Chapter 58

Airi's anxiety returned at breakfast. The pairings for the next round of duels were announced and Joey was paired with Siegfried. It was bound to happen but why couldn't one of them get beat before they faced each other. She was the only one to think so. The others, especially Joey, were excited about the next duel. Airi made herself calm down. Maybe she was overreacting. The pink haired man hadn't been proven to have done any of the things suspected of him.

Finally, they got the information about the times of the duels. All of them would take place at the same time on opposite end of the park.

It suddenly dawned on Rebecca and Joey that Yugi couldn't them both duel at the same time.

"I call Yugi watching me duel." Rebecca said.

"Wah, he's my best friend. I've known him longer than you." Joey shot back.

"Do we always have to do stuff like this early in the morning?" Airi muttered over her coffee.

"So who's duel are you going to watch?" Joey rounded on Yugi.

"Mine." Rebecca snapped. "It's already been decided."

"He hadn't said anything yet."

"There is only one way handle this." Tristan said. "Duel for it?"

"What?" Both said.

"There isn't time for a duel." Rebecca said. "Besides it wouldn't be fair to Joey."

"What's that's supposed the mean?"

"Just play war." Airi sated.

"Huh?" everyone looked confused.

"Both draw monster cards, highest attack point wins."

"That's it?"Joey said.

"I'm still going to beat you so bad." Rebecca pulled out her deck.

Airi settled back to her coffee and watched the two kids try card after card waiting for them both to be monsters.

"Hey, has anyone seen Grandpa and Pro. Hawkins?" Yugi asked.

"No," Tea looked around. "And it's not like them to miss food like this?"

Airi looked around too and noticed Siegfried looking over his book at her. Face heating up she stood.

"I'll go see what's going on with them." she left before anyone could answer.

The room was empty with no sign of either elderly man. Looking around Airi pulled out her cell phone. Why she didn't think about it before, she didn't know. Probably the excuse to get away from Pink hair.

"Excuse me miss." A girl from house keeping had just appeared from another room. "Are you looking for the older gentleman in this room?"

"Yes have you seen him?"

"Yes, he threw his back out while walking down to breakfast and I had to help him and his friend get to the medical ward."

"Oh no, thank you so much for your help. Where is the medical office?"

"It's by the train station in the park."

"Thank you." Airi hurried back down the stairs. "Yami."

"Yes."

"Let Yugi know, I'm going to the check on grandpa."

The medical building was next to the train station. Finding grandpa was also simple. Telling the lady at the front she was looking for two older man one with a bad back got a gesture down the hallway. Grandpa lay on a bed curled up like crunched up paper while Pro. Hawkins tried to get him to calm down.

"How am I supposed to enjoy all this amazing dueling when I'm curled up in the hospital." Grandpa demanded.

"Then you should stop showing off." Pro. Hawkins said.

"What happened?" Airi said.

"Oh, Airi." Grandpa stuttered. "nothing, it was just an accident."

"Oh yes. Jumping around to impress the hotel staff." Pro. Hawkins said. "Quite an accident."

"Grandpa!" Airi was exasperated. "What am I going to do with you? Duels are starting soon."

Grandpa's head shot up. "Who's dueling who?"

"Joey's dueling Lloyd, and Rebecca is dueling The Ape boy."

"Then you better get back to see the duels then." Pro. Hawkins sat down in a chair by the door.

"But what about you two?"

"They broadcast them on all the channels here so we'll get to watch it anyway. And we need to get this sorted out. We'll have to catch up, a side affect of old age. Go enjoy yourself."

Airi finally agreed and headed up the train station. At least there was no world destroying things this time, but trouble still appeared every time they did something. Walking down the hall she thought she saw Vivian disappearing into a room. She quickened her pace. She really didn't want to see that annoying person on top of everything.

It didn't take long for the others to appear. From a distance she could see Rebecca pouting and knew which one had won.

The only way to get to the duel was by the Blue-Eyes Train. The park sped by the window and Airi ran through the events in her head. Today was starting out positive with grandfather's back going out, the creep paired up to duel Joey, stuck in a place which screamed of her old life and relationships. Fun, fun, fun.

Joey was still talking about how he was going to flatten that pink haired, over dressed, schmuck. Nothing really different. But Yugi didn't have the stressed look. As long as no one targeted him she'd deal with all the other stuff.

The basement of the haunted house was a lava pit. It was confusing, but very impressive graphics. Lava field realistic without the heat overwhelming. Seigfried was already there standing like a supermodel.

"Hey Siggy." Joey shouted across the lava pit to his opponent. "Ready to get your fancy pants whipped?"

Siegfried wasn't looking at Joey. Airi followed his eyes and realized he had located the security cameras. Self conscious she also glanced around and found several on the spectators side of the dueling area. She suddenly had the idea Seto was probably watching this duel. She hoped Seto had figured out who this Lloyd guy really was. She knew they'd met somewhere before, most of her time at KaibaCorp was not as clear as she hoped.

"Hey, You done yet?" Joey's voice brought her back the present. Joey and Siegfried were shuffling each others decks. The German seemed to be taking forever to shuffle the cards. He finally handed them back. Joey looked at it as if he wanted to check to make sure they were all there.

At last the duel-disks were activated and the next part of the tournament began.

"Since your at a disadvantage, you may go first." Siegfried mock bowed.

Joey drew and Airi could tell by his face the hand was bad. Maybe she should have insisted on poker face training before this duel. His opponent also noticed.

"Nervous?" Siegfried asked.

"Shut it." Joey muttered. "I place a card face down and end my turn.

Next to her, Yugi stiffened and without using the mind link Airi could tell he was remembering the news that Siegfried and finished his last duel in one move.

Siegfried drew. "Vatch and learn. I play Graceful Charity, letting me draw three cards and discard two. I place a card face down."

"Huh?" Tea said. "He doesn't have a good hand either?"

"It's going to work out." Tristan said.

"Strange." Yami appeared next to Airi.

"Classic trap set up." Airi muttered.

Yami nodded.

Yugi's stance didn't relax. "Let's hope he doesn't rush into it."

Joey laughed. "No one move miracle? You have a sucky hand and no monsters."

"I don't think he gets it." Airi said.

Siegfried looked at his watch.

Joey drew. At the same moment, flames rocketed up around them.

"What the heck!" Tristan said. "How realistic does this have to be?"

Airi's phone went off.

"Airi?" Mokuba's voice. "Are you all alright? Did the fire hurt anyone?"

"No, but didn't you guys test it before hand?"

"That wasn't part of the attraction. Someone hacked the system."

Airi glanced at Siegfried. His checking his watch was too close to be a coincidence.

"I've got to help Seto look into what's happened."

Airi slipped the phone back in her pocket, her nervousness returned full force. Out of the corner of her eye she could see the security camera next to her shift to go to focus on the dueling platform. Really, was Seto only now taking an interest in this duel? Well, he did usually need proof before he acted.


Kaiba had hardly slept the night before. Researching and trying to find out who was messing with his tournament and disturbing his guests. The flower Airi received seemed familiar.

He'd been researching what Airi had told him. This Siegfried had hardly any record besides a duel record.

Then he remembered.

Another dull party mandatory for CEOs to visit and pretend to get along while really they were plotting against each other. Even with his taking over the company and his plan to change the company he was stuck at boring things like this. Thankfully he had Airi to help deal with most of the boring people.

He didn't like his girlfriend dancing with other men, it was annoying, but she was better at reading people. The last song ended and Airi thanked her partner, a middle-aged man from yet another competing company. She returned to stand next to Seto.

"Learn anything?" Seto asked.

"He's not a perv, refreshing this evening" she opened her fan with a wrist flick. "I already danced with his boss and nothing new about the company."

"So it was redundant." Seto swirled his drink.

"Does that mean you'll take the next dance then?" Airi asked.

"I don't dance."

Airi looked annoyed but said nothing.

"Pardon me." A pink haired young man around their age appeared in front of them. "It is a pleasure to see you again, Mr Kaiba."

Seto nodded, going through his mental face data to see if this this man was of any prestige Oh right, that one son of that one guy in charge of the Von Shroder corporation.

Pink hair turned his attention to Airi. "I do not believe I have the honor of making your acquaintance."

"Miss Airi Muto." Airi extended a hand. "Mr. Kaiba's girlfriend."

He took her hand and kissed it. "He must be blessed daily by your presence."

Airi smiled.

"May I have this dance?" Pink Hair asked.

"Well, I was . . ." she paused, glancing at her boyfriend. "Yes, I would love to dance."

Pink Hair offered her his arm and escorted her on the floor. On the way, he shot Seto a triumphant smile.

Seto watched them go, a little confused. Did he really think he won? Airi wasn't easily won over by charm but seemed to like the attention. Then he remembered this was Airi and dismissed it as part of her dueling persona. She always did what to took to get the job done. That's why he'd chosen her.

The rest of the evening went by without much happening. It was a week later when Von Schroeder came up in conversation during one of their dueling practices.

"I forgot to thank you for the flower." Airi said.

Seto looked up from shuffling his deck. "What flower?"

"Didn't you send me the rose after the party?" Airi looked confused.

"Why would I do that?"

"Oh," she shrugged. "It must have been Siegfried."

"Siegfried?"

"The Von Schroeder heir. He's into holograms as well, you know? You two have a lot more in common than you think."

Seto made a mental note to increase work on his dueling technicians.

"You planning on seeing him again?"

Airi looked at him confused. "No. Why?"

"Nothing."

Two clicks and all the cameras were on the match. It looked normal. No other signs of hacking or lava fires.

Kaiba's fingers started typing without realizing. A few clicks and he managed to find Airi standing off the side watching the duel. She glanced up at the camera but went back to watching the duel. Kaiba looked back at the screen with a close-up with the intruder. Siegfried paused to stroke the rose pendant on his lapel looking towards the spectators.

Airi suddenly glanced up towards the camera. By the look on her face, she had figured it ours too. She held his gaze through the camera for a few moments but then quickly looked away. Just as she looked back Siegfried looked up at the camera. That same cheeky smile appeared on the screen; clearly Siegfried von Schroeder.

He was about to push the button to summon Roland but stopped. This was too easy. This intruder was doing everything to give himself away. There had to be more than this.


How could she be so stupid? Airi was furious with herself. The flower the night before and the rose pin. Was he von Schroeder? That one? Did she really forget some random guy giving her flower after a dance? It wasn't like he was forgettable. Pink hair like that was hard to forget. Then again, her family had no right to judge hair.

Gasps around her brought Airi back to the present just in time to see the life point counter go down to zero.

Joey fell to his knees in defeat.

"Joey, get up!" Yugi called, but his friend didn't seem to listen. Yugi led the way to the platform ahead of the others. Airi lagged behind, letting the others pass her. It would be better to have his friend boost him up. Her head was still spinning from her recent realization.

"I hope you enjoyed yourself, Miss Muto." Siegfried appeared next to her.

"Congratulations on your win." Airi said, acting pleasant. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Yami step up next to her.

"A rather easy duel."

"Joey gave you a difficult ride." Airi pointed out, remembering the few parts of the duel where she was paying attention.

"Very easy." Siegfried insisted.

"Then why are you here?"

He gave her a look. "I could say the same to you."

"Sorry?"

"I thought it was only rumors; your reputations was ruined. So much wasted potential."

Airi looked him right in the eyes. "Then why acknowledge my existence."

He flicked some hair over a shoulder and gave a slight smile. "Remembering past dreams."

Airi's stomach twisted.

"It was a pleasure to see you again, Miss Muto. However, if Kaiba isn't trying to get you back, then I have other prizes to win."

He turned to walk away and then stumbled as he tripped on something. Airi turned, to see Yami standing there, his foot still extended. Siegfried straightened and shot a look back at Airi. She gave him an innocent smile. Laughing coming from behind them revealed the others had seen the trip. Siegfried stormed away.


Back in the main park, the screens everywhere showed the winners of all of the rounds. Not surprising Rebecca's face had joined the winning circle advancing to the next round.

"Does that mean we have to watch pipsqueaks duel?" Joey said.

"Come on, Joey. It won't kill you." Yugi said.

"Just his pride." Tristan added.

Airi's cell phone went off. It was Pro. Hawkins.

"Airi, is your grandfather with you?"

"I thought he was with you. Weren't you two at the clinic?" Yugi looked up in shock and Airi hit the loudspeaker so he could hear too.

"I left the room for a while, and I'm afraid I got distracted by watching Rebecca's duel. When I returned to the room he was gone. Did he meet up to watch Joey's duel?"

"No he didn't." Airi looked around as if expecting Grandpa to appear. "Is there anywhere else he could be?"

"He might have gone back to the hotel, but none of the medical staff saw him leave."

The others stopped and were listening to her side of the conversation.

"Where are you?" Pro. Hawkins said. "I'll meet up with you."

"No." Airi said. "If your feeling up to it, go watch Rebecca's duel. We'll find grandpa. He has to be around here somewhere." Airi hung up the phone.

"This is just like Duelist Kingdom." Yugi muttered. "Duel tournament and grandpa disappears."

Only Airi and Yami heard this and both exchanged a look.

"We should split up." Joey said. "We can cover more ground that way. I'll check the jungle."

"I'll do the train station." Tristan said.

"Gardens." Tea called.

"Yugi and I will do the rides. Meet back here in half an hour." Airi directed.

The group split up. Airi still noticed her brother had a brooding expression. She put her hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, don't get all broody on me." she said. "Yami's enough to deal with."

"Thanks." Yami said.

Yugi managed half a smile.

Airi continued. "Gramps is fine. He probably wandered off to get food or see the park. I'm sure he'll be alright."

Yugi took a deep breath and nodded. "Right. I'm sorry. I guess I'm just ready for any disaster to show up."

Looking around the rides didn't show any results. The designs were cool and the people on them seemed to be enjoying themselves, but no sign of grandpa.

While they were heading back, an announcement came over the Public Address system.

"Attention visitors." the park intercom sounded overhead. "An older gentleman in overalls and black bandana has been separated from his loved ones. Could his family please come to the main gate to collect him?"

But Grandpa wasn't there. Both Muto siblings tried asking people what was going but no one knew anything. The others appeared and Tea noticed something they'd missed. A note attached to the claw of one of the many Blue-Eye statues. She unrolled it to reveal a map of the park. An "X" was over one of the buildings.

Several minutes later they found themselves outside a Chinese restaurant. The sign in the window said 'closed'. The group exchanged looks. Yugi stepped forward and pushed on the door.

It creaked open and Airi followed Yugi into the building.

A gong went off. The vibrations threatened to throw them back out the doors. The instrument was in the middle of the platform up front and the person who rang it

"Welcome!" Grandpa stood in the middle of the floor, back pain gone, in a Chinese outfit and holding a giant mallet.

"What the...?" Yugi stared. Airi shook the shock off and looked around the room. The restaurant was vast. It looked like a martial arts studio with new paint and tables. The tables were covered in dishes.

"Food!" Joey and Tristan started forward.

"Stay where you are!" a familiar female voice rang through the room. Looking up to the balcony.

"Vivian Wong?" Yugi voiced the groups' confusion.

The duelist stood in a kung fu pose.

"I don't remember inviting all of you." Vivian said. "This is a dinner for me and my future boyfriend." she then jumped off the balcony.

The group screamed in horror. The moment of horror was gone as they realized Vivian was falling far too slowly.

"What?" Yugi said. Airi followed his glance to see grandpa lowering her down by a rope.

"Grandpa what's going on?" Airi demanded.

Startled, grandpa dropped the rope. Vivian plummeted to the stage and only managed to stay alive by rolling. She fell off the stage but instantly jumped up again.

"Is she alright?" Tea asked.

Vivian jumped up, furious.

"She's fine." Airi said.

Vivian turned to Grandpa. "You had one simple job and you screw it up."

"I'm so sorry." Grandpa begged. "Give me another chance."

"He's working for her?" Joey said.

"No, he just felt like it." Airi muttered sarcastically.

"Grandpa, are you ok?" Yugi asked. "Did she kidnap you? You scared us to death."

Vivian stopped yelling at Grandpa and turned back to the group. "Ignore him he's not important. Back to what's important." she waved her hand and Grandpa rang the deafening gong again.

"Welcome to my privet championship."

"You're already out of the finals." Tea shouted. "You were beaten by Rebecca. You don't get a chance to duel Yugi."

"This is my tournament." Vivian snapped. "Me vs Yugi."

"Go on Yugi." Grandpa said. "It's the right thing to do."

"What's wrong with grandpa?" Joey said. "Did you hypnotize him?"

Grandpa turned bright red. "No, no no, I can explain. Miss Wong fixed my back for me in exchange to help her put this on. She's amazing. I can walk better than ever. I owed her a favor so I lead you, kids, here."

"Ever tried calling?" Airi said.

"This is disgraceful," Joey said. "To think you're my mentor."

"It's not like that." Grandpa said.

Yugi and Airi looked at each other. Neither were sure what to think. Seeing their disappointment, grandpa hung his head and began walking away from Vivian. His suddenly screeched and fell down to the floor. Behind him, Vivian stood, clearly disgusted.

"Grandpa!" the group called out.

"Now that I've got your attention." Vivian's voice was venomous. "Yugi if you want me to return your grandfather to walk again, you'll duel me."

Yugi opened his mouth, but Airi stepped in front of him. "Explain yourself first."

"I don't owe you anything." Vivian snapped. "I talk to duelists, not washouts."

"Talk, or he's not dueling you." Airi's growl got the other girls attention.

"Don't listen to her." Joey said. "we can get him back without giving in to this nut case."

Airi glanced at the huddled form that was her grandfather. Getting him to the hospital would be difficult and painful. This back out was worse than the first.

Yami appeared next to her. "Let us do it. We'll get her to help grandpa."

Airi turned back to Vivian, and looking at the other girl suddenly the motivations hit her.

"This is about your wanting a boyfriend isn't it?"

Vivian's mouth fell open.

"A boyfriend?" Yugi squeaked. "What has that got to do with me?"

"Your famous and a duelist. Her only criteria."

"Fine, you figured it out." Vivian said.

"Why pick on us?" Airi said. "Did Kaiba turn you down again?"

Vivian glared and pointed at grandpa. "Yugi duels me or his back doesn't get fixed."

Yugi tried to move past his sister but she pushed him back. "I challenge you to duel instead of him."

"What?" everyone said, including Vivian.

Airi ignored this. "You didn't earn the honor to duel the king of games and while on KaibaCorp property you have no right to duel him."

"No, I want to duel him." Vivian whined.

"Are you scared?" Airi mocked. "Dueling a washout too much for you?"

Vivian's eyes flashed. "Fine, what're your terms. Make them good."

"Simple, I duel you. I win, grandpa gets his back fixed. You win, you get to take Yugi on a date."

"What?" Yugi squeaked.

"Airi, what are you thinking?" Yami demanded.

"Nothing, no one messes with my family."

"Fine." Vivian jumped up onto the stage.

"Airi, what if you loose?" Yugi whispered.

She shrugged. "Then I better not lose."


A/N: Thank you so much for reading and being patient with my horrible timing. I'm going to try and get the next one up soon. Please review. Take care and God bless.