Original Yu-Gi-Oh Series

Parallel

Chapter 014

Originally Written: Friday, April 8, 2022 1131AM to 120PM

. . . . .

Yugi immediately dropped his eyes and head when Pegasus stepped up onto the field.

'A darkness surrounds Pegasus.' The voice in his head sounded upset. 'Stay alert.'

While waiting for the dueling platform to shuffle their decks, Pegasus spoke. "I heard about your mentor, dear Solomon. I do hope he recovers soon."

'...I believe you should let me duel.'

'Not yet.' Yugi waved him off. 'I want to know why he would say this.'

'I trust your judgment.'

"What would you know about him?" Yugi scowled. He had no clue why the voice did, considering their conversation after their duel against Seto.

"I've dueled him a few times before, Yugi boy. He is one of the few who can consistently win a duel using Exodia the Forbidden one. Though, he switches it up for his own entertainment purposes." Pegasus didn't react to Yugi's anger.

"I see."

"As such, I would like to add the stipulation, if you defeat me in this duel, in addition to the first place prize winnings for your victory, I will personally pay for all of dear Solomon's medical bills."

Joey whistled from the balcony. "Gee! That's nicea him."

"Isn't it!? Mr. Pegasus is such a nice man." Rebecca chirped.

Mokuba scowled in response.

Tea shoved an elbow into Joey's side. "He's the one who put him there." She hissed in a whisper.

Bakura walked up next to the group, and put his hands on the railing. "Don't let him goad you, Yugi."

"What do you mean?" Tristan asked.

"Yugi glares at you right in the eyes when upset." Bakura looked at him. "That's exactly what Pegasus wants. Who can say 'No' to such a deal?"

Yugi took his deck out of the card shuffler, drew five cards and placed his deck down. "What's in it for you?"

"A dear friend can focus on recovering, without the worry of stress from medical bills. Who would not want that?"

Yugi ignored the many eyes on him as he sighed, and accepted Pegasus' proposition.

The duel started, and remained simple enough until Pegasus spoke again. "Yugi, I couldn't help but notice something intriguing when validating your tournament application."

"And what would that be?"

"You and dear Solomon have the same last name. What a coincidence isn't it, Little Yugi? Though, perhaps not, You look quite like him."

Yugi looked up in surprise. "...Refrain from comparing me and Old Man Solomon if you could, thanks."

'Dammit!' The voice in his head actually cursed. 'Yugi!'

'Old Man never told me his last name.' His eyes narrowed in a glare that he hoped killed Pegasus. He felt the foreign presence in his head, and could not get rid of it.

'You could have asked him after we saved him.'

"I do apologize. I did not mean to offend." Pegasus smiled at him, but it was like the ones his father gave him whenever he learned that Yugi got into another fight at school. Punishment. Incoming. Hide any valuable possessions lest they be lost. A chill ran down his spine. He didn't know how to hide the possessions within his mind. He only knew how to keep them from spilling out from his lips.

He played a card. Pegasus played the perfect counter. Twice. Thrice. He played a three turn set-up, and Pegasus again countered. His life points dropped, and duel monster after duel monster fell to Pegasus' monsters.

'He is reading our mind, but you have a plan for that, don't you?' The voice fought Pegasus' intrusion, but couldn't force him out either.

Unless…Yugi glared at Pegasus. 'Read this you dickwad. If you're gonna cheat, don't spout bullshit about honor and good sportsmanship! Switch with me, Voice!'

Voice played a card face down, smirked, and immediately switched back out. Yugi danced, except this time, Voice was his partner.

Pegasus chuckled. A chill seemed to fill the air. "I am starting to think you were lying when you declared you didn't know how to play, Little Yugi."

"I learn quickly." Yugi spat as he played another card.