Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Duellist League ❯ Battle Stage 19; Seperate Journey's! Kaiba's Way ( Chapter 19 )

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

Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who's reviewing the story, I hope you're still enjoying it.

Battle Stage 19: Separate Journey's! Kaiba's Way

The sun reached its zenith as Mai, assisted by Kaiba approached the edge of the village. After the battle against Kaworu they were both eager to exit the village quickly, they were vulnerable and easy targets for unscrupulous duellists, even with Kaiba's reputed talents.

Kaiba assisted Mai for an hour until they were alone in the forest, Kaiba set Mai down against a tree and unpacked his first aid kit. “Ahh!” Mai yelled throwing her head back as Kaiba applied pressure to the wound on Mai's shoulder. Kaiba rolled his eyes, “Suck it up Kujyaku.” He responded tying the bandage around the wound, “I should check you for more injuries; perhaps I should start with your chest.” Kaiba said with a perverse smirk, Mai glared at him pushing him back to which he grabbed her wrist. Kaiba stared into Mai's eyes pulling her forward, “Seto…” She whispered, but before she could continue their lips met, Mai resisted at first, but his body, a warm body drew her in. Mai wanted someone to care for her, treat her with tender reverence; she pushed his jacket off as he pull her clothes away without a care.

Later Kaiba pulled his shirt over his head as Mai relaxed against a tree, her jacket just covering her chest as a cigarette rested in her fingers, “Hon, that was…” She laughed a horny glint in her eyes. Kaiba returned the grin, “I did tell you to suck it up, I didn't think you'd take it so literally or well.”

Mai punched him in the chest as he approached holding her shirt, “Do you want this back, you don't have to wear it…” Kaiba trailed off with a grin, Mai grabbed the shirt shedding her jacket, giving Kaiba a view as she put her shirt back on; but as she was about to pull it down over her chest Mai grinned, “Like what you see?” Kaiba chuckled, “Depends how close they get to me.” He responded Mai shook her head pulling her shirt down taking a last drag of the cigarette placing it in Kaiba's lips, “Let's go.”

Kaiba and Mai set off once again but slower because of Mai's injuries. The interwoven paths led them in and out of forest areas passing travellers on paths and horseback. Reading the map Mai found the quickest route to Camelot which avoided all villages, as a precaution against Kaworu's Underground Duellists attack.

“This is it.” Kaiba announced as they approached the end of the path.

Seto and Mai stopped at the draw bridge into Camelot; the city was surrounded by Granite walls, except for the draw bridges at either ends of the city. As they entered Kaiba peered into the moat which was filled with fish sub-type duel monsters, he knew they were holographic, he still would not have wanted to be in that water. Mai stopped and approached him, “What's wrong Seto?”

“Something about this, it's wrong…” He whispered staring into the moat. Mai squeezed his hand, “Let's go.”

They entered the city the streets of mud were lashed with hay and animal manure. Mai wrinkled her nose at the stench, it rose from the ground and infected their nostrils making Kaiba and Mai's stomaches turn. Beyond the smell of manure was the smell of human decay, the people in the city were dishevelled their clothes unwashed, Kaiba shook his head, “What is this, it's the twenty first century not the twelfth.” He whispered to Mai who held onto him as they continued. The smell thinned as they entered the more affluent section of the city, the granite buildings became more refined and gothic in design.

At the centre of the city was a large stone tower, a polished steel bolted oak door separated the travellers from the interior of the building. Seto paused looking back to Mai who nodded to him to push in, which he did. The door creaked and moved heavily, slowly revealing the regally decorated room, drapes of silk in royal purples, blues and reds emblazoned with a coat of arms woven in gold embellished the walls. The carpet was crimson, plush reaching to the walls, the ceiling was low with a staircase at the rear of the room.

“HALT! I bid thee welcome, step forward and speak.”

Kaiba stepped forward and brandished his duel disk, “I am Seto Kaiba of Domino, the Kyushu Prefecture of Japan. I am here to challenge for the badge of the Camelot Gym.”

Your challenge is accepted, ascend the stairs to the roof and face the challenge of Sir Gawain the greatest knight of the round table of Arthur.” The shadowy figure announced before disappearing, Kaiba rolled his eyes. They ascended the stairs following it up into a well which snaked up to the roof. It was plain, devoid of objects. The only person on the roof was a golden clad knight a sword used to prop him up, “As leader of this gym I accept your challenge for a duel for the Knight's Badge.” He announced, the duel disk emerging from the arm of his armour.

Mai raised an eyebrow, “I know that voice…”

“Let's duel.”

The coin toss went Kaiba's way.

Sir Gawain Life Points: 8000

Seto Kaiba Life Points: 8000

::Kaiba::

“Hn, I draw;

1. I play White Dragon Ritual (Ritual/Spell);

2. Sending Spirit Ryu (Wind/Dragon/Effect/4 ATK/1000 DEF/1000) from my hand;

3. To summon Paladin of White Dragon (Light/Dragon/Ritual/Effect/4 ATK/1900 DEF/1600) in attack mode;

4. That ends my turn.”

::Gawain::

“I draw;

1. I summon Warrior Dai Grepher (Earth/Warrior/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1600) in attack mode;

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

::Kaiba::

“Is that the best you can do, pathetic, I draw;

1. I'll add Ritual Weapon (Equip/Spell) to increase Paladin of White Dragon's attack fifteen hundred points (ATK/3400);

2. Paladin of White Dragon ATTACK!”

Paladin of White Dragon's attack destroyed Warrior Dai Grepher.

“Sending Warrior Dai Grepher to the graveyard activates Michizure (Trap) to destroy one monster on the field.”

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

Seto Kaiba LP: 8000

Sir Gawain LP: 6300

::Gawain::

“I never expected any less of you Kaiba, I draw;

1. I play Monster Reincarnation (Spell) and discard one card from my hand to return one monster from my graveyard to my hand;

2. Polymerization (Spell) to fuse Warrior Dai Grepher (Earth/Warrior/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1600);

3. And Spirit Ryu (Wind/Dragon/Effect/4 ATK/1000 DEF/1000) from my hand;

4. To summon Ryu Senshi (Earth/Warrior/Fusion/6 ATK/2000 DEF/1200) in attack mode;

5. Pot of Greed (Spell) to draw two cards from my deck;

6. Now I can add Fusion Weapon (Equip/Spell) to increase Ryu Senshi's attack fifteen hundred points; (ATK/3500)

7. Ryu Senshi ATTACK!”

“Hn, Negate Attack (Trap)…”

“I don't think so, Ryu Senshi's special ability activates to negate the activation of your Trap card and destroy it at a cost of a thousand life points (LP: 5300).”

Ryu Senshi's attack inflicted 3500 points of direct damage to the opponent.

Sir Gawain LP: 5300

Seto Kaiba LP: 4500

::Kaiba::

“Not bad, I draw;

1. Monster Reborn (Spell) to revive Spirit Ryu (Wind/Dragon/Effect/4 ATK/1000 DEF/1000) in attack mode;

2. Enemy Controller (Quick Play/Spell) allows me to take control of your monster by sacrificing Spirit Ryu.”

“To bad, De-Fusion (Quick Play/Spell) returns Ryu Senshi to my deck and summons Spirit Ryu and Warrior Dai Grepher (Earth/Warrior/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1600) back to the field.”

(A/N: I'm unsure how De-Fusion would work in conjunction with Enemy Controller but this way best serves my story.)

“But still under my control.” Kaiba responded smirking.

3. “Now I'll sacrifice both Spirit Ryu's;

4. To summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon (Light/Dragon/8 ATK/3000 DEF/2500) in attack mode;

5. Blue-Eyes attack!”

Blue-Eyes White Dragon's attack inflicted 3000 points of direct damage to the opponent.

Seto Kaiba LP: 4500

Sir Gawain LP: 2300

::Gawain::

“I draw;

1. Pot of Greed (Spell) again;

2. Card Destruction (Spell) sends our hands to the graveyard;

3. Monster Reborn (Spell) brings Sanga of Thunder (Light/Thunder/Effect/7 ATK/2600 DEF/2200) back in attack mode;

4. Premature Burial (Equip/Spell) revives Suijin (Water/Aqua/Effect/7 ATK/2500 DEF/2400) in attack mode and equips it with this card;

5. Spiritualism (Spell) revives one monster from both graveyards to our respective fields, I've got Kazejin (Wind/Spellcaster/Effect/7 ATK/2400 DEF/2000) in attack mode.”

“I return Paladin of White Dragon (Light/Dragon/Ritual/Effect/4 ATK/1900 DEF/1600) in attack mode.”

6. “Now I tribute Kazejin, Suijin and Sanga of Thunder;

7. To summon Gate Guardian (Earth/Warrior/Effect/11 ATK/3750 DEF/3400) in attack mode;

8. Gate Guardian ATTACK!”

Gate Guardian's attack destroyed Paladin of White Dragon.

Seto Kaiba LP: 2650

Sir Gawain LP: 2300

“It's one of the most difficult monsters to summon, I've only seen it one other time, at Duellist Kingdom and now it will destroy the great Seto Kaiba.” Sir Gawain said sniggering.

Mai pondered the words and her head shot up, “Hiroto Honda, it's you.”

Honda sighed removing his helmet dropping it to the ground, “How did you know, and what are you doing with him?”

“The second question is none of your business, as for the first, an English Knight with a Tokyo accent… and Yuugi told me the story of Duellist Kingdom, of how Bakura he…” Mai paused at this point clenching her fists, “Anzu and Jyoonouchi were trapped underground by Bandit Keith, the only way to escape was to Tag Duel against the Paradox Brothers who used a Gate Guardian strategy.”

“Clever, tell me though, how did a loser like you get such a rare combination of cards?” Kaiba asked glancing at Mai, Honda frowned, “I got my cards as a gift from my grandfather when I got this job. I had to tell Jou that I had a family emergency, because Pegasus swore me to secrecy.”

“I can't believe one of Yuugi's loser friends got a job as a gym leader… Pegasus really scraped the bottom of the barrel.”

Mai cleared her throat, “I was a gym leader as well Seto…”

“Heh, I obviously wasn't referring to you.”

“I'd hope not, hon.” Mai responded with a smile.

“Mai, why are you with this guy, what about J…” Honda started but Mai's eyes flared, “Don't you dare bring him up, you have no idea what we've been through, no idea what he's done, to us, to Yuugi, to his own sister…” Mai stopped with tears rolling down her cheeks turning away. Honda looked at Kaiba, “What the hell happened?”

Kaiba looked at him intently, “Your dear friend Jyoonouchi betrayed Yuugi with that dancing slut Mazaki and didn't even have the guts to tell him…” Honda shook his head, “No, no way, Jyoonouchi would…”

“Would and has, you weren't there, you didn't see what we saw, Yuugi had a photo…” Kaiba continued as Honda interrupted, “Photo's can be doctored you should know that, you're the computer genius!”

“Of course I know that!” Kaiba snapped, his hand clenched, Honda examined his face looking for deception in his features, “We don't like each other Kaiba, but we understand each other, Jyoonouchi would never do that to Yuugi, no matter how he feels about Anzu, or vice versa. Anzu could never be with Jyoonouchi. They're as close as brother and sister, it's not possible.”

“Oh really, what about Yuugi?”

“He's been lied to Kaiba and Yuugi for what ever reason believed it, because…”

“Because?”

“Because after he lost the ceremonial battle and became a separate being from the Pharaoh he changed, he became quieter more isolated from the rest of us. I think he felt abandoned, lost in the cold when we started hanging around the Pharaoh. He was right, we did abandon him for a time, but when the novelty of being around the Pharaoh wore off we wanted Yuugi back. I think by then though that loneliness had taken route and grown into resentment and now anger. Pushed far enough I think he'll believe anything.”

Kaiba nodded, “I suspected most of what you said, but I can't prove it. If you're right, Yuugi will have to discover it on his own…”

“I know, for now we should return to our duel.”

::Kaiba::

“Yes, my move, I draw;

1. Your monster is very impressive, but its not as impressive as mine, I summon Lord of Dragons (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/4 ATK/1200 DEF/1100) in defence mode;

2. Combining it with the Flute of Summoning Dragon (Spell) I can special summon two Dragon sub-type monsters from my hand;

3. One Blue Eyes White Dragon (Light/Dragon/8 ATK/3000 DEF/2500) in attack mode;

4. Two Blue Eyes White Dragon (Light/Dragon/8 ATK/3000 DEF/2500) in attack mode;

5. And Hell Alliance (Equip/Spell) increases Blue-Eyes White Dragon's attack eight hundred points for every monster of the same name on the field (ATK/4600);

6. Blue-Eyes White Dragon attack Gate Guardian;

7. Blue-Eyes White Dragons ATTACK!”

“I activate Nutrient Z (Trap) to increase my life points four thousand (LP: 6000).”

Blue-Eyes White Dragon's attack destroyed Gate Guardian; Blue-Eyes White Dragons attacks inflicted 6000 points of direct damage to the opponent.

Seto Kaiba LP: 2650

Honda Hiroto LP: 0

Honda gathered himself from the attacks of the Blue-Eyes White Dragons, “Congratulations, as your reward you win the Knight's Badge and three thousand Duellums will be added to your account.”

Kaiba took the badge and Honda escorted them out of the gym and to the edge of the city, “What will you do now?” Mai asked.

Honda shrugged, “Stay here, duel everyone who passes through.”

“You could come with us?” Mai suggested earning a look of distain from Kaiba. Honda shook his head, “I have responsibilities here, I've been asked to be leader of this gym and I have to fulfil that obligation.”

Mai nodded, “Good luck.”

Honda smiled, “Say hi to Yuugi and Serenity ok, and look out for them, there is something gathering on the horizon, be careful.”

“We will.” Kaiba responded escorting Mai away from the city and back onto the path.

@@@@@@

Pegasus sat in his darkened office overlooking the Shuba region from his window. He tapped the arm of his chair which summoned his assistant into the room, “Has he called in?”

“No sir, not yet.”

“Please contact him.”

The assistant nodded and turned to a touch screen keyboard and began typing. After a few moments the display of the Shuba region disappeared, replaced by a holographic screen. At first the image was blank, but suddenly it sprang to life with the image of a man's face, a man slurping Ramen noddles, Pegasus frowned, “I am not paying you to eat.”

The man rolled his eyes putting the bowl down, “You're not paying me at all, besides a man has the right to eat.”

Pegasus scowled, “Need I…”

“I do not have to be reminded of what's happening, I'm kept well informed thank you.”

“What has this information gotten you?”

“Yuugi Mutou and Seto Kaiba are being targeted by the underground, they're testing them and you.”

Pegasus raised an eyebrow, “How so?”

“They're testing Mutou and Kaiba to see how well they adapt to the underground techniques and they're testing you to see how you'll respond.”

“How should we respond?”

“You shouldn't, let me do what I do. When I have all the information I'll let you know.” Without another word the screen went blank, the assistant turned to Pegasus, “Sir, should we really be trusting him?”

“No my dear boy, we shouldn't and I don't, but then he trusts me less, however the old adage still proves quite apt, `the enemy of my enemy is my friend…'”

@@@@@

The man on the other end of the line lifted his hand from the laptop and rose turning on the balls of his feet. He was standing on a thick tree branch facing a robed bound man, his face bore the evidence of previous torture. The skin on his left cheek was bruised, the right was severely burnt, “So my friend, do you have anything else to say?” The man remained silent, “Well?”

The robed man cowered, “I, I have no more information, please, just let me go…”

“I tend to believe you, considering what you've been put through.” He began searching his pockets while he spoke, “Which is unfortunate for you, since it means your usefulness is at an end.” He pulled a cigarette pack from his coat and smiled placing the end between his lips, “Oh god, no, please… let me go!”

“A shame…” He opened the lighter, at the same moment he lit it the robed man's blood exploded over the trunk and went limp. The man smirked tapping the cheek of the robed man, “Well, you were worth the effort, shame really.” He picked up the laptop and looked out over the horizon, “Now, back on the road.”

@@@@@

Mai and Kaiba walked back into the forest, but as they were about to choose their path Mai turned to Kaiba, “Back in Janus, we decided to meet at the Duellist Centre outside Rhodes, but now…”

Kaiba pondered, “We should continue, at worst I can obtain my next badge.”

Mai responded with a nod walking beside him, they started down the path emerging from the forest into a sea of grassy fields. The plains crisscrossed by roads and paths, people worked the fields in the distance. As they approached Rhodes the sun dipped in the sky, Mai felt a little disappointed when they discovered the city of Rhodes was little more than a seaport with a plain duellist centre beside the bay. Mai and Kaiba entered the centre, while Mai obtained their room keys Kaiba went to the bank of video phones, as he sat down Mai approached, “Hon, come upstairs.” She whispered with a wink.

Kaiba grinned, “In a minute, I have to make a call.”

“Alright, don't keep me waiting sweetie, I might go out and find another boy to keep me company.” Mai responded with a naughty smirk, Kaiba grinned, “You could walk back to Camelot and have Honda keep you company.” Mai smacked him on the shoulder and went upstairs.

Kaiba chuckled watching her…as she ascended the stairs. Kaiba typed in the desired number and waited, “Kaiba Corporation, can I help you?”

“Hello Mokie.”

A small face appeared on the screen full of joy, “Big Brother!”

Kaiba smiled, “How are you?”

“I'm fine, plenty to do around here.” Mokuba responded to which Kaiba nodded, “What's the Shuba region like?” Mokuba asked, Kaiba glanced out at the stairs, “Large, Mokie, I have to go, I'll call you again soon.”

“Big brother, be careful ok, I want you back when this is all over.”

Kaiba smiled touching the screen, “Don't worry Mokie, I can take care of myself.” Kaiba signed off and raced upstairs knocking on the door to Mai's room, “I'm ready sweetie.” She responded lying on the bed.

Kaiba grinned, “I know, believe me, I know.”

To Be Continued…