Yu-Gi-Oh Original Series
Parallel
Chapter 011
Song: Nier Soundtrack - Temple of the Drifting Sands
Originally Written: Wednesday, April 6, 2022 751AM to 830AM
. . . . .
"Let's not do this entire thing ever again." Bakura rolled his right shoulder and massaged it.
"Sure." Tristan mumbled, partially slumped over. He held Mokuba, now unconscious, on his back.
The terrain was quite rough to trek through, but they weren't taking any usual paths in order to stay hidden. It was strange that they were heading to Pegasus' castle after the events, but Bakura said that's where Seto said he was headed.
He arrived apparently, and was now dueling Yugi on the roof, on a precariously placed dueling platform.
"I can't believe he actually did it." Bakura gasped in awe. "The mad lad."
"What do you mean?"
"There's no official dueling platform there. Seto had that one installed without Pegasus' permission."
"After the crap he pulled, I'm not surprised." He stared at the partially blue-ish white three headed dragon on Seto's side of the field, and the wall of tiny little Kuribohs he had seen in many duels on Yugi's side.
Bakura shook his head, and took out his cell phone. "We should probably stop this."
"Yea..." Tristan frowned. "I can't tell if Yugi's gonna jump off the side of the castle by himself, or take Mitsura with him. And Mitsura doesn't look too far off from the same thoughts."
Seto held up a hand, fished his cell phone out of his pocket, and partially folded his arms as he answered the call.
"Hello!" Bakura spoke into the phone with a cheery voice. "I bring gifts!"
Tristan chuckled next to him.
"I know you're in a duel. You haven't stopped dueling since you arrived. ...Seto… Just... Look to your right, would you?..." Bakura sighed, sounding tired and frustrated. "I was there within the hour after you called me up saying Noa sold your plans and schematics for the dueling arenas to Pegasus in front of your face as a lesson and I was there when you told me you were set up in this stupid contest. Why would you not trust me?"
Seto didn't scream loud enough that Tristan couldn't hear what he said, but he could tell he was yelling.
"Stop freaking out like a pansy and look to your damn right already!"
Tristan jumped. Seto jumped and froze at the dueling arena. Yugi was already looking at them. Tristan couldn't read the look on his face.
"Don't call me an asshole! You jerk, why do you get like this!? It doesn't help anything. You are not alone. Just breathe and look to your right." Bakura pleaded. He looked at Tristan.
Tristan hoisted Mokuba up off his back, walked forward, and held him up as high as he could. "I heard you were looking for something!" He shouted.
Seto looked right at him, jumped off the dueling platform and raced towards him. Tristan knew Seto was holding himself back, but now he knew just how much. Seto practically flew off the roof and landed back onto the ground more than a few feet away.
He stood in front of him, hands hovering over Mokuba. "Is he...?"
"He's fine. Just sleeping." Tristan smiled. "He's eager to see you again."
Seto took him from Tristan, and dropped to his knees a teary mess. He mumbled and sniffled his thanks.
"Deck shift placement detected. Player 2 has surrendered." The dueling arena's robotic voice echoed. "Player 1 wins the duel. Player 2, please give the wagered star chips to Player 1. Thank you for playing Duel Monsters. Have a nice day."
In front of them, Yugi's hands gripped the sides of the Duel Arena. The way he clenched his teeth and breathed, heavy gasping breaths honestly scared Tristan.
"You fucktard of an asshole! Got all your bases covered, huh!?" Yugi screamed. "I fucking hate you!"
Tea and Joey ran up to comfort him, but Joey hung back a little, not knowing what to do. Tristan couldn't see Mai at all.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I had to." Seto ducked his head even lower, sobbing. "H-he was going to win. I couldn't lose."
Bakura and Tristan looked down at him.
"W-what?" Bakura knelt next to him.
"T-three to five more turns I think, and h-he would have won. I-I told him if he-if he won, I was going to jump."
"Seto…" Bakura put a hand on his hand, like he was scolding a younger sibling.
Tristan got the distinct feeling that Duel Monsters was truly just a children's card game. The problem came from the people playing. They were all jerks.