Chapter 13- The Day Before the Decision

Joey was leaping up and down in glee of finally defeating Yugi.

"I did it, I did it!"

"Not so fast, Joey."

This caught Joey in midair, so when he came down he hit the floor. He quickly scrambled to his feet in time to see Yugi still in the game with 150 life points, ahead of Joey's 1325.

"B-b-but how," stammered Joey.

"Quite simply Joey, I activated my Cemetery Portal. It takes the first card sent to the Graveyard, Black Pendant, and removes it from play. Since your Pendant's effect can only be activated in the Graveyard, it doesn't happen."

Joey clearly stunned, slowly smiled.

"I wanted this duel to go on a little longer."

"You're welcome Joey. To end my turn I'll set a monster in defense mode and end my turn."

Joey drew and ordered Gearfried to attack Yugi's face down card.

"Blade of Demise!"

Gearfried took a running start, and plunged his sword into the center of the card. The card revealed itself to be Obnoxious Celtic Guardian. Gearfried's sword only came within a foot of Obnoxious Celtic Guardian's chest, when the blade was repelled back.

At least I'm safe now, thought Yugi.

"Grrrrr… I end my turn," mumbled Joey.

Yugi was about to draw, when a loud speaker blared to life.

Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Moto, your duel has taken up the time limit and will end in a draw. Please return to your rooms until tomorrow morning, where we will decide who will be invited to the tournament. That is all.

Yugi and Joey looked at each other.

Finally, Joey congratulated Yugi, "Nice duel, Yug'."

"Likewise, Joey."

"Well, I'd better head to my room. See ya 'round Yugi."

"Okay, Joey."

And with that, they packed up their cards and left.

About five miles away, in his room, Bakura was hunched over his deck looking at his cards in pure rage.

HOW COULD HE BEAT ME, screamed Bakura's spirit.

And he covers up his crime by giving me a bunch of cards! I don't need him or his insulting cards. My deck is as fiendish as humanly possible… but then again… it wouldn't hurt to look.

In his biggest living room, Jr. was tapping away at his laptop, searching for data on Yugi's deck.

"Yes, yes," murmured Jr., "Just as I thought, Some of Yugi's best strategies involve monsters that aren't spellcasters.

There's the infamous Catapult Turtle, the Summoned Skull, Kuriboh, the Magnet warriors, the sword wielding Celtic Guardian, and of course those tricky God Cards. He can't possibly survive a duel without them. And I also have my new toy," he adjusted the Millennium Eye as he said this, "From which Bakura so generously gave to me.

Then Jr. thought about what his father told him.

I would like you to retrieve it and give it to me, Pegasus had said.

"I'm sorry, dad. But at the moment I think that I'll put it to better use than

just having it lie in my eye socket while a small tube replaces blood.

You've had your chance at this power, and now that I have the chance, I'll take it, and actually do something with it.

And then his thoughts drifted back to Yugi.

"But then it wouldn't be as fun. Oh, I'll make a teeny exception. Hmm… Let's say, ten cards can be various types. It's fair and an even number."

"Well I'd better get to bed," said Jr., packing his laptop in a black bag, "I've got a big day ahead of me, what with announcing all the rules and whatnot. But I mustn't show my face. They think father's hosting this."

And so Jr. turned off the lights and traipsed off to his room.