Chapter 11- The Scars of Defeat:
(Pegasus POV.)
Clouds drifted past my window in the still night sky above my castle on the Duellist Kingdom island. A pale yellow full moon shone above.
"With Kaiba still reeling from his loss to Yugi, it's the perfect time to seize control and bring this company's reputation back to what it once was!" One of the Big Five I was speaking to spoke on the screen in front of me.
I was in the middle of a video-conference with the Big Five, KaibaCorp's nefarious board of directors. Croquet stood at attention behind me, as I sipped a glass of red wine.
"*Patience*, gentlemen. Once I defeat little Yugi, Kaiba's company will become ours." I made it clear.
"Of course, had you disposed of Kaiba as originally promised, we would've already assumed power. But don't worry; we'll finish what you started." Another member of the Big Five stated.
A strand of my hair fell aside. "*No*. No one is to lay even a *finger* upon Seto Kaiba."
"But, if he's able to rescue his younger brother, we'll lose our only tie to the Kaiba name!" They protested.
Pegasus sips from his glass before speaking. "Mokuba's future role as figurehead will not be jeopardized by his older brother's presence. *Trust* me, gentlemen. I have my *own* plans for Seto Kaiba; *and* the technical knowledge he possesses."
"Heh... Don't fail us." They told me.
I stood up tall, raising my glass to the screen. "*Gentlemen*, KaibaCorp is about to enter a new era of prosperity—and you are all about to become *obscenely* rich! Hmm... hmhmhmhmhmhmhm..." I let out a chuckle, my video conference over, I walked over to the window with my glass, looking up at the full moon above. "As for *you*, Kaiba... our partnership is *just* beginning! Huhahahahahahaha...!"
(Kaiba POV.)
I was piloting my helicopter towards Duellist Kingdom, below the huge full moon. 'I can't believe all of my business associates would turn on me after a single defeat!' I thought. To my left, the metal briefcase I had bought with me when he escaped earlier occupied the passenger seat.
'Then again, losing to Yugi has shaken *my* self-confidence, too. Maybe Yugi was right. But I can't start second-guessing myself *now*. Not when Pegasus has kidnapped my little brother Mokuba! No— If I'm gonna face off against Pegasus... I have to rely on my *old* duelling instincts! That's the only chance I have of freeing Mokuba. And once Mokuba is out of harm's way, I'll unleash my wrath on the vultures who conspired to take over my company! If Pegasus thought I would just sit *idly by* as they dismantled my life's work... he was wrong. I'll see to it that they *all* regret ever crossing... Seto Kaiba.'
Ahead the island got progressively closer and closer, a shadowy landmass on the horizon.
(Bakura POV.)
We were on a cliff edge different to the one that Lucy and James had been to earlier, Téa, and Lucy were asleep in the tent with James sleep-sitting outside it. Joey and Tristan were snoring loudly on the ground next to him- the blonde using a log as a pillow. As for me and Yugi, we were still awake, sitting cross-legged on the grass near a tree.
"Bakura! Am I seeing things, or is your Millennium Ring actually *glowing*?" Yugi spoke, surprised.
"If it's not, then we're *both* hallucinating." I held the Millennium Ring in his hand; its rightmost point was glowing and pointing straight outward, ignoring the laws of gravity.
"That's kinda *spooky*, don'tcha think? The way it's pointing like that?" My friend suggested.
"Yes... It's almost like it's being *tugged* toward the Castle."
"Pegasus' castle? Why would it do *that*?" He asked.
"I don't know, but it did the same thing the day I met you." I replied. "I had just been transferred into your school. I was watching you guys play Duel Monsters, when, suddenly my Millennium Ring started to glow, and pointed *directly toward your Millennium Puzzle.*"
"Wow, Bakura. Those pointers are somehow able to *zone in* on other Millennium Items!" Yugi gasped, almost mystified.
"But then why would it point to the castle?"
"'Cause of what's *inside* the castle; Pegasus' Millennium Eye. That's what took my grandpa's soul." He explained.
Bakura: My, it's all kinda *scary*, eh, Yugi? Pegasus' grabbing souls with his... and I'll never forget when *mine* took us all to the Shadow Realm!
Yugi simply nodded.
(Yugi POV.)
Later on, once our conversation was finished, Bakura eventually curled up on a patch of grassy ground, whilst I laid on his back, looking up at the moon. 'Why is it the more involved I get with Pegasus and this whole tournament, the more it all seems to be connected to these Millennium Items?' I asked myself. 'First there was Pegasus's Millennium Eye, and now Bakura's Millennium Ring. And of course, *my* Millennium Item. Ever since I first solved that ancient Puzzle, playing Duel Monsters has never been the same. Now, every time I duel, I can feel a strong, *courageous* presence within me. And whatever that spirit is, I pray it will help me save my grandpa. I miss 'im. I miss him so much...' Suddenly, I heard the sound of helicopter blades and I sat up.) "Huh?"
Bakura then sleepily opened his eyes as the helicopter rose into view over the cliff's edge. "Wow! Look at that, Yugi!" He gasped.
The helicopter's harsh single headlight shone right down on top of us, and the helicopter blades create a strong wind. Tristan woke up and pushed himself up on his hands, then Joey woke up and sats up, shielding his eyes.
"What...?!" T asked.
"Ah— *Huh*?! Wha? 'Ey! *Some of us* are tryin' to get some shuteye here!" Joey shouted.
"Yeah, ya insensitive *jerk*!" James yelled sleepily.
Lucy and Téa then poked their heads out of the tent.
"What *is* that?" Téa asked.
"Yeah, I wanna sleep…" Lucky yawned.
"Ah..." Bakura and I covered our eyes at the bright light.
The helicopter descended, touching down on the ground about ten feet from where we were all now standing. They waited as the helicopter blades whirred to a halt. The pilot jumps out.
"It's *Kaiba*!" Lucy realised
"What's *he* doin' here?" Joe asked.
"I don't know, but it looks like he means *business.*"
Kaiba was carrying his metal briefcase in one hand, the other hooked into his pocket, and the expression on his face was sour and contemptuous. I hurried forward.
"I haven't seen you since our duel, Yugi." He greeted me politely.
"Mmm-hmm. Oh!" I reached into my pocket. "Here. Your deck. I've been keeping it for you. Just... think of it as a 'thank you' for that duel you helped me win."
Kaiba accepted his deck and glanced at it. "Thanks. You'll be compensated for all of your trouble." With that cool brush-off, Kaiba turned and began to walking toward the forest.
I was caught by surprise, even though we all knew that Kaiba was the kid from our class who had no friends. "Huh...? *Actually*, Kaiba, I was thinking that since we're all headed for Pegasus' Castle, you could stick with us." Kaiba looked back at me "'Course... heh— you'll need some *star chips*..."
"Don't be so naive. This isn't just a *game* for me, Yugi." The tall brunet replied.
"Huh?" We all questioned.
"I'm going after Pegasus to save my brother;" He turned around. "not so I can win some silly prize! Have fun with your *tournament*!" Kaiba then turned away again and kept walking.
"But... Kaiba..." I whispered.
"That snobby little...! Rrgh!" Joey got angry and ran up to Kaiba, grabbing his lapels and getting in front of him. The taller regarded Joey as though he were one of Weevil's insects.
"'Ey! Listen, tough-guy! I can understand you wantin' to get your little brother back an' all, but don't go thinkin' that you're the only one here with a noble cause, capiche? We all got somethin' worth fightin' for, so if you wanna piece a' Pegasus, get in line or deal with *me*! *That's* right, hotshot, I ain't scared a' ya!" Joey shouted.
"Nice grip. Lemme show ya *mine.*" Kaiba removed Joey's right hand from his left lapel with a wrist-twisting grab.
Our friend began to struggle. Still gripping Joey's hand, Kaiba pulled it past himself, pulling Joey along with it. Joey, who wasn't expecting it, tripped over Kaiba's legs, and was sent flying, landing on his face in the dirt. Kaiba barely moved more than his arm to do all of that. We all gasped in shock.
"That was uncalled-for!" Bakura shouted as I ran over to kneel beside my best friend.
"Joey!" I called out to my friend as he groaned. "Joey, can ya hear me? Are you all right?"
"Check his pulse, Yugi!" Jay yelled.
"Eh, relax. I'm fine." The blonde pushed himself up on his hands and knees, still a bit winded.
"Do you really think I'm gonna let you and this little tournament you're in delay me from finding Pegasus?" Kaiba asked as Joe stood up straight.
"Forget Pegasus! Now you got *me* to deal with, so bust out your cards and let's *get it on*!"
"I can't tell if Joey's being really brave or... nuts." Lucy pouted.
"Forget it. Why don't you go look for an opponent you can actually *beat*! Like an infant. Or a monkey." The CEO of KaibaCorp chuckled.
"Huh?! *Wha'd* you say?!"
"That monkey thing gets him every time." James sighed as Kaiba turned around and started walking away.
"Hmph. I don't have time for your *nonsense*. Loser."
"Go ahead an' run! Everyone *knows* you're nothin' but a washed-up has-been!" Our blonde friend shouted.
"Joey, be careful what you say. Kaiba may be a creep, but he's still pretty much considered the top duelist in all the world!" Lucy pleaded.
"Not *anymore*!" Joey contradicted, Kaiba halting and turning back; *that* got his attention. "*That's right*, tough-guy! I bet ever since Yugi mopped the *floor* wit' ya, you can't even lay a trap card without flinchin'!"
At that moment, the rest of our friends walked over to us. "Okay, Joey, *let it go*." Tristan ordered.
"This is really the wrong guy to pick a fight with!" Téa reasoned.
"Whaddaya say, money-bags? *Care to prove me wrong*?" Joe raised his eyebrows.
"On one condition." The corporate said. "We play using my newest innovation in holographic duel technologies."
"Whaddaya mean by *that*?" I queried.
"It means that if Joey's really that eager to duel me, he's gonna have to do it using my latest holographic system. (He holds out the briefcase he's been carrying) It's a new high-tech dueling device that allows players the realism of arena matches in any setting."
"Looks like just a regular ol' briefcase to *me*." Joey sad in a-matter-of-factly tone.
Kaiba sets the briefcase on the ground and opens it. "It's *in* the briefcase, you moron." He sighed, fed up of Joey, already. The bottom half of the briefcase was stacked with cards. In the padded top half were nested two objects, each one shaped like a flipped-over dinner plate. Each disk had a central rectangular panel and four more around the center one, each slanting from a side of the center one. The outer edges of the disks were red, with white in the center. Kaiba picked up one and throwed it to Joey, who caught it like a frisbee. "Its technology is unprecedented!"
"Looks like a flyin' saucer." Joey laughed.
"Don't be an idiot. This is the most state-of-the-art display modulator ever *built*. So, if you think you have what it takes to handle it, just strap it on."
Our friend fitted the wristband on the bottom of the small top piece around his left forearm, testing the fit, while Bakura held the larger disk. Once it was fitted, Joey anticlimactically turned back to Kaiba. "Okay, *now* what happens?"
"First insert your duelling deck into the display drive recognizer. A life-point count will light up and keep score for you the entire match." Kaiba explained, already with the other device on, demonstrating. There was a slot on the wrist portion for his deck, and the life-point screen was on top of it. As Kaiba slotted in his deck, the screen lights up and reads 2000. "Then choose a card to play and set it on the digital card reader. I think the rest will explain itself." Kaiba placed Battle Ox on the card reader in the center of his disk.
"Cool." Joey gasped in awe.
"All set? Then let's *duel*!" Kaiba smirked.
"You got it!" Joey nodded, enthusiastically.
"Now, brace yourself— for my Battle Ox!" Kaiba warned, throwing the disk portion as hard as he could toward the center of the field. It played out a line between the disk and the wrist counter. The disk hovered a few inches off the ground, and a blast of multi-coloured light exploded upward from it, then became a thousand streams of sparkling light.
"Whoa, check out all those lights!" Jay gasped
"Yeah, 'S like *raining glitter*!" Tristan Agreed
"Mmhm— it's like something from an enchanted dream!" Téa furthered.
But then Kaiba's vicious, Battle Ox appears. "Eee! Or a *nightmare*!" Lucy flinched.
"Whoa…!" Joey looked up at the realistic monster.
"No *way*! *That's* a hologram?!" I asked.
"A hologram of unprecedented realism. It breathes, it snarls; my new Duel Disk technology even simulates its *odour*." Kaiba explained.
"You're tellin' *me*; that thing really *stinks*! Good thing he won't be around for much longer!" Joe smiled, placing a card on the center of the disk. "Aaalrighty— here goes nothin'!" He flung the disk just like Kaiba, and his monster appeared above it. "Go, Armored Lizard!"
(Joey POV.)
"Go, Armored Lizard!" I shouted.
My opponent however, was undaunted. "Go, Battle Ox! Axe Slam attack!" Our monsters fought, and Battle Ox quickly brought its axe down on my lizard's neck— but Armored Lizard was still there.
"Yess! He withstood your attack!" I cheered.
"Oh, *did* he? Look again!" My opponent argued. My Armored Lizard didn't withstand the attack for long before getting beheaded and evaporating. The card flew off the disk.
"Ookay, that's real enough for *me*...!" I stuttered. "I can't believe it! That ugly overgrown ox— he cut my lizard in half!"
Kaiba Life Points- 2000 - Joey Life Points- 1800)
"This new technology isn't for the faint of heart, Joey. It's intended to force duelists to think on their feet. If it's too much for you, maybe you should give up now." The brunet duellist standing across from me mocked as I retracted the disk and caught it in my hand.
"Faaat chance! Don't you worry, Kaiba, I'm a quick learner! Watch!" I did each step as I spoke. "Set the card— spin the disk— aaaand, bingo! The Flame Swordsman, ready to slaughter that sirloin a' yours! Attack! Flamin' Sword a' Battle!"
"But Joey— the Battle Ox is resistant to all Fire-type creatures...!" James and Yugi both warned, just as Flame Swordsman's crystalline orange sword shattered against the Battle Ox's axe, and Flame Swordsman, before evaporating. "*Now* they tell me...!"
(Kaiba Life Points- 2000 - Joey Life Points- 1600)
"Why am I not surprised that you'd make such an amateur mistake? Maybe from now on you oughta let Yugi pick *all* of your moves for you. Or better *yet*, why don't *I* teach you some of the advanced moves of the game *the hard way*! Mystic Horseman and Battle Ox! Merge into— Rabid Horseman!" Kaiba placed Mystic Horseman on the center of the disk, and Polymerization on one of the side panels, before throwing it again. The monster that appeared was a huge centaur with Battle Ox for its upper body and Mystic Horseman for its legs.
"Ya think I'm afraid a' that deformed *pony*? *I'll* show ya somethin' that you should be afraid of! Swamp Battleguard, attack!" I orded my new monster on the field, but Rabid Horseman destroyed him.
(Kaiba Life Points- 2000 - Joey Life Points- 1400.)
"Axe Raider, avenge my Battleguard!" Ordered, but he was defeated just as easily,
(Kaiba Life Points- 2000 - Joey Life Points- 1100)
"Go, Battle Steer!" I ordered— Destroyed.
(Kaiba Life Points- 2000 - Joey Life Points- 900)
"Euh, Garoozis?" I questioned— Destroyed again.
(Kaiba Life points- 2000 - Joey Life Points- 700)
My friends- and Bakura- all watched silently as my monsters all fell one by one, as fast as I could play them. "Okay, uh, let's see here, Rock Ogre Grotto...? Aww! Uhhh, Rude Kaiser!"
(Kaiba Life Points- 2000 – Joey Life Points- 500)
Just Like that, I was down by a quarter of my original points, winded and breathing heavily, sweat breaking out on my face. I fell to my knees before Kaiba and his Rabid Horseman. "Heheheheheheh. That's right, Joey; fall to the dirt like a whimpering *dog*!" Kaiba chuckled.
'Man, it took *Exodia* for even *Yugi* to beat this guy! I need to come up with a kick-butt card—' I thought.
"Come on, Joey!" Luce encouraged.
"You're the best at finding ways to come back from behind!" Téa furthered.
"She's right, Joey!" Bakura shouted.
"Now, get up—" Tristan ordered.
"Yeah, no way Kaiba gets away with calling you a canine!" James continued.
I stood up again, never once looking away from glaring at Kaiba. "You're right, Jay; no one calls *me* a whimperin' dog, and once he sees what I got in store for 'im, *he's* gonna be the one in the dirt! Check this out— Red-Eyes Black Dragon!" Kaiba's Rabid Horseman began looking decidedly less huge; but Kaiba's confidence didn't waver.
"Joey's best card!" Téa cheered.
"Kaiba's in big trouble now!" Tristan mocked.
"Infernoooo Fire Blast!" I ordered the monster, Red-Eyes obliterated Rabid Horseman in a blaze of red and white fire.
(Kaiba Life Points- 1600 – Joey Life Points- 500)
"Take *that*!" I smirked.
"It's just like a novice to rejoice when there's no reason to celebrate. True, the round may be yours, but the duel is about to become mine!" Kaiba smiled- almost sadistically.
"Say *what*?!"
"Your Red-Eyes is a powerful dragon, but his ferocity pales in comparison to *my* beast."
At that moment, I heard James and Yug gasp; they already knew what card Kaiba was holding in his hand. My opponent placed it on the disk, and threw the contraption like a frisbee. "The legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
"Ahh...!" I screamed.
"Blue-Eyes White Dragon! White Lightning attack, now!" The dragon's master ordered.
"Aaaaaggggghhh...!" I squealed
(Kaiba Life Points- 1600 – Joey Life Points- 0)
My dragon lifted its head against the blaze of pure white, then it was gone. Vaporized. My duel disk retracted and I caught it. As my life-points depleted, I dropped to one knee, shaking with frustration. "No! I lost!"
"That's right, Joey, stay down." Kaiba commanded. "Stay down like the snivelling, defeated dog I've turned you into."
"Are you all right, Joey?" Yugi hurried forward to my side, followed momentarily by my other friends- and Bakura.
"It's okay, kiddo." Téa greeted, trying to make me feel better.
"*I'd* say my Duel Disk system has proven quite effective. Not only did its stunning realism jar Joey into complete and utter submission, but *just look at him*. He's moping like a frightened dog with his tail between his legs... which is *exactly* how I intend to leave Pegasus."
"But this is *Joey*!" Jay shouted.
"Yeah, you *jerk*! Did you have to take his confidence away *with* his dragon? Joey was just starting to believe in himself as a duelist!" Lucy backed the brunet boy up- as usual.
"That's right. Beating him doesn't give you the right to *humiliate* him!" Yugi furthered.
"Quiet, Yugi! Don't give that creep the satisfaction!" I lifted my head slightly, not wanting Kaiba to see my weak spot.
"Huh! Look kid, d'you honestly believe that if you were duelling Pegasus, he would've been any more *merciful* with you than I was? I understand that the *Heart of the Cards* is a powerful philosophy, and that it all works *well* for you, but I need to duel my own way now! I can't risk trying something new, and maybe *Joey* shouldn't either, unless he *likes* life as a *dog*— scrounging on the scraps of past victories and begging for mercy from true duelists!"
"Please, *Kaiba*. That's just *not true*. And you know it." Yugi argued.
Kaiba then turned his head to his right and upward, toward the castle looming above us through the trees. "Oh, *yeah*? Well that's the kind of attitude you have to take if you wanna stand a *chance* against Maximillion Pegasus! You don't understand, Yugi. This is the man who *created* Duel Monsters. He has every card that's ever been made at his disposal; he's mastered every strategy that's ever been played! Pegasus always makes sure that he has every possible advantage working in his favour; if I'm to stand *any* chance against him at *all*, I'll have to play by my *own* *ruthless rules*... not his." Yugi looked down at his duelling glove, then back at Kaiba as Kaiba looked away from the castle to turned to him once more. "*Open your eyes*! Even with your prodigious talents, Yugi, you'll be defeated like all the others; because when Pegasus duels, he uses much more than mere skill." He looked back to the castle. "I've seen him use a magic that's stronger than *any* card! It was at the Intercontinental Tournament, in New York City. I had been invited as Pegasus's guest of honour. A hotshot duelist called Bandit Keith had made it to the final match. He was playing well, but I could see that Pegasus was still just toying with him. Of course, Keith had *no idea*. Pegasus just stared straight into Keith's eyes, with unnerving confidence. Then he scribbled something on a piece of paper and called over some kid from the crowd." The tallest duellist then took the Duel Disk from my arm and snapped his briefcase closed as he placed it alongside its friend. "I still don't know how he did it. I only hope that my new Duel Disk system will give me the edge I need to beat 'im once and for all."
"That story... It reminds me of when *I* faced Pegasus. It was like Pegasus was able to see all my cards... But *Kaiba*, that's still no excuse to take it out on *us* and turn Joey into your new system's guinea pig!" Yugi shouted.
"Perhaps. But that system could be my only way to beat Pegasus, so I had to test it! This is *war* for me, Yugi; your friend was a casualty!" Kaiba turned to leave.
"Kaiba! We may not agree with each other's methods, but at least we both understand that Pegasus *must be stopped*." At that moment, Seto Kaiba stopped walking dead in his tracks. "...I hope you succeed in rescuing your brother." Yug smiled.
The duellist carrying the briefcase looked back over his shoulder with a cold smile. "And I hope you succeed in your ventures. Let's just hope our paths don't cross again before this is all over." He then turned and walked away into the dark forests of Duelist Kingdom, alone. Castle Pegasus looming above on the cliffside.
(Pegasus POV.)
I stood on the balcony of my castle with a wineglass. My hair fell aside to reveal the Millennium Eye as I spoke. "Hmhmhmhmhmhm. I can sense you, Kaiba! Heheheheheh. But are you hunting for *me*, or am *I* hunting *you*? Hmhmhm..." I smiled, cunningly.
A/N: So, it took me a week to edit this script from the Mykland document, not exactly sure how long the next chapter's gonna be… ^^"
Lucy: Gotta write it out yourself huh?
A/N: Yeah, and I also know that I haven't updated my latest Miego fanfiction in half a year (or more) now. I have ideas, but it's gonna be on hiatus for a little while longer ^^"
Jay: And you also have end of year 'Mock' exams as you're calling them, they're determining your grades for Uni.
A/N: Who said I wanted to go to uni? I just want to join the police and work with dogs ^^" Also the first controlled assessment homework for graphics is due in tomorrow and I haven't done it.
Jay: You should get around to doing that. (Pouts)
Lucy: Hey, but no graphics tomorrow, right?
A/N: Oooooh, yeah, I have a Psychology exam…
Jay: You revised?
A/N: Yeah, but I don't think it's gonna be enough, though. The material is really hard to remember for the second and fourth themes. :/
Jay: Oh, no.
A/N: I only have like 7 exams for next year and even then, one of them is a 15 hour graphics exam over 3 days.
Jay: What else do you have?
A/N: 3 Sociology and 3 Psychology exams
Lucy: And the rest of this year?
A/N: One more Psychology and Sociology exam, and them I'm done, thank god.
Lucy: Glad you're outta work as well, huh?
A/N: Yeah. Lunch is hectic when you work at a till and do washing-up duty at the same time. (I work at my school canteen, but I may not be keeping the job next year, it depends on whether someone retires or not ^^")
Jay: Next chapter?
A/N: Don't know, should be after next Thursday, though. :) Thanks for reading, guys, it's much appreciated. If you want, you can submit a review for me to read, feedback is much appreciated. :)
Thanks again,
LyraKoto :)