Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh. However, Kai and Takaru are mine. If I find you using them without my consent (Which I quite often give), I will report you. But now, on with the show.

Chapter One: Pegasus's Challenge

My name is Kai Kaethen. I live in a suburban area that borders Domino City, where the idol of all duelists lives: Yugi Mouto. I'm said to be one of the best in my region. Then again, Yugi and a few others never appeared, so I don't consider myself to be that good. I didn't even make first place last time. Joey Wheeler and one Takaru Ukata took first and second place. And another duelist, Mai Valentine, whom I never got to play, made fourth.

Anyway's, my story starts about two weeks after the regional's. I had been worn out by school, and was on my way home to watch my little brother, Seya, and my little sister, Allentha. I kinda have little choice. Ever since both my parents went to work, I've had to take personal responsibility for them. They really look up to me, and I think I'm a bit of a role model to them. I've always had to stand strong for them, which is why they have such a high opinion of me. They were shocked when they learned that I had been beaten. Needless too say, I had to give them a small lecture about pride and weakness.

Anyway, when I got home, I went through the usual routine. You know, check the mail, get dinner started, sit the kids down for homework, etc. I, myself didn't have anything else to do, so I started to sift through the mail.

"Bill, bill, ad., magazine, bill, private invite to Duelist Kingdom Tournament, bil...What?!" I nearly screamed. I was in shock. I had actually been invited to the second tournament at the heart of the Duel Monsters world. One year had passed since Yugi Mouto had competed and beaten Maximilian Pegasus. I couldn't believe it. Neither could Seya and Allentha. Their eyes bugged out and they shot over towards me.

"I don't believe it!" Seya shouted. "You've been invited to the biggest, most prestigious tournament in the world."

"I wish I could go." Allentha whined. "Why didn't we get invited?"

"I don't know." I sighed. "But, I don't think I can go. Mom and Dad are gonna be out of town this weekend, remember. Who is gonna watch you guys. Hmm." I pointed out. "Well?" They both just stared at the floor in dismay. "Look, I'll try and make arrangements for a babysitter, alright. But," I said as their faces lifted up. "I need you guys to promise that you will stay with the babysitter, and NOT sneak aboard the boat."

"Yes." They said solemnly.

***

"Hey you two. I may have found someone who could watch you while I'm at...Duelist..Kingdom." I said slowly as I took in the state of the house. It was in shambles. Curtains were torn down, rugs thrown all over the place, chairs turned over.

'This isn't right.' I thought to myself. 'They aren't capable of this kind of damage. Never.' Then a thought hit me.

"SEYA! ALLENTHA!" I cried. I dashed throughout the house in search of them. "Seya! Allentha! Where are you?!"

My search was cut short, however, by a ring of the doorbell. I quickly regained my composure and opened it just enough to stick my head out. "Hello." I greeted. But, no one was there. I looked down the street to see a package delivery service truck speed away. I looked down to find a box with the words "Industrial Illusions" stamped on it.

I don't know why, but for some strange reason, I forgot all about my current situation, and opened the parcel. In it was a glove with a thick metal band at the base, and two stars next to it. Also, there was a letter in it. I reached in and ripped it open. I skimmed the first few lines, but soon went back to read the whole thing thoroughly. I sat down and slowly read it, making sure not to miss a detail. It read:

"Dear Kai-Boy,

I do hope to see you at my tournament. You have something I desire for myself, and I will stop at nothing to hold it. And so, if you need any extra motivation, don't forget. I have your brother and sister. Good luck. Fallow the instructions here within for further explanation.

Signed,

Maximilian Pegasus"



I dropped the letter in shock. I just couldn't believe it. Pegasus was the one who had kidnaped my little brother and sister. It just wasn't possible. It didn't make any sense. And what did he want with me? What had he meant by "Something I want." It just didn't make any sense. Why? I reached into the envelope once more, and pulled out a small handful of cards, but unlike any cards I had ever seen. Each had a well designed picture, an intricate name, but in place of statistics, they had instructions.

The first one in the pile had a picture of a glove and stars like the ones in the box, with instructions that I must have them with me to gain passage on the boat. The next had a pile of gold and jewels, and the title 'Glory of the King's Hand' printed across the top. It stated that the prize totaled at three-million dollars, and the title 'King of Games.' I turned through the rest, and stopped at what had to be the most puzzling card I had ever seen. It was blank, with the name 'Glory of the Kings Opposite Hand.'

I looked back to the letter, skimmed it one last time, and collapsed to the floor in tears. "Seya, Allentha." I wept. I must have cried for at least half an hour. Finally getting a grip on myself, I rose my head and clenched my teeth. "Pegasus." I seethed. "I'm coming. Nothing will stop me. Nothing!"

***

"Yes. Thank you." I spoke into the receiver of the cordless phone. "Look, just hold onto the mail for the weekend. I'll be back on Monday. Alright. Thanks. Bye." I hung-up and sighed. That was the last thing. I had canceled the babysitter, the mail, reprogrammed the sprinklers, scrubbed the house down to avoid pestilence, and made sure my parents trips were on schedule. Four days had passed, and I had to leave in an hour to catch the last bus into Domino so that I could make the boat.

I walked up to my room to get my pack assembled. I threw in some hunting supplies, water, flint and steel, flashlight, tent drape, etc. I slid my arms through the armholes of my black vest, snapped my deck into a small pouch on my belt, and then pulled a leather band around my neck. At the end of the strap hung an Egyptian ankh, but the tip had teeth like an old fashioned key. I had obtained it during a family vacation to Egypt the summer before. I had been wandering the market by myself one day, when a strange Arab man with eyes that showed no emotion, beckoned to me. I don't know what it was, but something pulled me towards the narrow ally. And no matter how much logic I tried to apply, and convince myself of the stupidity of this action, I walked up to him. But, much to my surprise, he did not attack me, but simply held it out to me, pointing the artifact at me, as if it was trying to break away from him. I just stared into those intense eyes, unable to do anything else.

"The Millennium Key has chosen you stranger." he finally spoke. "Take care of it. Use it wisely. Never let it go." He turned it so that the loop now faced me. I reached out and took it from him, and felt a warm, familiar essence fill me. When I finally looked up, he was gone. I had worn the Key ever since.

***

"Greetings Duelists!" the large suited man called down to all of us from the deck of the ship. "You are the newly selected Elite, invited by the great Maximilian Pegasus, to his great tournament at Duelist Kingdom. Some of you are returning from last year, and know standard procedure, but for those of you who are new, you must present your Star Chips to gain passage. Now, one at a time, please come."

I stood in line, clenching the metal stars in my hand. Not long had passed before I heard a disruption up ahead. I focused all my hearing towards the front of the line.

"Listen kid, you don't qualify, alright." the burly guard nearly shouted.

"I have the Star Chips!" he sniveled.

"Dimwit. How do you think we intended to keep people from using last years invites to attend. We changed the chips to silver, and the gauntlets to blue. Yours are gold. Now get lost!" The kid tried to put up a fight, and was, um, escorted away by two large men in black uniforms. Once I could see, I recognized him as Weevil Underwood, infamous bug duelist who was the first to be eliminated last year. Rumor has it that it was Yugi who crushed the cheating flea.

Anyway, my turn came not to long after that, and they let me on without any trouble. I walked down to the hall to my quarters. They weren't very big, but as long as I got to Duelist Kingdom to face Pegasus, I didn't mind.

I unloaded my stuff, had a glass of water, and put on a fleece jacket. It was gonna get cold on deck soon. I walked up top side, and just looked off into the distance. People talked excitedly all around me. I could hear a couple of people having a small duel. Other were trading, or bragging about how well they did in whatever tournament, or boasted about there cards.

"Fools." I said to myself. "No respect or thanks to their cards. Maybe I'll get a chance to teach them a little about that."

"Maybe us both." a new, kind voice cut in. I looked to my right, and standing there before me was Yugi Mouto himself. I was nearly speechless, yet, calm and cool. I simply nodded my agreement, and held out my hand.

"I'm Kai Kaethen. Pleased to meet you, Yugi." I then looked passed him to see five others. "Joey, Mai, good to see you two again. How have you been since the regionals?"

"I'm good." Joey chided. "Hey wait. Your that guy I never got to duel at the tournament."

I nodded. "Yes. Well, perhaps we'll get our chance here."

"You got it, man. I'm gonna take you down at the finals."

"Just remember Joey, we're here just for the fun of it this year. And to get Kaiba to back off and win the money to help Grandpa's store." Yugi pointed out.

I could only smile. 'So, Yugi is as kind as they say. He really is lucky to have so many friends.' I turned to the open sea. 'I'm on my way Seya, Allentha. Just hold on.'



To Be Continued...