A/N: And herewith, Chapter 5. I'm really sorry for making you all wait this long for an update, but the next couple of chapters have given me quite a block as of late and I've been trying to push through it. On top of that, my co-worker had a stroke recently, so I've been working double-duty.
Hmm, the kiss from last chapter seems to be quite the controversial move! I need to write more like that. But for now, you've got this chapter to contend with.
Wolf: Jade's always been a bit "forceful", if you'll note her past appearances.
Voakands: Theoris certainly is making some strange allowances in his life -- or lack thereof. As for the update, well, here one be! And also, Kyle is fourth tier.
Mira: Your comparison's not out of the question. And yeah, Kyle's being a little light about the entire thing, but that may change soon. And Jade's proving quite freaky for many people... which I'm sure she'd love.
Monica: "Plot-twistyness" is my life. And Theoris might have had cardiac arrest if he had a body... lucky he didn't, huh?
Wolfwings: Well, we're all human. Gotta take the good with the bad... but it makes for a more realistic observation, IMO.
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Chubtacular: She WHAT?!
McKaroon: See, this is precisely what I was afraid of. I'd tell you and you'd overreact.
Chubtacular: Overreact? Hardly, I think, when you consider she's never shown an interest in you before – only your cards.
McKaroon: So? It didn't mean anything. She tried to seduce me in order to get my GG set. And I said no. It's pretty simple, my friend.
Chubtacular: Think she got pictures of it?
Chubs could almost hear Kyle yelling aloud at that remark. He grinned to himself. Sure enough, Kyle's response was quick and sharp:
McKaroon: What, you want copies or something?
Chubtacular: No, it just occurred to me that she might try to use that as blackmail.
McKaroon: You mean threaten to hand a copy to Monica if I don't duel her?
Chubtacular: Just a thought. He shrugged. He saw no reason why this wouldn't be a perfectly logical thing to worry about; considering Jade's pattern of admittedly unstable behavior, such activities didn't seem to be above her.
It was becoming increasingly obvious to Chubs that few things were below this woman. He suppressed a shudder. Thank God I'm still here and not out there.
McKaroon: No... I don't think so. She said she'd see me when my decision was made.
Chubtacular: Meaning she's going to pop up at the most inconvenient time possible.
McKaroon: Thanks for brightening my day, Chubs, I'm so glad I can count on you.
Chubtacular: Hey, just saying. And she might well force that decision on you.
Chubs' doorbell rang. He frowned. Wonder who that could be.
Chubtacular: Hang on, doorbell.
McKaroon: K
He got up from the computer desk and made his way to the front door. His mom wasn't home from work yet and wouldn't be for a while. He nearly tripped over his discarded bookbag, loaded down with new materials for his new year in high school, and cursed at it as he pressed forward.
The doorbell rang again just as he was about to open the corresponding door. He rolled his eyes as he twisted the knob and pulled back on the door.
A woman dressed in FedEx clothing was standing there, holding an envelope marked Priority Overnight. He pushed the screen door open. "Yes?"
"Hi. Is Mr. Cody Smith here?" she inquired.
"That's me," he responded.
"Ah. All right." She pulled a clipboard out from under her armpit and held it out to him. "Sign on the lowest line, please."
"Sure." He did as instructed, then handed back the clipboard; subsequently he was given the envelope.
"Thanks," she said, turning to leave. "Have a good day."
"Uh-huh," he muttered, stepping back into the house. He eyed the package with curiosity for a moment, then looked to the return address – which was marked Kaiba Corporation.
His frown deepened. KaibaCorp? What do they want with me? He made his way back towards his computer and sat down as he began pulling the envelope open. He then upended the contents of the folder in his lap.
What he got for his efforts were several official-looking documents with the KaibaCorp seal on them.
He turned to the computer.
Chubtacular: Hey, I got a package from KaibaCorp.
McKaroon: ?? What's in it?
Chubs looked at the top page... and his eyes bugged out.
"Oh, no way," he muttered. "No way... no way this can be right..."
After a few seconds of breathlessness, he turned back to the computer screen.
Chubtacular: ...oh, man, you are NOT going to believe this...
McKaroon: What, what is it?
Chubtacular: It's an invitation to a blowout tournament in Japan.
McKaroon: ...you're not serious.
Chubtacular: Totally serious. It's supposed to take place in a couple weeks, in Domino. They're calling it "Battle City", and since I'm a fourth-tier American duelist, I'm invited.
McKaroon: I'm fourth-tier. So's Monica.
Chubtacular: And you're both high-profile, too. I'm sure you'll get invited.
McKaroon: High-profile? Because of the Madison tourney, or something else?
Chubtacular: Both. Haven't you been to the grocery store recently?
McKaroon: Not really, I'm all stocked up and I usually get my stuff from the campus.
Chubtacular: Then I guess you haven't seen the most recent tabloids.
McKaroon: Why bother?
Chubtacular: Because it's only some of the greatest investigative fiction of all time. Plus it might sometimes have shreds of truth, to make the stories more juicy.
McKaroon: Yeah, right.
Chubtacular: Hey, if you want to argue, go get yourself a copy of the Journal Star. You and Monica are front cover.
McKaroon: What?
Chubtacular: Yep. It's a real cute pic, too. Take a look, then get back to me.
McKaroon: You're kidding me.
Chubtacular: Wish I was. There's an article, too, and the two of you are the star figures.
McKaroon: ...whatever. So, you gonna be prepared for this tourney?
Chubtacular: I sure hope so. I've saved up some money, I guess I'll go see if maybe I can get a deal on a few Fire attribute cards I've been drooling over lately.
McKaroon: That's a pretty picture.
Chubtacular: Har har. Go get a copy of that tabloid. And some good cards, while you're at it.
McKaroon: Think I will, at that. Ttyl
Chubtacular: K
Chubs logged off the Instant Messenger service, then got up and went to his room to rummage around for his savings. Looks like I've got a lot of work to do... and the first task is to ask Mom for permission!
--
Kyle took his motorcycle and headed to the nearest grocery store, his brow knit in worry. Front cover? How the hell did that happen?
About three minutes later, he found out precisely how it happened as he perused the checkout lane. Sure enough, there was a Journal Star rack – and the latest issue was almost out of stock. There were only two copies left in a rack clearly designed to hold at least two dozen.
He picked up one of the two copies and frowned at the cover. It showed him and Monica at the local coffee shop, giggling over their brownie and ice cream. Uh-oh... He flipped through the issue to find the article Chubs had mentioned. It didn't take him long to find it; it seemed to be the most prominently displayed article in the tabloid.
Ever consider all those rigged games you hear rumors about? The Olympics, for example. Why they make the skiiers do drug tests and let the snowboarders off is a mystery; perhaps it has something to do with the term "half pipe".
Ever think about it happening in Duel Monsters tournaments?
In these rigged games, though, it doesn't relate to drug usage. If a duelist started in a tournament while stoned, he wouldn't get five seconds into a play before realizing his favorite monster card is instead a worthless trap. Neither would his opponent or the referee overseeing the match. No... instead, these rumored rigs are much different. Supposedly, they involve more than one player, playing for the same prize and intending to split it with their cohort(s).
Of course, rumors of these goings-on abound practically 24/7/365. Rarely is it, if ever, that these rumors even have the most minute substance to back them up; some people just enjoy crying foul for the attention it claims, while others do it out of sheer paranoia... or even boredom. Judges and players alike deny it time and time again.
Note that substantial evidence is rare... but not impossible to obtain. Enter one Monica Zocallos and add one Kyle McCraine into the equation – each with their own impressive credentials to offer.
Zocallos, 18, has always given her all at Duel Monsters, ever since she started playing. For two years running, she has appeared at virtually every major tournament, always ranking highly in those events. She is considered a favorite and despite her relatively low championship rate, heavy bets are consistently placed in her favor. She is undoubtedly a top-notch contender and is not easily bested by anyone.
On the other end of the scale is McCraine, also 18, who recently appeared on the DM radar with a little luck and a big BANG! This virtual unknown came out of nowhere to compete in the recent elite tournament sponsored by Madison Enterprises – and won, despite the restrictive rules and haphazard configuration of his Duel Monsters deck.
What do these two duelists have in common? Virtually nothing. Zocallos is careful and calculating, whereas McCraine is carefree and even reckless. Zocallos has a clear theme in her Dragon mastery; McCraine has no discernible theme of his own. They attend the same university and hail from the same hometown, but that doesn't mean anything...
Does it?
The Journal Star has learned of a rumor concerning these two mismatched contenders as being romantically involved with each other – a rumor that apparently has been verified by our investigative photographers. Perhaps Zocallos and McCraine are even "involved" to an extent that they might be trying to obtain the winnings of tournaments as a team. Case in point: the recent Madison tourney, which not only provided generous monetary rewards, but also exclusive sets of rare cards to its top ranks – of which these two were part. Surely McCraine would have little use for all of the 96 rare Duel Monsters cards he won in his deck; few duelists sport decks of over 70 cards.
Could he have imparted some of these cards to Zocallos? It's entirely possible. Rumors abound that one of the exclusive Blue-Eyes White Dragons stolen from Seto Kaiba (CEO of Kaiba Corporation) several months ago turned up at this tournament, only to be taken by either McCraine or Zocallos... and who wouldn't want the power of one of these cards at their side?
Sources speaking on condition of anonymity claim that Zocallos is indeed in ownership of at least one of the Blue-Eyes White Dragons... and not only that, but possibly a Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon fusion monster card, as well. With such power at her disposal, Zocallos would be virtually untouchable in Duel Monsters.
Meanwhile, McCraine holds Sanga of the Thunder and Suijin – two of the three Labyrinth Brothers, whose powers best any and all in direct combat. How he acquired his first remains a mystery, and a mystery well-kept. However, few Duel Monsters aficionados don't know how he came across his second one – in a reckless gamble, he succeeded in wrenching it from the grasp of Abigail Madison herself. Now no duelist dares attack any face-down monsters he might possess, for fear of an automatic loss by the devastating effects of these two overwhelming monster cards.
Let's recap the score. On the right, we have monsters whose basic attack powers are nearly unmatched in the realm of Duel Monsters. On the left, we have monsters whose basic power would be enough in itself, but paired with effects that obliterate anyone foolish enough to attack them, they are made almost invincible.
Together, these two duelists are practically unbeatable.
Duelists everywhere should certainly hope they don't realize that.
But according to what we've seen... they already do.
Kyle glared at the article. "Well, don't ask us or anything," he grumbled. Nevertheless, he wordlessly bought the tabloid – an action that got a raised eyebrow from the cashier, who immediately recognized him as the guy on the cover – and then left the store as quickly as possible.
So. They think we're teaming up in order to sweep tournaments. We're not... but so what if we did? What does it matter to them who the winnings go to? They're tournaments. They're meant for us to prove our skills in the game. What about that two-man team over at Duelist Kingdom? Yugi Moto and Joseph Wheeler, right? They bagged that tournament and they're the best of friends.
Kyle, would you be so kind as to explain why "tabloids" exist? Surely such creations cannot long feed on lies and deception...
You'd be surprised. Tabloids exist because it's entertainment. It doesn't matter to the editors whether it's the truth, just as long as they have something entertaining to put in their pages.
Such treacherous behavior would have caused men to be deprived of their heads in ages past.
Kyle sighed as he pulled his motorcycle into the parking lot of his apartment complex. I know, but–
Abruptly, he felt Theoris bristling. He frowned. What's wrong?
Magic... and darkness... something vile is near.
Kyle's frown deepened and he slowly dismounted his motorcycle, making himself aware of every noise he could hear and every sight he could see. Which direction?
I know not, but it is very near.
Kyle slowly stepped closer to the complex and onto the sidewalk. He moved around towards the front of the building.
But just as he was about to get past the corner where the front and right side of the building connected, someone stepped directly in front of him.
That someone was dressed in a midnight-blue robe, completely with a hood that entirely shrouded their facial features.
Theoris let out a mental snarl. That is a magician!
Kyle's eyes widened, and he took a step backward. Almost instinctively, the Millennium Shield glowed and turned from a pendant to a full shield mounted on his right arm. He could barely feel it, but as soon as he realized that the shield had relocated, he brought it up as if to ward off the person standing in front of him.
His reward was a laugh – a man's voice came out from under the hood. His words were accented. "If you believe I am here to attack you, you need not fear such. I have no intention to harm you."
"Yeah, well, from what I've been told, that's a little hard to believe," Kyle responded. "What do you want from me?"
"Come now," the man snorted. "If you have truly been told of me and who I represent, you would not even need to ask that question."
"Humor me."
"Very well. I represent a... group... that wishes to acquire that shield you now use to guard yourself. We are willing to negotiate for it – any terms you wish, we are more than happy to live up to."
Kyle's brow furrowed. "You can't be serious. Your people were willing to kill for this thing."
"That was a long time ago. Things have progressed beyond such barbarism, or so society at large would have this world believe." The man crossed his arms. "What say you to such an offer? You can have practically anything and everything you have ever wanted. We have the power to give that to you. And all we ask in exchange is the Millennium item you carry."
Kyle shook his head. "No. Not interested. I know exactly what you want this thing for."
"Oh?" The robed man sounded amused.
"You know it has power. You just saw a very small demonstration of it. Your people want it for themselves. They think they have primary rights to those powers. You know how many people they killed in trying to get it?"
"I tell you once more that this was long ago. Many generations have passed since that time. Barter is our preferred method of transaction."
"I don't want any part of it."
The man sighed and uncrossed his arms. "You are an intriguing person, Kyle McCraine. There are very few whom my order has come in contact with that would not at least give serious consideration to such an offer. I know of your power, but do you know of ours? I do not boast idly... we truly have significant power and influence, even in the modern world. Enough that you would never have to worry about security, in any sense, ever again. Financial, personal... emotional..." Kyle could hear the smirk in the man's voice. "And in return, we ask for nothing more than a single item from you."
"You ask for nothing less than the Millennium Shield," Kyle corrected him. "And it's not for sale."
"You may not receive this offer from us again," the man said. "And I rather doubt you will receive it from anyone else, either."
"The problem is that you think I don't have everything I want. You're mistaken." Kyle eased his stance slightly. "I have everything I need, and more than I could have hoped for. What I want is no more than I've already got. And there's nothing you can do to change that."
There was silence between them for several long moments. Then the man half-turned and afforded Kyle a last glance. "Well... I do suppose this concludes our business today."
With that, he rounded the corner. Kyle could hear his footsteps on the sidewalk–
At least, he thought he could. But then the steps stopped. He frowned and kept the shield up as he carefully turned around the corner.
The man had vanished.
Kyle groaned. Why me? Why do people always have to do the freaky vanishing thing after associating with me?
Kyle, this is not the end of the magicians. I assure you they shall return. And they shall do so in greater numbers. You must be more careful than ever, now.
Well, hey, with someone as optimistic as you by my side, how could they possibly step up to the challenge of taking me on?
This is a serious matter, Kyle. You must take it seriously, or it will spell your certain doom. You know what I saw just as well as I. We both know what happened to my comrades because of one magician. You know what happened to Khensthoth. Imagine what many of them could do.
Kyle sighed as he grabbed his mail and stepped into his apartment. I know. And don't think I'm not worried about it. But if they're going to come after me, I'd just as soon they do it and get it overwith, instead of all this negotiation crap. I'm ready for them.
Perhaps... but are you ready to engage in Shadow Games?
I'd rather not do that. But a Shadow Game is the only way they can win the shield. He tossed the tabloid on the couch, then sat down next to it and ran his fingers through his hair. There's a storm coming. Let's both hope we can ride it out.
All the tension from the last few minutes suddenly seemed to hit him, and he couldn't help but shudder several times at the implications of refusing the magicians' offer. Theoris... what if I can't stand up to them? His head sank into his hands as he tried to suppress the shaking. What if I fail?
You are a formidable opponent, Theoris assured him. Should it come to a battle... and I have no doubt it will... I know that you will give it your all.
I won't have much of a choice.
No. You will not.
Kyle's trembling hands reached out and began picking through his letters.
One had a return address labeled Kaiba Corporation.
But for now... let's see what else the future has in store for me.