A/N: Does anyone else hate exams? They are evil, evil, evil! But never mind, just one last one tomorrow! Haha! I'm just rubbing it in your face Duckydeary!

"Now I activate Tribute to the Doomed [2]. I told you I'd be the winner of this re-match Yugi."

He sucked air through his teeth sharply, giving a low whistle of marvel, "But, I had a trap card waiting just for something like this. Solemn Judgment [3]! At the cost of half of my lifepoints, I negate the effect of your Tribute to the Doomed. My monster remains." He grinned, keeping his happy façade, for now. 

"Big deal." I chuckled. Dream on. What would any monster do for him, when he had just lost half of his lifepoints? But for now, I'll just keep on smiling. 

~~~~

"Yo! Taylor! Missed me?" Tristan whirled round, his jacket almost knocking the person behind in the face.

"Hey! How's it goin? Where've you been all this time, been lookin all over for you?" He grinned sheepishly, keeping his rucksack in between him and the newcomer.

"Oh yeah? And why's that?"

"Yugi were just looking for you, but you weren't in. So was Mai." Tristan scratched his head lamely, a goofy grin plastered upon his face.

"Seemed to me you were avoiding me." An accusing finger pointed right at Tristan's nose.

"Hahaha! What gave you that idea? Listen, I'm real sorry..." But he didn't even get to the middle of the sentence, since the accuser obviously didn't take his advice and listen.

"Woa man! What's with the knife?" He yelped jumping back, staring with awe at the naked blade.

"Thought I'd teach you summink! Stay away from Serenity!" Joey uttered an enraged war cry, and advanced upon a very freaked out Tristan.

"Did Malik possess you again? You're scaring me Wheeler!" He backed away steadily, eyes never leaving the pair that were trained bloodthirstily upon his taller but quivering frame.

"Joey.....? What...?" A new uncertain voice broke the trance, and Joey jumped a mile off the ground in astonishment.

"Arrugh....gee Mai! Why does your presence always induce....unpleasantness?" His surprise turned to immediate relief, which soon gave way to embarrassment.

"You're the one who was threatening Tristan with that vicious knife!"

"Oh yeah, Tristan. Hey? Where'd he go?" Joey whirled around in a full circle, but, as far as his eyes could see, there was no sign of Tristan anywhere.

"Maybe he got scared off by your hostile act." Mai commented dryly.

"Well I didn't mean it! I only wanted to make a point!" Joey defended himself as he ran off calling 'Tristan', amongst other names.

"Oh that really helps Joseph, make a point using a sabre? Great thinking. Hey wait for me! You're not getting away that easily!"

As soon as it was occupied, the street was deserted again. Until, a feeble voice conducted into the air, "Hello? Anybody there?"

"Hahaha. What a bunch of morons. Really should have been watching where he was stepping. But then again, who leaves a manhole open at such a convenient place?" The passing tourist emerged from the shadows of a nearby doorway where he had been eavesdropping, and leaned down to the gaping hole on the pavement, a sadistic smirk making its way across his face, "Another one down the drain, and I didn't even have to set the stage. Shame there were no cameras this time." He toyed with a skilfully carved cuboid with his thumb and forefinger, while the other hand reached habitually for his spiky hair, "How's it going down there? Cosy?" He called softly, voice echoing slightly as the vibrations bounced down the dark enclosed space.

"Stop gloating, just help me outta here!" Tristan demanded powerlessly, teeth half clenched, "I've done something to my leg."

"Sorry, no can do. I've got a game shop to run." Duke rose gracefully, and amidst silent laughter, dragged the heavy metal cover along the ground, and shut off the last beam of sunlight from Tristan's vision.

~~~~

[2] Tribute to the Doomed – Destroy one monster card on the field, regardless of position, by discarding one card from your hand to the Graveyard.

[3] Solemn Judgement - When your opponent either activates a Magic or Trap Card or summons a monster (including Special Summon), you can negate the action and destroy the cards involved at the cost of half your Life Points.