Author's Notes: Hello everyone, and thank you for taking the time to read my first official fanfiction attempt! The story is rated PG because of a li'l name-calling and a touch of shonen-ai (male/male). But I wouldn't think it would be enough to really offend anyone. Enjoy!
It was a beautiful summer afternoon in Domino City. School had been out of session for about a week, and students of all ages celebrated in the local park. The facility was alive with soccer practices, chess games and casual frisbee matches. With such a happy atmosphere and terrific weather, it seemed like a perfect day so far.
It was a shame that Tristan Taylor couldn't enjoy any of it.
His mood was rather downcast, due to a spanking at a game of Duel Monsters. In a span of two minutes, he lost to a fellow park occupant, a boy who couldn't have been older than eight. His companion, Joey Wheeler, wasn't making matters any rosier, either.
"What'd I tell ya? Looks like somebody's out of practice!" said Joey, snickering. He and Tristan were taking a short stroll around the grassy fields. The former teen was cheerful and energetic. The latter, sullen and sluggish.
"Joey, look, that kid pulled out a "Lord of D." monster card, a "The Flute of Summoning Dragon" magic card and two "Tyrant Dragon" monster cards on the first draw. He got lucky," said Tristan, shrugging.
"Why Tristan," Joey replied in a mock-superior fashion, "Everybody KNOWS that a good deck is always lucky."
"Yeah, yeah..." mumbled Tristan. Deciding to rest, he spotted one of the available park benches, and dropped on it, sighing. Joey laughed and joined him, telling him not to be such a drama queen.
"Though it's too bad I'll be missing the Duel Monsters tournament. I could've won it FOR ya," said Joey, striking a heroic pose.
"Ah, I could do without," said Tristan. "Now if YUGI could play..." He put a hand to his chin in thought, smiling.
"Hey, hey, hey -- you want my help or not?" Joey warned, half-heartedly.
"All right, all right... So since Duel Monsters is out of the question, how else will I get the goods for --"
"Well, wait a minute, Tristan..." Joey cut him off. "I wouldn't give up on the tournament yet. Even YOU could become a decent duelist if you found someone to tutor you."
"Tutor me?" asked Tristan, incredulous. "Like who?" The options were limited: Yugi was preparing to go to an expedition with his grandpa in Egypt, Tea was off college-hunting in New York, and Joey himself was leaving tonight with Serenity to visit distant relatives. Who else would volunteer?
"Eh, I don't know..." said Joey scratching his chin, "Duke Devlin?"
Tristan gagged. "A snowball's chance in HELL that I'll turn to that... that... QUEERBIE for help!" he sputtered. "And Joey, I'm surprised that YOU of all people would even SUGGEST that idea."
"What, the whole dog costume thing? I'm over it," Joey grinned, leaning back on the bench. "And you two should really drop this li'l rivalry issue over Serenity. I'm not letting EITHER of you near her. And besides..." Joey snuck a side glance at Tristan. "Hasn't all the time you two spent in Battle City mean ANYTHING to you?" A wider grin spread on his face.
"You mean all that time spent scrapping over Serenity?" Tristan frowned and crossed his arms. "I think NOT. Well, I'm not resorting to Devlin, if that's what you're getting at."
"Whatevuh," said Joey, conceding. "Then how about Bakura?"
Bakura. Tristan hadn't thought much about him since that time on the Pier after Duel Towers...
" How's that arm of yours, Bakura?" asked Tristan, eyeing the blood-encrusted bandage.
"Much better, thanks," Bakura replied with a scant smile.
"Man, I am so glad that this thing is finally over," said Tristan, hands in pockets. "I can't wait to go back to a normal, monster-free life. And anyway..." Tristan lowered his voice. "Kaiba's food was second-rate. You should go to Cabeza's Kitchen. Now THAT's what I call good eatin'!"
"Heh..." Bakura had a wider smile this time. "I'll keep that in mind."
The conversation drifted, and Tristan snuck a glance at Bakura staring into the glowing ocean view. The rich sunset colors illuminated his face, which had a peaceful, yet lonely expression...
"YO, TRISTAN!" yelled Joey, snapping his fingers. "IF YOU'RE FINISHED FANTASIZING ABOUT BAKURA..."
"Whu? NO!! I wasn't!" said Tristan, jerking up. "I was just weighing my options, that's all. And dammit, do you have to be so LOUD?"
"One of my many talents," Joey replied with a curt bow. "And I was going to tell you if things come to worse, and you lose the tournament, you can always ask Money-Bags for a little handout."
"KAIBA!!? Joey, he's a cold-blooded, self-interested businessman! And just because you have a crush on the guy doesn't mean that he'll give me a freebie!" said Tristan, suddenly grinning.
Joey paled, but quickly recovered. "It usually never hurts to ask," he said, staring at the sky. "And besides, I thought you said you'd do whatever it takes to help out the Cabezas."
Tristan remembered. "Do you honestly think that Kaiba Corp will sponsor a hole-in-the-wall restaurant?" He meekly asked.
"Crazier things have happened," Joey replied, stretching. "Anyway, I better get going. But before I do..." He rummaged through a bag he was carrying, and pulled out a rectangular tin box. He opened it, and took out a few Duel Monster cards. "I figure I should follow Yugi and Tea's example and loan you out some cards for the tournament." He held up one of the cards in Tristan's line of vision. It was a "Gearfried the Iron Knight" Monster card. "You remember the story behind Gearfried, doncha Tristan?"
"Yeah," said Tristan, thinking. "There was once a warrior who was called the Master Swordsman. He happened to be so powerful, that he had to lock himself in an suit of armor to prevent himself from causing mass destruction. Thus, he became Gearfried the Iron Knight," he said, finishing with a flourish.
"Right, and I think this card suits you more than anything else in my deck. You're locking up all of your potential in a shell of self-doubt."
In Joey's other hand was a magic card. "This is the card that transforms Gearfried back into the Master Swordsman," he said. "You just need something to help you break free and play at your best. Here." He handed the cards to Tristan.
Tristan was quiet for a moment. "Joey, that was lamest analogy ever. But... thanks." He hugged Joey compulsively, patting his back.
"Ugh, get away!" said Joey, pushing Tristan back. "And you accuse ME of being a fag?" He flashed his patented, two-bit smirk.
"Okay, okay," said Tristan, holding up his hands in surrender. "Say hello to Serenity for me, will you?"
"Will do," said Joey. He stood up from the bench, and picked up his bag. "Good luck, buddy." He walked away, while giving a short wave of good-bye.
Tristan waved back. After a while, he stared at his newly borrowed cards. All of the monster cards were of the Warrior classification. Warriors were always revered for their bravery He hoped that he himself could find the courage to make two of the most nervewracking phonecalls ever.
Continued...
Thanks for reading!