Disclaimer: I own nothing! NOTHING! But I do love
C&C!
Warning: Slight hints of yaoi will soon be here!
Chapter 3
Pegasus stared at the invitation and smiled. After six months of dueling as Cecilia, he'd finally managed enough recognition to be able to take part in one of Kaiba-boy's "attempt to trounce Yugi-boy" tournaments Everyone knew that's what the tournaments were for, yet no one would ever turn down the chance to participate. Who would want to say no to the opportunity to play against the King of Games? Certainly not "Cecilia."
Seeing the invitation made Pegasus remember his first duels as "Cecilia." Only one word could be used to come close to describing them: pathetic. For the first time, Pegasus had begun to realize how much he truly had come to depend on the Millennium Eye to win. Now that he could no longer see his opponents' thoughts, Pegasus had to relearn strategy. Daily training had paid off, and Pegasus was on his way to facing the world's top duelists.
Rather than making a flashy entrance, Pegasus rode the bus to Kaiba Corp's dueling arena. His dress clung stickily to his body in the mid-August heat. Next time, he resolved to fly a private helicopter in - secret persona or no. Public transportation just was not his thing. Still, he did arrive in due time and was able to present his invitation to gain admittance.
Once in the dueling arena, Pegasus began surveying the competition. There were several new faces, but most were old hat to tournament dueling. Mai Valentine rested against a wall, sorting through her deck. Yugi-boy was surrounded by his little fan club. There was no doubt Joey was participating in the tournament as he paraded around like a little monkey to psyche himself up. Various other duelists gathered in groups - some signing autographs, others sharing dueling tips, and still others engaging in practice duels. And over it all presided Seto Kaiba and his brother like little emperors. With a grim smile, Pegasus decided to win this duel no matter what. Earning the "King of Games" title would so irk Kaiba, and few things in life were more amusing than an irritated Kaiba.
At the designated time, Kaiba went through the usual announcements. He was glad to see everyone. He wished all of the duelists well. Blah, blah, blah. Pegasus noted that even Kaiba seemed bored as he went through the spiel. Still, it was over shortly, and the duelists went back to socializing while names were drawn to see who'd be up in the first round of duels. Since he was as much a part of this tournament as the rest of the duelists, Kaiba had to join them. Still, the other duelists kept a wide, respectful ring around Kaiba. No one would disturb him.
Well, almost no one. Pegasus knew that this was his chance to finally see how well he could fool someone who knew him. Strolling easily amongst the crowd, hips swishing automatically, Pegasus made his way to Kaiba. Kaiba narrowed his eyes at the approach, his little bubble of privacy completely disrupted. Pegasus offered Kaiba his hand. "Good luck."
"I don't need luck," Kaiba snarled, glaring at the offending hand.
The reaction was just as Pegasus had expected, and he hid a smile as he pushed his sunglasses higher up the bridge of his nose. "Oh, really now" Pegasus's voice was soft and sultry, as he prepared to really push Kaiba's buttons. "That would explain your exceptional record against Yugi thus far." Pegasus nearly ended up having to bite his tongue to keep from adding the habitual "boy" to the end of Yugi's name. Still, he managed.
"Look, lady," Kaiba sneered, a clenched fist providing the only indication that Pegasus had indeed managed to anger him. "This tournament's really for the professionals. A rookie like you won't make it past the first round."
"Oh, really?" Pegasus folded his arms in front of his chest, stifling an unladylike smirk. "I've got a hundred bucks that says I make it to the semi-finals." Pegasus knew that the money would be chump change for them both, but for all Kaiba knew, "Cecilia" could be risking her life savings.
Kaiba considered and finally shook his head. "I've seen your duels, and you're good. But you're not that good. And I don't need your money that badly." With those final words, the young CEO of Kaiba Corp turned his back on Pegasus and began walking away.
The dueling began and Pegasus found a chair to watch. He studied each duelist, noting their playing style and working out how to counter with his own deck. When his first duel came up, he was paired against one of the newer duelists. The other duelist never stood a chance. Seeking out Kaiba's gaze among the duelists, Pegasus held up a finger. One duel down, two more and he would be in the semi-finals.
When "Cecilia" was called up for the second round of duels, he was paired against another newcomer. Like the first duel, this one ended quickly. This time Pegasus showed Kaiba two fingers, and he relished the anger that was coming to a slow boil on Kaiba's face.
When Pegasus was called up for the third round of duels, he knew right away he would finally be faced with a bit of challenge. Mai Valentine faced him across the dueling stage. The two came together, shook hands, and cut each other's decks before heading back to their dueling stations.
The duel proved to be the highlight of "Cecilia's" dueling career up to this point! Pegasus and Mai matched each other blow for blow, trap for trap. But Pegasus realized he was slowly losing ground as he found himself staring across the field at two Harpie Ladies and one Harpie's Pet Dragon. Mai smiled as she destroyed Pegasus's Ryu-Kishin Powered and Kryuel, and was then able to follow up with a direct attack on Pegasus's life points. And the dangerous gleam in Mai's eye was enough to tell Pegasus that she had the third Harpie Lady in her hand, just waiting for the next turn.
Then it was Pegasus's turn to draw. Jar of Greed grinned at Pegasus - he still had a chance! "I play Jar of Greed and draw two more cards," Pegasus announced, as he put the card into play and drew. The results of this draw left Pegasus believing there might be such a thing as "the heart of the cards" after all. "First," Pegasus declared triumphantly. "I think I'll play Raigeki. Say bye-bye to your Harpie Ladies and their pet, love." All three monsters dissolved into digital nothingness, but Pegasus wasn't through there. "For my next trick, I'll play Monster Reborn and bring back Harpie's Pet Dragon. It's such a cutie and it'll look absolutely perfect next to my Luster Dragon." As he announced his intentions, Pegasus followed through, setting his Luster Dragon on the field in attack mode, and reviving Harpie's Pet Dragon. One more thing left to do. "Luster Dragon and Harpie's Pet Dragon attack Mai's Life Points directly."
As Mai's Life Points dwindled to nothing, Pegasus dropped to his knees in relief. The duel had been hard fought by both, but Pegasus had come through in the end. One final time, Pegasus sought out Kaiba's gaze, and this time he held up three fingers. Tomorrow he would be in the semi-finals, facing off against Joey, Yugi, and Seto.
