Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Duellist League ❯ Battle Stage 14; Confrontation! A Tale of Two Duellists - Part 2 ( Chapter 14 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Yuugi & Jyoonouchi stand before unknown ready to face whatever comes next. Meanwhile the forces of darkness circle around them readying to strike, all with their own motives for wanting Yuugi Mutou at their mercy. Part 2 of 2.

Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Adventure / Action | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 08.25.2007 | Updated On: 11.11.2008 | Pages: 19 | Words: 13.0K | Visits: 170 | Status: Completed

Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed.

Disclaimer: Motoko Kusanagi is a character from Ghost in the Shell, and is owned by Production I.G. and Masamune Shirow. Yu-Gi-Oh! Is the creation of Kazuki Takahashi and all characters belong to him.

Battle Stage 14: Confrontation! A Tale of Two Duelists - Part 2

“Mr. Pegasus, I have the report you asked for.”

An aide to the billionaire owner of Industrial Illusions Pegasus J Crawford entered a large glass walled office. In the centre was the said billionaire sitting before a large map table with a real time holographic representation of the entire Shuba region. Pegasus looked up and smiled, “Excellent.”

The aide nodded and manipulated the controls. The map zoomed settling on the city of Janus. Tags overlapped representing four individuals, “Yuugi Mutou, Katsuya Jyoonouchi and Seto Kaiba have secured one badge each. Mr. Mutou and Mr. Jyoonouchi are currently in pursuit of their second badges.”

“What of the girl?” Pegasus asked taking a sip of his wine.

“She has secured one badge thus far, though…”

Pegasus swirled the contents of his glass, “Yes?”

“Our operatives report that the girl is going to great lengths to hide her participation in the League. What would make someone do that sir?”

Pegasus smiled bringing his glass to his lips, “There could be many reasons, but it should be fascinating to discover hers.”

“Yes sir.” The aide turned to leave, but suddenly remembered, “Oh, the group you asked us to keep watch for, have arrived.”

Pegasus frowned as the aide left, once again swirling the contents of his glass, “Two groups about to collide and my duelists caught in the middle, how troublesome…”

He took another sip of his wine, looking significantly at Yuugi's icon, `I may not have my Millennium eye anymore Yuugi-boy, but even I foresee pain for you, sadly, there are something's even I cannot prevent in my utopia.'

*Yuugi*

“This is different…” Yuugi whispered staring across the underground city, Kaiba and Anzu could only nod in agreement, comparably speechless.

“How are supposed to get down from here, jump?” Kaiba growled rising to his feet after a minute of awed silence between the three.

“I think it could be a killer jump, literally.” Anzu commented peeking out over the edge slightly, Yuugi holding her hand protectively.

Kaiba scowled, his eyes withdrew from Anzu and Yuugi and examined the room, he suddenly noticed a second button on the console beside the door. Without asking the other two he pressed the button. The room shook slightly as a bright light went on above them, “The cable car to the Geo Front from the Janus Interchange will arrive momentarily, please stand clear.”

Before any of them could speak the whine of a motor caught their attention, the cables struggled to pull the cable car up the step incline to the room.

“This city is amazing…” Anzu commented as they boarded the car, Yuugi sat at the far end away from the other two nursing his ankle.

“Give it up.”

“What?” Anzu questioned turning around finding Kaiba's eyes staring into her own.

“Stringing Yuugi along, either tell him the truth about your feelings towards him, or let him go so he can pursue a proper relationship.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me Mazaki, you're hurting him with your lies and cowardice, end the charade or tell him.”

“Since when do you care so much?”

“He's my…” Kaiba frowned, “Just make up your mind, or do you enjoy playing the bitch and toying with his emotions like they were a ball of yarn?”

Anzu replied with a slap across Kaiba's face, he smirked a little, “The bitch has bite.” He commented quietly watching Anzu strut to the other side of the car to join Yuugi in a huff.

Yuugi sighed feeling the car slowing, “We're here.” He announced struggling to his feet.

The three exited the cable car stepping from the terminal onto a cobblestone road, the buildings around them constructed of old stone, people milled happily, a man walked down the street lighting oil lamps. Anzu stared in awe, “It's like that book, A Christmas Carol.”

“Or Nineteenth Century London…” Kaiba replied incuriously, Anzu pretended not to hear him her eyes sparkling like a child at Christmas stepping onto the street without looking.

“Anzu, watch out!” Yuugi screamed pulling Anzu back to the curb. A horse drawn carriage which had been speeding along towards its destination came to a grinding halt beside them, the two mares rearing at the sudden stop, “Are you well young lass?”

Anzu supported by Yuugi looked up into the gaunt face of the driver of the carriage, he was dressed in a black and white suit and top hat holding a riding crop. Anzu gaped slightly and stared still being held up by Yuugi, “Um, f-fine, I think, sorry…”

“No worry lass, as long you're well.” He said tilting his head to Anzu noticing the duel disk on Yuugi's arm suddenly, “Off to the gym are ye?”

“Ah, yeah, do you know where it is?”

“I'd say I do, climb aboard.” The gentleman said tapping his crop on the door, Yuugi nodded helping Anzu into the carriage allowing Kaiba to board before climbing in himself.

One bumpy ride along the cobblestone roads later they were at the cities limits, the carriage stopped outside a set of granite steps leading to a pillared building. Yuugi, Kaiba and Anzu stepped out, Yuugi placed his weight gingerly on his injured foot and almost collapsed to the ground. Anzu grabbed Yuugi's arm pulling him up, “You should rest your ankle, for today at least…”

Yuugi gently slipped out of Anzu's grip stumbling forward, “I can do this, I am not weak…”

Anzu watched helplessly as he struggled up the stairs, “I never said you were…” She whispered Kaiba came up beside her, “If Yuugi can't run, he'll walk, if can't walk, he'll crawl, but he'll never yield to defeat, that's just the kind of man he is.”

Anzu glared, “Maybe, but defeat isn't admitting you have an ailment and need help to get through.” She cursed running to support Yuugi despite his protests.

Kaiba watched them frowning, “Yes, but to him, maybe it is…”

*Jyoonouchi*

The floor opened beneath Jyoonouchi, Mai and Shizuka as Jou punched in the final part of the code. The platform below caught them before they could even recover. Jyoonouchi sat up rubbing the back of his head. As it began to move, Jou crawled over to his sister who was moaning softly, “Shizuka, are you ok?”

Shizuka nodded, “My butt hurts…”

Jyoonouchi smiled looking over at Mai who was watching the walls as they sped through the tunnel. Suddenly the platform stopped rising into a darkened stadium, a spotlight snapped on above them. Jyoonouchi rose shielding Mai and sister from view.

The unseen crowd roared as a second spotlight spluttered on. Out of the ground rose a crimson eyed, lilac haired woman with a powerful aura, but her attire betrayed her sexual side, black leather jacket containing a violet corset with leg hugging jeans. Jyoonouchi drooled a little at the sight of this new woman, “Whoa, babe…”

The woman smirked overhearing him, “Sorry kid, you're not my type.”

Jou recovered enough to retort, “Might I enquire on who is?”

“The red head, naturally.” The woman said with a grin registering the shock on Jyoonouchi's face, he shifted his weight to block Serenity from the woman's view, “So kid, you hear for a reason or just to ogle the local fauna?”

“My name is Katsuya Jyoonouchi, I'm here to challenge for the badge of the Janus city gym.”

“Very well, I Motoko Kusanagi leader of the Janus City Gym accept your challenge.”

The match was announced as both players made their final preparations, as challenger Jyoonouchi was allowed to play first.

Katsuya Jyoonouchi Life Points: 8000

Motoko Kusanagi Life Points: 8000

::Jou::

“I draw;

1. I summon Hayabusa Knight (Earth/Warrior/3 ATK/1000 DEF/700) in attack mode;

2. I attach Fusion Sword Murasame Blade (Equip/Spell) to increase the attack of Hayabusa Knight eight hundred points (ATK/1800);

3. I play a card face down and end my turn.”

::Motoko::

“I draw;

1. I used the special ability of Cyber Dragon (Light/Machine/Effect/5 ATK/2150 DEF/1600) to special summon it to the field in attack mode;

2. I also summon Mechanicalchaser (Earth/Machine/4 ATK/1850 DEF/800) in attack mode;

3. I'm adding Machine Conversion Factory (Equip/Spell) Mechanicalchaser to increase its attack and defence three hundred points (ATK/2150 DEF/1100);

4. I play one card face down and end my turn.”

Jou stared at the Gym Leader's side of the field in astonishment, `I-I knew it would be tough, but I've already been eclipsed in one turn… I'm very screwed…'

*Yuugi*

Kaiba, Anzu and Yuugi stepped into a long granite room, the floor, walls and ceiling were firm almost single cut pieces of granite giving the room an extremely dry, cold and forbidding atmosphere. While neither man seemed phased by the cold air, Anzu shivered in her teal sleeveless shirt, denim shorts and white stockings.

“Here.” Yuugi said putting his jacket around her shoulders for the second time in almost as many days.

“You're a prince, really.” Anzu complimented, she took his hand for a moment, staring into his deep Amethyst eyes.

“Huh, Anzu, what is it?”

“Uh, oh, n-nothing.” She replied letting go of his hand.

Yuugi dropped his hand to his side suddenly looking sullen, “Yeah, I figured.”

Yuugi staggered forward, “I'm here to challenge the leader of the Janus Gym, my name is…”

“Yuugi Mutou, winner of the Duellist Kingdom, Death-T, Battle City and the World's Number One ranked Duellist, oh you are the only man to defeat Seto Kaiba and Pegasus J. Crawford at their own game, did I miss anything?”

“I occasionally starch my shorts.”

“Possibly too much information… I Brock the Rock accept your challenge.” The voice from the darkness proclaimed, Yuugi raised an eyebrow, the voice sounded younger than one might have expected, he heard Kaiba snort a laugh behind him.

“Brock the Rock, what sort of idiot name is that?”

“Mine! Let's duel Yuugi!” The voice squeaked, Yuugi sighed and activated his crimson duel disk.

Yuugi Mutou Life Points: 8000

Brock the Rock Life Points: 8000

::Yuugi::

“I draw;

1. I summon Magician of Chaining Attack (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/4 ATK/1600 DEF/1200) in attack mode;

2. Now I play Pot of Greed (Spell) and Emblem of Dragon Destroyer (Spell);

3. Pot of Greed allows me to draw two cards into my hand;

4. While Emblem of Dragon Destroyer allows me to draw Buster Blader into my hand for later;

5. I play one card face down and end my turn.”

Magician of Chaining Attack's effect activated.

Yuugi Mutou LP: 8000

Brock the Rock LP: 7200

“Hey! Why'd my life points go down?” Brock questioned angrily.

“Hmph, don't you know, Magician of Chaining Attack's Special Ability inflicts direct damage to the opponent whenever the controller plays a Normal Spell card.” Kaiba responded.

::Brock::

He growled, “I draw;

1. I play Monk Fighter (Earth/Rock/Effect/3 ATK/1300 DEF/1000) in attack mode;

2. I sacrifice Monk Fighter to summon Master Monk (Earth/Rock/Effect/5 ATK/1900 DEF/1300) using Master Monk's special ability in attack mode;

3. I send Monk Fighter from my Graveyard to special summon Gigantes (Earth/Rock/Effect/5 ATK/1900 DEF/1000) attack mode;

4. I end my turn by playing a card face down.”

`I won't be able to pull that trick again, time to kick things up.' Yuugi thought watching the field.

*Jyoonouchi*

::Jou::

“I draw;

1. I summon Panther Warrior (Earth/Warrior/Effect/4 ATK/2000 DEF/1600) in attack mode;

2. I add Sword of Dragon Slayer (Equip/Spell) to increase Panther Warrior attack seven hundred points (ATK/2700);

3. To end my turn I play two cards face down.”

::Motoko::

“I draw;

1. I sacrifice my Cyber Dragon and Mechanicalchaser to summon Emes the Infinity (Light/Machine/Effect/7 ATK/2500 DEF/2000) in attack mode;

2. Emes the Infinity attack Hayabusa Knight!”

“Ha, got you, I activate Scapegoat (Quick Play/Spell) this card allows me to summon four Sheep Tokens (Earth/Beast/1 ATK/0 DEF/0) in defence mode, one of which is destroyed by your monster.”

Emes the Infinity's attack destroyed a Sheep Token; Emes the Infinity's attack activated (ATK/3200).

“Taking a guess here, your monster gains seven hundred attack points every time it destroys a monster, right?”

“Not bad, I guess you're not just a pretty face, well, maybe anyway.”

::Jou::

“I draw;

1. I play Incandescent Ordeal (Ritual/Spell);

2. And Sacrifice Panther Warrior from the field;

3. And Warrior Dai Grepher (Earth/Warrior/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1600) from my hand;

4. To summon Legendary Flame Lord (Fire/Spellcaster/Ritual/Effect/7 ATK/2400 DEF/2000) in attack mode;

5. I add Salamandra (Equip/Spell) to increase the Flame Lord's attack seven hundred points (ATK/3100);

6. I end my turn.”

::Motoko::

“I draw;

1. I summon Machiners Sniper (Earth/Machine/Effect/4 ATK/1800 DEF/800) in attack mode;

2. Emes the Infinity ATTACK!”

Emes the Infinity's attack destroyed Sheep Token; Emes the Infinity's effect activates. (ATK/3900)

::Jou::

“I play one card face down;

2. I switch Legendary Flame Lord and Hayabusa Knight into defence mode and summon Masaki the Legendary Swordsman (Earth/Warrior/4 ATK/1100 DEF/1100) in defence mode;

3. That's it.”

::Motoko::

“I draw;

1. I summon Machiners Soldier (Earth/Machine/Effect/4 ATK/1600 DEF/1500) in attack mode;

2. I play one card face down.”

Jou frowned, “What exactly are you up to…”

Motoko smiled, “You'll just have to wait and see.”

“I figured…”

*Yuugi*

::Yuugi::

“I draw;

1. I activate Dimensional Magic (Quick Play/Spell) and sacrifice Magician of Chaining Attack to summon Dark Magician Girl (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/6 ATK/2000 DEF/1700) in attack mode which allows me to activate Dimensional Magic's other special ability to destroy Gigantes;

2. I now play Sage's Stone (Spell) to summon Dark Magician (Dark/Spellcaster/7 ATK/2500 DEF/2100) in attack mode;

3. I'll add Axe of Despair (Equip/Spell) to Dark Magician and Tomb of Magic's (Equip/Spell) to Dark Magician Girl;

4. Axe of Despair increases Dark Magician's attack one thousand points (ATK/3500);

5. Tomb of Magic's increases Dark Magician Girl's attack seven hundred points in addition to the three hundred points by Dark Magician Girl's Special Ability (ATK/3000);

6. Dark Magician attack Master Monk;

7. Dark Magician Girl attack him directly!”

Dark Magician's attack destroyed Master Monk; Dark Magician Girl's attack inflicted three thousand points of direct damage to the opponent.

Yuugi Mutou LP: 8000

Brock the Rock LP: 2600

Kaiba's mouth turned to a smile, “I was concerned without the Pharaoh he would be weak, watching this makes me realizes our duel at the end of this tournament maybe more challenging than any I had with the Pharaoh…”

Anzu gave him a sullen stare, “Yuugi's a better duellist than Yami any day, he'll duel rings around you.”

“Maybe, but then, if what you say is true, how did the Pharaoh beat Yuugi in the Ceremonial Battle?”

“Ah… well… Yami just got lucky, he had the God cards after all.”

“Lucky… ever consider it could have been something else?” Kaiba asked, Anzu fell silent as they both looked back to Yuugi, `did… no he couldn't have…. Could he?'

::Brock::

“This isn't over, I draw;

1. I activate my face down card Pyramid of Light (Continuous/Trap);

2. I sacrifice five hundred life points to summon Sphinx Telia (Light/Beast/Effect/10 ATK/2500 DEF/3000) in attack mode;

3. I sacrifice another five hundred points to summon Andro Sphinx (Light/Beast/Effect/10 ATK/3000 DEF/2500) in attack mode;

4. I activate Two-Pronged Attack (Trap) and sacrifice Andro Sphinx and Sphinx Telia to destroy Dark Magician;

5. Now I can also summon Theinen the Great Sphinx (Light/Beast/Effect/10 ATK/3500 DEF/3000) by sacrificing another five hundred life points in attack mode;

6. Finally another five hundred points to activate Theinen's Special Ability to increase its attack three thousand points (ATK/6500);

7. Theinen attack!”

Theinen the Great Sphinx's attack destroyed Dark Magician Girl.

Yuugi Mutou LP: 4500

Brock the Rock LP: 600

“Ha! How do you like that?” Brock yelled, “My monster's gonna destroy you!”

Kaiba laughed, “One move and you think you're in charge, Yuugi, destroy this punk.”

Yuugi stared Brock down with a small smile, “My pleasure.”

*Jyoonouchi*

::Jou::

“I draw;

1. I summon Gearfried the Iron Knight (Earth/Warrior/Effect/4 ATK/1800 DEF/1600) in defence mode;

2. I switch Legendary Flame Lord into attack mode and attack Machiners Soldier!”

“Thank you very much Katsuya, I activate my Trap Combo.”

The colour drained from Jou's face, “Trap combo?”

“Watch and learn kiddo;

1. I use Windstorm of Etaqua (Trap) to switch the positions of all your monsters;

2. Then I activate Mirror Force (Trap) to destroy all your attack position monsters;

3. So, what do you say now?”

Jou growled and ended his turn, Motoko smiled, “There's no shame in surrendering Katsuya, I won't think less of you.”

*Yuugi*

::Yuugi::

“I draw;

1. I summon Obnoxious Celtic Guard (Earth/Warrior/Effect/4 ATK/1400 DEF/1200) in defence mode;

2. I add Horn of Light (Equip/Spell) to increase Celtic Guard's defence eight hundred points (DEF/2000);

3. I'll play a card face down and end my turn.”

Brock laughed, “Is that it, I'll crush it!”

::Brock::

“I draw;

1. I summon Gamma the Magnet Warrior (Earth/Rock/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1600) in attack mode;

2. I'll add Black Pendant (Equip/Spell) to increase my monsters attack five hundred points (ATK/2200);

3. Gamma the Magnet Warrior crush his monster;

4. Theinen's effect activates (LP: 100) Theinen attack!”

Both attacks struck creating a cloud of dust around Yuugi, he could hear Anzu yelling for him as Brock laughed, “I win, that was so pathetic!”

“You may eventually win this, but we're not finished yet.” Yuugi said as the dust cleared his hand on his hip.

“What are you talking about?”

Gamma the Magnet Warrior attacked Obnoxious Celtic Guard; Theinen the Great Sphinx attacked Obnoxious Celtic Guard; Obnoxious Celtic Guard's Special Ability activated.

Yuugi Mutou LP: 4500

Brock the Rock LP: 100

“How did your monster survive!”

“Don't you know anything, Obnoxious Celtic Guard's special ability stops it being destroyed in battle by monsters with more than nineteen hundred attack points or more, what kind of Gym Leader are you?”

“He's not.” A voice called from above, suddenly all the lights snapped on, standing in the middle of a rock and debris encrusted battle field was a young man, younger than Yuugi standing between Theinen the Great Sphinx and Gamma the Magnet Warrior. He was no more than fifteen years old, five foot five with dark hair and grey eyes wearing a red jacket over a black shirt with navy blue pants.

“Big brother!” The boy exclaimed timidly staring up at the man on the balcony.

“Brother?” Yuugi questioned staring up at the man, he looked no more than twenty one standing five foot eight in black cargo pants, orange shirt under a green vest with his arms crossed, “You're the gym leader?”

“That's right, Jubei what are you doing?”

“I'm, I'm sorry, I-I just wanted to prove to you that I can duel.”

Yuugi noticed Kaiba about to speak and hissed, “Kaiba, think of Mokuba.” Kaiba gave him an incurious stare but relented.

“Jubei you never needed to prove yourself to me, you're my brother.”

“Then why won't you let me compete in the League?”

Brock sighed, “You're too young, but if you can beat Yuugi Mutou here, I'll consider it.”

“Deal!” Jubei yelled turning back to face Yuugi, “Hurry up, it's your move!”

*Jyoonouchi

“Make your move.”

::Motoko::

I was trying to go easy on you, but I see you want to punished, I draw;

1. To prevent a repeat of your last turn I play Swords of Revealing Light (Spell) to prevent you from attacking for three turns;

2. Finally I play a card face down in defence mode and end my turn.”

“Just so we're clear, you're not undefeatable, I'm going fight my way out and win, I stake my duellist honour on winning this match.”

Motoko smirked gazing at Mai who was scowling and Serenity who looked pensive, “I hope you can back that up Katsuya.”

“I can Mai, just watch.”

“I'm watching.”

Jou looked at his side of the field, Gearfried and Masaki had been sent to the Graveyard by Mirror Force, leaving Legendary Flame Lord alone on the field with three cards face down.

::Jou:: (Swords of Revealing Light Turn: 1)

“I draw;

1. I play Axe Raider (Earth/Warrior/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1150) in defence mode;

2. I play one card face down and end my turn.”

::Motoko::

“I draw;

1. I flip Machiners Defender (Earth/Machine/Effect/4 ATK/1200 DEF/1800) into face up defence mode;

2. Its effect allows me to draw Commander Covington into my hand;

3. I summon Commander Covington (Earth/Machine/Effect/4 ATK/1000 DEF/600) in attack mode;

4. I activate Commander Covington's Special Ability sacrificing Machiners Defender, Sniper and Soldier;

5. To summon Machiners Force (Earth/Machine/Effect/10 ATK/4600 DEF/4100) in attack mode;

6. I'll add two cards to Commander Covington, Horn of the Unicorn (Equip/Spell) and Machine Conversion Factory (Equip/Spell) to increase its attack and defence a total of one thousand points (ATK/2000 DEF/1600);

7. Emes the Infinity attack Legendary Flame Lord;

8. Commander Covington attack Axe Raider;

9. I'll sacrifice one thousand Life Points to attack with Machiners Force!”

Emes the Infinity's attack destroyed Legendary Flame Lord; Commander Covington's attack destroyed Axe Raider; Machiners Force's attack inflicted forty six hundred points of direct damage to the opponent; Emes the Infinity's Special Ability activates. (ATK/4600)

Motoko Kusanagi LP: 7000

Katsuya Jyoonouchi LP: 3400

“Now what will you do Katsuya?”

Jyoonouchi's hands fell to his sides as he stared up at the monsters before him, “Awe nuts…”

*Yuugi*

::Yuugi::

“I draw;

1. I play one card face down;

2. And end my turn.”

::Jubei::

“I play Yu-Jyo (Spell) the friendship card.”

“Anzu plays that constantly.” Kaiba commented earning a slap in the back of the head from the said girl.

2. “I offer you a handshake so that our life points become equalized;

Yuugi approached Jube sharing a firm handshake.

3. Yuugi Mutou LP: 2250;

4. Jubei LP: 2250;

5. “I've got you Yuugi, Shield and Sword (Spell) flips all attack and defence values of the monsters on the field;

6. Gamma (ATK/1600 DEF/2200) attack Obnoxious Celtic Guard (ATK/2000 DEF/1400);

7. Theinen's ability activates (ATK/6000 DEF/3500) and attacks.” (LP: 1750)

“Not so fast, Magic Cylinder (Trap) counters your attack.”

“I counter with Negate Attack (Trap) to cancel your attack!”

“Not bad…” Yuugi heard Brock comment as his brother ended his turn.

*Jyoonouchi*

“It's your move Katsuya, what will you do?”

::Jou:: (Swords of Revealing Light Turn: 2)

“I draw;

1. I'll summon Darkfire Soldier #1 (Fire/Pyro/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1150) in defence mode;

2. I'll also play Fulfilment of Contract (Equip/Spell) and pay eight hundred life points to summon Legendary Flame Lord back to the field in defence mode;

3. That's it from me.”

::Motoko::

“As a defensive action I'm disappointed, I draw;

1. Emes the Infinity destroy Legendary Flame Lord, again;

2. Commander Covington destroy Darkfire Soldier #1;

3. Machiners Force destroy Katsuya Jyoonouchi!”

*Yuugi*

::Yuugi::

“Your monster is impressive, but having one powerful monster isn't enough, you also need experience, I draw;

1. Polymerization (Spell);

2. To fuse Jack's Knight (Light/Warrior/5 ATK/1900 DEF/1400);

3. King's Knight (Light/Warrior/Effect/4 ATK/1600 DEF/1400);

4. And Queen's Knight (Light/Warrior/4 ATK/1500 DEF/1300) from my hand;

5. To summon Arcana Knight Joker (Light/Spellcaster/Effect/9 ATK/3800 DEF/2500) in attack mode;

6. I end my turn.”

::Jubei::

“Ha! That's your big move, I'll crush you, I draw;

1. I sacrifice another five hundred life points (ATK/6500 DEF/3000) and attack!”

Yuugi smiled, “I knew you would do that, I play my monsters Special Ability discarding Skilled Dark Magician (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/4 ATK/1900 DEF/1700) from my hand to negate your monsters Special Ability (ATK/3500 DEF/3000).”

Theinen the Great Sphinx's attack failed; Arcana Knight Joker's attack destroyed Theinen the Great Sphinx.

::Yuugi::

“I draw;

1. I attack!”

“Not so fast I activate Nutrient Z (Trap)!”

“I again activate my monsters Special Ability this time discarding Dragon Capture Jar (Trap) to negate the activation of your Trap card.”

Arcana Knight Joker's attack destroyed Gamma the Magnet Warrior.

Yuugi Mutou LP: 2250

Jubei LP: 0

*Jyoonouchi*

“Not so fast lady, I activate Nutrient Z (Trap) to add four thousand points to my life points (LP: 7400) before your attack hits.”

Emes the Infinity's attack destroyed Legendary Flame Lord; Commander Covington's attack destroyed Darkfire Soldier #1; Machiners Force inflicted forty six hundred points of direct damage to the opponent. Emes the Infinity's effect activated. (ATK/5300)

Motoko Kusanagi LP: 6000

Katsuya Jyoonouchi LP: 2800

`This is the last roll of the dice, I have to make it count, here I go.'

::Jou::

“I draw;

1. I play Polymerization (Spell);

2. To fuse Red-Eyes Black Dragon (Dark/Dragon/7 ATK/2400 DEF/2000);

3. And Meteor Dragon (Fire/Dragon/5 ATK/2000 DEF/2500) in my hand;

4. To summon Meteor Black Dragon (Fire/Dragon/Fusion/9 ATK/3500 DEF/2000) in attack mode;

5. I'll add United We Stand (Equip/Spell) to increase my monsters attack and defence eight hundred points;

6. I also summon Dark Blade (Dark/Warrior/4 ATK/1800 DEF/1500) in attack mode;

7. I add Kiryu (Dark/Dragon/Union/5 ATK/2000 DEF/1500) to increase Dark Blade's attack and defence nine hundred points (ATK/2700 DEF/2400);

8. I also activate Lightening Blade (Equip/Spell) to increase Dark Blade's attack another eight hundred points (ATK/3500);

9. This also increases Meteor Black Dragon's attack and defence another eight hundred points (ATK/5100);

“I've two more cards face down, want to see?”

Motoko crossed her arms, “Why not.”

10. I activate Harpie's Feather Duster (Spell) and Riryoku (Spell);

11. Harpie's Feather Duster destroys all your Spell and Trap cards;

13. Riryoku steals half the attack of one of your monsters namely Machiners Force (ATK/2300) and transfers that attack to my monster Meteor Black Dragon (ATK/7400);

13. Meteor Black Dragon attack Commander Covington (ATK/1000)!”

Meteor Black Dragon's attack destroyed Commander Covington.

Katsuya Jyoonouchi LP: 2800

Motoko Kusanagi LP: 0

Jyoonouchi fell to his knees near exhaustion as he was embraced by Serenity and Mai. Motoko approached them smiling, “You did well kid, in recognition of your victory I present you with the Machiners Badge, congratulations.

“Thank you, I'll wear it with pride.”

Motoko grinned, “You better.”

*Yuugi*

Jubei stared at Yuugi with tears in his eyes, “Y-you weren't supposed to win!”

Yuugi smiled, “Life doesn't always work out the way you want.”

“Useful advice.” Kaiba agreed glancing at Anzu who glared back.

“That's true, but you should remember, I accepted your challenge, but I never said I was the leader of the gym. My brother is, so you won the duel, but not the badge!” Jubei said laughing running towards the platform.

“You little!” Anzu bellowed.

The boy laughed all the way back to his brother's balcony climbing up towards it, “How did I do big brother!”

Brock frowned watching Yuugi, Anzu and Kaiba chasing after his younger brother, “Enough!”

Everyone stopped, “Jubei, you played well, but part of being a good duelist is losing with humility. Yuugi, you deserve this.”

Yuugi caught the badge and smiled approaching Jubei who'd stopped nearby, “You're a good duelist Jubei, I hope we can play again sometime.”

Jubei glared at Yuugi's extended hand and spat in his face, “My brother may not think there's a problem, but I see a big one, you think you've gotten away, you haven't, I'll play you again, so I can prove to everyone that I'm better than you!”

Yuugi wiped the spit from his face watching Jubei storm out of the Gym, “Why is it everyone spits on me, I'm not a walking, talking spittoon…”

Kaiba scowled, “Petulant little…”

Brock shook his head, “I apologize in advance if he causes you further problems, he's always been a handful, congratulations on your win.”

The three made their farewells and made their way to the Duelist Centre nearby. They arrived just before sunset; Yuugi broke off from Anzu and Kaiba and sat at a video phone booth. His hand wavered over the receiver, he wanted to speak to his Grandfather, but he was afraid of the conversation.

Anzu glanced over from her conversation with Hitomi to see Yuugi sitting at a video phone booth; she excused herself and made her way over to him, “Are you ok?” She asked resting her hand gently on his shoulder; he took it absorbing the warmth of her hand.

“Not really.” He whispered, his despairing Amethyst eyes staring into her soul. At that moment she broke kneeling to his level she wrapped her arms around him kissing him on the cheek.

“Wh-what, Anzu…” Yuugi spluttered his face turning crimson. Anzu rested her head on his shoulder, “I… you just looked like you needed it.”

He rested his head on her shoulder after brushing his lips against her cheek, “I just… don't know what to do anymore…”

“When you're ready to talk to Gramps, we'll all be here, you won't do this alone.”

Yuugi smiled holding Anzu in his arms enjoying having her warm body against his. Kaiba watched them frowning, `He's a fool, just a damn fool…' He mulled walking upstairs.

*Pegasus*

Pegasus J. Crawford sat in his darkened office staring at the three-dimensional map of the Shuba region. In the murkiness beyond his desk he heard a door slide closed, he poured himself a whiskey, “Yuugi-boy won the Granite Badge.”

“Did he now…” The figure muttered sounding distracted.

“You don't sound pleased.”

“It's Yuugi Mutou, you're well aware of my feelings.” The voice replied, Pegasus was given the impression his companion was massaging his arm.

“I need you to do this for me.”

The figure made an indignant sound, “They've arrived, both of them…” At that moment a lighter snapped, the flame flickering in the figure's face his deep brown eyes flaring, “What did you expect to happen…”

“I had thought I'd have more time…”

“Tch.” The man flicked closed his lighter taking a drag from his cigarette exhaling after a moment, “I expected you to understand better than anyone, time is finite.”

“Pegasus paused a somber expression passing his face, “Indeed, however that doesn't answer my original question.”

The figure moved to the door, “Wait…” Pegasus began but the figure interrupted him the door opening slowly.

“I'll do your dirty work for you, but you may not like my price.” The figure replied a dark smile playing on his face as he left.

“Another wrinkle…” Pegasus whispered.

*Elsewhere*

In a dark room semi-lit by torches two men one in a dark throne, the other standing beside him. They remained silent watching a monitor with two people embracing, the sitting man smiled, “It's finally time to shatter his illusions.”

“I still don't get how…”

The sitting man withdrew something from his cloak and handed to his companion smiling as the shock registered on his face, “That is how, now, go, the hunters ride tonight, and tonight will begin our campaign…”

To Be Continued…