Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Things Change ❯ A Dangerous Place ( Chapter 21 )

I already have the next few chapters planned out in my head that, to spoil a few things, includes the inevitable rematch, and things that'll lead to the sequel. If you want to see the summary, it's up but it'll contain some spoilers. Anyway, enjoy the chapter.

 

Chapter 20: A Dangerous Place…

 

“This is it…”

 

“Alright then, let's go!”

 

“Hold it!”

 

“Now what?”

 

“Y'need to remember what I told ya!”

 

“I know, `don't try to make yourself stand out. Blend in.'”

 

“And…”

 

“`Don't try to provoke anyone, as it'll turn into a full-out brawl.'”

 

Joey let out a sigh as they stood outside what appeared to be an abandoned 3-story building. The area itself was rundown and otherwise in poor condition: Broken windows, while some of them had boards nailed onto them. He also could've sworn that he heard a scream from the 3rd floor. Once again, he asked himself if bringing Yugi here was a good idea. This wasn't some regional championship or duelist league tournament! This was a more serious tourney. Serious, as in you could seriously end up hurt in a duel, and he wasn't talking about by any shadow games. Forget risking your rare cards, you were risking your health in some situations.

 

The last time he was here he had a match against some brash punk who clamed to have the full Horus set. Looking to get the last card he needed to unlock his Horus' power in his own deck, Joey challenged him. The fact that he could either win LV6 or lose his LV8 wasn't the worst of it. Apparently his opponent had a posse of his own who wanted to make sure that their leader won the duel. So desperate to the point where they began to make threats towards him, via metal pipes and baseball bats. The match itself? This opponent was basically Rex Raptor minus the Dinos: Purely Beatdown. The main point was to make Horus and his other monsters powerful enough to destroy just about anything he could summon. Making use of three Little Chimeras and Molten Destruction. Raising Horus LV8's attack up to 5000! Not to mention that his other monsters, a Berserk Gorilla at 4000 ATK and three Little Chimeras at 2500 ATK each, were destroying his other monsters. Luckily for Joey, Fairy Box saved him from Horus's Black Flame Blast as Ultimate Baseball Kid and his special effect helped him destroy the pumped-up monsters for the win and Horus LV6. Too bad the card turned out to be a fake… But he did get some compensation: Namely one of his Little Chimera and a Berserk Gorilla. His opponent and his posse soon found themselves on a wrong side of a beatdown from just about everyone. The regular duelists, the spectators, you name it. Even Joey got a few shots in. (He might have changed, but he HAD to let out some of his anger sometime.) Perhaps they've learned their lesson in scamming their opponents. But that was then, this is now…

 

Now he was with Yugi, the King of Games. As they walked to the scratched-up metal door, Joey thought about what would happen if Yugi got into trouble. He left the Millennium Puzzle with, so Yami couldn't protect him. But then again, he wouldn't draw a huge crowd with the huge amount of gold around his neck. Yugi may've been his best pal, but let's face it: Yugi wasn't exactly the best fighter. He was the bullies' favorite target. And the fact that he was so naïve and trusting didn't do him any favors either. But then again, it was what had changed Joey. But what if Yugi got into trouble? What if Yugi got hurt? Tea would never let him hear the end of it, and Gramps wouldn't be too happy either. Nevertheless, he's already have enough problems with his mom and Kaiba without anyone else getting on his case…

 

“For the last time, are you sure you wanna-”

 

“Yes Joey, now stop stalling and let's go!” Yugi demanded, showing a hint of annoyance as Joey sighed, now proceeding to open the door.

 

`Please don't let things go out of control…' He mentally prayed as the two stepped in. Unknown to them both, a black limo slowly pulled up to the sidewalk that was in front of the building…

 

“Mr. Kaiba, are you sure that you want to go here?” A limo driver asked as concern was clearly shown on his face. This was definitely not the neighborhood they usually drove through.

 

“This is the place we're going…” Kaiba clearly stated, as he looked though the tinted windows of his limo. As he expected, the building appeared to be in ruin as there was debris everywhere. `Obviously somewhere Wheeler would hang out.' He thought to himself as he felt the limo stopped. He knew that by going here he would probably have to deal with people most like him - Crude, rude, loud, and obnoxious. Basically street punks, thugs, and low lives that were probably drug pushing and pimping out girls for prostitution.

 

As the limo came to a complete stop, the driver exited the car as he then opened the door for his boss. Kaiba stepped out as he looked around. The area's aroma came to his nose as Kaiba showed a face of disgust. `Let's get this crap over with…' He thought as he walked towards the door. Wheeler and Yugi were already inside he figured, so it was best that he hurried. He already saw Wheeler talking to whoever was at the door before he stepped in. Once Kaiba got a good look at him: A big barrel-chested man wearing baggy clothes, a green bandana, and white and blue K-Swiss sneakers. Speaking of sneakers, Kaiba saw a pair dangling from a power line by the laces. Typical of the trash of society to do something like this… Wait a minute, those shoes looked familiar. Kaiba glanced at them again. They were black and white and only big enough for a small boy. They appeared to be worn out from the weather. And to think that they somewhat looked new, too. If he remembered, Mokuba had a pair of sneakers like those. Kaiba blinked as a memory occurred. About a month ago, Mokuba came to Kaiba Corp in his socks for some reason, as holes were made at the bottom because of all of the walking. He also appeared to have bruises over his body as he was in tears. It was all making sense now! Mokuba's holed-socked feet, the bruises over his body, and the shoes dangling above him meant one thing: Mokuba was mugged! Some punk must've beaten him down, searched him for cash, but didn't find what he wanted, so he took the new shoes he had just got a day ago as collateral.

 

Kaiba's eyes narrowed as his fist clenched. Just thinking about what happened infuriated him. Why wasn't he informed of this! Did Wheeler and his friends know about this? Were they behind this? At any case, he was going to find out! Now he had even more reason to come here. First, it was to find that chump and get him to accept a duel so he can beat him once and for all. Now it was also to avenge Mokuba and make those who were responsible pay.

 

As Kaiba walked to the door, he glared at the man. “Move…” He hissed.

 

“Man who the hell you think you talkin' to, G?” He asked in a gruff voice scoffed. “S'wrong with you?”

 

“Do you know who I am?” Kaiba asked with a glare.

 

“Man I don't give a fuck who the hell you are!”

 

“I am Seto Kaiba! Number one duelist and the CEO of a multibillion-dollar company! And I could buy and sell your ass if I wanted to.”

 

“Boy, I don't give a fuck if yo' Bill Muthafuckin' Gates! I'll kick yo-'”

 

“Yo what's up?” Another person came from the door. Shorter, but just about as big as the first guy, and in Kaiba's opinion he was dressed as bad as he was. “What's the deal?”

 

“Mr. Moneybags thinks he can come up here like he own the damn place!”

 

Kaiba rolled his eyes, `They sound and act just like Wheeler!' Speaking of whom, he didn't have time for this nonsense if he was going to get him to duel him again. He just reached into his pocket as he sighed. “How much?” If it would get those two idiots to leave him alone, he'd pay them everything he had in his wallet. He could make up the loss cash in a day.

 

“What'cha got!” The bigger one asked.

 

“Like I said, `how much?'” Kaiba glared.

 

“An' like I said, `What'cha got!'”

 

The second one placed a hand on Kaiba's shoulder as he then said in a smooth voice. “If ya have ta ask, G, you can't afford it.”

 

Kaiba glared at him. “Move your hand…now…”

 

“Ooooh… Johnny Sunshine's got an attitude!” He taunted, as Kaiba was just about to reach his breaking point.

 

“Look, if you two don't move out of my way, I'm gonna-” Kaiba stopped as he reached into his pocket. It was empty. He could've sworn he had his wallet in there, or at least his checkbook. How could it have not be in there unless…

 

“Looks like Moneybags doesn't have that much in his bags after all.” The smooth one taunted. “Well, at least not without this.” He held up a brown wallet, a very familiar brown wallet as Kaiba's eyes narrowed.

 

“My wallet!” He exclaimed. No wonder he couldn't feel anything. That punk stole it from him! “Give it back…” He warned as the thief opened up his wallet.

 

“Mmm…umm hmm… a gold card? Dayum, you must got some mad connections to get this shit, my man!” He continued his browsing as he came up to a picture in his wallet. A picture that just happened to be of Mokuba while they were still at the orphanage! “Who this?” He asked. “Dawg, whatchu' doing having some lil' boy's picture in `yo wallet? Is that yo-” He blinked as he shook his head… “Aw hell no, don't tell me you into that gay pedo shit!”

 

“WHAT DID YOU SAY!?” Kaiba screamed, he didn't even know what was more outrageous: Him being accused of being a gay child pedophile, or Mokuba being referred to as his… his… just thinking about it made him angrier. If he wasn't pissed off before, he was now.

 

“Aw hell no…” He shouted to the back. “Take a look at this shit, y'all. Rich boy over here got `lil sumthin' for little boys!”

 

Inside the building

 

To say that Yugi was shocked at what he saw would be an understatement.

 

When Joey said that this was nothing like Battle City or Duelist Kingdom, he wasn't kidding. In the first room they walked past by, he saw a bit of smoke coming out which was, as he found out, from smoking Marijuana or, in the more popular word for it, “weed.” The next room wasn't exactly innocence-friendly either. He had heard of make-out rooms at parties, but what he saw went beyond that. Maybe he should've taken the discarded pair of pink panties outside of the door as a hint before he took a look. It was practically a giant orgy inside which Joey, mercifully, pulled him from the room. When they reached the 2nd floor, at least it was at least closer to what he came here for.

 

In one room, there were people in there playing roulette. From what he seen, he was thankful that they weren't playing Russian roulette, but then again, who's to say that they wouldn't start today? Speaking of gambling, in another room, more people were in the midst of a poker game. When he looked into the next door passed, he cringed at what he saw. A man with his back leaned against the wall, on crutches as Yugi greatly notice that his right leg was missing. His face wasn't that better as he saw that he had a glass eye in the socket of where his left eye would be. He couldn't help but wonder if he was ever going to get to the room where they were playing Duel Monsters.

 

Speaking of which, he had his reservations. From the way Joey explained, things could get very violent, and he wasn't talking about Shadow Games. These people had knives and guns that they wouldn't think twice about using. Even Joey admitted that he was surprised that they didn't use them after that dueling fiasco. Still, he was only here for one reason and one reason only: To play a game of Duel Monsters.

 

“It's at the next door…” Joey explained to his shorter friend. He still wondered if he could still drag him out of there or not. He was still worried, but not for his own safety. He could defend himself if things went out of control. It was Yugi he was worried about. It could be a threat via a knife, gun, or whatever the hell they could grab. He could've sworn he saw someone get an eye full of pepper spray before he got, what Joey had dubbed, “the worse beatdown he'd witness since his days with Diesel Kane.” He just hoped that nothing happened today. At least not while Yugi's around. The last thing a guy like him needed to see was a beatdown, let alone one that could possibly kill someone. He was too good of a person to have to deal with that.

 

Yugi placed a hand on his belt, which held his dueling deck. Before they left Joey's apartment, he prepared for the possibility of losing his Dark Magician in the upcoming duel, in the event that he lost in the match that was more than likely to become Ante-rule duel. But there was always a chance to add new cards to his deck. Maybe there's a new spell or trap card that could improve his deck strategies. Plus, his title as the King of Games was on the line. Case in point, he couldn't turn down the challenge.

 

Yugi noticed that Joey had stopped. “Is this the room?”

 

Joey nodded. “Okay Yuge, just watch yerself! Gramps, Tea and Tristan'll kill me if anything happened to-”

 

“I'll be fine Joey, jeez…” He said as the two of them walked in the room.

 

Inside wasn't all that much of a deal. The brown couches near the walls appeared to be rundown a bit, and the room appeared to be big. Sure the stereo was playing music that contained words that made his eyes go wide, but he wasn't here to listen to hip-hop. He was here to duel and possibly make new friends.

 

The game was just about over as the final move came down to this: One player, a red haired female who appeared to be near 20 against another, a black man who wore a blue throwback jersey. He had Ocean Dragon Lord - Neo Daedalus on the field who had just destroyed the girl's Criosphinx, leaving one facedown monster on the field, bringing her down to 300 while he had 4000 life points left over. It was now her turn.

 

She drew a card as she smiled to herself. Yugi recognized that look as he saw numerous duelists at Nationals on TV with it. She knew that she was going to win on this turn.

 

“First, I'll reveal my facedown monster: Eria the Water Charmer (500/1500) and place her in attack position.” She said. Her voice sounded a bit feisty, Yugi noted, as a young girl with long blue hair holding a blue scepter with a teardrop jewel on top appeared on the field. “Her special ability is that when she's flipped face-up, as long as she's on the field, I can take control of one of your water monsters. Unfortunately for you, your Neo Daedalus fits the bill!”

 

“Dayum…” He cursed as the young girl worked her magic, and the Sea Dragon was charmed to her side. The female duelist then continued…

 

“Next, I'll enter my battle phase and have my Water Charmer and your Neo Daedalus (2900/1600) attack you at once!” She ordered as the two monsters unleashed a mixture of hydro and destructive blasts together, both hitting the defending player directly as his Life Points dropped… (600)

 

“`Least she can't attack any more…” He sighed as he looked to his hand. He had the perfect monster to attack her next turn: Vorse Raider (1900/1200). It was more than enough to destroy her Water Charmer and win the duel.

 

“If you thought that was over, than think again!” She informed. “I now sacrifice both Neo Daedalus and my Water Charmer to summon Familiar-Possessed - Eria (1850/1500) in attack mode.” At that moment, Neo Daedalus instantly exploded as a spirit of what appeared to be Gagagigo proceeded to consume the poor girl until she was under his control. The innocent expression on her face was replaced by narrowed eyes and otherwise a blank expression. “Her special ability, when special summoned this way, is that when she attacks and destroys a monster in defense mode, the difference of its defense points and her attack points are taken from your life points. Not that you had any monsters anyway! Sorry Shane-O!”

 

“Damn girl, just attack!” He replied. He already knew he lost and just wanted her to just get it over with.

 

“Okay then, guy! Eria, direct attack! Geyser Blast!” She ordered as the possessed water charmer thrust her scepter forward as a hard stream of water fired onto him as his life points reduced to zero.

 

The guy, named “Shane-O,” slammed the duel disk on the floor before storming off, muttering along the lines of “If I had Vorse Radier that little squirt would've been gone…” He walked by Joey. “Beat her ass, please!” He said to him.

 

He just gave him a sympathetic look. “Not duelin' today, but my friend is.”

 

Shane-O looked down and saw Yugi. “Beat her ass, please!”

 

“Umm… I'll try… I guess.” Yugi was taken a bit back by the swearing, but not as much. After all, he has somewhat gotten used to it from Joey and Tristan as he then looked at the girl: The winner of the duel. Her red hair was in pigtails as she wore a green camisole top and black baggy cargo pants.

 

“Well well well, looks like Mr. Black Flame decided to come today.” She teased.

 

“Black Flame?” Yugi asked Joey about the nickname.

 

“You know about that unplayable card that I have, right?” Joey asked.

 

“Horus LV8?” Yugi asked as it came back to him. Back at his place, he did explained about him basically entering these Ante rules to get the rest of the Horus set. Only to only win one of them while the last turning out to be a fake…

 

“Are ya ready to lose?”

 

“One thing Syd, I've already beaten ya. An' two, I'm semi-retired. The reason why I'm here because my friend here wants to duel!”

 

“You're friend? You mean you-” Syd finally noticed Yugi, who was beside Joey. “No way… Get out! Seriously, take your friend and get out of here! You mean you know the King of Games himself?”

 

Yugi blushed a bit. “Err…who did you expect? Seto Kaiba?”

 

“Don't even joke, Yuge…” Joey sighed. He was definitely not in a good mood to see Kaiba, as annoying as he's been lately. Luckily for him, this was one of the last neighborhoods Seto Kaiba would even consider going to, let alone this place. However, little did he know, he was wrong on so many levels…

 

Back at the Door

 

It's been an hour since he followed Yugi Moto and Joey Wheeler.

 

It's been five minutes since he walked up to the front door.

 

It's been two minutes since he was accused of being a gay pedophile.

 

Now Seto Kaiba, Muti-Billionaire and CEO of Kaiba Corp, was now under judgment of people who not only were they beneath him, but they appear to be straight out of the gutter. From the ghetto, if you will. He came here to find Wheeler, and see if he could get that lying hack to duel him and beat him for the last time. But those two idiots decided to get in his way. And he found out another interesting tidbit: Mokuba was mugged and his shoes were thrown on top of a power line. Now they've gotten back up, it appears. Needless to say, if he wasn't annoyed before, he was now…

 

“Sooo… you like the little boys huh, Ese?” One of them said, a Latino. He wore the cheesiest-looking shades Kaiba's ever seen. “I know about people like you, Holmes. You think you can own the place just because you have some bling-bling, man!

 

“Oh please shut up…” Kaiba shook his head as he suddenly sniffed. Smelling a rather unpleasant aroma. What was that, drugs or something?

 

“You better watch who yo talkin' to, Holmes! Or I'll cut you up, Ese! ¡Córtele a pedazos! (Slice you to pieces!)

 

“Primo calm yo' ass down!” A woman of Puerto Rican decent scolded. “Why you always got to be startin' stuff!”

 

“Oh c'mon Mamacita,” The man known as Primo spoke in a calmer voice. “Y'know we just-”

 

“If you idiots would just move out THE DAMN WAY!” Kaiba shouted. He was getting sick of this.

 

“You best betta recognize, boy!” The 2nd delinquent he met, the one who stole his wallet, the one who started this gay pedophile accusation said to him! “Yo don't know who you be messin' with, G!”

 

“Exactly, you don't know who you're messing with!” Kaiba glared at him. “I can buy and sell each and everyone of your pathetic-”

 

“Rich boy, I ain't one of your little boys you've be pimpin' to the streets. Bitch, I'll kick yo ass!”

 

“I hope you know that this is defamation of charact-” Kaiba shook his head. That would probably be too big of words for him to understand. “Nevermind, it's too advanced for you!” His reply was followed by a bunch of “ooohs” from the spectators.

 

“Ohh… Mr. Pedophile's got jokes.” He responded. “But seriously, you need to leave them kids alone. Especially that boy you got a picture of.

 

“FOR THE LAST TIME, HE'S MY BROTHER! HE ISN'T ANYONE OF THOSE BOYS I'VE BEEN AS YOU SAY `PIMPIN' OUT!'” Kaiba screamed. When will those idiots get it through there heads that he wasn't gay, nor a pedophile! He actually had a girl he was currently seeing, Kara Wilson to be exact. This caused him to blink a bit. `Do I actually see myself dating Kara?'

 

“So he's a gay pedophile and into incest?” He asked, but not just out loud. He was actually wondering about it. What other things he would find out about this CEO. “Tell me, are you also into that pissin' shit, too? Or are you even into that stank sca-” He was cut-off from a hard punch to the face as he was nearly knocked out of his white Nikes.

 

Kaiba pulled his hand back as he just glared at the rest of the scum and lowlives of this place. Indicating that the knocked-out cretin was just an example of what he'll do to any idiot that messes with him. “Now that we got that out the way, I'm looking for Joey Wheeler. Scrawny, pathetic-looking, just as poor as half of you chumps! Don't make me angry or I'll bring this cesspool you call a hangout down.”

 

“Wheeler ain't here, G. Even if he was, why the hell he wanna waste his time on sum perverted sick freak like you!” Another one replied. Apparently, he was one of those `posers' trying to act black when in truth he was as white as rice.

 

“Look, don't try to start any more of this Mac-Daddy crap. I know that 3rd-rate losing chump is here because I trailed his ass all the way!”

 

“Oh, so you sayin' you a stalker now?”

 

“Boy shut yo wannabe ass up!” A woman walked over to Kaiba. She was African American and, compared to the rest of them, was at least dressed as if she actually had some class. Wearing Jeans and a shirt that hardly expose much. “You lookin' for Black Flame?”

 

“Black Flame?” Kaiba raised an eyebrow. Just what was she talking about now, but closed his eyes as he nodded. `Probably means Wheeler.'

 

“Yeah, he's here.” She said as she moved closer to him. Too close for Kaiba's liking! Her chest wall all but rubbing up onto him at this point! “He's upstairs. He came with some kid. I'll take him to you.”

 

“Move…” Kaiba said coldly to the girl. She was just trying to be nice, but let's get real. Kaiba was all but desperate to get some cooperation, but he wasn't that desperate not to know a Golddigger when he saw one. He saw her plan: Smooth her way onto his good side, then she'll be seeing dollar signs, fancy clothes, and stylin' cars. “I appreciate your cooperation, but unlike just about everyone in this building, I'm not an idiot. So thanks, but no thanks.” Once again, Kaiba's comments caused the same chorus of “ooohs” to come from the crowd as the girl who was gracious enough to help Kaiba was now…well…not so gracious anymore.

 

“You got dissed!” The “poser” exclaimed at the now-angry girl as she gave him a glare.

 

“Boy, shut yo ass up!” She snapped before turning to Kaiba. “And you! I try to help yo sorry ass out, and this the thanks I get? Oh hell no! You ain't gonna disrespect me, Mr. Rich Man.”

 

“Please…” Kaiba brushed her off as he walked past her. Now going to do what he originally came into this place to do in the first place: Find Wheeler.

 

“…Oh no he didn't!” She shook her head as she walked towards Kaiba, even going as far as to grab his arm. “Look here, I ain't one of yo little whores you be seeing!”

 

Kaiba scoffed, “You're right. They'd at least use proper grammar and they are less fake than your hair and your nails.” Kaiba expected her to just let go of him and let him be on his way. Kaiba expected her to do just about anything other than what she just did, or rather what he should've expected her to do. Before he realized his, he felt a sharp pain on his cheek as he was looking in another direction. She had slapped him! She actually had the audacity to slap him, him, Seto Kaiba! Suddenly everyone thought that they could treat him like he was some commoner, it seemed. First Wheeler's crybaby of a sister, then his girlfriend! Now, as it appeared, one of his friends who're low class and probably even more of a disgrace than he was! That was the main thing they all had in common. They at least remotely had a relation to that damned dog! Everything that's been happening to him lately has been his fault! Once again, the “ooohs” started coming, and Kaiba, for one, was sick of it.

 

“CAN'T YOU FUCKING IDIOTS DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT FOR ONCE IN YOUR PATHETIC LIVES!?” He snapped at the crowd. However, Kaiba would soon regret his outburst, as at that moment, multiple sounds of guns clicking could be heard as, as his luck would have it for him, or against him rather, Kaiba had a group of barrels aimed at him.

 

Back in the Room

 

“It's…it's him…”

 

“Syd?'

 

“…It's him… it's him…”

 

“Syd?”

 

“…It's him… it's hi-”

 

“SYD!”

 

The red pigtailed girl blinked as she looked at the source of the shout. “What's wrong Wheeler? Jealous?”

 

“Nope, yer just actin' like one of those annoyin' clingy fangirls I read about.” The blonde explained.

 

“It's alright Joey!” Yugi assured. It was true that ever since Battle City, he's been getting calls and “special propositions” as Joey, Tristan, and Duke would call them from the opposite sex. Some were dates while others were…let's just say when Tea found out, she was pissed. Which Yugi now wonders why, as she since admitted to having feelings for Joey! The small duelist looked towards his soon-to-be opponent.

 

“Yeah Joey, it's not everyday we have a big celebrity show up here!” Syd stated as she then turned to Yugi. “But I don't understand why someone like you would come to a dump like this?”

 

“Oh come on Syd, it's not that bad of a place. All it needs is a bit of Spring Cleaning!” Joey and Syd shot Yugi a blank look. “Okay, a lot of Spring Cleaning, but otherwise it looks like a nice place!”

 

“It's not the place itself you should be worried about. It's the people.”

 

“Syd, I've already had enough of Joey warning me. I just want to duel!” Yugi said. Despite the people he's seen, there wasn't anything about them that proved to be much of a threat. Obscene and explicit maybe, but not as dangerous as Joey made them out to be. “So Syd, are you ready?”

 

“You bet!” She chirped as the two proceeded to activate their duel disks, “And please, call me Sydney!”

 

“Oy vey…” Joey rolled his eyes. Syd was falling in love with Yugi already. And the worst thing is, Arisa was going to kill him after she found out that Yugi already has a new crush after him. `What a fine mess you've gotten yerself into, Wheeler.'

 

“We're playing with the Ante rule, right?”

 

“You really want to risk losing your cards? Alright then!” Syd nodded, “And I'm going to put up my Elemental Mistress Doriado for grabs.”

 

“And I'll place my Dark Magician on the line.” Yugi announced, as the duel was about to begin.

 

Yugi: 8000

Syd: 8000

 

After each have drawn five cards, Syd, being the “defending champion,” took the liberty of going first by drawing a card. With a look at the card, she smiles as she places it down. “I'll place one card facedown and end my turn.” She said as a card digitally appeared on the field facedown in defense position. “Yer turn!” Now it was time to see how The King of Games Duel… in person. And… How she ranked with the best!

 

Yugi nodded as he drew a card. `Not bad.' He placed the card on the field. “I'll Summon Skilled Dark Magician (1900/1700) in attack mode!” He explained as a mage dressed in dark robes appeared on the field. “Next, I'll play Polymerization, fusing together two cards in my hand, Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts and Berfomet to form Chimera the Flying Mythical Beast (2100/1800)! Yugi announced as a familiar vortex opened up as the two monsters, Gazelle and Berfomet, are sucked into it. After a few more moments, the two-headed Flying Mythical Beast appeared. Afterwards, an ebony-colored orb of energy appears as it circles around Skilled Dark Magician. “By activating Polymerization, my Skilled Dark Magician's special ability activates.”

 

Yugi proceeded to explain. “For every spell card activated, a spell counter is placed upon my Skilled Dark Magician. But that will come to play in another time. So now, Skilled Dark Magician, destroy her facedown monster with Dark Mystic Attack!” He ordered as the dark spellcaster thrust his sceptor as it fired onto the facedown monster, which revealed to be Moai Interceptor Cannons (1100/2000). However, since the rock-type monster's DEF was higher than the magician's ATK, the attack failed as the cannons from the stone head's mouths fired a barrage of beams at the magician, resulting in Yugi taking damage to his life points…

 

Yugi: 7900

Syd: 8000

 

Syd smiled. “Sorry. My Moai Interceptor Cannons' defense points are just too much for your magician. Nice try anyway.”

 

“My turn's not done, yet.” Yugi reminded. “Go Chimera the Flying Mythical Beast. Destroy her Moai Interceptor Cannons with Pulverizing Pounce!” Within his order, Chimera ran towards the stone statues before leaping in the air. Due to his wings, it gained a fair amount of height before it pounced onto the Cannons hard, reducing it to rubble before it shattered.

 

“I end my turn by placing one card facedown.” Yugi concluded as Joey looked on. Yugi had two monsters on the field ready to attack while Syd had none. But it wasn't too bad as Syd hadn't lost any Life Points so to say that she could turn this duel around was certain.

 

Syd drew a card as within sight of it, she smiled. It was time to get rid of Chimera! “Okay Yugi, now I'll play the magic card Brain Control, which I'll use to take control of your Chimera. “She says as her life points began to drop.

 

Yugi: 7900

Syd: 7200

 

“For the cost of 800 life points, I can take control of one monster for one turn, meaning that until your turn comes, your Chimera works for me! So c'mon, Chimera! I got a job for you!” Syd called out as the Flying Mythical beast rushed over to her side, as well as another dark orb of energy appeared around Skilled Dark Magican.

 

“Of course you realize, you once again activated my Skilled Dark Magician's special ability.” Yugi reminded.

 

“`Sheah, like he's gonna be there for long!” Syd scoffed off. “Now Chimera, destroy Yugi's Skilled Dark Magician with Pulverizing Pounce.” She ordered as Chimera went to destroy his original master's magician, however, from the facedown card, chains shout out which wrapped around Chimera, lowering its attack (1400/1800).

 

“You activated my trap card, Shadow Spell. And as long as this card is face up on the field, Chimera's attack is reduced to 1400 and is rendered unable to attack!” Yugi explained.

 

“No matter, I'll sacrifice Chimera to summon Hieracosphinx (2400/1200) in attack mode!” Syd announced as the chained beast disappeared, to be replaced by a sphinx with the head of a bird. “That'll end it for me.”

 

Yugi drew a card as he looked into his hand. It was a card he had just recently got, Rapid-Fire Magician. And with two more cards that were useful to him, Fusion Sage and Emblem of Dragon Destroyer. “Now I'll summon Rapid-Fire Magician (1600/1200) in attack mode!” He said as a purple-haired magician in black robes held twin scepters in his hands. “Next, I'll activate Fusion Sage to return my Polymerization card to my hand.” He explained as he took his fusion card from the graveyard. Also, muti-colored orbs began to appear as with a thrust of his two scepters, the orbs flew directly at Syd, hitting her directly…

 

Yugi: 7900

Syd: 6800

 

“Rapid-Fire Magician's special ability is that for every Spell card I activate, you take 400 points worth of damage.” He explained as Joey just looked on in shock.

 

“Since when did ya get that card?” He asked.

 

“Just got it this morning from a new pack at Grandpa's shop.” Yugi explained to the awed blonde as one more orb appeared around Skilled Dark Magician. “But back to business, since my Skilled Dark Magician now has three spell counters, I can now sacrifice him to summon from my deck, Dark Magician (2500/2100)!” The three orbs that surrounded the Skilled Dark Magician began to glow brightly as they soon engulfed him. When the flash disappeared, in his place was Yugi's signature monster, the Dark Magician.

 

“He's even cooler in person…” Syd spoke of the newly summoned monster, eyes in awe as Yugi continued.

 

“Now I'll play another Spell card, Emblem of Dragon Destroyer, allowing me to move one Buster Blader from my deck or graveyard!” Yugi took out his deck as he took out his Buster Blader card.” And since Emblem of Dragon Destroyer was a Spell card, my Rapid-Fire Magician's special ability activates once more!

 

Syd once again shielded herself from the barrage of mystical orbs that hit her as her Life Points dropped once more.

 

Yugi: 7900

Syd: 6400

 

“And that's not all! Now I'll activate the same Polymerization card I just got from my graveyard to fuse the Buster Blader I just place in my hand with my Dark Magican, to form Dark Paladin (2900/2400)!” He announced as the same vortex opened up, only this time, it was Dark Magician and Buster Blader who entered. After a few moments, Dark Paladin stepped out the vortex.

 

“So that's the monster Yugi used at Battle City, right?” Syd asked Joey.

 

“The same monsta Yuge used to beat the snot outta Kaiba? Yeah that's the one.” Joey confirmed.

 

“Thanks for confirming it for me, because that means that this trap card now won't go to waste!” Syd announced as she revealed her facedown card. It was Chthonian Polymer. “Chthonian Polymer allows me to take control of a Fusion Monster the moment it's fusion summoned. All it costs is a monster of my own, of course, so my Hieracosphinx's gotta go!” She said as Hieracosphinx was engulfed in flames. It might've went against her original Millennium Deck Strategy, but taking control of one of the Duel King's strongest monsters was too good of an opportunity to pass up. Especially one that can render magic cards useless, as Dark Paladin soon appeared on her side of the field.

 

Yugi gasped, “My Dark Paladin!”

 

“You mean, my Dark Paladin, Kid!” Syd smirked. “But I promise to take good care of him!”

 

Yugi sighed. “I'll end my turn by placing one card face down.”

 

Syd drew a card. She was going to attack Yugi's Rapid-Fire Magician this turn, and she didn't have to worry about using any spell cards. Rapid-Fire Magician only got his effect if it was Yugi who activated spell cards, and with Dark Paladin, she could just negate them. “Sweet…” She smiled, “I'll play Premature Burial!” She said as her Life Points decreased…

 

Yugi: 7900

Syd: 5600

 

“After paying 800 Life Points, I can bring back any monster in my graveyard. Now please welcome back Hieracosphinx!” She announced as the bird-headed Sphinx reappeared on her side of the field. “And since I haven't officially summoned a monster yet, I'll place one monster facedown and move on to my battle phase. Hieracosphinx, attack Yugi's Rapid-Fire Magician!”

 

The bird-like Sphinx leaped into the air as it flew a bit before landing on top of the duel-scepter holding magician with a hard pounce, destroying him and some of Yugi's life points.

 

Yugi: 7100

Syd: 5600

 

“Now Dark Paladin, attack your former master directly! Mystic Sword Strike!” Syd announced as the Magician Swordsman fired a blast from his wand/sword hybrid at Yugi, lowering his life Points…

 

Yugi: 4200

Syd: 5600

 

“That's it for me. One more turn like this, and it's all over!” Syd smiled to herself. “I can't believe I'm actually going to beat the King of Games!”

 

Yugi drew a card. It was Kuriboh. If Syd attacked again, he could discard it and negate damage to his Life Points. However, whatever move he was planning to do would not happen, as before he can place a card on the field, the door suddenly opened.

 

“Oh man, somethin's `bout to go down downstairs!” It was a young man dressed in fatigues.

 

Joey blinked. “What's up, Kev?”

 

“Somebody `bout to get shot!” He said as Syd rolled her eyes.

 

“Again…” She sighed, “What happened this time?”

 

“Some rich kid's pissin' everybody off! He even knocked out Ten. Z!”

 

“Who does he think he is?” Syd asked, now angry. What right did some guy had to just show up at their place and act like he owned the damn place just because he has a large checkbook?

 

“This guy's callin' out for you, Black Flame!” Kev informed Joey.

 

“Oh lord…” Joey groaned, having a good idea where this was heading. Or more accurately, who was the “rich kid” he was talking about. “Was he wearin' a white sleeveless trench coat, glares at everyone, basically havin' a superiority complex?”

 

Kev blinked, “You know him, G?”

 

“If that person's who I think it is? Unfortunately…”

 

Yugi blinked. “Kaiba here?”

 

“Looks like it.” Joey sighed. “C'mon, looks like we gotta save Kaiba's ass… again.”

 

Yugi nodded. The duel would have to be postponed. “I just hope no violence resorts from this.”

 

“That'll depend if Johnny Sunshine can keep his mouth closed.”

 

“It's not Kaiba who concerns me.” Yugi admitted as the four of them left the room and headed downstairs.

 

Syd assured, “Don't worry. They're basically just all talk! They won't really do anything… most of the time…”

 

Back in the less dangerous part of Domino

 

While Yugi and Joey were away, Tristan and company were hanging out at the game shop. Unfortunately for the Brunette, he was now… let's just say that he wished that he went with them instead of staying here. It wasn't like he was the only guy, Bakura was there as well. Unfortunately, so was Duke. Of course he would be there if Serenity was near a 20-mile radius of him. Speaking of Serenity, she was talking with Melody. His old crush. Just had to be his luck that his former and current crushes would be talking. He half-expected that it would've been about him. But he'd give him one thing: At least there were two girls who can prove to get along with each other.

 

With Arisa and Téa, it was more like a mini-civil war than an argument. First it came to the forced friendly interactions. Then came the glares they gave each other. And finally came the insults. And he thought Kaiba and Joey hated each other!

 

“Why are you even here, Arisa?” Téa asked. “Shouldn't you be with your boyfriend?”

 

“What, it's not like Joey's my only friend, Téa!” The blonde retorted. “Yugi, Tristan, Serenity, and Bakura are my friends, too! Right?”

 

“Can't you find your own friends than stealing mine?”

 

“What's with the ownership? It's not like they have a tattoo that reads `Property of Téa Gardner' bitch!”

 

“Don't call me a bitch you pint-sized whore!”

 

“Don't call me a pint-sized whore you judgmental piece of-!”

 

“Hey now girls, whoa!” Tristan held up his hands, playing referee just like he did for the past few hours. “Calm down a minute. You guys have been at each other's throats since we got there.”

 

“Tell Miss Holier-than-thou over there the cut it first, Tristan.” Arisa suggested.

 

“Tell the future inspiration of Beauty Pageants for the vertically-challenged to try to keep her language in check. To respect Mr. Moto!”

 

“Don't try to make me into the bad guy in all of this!”

 

“I don't have to do anything, you're doing so yourself.”

 

“Let them go, Tristan.” Duke advised. “It's like trying to stop Joey and Kaiba from going after each other's throats.”

 

“I have to agree with Duke's statements. Téa and Arisa have so much hatred for each other that from us getting in the way we will only get into much more trouble than we bargained for.” Bakura added his two cents.

 

“Besides, if they're going to fight, let's sell tickets and make a profit out of the whole thing. Maybe throw in a pool filled with Jello?”

 

-Slap!-

 

-Slap!-

 

Duke's head got jerked twice as Serenity and Melody glared at the creator of Dungeon Dice Monsters.

 

“Pervert!” They hissed at him.

 

 

The chapter was getting long so I thought that this was the most appropriate place to stop, y'all! Next chapter, Kaiba is only moments away from being shot. Will Yugi and Joey save him in time, or will they also end up being shot by the pissed-off regulars?