I cannot believe how long it took to hash this out.
Well, here you have it, the duel between Seto Kaiba and Joey Wheeler!
Chapter 26
"Well, well, well... what's got you down in the dumps my little love?"
"Mai!" the male blonde jumped up and tackled her in a hug. She hugged him back just as fierce.
"What are you doing here? And what's with the new look? Even for you that's a lot of leather," red eyes widened as he took a look at what she was carrying. "And what's with that helmet!?"
The blonde woman chuckled.
"I've gotten into motorcycles lately," she waved it off daintily. "But you mister! I can see you've been busy!"
Joey blushed as he looked back at the mess of cards strewn all over his bedroom floor. He's been working strategy for hours. Duel Monsters was one of the few things that could get him so focused.
"Big duel tomorrow, ya know," he replied with a grin.
Mai smiled coyly.
"I should have charged you for that international phone call yesterday."
"You called me!"
"I needed to know you were okay!" she returned as she strolled over and made herself comfortable on his bed. "So, hun, what's the real plan?"
Joey raised a brow at her to which she only returned in kind. The male sighed and went back to sitting down in front of his cards, his back flat against the bed.
"It's the only way I can get him to listen long enough."
Mai repositioned herself on the bed so that she was near the edge. She reached out and ran her hand through his blonde strands. Joey closed his eyes, relaxing at her touch.
"He'll be vicious."
"I know."
"I just want you to be sure you can face that."
"I won't back down."
She hummed and waited a beat.
"Tell me more about your plan."
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"Ryou! Ryou wait!"
An arm caught ahold of the pale teen's.
The albino bit his lip.
"We have to go cheer Joey on. The duel's going to start soon."
"We've got time and you and I both know that."
The pale teen gave up struggling and the other teen let his hold fall away once he was sure Ryou wouldn't try to run off. The pale teen still wouldn't meet his gaze however.
"I... I don't want-"
"-to talk?"
The albino clenched his hands. He stilled when a hand gently landed on his shoulder.
"Can't we talk Ryou?"
The pale teen was silent.
"Please?" Duke asked as he placed a finger under the other's chin and turned him to face him.
Muddy brown eyes searched the raven. Strange how such a color could be so intense.
"Why- why aren't you disgusted?" Ryou's lower lip trembled over his words.
The green orbs remained as they were, heated. The events of the previous night, when he'd left Joey and Mai alone so they could catch up, had taught the raven just what he was getting into if he wanted to pursue a relationship with Ryou... one that involved another.
Bakura.
Ryou's Yami.
You can't have Ryou without having the other as well.
He'd gone to Ryou last night seeking to talk things out with the pale teen. Duke wanted more, he wanted to at least give themselves a try. He knew Ryou had his Yami, knew the two were somewhat close... he just hadn't known the two were also... involved.
He'd been wrong.
Bakura and Ryou didn't have the connection to each other that Yami and Yugi had. Bakura's love was dark while Ryou's love was gentle. They were mismatched but couldn't help but to be drawn to each other as Yami and Hikari. Yet, because of their incompatibility they needed another to balance them out... at least that's what Duke believed.
And so, he had propositioned for them all... to be together.
Ryou had run off right then.
So now, here they were. Because no matter what happened last night, he knew Ryou would be here for Joey.
"I want us to happen," Duke confessed, earnestly.
Ryou's eyes widened.
"Even with-"
The raven offered him a soft smile.
"All of us," the raven declared, and just for good measure added, "I think I can handle two guys just fine."
Duke oomphed! The pale teen had slammed his body upon his and before he knew it his lips were captured in a desperate kiss.
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Tick. Tock.
Tick. Tock.
Tick. Tock.
Everyone was watching the two with baited breath.
Seto Kaiba and Joey Wheeler.
It was two days ago that the blonde had challenged the reigning Champ to a duel. Two days since the runner-up from Duelist Kingdom and the runner-up from Battle City Tournament had trapped the tall brunette in the only way he could possibly do so. The only way he could think of in which the teen CEO would not only HAVE to see him but stick around while he talked as well. Because, Joey HAD to talk to Seto without the brunette running off and leaving.
It was the only way he could make things right. The only way they might be able to go back and move on... to something more. A something more that both terrified him and thrilled him in the deepest sense.
"Attention!" Roland called out.
All snapped their eyes to the man.
"This duel will finally begin! Seto Kaiba versus Joey Wheeler!"
The blonde and the brunette slid their decks into their duel discs, eyes never leaving the other's.
At the same time they yelled, "Let's Duel!"
"I'll let you go first," Joey said.
The brunette only drew a card in answer.
"I play Ryu-Kishin, 1000/1200. Then I place 2 cards facedown and end my turn."
The blonde kept uncharacteristically quiet. Kaiba was going to try to keep the talk strictly on the duel for as long as he could. He could give him that, for now. Conversation would come, but the blonde had to make sure it flowed in his favor.
"My move," Joey called as he drew a card. He immediately summoned it. "I play Gearfried the Iron Knight, 1800/1600. Your facedown strategy won't work here. Magic cards don't work on Gearfried so, Gearfried attack his Ryu-Kishin right now!"
"Alright Joey!" Tristan encouraged.
'That's it Joey,' Duke thought. 'Stay cool. Stay focused.'
"Already-"
Kaiba broke off his own sentence with a scoff.
Joey's eyes narrowed at him. The brunette really was going to try to keep conversation between them stilted... well, it's what he had expected anyways.
"Reveal my facedown card, Shrink. This magic card has the power to weaken any monster on the field by cutting its attack points right in half."
"Hey!" Joey called out. "Magic cards don't work on Gearfried."
"I never said I was going to use it on your monster," Kaiba returned.
"Say what?" the blonde bit out. He grit his teeth as he realized, that already at the start of the duel, he was about to be dropped into deep waters.
"I'm using it to shrink my own monster," the tall brunette explained with a cold smile as Ryu-Kishin's attack power dropped to 800. "You're about to be finished. Now that my monster has less than 1000 attack points I can activate this card."
Kaiba's other facedown card sprang up.
"My Crush Card trap. This infects my own monster with a devastating virus. Once your Gearfried attacks the virus will spread."
Joey looked on as Gearfried destroyed Ryu-Kishin only to allow the virus to infect him.
Kaiba's Life Points dropped to 3000 at the attack but the brunette watched on in triumph.
"First, it'll destroy your monster on the field, then the virus will spread to your hand and to your deck, crushing every strong beast that you possess."
The virus destroyed Gearfried and soon infected the blonde.
'Damn. Jinzo, Gearfried, every one of my powerful monsters is toast,' the blonde cursed again as he sent all of his strong monsters to the graveyard. 'Whatever. This ain't over till it's over.'
Joey tensed when he noticed his opponent was staring at him. Those formidable blue eyes...
"A weak duelist should have weak monsters," Kaiba stated simply, plainly. It was the utter devoid of emotion in his stance, in his voice, in his eyes that caused a shiver to run up the blonde's back.
'Oh yeah, he's pissed,' the blonde thought. 'Believe me, you have every right to be... but I got to make things right!'
Joey knew his strategies would most likely falter when compared to Kaiba's. The blonde knew he was good, great even, but Kaiba was phenomenal. If Joey had any chance of winning or even keeping the duel going... well, he'd have to have a lot aces up his sleeve.
And that's just what his strategizing the night before had been all about.
'Yami, this doesn't feel... right.'
'I know my Hikari,' Yami thought back as he placed a hand on the puzzle. 'I know, and it seems our friends have noticed too.'
The Pharaoh looked down at the rest of the gang. He could see the confusion in some of their eyes.
'Mai and Duke-'
'They are closest to Joey,' Yugi said to him. 'It makes sense they have an idea what's happening.'
"Pharaoh, you see it too right?" Tea asked.
All the others turned to them.
"I think it's obvious those two are taking this very seriously," Tristan addressed, surprising them.
"That's the point," Mai interjected. "They're being too serious."
"Any other time Kaiba and Joey would be at each other," Duke continued.
"And yet, all they're focused on right now is the duel. Even what they are saying to each other only concerns the duel," Ryou discerned.
"But it won't stay that way," Duke concluded with a nod drawing attention.
"What-"
"Just watch," Mai said, cutting Tristan off. "This isn't just about the duel."
"This duel only just started," Joey reminded the tall brunette back on the field.
"My move," Kaiba said as he drew a card. "I summon La Jinn the Mystical Genie of the Lamp, 1800/1000. With no monsters to protect you say good-bye to 1800 of your Life Points. La Jinn, attack his Life Points directly."
La Jinn geared up and blew fire out at the blonde causing Joey's Life Points to drop to 2200 as he coughed.
"Did you enjoy that?" Joey couldn't help but to ask in between coughs.
Kaiba's eyes narrowed but his smirk was telling.
"Tremendously," the tall brunette revealed.
"Big brother," Mokuba whispered in worry. Serenity and Jeice each placed a comforting hand on him. "He's..."
"Regressing?" Jeice helped.
Mokuba bit his lip but nodded.
The three teens were over by Kaiba's side. Mokuba would always support his brother and his two friends didn't want to leave him alone despite the fact that Serenity supported Joey and Jeice had decided to remain neutral.
"What do you mean he's regressing?" Serenity questioned, anxious about the two boy's taut expressions.
"Seto use to have quite the cruel and ruthless streak," Jeice informed her.
"And it looks like it's coming back," Mokuba spoke softly.
"Naw, I don't think so," the green-haired teen contradicted. He turned golden eyes to Mokuba's. "He's putting on a show. You know this."
Mokuba turned back to the duel.
"He's upset," the young raven said.
"Yes," Jeice agreed. "But that doesn't mean he's regressing to what he used to be. Seto is strong, and he already defeated his old self."
Serenity absorbed their words. She knew she was missing a lot but she could get the gist of it.
'Big brother,' she thought as she looked up at him.
Joey drew a card.
'This will definitely help,' he thought. "First, I summon Swordsman of Landstar, 500/1200. Now, I'll activate this magic card, Graceful Dice."
The fairy-type monster appeared on the field and let go of the die.
'Come on, I need a t least a 4,' the blonde pleaded. A bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face when it looked like it was going to stop at 1.
"Yes! Now watch this!" the red-eyed teen cried once he rolled a 4. "My Swordman's attack power quadruples making his attack power stronger than yours."
"Lucky," the brunette spat. "But then, you've always been lucky haven't you?"
Joey paused. There was his opening. He knew the brunette wouldn't be able to keep from insulting him eventually.
"Depends what ya mean by that."
"Well, you're not particularly intelligent so what else could explain how you played us all for fools?"
The blonde went rigid.
"I didn't-"
"Hurry up and make your move," the brunette said, clearly planning to dismiss anything he'd say.
Joey debated opening up the conversation again. He opted not to.
'Not now.'
"Swordsman of Landstar, cut his Genie down," the blonde commanded causing the brunette's Life Points to drop to 2800. "You're wide open now."
"Don't forget I've destroyed every powerful monster in your deck," Kaiba reminded. "Don't believe for one second that you've got the upper hand."
'He's right. Thanks to his Crush card the only monsters I've got left have less than 1500 attack points. But, I gotta keep fighting. This is about more than just the duel,' Joey clenched a fist. 'Much more.'
"Let me give you a first hand look at how different we really are," Kaiba said as he drew a card. "I play Blade Knight in attack mode, 1600. Now, attack his Swordsman."
Blade Knight rushed forward and sliced through the small Swordsman to pieces. Joey's Life Points dropped to 1100.
"I place one card facedown," Kaiba's eyes glistened at him. "You have no chance."
"I'm just getting warmed up, here goes," Joey drew a card. "Check this out! I summon Little Windguard in attack mode, 1400."
"What are you thinking mutt? Is this some lame attempt at a strategy?"
"Maybe. Why don't you wait and judge for yourself? I play the magic card Legendary Sword. The monster that holds this sword gains 300 attack and defense points," Joey smiled. "Now Little Windguard, draw your sword."
"Well I activate this, Absorve Spell."
"Crap," the blonde bit out.
"Now the magic card you just combined to your Windguard is transferred to my Blade Knight, making my monster even stronger," the tall brunette scoffed at him. "You'll never defeat a true duelist with real talent with third-rate strategies like that."
"So, you're saying, your tournament was a joke?"
Blue eyes narrowed.
"What are you going on about Wheeler?"
"All I'm saying," Joey locked eyes with him. "Is that if I'm a third rate duelist than your tournament must have a joke otherwise I wouldn't have made runner-up to you of all people."
"Did- did Joey just make a plausible rationalization against Kaiba?!" Tea breathed out.
"He's grown," Ryou stated simply.
"Indeed," Yami agreed.
"Ah yeah! You tell him Joey!" Tristan cheered.
"Now, I'll place one card facedown," the blonde continued, ignoring the pit of... something growing inside as he watched the brunette. "Your move."
Mokuba bit his lip. His brother was seething.
"You. Filthy. Dog!" the icy eyes blazed causing more than one to tense up. "Things are just about to become far worse than anything you could imagine."
Kaiba drew a card. "I'll make you learn your place you amateur."
"Joey," Serenity called out in worry. Jeice frowned at her tone of voice and moved to catch her hand in his. He squeezed and Serenity squeezed back though her focus remained ahead.
'Sweetheart, I hope this is worth it,' Mai thought as she took in Joey's locked jaw along with the rigidity of his stance and movements. She turned a fierce glare to the teen CEO. If things went south the brunette would crush her pseudo-brother in more ways than one.
"I activate this magic card, Enemy Controller. By sacrificing 1000 Life Points I get to take control of one of your monsters. Left. Right. A. B."
The controller appeared on the field. After Kaiba's Life Points dropped to 1800 it connected to Little Windguard and Joey's monster left for Kaiba's side of the field.
"Now I play the magic card, Caught Down. It lowers the level of one of my monsters making it easier to summon," the brunette explained as he smirked triumphantly.
"Gee, I wonder what monster that could be?" the blonde winced at his own tone. He'd been trying for sarcasm but it came out hollow.
"Prepare to meet my ultimate beast," the tall brunette relished. "I sacrifice your Little Windguard in order to summon my Blue Eyes White Dragon!"
The tall brunette cackled madly as his magnificent beast appeared.
"Shit! How can I protect myself from that?" Joey whispered to himself as he balled a fist. The Blue Eyes before him looked as grand as it was intimidating. A trickle of fear sprung forth in him. He couldn't lose now! He'd hardly accomplished what the point of this due was all about. He sucked in a breath to calm himself. He had an ace, he'd be okay... for now.
"You're defenseless," Kaiba pointed out, losing some of his previous anger to clear enjoyment. "One attack by my Blue Eyes and you lose the duel."
The ice pits of the brunette's eyes widened as he threw a hand out as though directing his monster's charge.
"Blue Eyes White Dragon! Attack him now!"
Ryou blanched.
"He means attack Joey's Life Points, right?" the albino spluttered.
"Do something!" Tristan yelled.
"And do it fast!" Duke added.
"Hold on! I activate this! My Scapegoat magic card!" Joey cried.
"No!"
Four Scapegoats appeared before Joey and Blue Eyes' attack took out one of them.
"You won't get rid of me just like that," Joey stressed.
Kaiba glared.
"Blade Knight destroy a second Scapegoat!"
The large Knight rushed forward and sliced through a Scapegoat.
"Hey, why did your Blade Knight just gain more attack points?" the red-eyed teen asked.
"Because Blade Knight has a special ability that's why," the tall brunette declared. "It gains 400 attack points whenever I have one card or less in my hand. So now it has a strength of 2300 and my Blue Eyes has 3000 Attack points. And thanks to the devastating effect of my all powerful Crush card you have no monsters with more than 1500."
'He has a point,' the blonde thought. 'But it's not over yet.'
"It's your move now," Kaiba prompted, smiling cruelly.
Joey shook off the nerves running down his spine at that smile. 'How can I take down two of Seto's heavyweights with a deck full of wimps?'
The blonde drew a card. 'Not exactly what I was hoping for but I guess it can help guard my Life Points.'
"First, I'll place one card facedown, then I'll play Battle Warrior in defense mode," Joey looked at his opponent. "And that's all for now."
"That pathetic monster won't slow me down."
"Prove it."
Kaiba snorted derisively. "It's my move."
The card he drew had the brunette smirking. "I play the magic card, Card of Demise. This card marks the beginning of the end for you mutt."
"Why's that?" Joey returned, ignoring his flare of emotions.
"Because I draw 5 cards now but in 5 turns I lose my entire hand," ice-blue eyes glinted. "Of course, I plan to destroy you long before that."
"I'm shaking," Joey bit out, unable to help himself.
"Let me make my move and you'll be doing more than that. I summon Kaiser Seahorse in attack mode. Kaiser Seahorse attack his Scapegoat now!"
The blonde bit his lip as he lost a third Scapegoat.
"Now Blade Knight, go!"
Dread speared through him, right and quick, as his last Scapegoat was destroyed. He knew what was coming.
"And now for my Blue Eyes, destroy his Battle Warrior!"
With his last monster annihilated Joey was left wide open.
"That's enough for now. Go ahead and try to get yourself out of this mess. Unless, of course, you've come to your senses in which case you should just give up Wheeler," Kaiba spat.
"I'll never give up," Joey promised.
"This will be over soon enough," the tall brunette countered.
'No way,' the blonde thought as he drew. 'This could be what I needed.'
"Now, I activate Pot of Greed which lets me draw 2 cards," Joey said as he drew 2 more cards, hoping desperately he'd get something he needed. Upon looking at what he had he smiled. "That's what I'm talking about. First I activate this, it's Grave Robber. And I'll use it to take a magic card from your graveyard."
Kaiba's grin was back.
"Scrounging through other's trash?" the teen CEO scoffed. "Once a filthy mutt, always a filthy mutt."
Mai cursed inwardly.
'Of all people,' the blonde female thought venomously. 'Why did it have to be him Joey? He'll make you suffer before it's all said and done.'
"Let's see what you say when I take this, Enemy Controller. But, I'm not going to use it to control your monster."
"You still have to pay 1000 Life Points," the tall brunette reminded, grin growing as Joey's Life Points to 100.
The blonde ignored the quip.
"Up. Left. Down. Right. A," the blonde grinned himself. "Now instead of controlling your monster I can destroy it!"
Seto Kaiba's eyes finally widened.
"You can't!"
"Say good-bye to Blue Eyes."
Everyone was momentarily shocked as they watched the dragon be destroyed.
'Incredible Joey!' Yami thought and Yugi agreed.
"Alright man!" Tristan yelled. "Show Kaiba who's boss!"
Joey felt strength surge through him, but he wasn't done yet.
"And now I play Monster Reborn!"
"What!?"
Kaiba wasn't the only one to holler out.
Mokuba's eyes darted from one duelist to the other. They all knew what was coming, and judging by his older brother's furious expression... this could go very, very badly.
"Now, I bring back Blue Eyes White Dragon!"
The blonde held his breath as the magnificent beast appeared beside him. He was a bit shocked by the pulse of pleasure that hit him. No wonder Seto revered his dragons, he got the same feeling whenever he summoned Red Eyes.
Joey shook his head. He decided not to dwell on that thought. He smiled cheerfully at the sound of his friend's praises and encouragement.
"My Blue Eyes!" Kaiba ripped out, fists clenched, eyes focused yet disbelieving.
That, had the blonde frowning again. This next part was going to make it worse.
"Blue Eyes White Dragon," Joey called, the name rolling off easily. "Attack his Blade Knight with White Lightning."
Blue Eyes destroyed Blade Knight with a clear shot.
Silence.
Joey held his breath as Kaiba's livid eyes met his. The tall brunette's Life Points dropped to 700.
"You'll pay mutt."
Something sharp struck the blonde's heart. He shook himself.
"I'll wrap things up by playing Hayabusa Knight in defense mode, 700. Then I'll play 2 cards facedown and end my turn."
The blonde licked his lips.
"You. You made a big mistake by taking my Blue Eyes away from me," Kaiba shook with anger as he spoke. "You worthless, little-"
"Alright enough!"
The spectators all flinched at Joey's furious tone.
"Enough is enough! I'm tired of this crap!"
Kaiba could have reacted angrily, but instead he grinned sickly.
"Oh? What's wrong mutt? Can't handle what we all know what's coming?"
"Look!" Joey yelled, pointing out at him for emphasis. "I don't really care if you win this duel or I do! I'm not here for that!"
The blonde flicked his thumb back to himself.
"The only reason I'm here is so you and I can talk."
Mai and Duke shared a look.
Serenity bit her lip and squeezed Jeice's hand again.
"I know that if I tried to talk to ya any other time ya would only insult then toss me away," Joey stated, feet firmly planted. "But I knew that if we dueled then you'd have no choice but to stay and listen because there's no way you'd back out of the duel."
"Oh man," Tristan blew out.
"So that is what this is all about," Yami confirmed.
"He does have a point," Ryou digressed looking to his raven-haired boyfriend who nodded his agreement.
"Oh Joey," Tea said mournfully.
"Oh nothing," Mai interjected. "Joey's a strong guy, he's got this. Don't count him out before he even tries."
Yami nodded.
'If anyone can get through to Kaiba it's Joey,' Yugi thought to the Pharaoh.
'No one else would be stubborn enough to,' Yami thought back eliciting a chuckle from his Hikari.
"Jeice? Serenity?"
The couple turned to look at Mokuba. The clear confusion in his eyes was trained on them.
"Is there something going on between my brother and Joey?"
"I don't really know," Serenity admitted, quietly. She nodded towards Yami and the others. "But I think there is, and I think they know."
There was a short pulse of silence.
"There's nothing you and I have to talk about you ingrate. I'm only here for the win!" Kaiba drew. "Are you aware of the special ability of my Kaiser Seahorse? All I have to do to activate it is send him to the graveyard. Then I can summon a Light Attribute monster from my hand directly to the field."
"You have to listen," the blonde reiterated.
His brunette opponent ignored him.
"What's going on with them?"
The gang turned towards Mokuba who had appeared before them, hand pointed at the two dueling. Jeice and Serenity came to join them as well.
Duke frowned when the young raven repeated his question.
"I sacrifice my Kaiser Seahorse so I can summon Blue Eyes White Dragon!" Kaiba pointed straight up as another Blue Eyes appeared by his side.
Ice dropped into Joey's stomach.
"It's his Blue Eyes against mine," the blonde bit out.
"Blue Eyes attack now!" Kaiba ordered.
Because the two dragons were one in the same, when Kaiba's attacked Joey's they both were destroyed.
"There's no way I'll let you control one of my dragons," the tall brunette spat.
"They like each other," Duke explained, holding Mokuba's gaze when the younger raven focused on him. "They'd been interested in each other for awhile, but right when it seemed like it might become something more... well, the whole mess with Kiyoshi happened."
The green-eyed teen noticed Jeice and Serenity's confusion. "I know this won't all make sense but I'm not about to go into everything." He turned back to Mokuba. "All you have to know is that Joey ended up revealing that he lied about something and Kaiba took it as a personal blow." He gestured to the duel. "This is Joey's attempt to set things right."
"But it all depends on whether or not the ego-maniac gives Joey a chance or not to make things right," Mai shrugged casually when she spied the look Mokuba gave her. "No offense to you, but I'm not sure your brother is the forgiving type."
They all focused back on the duel.
Mokuba digested their words as he looked from his brother to Joey and back. The youngest teen frowned deeply.
"I'm not through yet," Kaiba addressed. "Now I bring back my dragon with this! Monster Reborn!"
Blue Eyes materialized by Kaiba once more.
"I'll finish you off and expose you as the failure you truly are!" the tall brunette declared, leveling Joey with an icy glare. "You want to talk here it is, I've come to find you are worthless and nothing you say will change my opinion on that! Now let's get on and finish this because you've wasted more than enough of my time!"
Mokuba looked shaken and many of the others looked on in angry disbelief. Mai and Duke swore under their breaths.
"That complete bastard!" Tristan yelled. Mokuba glared at him and swallowed the immediate defense of his brother that had been about to roll out. All in all, it all served to confuse the young raven even more so.
Joey visibly flinched but refused to back down. With immense struggle he kept himself calm. Right now he needed calm.
"I know I messed up, more than once. I know I kept too many secrets and I know I should have trusted better. I know, also, that I should have trusted and believed you too."
Kaiba said nothing and the blonde busied himself with drawing a card.
"I messed up and I'm sorry and I'm asking ya to forgive me," Joey went over what he could do then lifted his gaze from his cards. "It's that simple."
"You're out of your mind!" Kaiba bit out. "Continue the duel."
Joey stared him down.
"I summon Baby Dragon in defense mode and place one card facedown."
The tall brunette's eyes blazed as he drew.
"I play Stop Defense, switching your Knight into attack mode. Now let's end this! Blue Eyes take out Joey's Knight and the rest of his Life Points!"
Blue Eyes White Dragon charged up an attack and destroyed Joey's Hayabusa Knight.
"You're through!"
"Not quite!" Joey yelled back once the smoke cleared from the attack. "This duel won't be over till we talk for real! Now, reveal trap card, Nutrient Z."
The blonde made a forward fist.
"Whenever I'm about to lose 2000 or more Life Points this handy little card gives my Life Points a 4000 point boost before your attack hits."
The blonde's Life Points jumped up to 4100 before dropping down to 2100.
"What is it that you want from me? I know I did ya wrong so I'm willing to make it up to ya," Joey cut himself off there. He had been about to follow that up with a desperate 'please.'
"You're nothing but trash Wheeler and I want nothing to do with trash," Kaiba threw back at him as he drew another card. "I'll place 2 cards facedown and end my turn. This will be over soon."
"We're not done yet, not till I get through your thick skull!" Joey burst back, immediately cursing and trying to force himself to keep calm. He took in a long, shaky breath. "Just tell me what I need to do, I'll do whatever it takes I swear."
"Get it through your thick skull you mutt! I want nothing else to do with the likes of you!"
'No!' the blonde thought, going rigid. He blinked the start of blur in his eyes away. He took in another breath. 'He doesn't mean that. He can't mean that...'
"Was it because I was Katsuya? I can explain that!"
Joey's startling red orbs were pleading. For one second he thought- he hoped he saw Kaiba falter.
"There's nothing to explain! Hurry up and take your turn so I can end this!"
"I didn't mean to lead ya on, but I couldn't let ya know it was really me," the blonde's eyes glistened as he went through the motions of drawing a card. "It would have led to more questions I wouldn't have been able to answer then."
"The only thing I'm hearing is that you're weak Wheeler!"
"You forgave me for Kiyoshi so why not for this too!?" Joey was visibly shaking. "I know ya care!"
"Take your turn, now!" Kaiba yelled out ferociously.
"Seto," Mokuba whispered, heart tearing. He's seen his brother at his worst, so why did this feel so very, very wrong?
"I- I place one card facedown and then I activate this!"
Joey revealed his previous facedown, Monster Reborn.
"You. Filthy-"
"Your Crush card made me send all my best monsters to the graveyard but with this I can bring one back. And I choose to bring out my Red Eyes Black Dragon!"
The blonde almost smiled when his beloved dragon appeared on the field beside. Red Eyes was a comfort right now he so desperately needed.
"Since when did Joey have a Monster Reborn?" Tea voiced.
"Yeah, I don't remember him having that card," Tristan reiterated.
Yami nodded.
"It must be a new addition," the Pharaoh surmised.
"It is," Duke confirmed.
"Joey's been playing an amazing duel," Ryou commented bringing all of their attention back to the duel.
Mai hummed.
"No matter what Kaiba has been throwing at him he's been slinging it right back," the female blonde stated, violet eyes sharp.
Ryou nodded to her but then frowned.
"I'm simply worried about how this all might end."
Everyone tensed at the way the albino teen said that, but there was no doubt that things were not looking good.
"Yugi says to have faith," Yami spoke up. "Joey can do this and he needs our support."
"He's right," Serenity smiled. "I believe in my brother."
Her smile widened when Jeice wrapped an arm around her but she quickly lost it when she remembered Mokuba. The young raven had his back to all of them.
Mai frowned at Serenity's words.
'It's not your brother we should be worried about.'
"I also play this! My Copycat monster card! And I choose to copy your Blue Eyes!" Joey pointed at Kaiba. "Copycat will copy your Blue Eyes' attack and defense points, and so, Copycat do ya thing and attack Blue Eyes!"
Having the same attack points the two Duel Monsters ended up destroying each other.
"My Blue Eyes!"
Joey forced himself to look into Kaiba's furious eyes.
"All I want is your forgiveness! Give me the chance to make things right!" Joey only slightly hesitated on the last word. "Please!"
The desperate plea struck painful spears through the hearts of Joey's friends.
"No. I won't forgive you for anything! You lead me to believe you'd be worth it but it was all a lie! I won't let filth like you get the better of me!" Red botched Kaiba's normally flawless face. "My move-"
"I'm not through!" Joey interrupted. He knew his next move would be a huge gamble on his end but...
"Red Eyes Black Dragon, attack Seto's Life Points directly!"
"DON'T YOU DARE CALL ME BY MY GIVEN NAME!" Kaiba bellowed, eyes burning, chest heaving. "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!"
Looking more imposing than ever before the tall brunette raised a hand to the sky.
"I activate my card, Ring of Destruction and target your Red Eyes!"
The ring appeared on the field and fit itself around the Black Dragon, destroying it easily. The backlash of the destruction will cause both players to receive the 2700 points of damage.
"Now, I activate Ring of Defense to absorb all the damage I would receive," Kaiba leveled Joey with his most arctic glare. "You're nothing! And now we are through!"
For a few tense seconds the blonde stood stock-still as a tear finally made its escape and rolled down his cheek.
"No, no way," Tristan breathed out, looking like he was about to spring forward to attack.
Mai, too, looked ready to tear something or more specifically, someone apart.
Duke started when Ryou shuffled up against him and linked his hand in his. He could only give what he hoped was a reassuring squeeze back.
"Big brother," Serenity wavered, tears falling down her own eyes.
"He's not done yet," Jeice suddenly announced clearly causing everyone to look at him before glancing back to Joey.
The blonde had forced his teary eyes forward.
"Reveal trap! Magic Jammer!"
Joey took a step forward, stance firm.
"I can't stop the attack but with this I can stop your defense!"
Everyone watched, stuck.
Joey's trapped destroyed Kaiba's Ring of Defense.
Because of the Ring of Destruction they were both hit with the damage.
At the same time, both their Life Points hit 0.
After a tense beat, seemingly out of the shadows Roland stepped forward. If the man was surprised by the outcome he didn't dare show it.
"The duel has ended in a tie between Seto Kaiba and Joey Wheeler."
The cheer was slow, uncertain, and died a quick death. Just as the blonde's friends got it started the tall brunette strode off. Joey was quick to dart after him.
"Seto!"
The teen CEO only spared him a single glance from the doorway.
"Don't you ever come near me again."
Joey came to a halting stop, His heart was beating erratically.
"Seto, please... I think I love you."
Silence.
Blue eyes widened. Joey was so sure they widened before a scathing glare took over and the door was slammed shut before he could stop it. The red-eyed teen tried for the knob but it wouldn't budge. He resorted to pounding at the door.
"Hear me out! Please just hear me out!"
His friends kept their distance. They hadn't even moved.
"Just hear me out ya bastard! Please!"
Mokuba turned away. No one stopped him from leaving with Roland.
Joey kept pounding away, to the point where he finally slumped down.
"I'm sorry," Joey whispered, wishing for all the world it didn't feel like his heart was spilling out onto the floor. "I'm so sorry..."
I apologize if there were any discrepancies in the duel. They are not my forte so lets just pretend they are not there.
Only one last chapter to go! I can't believe it's almost over!
At the end of the next chap I'll also have a brief summary of the next fic, also puppyshipping, that I've started to jot down ideas for. I'll be taking a short break to work on it. From what it seems it'll be even bigger than this one.
Stay tuned!