Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Duellist League ❯ Battle Stage 15: Confrontation! Broken Ties ( Chapter 15 )

Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the previous chapter & the entire story so far.

 

Battle Stage 15: Confrontation! Broken Ties

 

Dawn rose on the third and final day of Yuugi's gangs stay in the dual city of Janus. In the metallic mecha above ground citizens awoke to discover a sky stained with could extending towards the horizon. Below lamps were extinguished as solar emitters sprang to life raining artificial sunlight down upon the cobblestone city.

 

Yuugi, Anzu & Seto Kaiba rose early, a fresh bandage placed on Yuugi's Rabid Horseman inflicted wound, another bandage wrapped around his sprained, swollen ankle. The three took a horse drawn carriage to the cable car terminus. A cable car ride later and ladder climb later they had returned to the above ground metal city. The group met up with Jyoonouchi, Serenity and Mai at the Duellist Centre to plan their next move.

 

“Ok, the next three gyms…” Yuugi began, laying the map out on a table in the centre's café.

 

“It's broken up again…” Jyoonouchi moaned.

 

Three cities were indicated on the map, Camelot to the northwest, Khepri directly to the North and Suzaku to the Northeast. No clear indications were given as to what to expect in these cities apart from their names.

 

“Suzaku, as in fire?” Kaiba questioned, the others gave him condescending looks for his question on the Japanese word for fire.

 

“Camelot, I've heard that word before…” Jou pondered with his sister piping up to answer.

 

“It's English, connected to the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the round table, first referenced in a French poem in the twelfth century, it came to be known as the capital of King Arthur's Kingdom…” At this point Jyoonouchi covered Serenity's mouth with his hand.

 

“She goes on…” Jyoonouchi explained being glared at by Serenity who'd just removed his hand from her mouth.

 

“Hn, now we know…” Kaiba started throwing a fervent smile to Serenity, “Who got the brains in the Jyoonouchi family.”

 

As chaos erupted between Jou and Kaiba over Serenity, Yuugi sat staring at the map. Anzu placed on his shoulder, “What is it Yuugi?”

 

“I was just thinking…” He started staring at the icon of Khepri, “Khepri is Egyptian, maybe…”

 

“The Pharaoh?” Anzu said, Yuugi's eyes flickered noticing the tone in her voice, “Yeah, maybe.”

 

Anzu's words drew Kaiba and Jyoonouchi out of their argument. Both asked of the Pharaoh with Anzu obliging them with Yuugi's theory. Yuugi however was less than interested suddenly pulling away from them into the foyer, feeling quite alone among his friends.

 

“Penny for your thoughts, Yuugi-chan?” Mai asked sitting beside him on the backless seat.

 

“They…” He began, Mai rested a hand on his shoulder, a silent encouragement for him to continue, “They tell me they're my friends, but as soon as the Pharaoh is mentioned, it's like I'm forgotten.”

 

Mai put an arm around both shoulders, “Hon, you're twice the man the Pharaoh is on your worst day. I'm not saying the Pharaoh isn't a good man, but the part that matters most,” Mai placed a finger above his heart, “You have far more of.”

 

“Thanks.” Yuugi whispered his eyes meeting Mai's for mere moments. However it was enough for him to be almost overwhelmed by her violet orbs. Their lips were inches from each other when a throat was cleared nearby.

 

“If it's ok with the two of you we are about to leave.” Anzu reported stiffly emphasising every word rolling off her tongue.

 

“Ok Anzu.” Yuugi replied reluctantly standing as Anzu handed him his bag. Mai reached for hers, however Anzu threw her bag to, or more, at her, hitting Mai in the stomach.

 

“Anzu!”

 

“Let's go.”

 

Yuugi shook his head following the group out into the street. Jyoonouchi led the group to the edge of the city and out into the wilderness. As they walked the group divided itself into subsets, Anzu and Jyoonouchi at the front, Serenity and Kaiba in the middle and Mai and Yuugi at the rear.

 

The group stopped for a quick lunch at a shallow area of forest, the group was beginning to notice the deliberate designing of the forests, deep dense interiors with dark narrow paths cut through the middle. Shallow enclaves surrounded by dense trees for duellist's convenience. As they discussed it over lunch, Kaiba remained silent, his brain processing all the information he was hearing staring into the sky.

 

Anzu occasionally threw a glare to Mai who sat beside Yuugi sharing a meal and pleasant conversation. Anzu boiled watching them, she knew there was nothing between Mai and Yuugi, but the sight of the two, chatting, laughing and showing general affection for each other made her furious. Yuugi was Anzu's crush, not Mai's, she had Jyoonouchi's affections to deflect. Which in Anzu's considered opinion should be plenty for one woman, but now Mai was enticing Yuugi with her feminine wiles. Anzu had made up her mind, she would tell him tonight, she couldn't afford to wait any longer.

 

The afternoon rambled on with the group traversing the long path towards the intersection, eventually arriving at their campsite. Mai and Jyoonouchi went in search of water and wood respectively while Anzu and Serenity went to bathe after a long day of walking, leaving Kaiba and Yuugi to start the evening meal.

 

“You seem to be rather chummy with Kujyaku all of a sudden.” Kaiba observed cutting vegetables for the pot.

 

Yuugi blushed, “Yeah, guess I am.”

 

“What about Mazaki?” He asked with a grin.

 

“You're right, if Anzu cared about me that way she would have told me by now. I need to move on.”

 

“With Mai?”

 

“Maybe.”

 

What neither man heard was Anzu returning for something at the campsite, she overheard them talking, and started crying. After returning from bathing the group sat down for their meal. Anzu didn't speak much the entire night, retiring early to the girl's tent. After a while the rest of the group decided to retire to sleep, the girls in the tent, the boys crowding the entrance to protect the girls while Yuugi took the first watch.

 

After a couple of hours everyone had gone to sleep, Yuugi contented himself watching the fire and sorting through his cards. As he stared at the Dark Magician Girl card he heard a voice, it was calling him and he felt compelled to go. He gathered his deck and duel disk and pursued the voice.

 

He skidded to a halt in a large open area, the perimeter lined torches, men and women in robes, robes Yuugi recognised, “The hunters!”

 

“Very good Yuugi, you haven't lost your touch.” A voice commented from the crowd removing his hood.

 

“Malik, what are you…”

 

“I don't have to explain myself to you, are you prepared to duel?”

 

“All…”

 

“Just me Yuugi, just me.”

 

“Let's go then!”

 

Malik smiled, “This confidence doesn't suit you Yuugi, particularly since you face certain defeat.”

 

“Well, that was dramatic and why are you so sure?”

 

“Malik smirked, “You think your friends love and adore you, you're wrong…”

 

“What are you saying?”

 

“You were betrayed by one of your dear sweet friends.”

 

“That's bull, they'd never turn their backs on me!”

 

“It does not surprises me to hear you say that, but accept now that you can't win, I already know every card you'll play.”

 

“Cut the crap, let's duel!” Yuugi spat his anger bubbling under the surface.

 

Malik grinned, “You've grown a foul mouth since we last met.”

 

“A lot of things have changed…”

 

Yuugi Mutou Life Points: 8000

Malik Ishtar Life Points: 8000

 

::Yuugi::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Double Coston (Dark/Zombie/Effect/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1650) in attack mode;

 

2. I play two cards face down and end my turn.”

 

::Malik::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Archfiend Soldier (Dark/Fiend/4 ATK/1900 DEF/1500) in attack mode;

 

2. I'll play a card face down.”

 

Malik laughed, “I know every move you'll make Yuugi, there's no point.”

 

::Yuugi::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I'll use Double Coston's special ability to summon Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight (Dark/Warrior/Effect/7 ATK/2300 DEF/2100) in attack mode;

 

2. Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight attack!”

 

Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight's attack destroyed Archfiend Soldier.

 

Yuugi Mutou LP: 8000

Malik Ishtar LP: 7600

 

“Didn't see that coming, did you?” Yuugi said with a small grin.

 

Malik growled, Yuugi saw his eyes go out of focus for a second, “No plan is foolproof.”

 

“I can't argue with the horse's ass.”

 

::Malik::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I'll summon Drillago (Dark/Machine/Effect/4 ATK/1600 DEF/1100) in attack mode;

 

2. I add 7 Completed (Equip/Spell) to increase Drillago's attack seven hundred points;

 

3. I'll play two cards face down;

 

4. Drillago activate your special ability attack!”

 

Drillago's attack inflicted 2300 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

Malik Ishtar LP: 7600

Yuugi Mutou LP: 5700

 

Malik grinned, “Give up Yuugi, I've already told you I know all you cards, and I already have the card in my hand that will destroy your favourite combo.”

 

“Of course you do…”

 

::Yuugi::

 

“I draw;

 

Yuugi grinned drawing a card, “I think I see the flaw in your plan, arrogance;

 

1. Card Destruction (Spell)!”

 

Malik laughed, “Arrogance indeed Yuugi, your card activates Despair from the Dark (Dark/Fiend/Effect/8 ATK/2800 DEF/3000) in attack mode, I think I just played the game.”

 

Yuugi scowled hearing some scattered laughter from the darkness, 2. “I'll sacrifice Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight to summon Dark Magician Girl (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/6 ATK/2000 DEF/1700) in attack mode;

 

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

 

4. Finally Time Wizard (Light/Spellcaster/Effect/2 ATK/500 DEF/400) in defence mode;

 

5. This activates Time Wizard's special ability, Coin Toss;

 

6. HEADS!”

 

The coin was tossed high into the night's sky between the players, Yuugi and Malik stared at each other. Yuugi frowned staring at the smiling Malik. The coin spun dropping to the ground, now Yuugi grinned, “It's heads.”

 

“Not for long, I'll activate this, Second Coin Toss (Continuous/Trap) this card negates your coin toss and tosses the coin again.”

 

“Damn it.” Yuugi swore watching the coin rise into the air once again, Malik was grinning, “Call it Yuugi.”

 

“Heads!”

 

The coin dropped and Malik laughed, “Tails, you lose.”

 

Dark Magician, Dark Magician Girl and Time Wizard are destroyed inflicting 2500 points of direct damage to the player.

 

Malik Ishtar LP: 7600

Yuugi Mutou LP: 3100

 

“You haven't been listening Yuugi, you can't win I know every card you'll play.”

 

“I'm happy for you…”

 

::Malik::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I'll summon Grand Tiki Elder (Dark/Fiend/4 ATK/1500 DEF/800) in attack mode;

 

2. And I'll attack with Drillago!”

 

Drillago's attack inflicted 2300 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

Malik Ishtar LP: 7600

Yuugi Mutou LP: 800

 

::Yuugi::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I'll play Card Destruction (Spell) sending our hands to the graveyard allowing us to draw fresh hands;

 

2. Now I'll use Pot of Greed and Jar of Avarice;

 

3. Pot of Greed (Spell) allows me to draw two cards;

 

4. Jar of Avarice (Spell) allows me to place five monsters from my graveyard back into my deck then draw two additional cards;

 

5. Polymerization (Spell);

 

6. To fuse King's (Light/Warrior/Effect/4 ATK/1600 DEF/1400);

 

7. Queen's (Light/Warrior/4 ATK/1500 DEF/1300);

 

8. And Jack's Knight (Light/Warrior/5 ATK/1900 DEF/1400) from my hand;

 

9. To summon Arcana Knight Joker (Light/Spellcaster/Effect/Fusion/9 ATK/3800 DEF/2500) in…”

 

“Attack mode.” Malik finished, Yuugi monster appearing beside him.

 

“What the hell?”

 

“I said I knew every card you'll play, your new Trump card is now under my control, Hell Polymer (Trap) allows me to take control of one of your Fusion monsters by sending Grand Tiki Elder to the graveyard.”

 

“I'll, end my turn now…”

 

::Malik::

 

“I draw;

 

1. Arcana Knight Joker, ATTACK!”

 

Arcana Knight Joker's attack inflicted 3800 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

Malik Ishtar LP: 7600

Yuugi Mutou LP: 0

 

Yuugi fell to his knees staring at Malik, “I told you Yuugi, I warned you.”

 

“You're lying…”

 

“I'm not trying to hurt you Yuugi, they betrayed you.”

 

“You're lying…”

 

“I'm not.”

 

Yuugi's tear stained eyes threw themselves at Malik, “You are, they're my friends!”

 

“Oh really.” Malik quipped pulling something from his cloak dropping it to the ground before Yuugi's eyes, “Some friends.”

 

As Yuugi picked up the object the Hunters evaporated into the night. After a time Yuugi rose unsteadily to his feet, the cards unmoved from their position on the duel disk.

 

He walked back to camp like a man to the noose, resigned to his fate. He felt himself unravelling, he knew it would hit him soon.

 

Yuugi re-entered the camp to find everyone still asleep, he crept through to his sleeping bag, his hands stopped short. His eyes drifted towards the tent where the girls were sleeping and his anger bubbled, he trusted her, he trusted them, and all the while they were sticking the knife in. The worst of it was, no one had the guts to tell him.

 

Yanking his bag away from the tent he tossed it next to the sleeping bag, haphazardly folding and stuffing it into his pack. His anger got the better of him as he tried in vain to get the oversized bag into the undersized pack, eventually leading to a sizable rip in the fabric.

 

“Damn it!” Yuugi swore hearing the material tear under his hands.

 

“Hmm, huh, Yuugi, could you… Yuugi why are you packing up at four thirty in the morning?” A groggy Jyoonouchi questioned from his sleeping bag.

 

“None of your damn business Katsuya.”

 

Jyoonouchi blinked slowly, “Uh, Yuugi, what's with the attitude?”

 

Yuugi simply glared at him returning to packing his bag. Jyoonouchi pulled on his shirt and went over to Yuugi, “Yuugi what's going on?” Yuugi ignored him and continued to pack his bag now stuffing his ruined sleeping bag in his pack, “Yuugi talk to me!” Jyoonouchi yelled grabbing his arm.

 

“Get off me!” Yuugi yelled.

 

By this time Anzu Mai and Serenity were out of their tent, Serenity in pajamas with a coat of Mai's drapped over her shoulders, the other girls in night gowns, “”What's all the yelling?”

 

“I don't know, Yuugi does though.” Jyoonouchi responded, Yuugi using the shift in focus to break free of his arm zipping up his pack.

 

“What are you doing Yuugi, it's not time to leave yet…” Anzu queried.

 

“It is for me.” Yuugi stated coldly.

 

“Why are you being like this?”

 

“You know why.”

 

“I don't.”

 

“Yes you do.”

 

“No I don't.”

 

“Yes you do.”

 

“I don't.” Anzu responded, for a brief moment everyone else seemed to fall away, it was just Yuugi and her.

 

“You do.”

 

“I don't.” Anzu spat her voice rising.

 

“YOU DO! You know, you and him!” Indicating to Jyoonouchi, “You know exactly what you've done.” Yuugi yelled tears in his eyes.

 

“Yuugi, we have no idea what you're talking about.” Jyoonouchi yelled back.

 

“You don't, then explain this!” Yuugi screamed chucking the photo he'd received from Malik to Jyoonouchi, he and Anzu peered at it dumbfounded. “Yuugi you can't…”

 

“Can't I? I wasted all this time chasing after you, Seto told me as much, but I thought…”

 

“Yuugi…” Anzu whispered.

 

“You never saw me, you saw Yami, but even he wasn't good enough for you. I know what you did, you left him at your door. I thought it was because you might want to be with me instead, but you were with him the entire time. All those signs, all those moments, being led on. You didn't even tell me, not a word, NOTHING!”

 

“Yuugi, please we aren't…”

 

“No! No more lies… I can't take anymore lies…” Yuugi whispered tears flowing freely down his cheeks.

 

“But it's not lies, I love you, I've never loved anyone else.” Anzu responded crying as well.

 

Yuugi walked to her, she was kneeling on the ground, “I don't care anymore, I hate you.” He pushed her to the ground in his anger spitting in her face.

 

“Yuugi!” Jyoonouchi exclaimed jumping in to defend Anzu, only to be met with a bone crunching fist from Yuugi which sent the blonde sprawling.

 

“The ties of our friendship are broken Jyoonouchi, the next time we meet we will be enemies.” Yuugi declared, anger unlike anything he'd even imagined running off him in waves as he stormed from the campsite.

 

The camp was silent, Anzu didn't dare look at anyone, she could feel their disgust. She crawled on her hands and knees into the tent and began to cry.

 

To Be Continued…