Hello everyone my name is Dustinhogan83 and welcome back to Dustin's Journey in Duelist Kingdom.

I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! at all. I only own my two main characters, Dustin and Cedric.

"Talking"

YELLING

Thinking

[Monster Database]

Flashback

Chapter 3. The Journey Begins

It's late afternoon. The clock on the front of the school building reads 4:30 pm. Yugi and I stand at the edge of the rooftop, Yugi had his hand leaning against the chain-link fence, as he watches the sun set over the city, alone.

Yugi: 'How did I get into this mess? I can't believe that grandpa's actually gone.'

Dustin: 'Dammit! It should've been me. I feel really bad for Yugi.' I had sad eyes as I looked into the horizon.

Yugi (think): 'One minute he's right beside us, and the next? Pegasus shows up and uses some kind of weird magic to steal his soul away! But why? What could Pegasus possibly want with me and Dustin? And could it have something to do with my Millennium Puzzle and Dustin's Gauntlet of Wdjat?' The shadows grow longer as we stand on the rooftop, completely alone and very small.

Dustin: "Yugi, I'm really sorry about Mr. Muto. If I haven't acted fast enough I would've beaten Pegasus." I said feeling really down as tears fell down my face.

Yugi: "Its not your fault buddy. Don't blame yourself for what happened?." Yugi said as he patted my back.

Dustin: "But still! It should've been me that Pegasus took. Mr. Muto did nothing to deserve that." I said as Yugi then hugged me. I was stunned at first but I accepted it. After a good minute we separated.

Yugi: "Don't worry. We'll get grandpa back! We'll beat Pegasus at his own game! ... Whatever that is." Yugi said as I nodded.

Dustin: "Thank Yugi. I needed that pep talk." I said with a smile on my face.

No POV

Elsewhere in the city, a can idly clanks along the sidewalk past a parked bike. Indoors nearby, the waning sun is visible through Joey's window, as he holds a videotape in his hand.

Joey: "Wonder who this is from?" Joey said as he puts the tape in the VCR in front of him and the TV statics for a moment before revealing the face of a girl a few years younger than Joey, delicate and kind, with back-length red hair and big brown eyes.

Girl: "Hey there, big brother, how've you been? I really miss you."

Joey: "Serenity?" Joey asked with wide eyes.

The girl named Serenity laughs, though her cheer seems slightly forced. Joey listens in stunned silence.

Video Serenity: "I can't believe it's been six years since we've seen each other. I'll never forget the day mom took me to live with her..."

Flashback

A young, tiny Serenity screams and cries out a car window as young Joey runs after it, but can't catch up.

Serenity: Joey!

Joey: Serenity! Don't go! ... Wait...!

Serenity: Joey!

End Flashback

Serenity: "I'm sending you this video just so you don't forget your little sister's face. It seems like I'm running out of time... I was hoping to see you once more, before... " Serenity couldn't finish as her eyes have grown sadder as she spoke, and tears form at the edges.

Serenity: "Well, um, you understand. Bubye, brother."

Joey: "Run outta time?! It can't be!" Joey whispers, horrified

Serenity: "So long, take care, Joey." The TV shows only static again. Joey can only see his own reflection in the glass. He looks like he's trying not to cry himself.

Joey: "Ah...! Serenity...!"

***Later***

It's nearly dark when Yugi returns home to the game shop. He finds an envelope wedged in the door.

Yugi: "Huh? What's this?" He picks it up and opens it; it contains five cards.

Yugi: "It's from Pegasus!" Yugi said silently as he takes out one of the cards and looks at it. The card contains an image of a castle on an island.

Yugi: "It's an invitation to the tournament at Duelist Kingdom!"

Dustin's POV

I was in my room reading a book when a knock came to my door.

Dustin: "Come in." I said as the door opened and my parents came in with a smile on their faces.

Dustin: "Hey! What's with the smiles?" I asked with a raised brow.

Mom: "You got a letter from Industrial Illusion." Mom said giving me the envelope.

Dustin: "What?" I said as I opened it and it revealed five cards.

Dustin: 'It's from Pegasus!' I thought as I take out one of the cards and looked at it. The card contains an image of a castle on an island.

(Timeskip)

It was morning, at school. Tristan's pulled up a chair to the other side of Yugi's desk, and Joey and Téa are looking over their shoulders while I sat next to Yugi; the cards from the envelope are laid out on the desk.

Téa: "A tournament at Duelist Kingdom? Isn't that an island?"

Joey: "So, that's where Pegasus is, keepin' your grandpa."

Yugi : "Maybe. The only way for sure is to become a contestant."

Dustin: "The boat's going to be leaving in two days." I said while looking at another card; it depicts an old-fashioned wooden sailing ship with three towering masts and countless sails, beneath a crescent moon.

Téa: "But you guys can't go! It could be dangerous!"

Yugi: "We have to go. It's the only clue we have for rescuing grandpa."

Dustin: "And no matter what happens Yugster, I'll be there with all"

Tristan: "I still can't believe it! Pegasus used some kind of weird spell to grab your grandpa's soul away! And now he's toying with you guys, forcing you to duel in the tournament!" Tristan said as we see the five cards: the ship and the island castle are there, along with a card that depicts a luxurious pile of gold, a card that depicts a dark red glove and stars, and a fifth card whose image is blank white.

Joey: "Right, and without invitations, we can't even go there with you two! I wish we could help ya, pal..." Joey said as they go silent a moment; all four are somber and serious.

Téa: "This is bad..."

Tristan: "Huh- hey! Guys!" Tristan picks up two of the cards. "Check this out. According to this card... the tournament winner takes the grand prize of three million dollars!" Tristan shows Yugi and me the card with the pile of treasure on it.

Dustin: "Holy crap!" I said with wide eyes.

Joey: "Three mil?"

Yugi: "So what, Tristan? Who cares about money at a time like this?"

Joey: "Hey- gimme that!" Joey swipes the card from Tristan and looks closer, excited and hopeful.

Joey: "Hah, three million...!"

Yugi: "Guess Joey does..." Yugi said puzzled and a little hurt.

Dustin: "Come on. Knowing Joey, he ain't that greedy. I'm sure he's planning on winning it for something good." I said as I know joey well.

Joey: "Three million, in cold cash...!"

***Later***

It sunset but even cloudier and more beautiful than the last. Joey sits on the ground, back against a building on the roof of the school, watching the sun go down, lost in thought. Yugi and I joins him.

Yugi: "Joey? What're you doing up here?"

Joey: "Huh?"

Dustin: "What's with you dude?"

Joey looks back out at the sunset and we follows his gaze.

Joey: "Ah, nothin'. I'm just thinkin' about a whole lot a' stuff. Yugi- you do know that I care about your gramps, right? I mean, he taught me about the Heart a' the Cards!" Joey said as Yugi and I turn back to face him.

Yugi: "Of course I know."

Dustin: "I care about him as much as you and the others do. He's like family to me."

Joey: "I mean it! One way or another I'll help you guys beat Pegasus!" We walk over and sits down next to Joey on the ground.

Yugi: "That really means a lot to me, Joey. I'm glad we're friends."

Dustin: "Damn straight."

Joey: "Remember the first time we met?"

Yugi: "I'll never forget it! It was all because of the Millennium Puzzle."

Dustin: "I remember it like it was yesterday."

Flashback.

A gold box containing sparkling golden Puzzle pieces. Téa and I watched Yugi light up as he shows her the box and tells her about it. The pieces scattered on a table, Yugi begins to piece it together, enchanted and overjoyed, as the box and its pieces seem to glow with an inner sparkle. Piece by piece, it begins to come together.

Yugi: The way Grandpa explained it to me, the Puzzle was originally found in some Egyptian ruins. My grandpa gave it to me and kind of dared me to solve it. It was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen! As soon as I touched it, I knew it was special. I made a wish on the Puzzle. I asked it to give me a real friend, and I think the Puzzle came through for me. That was when me and Dustin met up with you and Tristan.

Dustin: "Although, you sure didn't act like our friends at first."

Joey and Tristan smirk meanly, easily keeping the smaller Yugi at arm's reach. Tristan's holding the Puzzle box, and Joey's waving tauntingly at Yugi. I eventually got it but Tristan had me in a headlock.

Joey: "Hah! You mean, when we were playin' keep away with the Millennium Puzzle? It was for you, man! We just wanted to toughen ya up so you could stand up to the real bullies."

Yugi sits on the ground beside a desk, the Puzzle's box and several pieces scattered on the floor around him.

Joey: "We were only teasin' ya."

Joey, looking mischievous and not very nice, has the center piece of the Puzzle in his hand. He clenches it in his fist, turns, and flings it from the second-story window behind him, straight into the water across the street.

Dustin: "Teasing my ass!"

Yugi: "You took a piece of the Millennium Puzzle and *threw it out the window!* And *I* was the one that tried to help *you* guys out when that bully picked on you!

Joey and Tristan look up at a huge, mean guy. They don't stand a chance. They're half-beaten-up at his feet, cornered and in deep trouble.

Joey: "He was a mean one, all right..."

Dustin: "You got that right."

Tristan: "What do we do?"

Joey:" Ssh."

The bully looks behind him as Yugi and I appear on the scene.

Bully: "Well look what just showed up, it's little Yugi and his four eyed lackey! Just in time to watch me mop the floor with these guys!"

Yugi: "Get back! Leave them alone!"

Bully: Who's gonna stop me, a little shrimp like you and string bean? I don't think so- get lost!

Yugi and I stands between the gigantic bully and Joey and Tristan, even though he doesn't stand even as tall as the giant's elbow. And he's very very scared, but not about to let that stop him.

Yugi: We won't let you! These guys're our friends!

Joey: Huh...?!

Dustin: "Then why you don't you pick on me you damn dirty ape!" I said making the bully mad.

Bully: "Heheheheh! Okay, tough guy- you jumped to the head a' the line!"

***Later***

Me and Yugi staring down the bully that just creamed Joey and Tristan together

Bully: "Heheheheheh... say your prayers, ya runt!" I then managed to put the guy in in chokehold.

Dustin: "Don't forget about me bastard!" I said with a sinister smirk.

I managed to beat the tar out of the bully barely without a scratch, but Yugi got beat up pretty well. He opens one eye and looks up at me, a look of concern plastered on my face. Joey and Tristan have incredulously watched the whole thing.

Joey: "You guys stood up for us. I'll never forget that. Because a' you two, we got that moron expelled. And Tristan and I learned what it was like to have a true friend."

Later at night, Joey climbs a ladder into the water the Puzzle piece fell into. Sopping wet, he returns with the lost piece.

Yugi: "Well at least you retrieved the lost Puzzle piece; if you hadn't done that, I could never have solved the Millennium Puzzle!"

Joey: "I want to apologize, fellas, I've been acting like a real jerk."

Yugi: "Oh"...were you acting?" Yugi said with a smirk. Joey laughed at that.

Joey: "Guess I deserved that one! You ask me, I think Tristan and I may've underestimated you two."

Yugi and Dustin: "Huh?"

Joey: "Y'know, Yugi, you and Dustin are tougher than I ever gave you credit for. Maybe we should hang out more often- whaddaya say?"

Yugi (nods): "Mmm."

Dustin: "I'd like that dude."

Yugi: "You sure did a number on that guy. And you barely got hit."

Joey: "Yeah! Pretty ballsy of ya' man. What's your secret?"

Dustin: "Well I'm not one to brag, but I used to take kick boxing classes."

End Flashback

Dustin: "Yeah! I suppose those kick boxing lessons came in handy. I did get grounded for a week when i told my parents, but it was worth it."

Joey: "The truth a' the matter is, you're the best friends I've ever had."

Yugi: "Yeah...! It's too bad you can't go with us to rescue grandpa."

Joey: "Don' worry, somehow, someway, I promise; we'll do it, together."

Yugi: "Ah..! Together?"

Joey: "Heh, you bet! We're a team, Yugi."

Dustin: "Damn straight!"

Yugi: "But how can you go without an invitation?"

Joey: "Hmmm..."

***Later***

We were at the docks where a huge cruise ship is docked.

Kemo: "Attention all duelists. Welcome to this event sponsored by Industrial Illusions!"

There was one hell of a crowd, at least fifty-nine competitors and bystanders were gathered before the ship, listening.

Kemo: "You received with your invitation the star chips that will grant you entry into the contest. You are all elite, invited by us after close observation of your past Duel Monsters contests. You each have a fair and equal chance to win. It all comes down to how well you've chosen your cards, and how well you play. Now, then, duelists, cross the ocean, and enter the Duelist Kingdom!

Somewhere in the crowd, Yugi and I listening eagerly.

The tournament officials have a table set up at the gangplank. Duelists walk past it, showing the suited officials their star chips.

It was a long single-file line to get onboard, guarded in back by two more officials. The two guards hear another of their number shouting.

Thug: "Hey you! get outta here, only official contestants are allowed onboard!"

Joey: "How d'you know I'm not official?"

The contestants in line start to crane their necks to see what's happening, especially me and Yugi; we recognizes that voice!

Thug: "Because the official duelists aren't trying to sneak onboard through the lower hatches!"

Joey comes into view, two of the black-suited tournament officials dragging him by the arms. Yugi gets out of line and hurries over

Yugi: "Joey?! What the!"

Dustin: "Really Wheeler?"

Thug #2: "Stop your struggling! We're gonna have to throw you out!"

Joey: "No way, I came here to duel, and I'm gonna duel!"

Yugi: "Leave him alone."

Joey: Hey, guys!

Yugi: "Joey."

Dustin: "What're you doing here, man?"

Joey: "Hahah. Didja really think I'd let ya two do this on your own? C'mon, help me out."

We smile; leave it to Joey to get himself into trouble, but we were glad not to be leaving for Duelist Kingdom alone.

***Meanwhile***

Tristan and Téa are hiding behind a crate somewhere near the cruise ship, listening to a dock worker help a crane lift crates onboard

Worker: "All right, there, bring it up, bring it up..."

Téa: "They're distracted. Let's go."

Tristan: "Right."

Dustin's POV

Dustin: "Now wait just a minute there gentleman!"

Yugi: "He's with us. Ya gotta let him on. "

Man in black #1- "Only people with a star chip can get onboard! There are no exceptions, understand?"

Yugi: "But Joey has a star chip. Didn't he tell you?"

Joey: "I do?"

I hold out my fist, and place one in Joey's palm.

Dustin: "See?"

Joey: "What's this?" Yugi shows him the invitation card with the glove and stars

Yugi: "According to this card, a star chip's proof that one is a duelist."

Dustin: "So that proves Joey here is qualified."

Man in black #2 "Hmph. That may be, but all participants are given two star chips. You'll be at a disadvantage."

Yugi: "Maybe."

Dustin: "But we'd rather take that risk than be without our friend when we get to the Duelist Kingdom. We need 'im.

Yugi: "He's right. And we know Joey would do the same for us."

Joey is astonished and honored at what we just done.

Joey: "Guys...!"

One thug turns to the other

Thug #1: "What do we do?"

(The other one is already dialing a cell phone)

Thug #2: "Mister Pegasus? We've got a problem, sir."

***With Tristan and Téa***

Another crate gets lifted onto the ship, this one containing Tristan and Téa.

Téa: "Whoa!"

Tristan: "Sssh!"

Téa: "Don't you shush me, Tristan!"

Tristan: "Pipe down!" Tristan whispers.

Dustin's POV

Steam gushes from the smokestacks and the ship begins to move. Me, Yugi and Joey stand at the railing.

Yugi: "I'm glad they let you onboard, Joey."

Joey: "Only because you both sacrificed one a' your star chips for me."

Dustin: "Hey you would've done the same for us my man."

A blonde woman in the crowd of duelists walks by and chances to hear them.

Joey: "But if any of the other players find out you two only have one star chip each, they could really try to take advantage of you guys.

Yugi: "Then be quiet about it." Yugi said with a low his voice.

Dustin: "Agreed. No doubt there will be some sleaze bags out there who'll do anything to get them." I said with an equally low tone.

The lady duelist in the crowd smiles, seeing an advantage to exploit.

***Later***

As the boat leaves the harbor and the lights of the city behind, Me, Yugi and Joey are standing at the railing where we left them.

Joey: "Kinda exciting, isn't it, Yugi?"

Yugi: "Yeah!"

Dustin: "Ah! I've always wanted to be on a cruise. Nothing like the smell of the salty sea air, the sounds of the waves and sea fowl if I do say so myself." I said relaxed.

Blonde woman: "Well what do we have here!" We turn and look at a blonde female duelist in a purple jacket over a white corset, a purple miniskirt, and high-heeled boots; she's already wearing the dark red dueling glove on her right hand, and she has a bag slung over her shoulder. This lady was drop dead gorgeous.

Dustin and Yugi: "Huh?"

Joey: "Wow!" Joey's eyes all but fall out of his head at the sight of her.

Blonde woman: "So, you're the Yugi and Dustin kids everybody's talking about, huh?"

Joey: "Whoa-ho! Check it out!"

Mai ignores Joey and walks a few steps to lean over me and Yugi.

Blonde woman: "But I'm amazed that a squirt and string bean like you two could beat Kaiba and Cedric. You two are famous, ya know."

Yugi is unnerved at her forwardness

Yugi: "Uh, thanks very much, I- think."

Dustin: "I see our reputation precedes us." I said a bit bashful.

Joey: "Hey, miss, I'm a really good friend a' the famous Yug and Dustin, the master duelists. In fact-

Blonde woman: "Look. You're either a champ or a chump; cut this guy loose. He's fashion-challenged and deserves to be crushed in the games." The lady said as she walks away.

Joey: "Please, crush me!" She looks over her shoulder.

Mai: "I'll crush you all, eventually. The name's Mai." She said as she walks off.

Dustin: "I've already got a bad feeling about this chick." I said with narrowed eyes.

***With Tea and Tristan***

Téa and Tristan are hiding behind a nearby building and some crates. They watch the duelists go inside.

Téa: "How arrogant! There's nobody better at playing Duel Monsters than Yugi! And Dustin's no slouch either."

Tristan: "Shh! Quiet! They'll hear you!"

Téa: "I don't care, they're still the best!"

Dustin's POV

Inside, a few suited thugs and some other duelists stop chattering and look; there's a commotion. One of the thugs hurries into the next room to back up his friend, who's being shouted at by Joey. Yugi and I tried to tell him to let it go.

Joey: "Hey! Is this a joke or what?! This is a luxury cruiser; I know you got better rooms somewhere!"

The other thug arrives and the two of them pin Joey's arms behind his back. We notice Rex Raptor standing in the doorway watching, while duelists in lofts with cubbies on other side of the walkway are also spectators to the kerfuffle.

Thug #1: "You again?!"

Thug #2: "We cut you a break, and now you're causing more trouble?"

Thug: #1: "D'you wanna get thrown outta here?"

Weevil Underwood joins Rex in the doorway

Weevil: "Huh? Hey- aren't you two Yugi and Dustin?"

We turns, and Joey and the thugs are distracted

Yugi: "Huh? Yeah! And you're…"

Joey: Weevil! And Rex the Dino Duelist!

Dustin: "No freakin' way!" I said wide eyes.

Rex: "Heh! You're wastin' your time with those guys. The private rooms only go to finalists from the last championship, like us."

Yugi: "Congratulations on winning the Regionals, Weevil!"

Weevil: "It was nothing."

Dustin: "Its an honor to met a fellow insect fanatic." I said with a smile.

Rex: "Yeah, I went easy on 'im- that time."

Joey breaks free of the thugs, who also let him go

Joey: "Yeah? Well this time Yugi, Dustin an' I are gonna take the tournament! Right, Yugi?

Dustin: "Oh yes! Definitely!" I said with a nod.

Weevil: "To tell you the truth, winning the last championship didn't feel like that much of an achievement; I guess I can't really call myself the champion until I defeat the duelists who beat both Kaiba and Cedric! But I'm sure I'll end up battling you and Dustin in the big tournament, Yugi. Frankly, I look forward to it!

Yugi's a bit nervous at Weevil's tone, but tries to be friendly. And frankly so was I.

Yugi: "I look forward to it, too."

Dustin: "Same here."

Rex:" I'm looking forward, to some dino demolition!"

Dustin: "And if I ever get the chance to face you Rex, I'll be sure to go all out with my Alien Heroes."

Rex: "Alien Heroes? Those are some of the newest cards ever made! How do you have them?" Rex asked with shock in his tone. And I can tell Weevil was just as desperate to know.

Dustin: "Lets just say a friend gave me them." I said with a bashful look. "Of course I specialize with other decks. Such as an Insect deck, a Halloween-themed deck, even a custom deck I made myself ever since I started collecting Duel Monsters cards. I've brought about ten Deck boxes in fact! Each with a special deck." I said as I revealed my ten deck boxes on my belt. Rex was amazed but Weevil still remained calm.

Weevil (stage whisper): "Let me tell you two a little secret. It's something none of the other players know about the games yet."

Yugi: "Oh, isn't that cheating?"

Weevil: "The other duelists will find out soon enough, but there are new rules on the island that require more strategy."

Rex: "Ah, rules are for wimps. In dueling you either smash your opponent, or get smashed yourself- it's one, or the other!"

Joey: "Strength is good but you also need to combine them with other types of cards."

Rex: Who asked you? Stay outta my way, or I'll stomp you, like everyone else!" Rex said as he walks out the door

Joey: "We'll see who stomps who, when we get to the island!"

Dustin: "As long as I get a front row seat to see dino breath get his ass kicked."

Weevil: "Ignore him, let's scope out the competition."

Joey: "Whaddaya mean?"

Weevil: "Check out those chumps. They're already trading over there!"

We see the duelists in the lofts have gone back to what they were doing. They're gathered in cheerful huddles of two or three, trading cards.

Weevil: "Players here are swapping cards and strengthening their decks, getting ready for the big tournament! It's also a good chance to get a feel for your opponent's cards."

Yugi: "Oh." 'I bet this is how Weevil gets so much insight into his opponent's strategy!'

Dustin: 'I got the feeling Weevil is up to no good!' I thought with a furrowed brow.

Joey dashes around to each huddle, trying to attract someone's attention. I just smiled and shook my head.

Joey: "Whoa! Strong cards. Hey, wanna trade? How 'bout you? Anybody? Help me out here!"

Yugi: "Guess Joey's trading." Yugi deadpan.

Dustin: "Don't ruin his fun will ya?" I said giving Yugi a playful punch.

Weevil: "If you've come all this way and you're still trying to improve your deck, you've got to be pretty desperate! I'll catch you two on the flip side!" Weevil said as he walks out the door.

***With Rex***

Elsewhere on the ship, Rex is walking along a hallway, when he hears another commotion. Mai is shouting at a tournament thug, who's nervously stepping backward from her into Rex's path. Rex stops to watch.

Mai: "This is truly, truly outrageous! You expect a lady like me to stay in this dump without even a shower?!"

Thug: "Rules're rules, ma'am, there's nothing I can do."

Mai: "Call your superior! Get him on the phone right now!"

Rex: Keep acting up and they'll throw you off the boat!

Mai: Who d'you think you are?!

Next thing you know Rex is blushing a little as he notices how pretty Mai is, too, and he has something she wants.

Rex: "A champion with a luxury room."

Mai: "Really? Could I see it?"

Rex: "Sure…come check it out!"

***With Téa and Tristan***

Tristan: "Hey! Téa, stay down or we're busted!"

Téa: "But it's freezing out here, I can't sit still!"

Tristan points off the port side of the ship.

Tristan: "Hmhm. In another few hours the sun will rise. Ha!"

Téa: "Mmph! That's not funny, Tristan!"

They suddenly hear a door opening

Tristan: "Get down!"

Then the white-haired kid watching Yugi and his friends' duels at school walks out and stands at the railing, looking out at the sea.

Téa: "Look! isn't that Bakura?"

Tristan: "Bakura? You mean, Bakura from school?"

Téa: "What do you think he's doing here?"

Tristan: "Uh... I guess he's in the tournament."

***With Rex and Mai***

Rex sits back on the couch in his private luxury room, showing off.

Rex: "So? Whaddaya think of my cool digs?"

Mai: "It's beautiful! You must be quite a strong card player!" Mai said gushing.

Rex: "I am."

Mai smiles craftily; she has a plan. Then she gives a fake laugh, acting like an airheaded fool.

Mai: "Really! I love Duel Monsters! How 'bout we play a game?"

Rex: "Heh! Who d'you think you're talking to! There's no way you could beat me."

Mai: "Please? Let me try!"

Rex: "You'd never win."

Mai: "Tell you what; if you win, I'll give you a kiss."

Rex: "Huh? Heheheheheh..." Rex blushed like crazy.

Dustin's POV

Me, Yugi and Joey are standing at a table somewhere outside.

Joey: "Guys! I got some good card-tradin' in."

Yugi: "Hey, lemme see 'em! "Salamandra", and a "Kunai With Chain", Baby Dragon, and "Shield and Sword" great! With these new magic cards, combined with your monsters, you'll have a real strong deck."

Dustin: "Yep. I managed to get some good cards too. Good thing I packed a crap ton of cards that I didn't need anymore just in case Check out these good ones."

I showed them some good cards. Such as Magic Metal Force (aka metalmorph), Machine King, Larvae Moth, Cocoon of Evolution, Great Moth, Megamorph, and much more.

Yugi: "Woah! You really got some good ones. Even Double Fusion and Past Fusion. Pretty cool man."

Joey: "All right! So now I'm ready to win every duel I play!"

Yugi: "I think you're gonna find it's a bit harder than that, Joey."

Dustin: "Yugi's right Joey. Not every fight will be a victory."

Yugi then takes a card from the golden chest that once housed the pieces of the Millennium Puzzle; now he keeps his extra cards in it.

Yugi: "Here- add this to your deck. It can be helpful in a tight spot."

The card Yugi gave Joey is Time Wizard.

Dustin: "And I got six Past Fusions and six Double Fusions already. I'm willing to dust off three." I said giving three copies of both cards to joey.

Joey: "Thanks! I'll take 'em. I can't get over how you guys are always helpin' me out!"

Dustin: "That's hat friends are for dude!" I said with a bright smile.

Weevil: "Ah, we meet again."

Yugi: "Huh? Oh. Weevil!"

Dustin: 'Oh boy. I smell trouble.'

***With Rex and Mai***

Mai: "Okay, then, cut the cards."

Rex: "Playing with your deck, huh?" 'Heheheh! This'll be a snap!'

Mai: "Hmmm..."

Rex finishes cutting the cards

Rex: ... "What if you win?" Rex asked with a raised brow.

Mai: "If I win, you agree to clear out of the room for the rest of the trip, okay?"

Rex: "Clear out?! I'm not gonna lose, you got a deal!"

Mai: "Hm. The first card is "Shadow of Eyes"."

Rex: "How'd you do that?!"

Mai: "The second card is Harpy Lady, then "Elegant Egotist", followed by "Cyber Shield".

Rex: "Oh no! She's right again!"

Mai: "This is my own card technique, I always know what cards I have and can pick any one I like at any time. So- ga'head and deal 'em, Rex."

Rex: "Heheheheheheheh. Ohh... I think I'm in trouble!" Rex muttered through his teeth

Dustin's POV

Weevil: "Ah, the evening winds sure feel nice. So did you trade for any good cards, Yugi?"

Yugi: "Nah. I'm gonna duel with the cards I brought along with me."

Weevil: "What about you Dustin?"

Dustin: "Nah! None at the moment!" I lied as I felt something off about Weevil.

Weevil: "I figured as much. You used the Exodia cards in your duel with Kaiba, right? Those are the strongest cards of them all."

Yugi: "And really rare!"

Weevil: "Could I possibly…see those legendary cards?!"

Dustin: 'I swear if your up to something…' I thought with narrowed eyes.

Yugi: "I don't see why not. Just be careful with them. Okay?"

Weevil: "Ahh...!"

Yugi: "Here!"

Weevil: "So these are the cards to summon Exodia. For a long time I've been trying to come up with some kind of strategy to finally beat these cards. But I couldn't come up with anything... until just this moment!" He then turns and walks to the railing.

Yugi: Huh?

Dustin: "What are you…" I couldn't finish as Weevil throws the five pieces of Exodia over the railing, into the water below

Weevil: "Say goodbye to Exodia!"

Yugi: "No!" Yugi is too late to stop Weevil from throwing his cards overboard. They begin to drift away in the current. Weevil walks away laughing as me, Yugi and Joey stare after them

Weevil: "Hahahaha! Now there's no one who can challenge me! Heheheheheheh!"

Joey: "Why, you-!"

Dustin: "You son of a bitch!"

Yugi watches the cards float away, moving down the railing to keep them in sight.

Yugi: "My cards! Those were the Exodia cards that my grandpa gave me!"

Joey: "I'll get 'em!" Joey leaps up on the railing and dives overboard before Yugi and I can blink.

Yugi: "Joey, don't!"

Dustin: "HAVE YOU LOST YOUR DAMN MIND?" I shouted

Joey plummets straight down into the dark sea below and lands with a splash

Yugi: "Joey, where are you?!"

Joey surfaces and starts looking around for the cards, treading water, out of breath.

Joey: "I promise you! I'll get them, Yugi!"

Yugi: "Joey, they're not worth drowning over!"

Joey: "Don't worry, Yugi! Look- there! I got one of 'em!"

Dustin: "DAMMIT JOEY! SWIM YOUR ASS BACK TO THE SHIP NOW!" I called out to him in panic.

Joey: "No way! At least this time there's somethin' I can do to help someone I care about!" His face goes under for a moment and resurfaces.

Joey: 'Current sure is strong, though. It's hard to fight. But if I punk out now- who's gonna help my sister- Serenity?' Joey though as he grabs another card.

Joey: "Just three more now..."

Suddenly a wave swamps him and he disappears from view.

Yugi and Dustin: "JOEY!"

Suddenly the eye on the Gauntlet of Wdjat glows and from it came a golden light. And from that came a humanoid fish with with grey skin, jagged sharp teeth and green fins on his back and elbows. He had a metallic shoulder pad and a lightning harpoon cannon on his left wrist, yellow somewhat lensed on his eyes and instead of legs, he had a black colored tail with lime green v shaped markings on it and matching green fins on the end. This was none other than Alien Hero Lockjaws who leapt overboard after him.

Dustin: "What the…"

Yugi: "Isn't that Alien Hero Lockjaws?"

When Alien Hero Lockjaws lands in the water, we can see that Joey's once more keeping his head and the cards in his hand above the surface. Lockjaws swims toward him.

Joey: "Just three more…" he then notices Alien Hero Lockjaws swimming towards him, the lure on his head glowing.

Joey: "Ah! What the…"

Joey couldn't finish as starts to sink.

Yugi and Dustin: "JOEY!"

Alien Hero Lockjaw dives after him and pulls Joey back to the surface. Lockjaws swims towards the ship while holding Joey who seems to be half-drowned and unconscious.

Téa: "Joey!"

Tristan: "Are you okay?!

Me, Yugi, Téa and Tristan are at the edge of the boat deck, looking down at them; they throw a rope ladder over the side.

Téa: "Grab ahold!"

Dustin: "Hurry!"

Tristan: "Wait! Dustin, isn't at one of your Alien Heroes?"

Yugi: "No time to explain!" Yugi stated as Lockjaws climbed with Joey held in his arm.

***Meanwhile**

Mai: "Get out, loser!"

Rex and his cards go flying out the door of his own stateroom; looks like he lost. Mai tosses his shoulder bag out after him and adds sweetly."

Mai: "And thanks for the room, Rex!" And with that she closes the door, leaving Rex lying in the hallway without a room.

Dustin's POV

Joey recover on deck somewhere among the cargo, with me, Yugi, Tristan and Téa.

Yugi: "That was close! I'm sure glad you two guys showed up!

Dustin: "Really glad!"

Téa: "We're a team. We all stick together."

Tristan: "We'll always watch your back."

Yugi: Thanks a lot, you guys."

Dustin: "Yeah! We appreciate you guys being here."

Joey: "I'm sorry, Yugi."

Yugi: "Huh?"

Joey: "I failed. I only found two of your cards." I then grabbed Joey by the collar.

Dustin: "JOSEPH WHEELER! WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING? WE COULD'VE LOST YOU OUT THERE!" I shouted at him with a glare. But then I hugged him with tears falling down my face.

Dustin: "If you ever pull any crap like that again I'll knock so flat on your ass it'll make your head spin. You're like a brother to me man. If anything happened to you I wouldn't live the myself. And I'm sure the others would agree." I said crying hysterically as I nearly lost one of my best friends. Téa was there to comfort me as she patted my back. Once I calmed down I let go of Joey and apologized for yelling at him.

Yugi: "It's okay, Joey."

Joey: "It's not okay. It's always this way with me. I'm never able to help anybody. Not even my own sister, Serenity."

Yugi: "Serenity?"

Dustin: "Wait! Sister?"

Téa: "Really? You have a sister, Joey?"

Joey: "Our parents divorced years ago, when we were kids. She lives far away, with my mother. My sister's had really bad eyes since she was born." He looks up at me and Yugi, despairing. "Eventually she'll go blind!"

Dustin: "Oh my god." I said with a hand over my heart.

Yugi: "I'm sorry."

Joey: "Thanks, Yuge. She sent me a message…"

Flashback to the videotape

Serenity: I was hoping, to see you one last time...

Little Serenity wails out the back window of the car as it drives away. Change flashback. Little Joey and Serenity sit on a pair of swings, laughing together.

Joey: The doctors told her that the time has come. Soon her eyes will be impossible to repair, even with surgery.

End flashback

Joey: "But there're specialists who could perform an operation now before it's too late! They could save her eyesight! But, there's no way I can pay for the operation. I have to win, for her! Winnin' in the Duelist Kingdom, and gettin' the prize money, is the only way I can help Serenity!"

Dustin: "I knew you were wiling to win that money for something selfless. That's the most generous thing I've heard from anyone." I said as I embraced Joey in another hug.

Dustin: "If my sister or brother were suffering the same condition, I would have done the same for them." Joey then pats my back.

***Meanwhile***

A girl was standing at the railing. She has a boyish face and brown eyes and long brown blonde hair that's messy. She is dressed in a purple green version of Calem (Pokemon xy) outfit minus the hat and on her back is the symbols of the hero monsters (A H D and E) and a beetle symbol and the autobot and decepticon symbol that's half and half.

Suddenly something rises out of the water beneath her. It was a blue skinned humanoid a fi on his head, red lines that streaked down his golden eyes, had a metal two pronged spear in his hands and he seemed very muscular. This was a duel monster named Elemental Hero Ocean. In his right hand he held three cards.

Girl: "Well done. The other three Exodia pieces have been retrieved. Good work Poseidon." The girl said to the warrior she named Poseidon.

Poseidon: "Thank you Bella. But might I ask why retrieve the remaining Exodia pieces." Poseidon asked the girl named Bella in a that sounded fierce yet calm with a Greek accent.

Bella: "A little gift for Yugi when he and Dustin defeat Uncle Pegasus. Plus I like to see little Yugi go with out the might of a Egyptian deity." Bella said placing the cards in her pocket.

Poseidon: "Are you certain they have what it takes to defeat him?" Poseidon asked with uncertainty.

Bella: "I know they will. They are the only ones capable of stopping Uncle Pegasus' madness."

Poseidon: "Plus Dustin's Alien Heroes seems to have peaked my interest. You have us Elemental Heroes, along with the Destiny Heroes, Evil Heroes, Aquatic Heroes and Beetle Heroes. These Alien Heroes are something I've never heard of."

Bella: "Well they are made after you guys were put into circulation. I'd like to test those Alien Heroes out myself.

Poseidon: "I'm certain you'll have the chance. But for now we should rest. We got a big day ahead of us."

Bella: "Agreed." And with that said Poseidon disappeared and Bella walked to her room.

Dustin's POV

The sun draws a fine glowing line between sky and sea, as we stand at the bow of the ship, our hair and clothes flying in the ocean breeze.

Yugi: "We'll do our best, Joey. You for your sister, and me and Dustin for my grandpa."

Dustin: "Damn straight homie."

Téa: "That's right, we'll do this together!"

Tristan: "Look, the island!"

In the distance, the sun is rising over the island of Duelist Kingdom.

Yugi: "That's the Duelist Kingdom! That's it. We're almost there. "

Dustin: "Duelist Kingdom here we come!" I said excited as I pumped my fist in the air.

We stay and watch the island grow closer in the beautiful sunrise.

Authors note

Well Chapter three is officially here and finally Bella is revealed for the first time, if only for a brief moment. Is Bella friend or foe? Find out in the next chapter. And as always I will see you on the next chapter. Buh-bye!