Hello and welcome to another update of "Alternate Reality"! It's me, your somewhat hyper author, Vyctori! So I'm in a strange mood...sue me! Or not--paying for the things Menardi sets on fire tends to keep me fairly broke. ^_^()

I know I've got the attention of at least one of my previous reviewers, so I'll make my announcement anyway. I'm not going to be updating this as often as I did "Trust," since while "Trust" was my only project when I was writing and posting it, I've expanded my repertoire. Besides finishing up this fic (don't worry, you've got a good amount of chapters to go before this is over. Or worry. Depending on how much you like this), I'm also writing a collaborative fic with the talented Prince Suzaku (who also happens to have reviewed last chapter--thanks!), running a one-shot business (although two of my friends have agreed to help me out. Phew!), beta reading for several people (the number fluctuates), and am planning on starting a fic for my Weird Sisters of Proxshipping (don't ask) and the next story in my trio of Golden Sun fics. PHEW!

Basically, what I'm saying is that though I'll still update frequently, it won't necessarily be this fic, since I have two other fics in which I'm currently posting. Don't say I didn't warn ya!

The reviewers...

Paru-chan: ^_^ Thank you! I was in a fluffy mood when I started this, so hopefully this chapter will be as kawaii!

Yoshimi Takahashi: Is there a fic of mine you haven't reviewed? Thank you, O Indescribable One! ^_^ -- Look, those things are catching!

To be strictly honest, I built that line around something I had recently read. It's not precisely mine...credit goes to the author of the "Aunt Dimity" mysteries. I just borrowed it and tinkered with it so that it was different enough to be mine. Heh, this must be how clichés are born! Go me...

Glad you liked the fic so far! ^_^

The Masked Duelist: No, it isn't going to be duel fic. Actually, I'm terrible at writing about duels. I'm not too bad at actually playing the game, but I can't write about it. I much prefer writing about character interaction...which is why most of my fics are romances.

I've heard about Mai looking like Cecelia (and can definitely see it myself), and though I'm not planning anything like that in this fic, it might be worth playing with in another fic. Hmm...thanks!

Emily10: Thank you! I'm planning on it!

Prince Suzaku: Aibou! You reviewed! ^_^ Thanks for the compliments! I think part of the reason I'm not so fond of this is because I have a major case of writers block...have had so for the past month. I'm just trying to finish it, but it's an uphill battle. Here's the update! Oh, and I'm planning on finishing up my part of Chapter Six soon. I've got one or two things to complete before then, but you'll be seeing my work in a few days. Sir! *salutes*

******

Wow, this is pretty darn good start! Five reviews in the first chapter! ^_^ Thanks, everyone!

By the way...unfortunately, I can't take credit for the "Evil Underpants" taunt in the last chapter. I saw it somewhere on the internet and couldn't resist using it. Meant to mention this last chapter, but I just sorta...forgot. Yeah.

Anyway, here's Chapter Two! Enjoy the fluff!

~ * * * ~

I was mere inches away from completing a masterpiece. Only one small line away from creating the most wonderful Duel Monsters card ever. It was to have the majesty of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, the beauty of the Gyakutenno Megami, the spirit of.... I inwardly laughed. ...The spirit of the Kuriboh. Just one more line, and there would be no doubt. I would be the master of the creation of Duel Monsters cards, and I would be releasing a thing of splendour to the world. Just—one—more—little—line...

"Ooof!"

Suddenly, I felt a weight drop like a rock onto my stomach. My eye flew open.

"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!" Helena bounced on my stomach. "Wake up! Wake up! It's the day of the tournament! Aren't you coming?"

I lay against my pillows, gasping, trying to get my wind back. Finally, I croaked, "Helena, darling, next time, could you aim for the bed? You just about squashed me!"

"Oops! Sorry, Daddy!" Helena giggled, unrepentant, and scooted off me. "But aren't you ready yet?"

"I think the duellists would be expecting me in something other than my pyjamas," I remarked dryly. "You go make sure everything's okay while I get dressed and ready. I promise I'll be there in time for breakfast. Okay, Flower?"

"Okay! See you soon!" Helena waved and then ran flat out of my room.

I rushed my normal leisurely bath, dressed in a flash, and raced out the door, hopping on one foot as I pulled on my last shoe. My unusual haste was due in part to trying to make breakfast with Helena, but also, I have to admit, I was very excited too about hosting my first tournament at Duellist Kingdom.

The time crawled by until ten o'clock, when I was to make my speech in front of all the contestants. Finally, the time arrived. I retied my ribbon-tie and stepped out onto the balcony that overlooked the island.

I stepped out onto the balcony, the sun beaming down into my eye. I stepped up to the railing and gazed down at the assembled invitees. "Greetings, duellists. I am Maximillion Pegasus." Rotten opening line, I know. It sounds so pompous, but I couldn't think of anything else.

Just then, Helena hurtled out and virtually landed beside me. "And I'm Helena Pegasus! And this is Weebo!" She held up her toy Kuriboh.

A wave of laughter ran through the duellists. I smiled, trying to stifle my own mirth. I lifted my daughter onto my shoulders so that she could see over the railing. Happier, I recited my speech explaining the rules of the Duellist Kingdom tournament and teased them with a mention of the added twists to the game that I'd let them discover themselves.

"And don't forget, any time you feel like a decent meal, a warm bath, or a good conversation, you're welcome to visit me--and my daughter." Helena waved at everyone. "Except at three in the morning. We've got to get our sleep sometime!"

The duellists laughed at that. Hopefully, they'd all keep to themselves in the wee hours of the morning!

"Helena and I will be watching the various duels, but if you don't want an audience, feel free to tell us and we'll leave, along with any other duellists or spectators. Now, once the skies light up with fireworks, the duels will begin. Until then, prepare yourselves!"

"Thank you for coming!" Helena piped up, stealing my next line. She flung the paper scraps she had torn on the way to the island over the railing so they tumbled down like confetti onto the duellists below.

To applause, I let her down and we re-entered the castle. Helena and I hurried down to the ground floor and exited the castle, trotting down the insane amount of stairs. After approximately two hundred fifty-seven steps later, my aching legs made me consider installing an elevator or an escalator. I had a feeling I wasn't going to be getting many visitors, not with the stairs they had to climb.

Oh well, it'll keep them in shape, I thought. I checked my watch. It was nine fifty-nine. At precisely ten o'clock, the fireworks shot off into the sky. Helena jumped at the loud noise and clung to my leg.

"Don't worry, Flower, it's just the fireworks. They're loud, but they're really pretty. See?" I pointed to the beautiful display, somewhat diminished by the daylight, but not too bad in their own way.

Helena stared up at the fireworks doubtfully. I could tell she wasn't completely sold on the idea, but I knew she'd grow to like them.

"Do you know what time it is now?" I asked her, to change the subject.

"Time for the duels to start?" She gazed up at me in hope.

"That's right, sweetheart! What say we go find a duel?"

"Yeah!" she yelled as the last of the fireworks exploded overhead.

At first, we wandered from area to area. No duels had commenced as of yet; the competitors were wisely checking out the competition before beginning.

I was beginning to despair of finding a duel for Helena when she raced on ahead. Then she hurried back to my side.

"Daddy, look! There's a duel over there!" She pointed to a clearing just off the path we were treading.

"Excellent, sweetheart! Let's go!"

We jogged over to discover Weevil Underwood, Domino City's regional champion, and Yugi Motou, the rising star on the duelling scene, in the midst of a tense battle. A group of five people were clumped in a group. There was a chestnut-haired girl, a blonde woman, a fair-haired boy, another boy with gelled brown hair, and an older man who looked very much like Yugi. Other duellists were observing from a distance.

"Mr. Pegasus!" the brunette exclaimed upon spotting me.

"Hello, miss," I greeted her politely. "Yugi is duelling Weevil?"

"I'm afraid so, sir." The girl nodded.

"Please, call me Maximillion," I urged her.

"Okay. I'm Téa, and this is Joey, Tristan, Yugi's grandpa...and Mai." She gestured with extreme distaste at the woman standing nearby.

Mai gave a little wave. "Good to see you, Maximillion." She smiled warmly at me.

"Likewise." I nodded at her.

"Why's Yugi duelling that creep?" Helena questioned the gathering.

"Helena, you know it's not nice to call people names. I told you that already today," I chided her.

"It's okay. That Weevil is a creep." Tristan looked annoyed.

"You said it, Tristan! Dat Weevil pretended to want ta see Yugi's Exodia cards, but he t'rew dem offa da ship instead! I only could get two back, too." Joey, the blonde-haired boy who was wearing a green jacket, seemed furious. "So Yugi bet his grandpa's deck and his starchip on dis duel!"

"His starchip?" I queried. "Duellists were to have been given two pieces. Did Yugi somehow lose his?"

Joey unaccountably blushed and stared at the ground. "Yeah...sorta."

I decided to let Joey's odd words pass...for the moment. I turned my attention to the duel. Yugi was in a very difficult position--Weevil was mere turns away from summoning his most powerful monster. However, I had heard reports of the way his opponent had pulled a victory from right out beneath Kaiba's nose, so I decided not to give up on him just yet.

Throughout the duel, the lead teetered from Yugi to Weevil. Yugi's friends and family cheered him on throughout the whole duel. Mai tended to be rather negative; it was obvious she favoured Weevil. I could understand. Very few knew of Yugi's upset victory over Kaiba. To her, Yugi was just another anonymous duellist, one of those who would be thinned out quite shortly.

However, Yugi was soon the winner, his success accomplished in quite a brilliant, unexpected fashion.

"Yeah!" Helena whooped, jumping up and down as Weevil's Life Points registered zero.

Weevil himself nearly fainted, unable to believe that he was eliminated from the tournament in the first round.

"But I was the Regional Champion! The Regional Champion!" Weevil squawked and collapsed again.

"Not anymore, you ain't!" Joey smirked. "And I hearby relieve ya of yer duellin' glove!" He unceremoniously yanked it off the smaller boy's wrist. I wondered briefly why Joey wasn't wearing a gauntlet himself. My organizers must have really slacked off that day, I thought, annoyed.

Helena giggled and danced around Weevil, who was still lying on the ground. "Ha, ha! Yugi won! Yugi won! Yugi won! Yay!"

At her words and laughter, Weevil made an amazing recovery and sprang to his feet. "Shut up, you little brat!" He glared at her through his glasses.

I angrily strode over to him. I was ready to give him a piece of my mind. Nobody insults my daughter and gets away with it.

However, Helena was well able to deal with the situation. "You be quiet yourself, Evil Underpants!" she yelled at him and bopped him over the head with Weebo.

The gathering burst into laughter. I went into a prolonged coughing fit. As host, I am supposed to remain neutral at all times, but occasionally, it can be difficult.

When I felt that no trace of my mirth would show, I walked over deliberately to where Weevil was rubbing his head. Using my height to tower over him, I informed him, "Weevil Underwood, you have been eliminated from the Duellist Kingdom Tournament. You may stay on to watch some of the duels, but you are not to offend anyone--especially my daughter--with unkind words. If you do so, I shall be forced to order your departure. Is that clear?"

"Y-Yes, Mr. Pegasus." Weevil looked shattered. I suppose he had been hoping to stay on the good side of the host of the competition, but unfortunately for him, his wish had most certainly not come true. He dragged off, his shoulders slumped.

Yugi and his friends were about to wander away when I addressed them. "Yugi, everyone, I'd be honoured if you'd join Helena and myself this evening for supper. I'd also like to attempt to rectify a little situation that has come to my attention, if I may be so bold."

"Certainly. Thank you for inviting us." The duellist smiled at me. "Now, if you'd excuse us...?"

"Of course." I watched as the party dawdled their way out of the clearing. Yugi was being showered with congratulations from his jubilant friends every step of the way.

It must be nice to have so many supportive friends, I thought wistfully. Although I had a few people who were quite close to me, for the most part, Helena and I were alone--if you didn't count the security guards, that is.

"Come on, Daddy! I see another duel!" Helena bounced up to me and grabbed me by the hand, attempting to tug me along. "Let's go!"

I laughed. How could I ever be gloomy with my darling Flower around? I let myself be led by her and we went off to watch another battle.

~ * * * ~

Vyctori: And there you go! I can imagine that filled up everyone's daily requirement of fluff.

Menardi: More than. That's like chocolate-and-caramel-covered pixie stix dust spilled all over a double chocolate layer cake. ...Darn. Now I've made myself hungry.

Vyctori: Me too. What say we go find ourselves some chocolate?

Menardi: ^_^ Sounds good to me. But before we go get hyper, don't forget to review, or we'll come and pay you a visit after eating all that chocolate.

Vyctori: And believe me, you don't want to see either of us on a sugar high!