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Fanfic Chapter 25: Dueling Legends Pt 1: Playing Games
Episode Basis: Champion vs. Creator Pt 1

Previously on Yu-Gi-Oh! Yugi had withdrawn from the world, so afraid of causing injury to others, that he absolutely refused to duel. Joey tried to give Yugi some of his own star chips but Yugi didn't respond. Then Mai showed up and offered some extra star chips she gathered but Yugi was zombified. Mai declared that the only way for Yugi to overcome his fear is to face it so she challenged him to a duel. Of all people, it was Tea, who volunteered to duel in Yugi's place. Tea was afraid, afraid of losing, afraid of failing Yugi, and she admitted it. But she still continued on, even in the face of overwhelming odds. And using the Shining Friendship monster, a card that represented the bond she shared with the others, and powered up by Silver Bow and Arrow and Elf's Light, she defeated Mai's Harpie Lady. Mai gave up the duel to Tea even though she could've won. Seeing Tea's duel refueled Yugi's courage and he promised to face his fear. Who would've thought Tea would be the light for Yugi's darkness.


"81, 82, 83, 84…"

"Harold, will you stop counting."

"Sorry, it's boring climbing up and down these stairs."

"Whatever, we're here."

Yugi, Joey, Tea, Harold, Tristan, Mai, and Bakura finally arrived at the door to the Inner Keep. Kimo was guarding.

"Oh great, it's Pencil-Head," Harold groaned.

"Oh no," he said as the group ran up to the door. "There's no way you brats could've earned ten star chips each!"

"Ho boy," Tea groaned.

"This isn't a clubhouse, it's a place reserved for the Dueling Elite."

Yugi, Joey, and Mai flashed their gloves. "Then I guess that means we'll fit right in."

Kimo was speechless.

"Would you mind telling Housekeeping that I like my pillows extra fluffy," Joey said rubbing it in Kimo's face.

"Ten star chips means they qualify," Harold pointed out. "Your boss said so himself. So move it or lose it."

Kimo grunted and moved out of the way. Harold pushed open the front door.

"At last, we're finally at the castle," Yugi said relieved. He, Joey, and Mai went through.

"Hey wait," Kimo said as Harold turned to enter himself.

"Relax, Chuckles, I'm just returning this to your boss," Harold said flashing the rulebook.

"Where'd you find that?" Kimo asked.

"In Weevil Underwood's backpack, now if you excuse me…"

"Oh, no you don't!" Kimo cried as Tea, Bakura, and Tristan tried to enter. "You three aren't even Duelists, you're not allowed."

Tristan and Bakura tried to think of an explanation.

"Down, Fido, they're with me," Harold vouched.

"I don't care who they're with, they're not even suppose to be on this island! I'm calling security."

"I've had just about enough of this guy forcing himself into our way," Harold said. Holding his backpack in front of him, he charged forward. The backpack almost seemed to glow as Harold used it as a battering ram to plow into Kimo, the force sending the brute tumbling down the stairs.


A/N: Can anybody tell that I just don't like Kimo? You think it shows?


"Hasta la Vista, baby," Harold said.

"Come on, let's get inside before Senor Scowls comes back," Mai said. The Duelists and their friends proceeded to the Inner Bailey. Mai placed her star chips into the vault-like doors to the main building and they all went inside, Joey closing the door and locking it.

"There's no time to lose," Yugi said. "We have to find Pegasus." The sooner I find him, the sooner I can get my Grandpa back.

Everyone ran through the antechamber, down a hallway and up a flight of stairs. As they arrived at what looked like some sort of balcony, they saw a familiar face.

"Bandit Keith," Joey growled ready to do to him what Harold did to Kimo.

"Well, well, if it isn't Big Dumb Joey and his group of Dueling Dummies."

"I've been waiting to do this ever since you trapped us in the cave." Joey charged forward and let loose with several hook punches and jabs, all of which Bandit Keith blocked.

"Can't this wait?" Keith asked annoyed.

"You wish!"

"Easy there, tough guy, if you want to see some serious action, look down there." He pointed to a lower catwalk where Kaiba was standing, just waiting for something.

Actually, he was waiting for someone.

"It's Kaiba!" Yugi realized.

"I was hoping to get a crack at the old man myself but you know they save the biggest match for last."

"Does that mean what I think it means?" Harold asked.

"Yup, those two are gonna duel."

"That is correct," a hoarse voice said from behind them. Everyone turned to see a man with graying hair and moustache wearing sunglasses and a suit. "Welcome, Finalists, I am Croquet, Chief Tournament Liaison, congratulations on making it this far."

"If you're the Tournament Liaison, then I should give you this," Harold said tossing the rulebook to Croquet. "Weevil had it, but since he was eliminated, I think it might be better to return it to the proper owners."

"Very well. Master Pegasus has been watching your duels and he's been very impressed."

If he's been watching our duels, that means he even has more of an idea into our dueling strategies and cards than he would have if he used his Millennium Eye, Yugi thought.

"In fact, he's so impressed that he wanted to reward you with some entertainment: a special exhibition match. I think you're all going to be in awe at what you're about to see. This match should give you a hint as to what's in store for all of you."

"So basically, it's meant to intimidate us," Mai said, not intimidated in the least.

"Why would Pegasus do something like that?"

"Don't get me started," Joey cracked.

"Enjoy the match." Croquet turned and walked away.

Harold shivered. "Something about that guy sends chills up my spine."

"Forget that poser," Bandit Keith advised. "We're about to see some real excitement."

"This should be interesting," Yugi agreed.

Down on the lower catwalk, Kaiba gripped his pendant. Little Brother, I'm here for you now, and I won't let anything stop me from rescuing you!

The doors at the other end of the catwalk parted with eerie creaking sounds as Pegasus stepped into the room flanked by two of his guards carrying covered trays..

"Where's my Brother?" Kaiba demanded to know.

"What, no 'hello'? No 'how are you'? I thought we were friends, Kaiba-Boy. Don't tell me that my kidnapping of Mokuba and taking control of your company has put a rift between us. It's nothing personal. Besides, it's not like I hurt your kid brother, he's perfectly safe. In fact, you can have him back if you like. Just beat me in a duel like we agreed and I'll hand him over. I mean one victory shouldn't be a problem for the Duel Monsters World Champ."

That Millennium Eye Pegasus has could make it a big problem for Kaiba.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I hope Kaiba DOESN'T lose this duel. I still say he's a first-class jerk for everything he put us through, but I can't help but feel for him trying to get his kid brother back."

"Anyone who stands up to Pegasus like that can't be all that bad," Tristan added. The others nodded.

Joey and Tristan are right, Yugi thought. After all, what can be nobler than fighting for someone that you love? I just hope Kaiba's learned to think with his heart as well as his head.

"Come, now, Kaiba, it's so rude to keep us in suspense, especially with an audience waiting in the wings." Both of them turned to face the upper balcony.

Despite everything that happened, Yugi gave Kaiba a smile. "Hey there, Kaiba."

"Yugi!" Kaiba gasped. "How could you be in here after I defeated you?" To his self, he muttered, "I should've known you'd find a way."

I certainly did, Yugi passed all the trials I laid out before him. With battling my Ghost-Kaiba and Panik, he learned the secret of the Millennium Items. But not even that will help him win his Grandfather's soul back, but maybe I should concentrate on the present instead of the future. "I hope you're ready Kaiba, because I've been looking forward to this for quite some time."

"Good." Kaiba opened up his brief case and tossed one of his Duel Disks to Pegasus. "Then you'll have no problem dueling with this."

Pegasus looked it over like it was a foreign object. "You want to duel me with your latest contraption? But I don't even know how this silly device works. Do I spin it like a top or role it like a ball?" Pegasus rolled it with his guards chasing after it to make sure it didn't fall into the abyss below.

"Cut the comedy, Pegasus!" Kaiba snapped.

"Ooh, Kaiba means business. Okay, then, how about we settle this like business men would: I'll agree to use your device if you agree to a request that I have."

"What?"

"Nothing that will change the game of course, I just want someone else to operate your device for me."

"I smell a rat!" Bandit Keith accused.

"That's the pot calling the kettle black," Harold said sarcastically.

Pegasus just chuckled, "I'll still make all the strategic decisions, the game play won't change at all."

"So why did you even make the request in the first place? How about you fight your own battle for once in your life?"

Again, Pegasus chuckled. Simple-minded Kaiba, for all your titles and technical innovations, you should've learned by now that fighting isn't the only way to inflict damage upon an opponent. A man's spirit can be broken in much easier ways. Pegasus clapped his hands. "Show Kaiba the proxy who will use the Duel Disk for me." The doors parted again and another of Pegasus' guards entered pulling with him like a dog on a leash, Mokuba, or rather Mokuba's shell. His eyes were distant and foreign."

"Kaiba's brother!" Yugi gasped. Kaiba called out to Mokuba. Mokuba looked up but didn't respond. "Something's wrong!"

"It's like he's been hypnotized or something," Tea observed.

"I apologize if he doesn't seem quite like himself," Pegasus said conversely. "But I find that my captives are easier to manage after I made an extraction of sorts."

"You monster!"

Pegasus showed Mokuba's Soul Card. "Now, now, Kaiba-boy, petty insults aren't the way to get your brother's soul back."

His soul, both Bakura and Yugi thought at the same time.

Mai still didn't get it. "What does Pegasus mean?"

"He must've done to Mokuba what he did to Yugi's Grandpa," Tristan realized.

Pegasus continued to goad Kaiba. "I told you, your brother is perfectly safe, but how long he remains that way is up to you. Win in a duel against me and I'll free your brother's soul as promised, but lose, and not only will his soul remain in bondage, but yours will join it."

Yugi gasped as he thought back to Kaiba's threat to jump off the tower if Yugi made the final blow. That's why he went to such lengths to beat me! If his brother is in the same shape as my Grandpa, I have to help out Kaiba any way I can.

"I shall be the mind, but your brother shall be my arms to operate your little device, of course you could choose not to use it and we'll duel on my field. The choice is up to you, Kaiba-boy."

"Looks like Kaiba's getting a taste of his own medicine," Harold critiqued.

"I know what you mean," Yugi agreed. "Kaiba gave me a choice along those same lines. I wasn't willing to go through with it, will Kaiba go the same route or will he stand firm like he always does?"

Apparently, Kaiba did choose to go the same route. "All right, you win, Pegasus."

"But that's his edge!" Yugi protested.

Pegasus had the guard lead Mokuba away. "You creep," Kaiba insulted.

"Watch yourself, Kaiba, you're in my world now." With a snap of his fingers, the catwalk separated and a large arena lowered into place. The bridge connected to it.

"This should be good," Mai said. "The two biggest legends in Duel Monsters going at it."

"Mai, under normal circumstances I would agree with you, but with what's at stake, this I'd rather not see," Harold said.

"Kaiba, be careful!" Yugi called. "Pegasus has cards that can target Dragon-type monsters!"

"Thanks for the tip, Yugi, but I fight my own battles."

"Yugi, why are you helping Kaiba out?" Joey asked. "He took five of your star chips, remember?"

"I know, but right now Kaiba's in the same position I'm in and I couldn't live with myself if I held back on anything that could help Kaiba win."

"Yugi, I admit, you're a good Duelist, but this battle is mine to fight, and I shall win!" Kaiba placed his deck on his table.

"Stubborn fool, he's going to need all the help we can get."

"We've known each other for a long time, Pegasus, now we'll see if the master of the game is the Duel Monster's Creator or the Champion! You have nowhere left to hide, Pegasus!"

"Here we go," Harold announced.

"Time to duel!" Both competitors cried out.

(P: 2000)
(K: 2000)

"Look at you, the opening play and you're already nervous," Pegasus commented as they drew their initial hands. He laid a monster in defense mode. "There, feel better? Oh wait, I also play this card, but it'll be face-down, just to keep you guessing."

Pegasus is scheming something, I just know it, Kaiba thought as he drew a card. He looked at his initial hand which included a Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Blue-Eyes on my first hand, good, but I can't risk playing it until I get a better understanding of his strategies. If that card is the Dragon Capture Jar that Yugi was talking about, I could be sending my best monster straight into Pegasus' clutches. Better to be safe than sorry. I'll keep it in my hand for now. "I'll also lay a card face-down and I summon Rude Kaiser (1) in attack mode!" A large alligator wearing armor and wearing blades on its forearms appeared. "Go, Rude Kaiser, attack Pegasus' face-down card with Forearm Slash!" The Rude Kaiser leaped up and sliced Pegasus' defense monster, which turned out to be a monster called Toon Alligator (2).

"Oh no!" Pegasus cried out.

"I expected more from you, Pegasus."

"I had no idea you had such powerful cards at your disposal!"

"And if anybody believes that, then I have some prime waterfront property on the Moon," Harold cracked.

"I don't think I have a monster that can compete with that creature!" Pegasus drew a card and feigned surprise. "Hold on, spoke too soon, Parrot Dragon (3), Bombarding Beak Attack!"

"Not so fast, I placed a face-down card too, remember?"

"You did what?"

"And I'm activating it right now: Mesmeric Control! It entrances your monster and lowers its power by 800 attack points."

(PD: 2000- 1200)

"Kaiser, forearm slash! Carve up that bird!" As Parrot Dragon was destroyed, Kaiba started to sense that something was up.

"What's the deal?" Tristan asked. "Pegasus talks a big game but he duels like an amateur!"

"It's almost like he's toying with Kaiba," Mai commented.

Joey agreed, and then realized something. He turned to Yugi. "Didn't he pull this act with you?"

"Yeah, he did. I guess he doesn't even take the World Champion seriously. I just hope Kaiba catches on before it's too late."

Fortunately for Kaiba, he was beginning to catch on. Something's not right. This is all too easy; Pegasus doesn't seem to be even trying. I've taken out two of his monsters without him even putting up a fight. It's almost like he expected me to do it. "My turn, Pegasus." Kaiba drew a card. Another good one, but if I'm right and Pegasus and he is just playing with me, he might know how to counter it. Kaiba studied Pegasus who was humming a nameless tune while looking through his hand. I'm not falling for this bit. I'll just play something I know he can't defend against: my Blue-Eyes. Kaiba took the card and got ready to lay it on the table.

"Stop right there!" Pegasus commanded. "I'd like to play a little guessing game with that card you're about to play."

"But we're in the middle of a duel!"

"I'm allowed to play a guessing game; my trap card says so."

"A trap?"

"I played a card face-down, remember? It's called Prophecy and it gives me the right to guess if the card you are about to play has an attack power of higher or lower than 2000. And if I manage to guess correctly, Kaiba-Boy, then the card in question becomes mine!"

"But you can't just…"

"And I'll prophesize that the card in question is higher than 2000." Kaiba gasped. "But wait, wait," Pegasus said in mocked-up drama. "Something else is coming to me… yes, yes… I see blue… I see white… can it be? Yes, it is: the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Kaiba gasped audibly. "Was I right? Tell me I was right. I think I was right, right?"

"Enough, take it." Kaiba said throwing it onto his table. The card disappeared into the table and came out on Pegasus' side.

"Now the most powerful card in your deck is mine."

That's impossible! There's no way he could've seen my Blue-Eyes before I played it! How did he know?

Yugi knew, "Pegasus must be up to his old tricks again."

"You got that right," Joey agreed.

He must be using his Millennium Eye to look at Kaiba's cards just like me. Poor Kaiba, even his great skills are no match for Pegasus' powers.

"Now I have two things you care about, Kaiba, your brother and your dragon. Let's see what else I can take… after your turn of course."

"Without my Blue-Eyes White Dragon, I have no choice but to switch my monster to defense mode." Rude Kaiser crossed his arms.

"Goody, now it's my turn again." HmmKaiba looks so anxious, I wonder why, perhaps I should look into the matter… personally. Pegasus tapped into his Millennium Eye's power and he saw Saggi the Dark Clown and the Crush Card. Ah, I see, he's planning on infecting my deck. A brilliant move, normally an attack like that would clinch the match for you but not today, Kaiba, because as soon as you try to make that move on me, I'll have a little something of my own waiting for you. "I'll lay one card face-down and a monster face-down in defense mode. And I'm afraid that's the best move I can come up with."

"Then it's my turn." And it's my chance to finish this duel in one move. "Combo attack!"

"Wait, I remember this move," Bakura said seeing Saggi appear.

"Yeah, this is the same move he tried on Yugi," Tea agreed.

"But this time, Pegasus is going to catch the bug."

"Don't count on it," Yugi warned.

"Huh?" Joey and Mai asked at the same time.

"Pegasus knows it's coming!"

"Since you just played your crush card, I think it would be an opportune time to play this…" Kaiba gasped from Pegasus revelation that he knew what his face-down card was. "Negative Energy, it doubles all dark monsters' attack points. And since the Crush Card can only be carried by a monster with less than 1000 attack points, it makes Saggi too strong for the job."

(SDC: 600-1200)

He had the perfect defense set up before I even attacked! But how?

"What's wrong, Kaiba, you look so sad. Keep your chin up; I'm sure it was just a lucky move on my part. But you know what they say, Kaiba, its better to be lucky than good." He turned over his monster card. "And speaking of luck, here's my Dark Rabbit, and twice as strong thanks to my Energy Generator."

(DR: 1100- 2200)

"But I'm sure he's still not as strong as your stalwart clown." The Dark Rabbit let loose with a flurry of punches which destroyed Saggi.

(P: 2000)
(K: 1000)

"Oops, guess I was wrong."

Everyone gasped. "And I always thought a rabbit punch was a wimpy move," Joey commented.

"Pegasus has been controlling this duel from the get-go," Harold was deducing. "He let Kaiba destroy his first two monsters to get him to let his guard down, then hit him with powerful cards like Dark Rabbit."

"I've never seen Kaiba so shaken before," Tea gasped.

Yugi simply said, "This is bad."

Kaiba was sweating buckets and panting heavily.

Now you see how futile your skills are, Kaiba-boy, World Champion. I make you look like a novice. And I've only just begun to use my Millennium Eye!

To Be Continued


Monster Glossary

(1)
Name: Rude Kaiser
Level: 5
Type: Beast-Warrior
Attribute: Earth
ATK: 1800
DEF: 1600

(2)
Name: Toon Alligator
Level: 4
Type: Reptile
Attribute: Water
ATK: 800
DEF: 1600

(3)
Name: Parrot Dragon
Level: 5
Type: Dragon
Attribute: Wind
ATK: 2000
DEF: 1300

(4)
Name: Dark Rabbit
Level: 3
Type: Fiend
Attribute: Dark
ATK: 1100
DEF: 1500