A/N: Okay, now before I begin, I would just like to apologize for what's about to happen. I'm afraid I'm about to deviate from the original storyline. I'm pretty sure it won't have an overall effect. But if you're confused, don't worry; all shall be explained by Battle City. By the way, you should go re-read the other chapters, I revised them a little bit.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Avatar
Fanfic Chapter 15: The Rival Returns
Episode Basis: Semi-based on "Scars of Defeat"
Previously on Yu-Gi-Oh: Yugi was throwing Panik's own scare tactics right back at him. He called him a bully and a coward and declared that he would finish him in less than five turns. Panik kept building up defenses, succumbing to Yugi's taunts. For the coup de' grace, Yugi used his Catapult Turtle to fire Gaia, the Dragon Champion at the Castle of Dark Illusions. The attack knocked the castle's flotation ring off. But Yugi revealed that the only reason the castle was still standing was because of Yugi's Swords of Revealing Light. And as the three turn effect of the Swords of Revealing Light faded, the castle collapsed destroying all of Panik's monsters. Yugi won the game but Panik wasn't about to let him off scot-free. He trapped Yugi in an inferno and tried to charbroil him. But Yugi's Millennium Puzzle protected him from the flames as he unleashed a penalty game on the eliminator-bully. Yugi escaped unharmed, but Panik was destroyed. Mai learned that being defensive all the time doesn't always help because it could keep those trying to help away as well as those who are trying to do harm and as Yugi returned Mai's star chips, Mai declared that she promised to fight honorably, especially if she ever went up against him. Who would've thought that Mai would actually turn out to be an okay gal?
Nighttime had descended on Duelist Kingdom, but the people who currently inhabited the island were all but sleeping. Pegasus was speaking with his co-conspirators at Kaiba Corporation.
"That's twice you've failed, Pegasus, our faith in you is rapidly declining," one of the conspirators told him. Pegasus rolled his good eye though since his back was turn to the view screen, they didn't see him do it.
"You've failed to eliminate Seto Kaiba at both the mountain estate and the Kaiba Mansion. Tell us how you plan on correcting these failures," another added.
"Gentlemen, I suggest you calm yourselves. Seto Kaiba will not make a difference here."
"Our sources tell us that Kaiba is on his way to your island right now, most likely to try to rescue his brother."
"Let him come," Pegasus dared. "We have tripled the security around his brother since his previous escape. If necessary, I will take care of him myself."
"Kaiba is very resourceful," a different voice pointed out. "Are you sure you can handle him."
"All you six have to do is wait for my signal. And soon, all of you will be filthy rich." Without waiting for a reply, Pegasus terminated the video feed with them. "Stupid money-grubbing fools, they think that anything that can't be solved with cash is a threat to their health. No matter, even if Seto Kaiba chooses to join up with Yugi Moto, it will not make a difference for my Millennium Eye is more powerful than it has ever been. Nothing, especially not Seto Kaiba, can stop my plans from coming to fruition. Come get me, Seto Kaiba… if you dare."
Mai Valentine was trying her best to get to sleep, knowing that she would need to be at her best for tomorrow when she enters the finals. But all she could think about was everything that happened tonight. Yugi, Joey, Tea, Harold, and Tristan, this was the very same group that she tried to harass, humiliate, and turn against each other, yet when she was in trouble, it was them that came to her rescue.
I never thought I could feel this way, Mai thought. Who would've thought that there would actually be some caring people left in the world? And despite all that I've done to them, they still helped me out, even that lovable goofball Wheeler. It's strange though. When I looked into the eyes of Yugi Moto after his duel with Panik, I felt a hidden strength and courage coming from him. But his eyes were somewhat different from the ones I've seen on the boat ride here. It was almost like there were two different Yugis. Well, whether the Yugi Moto who got back all of my star chips at the risk of his own life was the genuine or not, I'm glad that he and the others consider me their friend. Mai paused at that last thought. They considered her their friend, did she feel the same way?
Seto Kaiba piloted his helicopter towards the island.
I still can't believe all my trusted advisors turned on me because of one lost, Kaiba thought. Although… I can't blame them. After a lost like that, I wouldn't have any faith in me either. He thought back to his duel with Yugi. Yugi claims that the cards are more than just power, he claims that they have a heart. Kaiba's beady-blue eyes narrowed. Even in the off-chance that was true, there's no way I can start doubting myself now. Mokuba's in danger; and I'm the only one who can save him. And once he's out of harm's way, I'll turn my wraith on those who have conspired against me. They'll soon find out that it's not wise to mess with the Kaiba family.
Yugi, Joey, Tea, Harold, Bakura, and Tristan had set up camp near where Yugi dueled Mako Tsunami. Tea, being the only girl, got the only tent that Tristan supplied in his backpack. Joey and Tristan slept using a log for a pillow and Harold fell asleep leaning against a tree. Yugi and Bakura were the only ones up.
"Hey Bakura, am I crazy or is your Millennium Ring glowing?" Yugi asked. One of the extensions of the ring was pointing towards Pegasus' castle.
"If it isn't, then we're both going crazy," Bakura said. "This is the third time it has done that."
"When were the first two time?"
"The first time was when I first transferred into your class, it started doing that and it was pointing straight at your Millennium Puzzle, Yugi. And it did it again a few hours ago, it was how I found you guys here. But I can't imagine for the life of me why it's pointing towards the castle."
"Because of what's inside the castle," Yugi realized. "Pegasus' Millennium Eye, your ring must have the ability to hone in on other Millennium Items."
"Oh my, this is a little unnerving if you ask me," Bakura said. "We know so little about these items."
"From what I learned from Pegasus and that dark version of you, there are seven of them. There are three that we know of so somewhere out there must be four more, each with their own magical power."
"And perhaps, each with its own spirit inside," Bakura added. "I remember when the spirit first took possession of me. I felt some powerful energy a week ago and that seemed to trigger it. It was ruthless, quickly sealing me in the Change of Heart then pretending to be me."
"It must've been Pegasus and I dueling, that was when he took away my Grandfather's soul!"
"That's another thing about the items that unnerve me," Bakura said. "All the items' can transfer a soul into something as simple as this." He held up his Man-Eater Bug card. "Why, why were they created, and how can they do this? I have a feeling we might not like the answer." Bakura sighed. "Well, there's nothing we can do about it right now. We might as well hit the hay, we have a big day tomorrow. Good night, Yugi."
"Good night, Bakura." But Yugi found that he could not sleep. He had too much on his mind. Why is it the more involved I get with Pegasus and this whole tournament, the more this all seems to be connected to the Millennium Items? First there's Pegasus' Millennium Eye, and then Bakura's Millennium Ring. And then there's my Millennium Item. Ever since I first solved the puzzle, playing games has never been the same, especially Duel Monsters. At times, when I play, it feels like someone's guiding me… someone strong and courageous, what I always dreamed to be. Whoever or whatever is guiding me, I hope it can help me rescue my Grandpa, I miss him. But… what if Pegasus tries to steal the souls of my friends like the spirit of Bakura's ring did? The last thing I want is to put them into comas, especially Tea…
From Harold's backpack, a faint glow could be seen, a glow which somehow connected with Yugi's Millennium Puzzle. But because it was so brief and Yugi was so deep in pondering, he didn't notice.
A slight shimmer caught Kaiba's eye. For some reason, he was being drawn towards the edge of the island. It was his original plan to land right at the castle but he couldn't see anything that looks like a landing strip. He steered towards the outer edge of the island.
Yugi's internal conflict was put on hold as a loud whirling noise could be heard. A bright light shone down on them, stirring the others.
"Hey, some of us are trying to sleep here, ya' insensitive jerk!" Joey snapped. Tea poked her head out from the tent. Everyone watched as the helicopter landed and a figure stepped out.
"It's Kaiba!" Yugi realized.
"What's he doing here?" Joey asked. Yugi went up to Kaiba.
"I haven't seen you since our duel, Yugi," Kaiba said in way of a greeting.
Yugi nodded. "Oh yeah, I have your deck here." He took out Kaiba's deck. "I was just keeping it safe for you; it's kind of my way of thanking you for that duel you helped me win."
"Thank you," Kaiba said. He looked through the deck to make sure all his cards were there (especially the Blue-Eyes White Dragons).
"We saw your brother," Harold informed him. "Unfortunately they grabbed him before we could do anything."
"I understand," Kaiba said. "I'll take care of things from here." He turned and started to head towards the castle.
"Wait, Kaiba," Yugi called. "I was thinking… since we're all heading towards Pegasus' castle, perhaps we should stick together."
"I'm not here for your little tournament, Yugi, I'm only here to rescue Mokuba."
"And what makes you think you can beat Pegasus and reach him?" Harold asked. Kaiba gave him a cold stare and opened up his brief case. He threw a small metallic disk to Harold. Harold looked at it then gave Kaiba a questioning glance.
"These are my portable holographic projectors. This is how I'm going to beat Pegasus."
"But Kaiba, Pegasus is no average Duelist," Yugi warned.
"I know that, that's why I made these." Kaiba slid his deck into a clip on an arm band that also held a life point counter. "Pegasus made the cards so he knows the strengths and weaknesses of all of them. I hope to introduce him to an unknown factor with these.
"I don't see what's so special about these things," Joey said taking the disk from Harold.
"I'll show you." Kaiba drew the top card and placed it at the center of the plate-size disk. He threw the disk like a Frisbee to the ground. It landed perfectly and started spinning. The Battle Ox (1), a minotaur-like monster appeared. "These projectors produce images of monsters so detailed, it makes them look real. They breathe, they growl, they smell…"
"Whew, you're telling me," Joey cracked.
"With these, I hope to counter whatever trick Pegasus uses."
"But Kaiba, Pegasus has a critical advantage," Yugi argued as Joey threw the other projector back to Kaiba. "He's got a mi…"
"Yugi, you're a good Duelist, but I don't need any advice. I have to strike Pegasus using these disks fast and hard if I'm going to counter whatever tricks Pegasus uses."
"And what makes you think Pegasus cheats, maybe he's just really good," Harold offered.
"What kind of idiotic comment is that? I've seen Pegasus do things that would seem almost abnormal!" Everyone gasped.
It was six months before our first duel, Yugi. I was attending an International Duel Monsters Championship in New York City as a guest of Maxamillion Pegasus. An exhibition match was being held between Pegasus and the Intercontinental Champion, an American by the name of Bandit Keith. Bandit Keith was down to 500 life points while Pegasus only had 1700. Pegasus currently had no monsters in play.
"All right, rich man, I'm about to show you who's the best around here. You have no idea the world of hurt I'm about to inflict on you!"
Pegasus was unphased by Keith's taunts. He said nothing, he just scribbled something on a piece of paper and motioned to a kid in the audience.
"Hey, asking for help is illegal!"
"Oh please, your moves are so predictable, Keith, I'll prove to you that even a child can defeat you." He declared as he sat the kid in his place.
"Me?" The kid asked. "But… I just started learning how to play Duel Monsters last week."
"You'll do fine, kid, just follow the instructions on the note I gave you." Pegasus left the stage and went over to the VIP seats where I was sitting. "Enjoying yourself, my friend? Oh, I know this seems almost primitive compared to the experimental holographic simulators your company's developing but I think this might hold a surprise or two for you."
"Sorry, kid, but all the help in the world's not going to keep you from being humiliated." Keith drew a card. "I summon Garnecia Elefantis (2)!"
"Good card," the kid said reading the note. "But the note says I should summon Luster Dragon (3) in attack mode." As any Duelist knows, wind monsters hold a strong advantage over earth monsters even if their attack points are the same. I couldn't believe it, the kid just won against the Intercontinental Champion! "I think I just took all of your lifepoints."
"What? How can this be, let me see that note!" He snatched the note from the kid's hand and read it. "I don't believe it, it's all here, the card I played, how to counter it…"
Pegasus, in an obvious PR stunt, declared the kid the winner.
"So you see, I'm the only one with a chance against Pegasus." Kaiba re-packed up the portable projectors. "You might as well go home because the only one confronting Pegasus will be me."
"Kaiba, I couldn't do that even if I wanted to. Pegasus has my Grandpa captured as well and he told me the only way to get him back is by dueling him, that's why I'm in this tournament."
"I see," Kaiba replied. "I guess we'll just have to see who gets to Pegasus first." He turned to leave. "Still… I hope your mission is a success, Yugi."
"I hope yours is too." And with that, Kaiba walked into the woods.
"Man, the more I find out about this Pegasus guy, the more I dislike him," Harold commented.
"Tell me about it. Yugi's Grandpa, Kaiba's brother, makes me wonder if Pegasus isn't going to target one of us next." Yugi jumped at that comment.
"I doubt it, Tristan," Bakura said. "Pegasus made it clear that Yugi is the main target here, not us." Yugi winced from that as well.
"I guess there's nothing we can do right now except try to get some more sleep," Harold said. The others returned to their designate "beds" but Yugi just stood staring at Kaiba's helicopter.
"Yugi, is anything wrong?" Tea asked.
Yugi gave her an assured smile. "Yeah, everything's fine, Tea. I'll come to bed in a minute."
"Okay, good night." Tea disappeared back into her tent.
As long as Pegasus continues to target me, my friends are in danger, Yugi thought. I wasn't able to stop Pegasus from stealing my Grandfather's soul; I don't think I'll be able to protect my friends. Perhaps… perhaps it would be best if I try to distance myself from them. Joey's going to need their encouragement and he's already proven that he can hold his own in a duel without my help. I, on the other hand, will duel well knowing that they're out of danger. I'm sorry, guys, but I can't risk having all of you become a target for Pegasus' magic as well. Yugi turned and walked off in the same direction as Kaiba.
"Harold… Harold, wake up." Harold moaned and opened his eyes. A light brown blur was staring down at him. Harold wiped his eyes clear of some eye dirt and Tea's image came into focus.
"What's wrong?" He moaned.
"Yugi's gone." Harold looked up and saw that Yugi was gone.
"Maybe he just went to the bathroom or something," Harold suggested turning onto his side with his back towards her.
"I don't think so. If it was simply that, why would he take his backpack with him?"
Harold sat up. He could see that Yugi's backpack was gone as well.
"I think we should go look for him," Tea suggested.
"Wait, you stay here in case he comes back. I'll go look for him." Harold took a flashlight out of his backpack and went off into the woods.
What could've made Yugi run off alone? Tea wondered. I hope nothing bad has happened to him.
Harold finally spotted Yugi in an area void of trees. The castle could be seen through the forest's roof.
"There you are," Harold said exasperated. "I swear, we need to get you a leash, or at least a bell so we can know when you decide to go out on your own."
Yugi didn't reply, he just continued to stare at the castle through the clearing.
"Yugi, is something wrong?"
Finally, he replied, "Joey's going to need your help and the other's support if he's going to get his remaining star chips."
Harold was confused by Yugi's wording. "You mean our support and our help, right, Yugi?"
Yugi shook his head. "Pegasus lured me to this tournament by stealing my Grandfather's soul. He taunts me by toying with people I know. First my Grandpa, then Kaiba, and then Mai, how do I know he won't do it again to Tea or you or Joey? How do I know he won't try to steal your souls like he did my Grandfather's? It would be safer for all if we just separate." Yugi's back was to Harold so Harold didn't see Yugi's tears.
"No way, Jose," Harold said defiantly. He went up in front of Yugi and bent down until they were eye-level. "Yugi, do you remember how we met?"
Yugi nodded. "You and Tea used to date."
"Well, yeah, but actually, it was before that. Do you remember when you challenged that punk Victor Bassett?"
Yugi could remember that faintly.
Three months before his first duel with Kaiba, Yugi and Tea were checking out this arcade that was featuring a virtual reality combat game that was recommended to Tea by a friend. That friend turned out to be Harold. He and Tea did date a few times but things never really got more serious than that. Harold was actually quite friendly to Yugi when they were introduced, probably because of Tea. He and Yugi were going to have a friendly game of Virtual Wars, the new VR game where the players would become wizards who could use magic or warriors with incredible strength and agility. But before they could do it, Victor Bassett, this game hog that makes Kaiba look like an angel by comparison, came in. He threw Harold off the stage and forced Yugi to combat. Not only kicked his butt virtually, but in reality too. Harold and Tea came to Yugi's defense but Victor just beat them up for "siding with the enemy."
Unknown to anyone, the Millennium Puzzle took control of Yugi's body. It was the first time Tea saw his Millennium Puzzle used for something other than just a lucky charm. He spoke with a voice that Tea recognized, the same voice that saved her life from that arsonist at Burger World or that phony psychic. Up until then, Tea thought her childhood friend and her mysterious guardian who saved her life several times were two different people, now she realized that they were one and the same. Needless to say, she was shocked at the revelation.
Victor and this transformed Yugi fought with Victor actually attacking Yugi's physical body as well as his virtual Avatar. Yugi countered with magic spells. It was a tough fight, but in the end, Yugi's Avatar somehow was able to temporarily achieve infinite power and bust Victor's Avatar so hard that it affected Victor's body as well. What nobody did know was that just like with Panik, Yugi sentenced Victor to a penalty game, whereby Victor would constantly feel the pain of being beaten up. No sooner had he won, than the Millennium Puzzle relinquished its control over Yugi and he collapsed, the pain of his injuries finally catching up to him.
Yugi recovered at Harold's apartment with Tea's help. It was there that Yugi and Tea learned Harold's life story: that he had been living alone for almost ten years, an outcast among other people their age. Harold felt that he had no friends and Tea was the first one to show him kindness which is why he still remained her friend even after they stopped dating. Yugi and Tea soon came upon Harold's darkest secret: that he was a slasher and was about to deal the deathblow to himself for not being able to help out Yugi against Bassett. Yugi was able to stop him and talk some sense into Harold, who all but given up on life. He offered his hand in friendship to Harold which Harold took. Yugi and Tea went to the principal of their school who agreed to let Harold attend their school if he paid for his own tuition. Harold had to work three jobs but he was able to get enough to pay his own tuition. And he, Yugi, and the others have been friends ever since.
"Yugi, believe it or not, you saved me that day. I was ready to throw my life away but you stopped me. So if you think I'm going to stand by and watch as you put yourself on the line again for me… for us, you've got another thing coming."
"But… Pegasus…"
"Screw Pegasus, I'm not scared of some maniacal millionaire because he has a trick eye. Yugi, when the final battle comes, I'm going to be right behind you, backing you up 100. And the others will too. They all care about you, Yugi, and nothing, and I mean nothing, is going to stop us from helping you get your Grandfather back."
Yugi nodded. "I'm sorry for running off like that."
"Hey, we all need some alone time. Just tell us next time you head off, or at least leave a note. Come on and let's go back, I'm sure Tea's having kittens over you disappearing. I swear, that girl's going to get gray hairs at 20 with all the worrying she does." The two chuckled.
"Yugi, are you all right?" Tea asked as Yugi and Harold returned to the campsite.
"Yeah, I just needed to clear my head for a minute."
Tea took a deep breath. "You really had me worried."
"I'm sorry."
"Well… at least you're back, that's all that matters."
"Yeah, I…" Yugi let out a yawn. "I'm sorry, guys; I'll see you in the morning." And without any words, he lied down next to the tent and fell fast asleep.
"Poor kid," Harold said. "He was worried about us so he tried to run away."
"Oh no!" Tea gasped.
"Fortunately, I was able to convince him not to worry. I tell you, Tea, I can't ever think of a time where he thought about himself, he always worries about others."
"I know, Harold. He's kind, sometimes too kind, but… that's one of the things I like about him."
When Tea said nothing more, Harold patted her shoulder and went back to sleep. Tea went up to Yugi and gently kissed him on the forehead. "Don't worry, Yugi, I'm here for you." And she returned to the tent and fell asleep as well.
A/N: Okay, I think I owe you guys some sort of an explanation. The whole Joey-Kaiba feud has always confused me in that they really have no reason to be rivals the same way Yugi and Kaiba are rivals. I mean they're both good Duelists and the Japanese Kaiba really isn't as bully-ish like the American one. And besides, I needed someplace to put in Harold's back story and maybe a little bit of character development. So that's why I did this. From now on, I promise to be a bit more original with my stories than I was in the past. And there is more to Harold than meets the eye. I'm probably going to anger some soft of fan fiction gods by saying this, but he's more than a simple S.I.
Monster Glossary:
(1)
Name: Battle Ox
Level: 4
Type: Beast-Warrior
Attribute: Earth
ATK: 1700
DEF: 1000
(2)
Name: Garnecia Elefantis
Level: 7
Type: Beast-Warrior
Attribute: Earth
ATK: 2400
DEF: 2000
(3)
Name: Luster Dragon
Level: 4
Type: Dragon
Attribute: Wind
ATK: 1900
DEF: 1600
