defeat of the ever-increasing power that Ashram wields...

Opening Ceremonies
During Opening Ceremonies, Kain of Nosgoth entered into the Nexus of Worlds with threats of conquest and domination. Integra, having prepared for this situation, uses Alucard and Alexander Anderson to back Kain far enough into a corner to peak his interest. Kain's initial reluctance to accept her challenge led Anderson to construct a barrier preventing Kain or any of his monstrous forces from leaving the building. Kain agrees to the proposed terms of an Anime Human Combat Chess Match, as is customary, which should Kain win, will result in the Hellsing Organization turning a blind eye to Kain's endeavors.

Chess Match
Interrupting the seemingly never-ending rivalry between Alucard and Anderson, Kain calls forth his gathered forces, which includes monsters of all variety and caliber, including Morrigan Aensland as his queen, who then brings out their final addition, Arthas, the Lich King. Integra proceeds to match his forces with her own, counting the newly-reunited S.T.A.R.S. team of Albert Wesker, Chris Redfield, and Jill Valentine among them, despite the obvious tension. As the match proceeded, Kain's side faced much internal strife, as Arthas made his true motivation clear very early on - to thicken the ranks of the scourge with both fallen enemy and ally, undermining Kain's authority at every turn. Morrigan made her intentions apparent, seemingly siding with either Arthas or Kain, wherever would get her further at that exact moment.

Integra's forces were not without their own problems, as the tension between Anderson and Alucard mounted, and the seemingly unstoppable Nemesis appeared in the Nexus of Worlds. Jill Valentine, outmatched, was injured by Nemesis, and in a seeming rescue Wesker interceded to defeat Nemesis. In an attempt to repay the favor, Jill rushed in to help him, only to find herself shot for her troubles by her former team leader. Chris Redfield, seeing this betrayal coming from a mile away, had gathered other allies for this exact situation. Unfortunately for them, the T-Virus enhanced megalomanic proved more than a match for their combined forces, as he mercillesly killed them all one-by-one, so that the others could watch. Having about enough of the situation, Integra tasked Alucard with Wesker's elimination. Despite the considerable power that Wesker posessed, he was no match for his vampiric adversary, and was quickly dispatched.

Noticing the evolving animosity between Kain and Arthas, Integra took the opportunity to goad Arthas further by refusing him the combat he so greatly sought. Arthas, in his frustration, illegally killed a neighboring piece, and as Integra readied her forces to retaliate, Kain felt this could go no further, and took the opportunity to deal with the Lich King's insubordination personally. As the epic battle between these two titans raged on, Kain managed to gain the upper hand, draining Arthas of his icy blood, and usurping both Frostmourne and the mantle of the Lich King. Drunk with his newfound power, Kain illegally called the next move, wherein Integra's hand was forced, and gunshots rained down from the Harkonnen cannon of Seras Victoria. Seras, appearing via video communication, has her signal interrupted by none other than the presumed-dead Albert Wesker. Wesker informs all gathered that he has left the nexus of worlds with one last parting gift - simultaneously, the lights go out, and an air raid siren is heard amongst the scraping and dragging of Pyramid Head's sword. Pyramid Head, accompanied by several other creatures of darkness, made his way to Kain and Morrigan at the center of the chess board. Morrigan, falling back on her old tricks, tried to convince Kain to engage the abomination in combat - Kain refused, citing that the thing was here for someone, and he was willing to bet that anyone would suffice. Tearing off Morrigan's wings, Kain kicked her into the awaiting grasp of the towering monster, who dragged her off to an assuredly horrible fate.

The match resuming, Alucard, having placed Kain in check, was interced by the ninja Kabuto. After winning the battle against the ninja, Alucard was poised to attack Kain, who was now in checkmate. Before he could even resume his square on the board, Alexander Anderson seized the window of opportunity to destroy his long-hated rival, betraying Alucard, and leaving him impaled and incapable of action at least for the moment. Outraged by the Paladin's actions, Integra steps forth to challenge Anderson herself. Kain moves to interrupt after Anderson let's knowledge the barrier leak, and Integra orders Kain stand down for the time being in repayment for allowing him to settle his grievance with Arthas. Kain, restraining himself only momentarily, interrupted the fight, using the power of Frostmourne to call back the day's fallen as his loyal Scourge. The outnumbered forces of Integra held off the Scourge as best they could, and Anderson, not to be denied his ever-righteous intent, mortally wounded the leader of the Hellsing Organization. She fell to the ground, seemingly helpless as Anderson readied for the final blow, uttering the final restriction release for Alucard as her last attempt at saving the Nexus of Worlds.

Anderson and Kain, awaking in a seemingly dark and endless void, found themselves surrounded by any ever-incresing number of eyes. Holding fast, they quickly learned that Alucard, with his power increased, brought them to this dark dimension so that even should he fail in destroying them, they would be trapped there forever. In the ensuing conflict, Alucard, now "Dracula", defeated them both, impaling Anderson on the Soul Reaver, and Kain with Frostmourne.

Leaving this shadowy realm behind, Alucard retruned to the battle taking place in the nexus of worlds, bringing with him the immortal forces of those he had slain. Ridding this world of the monsters previously allied with Kain, Alucard approached his now dying master. Offering to save her life the one way he knew he could, she refused his offer, stating that she would rather die with her humanity intact, and asked only that Alucard speed the process along. Obeying his final order, he ended his master's life, and approached a new chapter in his immortal story.

"And so ends the Hellsing Organization - so dedicated to the destruction of evil... but have the ends justified the means? When confronted with evil, even the pure will find strength in darkness, but beware: the seeds of darkness are quickly rooted, and dark roots grow strong. When good wields evil as a weapon... does that not make them evil, spawning another good to defeat them? And at what cost does good do more harm than the evil it seeks to destroy? Sacrificing allies to slaughter the enemy... only those who wish to simply avoid the conflict become the victim... and here I stand, a master-less monster, fated to once again be enslaved, now by either good or evil to yield the same result. Before being forced to perpetuate the cycle yet again, there is still but one monster left for which I am responsible."

Speaking what may be his last words, Alucard turned to face those hunters he so recently saved from an inevitable death, to meet whatever his fate may be...

Epilogue
A sillhouette of the Dark Lord of Marmo appears standing over the incapcitated bodies of both Anderson and Kain. Grasping the fabled sword Frostmourne, Ashram draws the sword from his fallen ally, as Kain is released from the paralysis of impalement. Kain retrieves the Soul Reaver from the body of the misbegotten Paladin, and quickly drains his soul before Anderson has a chance to recover. Ashram, now weilding the power of Frostmourne, proclaims as his eyes frost over that there must always be a Lich King, and takes yet another step towards infinite power...

2012 Chess Match - Year 9: Agents vs. Outlaws - SACRIFICE

METROCON 2012 CHESS MATCH MOVIES

Teaser: Most Wanted	Teaser: Hail to the Chief	Trailer: Paths Cross	Epilogue: The Council Grows

Prologue
With Ashram now possessing both the power of Xemnas and the power of the Lich King, Belldandy knew that their growing counsel required a more powerful member in order to achieve their goals and save the nexus of worlds from the vengeful Dark Lord of Marmo. Against Auron's wishes and with the aid of Botan, she sought out Sephiroth, finding him looming over a presumed-dead Xemnas still locked in Kingdom Hearts. Belldandy explained to Sephiroth that he had not vanquished or destroyed Xemnas, but that simply the whole of his power had been transferred to Ashram, making him ever stronger. Asking for the aid of the one-winged angel, Belldandy hoped to gain the allegiance of Sephiroth for their upcoming confrontation with Ashram. Having had much time to reflect on his situation, and much to Belldandy's dismay, Sephiroth refuses the request, believing he only brings destruction down on those who would consider him an ally. Rejected, Belldandy returns to the council in hopes that Sephiroth will reconsider. Auron, considering the conflict currently surrounding the nexus of worlds irrelevant, begins readying himself and rallying new forces to aid him in the inevitable confrontation, recruiting from sources yet untapped, and knowing that the current instability of the nexus should at least keep Ashram at bay for the time being. Belldandy, however, has other goals in mind to perhaps sway the opinions of the one-winged angel.

Meanwhile, on Pulse, the resistance movement led by Lightning is in dire straits. Having not heard from Snow and her other comrades in weeks, she is all but ready to surrender her cause when she stumbles across a strange eidolith. Trusting in the goddess to provide, she summons from the eidolith a strange man she does not recognize - as though by divine providence, Zack Fair appears, claiming to be there to aid her in her cause. After explaining the condition of Pulse to Zack, and researching how the planet became this way, Lightning is surprised when Zack suggests that they go back to when this all started and alter the course of history so that Pulse never becomes the monstrosity it is now. She agrees as Zack shows her the time materia he possesses, claiming that "Nothing's impossible."

Opening Ceremonies
Zack and Lightning appear through the portal with just enough time to come to the aid of Captain Harlock, who is currently at odds with the tyrannical leader and current President of the United States, Solidus. Saving Harlock's life, they learn that he is currently leading a rebellion against Solidus' regime, and has been using the nexus of worlds as a recruiting station for several years, strengthening his numbers so that his resistance movement could continue. Solidus, finally catching up to him and having learned of the nexus and it's importance, tracked Harlock here to eliminate him once and for all. The President then, hoping to gather the most wanted men alive in one place, challenges Captain Harlock to an Anime Human Combat Chess Match. Harlock reluctantly accepts the help that Zack and Lightning offer, as he agrees to the Chess Match, and all parties make haste to prepare for the coming battle.

Chess Match
The match began with Harlock calling together his band of fighters who, while loyal, and listen to Harlock's advice, are treated as equals by their leader. Solidus, in response, calls forth his trained and hardened soldiers, expressing his disgust for the way Harlock's band of criminals treat him. As the match ensues, it is made very clear that Captain Harlock's men have only two options - win, or die. Solidus demonstrates that while the Captain is a merciful man and advises his allies to shed no unnecessary blood, he has ordered his side of the board to use lethal force at every turn. Backing Harlock into a corner by placing him in check against the young 2nd Lt. Alice Malvin, Solidus forces a fight between them wherein Solidus will not yield Alice's square unless Harlock kills the girl. Refusing to murder the girl as she is just following orders, Harlock prepares to surrender the fight, and the match with it. Lightning, unwilling to see the cause or Harlock's principals compromised, volunteers to intercede on his behalf and kill 2nd Lt. Malvin, siting that sacrifices must be made in war, and that someone must be willing to do the terrible things that need to be done. Before Lightning can act, Alice impales herself upon Lightning's sword, ending the fight in Harlock's favor. Resolved to see Solidus pay for his crimes, Harlock carries the body of 2nd Lt. Malvin off of the board, leaving Lightning in charge for a time being, a trust he has been unwilling to bestow on any other. Lightning continued the match by engaging Zack in a fight, with Harlock returning shortly thereafter, renewed in his purpose to depose the President.

Over the course of the match, both Lightning and Harlock gained a certain kinship and respect for each other that was foreign to them both, as pointed out to them by several of the other members of their side. Solidus, however, remained unrelenting, seeking new ways to torment them both with this budding relationship that he was witnessing before him on the battlefield. To mediate a rule broken on an assassination attempt by Grey Fox, Phoenix Wright appeared to lay down the law for both parties involved, establishing several new "clauses" in the rules of Human Combat Chess, such as the Illegal Movement Clause, and the ever popular Melee Clause (see, Riot Act). As bedlam ensued between both sides due to the reinforcements brought in by Axe-Hand Morgan and Sed coming to the aid of his mother, both kings had to pay for their actions by sacrificing any pieces lost. Solidus, however, was careful to take all of Harlock's men that they could as prisoners of war. Watching his men taken away to be imprisoned or worse, Harlock was reassured of his decision to participate in this match only by Lightning's ever resilient faith in his ability and trust in his leadership, and continued the match the further.

While Harlock made his intentions clear to settle this with one final battle between himself and Solidus, the President continued the match, and systematically wiped out several of the remaining members of Harlock's forces. Seizing the opportunity of Zack's second victory of the day, Lightning called her own move to take Stryker, which ultimately resulted in her defeat and capture. Solidus, with a prime hostage, now began his final negotiations with Captain Harlock. The President required that Harlock face his three most talented and technologically advanced agents, by himself, and should he consider surrender or suicide, or make towards Lightning in an attempt to rescue her, she would be promptly executed by her captor. Harlock agrees to the terms of this arrangement so long as he will let her live, and in that moment both Harlock and Lightning realized their kinship and camaraderie had developed into a love so strong that he was willing to sacrifice himself so that she might live and carry on their cause.

Despite a valiant effort on the part of Captain Harlock, he inevitably met his demise at the hands of Grey Fox, Vamp, and C. Viper. Having watched this transpire before his eyes, Zack finally steps forward to intervene, and is cut short by Solidus' refusal to release Lightning, reminding Zack that he has never saved anyone he truly cared about. As Zack fell to his knees in surrender, he heard the voice of Sephiroth once again, for the first time in many years. Sephiroth made Zack aware that in reality, Zack was the one that had saved him. After all the years of destruction and chaos, Zack's actions sacrificing himself to save Cloud led to Sephiroth's constant defeat at the hands of the wielder of the Buster Sword, and that Zack's actions today have reminded Sephiroth of the brotherhood they once shared, stating that even one who follows the darkest path needs only the smallest light to guide them. In a final act of redemption, Sephiroth forfeit a portion of his power to Lightning, allowing her to break her bonds, and wield the masamune against her foes alongside Zack, where the power was truly always meant to be.

Laying waste to the remnants of Solidus' forces, Lightning and Zack turned their sights on the President himself, triumphing over Solidus and bringing him to surrender. Solidus is disarmed and defeated, and as Lightning weighs the option of leaving Solidus alive, the newfound power of Sephiroth swells inside her. Zack attempted to talk her down, stating that everything her and Harlock stood for throughout the day will be worthless if she takes his life, recalling the images of Sephiroth's descent into madness. Remembering that Harlock once said, "Let them judge us by our actions, and see which one of us is truly the villain.", she quells the flames of Sephiroth that are feeding her thirst for vengeance, and relinquishes the power back to the one-winged angel. With that, Zack escorts the newly captured Solidus back through the portal to Pulse, leaving Lightning alone with the body of the man she had grown to love, and weep for his loss.

Epilogue
Sephiroth, having learned the meaning of sacrifice due to the actions he watched transpire in the nexus of worlds, has reconsidered and accepted Belldandy's offer to join their council. Upon learning the full extent of the situation, Sephiroth states that Auron's leadership is inadequate, and that all the members of the council are too far removed from humanity to properly wield the combined might of the council. After Sephiroth stated that they need someone who understands their own mortality and has a grasp on the responsibility that comes with leadership, Botan proposed that she may have just the right person in mind.