"The Idol of the Masked Duelist"
By: Von Stupor
After what seemed like an eternity, Baron Von Stupor, with the aid of the helicopter pilot finally arrived at Duelist Kingdom.
"Would'st thou be'st so kind as to park the helicopter here?" Von Stupor asked the helicopter pilot.
"Sure thing, hold on." replied the man, maneuvering the helicopter to a suitable location.
Once the helicopter was safe for disembarking, Von Stupor asked the man, "How long can you stay?"
"Eh, I got a few good hours before I gotta go."
"Excellent. I shall bring news later."
"Gotcha."
Von Stupor was on the left side of the castle, so to reach the entrance, he would have to make through the forest.
The forest was dense and dark, especially with no one to be seen in any direction. As he continued to blunder through the trees, he came across a path that stretched in either direction. Using common sense, Von Stupor concluded that the route to the right would lead him to the castle, so he promptly began to follow it.
After a few minutes, someone came into view, walking in his direction. Von Stupor could see the insignia of the rare hunters on the hood of the stranger's cloak. Von Stupor watched as the mystery figure approached him. He had his hood up, shrouding his face in darkness.
"I haven't the time to waste with you, rare hunter," Von Stupor said sternly.
"Hey there, Stupor!" said the man energetically.
"So you have heard of me?"
"Oh, of course! It's been some time since I saw you last, though."
"Your cloak still stinks."
"Uh… what?"
"Nothing. Anyways, I must proceed. Farewell."
"Hey, wait a minute! How about a quick duel? I'll make it quite interesting…"
"I told you, I haven't any time to waste on a rare hunter!"
"What? Ohhhh, I'm not a rare hunter. This is a cloak I stole from one after creaming him in a duel. Really sucked, he did. Anyway, you sound like you're in a hurry, so I'll let you go. Besides, there will be much better opportunities in the future, if you know what I mean…"
"Hm? I don't."
"Bah! Don't worry your little masked head about it. All in due time, my friend. So, you're going to see Pegasus, huh?"
"Indeed I am."
"Well, best of luck to ya. They wouldn't even let me in! So, see you around… Baron Von Stupor."
With that said, the man simply walked down the path away from the castle. The whole conversation left Von Stupor very puzzled.
Quite odd, he thought to himself. He spoke as if he knew me…
Von Stupor dismissed his confusion and continued forth. After a short while, he reached the castle. In front of the entrance stood Kimo, one of Pegasus's guards.
"How-dee-doo!" Von Stupor greeted him. "Would'st thou be kindest enough as to let me in to visit Maximillion?"
"I am under strict orders not to let any visitors inside the building," he replied coldly.
"But… but I am Baron Von Stupor, his friend."
"I don't care if you're his dead wife, you're not getting in."
""Hmph! I would advise you not make comments about the poor girl."
"Oh, really? What are you gonna do about it?"
"If you fail to show respect for Mrs. Pegasus, I may have no choice but to hand your ass to you."
"Feh! Get out of here before I call reinforcements."
"Very well, then. May the fleas of a thousand sweaty camels feast happily on your lower regions."
Kimo didn't respond and Von Stupor left. He made his way back to the helicopter, picking up a large rock along the way and instructed the pilot to take off. He stuck the rock in his cope.
"We headin' back to Domino already?"
"No, merely taking a detour. Go to the highest room in the tallest tower."
"What? Why?"
"You'll learn once we get there."
The pilot obliged and Von Stupor peered inside the window. He spied Pegasus sleeping soundly in his bed. Amazingly, he didn't wake up from the helicopter's thundering.
"Excellent," Von Stupor muttered to himself. He then said to the pilot, "Move closer, but keep me facing the window."
"Hey man, you're not thinking of jumping in there, are you?!"
"No, I shall glide in."
"No way! I can't endanger you like this!"
"Look at it this way, then. Whether you get closer or not, I shall jump for that window. You'll only be endangering me more by not doing what I ask."
"You're a damned fool. Kaiba's gonna kill me if something happens to you," the pilot muttered to himself as he closed in on the tower.
"Better yet," Von Stupor said as he saw a rope ladder tucked in a corner.
He threw the ladder down and proceeded to climb down. Von Stupor gestured at the pilot to back up. He then pulled the large rock out of his cope and proceeded to drop it. He watched it fall all the way down and crack Kimo in his head.
Wa ha ha… Karma, my friend, he thought to himself and gestured for the pilot to go higher and closer.
Rocking the ladder back and forth, Von Stupor summoned enough momentum to swing over onto the ledge outside his window. He managed to catch it and dangle for a moment prior to swinging onto it, hoisting one foot up and clinging to it. He gave a thumbs up to the pilot and he flew away to park the helicopter.
He rolled into the room and fell on a table. After getting off of the table, he assessed the damages. All he managed to do was knock over Pegasus's deck and knock three cards out of alignment that were lined up on the table. He straightened up Pegasus's deck and placed the three cards on the table as they were.
Happy Lover? Mask of Darkness? Doma the Angel of Silence? Ah, well, he thought to himself.
Quite surprised that Pegasus had still not awakened, he moved over beside his bed and nudged him gently, calling, "Pegasus… Pegasus…"
Pegasus began to slowly open his eyes when Von Stupor screamed out "My Body As a Shield!!!"
Pegasus shot up in his bed, screaming. He then turned to Von Stupor.
"Who are you??" he cried. "Wait… That mask…"
"'Tis I, Pegasus! Baron Von Stupor!"
"Von… Von Stupor! How in the world did you get in here???"
"Why, I crawled through the window."
"Von Stupor, the castle itself is three stories high."
"I had outside help…"
"Ha ha, I know your ways. Whatever bring you to my domain?"
"Well, once you ceased contact with me, I began to worry. I was afraid that something had happened to you…"
"Ah, yes… I'll have to tell you about that."
"Ho ho, there is no need to. I formulated my deck and ventured to Japan to enter the Battle City tournament, held by Seto Kaiba in hopes that I would find any clues as to what had happened to you, as I know how useless it is to ask questions to your staff. As it turns out, I discovered what had happened to you through the owner of the Millennium Ring himself."
"The white-haired boy…"
"Yes, Bakura… Not only did I find the culprit, I promptly repaid his deed… and recovered what is rightfully yours."
Von Stupor pulled the Millennium Eye out of his pocket and showed it to Pegasus, who stared in astonishment.
"You engaged yourself in a Shadow Game… for my sake? But… why???"
"Well… over the years, we have grown to be great friends, but… I have also referred to you as… well, as an idol of mine, even. Besides, I just did what any real friend would do. We help each other. I could not stand idly while someone who has wronged you walks away a free man!"
"Von Stupor… I'm really flattered… but I'm afraid I can't accept it."
"Eh?"
"I was chosen to possess that item for a reason, and yet I abused its power. It's magical abilities corrupted me and my decisions. I wouldn't even listen to you, my trusted advisor and best friend. I know now that I'll never be able to see my darling Cecilia again, so I want to cut my losses. Please, Von Stupor, do me one last favor and rid me of that accursed thing. You can do more good with it than I can."
"You… entrust me with a Millennium item?"
"The Millennium items were given to people, but were always meant to find their way back to one person. Though they may not go directly, they will always wind up in the same place. That is what is called fate. Who knows what I will do if I should possess such a power once more. I want you to make sure my item fulfills its purpose in your life and then finds its ultimate owner."
"Very well, Pegasus. I shall do it."
Just then, the Millennium Eye began to glow and float into the air. It faced away from Von Stupor and shot towards his face, striking him with such forced that he was knocked backward, nearly hitting the table with his head.
Von Stupor stood back up, wobbling. Pegasus looked at him with great surprise.
"The eye…" he said. "It fused with your mask…"
"Eh?" said Von Stupor, looking in the mirror above Pegasus's dresser.
The mask had completely transformed. It was now a lustrous purple mask, shaped like a shield. It had intricate red lines that formed a gigantic eye in the center of the mask.
"Why… it looks like the Mask of Truth," Pegasus observed. "But the Mask of Truth is white, not purple…"
Even though Majora is gone, perhaps there is still darkness within this mask… Von Stupor thought to himself. It was used for evil, after all. Perhaps now that Majora has been removed, I must now purify the mask and cleanse it of its sin. But how? Perhaps there is more to this mask than even I know…
"You went to great lengths to avenge me…" Pegasus began. "You put your very life on the line to defend my honor. Even though I didn't want the eye back, I still want to give you something to show my undying gratitude."
"You need not repay me, Pegasus," responded Von Stupor.
"No, I want to give you something, anything within my power. You name it."
"In that case, all I request is for you to make my dream come true."
"What will that be?"
"I wish for you to do me the honor of engaging in a duel with me."
"That's all?"
"You need not thank me with material possessions. I am honored enough merely being in your presence. Simply duel me and I will leave a very giddy man."
"Ha ha ha… so modest. Well then, a duel you shall have, only involving the very best of my abilities! Simply allow me to change into my clothes."
"Ah, yes. Right, then."
Von Stupor left the room and in a few minutes, out followed Pegasus in his traditional red attire.
The two traveled down the tower and into the base of the castle, where they entered a dueling arena.
Von Stupor walked along the path next to the dueling platform to the side opposite Pegasus.
Looking around, Pegasus sighed and said, "This is the very platform I dueled Yugi on in the final round of the Duelist Kingdom Tournament… Though it crushed my dreams, I can't help but admit that the duel was nothing short of spectacular… Well, then. I suppose we should get started?"
"My wish… has finally come true," Von Stupor softly said to himself and drew his hand.