Yu-Gi-Oh! Love Selflessly – Chapter 15
Reaching the top of the staircase, Emiko panted heavily, "Wait up, guys!" Yugi and Bakura both laughed, looking back at her. She stopped suddenly, her eyes widening in fear. Standing in front of the door to Pegasus' castle was Kemo. Emiko gasped and Yugi asked, "What's wrong?" She said, "Kemo." Téa walked back and said, holding out her hand, "Don't worry, Emiko. We're right here with you. We aren't going to let him take you." Joey said, pumping his fist into the air, "You got that right! Now, let's get in there!" Emiko took Téa's hand and nodded. The group all approached the door. Kemo growled, "Oh, no! There is no way you brats won ten star chips each. Now, get lost. This isn't some clubhouse. It's a place reserved for the duelling elite." Mai, Joey, Yugi, and Emiko held up their hands, presenting their filled duelists' gloves. Mai said, "Well, then we'll fit right in." Joey placed his chips into the slots on the door's lock system and opened the heavy, metal door. He said in a snarky tone, "Now, would you mind telling housekeeping that I like my pillows extra-fluffy?" Mai walked past, saying sweetly while Emiko stuck close to Joey in order to avoid Kemo, "You're a doll." Yugi said cheerfully, "At last! We're finally at the castle!"
"No, no, no," Kemo yelled, jumping in front of Téa, Tristan, and Bakura, "You three don't even have duelling gloves!" Téa said innocently, "Aww, come on, you have to let us in! We're the cheerleaders!" Kemo snapped, "What do you losers think this is, a high school football game? No star chips, no entry! You got that?" Emiko sighed, but Mai stepped forward and said softly, "You're saying you couldn't do us one little favour? Not even for me?" She batted her long lashes, giving him big, pleading eyes. Kemo stammered, "N-no! Absolutely not! Master Pegasus gave me explicit orders not to let anyone- Hey!" The trio ran inside and Mai threw her knapsack into Kemo's face. Joey pulled the door shut and locked it, laughing confidently, "And that's that!" Yugi said, "Alright, there's no time to waste."
"Welcome, duelists," the raspy voice of an older man said behind them, "I am Croquet, the chief tournament liaison." Emiko jumped back. Joey threw his arm in front of her. Yugi furrowed his brows. Croquet said, "Congratulations on making it this far. Master Pegasus is quite taken with all of your duelling talents. In fact, he's so impressed, he wanted to reward you with some entertainment: a special exhibition match. I think you'll all be quite in awe of what you're about to see. This match should give you an idea of what's in store for you all." Mai said, "So, basically, it's meant to intimidate us." Croquet denied, "Now, why would Pegasus do something like that?" Joey said, "Because he's a grade-a nut-case." Croquet chuckled in spite of himself and said, "Follow me."
The walk was long. Croquet led them through beautifully decorated halls until they finally reached a brightly-lit, pristine balcony. Yugi and the others stopped. Just ahead, leaning on the balcony stood a tall man. He was blonde, wearing sunglasses and a bandana that bore the American stars and stripes. Emiko recognized him. Joey sneered, "Bandit Keith. I can't stand this guy!" Keith snickered, "Well, well, what do you know? If it isn't big, tough Joey and his whole crew of duellin' dummies." He chuckled and said, "Not to mention, it looks like you've got yourselves a new member or two since the last time we duelled." Emiko growled, but Joey said, "You slime! I've been waiting to find you ever since you left us trapped in that cave!" Emiko asked, "Wait...am I missing something?" Joey started flailing, swinging his fists at Keith, who dodged and blocked with minimal effort. Yugi said, "I'll explain later." Keith said, "Can't this little grudge of yours wait?" Joey said, struggling against Keith's grip on his fist, "You wish, creep!" Keith said, "Alright, suit yourself, kid, but the real action is about to start. Look down there." As the group looked down over the balcony, they saw that there was a long pathway over a dark chasm. Across from them on the other side of the room, there was a viewing platform with a large chair on it, presumably for Pegasus' viewing. On the long pathway stood a familiar, brown-haired young man. Emiko gasped, her eyes widening.
"Seto? Seto! Up here!"
She leaned over the balcony. He asked, "Emiko? What are you doing here?" Emiko held up her glove, showing him her ten star chips. He sighed, "I see." Yugi said, "Hey, there, Kaiba." Seto said, chuckling up at Yugi, "I should have known you'd find a way." Emiko asked, "Where is Mokuba? Is he okay?" Before anything else could be said, a man in a fine, red suit walked in, standing across from Seto. His long, silver hair was neatly parted down the middle and he wore a pleasant, friendly smile. Seto snapped, "Where's my brother?" Pegasus asked, "What? No 'hello'? No 'how are you'? Come on, now, I thought we were friends, Kaiba-boy." He chuckled, "Don't tell me that my kidnapping Mokuba and seizing control of your company has put a rift between us. It was nothing personal, you know." Emiko sighed. Pegasus said, "Don't you worry, Kaiba-boy. It's not like I hurt your kid brother. He's perfectly safe! In fact, you can have him back if you'd like." Emiko growled and thought, "What is going on? Something doesn't feel right." Seto said, "Quit it, Pegasus."
"Now, Kaiba-boy," Pegasus said, "In order to get your little brother back, just beat me in a duel, as we agreed, and I'll hand him over. I mean, one little victory shouldn't be a problem for the Duel Monsters World Champion, hm?" Emiko shouted, "You can do it, Seto!" Joey said, "Guys, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm not hopin' Kaiba loses this duel. I still say he's a jerk for everything he's put us through, but I can't help but feel for him wanting to protect his family." Emiko looked down worriedly at Pegasus, who looked up directly at her, sending a pang of fear through her heart. She leaned over the balcony, turning to look at Seto.
"Please, just be careful," she thought. Pegasus taunted, "Come now, Kaiba, it's so gauche to keep everyone in suspense. Seto looked up at Emiko, who gave a reassuring nod, then looked back at Pegasus. Pegasus said, "I hope you're ready, Kaiba. I've been looking forward to this for quite some time." Seto said, setting his briefcase on the ground and opening it, "Good. Then I'm sure you'll have no problem duelling with this." He took out his duel disk and threw one to Pegasus, who looked at it, confused. Seto growled, "Well?" Pegasus asked, "You want me to duel with your latest contraption? I don't even know how the silly device even works." He laughed and said, "Do I spin it like a top or roll it like a ball?" He playfully rolled the disk along the ground, his bodyguards chasing and catching the device before it could roll down into the dark pit below them. Kaiba snapped, "Cut the theatrics, Pegasus!" Pegasus shrugged and said, "Oh, Kaiba means business. Ok, then, how about we settle this as businessmen would? I will agree to use your system if you agree to a request that I have." Seto asked, narrowing his eyes, "What?" Pegasus explained, "Nothing that will change the game, of course. I simply want someone else to operate your little device for me." Bandit Keith said loudly, "I smell a rat." Emiko inhaled sharply through her nose.
"I really don't like this," Emiko thought. Pegasus said, "I can assure you, the gameplay won't change at all. I'll still make all the strategic decisions." Seto asked, "So, why the request? Why don't you fight your own battle for once in your life?" Pegasus clapped his hands twice and said, "Show Kaiba the lad who will play as my pawn and I'm sure he'll understand my request." The door behind Pegasus slid opened. Seto and Emiko both gasped. Emiko clapped her hands to her mouth. Seto's eyes widened. Walking into the room, being led by a guard, who had him attached to a chain, was little Mokuba. His once-bright eyes were now dark and glassy. He had a dead look on his face and he seemed to be in some kind of trance as he walked into the room. Emiko shrieked, "Mokuba!" Seto said, "Mokuba! It's me." Emiko shouted, "Mokuba, talk to us!" Pegasus chuckled. Yugi said, "Something's not right. Téa said, looking closely, "It's like he's been hypnotized or something." Pegasus said calmly, "I do apologize if he doesn't seem quite like himself. I happen to find that the captives I keep are far easier to manage after I've made an extraction of sorts." Seto asked, "What do you mean? What have you done to Mokuba, you monster?" Pegasus reached into his coat's front breast pocket, smirked, and held up a card. On the card was an illustration of Mokuba. He said, "Now, now, petty insults are no way to get your little brother's soul back." Emiko gasped and her knees gave out on her. She collapsed to her knees, the shock causing her to shake uncontrollably. Bakura knelt down next to her and he rubbed her back comfortingly. Tears stung her eyes and she felt herself starting to panic, her breath growing uneven and ragged. Down below, Pegasus said calmly, "Don't worry. I told you your little brother was perfectly safe and he is...but how long he remains that way is up to you, Kaiba-boy. Beat me in a duel and I'll release him as promised." He pulled out a second, blank card.
"Fail," he continued, "and not only will his soul remain in bondage, but yours will join it." Emiko gasped for air and Téa knelt down to help comfort her. She looked back down at Seto through the bars of the balcony. Seto was visibly angry. He snapped, "I'll crush you!" Pegasus cheered, "So, it's settled! We'll use your new invention, but your little brother will operate it for me." Seto said, "No. Wait, Pegasus." Pegasus asked, feigning sadness, "What's wrong, Kaiba-boy? This was your idea. Using your own system is sure to give you quite the advantage. What's the problem?" Seto said, "Mokuba has been through enough already." He shakily said, "You win. We won't use it." Emiko gripped her locket in her hand.
"You have to win, Seto. No matter what, you can't afford to lose. If I lose you, too, I'm not sure if I'll be able to go on. I know it's been a rough couple of years for us, but I love you and Mokuba. I love you both so much and I couldn't bear to lose you. When you and I fought, Mokuba was always stuck in the middle, but he still loved us. He stuck by us. He tried to keep us all together. I want us to be a family again, just like when we were little. In order to do that, you have to win and get Mokuba's soul back. Then, we can get out of here."
Seto said, shaking, "We'll duel on your terms. Just keep Mokuba out of this." Pegasus said, kneeling next to the listless Mokuba, "So, rather than duel your empty shell with the device he's perfected, he'd rather give me home-field advantage. Fine with me. Take him away." One of the guards tugged on the chain attached to Mokuba's ankle, leading him out of the room. Emiko took a deep breath, finally able to control her tears. Téa whispered, "Hey, calm down. It's going to be okay." Tristan said, "Yeah. Kaiba's got this." Emiko said in a shaking whisper, "I hope...I-I hope you're right." Seto snarled, "You will pay." Pegasus smirked and said in a authoritative tone, "Watch yourself, Kaiba. You're in my world, now." He held up his hand and with the snap of his fingers, the long platform moved, beginning to separate. Seto braced himself at the sudden movement. Joey exclaimed, "Woah! Check out the automated bridge!" Emiko watched through the bars in awe. Téa stood up and pointed to the ceiling.
"Forget the bridge," she said, "An entire arena's coming down!" Tristan said, "Yeah! That or the biggest elevator ever built!" Mai said as the arena locked into place and the bridge secured itself to the sides of it, "This should be good." Seto and Pegasus both stepped onto the arena and placed their decks in position. Mai continued, "The two biggest legends in Duel Monsters going at it? This is what it's all about." Emiko muttered under her breath, "Come on, big brother. You can do this." The life point counter set itself to 2,000 and the two drew their cards. Pegasus asked, "Are you ready, Kaiba? Your brother's fate hangs in the balance." Yugi shouted, "Kaiba! You've got to believe in the Heart of the Cards! It's the only way to help Mokuba!" Seto turned and yelled back, "Keep out of this! I'm fighting this duel my way." Yugi shouted, "Just don't forget that it'll take more than a strong monster and clever strategies to win this one! That Millennium Eye Pegasus has changes everything! You have to-" Joey interrupted, "Yugi, don't forget, Kaiba's the guy who took your star chips." Yugi sighed, "I know...but I also know what it's like to be duelling for someone you care about and I couldn't live with myself if I held back on anything that could help Emiko and Kaiba get their brother back!" Joey said, "Easy, buddy."
"Seto," Emiko called, standing up, "Please listen to him! He's right!" Seto said, looking over his cards, "Yugi, you're a good duelist, but I don't need your help. It's my battle to fight now. I will win. You and I have known each other for a long time, Pegasus. Now, we'll see if the master is the Duel Monsters creator or its champion! You have nowhere left to hide, Pegasus." Pegasus chuckled as the duel began.
November 22, 2020 – 2380 Words