Kaiba hadn't been able to recover from his defeat at the hands of Yugi. He had seen a couple of weeks later that Pegasus was hosting a new tournament on his island. Kaiba thought Pegasus had heard about hid defeat and wanted to rub it in his face.

A challenge.

Normally Kaiba would have taken this challenge ferociously, but his confidence was shot. He had promised both Layla and himself that he wouldn't challenge Pegasus until he was sure se could beat him, and now he wasn't sure. All he knew was that he had been beaten by some punk off the street. If some kid that barely knew what he was doing could best him, how could he hold his own against the creator of the game?

He held his head in his hands. Surely there was something he could do. There were too many people depending on him now to just give up. He needed Layla's freedom almost as much as she did. He just hadn't been the same, especially with the prospect of losing her to Zigfried in only a few months' time.

He had to think of something, and fast.

Just then, Roland came in the room, carrying a package.

"Mr. Kaiba, this is for you."

"Who's it from?" he didn't pick his head up. Honestly, he didn't care all that much.

"It says Industrial Illusions."

Kaiba's head snapped up. Roland handed him the package.

"Roland, where is Mokuba?"

"Still at school. Mr. Kaiba."

"Good. If he comes in, have him wait for me to call for him."

Roland bowed, "Of course, sir."

As soon as Roland left the room, Kaiba ripped open the package. It contained only a few items; two gold stars, a glove, a blank Duel Monsters card, a Duel Monsters card with a picture of royal riches, a video tape, and……a picture of Layla. He picked it up, gently, with fingers trembling in anger.

His suspicions were confirmed. Pegasus had started this whole tournament as a way to humiliate him publicly, and in front of Layla.

Seto put the tape into the VCR and waited on the static to die down. After half a minute or so, Pegasus's face appeared on the screen. Seto snarled.

"Well, well, well, Kaiba-Boy, curiosity got the best of you, eh? I'm not surprised. Not after the picture I put in there to entice you.

"I'm sure you heard about the duelist kingdom tournament that will be occurring in only a few days time. This package is simply to invite you to participate.

"Ah, but your pride is suffering, isn't it, Kaiba-Boy? Yes it must be after being so humiliatingly defeated by Little Yugi, and so unable to save your young love, am I right?

"She is such a lovely child isn't she Kaiba-Boy? My child. The one you've been trying to steal from me. I suppose you think you know what's better for her than I, I her own father do. How naïve!

"But, I am willing to forgive and forget all these wrongs, for a price. You must best me in a duel. Should be easy enough for the world champion, right? Oh, yes, that's right. You no longer have your confidence. You couldn't even beat Little Yugi, who had no real tournament experience. What hope could you possibly have of defeating me? Me, who has mastered every strategy and has every card ever created at my disposal. You don't have a chance, Kaiba-Boy.

"But perhaps you have something up your sleeve. Perhaps you can defeat me yet and be a white knight for your dear Layla.

"But I doubt it.

"Good bye Seto Kaiba, I will be seeing you very soon. Very soon indeed."