Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh nor any of the characters. Original Characters in this story is the property of Luna.
Chapter 12 - Operation: Matchmaker Mokuba
Early the next morning, the street was expectedly crowded at the Domino City Town Square. There was hardly any room to get by as Vari furiously tried to find her friends through the mass of people. The postcard said to come at 10 o'clock AM, obviously Vari should have come much earlier.
She decided to called out to her friends. "Yugi! Joey!" she yelled as loud as she could.
"Vari!" someone shouted her name. Her head swiveled around, a hand poke through the sea of people, waving vigorously at her. With about twenty people in front of her, Vari pushed through aggressively, until at last she saw the familiar faces she had been searching for.
"Hey guys!" she said with relief.
"Vari! Can you imagine this many people showing up to the tournament?" Tea said with amazement.
"Yeah. I can't believe it either." Vari said.
"Now we know how big this tournament really is." Tristen stated.
"So what do we do now?" Joey asked. He wiped out his postcard from his pocket. "It just said to come at ten with our duel disks."
"I guess we just wait, like all the other people." Yugi said.
"I wish they hurry up!" Joey complained. "When are they going to start!?" he yelled, loud enough for others to hear him.
"A little anxious are we?" Vari teased, poking his arm and grinning with amusement.
"Hey. I can't lose my dueling spirit! I need to battle while I'm still fresh."
Tea rolled her eyes. "Yeah...right Joey..." she laughed.
"Well it shouldn't be long." Yugi said, and as he did, sure enough an invisible loud speaker caught their attention.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! We welcome you to our 10th annual Duel Monsters Tournament! But do you actually have what it takes? ("Hell Yeah!" Joey screamed out, while Tristen held his eccentric buddy down) This is your chance to prove yourself! See if you have what it takes to survive and claim the number one title as duel monsters champion!"
The crowds gave a definite roar, cheering loudly and anxiously awaiting the last of the announcement before the official start of the match.
"In order for us to start each of you has been sent an official postcard, but on it is a specific number for each individual on the top right hand corner."
All the contestants pulled out their postcards, checking the number. Everyone along with Vari, Yugi, and Joey.
"Hand in the postcard with the number at one of the nearby desks standing by and be paired up anonymously. All match ups will be random and you will have to compete against them in today's preliminary match, whomever the winner is will go on in the Duel Monsters Tournament, and the losers will be eliminated. With all that said...LET THE PRELIMINARIES BEGIN!"
As the loud speaker uttered the last word of the opening speech a herd of people rushed up to the nearest desk available, knocking each other over in the process.
"Come on!" Joey said, running like everyone else to get himself matched up.
"Joey slow down! We're right behind you!" Vari called to the hasten guy.
"Wait. There's a desk with less people over there." Tea said pointing at the vacant corner.
"Come on Joey." Vari said dragging him by the collar of his shirt. The five of them strolled over. Joey the most anxious out of all of them, slapped his card on the table and startled the poor woman standing by.
"Alright! Match me up." he said to her. "Let's see the sucker that's gonna duel me." he grinned widely.
"Your name is Joey Wheeler...number...556..." she typed on the registered computer. "The number given to you is your registered ID number. Because the tournament is within the 3 mile radius of the area the number given to each competitor will makes it easier for us to track..." she explained.
"You mean we're being watched?" Joey asked.
"Why yes...it's programmed on your duel disk systems. We can record the duel on the computers to keep track of the competition. It also prevents cheating when no authorized personnel is around."
"Whoa...I didn't know that." said Joey with amazement.
The computer clicked onto the flashing monitor. "Scanning for compatible challenger..." it read on the screen. A blinking window popped up with a picture of a shaved blue haired mohawk man, looking around his early twenties.
Name: Neil Crusher
"He looks kinda freaky." Tristen said examining the picture
"This will be your opponent." the woman said. "The duel will take place by the Town Square water fountain. Your opponent will be waiting for you there."
"Yes! Three words...I'm gonna win" he smirked.
"Alright, alright, quit hogging Joey. My turn." Vari said.
"Ah...Vari Mayoto...ID 557" the woman said. She waited till the computer retrieved the results. "Your opponent will be Joule Zen. Your duel will take place west of the Square Park." Vari nodded with her assigned opponent and location. "And last but not least Yugi Moto...ID...558...your opponent will be Eli Gregory. Match held east of Square Park."
"That means we're all split up." Yugi said a little disappointed.
"The tournament will begin approximately 15 minutes. "Good luck to you all." she smiled.
"Thanks" Yugi said kindly. "I guess we go our separate ways. Let's meet back here when were done."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Hey wait up guys!" Bakura shouted trying to catch up with them.
"Bakura! You decided to come along too?" Yugi asked.
"Yeah, well...with everyone talking about it. It's hard not to." he said.
"You're just in time, the duel is about to start!." Tea said.
"Alright." said Bakura. Without warning he felt a strange presence with a sudden jolt of great power waking his senses. His instincts told him it was close by, but where? His eyes darted to the corner alley.
*******
"Hack into the system." he commanded. His feeble servants obeyed without hesitation. They quickly started up the program on the portable laptop. "Breaking into the tournament records will be child's play." he said with an evil smirk. "They won't notice a thing."
"Preparations are ready" his servant informed.
"Good. We'll enter the competition and no one will be able to know the difference." he paced around with anticipation. "After all these years I will finally confront him."
"I don't suppose I should turn you in with the authorities." a voice said.
The master whirled around at the sudden intruder, with his rod griped tightly in his hands ready to attack. "Who are you?" he demanded. A white haired boy appeared from the shadows of the alley.
"Someone who will inform the authorities of your illegal actions." he warned.
The master gave a death glare, but his body stood unfazed by the boy's threats. "And what makes you think, you'll ever get out of here alive to do it?" he snarled. He clapped his hands together twice. Soon 5 dark purple robed servants came to his aid. "You can be another one of my mind slaves." he laughed, holding his millennium rod up. It started to glow, ready to possess Bakura's mind as his own.
"Not so fast!" Bakura said, holding up his own millennium item.
"What!? The millennium ring!" he said with astonishment. He looked quizzically at the boy. "What are you?"
"A person who wants your millennium item!"
"He can be of use..." he thought. "So you want my item do you?" he grinned. "I can give you my item...but for a price of your service..." he said with a sly tone.
"I'm no one's lackey!" Bakura shouted. "I can kill you if I wanted to. I have the millennium eye as well and the ring, you can't stand against two items!"
"But...what if I can provide you with the rest of the millennium items? Destroy me and you destroy the location of the rest of the items."
Bakura felt temptation seeping through him. He couldn't help but think of all the millennium items he will claim. The feeling of greed was uncontrollable. Bakura lowered his defenses just a little. "Why should I trust you?"
"Why should you not? I have one item you seek, with my knowledge you have more to gain if we forge a partnership."
"I know more then what you give me credit for." Bakura sneered.
"Perhaps..." he grinned. "But not everything..." he thought.
Bakura considered his offer. "Maybe we can work something out."
*******
"Competitors start!"
LP Joey: 2000 LP Crusher: 2000
"Ready to duel wimp?" Neil Crusher said.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Joey replied. "And maybe after the duel I can give you some hair advice." He smirked, indicating Crusher's blue mohawk head.
"Never mock the hair! Make your move!"
"Touchy..." Joey muttered. "I'll play one card face down in defense mode and I place two face down cards, just to keep you guessing."
"Trying to be cautious? I'll also play two cards face down and bring out Pale Beast in attack mode. Let's see what your face down card is! I attack with Pale Beast!
"Not so fast! Activate magic card. Block attack, shifting your monster into defense position. I have a few moves planned."
"Nothing but cheap tricks I bet." Crusher smirked.
"Just wait...I place my monster Girochin Kuwagata in attack mode and shift my defense monster, Neo the Magic Swordsman into attack position as well. Since your Pale Beast is still up in attack mode I'll wipe it off with Magic Swordsman lowering your life points by 200. Leaving you wide open for my Kuwagata to reduce your life points by 1700." The holographic image dashed up to Crusher's beast, slicing it with his slender blade. The monster disintegrated from the field.
LP Joey: 2000 LP Crusher: 100
"What!" Crusher exclaimed. "How could he just wipe out 1900 of my life points with a single turn!?"
Joey grinned at the expression on the other man's face. "You have to admit, that was a sweet move." Joey laughed.
"I place one card face down. And put this monster face down in defense." Crusher sighed. He can't risk his life points. He could be taken out by a single attack. "But little does he know I have tricks up my sleeve as well..."
Joey felt a winning edge. "I attack your face down defense monster. Then I could cream you when you have no more monsters on the field. Magic Swordsman attack!"
"Activate Enchanted Javelin!" Crusher cried out. His trap card was reveal onto the holographic field. "Instead of destroying my monster, you just helped me increase my life points equal to that of your Swordsman, which is by 1700!" He grinned.
LP Joey: 2000 LP Crusher: 1800
Joey blinked. He was so close to winning to match! Grumbling at Crusher for messing up his strategy.
"I play Prevent Rat in attack mode! And I'll use the magic card shield and sword to switch it's attack of 500 and defense of 2000. More then enough to wipe out your Swordsman!" The armadillo looking monster from Crushers side gave a tremendous blow with it's boosted attack power sending Joey's Swordsman to the graveyard. "That's not all! I play magic card Ookazi inflicting 800 points of direct damage to you life points." Crusher said, throwing back his sharp blue head giving a triumphant laugh. "And your Kuwagata isn't strong enough to destroy my monster. So don't even try."
LP Joey: 900 LP Crusher: 1800
Joey was shocked by the sudden turn of events. "Don't faze out Joey..." he thought to himself. He drew out his card, it had to be a card that counted. He can't loose this first match, that'll just be embarrassing. "Come on. I need a card that could get me out of this..." He grinned to himself. "This might work...combine with this..." He placed his card onto the duel disk projector. "I play the magic card Fissure destroying your monster with the lowest attack. And since all you have is Prevent Rat, it'll be sent to the graveyard." Crusher's Prevent Rat shattered into nothing. "Get ready to loose because I'm going to finish this. Attack with Kuwagata!."
LP Joey: 900 LP Crusher: 100
"What! I'm back to 100 life points!" Crusher gave a leer at Joey.
"But that's not all." Joey said, shaking his finger. "I play Just Desserts, inflicting 500 points." A stunning blast struck Crusher's side of the field. Crusher tried to shield himself, even though it was all holographic it felt real, the wind blowing at his face. When he opened his eyes there was nothing.
LP Joey: 900 LP Crusher: 0
"That was a great match." Crusher said, shaking Joey's hand in congratulations.
"Hey you weren't so bad yourself there." Joey smiled.
"Perhaps, next time we meet, my dueling skills will improve."
Joey nodded. "And maybe next time you can grow out that stiff axe on your head." Joey teased.
*******
"Guys!" Joey called out. Yugi Tea, Tristen, and Bakura stood waiting
"Joey! How did you do? I'm anxious to know." Tea asked.
"By the look on you face, I'd say it went well." Tristen observed, noticing the wide smile on Joey's face.
"Piece of cake." said Joey. "I bet Yugi won like always." he indicated to Yugi.
"Yep." Yugi said.
"You should have seen it. Yugi clobbered him!" Tristen exclaimed.
"It wasn't that great." Yugi said modestly.
"That was a pathetic duel." Seto Kaiba grumbled. Just coming from his own match. His opponent was weak. It didn't even last more then five minutes before he brought out his blues eyes white dragon and quickly wiped him off with a single attack. It was probably the quickest duel ever played. He walked, looking as tired as ever but when he saw the little pitiable group friends he decided he needed some amusement. He approached with his all too well, high class, CEO style. "Did I hear Wheeler actually winning a match?" Kaiba asked, overhearing their conversation. Mokuba was also there standing by his brother's side like always.
"Surprised Kaiba? Pretty soon, you'll see me in the finals" Joey said.
"And then I can clear you out, just to wipe that smirk off your face." Kaiba leered.
"Whatever Kaiba" Joey replied. "Did Vari come back yet?" he asked, noticing one person missing from their group.
"We're still waiting for her." answered Yugi. "Wait, here she comes." seeing Vari stroll over to them. Her face was hinting a big success with her duel.
"I actually won my first match!" she exclaimed, slapping Tea a high five. "Hey Mokuba." she greeted with a smile, just noticing the two. "And Seto." she added hastily.
"That's great Vari" Mokuba said. "Congratulations."
"Thanks. I guess were defiantly in the competition."
"Not for very long." Seto smirked. He couldn't help saying it, it's a habit.
"Whatever you say." Vari said, giving no regard to his statement.
Seto's jacket pocket gave a loud ring. He shoved his hand into his pocket, taking out his cell phone and answering it. A wave of annoyance came over Seto's face. Clicking his cell phone off he gave Mokuba a look he knew all too well...work. "Come on Mokuba. We're needed back at Kaiba Corp." he grumbled, turning abruptly without a goodbye to the others.
"Bye Mokuba." Vari said to the little boy.
"See ya!" Mokuba said, following his big brother.
"Seems like Kaiba's getting whiplash by his own company. " Joey laughed.
Vari rolled her eyes. "Give it a rest Joey." she said.
Joey blinked with confusion. "I thought you hated Kaiba?" he eyed her skeptically.
"I don't hate anyone." she protested. "Let's just go home."
He grinned at her with suspicion. "Okay."
"Don't look at me that way Joey." Vari said.
"Look at you what way?" he asked innocently. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Vari just ignored him. "I'll see you guys tomorrow at the tournament." stepping up to the front of her doorstep.
"See ya. Get some rest for tomorrow." said Yugi.
"I will. Later."
"I'm telling you guys. Vari still has it bad for Kaiba." noted Joey.
Yugi didn't give it a second thought. "Probably Kaiba is the same as well."
"Reminds me of a similar situation a long time ago." Yami conversed in Yugi's mind.
"Really? What happen then?"
Yami gave a sad expression "I can't remember."
********
A small knock came from the door. Vari got up to open it, to her surprise it was the last person she would expect to see.
"Mokuba! What are you doing here?" she asked. Mokuba stood unexpectedly on the her front door step with a bike parked next to him. Then came to her realization. "How did you know I live here?"
"Typed your name on the school file records." he answered slyly. Mokuba could work a computer as well as his big brother can. After all he learned from the best.
"You're one sneaky little boy." Vari laughed. "Come in." Mokuba carefully walked in. It was a modest home but not as small, compare to the common household family. In fact the living room alone was twice as big when you stepped in. Hanging on the walls were decor of various art work. The table stand by the couch had a miniature statue and relics. It held an antiquity sense, cultured and posh. Vari saw Mokuba's bowled over look. "Yeah I know. I told people my house looks like a mini museum." she giggled.
"It sure does." Mokuba agreed.
"Does your brother know you're here?" she asked.
Mokuba shook his head. "I didn't tell Seto that I would be coming here."
"So why are you here?" she asked curiously.
Mokuba felt hesitant to say, but wasn't that the point of coming all the way over here? "Can I talk to you about Seto?" he asked slowly.
Vari became confused, then slightly concern. "Something wrong?"
"Well..." he paused trying to find the right words. "I'm kinda worried about him. He's been so distant."
"What's wrong with him?"
"Don't tell Seto I told you, but he's been having nightmares again and lately it's been getting worse." he sighed worriedly.
Vari looked at him with her sympathetic eyes. "He loves his brother so much..." she thought in the back of her mind. "Maybe he's just overworked. Sometimes it makes you have restless sleep."
Mokuba doubt that was the source of the problem. His brother, never in his entire life been like the way he was the past couple weeks. "I don't know." he shrugged. "He doesn't listen to me, not so much anymore." An idea struck him. "Why don't you talk to him?"
"Me? I don't know...Your brother and I are not really in speaking terms..."
"Please?" he pleaded. "I know he'll listen to you."
"What made you think that?" she asked incredulously.
"Because he likes you." he answered, stating the obvious.
Vari detained a wide-eye look. She laughed when he said that. "I think you have that in reverse Mokuba. Your brother barely tolerates me."
"No he doesn't." he argued. "The way he looks at you, I can tell he likes you." he grinned at her. "I know people think my brother is mean..." Vari snorted. "But deep down he's nice. I know. I've seen that side of him."
Vari wondered if there was a good side of Seto. "Maybe it's possible..." she thought. "To shed his outer shell and reveal something deeper." She recalled the day when he tried to pull her over to talk to her. Without thinking she brushed him off. Allowed her anger to get in the way instead of considering the idea that maybe, just maybe he was about to apologize. The more she thought about it, the more guilty she felt.
"So will you talk to him?"
"I'll see what I can do." she smiled.
Mokuba felt happy again. "Thank you!" he said, giving her a hug, which was totally unexpected. "I better go before my brother finds out where I am." he said. "Don't tell him that I came over here." he added.
"I won't, I promise." Vari swore. She followed him to the door, biding farewell.
Mokuba got on his bike and started home. "It worked." he grinned to himself.
Author's Notes:
Sorry about the slow post. I couldn't find the time to write and with last month of school...well...you know what I mean.
It so hard to write a duel scene! What was I thinking writing 10 more duel scenes! @_@
And the scene with Bakura and Malik is a cheesy copycat of the show. I realized that as I wrote it. I admit its uncreative, maybe after I finish this story I'll make a rewrite.
Last of all...I posted another story called "Last of the Ishtars" It's a seperate story and unlike YuGiOh The Wakening, Last of the Ishtars stays faithful to the series and manga. As for a short summary, it's basically about the Ishtar family in the POV of Ishizu or Isis if you like to call her that way, and all the events leading up to the Domino City Tournament and some fill in gaps of what the show didn't tell. I worked really hard on the first chapter and its very good! Now I have two stories to work on, that was smart of me. @_@
Read and Review! Thanks to all those who commented on my story, even when I felt like giving up I always look to your reviews to feel inspired again. ^_^