Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Yugioh The College Years: The Different Story ❯ Chapter 12
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Yuugi Motoh 
Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Adventure / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 02.03.2006 | Updated On: 02.03.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.2K | Visits: 220 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Adventure / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 02.03.2006 | Updated On: 02.03.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.2K | Visits: 220 | Status: Completed
CHAPTER 12
'Yugi, do you want to--'
No. Just... no. Please. I need to think about this alone.
'...Very well...'
Shoot, now I've hurt his feelings. Yugi groaned and clutched at his head as if it would make his mind stop turning in circles. This can't be happening. I don't want it to happen. I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask for ANY of this!
Why?! Why is it always me? Why am I the one that always gets singled out... picked on... I just wanted us all to live our lives in peace. I figured eventually someone new would come along, eventually I'd lose a Duel, and someone else would be the King of Games. Somebody else in the spotlight. Some other kid being chased by Duelists and interviewers. Not me. Not me!
How long do I have to carry the whole world on my shoulders?! How long do I have to be responsible? How long do I have to stand up and get kicked?
When is it MY turn...?
I don't wanna be here any more. I want to go home. I want to tell Kaiba to shove his tournaments and leave me alone. I don't ever want to Duel again. Because it's never going to end. This is the way my life is going to be for as long as I live. Assuming I GET to lilve my whole life. Assuming some nutcase doesn't come along and kill me.
I'm so tired of being the one who can't give up.
But...
But that's really what it's about, isn't it? If I can be strong, for them.. they can be strong for me.. and for themselves too. Joey told me he didn't like himself very much till he became my friend. Then he started to see things in himself he COULD like. He started to BE someone he could like. What would've happened to him if I hadn't wanted a friend? If he hadn't become my friend? And Tristan too... Tèa... Bakura... Mokuba...
I've touched a lot of lives. I've put a lot of people in danger... but they were there because they had someone to believe in. SOMETHING to believe in. Something to give them faith and hope to go on, and we did. We made it, every single time. I'm just so afraid of the time when I can't be strong enough. I couldn't bear it if I let the people I love down. I think I'd crawl way down into the darkest corner I could find and stay there forever, if that happened.
...
I can't. I can't give up. That would make everything I've ever said, all I've done, all I believed in, a lie. I'd be lying... to everyone... especially to myself. I put the Puzzle together-- eight YEARS I worked on it-- because I believed, I hoped, I dreamed, that I would find my heart's desire. The friendship and faith and trust I always wanted. If something's worth fighting for, you can't just give up when you get tired! You have to pick yourself up and go on.
Just like--
Just like all the years when there wasn't anyone but Grandpa and Tèa... when I was alone... when every bully in town picked on me because--
Because I wouldn't, couldn't let them hurt anyone else. Because I-- Yugi sat straight up. I believed I was strong enough to take it and get back up. And if you believe hard enough in something, long enough, sometimes.. miracles... he cupped the Puzzle. Yami-! Pharoah-- Atem--- I'm sorry-!
'No, don't. Don't apologize. Not for being human, Yugi. Everyone doubts themselves sometimes. It's only the truly strong that can go past the doubt and hold onto their faith.' Translucent hands rested on the smaller boy's shoulders. 'You taught me that, Yugi. You taught me that the hardest thing in the world is to go on hoping when all hope seems at an end. I've always known how strong you were. Always. Your heart is stronger than mine. That's why our bond... why YOU... mean so much to me. You ARE my hope. You've always been the one who wouldn't let the light go out. Do you remember, at the beginning of Battle City, you asked this before? "What if I fail? What if I lose you?" Do you remember what I told you?'
Yugi squinched up his eyes, trying hard not to cry. You said, "I believe in you."
'I still do.'
Yugi nodded, wiped his face. We'll make it?
'We'll make it. I promise you that. I have no idea what gave Diaz these ideas about you. I have no idea if there's any truth to them, or if he's simply a madman who has pinned all his ambitions on you. It doesn't matter. The one thing that DOES matter is stopping him, before he harms anyone else in pursuit of his folly.'
"You're right," Yugi said aloud. "And I AM sorry. You'd think after all this time I'd've learned some of YOUR self-confidence."
'May I tell you a secret?'
"Sure."
'Sometimes I'm not nearly as confident as I seem. But I ACT confident. It's something along the lines of what you were thinking earlier. If you believe in something long enough, sometimes it comes true. Sometimes, when I act confident, I even make myself believe it.'
"You're kidding me."
'On my honor, I'm not.'
Yugi shook his head a little, wonderingly. "There's still so much I don't know about you."
'There's still a lot we don't know about each other and OURSELVES. Life is a journey of discovery. The day we stop seeking the truth within ourselves is the day we begin to die. I truly believe that.' Yami moved over to sit across from Yugi. 'I've had occasion to think about that a lot lately. I know I've already agreed that we should visit Egypt someday. I think now that I was wrong to insist, in the beginning, that we NOT go there. I... I also didn't want things to change. I wanted our life together to go on just the way it had since the end of Battle City. I was afraid that whatever we might learn would change that. And that was wrong. My being afraid to change was wrong. Whatever happens as a result of the events we're going through, we can't be afraid to face our future. Either one of us.'
"No time like the present." Yugi stood up, lifting his Duel Disk and snapping it into place on his arm. "Let's go, partner."
********
The morning was touched with a hint of fog that made the town ghostly and mysterious. The streets were much quieter, if a bit more desperate, as the remaining Duelists sought one another out in order to see who would make it to the second round.
By 1 PM that afternoon they had their answer.
=== FINAL LIST === SECOND ROUND DUELISTS ===
Yugi Motoh - Diaz Russio - Joey Wheeler - Isona Shikuza
Tèa Gardner - Maximilian Pegasus - Seto Kaiba
Rebecca Hawkins - Mako Tsunami - Tristan Taylor
Espa Roba - 'Bandit' Keith Howard - Amos Campbell
Junon D'Argenne - Serra Russio - Siegfried Mannheim
====================================
'I hope you know what you're doing,' Yami said, looking at the listing over the tops of the participants' heads, unseen by any of them.
Ba-Khu'ra smirked. 'If I am out of the tournament, then I can move freely about without anyone stopping me. With the aid of the Millenium Ring I can keep track of our little playmates, and listen in to their schemes.' He shrugged, one hand up. 'There will be other tournaments.'
'You surprise me, thief.'
'Do I?' A mocking chuckle. 'Well, then I must be worth SOMETHING, I suppose. I amuse the Pharoah.'
'I do not FEEL much like a Pharoah at this point,' Yami answered softly.
Ba-Khu'ra reached out and gripped Yami's arm. 'No doubts now. We've followed you this far. We need you to go on leading us.'
'...Khu'ra...' Yami hesitated. 'Thank you.'
Another shrug, but the smirk was softer, now. 'Blame it on my light if you will. He's a bad influence on me. Or blame it on the fact that it gets tiresome being the only spirit around. Or blame it on the gods. It matters little. Someone needs to be your voice of reason; it might as well be me. There is no one more practical than a thief.'
'You will be careful.'
'Of course.' Ba-Khu'ra looked off across the town, his eyes narrowing. 'Your light is not the only one who's uneasy. What the giant told us--'
'Junon.'
'Yes. That... bothered me. It made me think of something, but what it was I can't recall. I only know it disturbed me. There is more than we know going on here, Pharoah.'
'Isn't there always?' Yami asked dryly, pressing his fingertips lightly to his own forehead a moment. 'Just once I wish it could all be simple and straightforward. Riddles within enigmas within puzzles tire even those who love them, eventually.'
'No one promised you a simple life.'
'Then they have delivered amply on the promise, or lack thereof, and I am a man well-rewarded indeed.'
Ba-Khu'ra blinked, then laughed. 'A bleak joke, that, but I like it. Now what?'
'The rest of the day is free, I believe. Tomorrow begins the Desperado hunt.'
'I COULD always listen in at Kaiba's door to find out about these outlaws,' Ba-Khu'ra offered, a glint in his eyes as Yami rounded. 'Peace, mighty Pharoah, it was a jest. I know that smacks a bit too close to cheating for you. But you expected me to say it, didn't you?'
'Rogue.' Yami smiled. 'Yes, I did. I think I would've been disappointed if you hadn't. No matter if I agree with the idea, Ba-Khu'ra... don't hesitate to bring it up. I can't think of everything, and you see clearly where I don't.'
'To exist is to serve.' Ba-Khu'ra bowed low. 'In that case, if the day is one of leisure, I'm going to go rejoin my light and find a way to... amuse myself.' He walked forward and simply stepped into Bakura, vanishing. Yami hesitated one moment longer, looking upwards. 'Ra, shed your light upon us, even in the greatest darkness,' he murmured. 'We shall have such need of your light.'
"Congratulations to you all!" Mokuba stood on the city hall steps, grinning. 'You made it to the second round. Today's a free day, tonight there's going to be a grand party here at Town Hall, and tomorrow--" he crouched, making a 'gun' with his hand. "It's time to saddle up and round 'em up! The Desperados will be waiting. Remember, you have to find one AND beat 'em to advance. If you lose to them, you're OUT of the tournament."
******
The next day was the complete opposite of its predecessor; bright, sunny, a perfect day for picnics or barn-raisings or sitting out in the saddle watching the few faint clouds twist lazily in the breeze.
It certainly didn't look like the kind of day you should spend hunting for a 'dangerous Desperado', as the handbills now plastered all over town announced:
** REWARD! **
The Cactus Jack Gang is reported in the area.
Big reward for tracking them down and bringing
them in! --Considered Armed and Dangerous--
** REWARD! **
"Now, where d'ya think criminals like dat would head to?" Joey pondered. "Decisions, dee-cisions."
"I'm pretty sure they'll be in town," Yugi said. "I don't think they'd hide out in the countryside."
"Lot of town to search through," Tristan pointed out. "And we've got 11 other people competing to find them."
"Let's take it logically, then." Pegasus unfolded a parcel of paper. "Here's the map I got in the first round. Shall we divide the town into five areas, and each of us check that area first? If nothing turns up, we can always move on to searching at random."
"Works fa me." Joey studied the map. "I'll take... dis piece over there."
"Oh yeah, near the saloon," joked Tristan. "Gonna check out the dance-hall girls?"
"NO WAY!" Joey snarled. "Like any of 'em would hold a candle to Ma-- UH-- like I would be interested in'a shallow relationship based on mere physical attraction."
"Okay, who are you and what'd you do with my friend Joey Wheeler?"
"I'll take, um, this one," and Yugi tapped the top edge of the map. "Says there are some old mines up there. I'll bet that would be a great place to hide in."
"I'll try by the bank," Tèa said. "That means at least part of the way I'll have a cowboy to protect me--" she winked at Yugi.
"That leaves the... stables or the far side of town, by the church." Tris shrugged. "Guess I'll try by the church."
"I'll take the stables." Pegasus folded the map back up and tucked it away. "Good luck, everyone."
******
Three hours later Joey was wondering where the cool morning had gone. "Winter, sheeyaa, right," he grumbled. "Okay, smart guy Tristan Taylor, I AM goin' to the saloon. For a DRINK." He did an abrupt about-face and headed for the building to his left, from which the sound of a honky-tonk piano beckoned. Swinging the doors open, he advanced confidently,blinking as his eyes adjusted from bright day to the dimmer interior of the saloon. "Yo, barkeep! Gimme a sass, uh, sarse-- oh, d'heck with it, gimme a root beer."
In one corner a head lifted slightly and eyes regarded him warily from under the brim of a white hat.
Leaning on the edge of the bar, Joey accepted the root beer and started to take a swig, doing his best imitation of Clint Eastwood (well, visually anyway) as he scanned the crowd, wondering which of them might be a legitimate target.
He didn't have to wait long to find out.
"Reach for the sky, partner," a husky voice said as a nailed finger tapped him in the ribs. "I"m calling you out."
The response was a classic spit-take. The bartender quietly sidestepped the spray, never missing a beat in his glasspolishing.
"God, Joey, say it, don't spray it." Mai waved a hand in front of her, making a face as she did so.
"Muh- Muh- MAI?!"
"Who else?"
"Buh, buh..." Joey gaped. "Wait a second, waitasecondhere, you-- you're a-?"
Mai had to repress a smile. "A Desperado? You bet I am. C'mon. Let's Duel."
"I CAN'T DO DAT! YOU'RE MY GIRLFRIEND!" Joey hastily clapped a hand over his mouth, but too late; the words were out.
Mai didn't seem bothered. In fact, her eyes were sparkling as she leaned in and purred, "Think of it as an extra handicap, Joey. Which one of us are you going to concentrate on harder: the Duel... or me?" She crooked a finger. "Let's find out."
It took them nearly two hours to complete the Duel. At first, Joey seemed completely unfocussed, making several mistakes that had Mai inwardly biting her lip. Come on, Joey, you're better than this, she said silently. I accepted this because... oh, I don't know. Maybe I wanted to see some of that Wheeler fire for myself. You're going to NEED that edge. You've got to be able to Duel anyone down, anywhere.
When she finally slapped him down to 1500 Life Points, Joey seemed to snap out of his daze. "Okay, Mai," he said with a cocky smirk. "I guess I been slackin', huh?"
"You could say that."
"I'm not doin' either one of us a favor, am I? You need this Duel too. You wanna know if you've lost any of YOUR edge."
Mai gave a tiny gasp.
"So did I peg it, huh?" Joey waved a hand. "You an' me, Mai-- we're a lot alike in some ways. We gotta feel th' fire before we can really burn up da playin' field. So let's get down ta business, whaddya say?" He flipped a card over. "How's about I start with a little DRAGON fire-- courtesy my Red-Eyes!"
******
"So why'd you pick the bank, Tèa?"
"Come on, Yugi, where do outlaws ALWAYS head first in the Westerns? Besides the bar. The bank! I bet there's one planning a holdup right now."
"Uh... if you say so. I was never big on Westerns."
"Neither am I really, but I've seen a few. Mostly John Wayne movies."
They had just turned the corner and were passing the general store when a figure burst out in front of them, brandishing a shotgun-pistol back the way he'd come, a sack in the other hand and a few bills fluttering down in his wake. "Thank you, thank you," he said, bowing a bit, "now if you good people will just keep RIGHT on reachin' for the clouds, I'll be on my way." He turned, drew up short on seeing Tèa and Yugi. "Whoops. An audience. An ARMED audience, to boot. My my. Looks like I'll have to do a little fancy drawin'. --They call me 'Doc' Hartford." His teeth flashed white in his chocolate face as he gave Tèa his most winning smile. "And as ANY gentleman knows, it's ALWAYS 'ladies first'. Shall we Duel?"
Tèa giggled--she couldn't help it--at the dapper stranger. "We most certainly shall! I'm afraid I can't let a dangerous desperado like you escape," she said, falling into the roleplay. Stepping forward, she slotted her deck into her Duel Disk. "Let's Duel!"
The duel was rapid-fire and deadly. 'Doc' was playing a machine/warrior deck, and he went right for the win, slamming direct damage to Tèa's life points. She countered well, but when Doc managed to get The Last Warrior from Another Planet out on the field, its special effect of preventing either player from summoning creatures stopped Tèa's defenses cold. She couldn't get any creatures between her and Doc's attacks, and she simply didn't have enough magic or trap cards to defend her otherwise for long.
"I'm sorry, lovely lady," Doc sighed as Tèa's Life Points hit zero. "Afraid today I'm still a man on the run." He bowed and presented her with an envelope. Curious, Tèa opened it.
Inside the envelope was a small parchment:
The bearer of this certificate is hereby acknowledged to have participated in, and achieved the second round, of Kaiba Corporation's 'Turn of the Cards' IDA sanctioned tournament. Upon redemption of this card at Town Hall anytime between now and the end of the tournament, you are entitled to receive a commemorative plaque engraved with your name confirming the fact, along with the free registration and gift of the Duel Disk unit provided to you for use in this tournament. In the event you already own a Duel Disk, a gift certificate for $1000 from the store of your choice will be provided as an alternative prize. Kaiba Corporation congratulates you and thanks you for your participation.
"Wow," Tèa said, "that's.. not too shabby." She wrinkled up her nose. "I STILL wish I'd been able to win, but..."
'Doc' shrugged. "I've always been lucky at cards, I hate to say." Turning, he doffed his hat to Yugi. "And how about you, young sir?"
******
"Boot Hill." Tristan studied the weathered iron arch, then pushed open the gate and wandered in. The crosses and gravestones looked pretty real. He wondered idly if they were copies of real stones, or if the information on them was all made up, just more atmosphere. He was almost willing to bet on the former-- it would be just like Kaiba to put that kind of detail in.
The man standing near the back end of the cemetary, hat off, also looked very real. He was just turning to face Tristan, his attention having been caught by the noise of the gate. Sea-blue eyes under russet brows regarded Tristan steadily, then flicked down to his Duel Disk. "Deputy," he said quietly. "Well, it's not as if the mayor hasn't turned you folks out to make us feel less than welcome." He settled the hat in place, gestured. "How about we show a little respect for the people here and take it out on the street? They had enough fast-draws in their lives. Let them sleep quiet." He looked down at the gravestone he was standing by. It bore the legend ELIZA FOXX and two dates. "I'll be back, Eliza," he murmured. Then he squared his shoulder. "Zachary Foxx. Come on, deputy. I'll match my cards to yours any time."
I don't know whether to kick Kaiba or congratulate him, Tristan thought. That's almost a little too real. "I'm agreeable, Mr. Foxx. You're right... these folks deserve their privacy," he replied. "I can spare a few minutes if you'd like..." he gestured towards the gravestone.
"Right kind of you, sir. I'd be obliged. You have my word I won't run out."
True to his word, Foxx stepped out of the graveyard shortly and took a stance. His deck was a 'beat-down' type-- it relied less on strategy than on pure brute strength, using a lot of power-up cards to turn his middle-of the road monsters into powerhouses. Tristan gritted his teeth. "This... is going to hurt," he growled.
"Wasn't meant to be a pat on the back, son."
******
"Hold it right there." A female voice, above him. Pegasus turned in time to see a woman with long straight red hair jump out of the hayloft of the stables and land gracefully in front of him, one arm poised over her Duel Disk, the bolero vest she wore doing wonderful things to the front of her shirt. She smiled mischeviously. "Looks like I caught myself one of the deputies. That's all right though-- I'll bet you're every bit as good as any of the rest of them. But have you got what it takes to take ME down?"
"That rather depends, doesn't it?" Pegasus drawled. "Looks can be SO decieving. You appear to be nothing but a lovely young woman, but I'll wager that under that charming chest there beats a heart of purest diamond-- every bit as perfect as the rest of you, but oh so cold."
"OOoooo." The woman narrowed her eyes, chuckling. "You're a CHARMING one. I might just hate myself a little after this. MIGHT. --The name's Niko, by the way."
"Maximilian Pegasus."
"Winged horse... let's see if I can tame you." Niko raised her Duel Disk. "Your play, deputy."
"Letting me go first? That's your first mistake, I fear. Welcome to MY world." Pegasus turned the card in his hand. "TOON World, that is."
Niko's eyes widened. "WHAT the-?!"
"Never seen this particular, ah, caliber of weapon before, dear? Don't worry. It's one of a kind, custom built. And I'm SO fond of it, I just love showing it off to everyone I fight. Usually it's one of the LAST things they see." Pegasus smirked. "Now let me introduce you to another of my favorite cards... Toon Gemini Elves. After all, fight fire with fire, right? Or perhaps in this case it's, 'fight a lady with two more ladies'."
******
The next morning, the bulletin board had changed yet again.
THIRD ROUND CONTESTANTS WILL REPORT TO THE
FORTUNE'S END GOLD MINE NO LATER THAN ELEVEN
O'CLOCK AM (11:00 AM) THIS MORNING. BRING YOUR DECK
AND BE READY TO DUEL. MATCHES WILL BE ANNOUNCED
ONCE EVERYONE HAS ARRIVED.
== THIRD ROUND: YUGI MOTOH JOEY WHEELER
MAXIMILIAN PEGASUS DIAZ RUSSIO TRISTAN TAYLOR
AMOS CAMPBELL JUNON D'ARGENNE SERRA RUSSIO ==
"Oh dear, mines," Bakura said with a little shudder. "That's a bit too much like caves to suit me."
"Yeah, I can just bet any boulders that come rolling at us here won't be weather balloons with tape players inside them," Tristan added.
"And I thought that was such a NICE touch," Pegasus protested. "That and the skeletons. It was just an overgrown haunted house, after all..."
"Yeah, well, we didn't exactly KNOW that, did we? The caves on your island don't have a 'Welcome to the Pegasus Haunted Caverns' plastered on 'em anywhere."
"Half the fun is the element of surprise."
"Come on, everyone," Yugi said. "Let's get this over with."
"Hey, uh, Yuge, you, ah, feelin' okay dere?" Joey said, falling into step beside his best friend as the all walked that way. "You don't sound like your usual chipper self."
"I'm not, Joey. I'm really worried. I get a bad feeling about this."
"Ahhh don' sweat it." Joey looped an arm around Yugi's shoulders and hugged him awkwardly. "You're the man, remember? You beat Kaiba, you beat Marik when he was havin' that not-so-fresh feelin', you beat all the nutsos they've thrown at'cha. You're gonna be fine. Trust ol' Joey on this. You got what it takes, and I AIN'T just talking about the bling-bling there." He nudged the Puzzle. "You got all of us on ya side. So don't worry. You're gonna win."
"Thanks Joey." Yugi smiled a little.
Inside the mine an old-time lift was set up to take them further in. It descended into what seemed like an endless darkness, but what really must've been only 50 feet or so before it stopped and let them out in a passage unlit save for the circle of illumination at one end.
Once they got to the chamber in question, everyone stopped, looking around in wonder. They were on the floor of a natural cavern, the sides of which were dotted by crystals here and there, and lit by strings of tiny lights everywhere, giving the place almost a festive air. There was a large podium with seating behind it on one wall, offering a perfect view of the Dueling area.
At the podium stood Seto Kaiba, with Mokuba at his side, and a small group of technicians seated at an array of monitors, the one concession to the modern age (aside from the lights) that was visible. Over to one side a blond head was just visible, one delicate hand holding a magazine as Mai Valentine sipped a chilled cappucino. She waggled her fingers at Joey. "Hi there, champ," she called.
Joey grinned ear to ear by way of answer.
"Welcome to the third round," Kaiba said, his voice echoing through the cavern. "I hope you all got plenty of rest-- because no one is leaving this chamber until we have our finalists. So be prepared to Duel quickly and efficiently. The eyes of your peers are on you.
"Now as for your Dueling assignments." A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. "They were chosen earlier this morning by random number generation." He flung out a hand, and part of the rock shimmered, revealed to be a holo-projection, to show a huge flat screen monitor with the following words:
Joey v. Yugi
Tristan v. Diaz
Amos v. Serra
Junon v. Pegasus
"Aw, geez!" Joey slapped a hand to his face. "Duelist Kingdom all over again!" He glared at Kaiba. "You set dis up, didn'tcha, freak?"
"No way!" Mokuba protested, taking a step forward. "The pairings were randomly determined. I'm in charge of security here, and I made sure nobody got any passes. And my brother doesn't cheat--he doesn't need to!"
"Well...okay den." Joey knew full well that even if Kaiba wasn't above pulling strings to make things work out his way, his little brother was about as honest as anyone this side of Yugi could get.
Kaiba smirked. "Of course, if you feel outclassed, you're welcome to forfeit the Duel right now, Wheeler. --No? Good," he added, as Joey glared searing radioactive death at him. "It ought to be amusing to see your run of luck grind to a halt. --You all have your assignments. Let's get started. Those who are not currently Dueling, come up to your seats behind me. Those who are about to Duel, take your positions. The person whose name appears first in the listings will make the first play."
"Come on, Joey," Yugi said, holding out a hand. "Just like before-- give me all you've got. Don't hold back."
"*heh* You kiddin' dere? No way I'm goin' easy on you, Yuge."
Yuugi chose a side of the Dueling arena and took a breath. Let's do it! He reached out, opening the doors of his mind wide, and felt the rush of power swirl around him as Yami joined with him. The briefest sensation of disorientation, past almost as soon as it registered; the feeling of suddenly being both participant and onlooker, and the reassuring sense of someone standing with him, closer than his own heart. He let go, then, surrendering himself to the union.
Yami drew his first five cards and studied them briefly, then lifted his gaze to Joey. "Your move."
And the lights went out.
'Yugi, do you want to--'
No. Just... no. Please. I need to think about this alone.
'...Very well...'
Shoot, now I've hurt his feelings. Yugi groaned and clutched at his head as if it would make his mind stop turning in circles. This can't be happening. I don't want it to happen. I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask for ANY of this!
Why?! Why is it always me? Why am I the one that always gets singled out... picked on... I just wanted us all to live our lives in peace. I figured eventually someone new would come along, eventually I'd lose a Duel, and someone else would be the King of Games. Somebody else in the spotlight. Some other kid being chased by Duelists and interviewers. Not me. Not me!
How long do I have to carry the whole world on my shoulders?! How long do I have to be responsible? How long do I have to stand up and get kicked?
When is it MY turn...?
I don't wanna be here any more. I want to go home. I want to tell Kaiba to shove his tournaments and leave me alone. I don't ever want to Duel again. Because it's never going to end. This is the way my life is going to be for as long as I live. Assuming I GET to lilve my whole life. Assuming some nutcase doesn't come along and kill me.
I'm so tired of being the one who can't give up.
But...
But that's really what it's about, isn't it? If I can be strong, for them.. they can be strong for me.. and for themselves too. Joey told me he didn't like himself very much till he became my friend. Then he started to see things in himself he COULD like. He started to BE someone he could like. What would've happened to him if I hadn't wanted a friend? If he hadn't become my friend? And Tristan too... Tèa... Bakura... Mokuba...
I've touched a lot of lives. I've put a lot of people in danger... but they were there because they had someone to believe in. SOMETHING to believe in. Something to give them faith and hope to go on, and we did. We made it, every single time. I'm just so afraid of the time when I can't be strong enough. I couldn't bear it if I let the people I love down. I think I'd crawl way down into the darkest corner I could find and stay there forever, if that happened.
...
I can't. I can't give up. That would make everything I've ever said, all I've done, all I believed in, a lie. I'd be lying... to everyone... especially to myself. I put the Puzzle together-- eight YEARS I worked on it-- because I believed, I hoped, I dreamed, that I would find my heart's desire. The friendship and faith and trust I always wanted. If something's worth fighting for, you can't just give up when you get tired! You have to pick yourself up and go on.
Just like--
Just like all the years when there wasn't anyone but Grandpa and Tèa... when I was alone... when every bully in town picked on me because--
Because I wouldn't, couldn't let them hurt anyone else. Because I-- Yugi sat straight up. I believed I was strong enough to take it and get back up. And if you believe hard enough in something, long enough, sometimes.. miracles... he cupped the Puzzle. Yami-! Pharoah-- Atem--- I'm sorry-!
'No, don't. Don't apologize. Not for being human, Yugi. Everyone doubts themselves sometimes. It's only the truly strong that can go past the doubt and hold onto their faith.' Translucent hands rested on the smaller boy's shoulders. 'You taught me that, Yugi. You taught me that the hardest thing in the world is to go on hoping when all hope seems at an end. I've always known how strong you were. Always. Your heart is stronger than mine. That's why our bond... why YOU... mean so much to me. You ARE my hope. You've always been the one who wouldn't let the light go out. Do you remember, at the beginning of Battle City, you asked this before? "What if I fail? What if I lose you?" Do you remember what I told you?'
Yugi squinched up his eyes, trying hard not to cry. You said, "I believe in you."
'I still do.'
Yugi nodded, wiped his face. We'll make it?
'We'll make it. I promise you that. I have no idea what gave Diaz these ideas about you. I have no idea if there's any truth to them, or if he's simply a madman who has pinned all his ambitions on you. It doesn't matter. The one thing that DOES matter is stopping him, before he harms anyone else in pursuit of his folly.'
"You're right," Yugi said aloud. "And I AM sorry. You'd think after all this time I'd've learned some of YOUR self-confidence."
'May I tell you a secret?'
"Sure."
'Sometimes I'm not nearly as confident as I seem. But I ACT confident. It's something along the lines of what you were thinking earlier. If you believe in something long enough, sometimes it comes true. Sometimes, when I act confident, I even make myself believe it.'
"You're kidding me."
'On my honor, I'm not.'
Yugi shook his head a little, wonderingly. "There's still so much I don't know about you."
'There's still a lot we don't know about each other and OURSELVES. Life is a journey of discovery. The day we stop seeking the truth within ourselves is the day we begin to die. I truly believe that.' Yami moved over to sit across from Yugi. 'I've had occasion to think about that a lot lately. I know I've already agreed that we should visit Egypt someday. I think now that I was wrong to insist, in the beginning, that we NOT go there. I... I also didn't want things to change. I wanted our life together to go on just the way it had since the end of Battle City. I was afraid that whatever we might learn would change that. And that was wrong. My being afraid to change was wrong. Whatever happens as a result of the events we're going through, we can't be afraid to face our future. Either one of us.'
"No time like the present." Yugi stood up, lifting his Duel Disk and snapping it into place on his arm. "Let's go, partner."
********
The morning was touched with a hint of fog that made the town ghostly and mysterious. The streets were much quieter, if a bit more desperate, as the remaining Duelists sought one another out in order to see who would make it to the second round.
By 1 PM that afternoon they had their answer.
=== FINAL LIST === SECOND ROUND DUELISTS ===
Yugi Motoh - Diaz Russio - Joey Wheeler - Isona Shikuza
Tèa Gardner - Maximilian Pegasus - Seto Kaiba
Rebecca Hawkins - Mako Tsunami - Tristan Taylor
Espa Roba - 'Bandit' Keith Howard - Amos Campbell
Junon D'Argenne - Serra Russio - Siegfried Mannheim
====================================
'I hope you know what you're doing,' Yami said, looking at the listing over the tops of the participants' heads, unseen by any of them.
Ba-Khu'ra smirked. 'If I am out of the tournament, then I can move freely about without anyone stopping me. With the aid of the Millenium Ring I can keep track of our little playmates, and listen in to their schemes.' He shrugged, one hand up. 'There will be other tournaments.'
'You surprise me, thief.'
'Do I?' A mocking chuckle. 'Well, then I must be worth SOMETHING, I suppose. I amuse the Pharoah.'
'I do not FEEL much like a Pharoah at this point,' Yami answered softly.
Ba-Khu'ra reached out and gripped Yami's arm. 'No doubts now. We've followed you this far. We need you to go on leading us.'
'...Khu'ra...' Yami hesitated. 'Thank you.'
Another shrug, but the smirk was softer, now. 'Blame it on my light if you will. He's a bad influence on me. Or blame it on the fact that it gets tiresome being the only spirit around. Or blame it on the gods. It matters little. Someone needs to be your voice of reason; it might as well be me. There is no one more practical than a thief.'
'You will be careful.'
'Of course.' Ba-Khu'ra looked off across the town, his eyes narrowing. 'Your light is not the only one who's uneasy. What the giant told us--'
'Junon.'
'Yes. That... bothered me. It made me think of something, but what it was I can't recall. I only know it disturbed me. There is more than we know going on here, Pharoah.'
'Isn't there always?' Yami asked dryly, pressing his fingertips lightly to his own forehead a moment. 'Just once I wish it could all be simple and straightforward. Riddles within enigmas within puzzles tire even those who love them, eventually.'
'No one promised you a simple life.'
'Then they have delivered amply on the promise, or lack thereof, and I am a man well-rewarded indeed.'
Ba-Khu'ra blinked, then laughed. 'A bleak joke, that, but I like it. Now what?'
'The rest of the day is free, I believe. Tomorrow begins the Desperado hunt.'
'I COULD always listen in at Kaiba's door to find out about these outlaws,' Ba-Khu'ra offered, a glint in his eyes as Yami rounded. 'Peace, mighty Pharoah, it was a jest. I know that smacks a bit too close to cheating for you. But you expected me to say it, didn't you?'
'Rogue.' Yami smiled. 'Yes, I did. I think I would've been disappointed if you hadn't. No matter if I agree with the idea, Ba-Khu'ra... don't hesitate to bring it up. I can't think of everything, and you see clearly where I don't.'
'To exist is to serve.' Ba-Khu'ra bowed low. 'In that case, if the day is one of leisure, I'm going to go rejoin my light and find a way to... amuse myself.' He walked forward and simply stepped into Bakura, vanishing. Yami hesitated one moment longer, looking upwards. 'Ra, shed your light upon us, even in the greatest darkness,' he murmured. 'We shall have such need of your light.'
"Congratulations to you all!" Mokuba stood on the city hall steps, grinning. 'You made it to the second round. Today's a free day, tonight there's going to be a grand party here at Town Hall, and tomorrow--" he crouched, making a 'gun' with his hand. "It's time to saddle up and round 'em up! The Desperados will be waiting. Remember, you have to find one AND beat 'em to advance. If you lose to them, you're OUT of the tournament."
******
The next day was the complete opposite of its predecessor; bright, sunny, a perfect day for picnics or barn-raisings or sitting out in the saddle watching the few faint clouds twist lazily in the breeze.
It certainly didn't look like the kind of day you should spend hunting for a 'dangerous Desperado', as the handbills now plastered all over town announced:
** REWARD! **
The Cactus Jack Gang is reported in the area.
Big reward for tracking them down and bringing
them in! --Considered Armed and Dangerous--
** REWARD! **
"Now, where d'ya think criminals like dat would head to?" Joey pondered. "Decisions, dee-cisions."
"I'm pretty sure they'll be in town," Yugi said. "I don't think they'd hide out in the countryside."
"Lot of town to search through," Tristan pointed out. "And we've got 11 other people competing to find them."
"Let's take it logically, then." Pegasus unfolded a parcel of paper. "Here's the map I got in the first round. Shall we divide the town into five areas, and each of us check that area first? If nothing turns up, we can always move on to searching at random."
"Works fa me." Joey studied the map. "I'll take... dis piece over there."
"Oh yeah, near the saloon," joked Tristan. "Gonna check out the dance-hall girls?"
"NO WAY!" Joey snarled. "Like any of 'em would hold a candle to Ma-- UH-- like I would be interested in'a shallow relationship based on mere physical attraction."
"Okay, who are you and what'd you do with my friend Joey Wheeler?"
"I'll take, um, this one," and Yugi tapped the top edge of the map. "Says there are some old mines up there. I'll bet that would be a great place to hide in."
"I'll try by the bank," Tèa said. "That means at least part of the way I'll have a cowboy to protect me--" she winked at Yugi.
"That leaves the... stables or the far side of town, by the church." Tris shrugged. "Guess I'll try by the church."
"I'll take the stables." Pegasus folded the map back up and tucked it away. "Good luck, everyone."
******
Three hours later Joey was wondering where the cool morning had gone. "Winter, sheeyaa, right," he grumbled. "Okay, smart guy Tristan Taylor, I AM goin' to the saloon. For a DRINK." He did an abrupt about-face and headed for the building to his left, from which the sound of a honky-tonk piano beckoned. Swinging the doors open, he advanced confidently,blinking as his eyes adjusted from bright day to the dimmer interior of the saloon. "Yo, barkeep! Gimme a sass, uh, sarse-- oh, d'heck with it, gimme a root beer."
In one corner a head lifted slightly and eyes regarded him warily from under the brim of a white hat.
Leaning on the edge of the bar, Joey accepted the root beer and started to take a swig, doing his best imitation of Clint Eastwood (well, visually anyway) as he scanned the crowd, wondering which of them might be a legitimate target.
He didn't have to wait long to find out.
"Reach for the sky, partner," a husky voice said as a nailed finger tapped him in the ribs. "I"m calling you out."
The response was a classic spit-take. The bartender quietly sidestepped the spray, never missing a beat in his glasspolishing.
"God, Joey, say it, don't spray it." Mai waved a hand in front of her, making a face as she did so.
"Muh- Muh- MAI?!"
"Who else?"
"Buh, buh..." Joey gaped. "Wait a second, waitasecondhere, you-- you're a-?"
Mai had to repress a smile. "A Desperado? You bet I am. C'mon. Let's Duel."
"I CAN'T DO DAT! YOU'RE MY GIRLFRIEND!" Joey hastily clapped a hand over his mouth, but too late; the words were out.
Mai didn't seem bothered. In fact, her eyes were sparkling as she leaned in and purred, "Think of it as an extra handicap, Joey. Which one of us are you going to concentrate on harder: the Duel... or me?" She crooked a finger. "Let's find out."
It took them nearly two hours to complete the Duel. At first, Joey seemed completely unfocussed, making several mistakes that had Mai inwardly biting her lip. Come on, Joey, you're better than this, she said silently. I accepted this because... oh, I don't know. Maybe I wanted to see some of that Wheeler fire for myself. You're going to NEED that edge. You've got to be able to Duel anyone down, anywhere.
When she finally slapped him down to 1500 Life Points, Joey seemed to snap out of his daze. "Okay, Mai," he said with a cocky smirk. "I guess I been slackin', huh?"
"You could say that."
"I'm not doin' either one of us a favor, am I? You need this Duel too. You wanna know if you've lost any of YOUR edge."
Mai gave a tiny gasp.
"So did I peg it, huh?" Joey waved a hand. "You an' me, Mai-- we're a lot alike in some ways. We gotta feel th' fire before we can really burn up da playin' field. So let's get down ta business, whaddya say?" He flipped a card over. "How's about I start with a little DRAGON fire-- courtesy my Red-Eyes!"
******
"So why'd you pick the bank, Tèa?"
"Come on, Yugi, where do outlaws ALWAYS head first in the Westerns? Besides the bar. The bank! I bet there's one planning a holdup right now."
"Uh... if you say so. I was never big on Westerns."
"Neither am I really, but I've seen a few. Mostly John Wayne movies."
They had just turned the corner and were passing the general store when a figure burst out in front of them, brandishing a shotgun-pistol back the way he'd come, a sack in the other hand and a few bills fluttering down in his wake. "Thank you, thank you," he said, bowing a bit, "now if you good people will just keep RIGHT on reachin' for the clouds, I'll be on my way." He turned, drew up short on seeing Tèa and Yugi. "Whoops. An audience. An ARMED audience, to boot. My my. Looks like I'll have to do a little fancy drawin'. --They call me 'Doc' Hartford." His teeth flashed white in his chocolate face as he gave Tèa his most winning smile. "And as ANY gentleman knows, it's ALWAYS 'ladies first'. Shall we Duel?"
Tèa giggled--she couldn't help it--at the dapper stranger. "We most certainly shall! I'm afraid I can't let a dangerous desperado like you escape," she said, falling into the roleplay. Stepping forward, she slotted her deck into her Duel Disk. "Let's Duel!"
The duel was rapid-fire and deadly. 'Doc' was playing a machine/warrior deck, and he went right for the win, slamming direct damage to Tèa's life points. She countered well, but when Doc managed to get The Last Warrior from Another Planet out on the field, its special effect of preventing either player from summoning creatures stopped Tèa's defenses cold. She couldn't get any creatures between her and Doc's attacks, and she simply didn't have enough magic or trap cards to defend her otherwise for long.
"I'm sorry, lovely lady," Doc sighed as Tèa's Life Points hit zero. "Afraid today I'm still a man on the run." He bowed and presented her with an envelope. Curious, Tèa opened it.
Inside the envelope was a small parchment:
The bearer of this certificate is hereby acknowledged to have participated in, and achieved the second round, of Kaiba Corporation's 'Turn of the Cards' IDA sanctioned tournament. Upon redemption of this card at Town Hall anytime between now and the end of the tournament, you are entitled to receive a commemorative plaque engraved with your name confirming the fact, along with the free registration and gift of the Duel Disk unit provided to you for use in this tournament. In the event you already own a Duel Disk, a gift certificate for $1000 from the store of your choice will be provided as an alternative prize. Kaiba Corporation congratulates you and thanks you for your participation.
"Wow," Tèa said, "that's.. not too shabby." She wrinkled up her nose. "I STILL wish I'd been able to win, but..."
'Doc' shrugged. "I've always been lucky at cards, I hate to say." Turning, he doffed his hat to Yugi. "And how about you, young sir?"
******
"Boot Hill." Tristan studied the weathered iron arch, then pushed open the gate and wandered in. The crosses and gravestones looked pretty real. He wondered idly if they were copies of real stones, or if the information on them was all made up, just more atmosphere. He was almost willing to bet on the former-- it would be just like Kaiba to put that kind of detail in.
The man standing near the back end of the cemetary, hat off, also looked very real. He was just turning to face Tristan, his attention having been caught by the noise of the gate. Sea-blue eyes under russet brows regarded Tristan steadily, then flicked down to his Duel Disk. "Deputy," he said quietly. "Well, it's not as if the mayor hasn't turned you folks out to make us feel less than welcome." He settled the hat in place, gestured. "How about we show a little respect for the people here and take it out on the street? They had enough fast-draws in their lives. Let them sleep quiet." He looked down at the gravestone he was standing by. It bore the legend ELIZA FOXX and two dates. "I'll be back, Eliza," he murmured. Then he squared his shoulder. "Zachary Foxx. Come on, deputy. I'll match my cards to yours any time."
I don't know whether to kick Kaiba or congratulate him, Tristan thought. That's almost a little too real. "I'm agreeable, Mr. Foxx. You're right... these folks deserve their privacy," he replied. "I can spare a few minutes if you'd like..." he gestured towards the gravestone.
"Right kind of you, sir. I'd be obliged. You have my word I won't run out."
True to his word, Foxx stepped out of the graveyard shortly and took a stance. His deck was a 'beat-down' type-- it relied less on strategy than on pure brute strength, using a lot of power-up cards to turn his middle-of the road monsters into powerhouses. Tristan gritted his teeth. "This... is going to hurt," he growled.
"Wasn't meant to be a pat on the back, son."
******
"Hold it right there." A female voice, above him. Pegasus turned in time to see a woman with long straight red hair jump out of the hayloft of the stables and land gracefully in front of him, one arm poised over her Duel Disk, the bolero vest she wore doing wonderful things to the front of her shirt. She smiled mischeviously. "Looks like I caught myself one of the deputies. That's all right though-- I'll bet you're every bit as good as any of the rest of them. But have you got what it takes to take ME down?"
"That rather depends, doesn't it?" Pegasus drawled. "Looks can be SO decieving. You appear to be nothing but a lovely young woman, but I'll wager that under that charming chest there beats a heart of purest diamond-- every bit as perfect as the rest of you, but oh so cold."
"OOoooo." The woman narrowed her eyes, chuckling. "You're a CHARMING one. I might just hate myself a little after this. MIGHT. --The name's Niko, by the way."
"Maximilian Pegasus."
"Winged horse... let's see if I can tame you." Niko raised her Duel Disk. "Your play, deputy."
"Letting me go first? That's your first mistake, I fear. Welcome to MY world." Pegasus turned the card in his hand. "TOON World, that is."
Niko's eyes widened. "WHAT the-?!"
"Never seen this particular, ah, caliber of weapon before, dear? Don't worry. It's one of a kind, custom built. And I'm SO fond of it, I just love showing it off to everyone I fight. Usually it's one of the LAST things they see." Pegasus smirked. "Now let me introduce you to another of my favorite cards... Toon Gemini Elves. After all, fight fire with fire, right? Or perhaps in this case it's, 'fight a lady with two more ladies'."
******
The next morning, the bulletin board had changed yet again.
THIRD ROUND CONTESTANTS WILL REPORT TO THE
FORTUNE'S END GOLD MINE NO LATER THAN ELEVEN
O'CLOCK AM (11:00 AM) THIS MORNING. BRING YOUR DECK
AND BE READY TO DUEL. MATCHES WILL BE ANNOUNCED
ONCE EVERYONE HAS ARRIVED.
== THIRD ROUND: YUGI MOTOH JOEY WHEELER
MAXIMILIAN PEGASUS DIAZ RUSSIO TRISTAN TAYLOR
AMOS CAMPBELL JUNON D'ARGENNE SERRA RUSSIO ==
"Oh dear, mines," Bakura said with a little shudder. "That's a bit too much like caves to suit me."
"Yeah, I can just bet any boulders that come rolling at us here won't be weather balloons with tape players inside them," Tristan added.
"And I thought that was such a NICE touch," Pegasus protested. "That and the skeletons. It was just an overgrown haunted house, after all..."
"Yeah, well, we didn't exactly KNOW that, did we? The caves on your island don't have a 'Welcome to the Pegasus Haunted Caverns' plastered on 'em anywhere."
"Half the fun is the element of surprise."
"Come on, everyone," Yugi said. "Let's get this over with."
"Hey, uh, Yuge, you, ah, feelin' okay dere?" Joey said, falling into step beside his best friend as the all walked that way. "You don't sound like your usual chipper self."
"I'm not, Joey. I'm really worried. I get a bad feeling about this."
"Ahhh don' sweat it." Joey looped an arm around Yugi's shoulders and hugged him awkwardly. "You're the man, remember? You beat Kaiba, you beat Marik when he was havin' that not-so-fresh feelin', you beat all the nutsos they've thrown at'cha. You're gonna be fine. Trust ol' Joey on this. You got what it takes, and I AIN'T just talking about the bling-bling there." He nudged the Puzzle. "You got all of us on ya side. So don't worry. You're gonna win."
"Thanks Joey." Yugi smiled a little.
Inside the mine an old-time lift was set up to take them further in. It descended into what seemed like an endless darkness, but what really must've been only 50 feet or so before it stopped and let them out in a passage unlit save for the circle of illumination at one end.
Once they got to the chamber in question, everyone stopped, looking around in wonder. They were on the floor of a natural cavern, the sides of which were dotted by crystals here and there, and lit by strings of tiny lights everywhere, giving the place almost a festive air. There was a large podium with seating behind it on one wall, offering a perfect view of the Dueling area.
At the podium stood Seto Kaiba, with Mokuba at his side, and a small group of technicians seated at an array of monitors, the one concession to the modern age (aside from the lights) that was visible. Over to one side a blond head was just visible, one delicate hand holding a magazine as Mai Valentine sipped a chilled cappucino. She waggled her fingers at Joey. "Hi there, champ," she called.
Joey grinned ear to ear by way of answer.
"Welcome to the third round," Kaiba said, his voice echoing through the cavern. "I hope you all got plenty of rest-- because no one is leaving this chamber until we have our finalists. So be prepared to Duel quickly and efficiently. The eyes of your peers are on you.
"Now as for your Dueling assignments." A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. "They were chosen earlier this morning by random number generation." He flung out a hand, and part of the rock shimmered, revealed to be a holo-projection, to show a huge flat screen monitor with the following words:
Joey v. Yugi
Tristan v. Diaz
Amos v. Serra
Junon v. Pegasus
"Aw, geez!" Joey slapped a hand to his face. "Duelist Kingdom all over again!" He glared at Kaiba. "You set dis up, didn'tcha, freak?"
"No way!" Mokuba protested, taking a step forward. "The pairings were randomly determined. I'm in charge of security here, and I made sure nobody got any passes. And my brother doesn't cheat--he doesn't need to!"
"Well...okay den." Joey knew full well that even if Kaiba wasn't above pulling strings to make things work out his way, his little brother was about as honest as anyone this side of Yugi could get.
Kaiba smirked. "Of course, if you feel outclassed, you're welcome to forfeit the Duel right now, Wheeler. --No? Good," he added, as Joey glared searing radioactive death at him. "It ought to be amusing to see your run of luck grind to a halt. --You all have your assignments. Let's get started. Those who are not currently Dueling, come up to your seats behind me. Those who are about to Duel, take your positions. The person whose name appears first in the listings will make the first play."
"Come on, Joey," Yugi said, holding out a hand. "Just like before-- give me all you've got. Don't hold back."
"*heh* You kiddin' dere? No way I'm goin' easy on you, Yuge."
Yuugi chose a side of the Dueling arena and took a breath. Let's do it! He reached out, opening the doors of his mind wide, and felt the rush of power swirl around him as Yami joined with him. The briefest sensation of disorientation, past almost as soon as it registered; the feeling of suddenly being both participant and onlooker, and the reassuring sense of someone standing with him, closer than his own heart. He let go, then, surrendering himself to the union.
Yami drew his first five cards and studied them briefly, then lifted his gaze to Joey. "Your move."
And the lights went out.