(A/N) Alright! Here we've got part two of Insector combo. Sorry I took so long to post; I also ended up hitting a small bit of writer's block when all the madness of December died down. Not that ideas weren't coming (if anything they were pouring out of my skull like a broken gumball machine) I just didn't have the motivation to actually write… so to remedy it I made a bit of a short story featuring Salto to get back into the groove. It worked!

Although I decided to go a bit back on my word and post a second piece instead of the whole other half of Insector Combo, that way you have something to read while I work on the next two chapters.

After this I may shorten the duel scenes to make things a little easier on my end, just narrating what happens in the episodes is a little grating and I want to get more in depth with character interaction and how to make everything flow. Still working on that, but hopefully soon I'll get better.

I also wanted to thank USN Pen for being the first to leave a review and for how kind they were in it! I really appreciated their comments and honestly it made my whole week, like, sixteen times better. Thanks everyone for following and I hope you enjoy the next chapter! :D

Chapter 4

Insector Combo (Pt. 2)

…

When the ground began to shudder and rumble ominously beneath their feet Salto initially thought it was a well-timed earthquake. However, something was clearly fucking wrong about that. She felt earthquake tremors before and they were vastly different from these vibrations. The ground did not move side to side or up and down like it should! It did not quake with power but hummed noisily with action, lacking everything she knew about the tectonic plates! Everyone else seemed to recognize the difference too, not immediately jumping to shout "Earthquake!" at the top of their lungs and delve into panic. Thank the gods for that, a mass panic is the last thing all the island adventurers could possibly need!

If the earth were to split open and swallow them up while trying to play a children's card game, how tragic would that be?

Instead of crying out in fear and giving any great satisfaction to the chuckling dickshit, the little squad glanced around and took steps that pulled them all closer. Banding together in preparation for whatever was coming was something familiar, though she had never been in a situation like that before. The subtle acts of trust between the other teens made Salto's heart warm even as she waited with baited breath for some trouble to arise from the earth. Although that warmth could have just been heartburn.

Green hues searched the dirt and the grass for answers, finding them when sparkling seams in the earth began to surface. Was this part of the trap? Taking a peek at her smallest companion, Salto noted he like the rest of them was not directly in any sort of peril. None of those seams opened up beneath their fucking feet, but in the middle of the clearing. That was another lucky break, she surmised.

The new Yugi's dark eyes narrowed similarly to hers and the smirk he wore slipped away. The very visage of control faltering under the unknown factors so suddenly appearing before him. Yet she didn't feel like she was in danger, as though his presence was enough to protect them.

The calmness of the trio behind her and her own lack of fight instinct rearing its head suggested… perhaps that was true? Because Odin knows if Salto were alone with the creep, she'd be fuckin shitting her pants right now. While jamming Haga's nose into his brain and demanding he stopped using his 'mysterious terra-kinetic powers' or she'd gladly do worse.

The eventual oil slicked whirring of machinery didn't necessarily prove any suspicions of hers, besides the absolutely dramatic moment not being an act of nature.

A long, wide hole opened up in the ground revealing metal walls and a seemingly bottomless pit. From that pit emerged some kind of rink, a big, red, boxy looking thing. It clanked into place when it held up completely and whirred as pieces and mechanics continued to shift inside. Two strange pillars emerged on each opposing end of the stage, sliding forward into place so they hovered diagonally above what Salto decided to describe as a dance floor. A small, thin lift popped out from those diagonally suspended pillars, a metal handrail placed on the end. It was difficult for her to think of an accurate description for it all, too much going on at once.

The American hummed, analyzing the big box of mysteries with a wary eye. This entire structure looked like it had nothing to do with a card game minus the rectangular spaces on the top. If anything, it really looked more like a stage!

Salto imagined some rock band emerging from the box's bottom. The idea of these fantasy musicians playing some sick guitar riffs while two Duelists aggressively flipped cards at each other almost made her smile.

But as there was no band to accompany this thing, she just felt cheated.

The only other things that came along were four other poles with odd attachments popped up on all corners and shimmered brightly for a moment before simply fading to gray. It reminded her of something she'd heard of… but never seen in person. Ever. So this shot in the dark wasn't too wild considering she didn't really have a concept on just what this was supposed to be.

The only words Haga declared next that she could understand were "Dueling Ring" but that didn't quite answer Salto's questions. Jonouchi didn't have anything else to offer either, only asking rhetorically if those things were set up all over the island and receiving no direct answer. Matters needed to be taken into her own hand again if she wanted to know anything.

"Is this… some kind of giant hologram pad?"

Salto asked, brows furrowing in thought. Yugi, that strange boy, cast her a sideways glance and nodded. In return, she cast him an equally surreptitious look of her own, searching him a trace of mirth to indicate that was a joke. When their unique eyes, a pair of unsaturated and a pair of vibrant hues locked gazes, she found nothing of the sort. Salto barely resisted the urge to flinch, to look away… Largely due to the fact she couldn't bear to see how futile the fight would be if she ever tried to rise up to his eyelash game. Maybelline couldn't do that shit! Or maybe it could? Who fucking knew?

And really, she wasn't exactly exaggerating that note. If her dear translator had actually accompanied her Salto knew for a fact they would've been equally prone to ogling his grandeur

But in all truth, the rambling about eyelashes was a distraction. Here she simply avoided thinking too much about the red tinge creeping into Yugi's irises, the sight of it making her stomach twist anxiously as words of old lore danced gleefully in the back of her mind.

The wonder she felt watching this was overpowering… and she couldn't help but continue to search him. What else could she see? It was like some weird game of eye spy…

Salto finally noticed that besides Yugi's appearance changing in the blink of an eye, he still didn't say a single word to anyone. It'd only been a few seconds of facing each other, but empty nothingness filled the air between them.

His voice, the one that became strong and commanding in an instant, was nowhere to be heard.

Silent as a grave, he too seemed to be taking the sight of her in. A calm, calculated, mild curiosity was all she could decipher as his eyes strayed from hers and took in the contours of her face. His eyes narrowed for a moment as though a strange thought crossed his mind. Salto figured she must've been making a similar expression.

Salto realized with mixed feelings that between the two of them was an odd kind of mutual observation. Each scanned the other for less than a moment yet it seemed to drag on eternally, lost in their own world. Salto's eyes openly intrigued whereas he, like a murderer in questioning, contained everything behind the most unyielding poker face.

The only oddness was that red in the iris… eerie for sure, but it could just be explained as a… a trick of the light. If Salto had met this version of Yugi first, she probably would've believed this to be his normal self. He passed as another human being. Something about him was bothering her. But what was it?

... Perhaps the biggest difference she found now was how she could suddenly see a young man instead of a boy?

Still, Salto wasn't sure how to behave around this alter ego… if he could be called that. For all she knew this was just a side of Yugi only brought out when challenged- his gaming persona… Maybe she was just jumping to conclusions. Eh, no, her gut said otherwise. Or what she thought other people described as the gut feeling.

She uh, she figured she might just keep quiet about the all this weirdness for now. Flicking her gaze back towards the group, none of them seemed to have noticed the change nor the seconds spent in silence. They were still observing the big box, taking it in with slightly ajar mouths and wide eyes. Not even Haga had complained, as he appeared to be making his way towards the lift.

'Weird… but… okay. This must be pretty common if they don't have seem to notice it. If the Yugi I know- or at least recognize returns, I might ask if he knows about... Him. Himself. Whatever this guy might be.' It was too similar to something she had only heard about from her parents. If that wasn't the case it could easily be some psychological thing the kid had going on.

Unfortunately, for those with any secrets to hide, Salto was as curious as a cat whenever something new presented itself. Especially when it came to one of her favorite subjects to study.

"That's surprising," She commented, smiling cheekily as she turned to face him fully. "Because that looks more like a dance floor to me. It's got the lights and everything!"

To her dismay, the young man only blinked at her mirth. It seemed like it took him an extra moment to understand- no, more like to comprehend what she said. He had the slightest frown and obviously waiting for her to continue to explain- at least going by that expectant look on his face. Which she hadn't exactly intended on doing because she'd thought he'd just kinda… get it... As the silence stretched on the joke seemed to have fallen flat on its face.

Embarrassed, her smile faltered into something sheepish, an apology already at the tip of her tongue as an unwelcome tickle of fear disheartened her. While strong, bold, and brave, even she endures the struggles of anxiety. Sometimes she has it bad.

Luckily, something seemed to stir recognition in him for his eyes suddenly brightened with understanding. He looked back to the Dueling Ring/Hologram pad and seemed to agree with her statement, at least going by the small nod he gave it. If she wasn't mistaken Salto would think his lips had quirked up in the slightest little smirk! 'Yes! Good!'

That immediately made eased her anxiety, the taller teen perking up in unrestrained delight. Why so much need to please this- this random person and his friends? Well, Salto aims high even in jest, what can she say?

Truthfully … she didn't have too many friends of her own. This was a nice change for her, being able to talk to people- new people- and get to know them without being judged for the way she'd lived her life. It felt good to be friendly and unguarded with people who seemed happy to have her around- sailor's tongue and all.

No, she refused to rely on them for anything other than companionship. She refused to be all needy, clingy, and dependent on a clique that wasn't hers. But if she could make new friends (and she WAS making new friends which was the big thing) and maybe even join their ranks- did it not require a little effort to at least reach out to them? Seriously, she is asking.

How does one make a friend?

"Well, whoop some ass for us, will ya? Little punk needs to know nothing's truly set in stone, especially not a status." Salto grinned, resisting the urge ask thousands of questions she didn't even have formulated yet. The boy blinked once more, likely surprised by her candidness if that odd flicker in his eyes was anything to go by. Nonetheless! He smiled politely in return, dark eyes glittering in muted amusement. Everything about him was so restrained- would he ever be able to let anything freely go?

The new Yugi broke the staring contest they were holding and strode evenly towards the lift Haga had not chosen to mount. His pace had the puzzle bumping softly against his belly and she watched it bob once, twice, thrice, before shaking her head to clear it. Salto sighed in relief now that his damningly intense presence was gone. As much as she enjoyed studying another person, being studied with equal scrutiny was startling.

Little did she know, this 'New Yugi' was just as relieved she hadn't called anything out. Yugi and the Spirit of the Puzzle had yet to explain to his friends that they were really two separate people in one body… not just a side of Yugi brought out during intense card games. Well, it was semi-true, the Spirit only came out during card games or dangerous scenarios Yugi alone could not handle. Which often times had to do with card games or bullying- anything that stressed his partner out more than needed.

Salto couldn't help but think that he certainly was a mystery… though she realized that despite being pretty damn spooky, He didn't feel like a danger. Quite the opposite really! So… she guessed she had to admit, being a mystery didn't necessarily mean a bad thing. The girl felt safe enough in his company, though no less eager to protect Him despite Him not being quite the same person from the ship.

Now, here is something important to note. Salto Enright, clever as she is, is not the sharpest tool in the shed. She's not particularly cunning or intelligent, hell, she isn't even that great a student! So how, out of everyone, is she able to pick up on the fact that the Yugi Mutou who threw himself into the water with her is not the same Yugi standing on that lift?

It's because they're both people, and Salto Enright can read people better than books.

As the two Duelists wrought with bad-blood met at the tops of their pillars, they began some kind of negotiation between each other but this time in Japanese, the spiky haired Duelist seeming to forget all about a certain someone's hitch. Not particularly bothered by this, the American teen did her best to pick apart the body language between them. But it was amazingly difficult to get an accurate read on the new Yugi. The boy didn't just have a poker face. He had a whole poker persona! Shit, this was harder than she thought it'd be just a moment ago. Still she tried to decipher their verbal and non-verbal languages to little avail. Her thoughts were quickly tangling worse than earbuds in a pocket.

' Okay so… Something to do with Star Chips, they're flashing them. And… Wait, why is Yugi holding up his deck? By holding it up, he's able to see the bottom card. By the rules of the tournaments back home, that means a mandatory reshuffling!' But since nobody seemed to find it particularly alarming, she kept her mouth shut about it. No reason to give her new friend a possible disadvantage. 'Uh, okay, let's just ignore that. Uh… shit. I have no idea what's going on anymore. I'm lost as fuck.'

Salto realized this was going to be a huge fucking bother if she couldn't understand what was going on. At least, when Yugi and the little shit neglected the use of English.

Reluctantly, she forced herself to acknowledge it was necessary to ask for some help. There were many things she hated more than merely asking for help, but that didn't mean she was even close to comfortable when needing to do it.

Begrudgingly and sheepishly ducking her head, the American turned to the only other girl in the party who seemed the most understanding and unwittingly compliant. Maybe she wouldn't be so offset by asking someone like Anzu, who seemed all too willing to help

"Anzu," She started, glad for the lack of stutter that tried sneaking itself into her words. "I don't know if this is too much to ask but… could you translate what they say for me? I can't understand them very well but I'd like to be able to keep up on the duel." Her words were barely louder than a mumble yet somehow the other girl and her male companions seemed to hear her perfectly.

The shorter girl smiled kindly and nodded, voice light and chipper in a way Salto would probably never manage on her brightest of days. "Of course! I wouldn't mind at all!" The duel started above them, and the squad on the ground paused to proclaim their encouragements to Yugi.

Anzu wouldn't have declined out of the sheer goodness of her heart, but something about Salto called out to her. The other two teens, Honda and Jonouchi, immediately jumped on board with simultaneous agreements of their own.

"We'd be glad to help!"

"You can count on us!"

Even if the acts were small, Salto was immensely grateful for their help. She, the taller female of the group, smiled brightly at them in return. No words to thank them came to her lips, so she thanked them with her brightening eyes.

The thought that she didn't deserve to become friends with people so pure hearted was smacked away with a mental tennis racket, launched into space quick as it came.

Behind them came the sound of rustling leaves, Salto's keen ears seeming to twitch in response as she turned her sharp gaze towards the tree line. Another group of Japanese teens approached the edge of the clearing, the gang recognizing them as the same nondescript people she'd seen on the boat. They looked surprised by the Dueling platform but one of them turned and called something out to other Duelists deeper inside the woods.

Salto couldn't help but wonder… Why were they in the woods anyways? There were paths all over the island for them to use… but then again who was she to judge when she'd have roamed around on her own just the same?

Whatever they said pulled a pleased hum from Joey, the blond boy taking it upon himself to play it big. "That's Yugi Mutou, the duelist who defeated Kaiba." He announced, smirking at the newcomers. "I'm his best friend Jonouchi Katsuya, and these are our merry sidekicks!" Jonouchi gestured to his friends with a playful grin instead, and for whatever reason the two seemed to find this cover odd enough to stumble over themselves in surprise. Jonouchi said nothing for her and Salto made no effort to keep herself out of anonymity. Although noticing their attention was hooked on the elite duelists she found it more comfortable, at least now that eerie whispers no longer tickled her ears.

Being present on the ground made her just another spectator, and all the focus the other people had was on the game.

They finished conversing just in time for the standoff between Haga's oversized wasp and Yugi's skeleton mammoth. The cards were summoned in a shimmering light with a peculiar, warbling noise. They both looked ridiculously realistic when they stood and hovered above the field. Despite them being nothing more than 3D holograms- Salto was impressed!

The skeleton mammoth charged at Yugi's shout, "Battle!" responding to his cry with an ear splitting trumpet that reverberated in Salto's chest- making it feel as though the beast were truly alive (as alive as a skeleton could get) rather than a mere hologram braying through million dollar speakers. Well, however much they cost it was worth it!

Tusks going on either side of the waspy creature's body, the mammoth rammed the insect with its big blocky head. A resounding and slightly sickening crack lashes through the air like a lightning strike as the bare skull ever so ungently touched the thorax at full force.

Anzu couldn't narrate what Yugi said next, too shocked when the mammoth shattered into thousands of little shards of light and the insect remained in place. Honda and Joey both watched in surprise, confused without a doubt as to why Haga seemed to have an unexpected advantage. Luckily, Salto didn't quite need an explanation for that.

Salto frowned and scanned the scoreboards on each side of the Dueling Ring, then looked to the insect. Everyone else seemed surprised too. The wasp should've been destroyed as well! Both of the monsters were equal in attack points… Even with the field bonuses she figured might be applied to them. After all, this was a forest and wasteland zone! Perfect, she'd assumed, for both types of card.

She returned a steady yet confused gaze to Yugi, seeking answers he might provide. His face seemed frozen in surprise and his faltering façade seemed to terrify the squad. As Haga blabbered on about something, gloating about how Pegasus told only him the rules (thank you Anzu!) Salto reminded herself that the first play does not control the whole duel.

Her patience paid off when Haga grew cocky; she caught the new Yugi smirking in satisfaction at his opponent. He knew this too, and it seemed like the game agreed with him as cracks began to form like blisters on the insect's holographic body. Haga cried out in alarm as his insect was destroyed- exploding in a shower of light shards. It seemed like he failed to realize he wasn't the only lucky bug in the world!

Yugi announced his awareness of the new rule on environment bonuses, beginning a fine roast of the other kid as he explained how he knew.

While mildly embarrassed she hadn't mentioned her own theories on the island, she was glad Yugi had been clever enough to figure it out on his own. Or perhaps more accurately both of them had been clever enough to figure it out. The Yugi she'd jogged alongside had been deep in thought before and the one she'd seen here had worn a similar look. Both of them, she pondered, may have figured it out individually or found the answer together.

Haga laughed in a bizarre fashion, speaking loud and brazen as he tried flaunting how dangerous an opponent he was supposed to be. That much was obvious and predictable, so translation wasn't quite needed.

Anzu smiled widely and shouted some other words of encouragement, Joey right behind her as they wished for a quick win.

Uneasiness settling in the pit of her stomach at the sight of Hercules Beetle, Feral imp's unicorn horn did nothing to make her feel better. The brunette nibbled nervously on her index finger, hoping that Yugi wouldn't attack and guard his life points instead.

He did attack though, and the electricity did absolutely nothing to take down the beetle. Feral Imp was destroyed much to the delight of a certain dickwad and to Salto's dismay. She sighed through her nose but didn't deem the fight a lost cause. The fight was only getting started and surely there was still much to do!

Haga continued his boasting and placing monster cards down on the field. Yugi seemed to be put on the defensive pretty quickly afterwards. As the squad began to panic and yet another of Yugi's cards were destroyed the taller girl simply sat down and leaned back on the grass, long legs crossed one over the other. The American just couldn't picture the dark eyed boy losing to someone so snotty, and she had faith that he could pull through.

"If Yugi doesn't do something he'll have to face more and more enemies!" Anzu was fretting, no, panicking. Panicking far more than someone worried about losing reputation would be. Right?

Salto frowned in concern at the other brunette and tucked the thought away. Before she could say anything, the only blond in the group spoke first.

"Yeah, but Yugi is prevented from attacking!" Joey grimaced, making it clear there was no possible direct actions to anyone who needed clarification.

Salto raised a brow, a pale eye watching the teens carefully. "Who said he actually has to do anything?" She countered, purposefully keeping her voice low and words vague for the sake of theatrics. And also to make sure Haga doesn't overhear her and shifting his methods. Luckily her theatrics didn't make them scoff but instead got them thinking.

Surprised at her statement, the trio looked confusedly to her but she returned her gaze to Yugi's seemingly empty field.

"Sometimes the best effort is no effort at all."

(A/N) Thank you for reading this far! Please leave a review if you read something you liked this chapter or if you have a critique for me! Either way I'll be happy! Hope y'all have a wonderful day. :D