YUGIOH

Blast in the Past

Chapter 14.

Yugi and the gang left the shop, seeming rather down. Tristan said, "Man, I can't believe he couldn't help us. He's the one that did this! You'd think the least he could do was to help out."

"I didn't know, Yug....and I should have. I should have never asked that guy for anything. Stupid, stupid, stupid!! Why do I have to be so dumb all the time!" Joey exclaimed.

"Yeah, why do you?" Tristan asked.

"Hey, I didn't ask for your comment, Tristan!" Joey snapped.

"Well, no one asked for your help, either!" Tristan snapped back.

"What, you think I wanted Kaiba to end up like that? He might be a jerk, but I'd never wanna do anything to hurt his little brother like that!" Joey snapped.

"Stop it, both of you!" Tea snapped. "Fighting like this isn't going to solve anything."

"Well, according to the old man in there, if Kaiba fights against being in that world, his mind and soul could return to this world. If he's strong enough, he may be able to make it back by himself." Yugi said.

"But you heard what the guy said, Yugi....Kaiba's been transferred to where he'd get his hearts desire." Tea said.

"Yeah, and to walk away from that, a person might as well be pulling out their own heart!" Joey stated.

"He's right. He may never return." Tristan said.

"Well....let's go back to the hospital to see if there's been any changes. Atleast we know his body wont die." Yugi said.

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It was the next morning, as Seto, Tristan, and Joey were walking to school. Seto said, "I didn't see Mai in school. She doesn't go there, does she?"

"Naww....she's already graduated, from whatever school she's from. I guess you said you met her on the beach, or something." Joey shrugged, thinking, 'shouldn't he know that?'

They were suddenly interrupted, as a large man cut them off from their destination, saying, "Going somewhere?"

Both of Seto's friends yelped and hid behind Seto, knowing who this guy was. But the guy was surprised to see Seto didn't even flinch. Seto's height was the same as his, and Seto looked at him dead-on, saying, "Ushio....I haven't seen you in awhile. Don't you think you're a bit far from your hall monitor duties?"

"I heard from a kid you been picking on, that you three have been causing him real trouble." Ushio grinned.

"And what kid would that be?" Seto asked.

"That would be Yugi Motou." Ushio said.

"Yugi! That bum said that about us??" Joey snapped.

Seto paused, then said, "You're lying. I was talking to Yugi the other day. He doesn't have a problem with us."

"You mean you threatened him to shut up. Well guess what pal....I'm afraid it's pay-back time!" Ushio sneered, hitting his fist into his hand.

Seto's eyes narrowed, as he said, "Is that so? You and what army?"

"I'll show you what army, you cocky son of a bitch!!" Ushio yelled out. Seto moved with graceful quick moves, dodging the blow intended to be for him, and hitting him hard in the back of the neck with his elbow, and hard in the guys stomach with his knee. Ushio dropped to the ground, not expecting this kind of fighting ability coming from Seto. After all....the Seto they were used to didn't know Judo.

As Ushio struggled with his pains, Seto looked down at him, saying, "You really should be careful who you tangle with, Ushio. It was a mistake to challenge me. You do it again, I may be forced to put you in such bad shape, you wont be able to get up again. Let's go."

Seto turned, as did Tristan. Joey was about to join, when he saw the flash of something silver as Ushio started to suddenly lunge towards Seto. Joey cried, "Seto, watch out!" And jumped in front of his friend, taking the knife in the arm.

"What?" Seto questioned, confused at what just happened, but quickly realized. As Ushio pulled the knife out, Seto grabbed his wrist, elbowing him in the face. While he was stunned, Seto snapped, "No one hurts my friends and gets away with it!" And used his foot to crunch down on the man's knee....breaking his leg." Ushio cried out in agony, as Seto knocked the knife out of his hand.

"What do we do?" Tristan asked.

"What do you think....go to the pay-phone over there, call the police, and tell them we're going to need an ambulance." Seto ordered.

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Ushio was taken away in the ambulance, and was expected to go to jail after that, for assault with a deadly weapon, and attempted murder. None of Seto's friends were charged, since it was self-defense. Seto jumped into the ambulance with Tristan to be with Joey, as they went to the hospital. The family's were notified, so they knew why their kids weren't in school.

At the hospital, the three were all together there, as Mai showed up. "Seto, are you all right? I heard you were attacked and were in the hospital!" She said, embracing Seto, then kissing him.

"I'm fine." He said, blushing a bit, as he smiled at her. "Joey's the only one that got hurt."

"Hey there, Mai." Joey called out from his hospital bed, and attempted to wave.

"I'm sorry you got hurt, Joey. Knowing you, you probably jumped in front of it." Mai said.

"Yeah, I did...." Joey said.

"Yeah, he did...." Tristan said.

"I just said that!" Joey snapped.

Seto replied, "He jumped in the way to save me." Still rather shocked that Joey would do that for him.

"Aww....Joey." Mai smiled, and turned to Seto, saying, "You couldn't have a better friend than that."

"I....I guess not." He blinked, thinking that in the past he would have never imagined himself ever saying that. Could he have misjudged Joey all this time, never giving the guy a chance to see what he was really like?

Mai smiled, "Well, you seem to be doing better yourself today, Seto. You were real tense, yesterday."

"Yes, I suppose I was. But, I'm doing all right, now." He answered.