"Now I put dis Monsta Card in here, like so...and voila! I'm good to go!"
Jounouchi grinned proudly, holding his Duel Monsters deck. Along with Kay and Cat, Jounouchi was waiting for Yugi at Cat's apartment.
Everyone was attending a new Duel Monsters tournament before they were to head out for Egypt.
"Hey guys, how's adjustin' your decks comin' along?" Jounouchi asked the two girls.
"Perfect." Kay replied with a smile.
"You sure about dat? Let me check it out!" Jounouchi said, snatching Kay's deck from her. He paused for a moment, looking through her deck and sweatdropped. "Uh...it's cool to be confident about your skills. But you still have lots of work to do on this deck before it's any good."
Kay glared at Jounouchi when she noticed him grinning.
Snatching her deck back, she punched him in the gut. Jounouchi coughed and reeled back, clutching his stomach.
"You're just saying that so you can feel better about your worthless deck!" Kay snapped angrily.
"That...was...uncalled...for..." Jounouchi wheezed.
"No, what I did was perfectly rational. You deserved it." Kay said calmly.
Jounouchi glared at Kay and looked over at Cat when he finally recovered.
"How's your deck Cat?" He asked.
"Uhm...I'm not sure." Cat said, nervously tucking her hair behind her ear. She had left it down, out of her usual ponytail that day.
She had only just started to learn at the Battle City Finals.
"Lemme see." Jounouchi said, taking her deck and looking through it. "Hm. I guess ya still have lots of work to do. But you can learn from the expert, the only-and-only Jounouchi Katsuya, on making great decks!"
Cat sweatdropped and Kay threw a pillow at his head.
"That's enough out of you." Kay said.
Glaring at Kay again, Jounouchi handed Cat her deck back. "Whatever." Jounouchi said, brushing off his irritation. He grinned widely, letting his excitement take over again. "Man, I can't wait for the Duel Express train to come! I'm gonna own this tourney!"
Cat blinked, realization hitting her. "By the way...where's Yugi?" She asked.
Jounouchi paused.
"That's right! Where the heck is Yugi?" He repeated and frowned, looking at a clock. "Oh man, this stinks! Look at the time already! He's late!" Jounouchi paced around the room for a moment. "C'mon Yug...how can ya even think about being late on a day like this!"
"Calm down Jounouchi." Kay said, watching him pace.
"If he doesn't get here soon, we'll miss the Duel Express! And he was the one who promised dat the four of us were gonna take the train together! Man, dat Yugi! Arrrgh!" Jounouchi complained, continuing to pace. "If he doesn't get here, he can give me all his rare cards and I still won't forgive him!"
Kay growled, irritated by Jounouchi's complaining. While he back was turned, she picked up another pillow to throw at him; but stopped when someone suddenly burst through the door.
"Guys! Everything's horrible!" Yugi cried, running in. A look of panic and distress was all over his face. "My other self...the Millennium Puzzle...my Puzzle is gone, along with the spirit inside!"
Everyone gasped.
"When I woke up this morning, it was gone...I...I...what am I supposed to do?" Yugi asked.
"Hey, we can't waste time standin' here and talkin'!" Jounouchi said seriously and looked at Kay and Cat. "Hey, what do you two think we should do?"
"Let's go look for it!" Cat replied.
"Okay! Then that's what we're gonna do! You go it, Yug?" Jounouchi asked.
Kay rolled her eyes.
"As if you needed our help to make that decision." She mummered.
"I won't stop until I find my dearest friend...I promise!" Yugi said, finally calming down. "I'm counting on you guys."
The four nodded to each other and left Cat's apartment, heading towards the Domino Square area.
"Where should we start first?" Jounouchi asked.
"I'm not sure." Yugi replied.
"Oh, hey! Isn't that Anzu?" Kay asked, pointing towards Anzu who was hanging around the tall clock of the square. They approached their friend.
"Huh? Guys, what are you still doing here?" Anzu asked, surprised to see her four friends. "Weren't the four of you taking the Duel Express?"
"It's a long story...here's what happened." Yugi said. The four proceeded to explain the situation to Anzu.
Her face turned to shock.
"Whaaat?! The Millennium Puzzle is gone? But how? How did that happen?" She asked.
"Forgive me, but I overheard your conversation."
Everyone snapped their heads in the direction of the familiar voice, only to find Ishizu stepping up to them. "So...it seems the Millennium Puzzle has also disappeared."
"I-Ishizu? It's been a long time...what are you doing here?" Yugi asked.
"And what do you mean, "has also disappeared"?" Kay asked.
"What I have feared the most is coming to fruition." Ishizu said. "Please...I need your help."
Everyone glanced at each other, unsure of what the Egyptian woman was speaking about.
"I see you're puzzled, but that is only to be expected." Ishizu said. "Please bear with me and listen to my words carefully. I have come to ask you duelists for your help. You must save the world from Reshef the Dark Being!"
"R-Reshef the Dark Being?" Cat asked.
"Save the world? Again?" Jounouchi asked.
"I understand this is sudden and confusing. However, the world is in grave peril. Only strong duelists, such as yourselves, can save us all from ruin before it's too late! All the Millennium Items have disappeared." Ishizu explained.
"All of them? Why?" Anzu asked.
"This is most likely due to Reshef's resurrection. An unknown entity must have commenced a fusion ritual on the Egyptian God Cards, which re-released Reshef the Dark Being into the world." Ishizu continued. "The ritual stole the mighty power of the Egyptian God Cards. And the cards, now drained of it's mystical energies, transformed into stone. You must send the Dark Being to its eternal rest before the world destroyed. But in order to accomplish this feat, the Egyptian God Cards are absolutely essential."
"But, according to you, the Egyptian God Cards have been turned to stone. Therefore they have no power." Kay said.
"How do we restore them? Is there a way?" Yugi asked.
"Only the Millennium Items can restore them to their former glory." Ishizu replied. "The Items have been scattered all over the world. They must be regained to resurrect the Egyptian God Cards. And with the help from the Egyptian Gods, we may have a chance of sealing away the Dark Being. I am counting on you to accomplish this task. Please, my powerful duelists...if left unchecked, the Dark Being's strength will keep growing. The world will be shrouded in perpetual darkness. Please help save the world!"
Everyone took a moment to absorb everything. Yugi raised his head and looked at Ishizu. "I have to find my Millennium Puzzle. Plus, we can't just ignore this "Dark Being". I'll do it." He said.
"Since you said I'm a powerful duelists, how can I refuse! I'm coming along too!" Jounouchi said, grinning widely.
"Don't be so shallow Jounouchi." Kay said, frowning, before looking at Ishizu. "I'm in."
"Me too." Cat said, looking determined.
"I thank you all, from the bottom of my heart." Ishizu said, smiling. "First, the Millennium Items must be recovered. As a descendant of a clan of grave keepers, I can sense the faint pulses of the Millennium Items. You must first make your way to the Egypt Exhibition. If my feelings are correct, the first of the Millennium Items should be there. I know what I ask is a great imposition. But I have no one to turn to except for you."
"Don't worry! Leave it to us!" Yugi said, smiling in determination.
"Your words have given me hope for the first time in a long time. I leave the fate of the world in your hands." Ishizu said, a smile returning to her face.
"Good luck guys. I'd help, but I'm not a duelist. I'll be rooting for you all! And if you need anything, I'll be at Mr. Motou's game shop." Anzu said, smiling. "See you." She waved and walked off towards the game shop. Everyone else waved goodbye as well.
"So then! What's our first step?" Jounouchi asked.
"I was thinking that maybe we could go to Kaiba Corp. and try to enlist Seto's help." Kay suggested.
"WHAT?! NO WAY!" Jounouchi snapped. "You know how dat jerk is! He'll obviously reject our request and then proceed to say how much he doesn't like us!"
"It's true that Kaiba is stubborn. But it's worth a try." Yugi said. "Let's head over there now."
The three started walking towards Kaiba Corp. as Jounouchi followed them, sulking.
"You're Seto Kaiba, aren't you?"
The four arrived at Kaiba Corp. only to find that Kaiba and Mokuba were being confronted by a familiar little girl. Kaiba, Mokuba and the girl hadn't even noticed the four.
"Who are you?" Mokuba asked the girl. "You look familiar."
"I'm Rebecca Hawkins. I was in your guys' Grand Prix, remember?" Rebecca said, hands on her hips. "I can't believe you forgot me that easily!"
"Oh yeah! I remember you!" Mokuba exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"I didn't have the chance to confront you guys about this before but..." Rebecca said and pointed at Kaiba angrily. "You! You're the one who tore up Solomon Motou's Blue-Eyes White Dragon card!"
Kaiba remained silent with his arms crossed.
"H-How did you know...?" Mokuba asked, looking a little uncomfortable.
"My grandfather gave Mr. Motou that card. That Blue-Eyes White Dragon was a symbol of their friendship. But you tore it up!" Rebecca snapped. "You're not going to get away with that!"
"So what do you want me to do?" Kaiba asked, emotionless as usual.
"Seto, just ignore her." Mokuba whispered to Kaiba.
"I challenge you to a duel!" Rebecca cried. "I'll wipe that smirk off your face. Because you're facing the United States champion!"
"U.S. champ? That's it?" Kaiba asked. "At your duelist level, I can defeat you blindfolded."
"At my level?! Are you making fun of me?!" Rebecca snapped.
"No, I'm just telling the truth. Your skills are nothing but a joke." Kaiba said bluntly. "But if you still insist on challenging me..." He paused, finally noticing the four watching. He grinned. "I have a better idea. Duel against Kay."
Kay flinched and frowned. "HEY! Don't you shove her on me Seto Kaiba!" She yelled.
"If you can beat her, I'll duel you." Kaiba finished, ignoring Kay's words.
Yugi stepped up, hoping to stop everything before it got worse. "Rebecca...I know you're upset, but there's no point attacking Kaiba." He said.
"Yugi..." Rebecca said, smiling for a moment before turning serious again. "I'm not challenging Kaiba because I'm angry. I want to duel him to test my skills."
"Rebecca..." Yugi tried to protest.
Rebecca turned her attention to Kay.
"Hmm...are you really that strong of a duelist?" She asked. "You sure don't look it. But I'll still duel you!"
Kay fumed at Rebecca's words. "Don't get cocky. We traveled together for a while, but you've never seen me duel. If already seen your tricks." She said, activating her Duel Disk. "I'll duel you!"
"What?! Man, we don't have time for dis!" Jounouchi growled as the duel between Kay and Rebecca started. "We have a world ta save!"
"That's true..." Cat agreed silently. "We still have to catch the Duel Express to get to the Exhibit."
"Well...I guess all we can do is hope that this duel ends quickly. We still have some time until we need to get to the Duel Express." Yugi said.
As the duel between the two girls raged on, Yugi, Jounouchi and Cat were feeling tense. Tense because of the duel and tense because time was running out.
Luckily for them the duel ended fast enough for the four to make it to the Duel Express.
"I...I lost?" Rebecca asked, shocked at her loss.
"Hmph. That duel was a joke." Kaiba said. "If you want your "revenge", come back when you actually pose a challenge. You know where to find me!"
Without another word, Kaiba turned and walked back into Kaiba Corp. Mokuba was about to follow, until he looked over at Rebecca.
"Just to let you know, my brother would have finished you off in half the number of turns!" He said before running after Kaiba.
Kay frowned. "I hope that wasn't an intentional insult, Mokey!" She called after the young boy.
"Rebecca...I know Kaiba is arrogant and says terrible things, but he is a different person." Yugi said, stepping up to Rebecca. "The Kaiba you saw today isn't like the Kaiba of old."
"I don't care. Kaiba's right. Without Pegasus and Bandit Keith, America doesn't have the top duelists anymore." Rebecca said sadly. "That's why I came here. To prove that we're still pretty good! But losing to Kay...that was an eye-opener. I should have been training rather than complaining. I'm turning over a new leaf. I'm going to raise my duelists level so that I can put American back on the map!" She turned to Kay. "Just you wait. I'll beat Kaiba, Yugi and you."
Kay smiled weakly. "Good luck then." She said.
"Yup! And I'll also train so that I won't lose!" Yugi said.
"I'm going home to practice! Say "Hi" to Solomon Motou for me!" Rebecca said cheerfully and ran off.
The four waved to Rebecca before turning to each other. "Looks like we missed out on asking Kaiba for help." Cat said.
"Yeah! Thank goodness!" Jounouchi exclaimed. "I don't wanna deal with his bad attitude right now."
Kay frowned at Jounouchi.
"Don't be such a wuss." She said. "I have to deal with him more than you do."
"Yeah, but you hang around him intentionally! For all we know, you love the guy!" Jounouchi said.
Kay blushed a little and glared at the blond.
"And just what exactly are you implying?!" She snapped.
"Guys, guys! We don't have time for this!" Yugi said, standing in between the two. "We have to get moving now, remember?"
Kay and Jounouchi continued to glare at each other before they grumbled a quiet agreement to Yugi's statement.
Yugi sweatdropped. "Glad we agree." He said. "Let's go."
After running through Domino, the four finally made it to the Train Station. They approached a nearby employee.
"You're duelists?" The employee asked. The four nodded and the man smiled. "Ah, you are? Then please! Step on board! Just kidding! It's never that easy. If you wish to board the Duel Express...you'll have to get by us first." Another employee stepped up next to the first one. "Winning this tag duel is your boarding pass!"
"Geez, I wasn't expectin' things to be a cakewalk, but who woulda imagined a tag duel to test our skills?" Jounouchi said.
"Well, I don't think we have a choice." Yugi said. "There's no way every duelist in the world can fit into the train."
"I guess dat's true. So! Who wants to duel?" Jounouchi asked.
"I'll duel." Yugi said and looked over at Cat. "Hey Cat. Why don't you be my partner for this duel?"
Cat blinked, surprised.
"What? Me?" She asked. "I-I don't know Yugi...I'm still not experienced with this game and we need to win in order to get on the train. We can't afford to mess up. I don't want to hold you back."
Yugi laughed. "You know, before the Pharaoh was kidnapped, he acknowledged your skills when he was teaching you. He believes you're a natural at it. And I believe him." He said. "I know you can do this."
Cat thought for a moment more before sighing. "Alright. I'll do my best." She said and stepped up next to Yugi, activating her duel disk.
The tag duel started. Yugi had finished his duel quickly and they waited until Cat's duel was finished. They both won.
"Gotta hand it to you, Yug. That duel lasted barely a second!" Jounouchi said. "On the other hand...Cat, you had me worried!"
Cat sweatdropped and Kay stomped on Jounouchi's foot.
"Idiot." She grumbled. "What are you saying? Cat did very well!"
"I couldn't afford to waste any time. I have to find the Pharaoh! And we also have to help stop this Dark Being!" Yugi said and smiled at Cat. "Cat's duel was pretty impressive. Let's keep this up, guys!"
"Bravo!" The employee clapped. "Please feel free to board the train."
The four smiled at each other and nodded before they entered the train. Little did they know though, that they were being followed.
A dark looking man with gray skin and black hair stepped up. He had small eyes, black lips and a large chin. He wore a purple hat and a purple trench coat and outfit. Regardless, he was a very large man.
"Hee hee hee...I've found them. " The dark man chuckled before entering the train.
Alright! First chapter is done! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! :D
See you next chapter!
