Pointless disclaimer:
It goes without saying that a fan fiction author doesn't own the fandom for which they are writing, and that the characters within belong to the original creator. If Takahashi-sensei wants me to take this story down, I'll be more than happy to comply.
Author's Notes:
This story has a bit of an interesting history. I had just been introduced to Godchild, and one of the early chapters involved a girl who turned people into dolls to keep them from leaving her. The concept of people trapped in dolls is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a new concept. It's one that's fascinated me for some time. As I read those early chapters, I wanted to create my own doll lore piece. I dutifully jotted myself a note in my writing notes along with some brainstorms on where such a concept would work. Thanks to the recently completed season, Yu-Gi-Oh made the list.
I was working at a summer camp and wanted something to do while my kids were eating their lunch and playing. Something that would allow me to relax and keep an eye on the kids at the same time. I honestly couldn't have foreseen what would happen next. I started writing this chapter, and the kids didn't notice.
Invitation to Tea with the Mad Hatter
Yugi Moto sat at his desk working on homework he'd been neglecting most of the week. "I just don't see why anyone needs to know the quadratic equation," he said to nobody in particular. He could sense his other self was about to reply, but he cut the puzzle's spirit off. "I know it's important. I just find it confusing."
Perhaps you could ask Tea for help, Yami suggested.
"That's a great idea, Pharaoh!" Yugi closed his math book, more than ready to avoid the subject again. He dug around in his backpack, looking for more homework.
A knock at the door preceded his grandfather's entrance. "Yugi, this just came for you." Solomon Moto dropped a letter onto his grandson's desk. He couldn't help but notice the math book shoved to one side. If Yugi ever had an Achilles heel, it was math. He knew the boy had been working hard on bringing up his grade in the class, but Yugi was more than willing to be distracted away from it by Duel Monsters
"Thanks, Grampa." The fifteen year old picked up the envelope and inspected it. The return address was unfamiliar. The handwriting was elegant. The envelope was addressed simply to "Yugi-boy". He opened the envelope and found the enclosed card was written in the same elegant script. As he read what was written on the card, his other self scanned it.
Hmm, Pegasus has invited us to his castle in Duelist Kingdom. Surely he's not looking for a duel. The deep voice of Yugi's alter ego resonated in his head.
"No, I don't think so. It's not in the form of a challenge." Yugi thoughtfully turned the card over in his hands. "When Pegasus wants a fight, he's usually pretty clear about it."
We shall see. Yugi worried that the normally laid-back Yami might accidentally pick a fight with the eccentric man if he walked in expecting a fight. Not that the teenager could imagine the pharaoh being that reckless, but there was always a first time for everything.
Solomon Moto's voice echoed up the stairs, "Yugi, you have company!"
"Be down in a minute, Grampa." The spiky-haired teen turned the card over in his hands again, reading it one more time to see if the invitation sounded at all like a threat. Satisfied that the game designer probably wasn't looking for a fight, Yugi relaxed slightly. Even if Pegasus wasn't looking to duel, the boy had learned not to trust him.
There was a soft knock at his door, and he heard the hinges creak as the door slowly opened before he could respond. "Yugi? Are you in here?" Tea's voice sounded small and nervous. Thinking about it, he realized that she'd never been above the shop before. She'd always waited outside when she was meeting him. He wondered what had encouraged her to come inside and upstairs.
Despite all of the questions tumbling through his mind, his heart skipped a small beat. It always did when Tea was around. Turning in his chair, he replied, "Yeah, come on in, Tea."
"See? I told you he'd be here!" Yugi smiled as his best friend Joey Wheeler came through the door. Now he understood what had brought Tea inside. "Hey, Yuge! Check this out! Pegasus invited me to Duelist Kingdom!" The tall blond was waving around something roughly the same size and color of the invitation on the teenager's desk. He now looked toward that invitation, hoping Joey wouldn't notice. "And he invited Serenity, too! Look!" Joey handed the envelope to Yugi, his eyes briefly scanning the desk where he noticed the similar envelope.
The sensitive teenager couldn't help but notice the way Joey's face fell as he handed Yugi the invitation. The young duelist noted very quickly that Joey's invitation was identical to the one he had received, except it was addressed differently. The envelope was addressed rather formally to Joseph and Serenity Wheeler. Yugi wondered if Pegasus honestly remembered Joey's little sister, the reason the blond had been fighting so hard throughout the Duelist Kingdom tournament, or if he had something else planned for the girl. Regardless of Pegasus' intentions in inviting her along, it would be nice to see her again.
"This is great, Joey! How long has it been since you last saw your sister?"
"It's been a while," the lanky duelist admitted. Yugi felt sorry for Joey. He'd been separated from Serenity when their parents divorced, but he still wanted to be the big brother. It was obvious that he cared a great deal for his sister and that being separated from her took its toll on him.
"I'm sure you'll enjoy spending time with her."
"Yeah," Thinking about seeing Serenity again brought back Joey's normally buoyant demeanor, "it'll be nice." He looked wistfully at Yugi's desk, accepting that he knew if he'd been invited, his best friend probably had, too. "We can all go together!"
Yugi looked around the room incredulously. "Everyone's been invited?" Joey nodded. The fifteen year old could hear the spirit of the millennium puzzle rumbling, and he had to agree that it seemed unlikely Pegasus would extend any sort of invitation to some of his friends. He could understand the eccentric game designed wanting to meet with Joey and himself. The more he thought about it, though, the less he understood what purpose Pegasus might have in inviting Tea, Tristan, and Serenity.
"Yeah!" Joey responded. He didn't seem at all perplexed by the situation.
I don't trust Pegasus. This could be a trap! Yami's warning was starting to take a small hold on Yugi. As much as he'd rather give Maximilian Pegasus the benefit of the doubt, he was finding it difficult at the moment.
At least it's looking more like the invitation wasn't a challenge, Yugi responded. He could almost hear the pharaoh's snort. Yami was on his guard, and Yugi knew there was little he could do about it except try to keep his other self grounded.
In the background, he could hear the others talking. Tea pulled him out of his thoughts as she grabbed his arm and headed out of his room, "I, for one, don't plan to spend all day sitting here. Let's go!" With a shrug, Joey and Tristan followed them.
The four returned to the game shop later that evening. Pegasus' invitations had been the source of much of the conversation throughout the afternoon, much to Tea's annoyance. They walked in discussing the plans for the next day, suggesting various meeting places.
"Why don't we meet here at Grampa's shop tomorrow and set out from there?" Yugi offered. Everyone quickly agreed.
