I'm BAAACK! And with healed wrists, too! Thanks everyone, for being understanding. ^_^ Hopefully, things should proceed normally from now on.

The reviewers...

Bunnychu: Really? I haven't actually seen the season in Sailor Moon with Chibi Chibi, so that was a fluke.

Ssilence (x2): You'll see who wins at the end of the chapter. And while you spelled "Maximillion" strangely for the actual name (Maximilian), that's the way the Yu-Gi-Oh people write "Maximillion," so... *shrugs* And it's perfectly possible for Pegasus to have another copy of Exodia. There are multiple copies of it, as Battle City proves. It's just incredibly rare, that's all. Can't say any more without giving spoilers, though.

Hope you have more time and inspiration!

Morning Mist: Hmm...you just gave me an idea for a sequel, if I ever can find time. Thanks! ^_^ And this fic strictly covers Duellist Kingdom, just so you know.

As you can see, I adore fluff. All my fics so far have been very light in tone, since I write for relaxation, and angst isn't relaxing by any stretch of the imagination.

Shurimon: Yugi's grandfather has already met Pegasus. I included a side note about him in Chapter Two, I believe, although that's the last I mention him.

Flaming Tigress Mage: Thanks! I also appreciated your (coerced) review of "Blaze." You made me quite happy. And I'll check out Ethelflaed as soon as I get some time.

Yoshimi Takahashi: You were pretty slow this time. Reviewing the same day I updated--talk about lucky. Although Menardi "flamed" you anyway, so maybe not that lucky...

"Vocabular-ly"? Yeah, that word kind of proves it. ^_~

Thanks for the compliments, and I'm updating sooner than you think...!

****

As always, thanks to all who reviewed! *hands out chocolate chip cookies*

This chapter's pretty short, and slightly more serious than the last. Key word here: slightly. So don't panic. You'll all get your quota of fluff courtesy of Helena. ^_^

Well, that's all! Go read, now!

~ * * * ~

The next morning, I awoke early. I could feel my stomach fluttering about like a Great Moth, but I couldn't remember why. Then I did.

"Duellist Kingdom!" I grinned, speaking aloud. "And..." It was Saturday morning. That meant only one thing... "Funny Bunny!"

I jumped out of bed, not bothering to change out of my pyjamas, and went off in search of Helena. I found her sitting on her bed, playing with Weebo. When she saw me, she leapt off the bed and raced over to me.

"G'morning, Daddy! Is it time for Funny Bunny yet?" she questioned excitedly.

I checked my watch. "Only ten minutes to go. Let's find a television!"

We eventually located a television in the massive castle and settled down just in time to watch the cartoon. I have to admit, although we both thoroughly enjoy the show, I think it is I that laughs the loudest at that lovable rabbit's antics.

After spending an enjoyable hour watching Funny Bunny with Helena, we ate breakfast and then went to our rooms to get changed. Once we had both completed our toilettes, we climbed down the many stairs to the area where the duels took place. Helena got tired partway down--the stairs were a little large for her short legs--and so, once more, I had to carry her down.

If I don't remember to get an elevator put in soon, I'm not going to be getting any guests, or have enough energy to entertain them if all I do is go up and down these blasted stairs! I thought once more.

We spent the day watching various duels. More duellists were eliminated; the ranks were being thinned at a rapid pace. A few of them opted to return home, perhaps unable to bear the shame of a loss. I felt badly for them--not just for their defeat, but also because they were missing some very exciting duels.

The days passed fairly usually after a while. However, a week into the tournament, I received a most unusual--and unwelcome--visitor.

It was about ten o'clock at night. I was relaxing after a long day, sitting at the end of my dining table, sipping my favourite wine and reading the newest Funny Bunny comic. Helena was now sleeping in her room, no doubt cuddled close to Weebo.

The door swung open. I didn't glance up.

"Croquet, would you mind finding someone to bring me another copy of Funny Bunny," I requested. "I'm nearly finished of this one and I want to reread the previous edition."

"So I've finally tracked you down at last, coward!" an angry, raspy voice snarled.

That didn't compute.  Frowning, I glanced up...into the steel-blue eyes of the Duel Monsters champion himself, Seto Kaiba. Not liking the way he was towering over me, I rose so that I could take advantage of my extra inches.

"You're holding my brother hostage somewhere in this blasted castle and I demand you return him!" Kaiba continued wrathfully.

I blinked a couple of times. "I beg your pardon?" I asked, totally confused. What in the name of the Millennium Items was he babbling on about?

"Don't play innocent with me, Pegasus!" Kaiba snapped. "You have my brother and I want him back--now!"

"My dear Kaiba-boy, I've barely met young Mokuba. What would he be doing here?" I shrugged elegantly.

"Don't lie to me!" Kaiba grabbed me by the shoulders and shoved me painfully against the wall. "If you don't bring me Mokuba..."

"You bad man!" a tiny voice piped up angrily. "Let go of my daddy!"

I shifted my gaze past Kaiba's ear and discovered to my consternation that Helena had left her room and was now glowering fiercely at Kaiba, one of Weebo's paws clutched in her little hand.

"Beat it, brat. Your daddy kidnapped my little brother!" Kaiba then proceeded to ignore her, a rather large mistake on his part.

"Oooh!" Helena growled. She stomped over to Kaiba and then, before he could react, began kicking his shins very thoroughly--and hard.

"Ouch!" Kaiba roared, rubbing his injuries. "Why you..."

I cleared my throat loudly. "Kaiba, if you don't leave my daughter alone, I will be forced to do something that neither of us will like. Pull yourself together, sit down, and tell me why you seem to think I'm holding your brother hostage."

Kaiba shot me one last hostile frown...then, to my relief, seated himself in the place I had recently vacated. Then he told me his story.

When he had arrived back home from a business conference, he discovered that Mokuba had been missing. After frantically searching about, one of the "Big Five," or his top corporate executives at KaibaCorp, came forward. He didn't directly say so, but he hinted around that perhaps one Maximillion Pegasus might have use for Mokuba to get something that Kaiba had refused earlier on.... Kaiba's mind had been drawn to a request I had made regarding his holographic technology--to provide me with the necessary equipment so that I might make a more realistic hologram of Cecelia. I had wanted it for myself, but also to show dear Helena what her mother had looked like. While I had painted her picture many, many times, it still wasn't the same as a three-dimensional, moving spectral image.

After relating his story, Kaiba looked up at me. "So, if you don't have Mokuba...then who does?"

I considered this for a moment. My mind had been putting together pieces during his tale, fitting them in with certain encounters I had previously experienced from the Big Five, and I believed I knew the answer.

"Kaiba...I think that Mokuba is indeed being held prisoner," I started.

"Tell me something I don't know," Kaiba interrupted tetchily.

I took no heed, realizing that he was under a great deal of duress. "But by the Big Five, not me."

That got his attention. "What are you talking about?"

"A month ago, one of the Big Five approached me, very discreetly, wanting to know if I wished to sell the stock I had in KaibaCorp. He offered me an outrageous price for the shares, which immediately made me suspicious. I did a little poking about here and there and, well...it looks like the Big Five are planning on a hostile takeover of KaibaCorp."

"What!" Kaiba slammed both his palms onto the table and whipped around to face me. "You must be joking! Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I wanted to be completely sure, since--"

"Daddy?" Helena piped up, covering a yawn. "Is everything all right now? You don't need me to help any more, do you?"

The serious expression I had been wearing evaporated as I gently smiled at her. "I'll be fine, Flower. You go back to sleep--you're up way past your bedtime."

"All right." Helena sleepily walked out of the room, rubbing her eyes with the fist that wasn't gripping Weebo.

I watched her go with tenderness. Then my thoughts became unhappy as I remembered the presence of my uninvited guest and the knot of problems surrounding him.

"If I wasn't certain, then my reputation would be in tatters and you'd be no better off," I continued, "since the Big Five would simply become more sly in their ploys. It seems they already have, since they have taken Mokuba prisoner."

"They're going to pay for that." Kaiba clenched his fists. "I'll be certain of it."

"Do you need my assistance?" I wished to know. "I have quite a number of trained security guards..."

"No, that's quite fine," Kaiba broke in. "I can handle things myself. In fact, I'll do so right now. Goodbye, Pegasus."

I let him go, knowing full well I couldn't stop him. It didn't prevent me from contacting Croquet and requesting that two of my bodyguards be sent after Kaiba ensure that the young man didn't get in over his brown-haired head. Then, after finishing up a second Funny Bunny, I headed off to bed.

It turned out that I had no reason to worry. As I turned on the news two days later, one of the top stories involved the exposure of corruption in KaibaCorp's ranks. Specifically, the Big Five. I smiled. I knew that my stock was going to take a bit of a plunge, but with Duel Monsters still on the rise, also knew that it would be back up in value in no time. The screen then panned to a shot of Kaiba scowling at the camera with a chipper-looking Mokuba at his side, which caused my smile to broaden. Mission accomplished.

~ * * * ~

Vyctori: I summon St. Joan to the field! [A/N: I play by "Joey rules" --Fusion Monsters may be summoned regularly if you don't have all the parts. Dumb, I know, but it's more fun that way] And I attack the Unfriendly Amazon, causing your Life Points to be reduced to zero! I win! *laughs in victory* Whoohoo!

Menardi: *stares at the cards* You're...kidding.… *glares at Vyctori* Stop it, already!

Vyctori: *dancing about the room*

Menardi: ### *casts Supernova*

Vyctori: *very crispy* ...Talk about a sore loser...

Menardi: All right, that's it! *begins to leave*

Vyctori: *follows, still smoking slightly* Hey, where are you going?

Menardi: I'm returning this deck to Mai and then I'm going to get lessons from her about how to play this stupid game! I can't let you be better at something than me!

Vyctori: *rolls eyes* If you're so great, how come I'm the author and you're the muse?


Menardi: Because if I wrote fics, my incredible talent would discourage the other authors.

Vyctori: *sarcastically* Uh-huh.

Menardi: Anyway, review or else. I'm in a particularly foul mood today.

Vyctori: When are you not?

Menardi: ## *casts Pyroclasm*

Vyctori: ...Set on fire twice in one muse skit. She really IS angry.