Feeling it was better to be safe than sorry I locked it and put a chair there. I was being paranoid, but I think I am entitled to be. What with the soul stealing and sibling-nabbing.
The young spirit was laughing as I lay on the ground. Offering a hand to help me up, I huffed at him getting up myself accessing my bloody knees.
"You ok, Mana," he said concerned.
"It stings a little bit, but I am ok,"
"What do you want to do?" he asked me.
"I want to play…"
–
Gasping I shot from the bed.
Knock knock knock.
Tugging my pyjama shorts down a little more, and grabbing the light as a weapon. I opened it.
"Oh, what's up guys." I said, putting my arm down Tristan eyed the lamp.
"I was kidnapped yesterday by a guy who lives in this castle." I pointed out leaning against the door. the three of them were still in the normal clothes.
"Tristan thinks that Pegasus is cheating in all his duels." Bakura said.
"Well duh, the millennium eye, you're wasting your time Tristan, go back to sleep." I shut the door.
Resting against the door for a moment, I pushed off, relocking the door and putting the chair back. climbing into the bed. I closed my eyes mentally preparing myself for the day ahead…
The group went to wake Joey in the morning once he was up and dressed we headed for Yugi.
Joey knocked on the door.
"Hey," Joey said as Yugi opened it, he was it was us and he smiled.
"Hey Yugi." Téa said as we all walked into his room.
"How are you guys doing?" he said.
"Aren't you ready? You're going to be late." Said Téa
"And if you're late –"
"Joey, I think he knows." I said smirking at them.
He changed. I hoped Yugi allowed him to help us. He caught my eye and smiled.
"Let's do it," he said putting on his jacket.
"We'll have your Grandpa back in no time," said Téa
"We'll have to cheer you from the balcony." said Tristan.
"Good luck to you and Joey,"
"Well guys, I guess this is it." said Téa, we stood away from them both. "I'm so proud, kick some butt."
"In Pegasus and Keith's case literally, please." I said, before hugging them both. "Good luck." I whispered.
"Here they come," Bakura said.
"And now your host, Mr Maximillion Pegasus." Crocket said.
"Boo!" I whispered under my breath as he walked into view.
"Yugi, Joey, Mai and Bandit Keith," he said with his two main men Crocket and Kemo by his side. "I welcome you to the last playoff arena. Here's where the last great duel monsters duels shall be waged to determine the championship of the duellist kingdom. Only one of you shall emerge victorious. Only one of you shall win the 3 million dollar prize. And of course the victor in the playoff shall win the right to challenge me in the final match."
"Challenge you now isn't that special, and what does the playoff winner get for defeating you in the final duel?" Tristan yelled.
"The victor will be granted 1 request whatever his or her heart most desires and if it is within my vast power to do so, their wish will be granted. The winner will also be declared the undisputed duellist kingdom champion ranked number 1 in the world."
"And boys that'll be me," Mai said.
"Surely any duellist who has come this far must realise that the title and not the money is the real prize. Is that not so?"
"Listen, you. The money's all I need for my sisters operation." Joey yelled to him.
"And you releasing the souls of the people you stole sounds about right too," I said to him directly. "Oh and while I have your attention, Kemo really did a number on my back. You know, when he kidnapped me and threw me around like a rag doll. A chiropractor won't go amiss either."
"Yes, yes I'm sure some of you have more riding on this tournament than others. Hmm Yugi."
"Twisted camp bastard!" I snarled under my breath, I felt Tristan squeeze my shoulder
"All right, let's get this show on the road. Only one of you will emerge –"
"Yeah, yeah we get it. Just go already." I yelled. How many times where we going to hear that self-obsessed moron talk!
"I wish you all good fortune, shuffle your decks and may the best duellists win." Pegasus said as though, I hadn't spoken and sat down.
"The first duel will now begin," Crocket said. "Mai Valentine verses Yugi Muto. Duellists please proceed to the arena. Before we begin you must both show me the card required for your participation."
Yugi and Mai showed one of their cards.
"You both qualify, the duel may proceed."
"Go Yugi," Téa yelled as I felt a push.
"Joey?"
"Hey,"
"Joey," Tristan
"What's with you Joey?" Téa said.
"What I was just getting the birdseye view of the action. Go Yugi! Wipe the floor with her man."
"Remember what I told you!" I yelled.
Yugi really fell into trouble, he was just too busy trying to finish the game as quickly as possible. I guessed even though the spirit looked in control he had Yugi, marking him up and making decisions. I could see the internal struggle. I could tell Pegasus could see it too. The mirror wall really started badly for him. He just kept slipping up.
Thankfully, he woke up just in time. Mai's encouragement really got his head in the game. In the end Mai surrendered and gave another great speech.
I hoped we would catch up soon. She was alright. In the end.
"The first match of these play offs has come to a close." Crocket said as the screen came back down darkening Mai's picture. And boasting Yugi up the square above. "Yugi Muto has emerged victorious over Mai Valentine. He will advance to the next round."
We all cheered.
"Wait to go, Yugi!" Tristan yelled. We all looked as Pegasus began to clap. Pegasus chuckled again standing up.
"Well done, Yugi, superb duel. You certainly know how to put on a good show."
Bloody tosser was still clapping.
"What a creep," Tristan said.
"The king," I agreed glaring down at him. He hummed under his breath then sat back down.
"Proceed."
"The second match of these playoffs will begin shortly Bandit Keith will battle Joey Wheeler. Prepare your decks."
"Me? Now?" Joey said. "Boy that was sure quick."
"Joey you're going to do fine," Bakura said.
"Come on, don't worry." Said Téa.
"Thanks, guess I'm kind of nervous." Joey said.
"Yeah you got a few reasons to be," Tristan said grabbing Joey.
"Tristan shut up you goof ball. Joey knock um dead. You've done it before."
Joey walked off, not long later the doors slammed as Yugi joined us. I gave him a hug.
"Good job." I whispered, he grinned at me. I looked back down at Joey to see Keith wasn't there.
"Go Joey!" Téa yelled, as Joey turned to face an empty box on the other side. I scanned for him. He was napping on the couch! And of course, Joey got worked up.
"What are yer doin'! Get over here!" he yelled at him.
"Hey chill out, the pummelling will commence as soon as I'm good and ready. So don't get your brief's in a bunch. You got that blondie."
"You're blonde too, moron!" I yelled.
"Tournament verification cards gentlemen," Crocket said.
Keith showed his from the couch.
"No problem, hey dweeb show the man your card."
"Sure, it's right…" he was feeling his pockets. Oh no.
"Tournament verification."
"I know." Joey said looking in his other pocket. "Give me a minute would you. I know it's here somewhere."
"Joey lost his tournament entry card." Téa groaned.
"He couldn't be that absent minded." Bakura commented.
"Yeah, he could," Tristan said, putting his hands in his hair.
"Well what a shame." Keith said. "I guess I won't be needing to get up off this couch after all. Huh Joey."
"Well don't get too comfortable. Cause once I find that card."
"If, if you find it. In the set time –"
"You have got to be kidding me." I exclaimed.
"Retrace your steps Joey, you sure you put it in your coat."
"Yeah I watched him do it." I said. Keith laughed I frowned he almost seemed to know. I bet he took Joey's card.
"I guess it could have fallen out in the room," Joey said. "I better head back there and check it out." he began to run back towards the rooms.
"Five minutes," Crocket called.
"For the love of all that is – you have got to be kidding me." I mumbled under my breath.
"What?" Joey yelled, skidding to a halt by the door.
"Joey! Just go!" I yelled, he took off through the doors.
"Hey would you mind if I took off my boots?" Keith said. I felt my nails in my palms. He defiantly had something to do with this. He was way too relaxed.
"Do as you wish, but if you're not in the duelling arena at the designated time then you will be disqualified too."
"Say what!"
Ha.
"Man you suits and your rules. Argh come on, can't be just disqualify that little punk right now. We all know he ain't coming back anyway."
"What's that mean?" Tristan practically growled.
"Your wrong, he'll be here," Téa said.
"Oh come on. Think about it. Your little friend been scared to death of me after out little run in back in that cave –"
"You know what knuckle head." I said hotly. "I bet you've hidden it somewhere. You seem a little too confident. And let's not forget who beat who in the cave."
"Mana's right, Joey has never backed down from a fight before and he's not going to start now. He'll be back. You'll see." Yugi said.
He chuckled again. "Believe what you want twerp. But there's only one minute left."
"Oh no," Téa said.
"He better hurry." Bakura said.
"Man what if he can't find that card."
Joey walked back, we all cheered.
"So punk, come back to give us the bad new huh?" Keith said. "Let me guess you couldn't find the card anywhere." He laughed. Joey lifted it up.
"What you talkin' about I got it right here." He said showing it just in time.
We cheered. Keith's shock confirmed my theory. But then… Mai.
The duel went ahead as planned there were some close calls for Joey. Keith's machine monsters were hard to beat and of course they were bloody magic resistant. He tricked Joey into some bonehead moves at times like when he lost his swordsman. It looked pretty bad when Keith slot machine kept getting the 7s it needed. However Joey being Joey managed to beat it using his grave robber card using red eyes black dragon to win the game. We all began to cheer.
"Joey Wheeler you are the victor," Crocket said.
"Yeah he is!" I crowed from the side lines. Tristan nearly toppled over the railing in excitement, Yugi and I quickly caught him.
"Goofball," I muttered he rubbed his neck sheepishly.
"This duel doesn't count." Keith yelled, slamming his fist. "The entry card Joey showed to play in this match wasn't even his therefore the duel shouldn't count and he ought to be disqualified."
"He's right, my card was missing so Mai gave me hers. But tell me Keith. How could you have known this wasn't my card? I'm all ears. So why don't you explain yourself."
Joey I freakin' love you. Total genius.
"He doesn't need to," Pegasus said. "It's clear Keith stole Joey's card, that's why he was so certain that you would never find it."
"You snake I knew it!" Joey said.
"That big cheat."
"Then Keith ought to be disqualified." Tristan said. "Not Joey."
"Oh Keith should be disqualified all right, but not just for misdeeds outside the duelling ring. There was a fair bit of improper conduct taking place during the match that I observed too."
"Is that so Keith," Joey said.
"Oh yes, Keith kept his set of 7 completed cards beneath his wrist band that way he could power up his slot machine monster whenever he choose. Take the scoundrel away."
Two goons grabbed him and began to tug him out of the arena.
"No! Let me go! Nobody makes a monkey o9ut of Bandit Keith! Nobody!"
Pegasus started clapping. "Well done, Joseph. You should be quite proud you duelled admirably."
"Hey!" one of the goons yelled, Keith had escaped their grip and was jumping towards Pegasus little balcony.
"Pegasus!"
"You truly are a stubborn one aren't you," Pegasus said as he stuck the landing.
Keith took out a gun and pointed it at Pegasus. I froze we needed him alive to free Grandpa.
"Can it, you ain't talking your way out of this one. Now had over the prize money."
"Oh certainly Keith, I'll do whatever you say. Just give my body a moment to recover from the complete paralysis that your terrifying demands have shocked me into."
"Ok wise guy. I'll give you till three."
"Fine, one, two, three." Pegasus said, I saw his foot move then the tiles around his chair fell through Keith fell with them, there must have been a button.
"Now finalist for the next match will receive a ten minute recess. So rest up, out host wants you both in top form for your duel." Crocket said, Yugi and Joey looked at each other.
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