AN: Beta Read by Brawn1984 and Starrmastrr.
AN: I do not own Red Hood or Yu-Gi-Oh. They belong to DC Comics and Shonen Jump, Konami, and Kazuki Takahashi.
Jason found a tree to sit under. He took his bag off and took the cards he'd taken from Keith out of Keith's vest and looked through them. He separated them into piles of people he knew who might be able to use them. There were a few cards that Joey might be able to use, a few for Yugi, Mai, TéA, Bonz, a few for him, and anyone else.
He took out a 'Gilford the Lightning', 'Ookazi', 'Tremendous fire', 'Sparks', 'Hinotama', 'Wolf Axewielder', and 'Amazoness Fighter' and put them in his deck. Before putting the rest of the cards in the various pockets of Keith's vest.
He put the vest to the side and pulled Keith's shades out of his bag and put them on before he pulled everything out and put it to the side until he grabbed the Rulebook and began reading it.
Duelist Kingdom Rules:
Congratulations on being invited to Duelist Kingdom. You are one of the lucky few who will get to experience this amazing adventure. Before you begin dueling you might want to read these Rules and Regulations of the Tournament.
Jason flipped through the next few pages and read through the deck building instructions, different field power bonuses, etc. and stopped to read the Rules.
•Duelists will have only 48 hours after the Tournament starts to obtain 10 star chips.
•Participation is by invitation only. Each participant has been given 5 Invitation Cards, 2 Star Chips, and 1 Dueling Gauntlet.
•Participants in the preliminary round must be in possession of at least 1 Star Chip.
•Each Duel, a player must wager a minimum of 1 Star Chip.
•Players who have lost all of their Star Chips are sent home.
•The first five duelists to obtain 10 Star Chips will be admitted entry into the Castle to participate in the Duelist Kingdom Finals. The first player to make it to the Main Hall will get to challenge Pegasus before the Finals and will get three million dollars as well as anything their heart desires.
•The Duelist Kingdom Finals are set up in a playoff-type mini-tournament.
• The first-place winner will get anything their heart desires.
• If there is no winner the semifinalists will both be given three million dollars.
• The Quarter Finalists will each be given 500,000 dollars for their participation in the tournament.
•Each participant of the Duelist Kingdom Finals must present one of their Playoff Entry Cards ("Glory of the King's Hand" or "Glory of the King's Opposite Hand").
"Glory of the King's Hand" is needed to claim the tournament cash prize.
"Glory of the King's Opposite Hand" allows the winner to challenge Pegasus for the Championship and claim the title "King of Games".
Jason flipped the page and continued reading the Rules.
•Each player begins a Duel with two thousand Life Points.
•Neither player is allowed to attack their opponent's Life Points directly.
•Players are allowed to Summon monsters of any Level, without offering Tribute. This means that monsters such as "Dark Magician" and "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" can be Summoned immediately.
•Certain arenas have special abilities that affect the Field
•Polymerization can be used to fuse monsters together into a new monster. Try it out, maybe you'll be surprised.
•Certain Field Types give certain monsters bonuses i.e., the Ocean field for WATER monsters which increased those monsters' ATK and DEF by 30 percent.
•A Normal Spell Card can be activated during the Battle Phase if it is Set face-down.
•A Ritual Spell Card does not need to have its corresponding Ritual Monster in the hand in order for it to be activated.
•If a player win's with "Exodia the Forbidden One", the player lays out all five cards on the field for the computer system to recognize it as a victory condition.
•Only one monster is allowed to declare an attack per player per turn.
•When a monster is destroyed by a card effect, the controller of that card receives damage equal to half of that monster's ATK points.
•When an attack is redirected by a card like, 'Mirror Force' or 'Magic Cylinder', it is treated as an opponent's attack.
•A monster that is treated as an Equip Card is still treated as a monster and therefore can be used for instances such as Tributing for Ritual Summons.
•A player can summon a monster in face-up Defense Position or flip a Set monster into face-up Defense Position.
•If a player fails to summon a monster during their turn when they don't control one, they automatically lose the duel.
Jason closed the book when he finished reading the rulebook and put it back in his bag. He took his deck out and looked through it, coming up with strategies. It had some burn potential now.
After an hour had passed Fireworks shot into the air signifying the start of Duelist Kingdom.
Jason was walking around Duelist Kingdom when he came up to a clearing. He looked around and saw a duelist looking at him.
"Hey!" The duelist yelled. "I challenge you to a duel! I've been undefeated so far!" He held up his dueling glove to show six Star chips.
"Fine." Jason said. "I'll accept your challenge! I have four Star chips!" He said jumping onto the dueling platform and throwing four Star chips down.
The duelist put four down and cackled. "I'll beat you and be the first to go up to the castle!"
"Not if I beat you!" Jason said.
"I'm so confident that I'm going to win that I'll let you go first!" His opponent said. "I'm Jack by the way. Jack Thunder."
"Jason, and I'll put two cards face down in the spell and trap zone. Then I'll play 'Amazoness Fighter' in attack position!"
The hologram projectors whirred to life and Jason watched in amazement as two holographic cards appeared in his spell and trap zone and 'Amazoness Fighter' appeared on the field. The wonder was soon replaced with disappointment as he realized that the holograms were just fancy pictures. They didn't act lifelike at all. "With that I'll end!" Jason yelled.
"Good. I'll draw a card." Jack said drawing a card. "Ooh." He smiled a cocky smile. "I'll place three cards in the Spell and Trap Zone, and I'll play 'Thunder King Rai-Oh' in attack position." What looked like an Egyptian Pharaoh with electrical conduits for arms and legs appeared on the field.
"Fine." Jason said.
"'Thunder King Rai-Oh'! Attack his 'Amazoness Fighter'! Thunder Bolt Strike!" 'Thunder King Rai-Oh' charged up electricity in between the conduits on his arms and legs, creating a ball of electrical energy before shooting it out towards 'Amazoness Fighter'.
"I don't think so." Jason said flipping over a trap card. "I activate 'Mirror Force'!" A silver dome appeared around 'Amazoness Fighter' and caught the blast before it sent the blast back at 'Thunder King Rai-Oh' destroying it. "And thanks to 'Mirror Forces second ability you take half of your 'Thunder King Rai-Oh's attack as damage."
"What?! No! Why?" Jack asked as his life points went from 2000 to 1050.
"Is it my turn?" Jason asked.
"I end." Jack said.
"I draw." Jason said drawing a card. "I play a card in face down defense position and activate my spell card 'Ookazi' dealing 800 burn damage to your life points." A burning building appeared on Jack's side of the field and exploded sending Debris at Jack.
"NO!" Jack yelled as he grabbed his hair, and his life points dropped from 1050 to 0250.
"I end." Jason said.
"I draw a card." Jack said. "I activate a trap card." He said activating 'Raigeki Bottle'. Next, I remove from play my 'Thunder King Rai-Oh' to special summon 'Diana the Light Spirit'. During each of your end phases I gain one thousand life points." A beautiful long haired blond girl wearing an elegant white gown with a long silk scarf, beautiful golden feathers going down her dress, and sparkles all around her appeared on the field.
"Okay." Jason said, almost forgetting that this was a card game for a moment.
"Next, I normal summon 'Denko Sekka' in attack position…" A samurai with ornate pale blue armor, thigh length hair put up in a ponytail, and wielding a pale blue glowing Katana appeared on the field. "…Next I equip her with Electro-Whip increasing her attack from 1700 to 2000. 'Denko Sekka'! Attack his face down defense position monster! 'Diana the Light Spirit'! Attack his 'Amazoness Fighter'!"
"Wait a second!" Jason interrupted. "Didn't you read the rulebook?"
"What do you mean?"
"You can only declare one attack per turn."
"Then that means…"
"That you've been playing wrong this entire time." Jason said.
"Fine! Then I'll just attack your 'Amazoness Fighter'! 'Denko Sekka'! Attack his 'Amazoness Fighter'!"
'Denko Sekka' raised her whip and cracked it at 'Amazoness Fighter' pixilating her as she cried out in pain… or arousal?
"Yes!" Jack cried out in triumph.
"I don't take any damage from that attack." Jason said.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN!"
"My 'Amazoness Fighter's effect says that I take no damage from attacks involving this card."
"GRR!" Jack growled. "Next turn for sure."
"Who say's I'll give you a next turn?" Jason asked.
"Wait. What?"
"Do you end?"
"Yes."
"I draw." Jason said drawing a card. "I play 'Orgoth the Relentless'." A giant of a being appeared on the field. It was purple and wore armor that was a lighter shade of purple with gold trim and wielded a sword. "I activate 'Orgoth the Relentless's effect. Once per turn I can roll three six-sided dice and 'Orgoth' gains the total times one hundred, and if I roll two of the same number then a secondary effect is applied."
"WHAT! NO WAY!"
Jason hit the button for the dice on the platform and a holographic dice appeared and rolled before landing on a five. Jason hit it again and it landed on six. Jason hit it a third time and the dice landed on four. "My 'Orgoth the Relentless' gains 1500 attack and defense until the end of the turn putting him at 4000 attack and 3950 defense."
"WHAT!" Jack yelled. "That's stronger than 'Blue Eyes'!"
"I know, and I'm going to attack your 'Diana the Light Spirit'."
Jack looked through his spell and trap cards, looking desperately for a way out, but couldn't find one. "You win." He said."
'Orgoth the relentless' swung his sword and cut through 'Diana the Light Spirit' sending a shockwave at Jack which took his life points from 0250 to 0000.
"Yes." Jason said. "I did. However, if you want a chance at getting your star chips back then I'll duel you again for your remaining two-star chips and two cards of my choice, from your deck."
"I shouldn't." Jack said. "I can get those four-star chips back easily enough."
"Then I'll take My Star Chips."
Jack walked over to Jason and handed him the four-star chips he'd won. "You are a great opponent. I want to challenge you again sometime."
"Thanks." Jason said. "You weren't too bad yourself. That duel could have gone your way of you'd only gotten a better hand."
"Yes. It very well could have." He put his hand out for Jason to shake.
Jason shook his hand. "I'll see you around."
"Same here." Jack said.
Jason left. He hadn't gotten any new cards, but he only needed two more-star chips to get into Pegasus' Castle. He needed to wait for Panik to show his stupid face. He would beat Panik, take his coat as a trophy. 'How am I going to handle Panik? I could leave tied to a tree. No, no. Not dangerous enough. I could cover him in honey. No. That's not painful enough for him. Fire ants? I don't know if this island has any. I suppose that I could tie his arms and legs together before tying a rock to him and throwing him into the ocean. Nah. Too many potential witnesses. How am I going to handle Panik then?'
'Isn't this the same mentality that got you killed in the first place?' The traitorous part of his brain asked.
'SHUT UP!' He yelled. 'That was because Bruce didn't have the balls to kill Joker when he should have!'
'Are you sure?'
'YES!'
Jason stalked into the shadows if some trees and decided to take a break.
"Master Pegasus." A well-dressed butler said.
"What is it Croquet?" Maximillion Pegasus asked.
"A duelist has just reached eight-star chips."
"And why is that of any importance?" Pegasus asked. "Other than it being unusual for someone to acquire that many so quickly?"
"Because he got it after his first duel."
"Well now." Pegasus mused. "How did he go from two to eight so quickly?"
"He didn't. He went from four to eight."
"Look through all of the footage for that duelist from the boat ride to that duel. I want to know how he got four Star Chips before the tournament."
"Of course, Master Pegasus." Croquet said before running about his duties.
Jason bolted upright. "Shit!" He swore. "I forgot about Mokuba!" He vaulted up and took off running for the pier. He knew that Mokuba would show up after Yugi beats him, but he needed to get him before the jackass, whatever his name was, got him. He was almost to the pier when he heard someone yelling for help. He ran in the direction of the voice and saw a brown blur rush forward, grab a guy who was manhandling a kid, and throw him over his shoulder.
The guy flipped in midair and landed before jumping at the guy, who turned out to be Tristan. Jason jumped at the guy and grabbed his leg before spinning and dislocating the guy's knee and hip. The guy grabbed his leg and tried biting back the pain.
Jason walked over and kicked the guy in the hip relocating the joint. The man screamed out, but Jason stepped on his neck. "Why were you manhandling him?" He demanded.
"H-he does-doesn't have-have any st-star chi-chips." The man said.
Jason looked at the kid. "Is that true?"
"My star Chips and deck were stolen!"
"Who would do such a thing?" TéA asked.
"Someone desperate." Jason said.
"H-he's lying." The man said. "He-he'll say an-anything to stay."
Jason walked over and squatted next to the guy. He grabbed his leg and pushed on his kneecap eliciting a cry of pain from the man. "Stay out of my way. I'll find whoever stole the kids deck and Star Chips, and when you're proven wrong, you'll apologize. Oh, and you won't be needing this anymore." He said taking his earpiece. He turned to the others. "Keep the kid away from this guy. I'll be back."
"But Jason." TéA said.
"No! I'll be back." Jason said walking away. He knew that the others would follow him, but he wanted to try and solve this without letting Pegasus have Mokuba. He walked back to the clearing he remembered Mokuba being at. He walked around before he called out. "Kid!" He called out. "Kid, I know you're here!" He walked around a bit longer before calling out again. "Kid!"
"What are you doing?" Mokuba asked jumping from the foliage.
"You need to trust me kid. The guards are after you to take you to Pegasus. Do you know why?"
"He want's Kaiba Corp!"
"Why?"
"I don't know, but he's going to hurt my brother, and it's all Yugi's fault!"
"Why is it Yugi's fault?"
"He made my brother leave!"
"Did he, or did he leave to try and find himself?"
"What are you saying?"
"Did he abandon you or did he leave so that he could figure out who he is?"
"He... he... I don't know."
"I think that your brother cares about you. He just needed to become someone you could be proud of. He feels lost and doesn't know where to go."
"He's my big brother! My best friend! Doesn't he know that?"
"Maybe he just needs a reminder."
"I need to get to him, but Pegasus won't let me off this island."
"Stay with me, and I'll get you back to your brother."
"Do you really mean it?"
"I hate people who hurt kids. I won't let anything happen to you."
Mokuba ran up to Jason. "You need to give back that deck and Star Chips." Jason said.
Mokuba took the deck and Star Chips from his pocket, and the kid ran up and grabbed his deck and Star Chips from Mokuba before going to push him down, but Jason stepped in front of Mokuba and pushed him away. "You got your deck and Star Chips back. Now back off or duel me for your Star Chips!"
"I'll duel you for the Star Chips, and when I win..."
"You won't win." Jason snarled.
The kid backed away as if Jason were going to lash out at him any second before walking to the other end of the duel arena. They slid up the side of the dueling platform and began the duel.
"I put my five Star Chips on the line, and play 'Man-Eating plant' in attack mode!"
The hologram generators whirred to life and a massive plant with thick vine like tentacles and a maw filled with twelve razor sharp teeth and monstrous eyes appeared on the field before looking at Jason.
'Uh.' Jason shuddered a full body shudder at the sight and wished that he'd stayed far away from the sleaziest depths of the Internet, but he quickly pushed those thoughts away as he drew his card.
"I'll play 'Swamp Battleguard', and attack." The 'Swamp Battleguard' appeared on the battlefield and roared at the 'Man-Eating Plant' before raising his club and charging forward and bringing his studded club down on the plant turning it into pixels.
"Grr." The kid growled as his life points went from 2000 to 1000. He drew another card. "I play 'Krokodilus' in attack position!" A large humanoid crocodile rose from the card and roared at Jason. "I end!"
"Wow." Jason said clapping dramatically. "I didn't think anyone could be this bad at dueling."
"What do you mean?"
"Kid. Did you just grab a bunch of cards out of your brothers' cards and decide to call it a deck? Do you even know how to play Duel Monsters? You are making beginner level mistakes. I'm almost ashamed to have accepted your challenge. Mokuba could have played better than you!"
"HEY!" The kid yelled indignantly.
"Let me show you what I mean, but when I beat you, I'm liberating you of your deck. Learn how to play the game before you challenge a better player." Jason said before drawing. "I play 'Strike Ninja' in attack position..." A ninja wearing all black with the exception of red and gold throughout the costume appear silently on the field. "... and I attack Krokodilus with 'Swamp Battleguard'!" 'Swamp Battleguard' roared and raised its club in the air before bringing it down on 'Krokodilus'.
"NOO!" The kid yelled as his life point counter went from 1000 to 0300.
"I end." Jason said.
The kid drew his next card and played it in attack mode. "I play the '7 Colored fish', and I attack your 'Strike Ninja'." '7 Colored Fish' swam through the air and bit 'Strike Ninja' in half.
Jason didn't even seem phased that his monster was destroyed or that his life points dropped from 2000 to 1900. "Do you end?"
"Yes." The kid said feeling hope course through his veins. He had one of his strongest monsters on the field. So long as Jason didn't...
"I draw a card." Jason said before saying. "I play 'Riryoku'!"
"What? NO!"
"I cut your '7 Colored Fish's attack in half and add it to my 'Swamp Battleguard'!"
"NO!" The kid yelled. "Why!"
"Because you tried to push a kid who made a mistake!" Jason snarled. "My 'Swamp Battleguard' will attack your '7 Colored Fish' with 2700 attack!"
"NO!" The kid yelled as his life points were reduced from 0300 to 0000.
"I win." Jason said gathering his deck and star chips. "Leave your deck, glove, and Star Chips as you leave."
The kid did so and bowed his head as he headed for the boat.
Jason lowered himself down and walked over to Mokuba. "Let's go." He spoke. They walked over to the other side and Jason gathered the Star Chips putting two of them in his glove and putting the other three in the other glove and giving it to Mokuba. He gathered the deck and looked through it. It wasn't a bad deck actually. It relied on getting monsters into the graveyard to power up its stronger cards. 'Why didn't he play it correctly then?' Jason asked himself. 'It makes no sense.' He handed the deck to Mokuba. "I'll teach you how to play this deck when we stop, but we need to leave now. before..."
"Hello Mokuba." A dark voice said.
"Before that happens." Jason said.
The two looked over to see Seto Kaiba walk up to them, but this Seto looked different. He was wearing his school uniform and had dark markings under his eyes.
"I want to thank you for looking after my brother." The fake Seto said in a voice that sounded distorted. "I'll gladly pay you for your troubles." He spoke. "How does 10,000 dollars sound?"
"Mokuba?" Jason asked. "Is this your brother?"
Mokuba looked at Seto who smiled a creepy smile at him.
"Let's go Mokuba." The fake said. "Tell your friend that it's been fun, but we have an important meeting with Pegasus at his castle."
"He's not my brother!" Mokuba yelled.
That was when Yugi, Joey, Tristan and TéA decided to show up.
"Jason!" Joey yelled. "Dat kid walked back really devastated. Did ya find da kid who stole 'is deck?"
"Yeah." Jason said. "I found him, dueled the kid, and told him to get better cards."
"So, you crushed his spirit!" The spirit of the Millennium Puzzle demanded having changed from Yugi without fanfare. He was Yugi one moment and the Pharaoh the next.
"NO!" Jason yelled at the Pharaoh. "He tried pushing Mokuba over because he was mad! I told him to leave or duel me! He chose to duel!"
Jason didn't notice how Joey, TéA, and Tristan backed away in terror. The Pharaoh glared at Jason, not scared in the slightest. "I'd call you a monster..." He spoke. "... but that would be an insult to the cards."
"Tell me something I don't know." Jason spat.
Joey, TéA, and Tristan flinched back. The Pharaoh looked at Jason in confusion.
"What?" Jason asked. "Surprised that I didn't deny it?"
"I really hate to break up this touching moment." The fake Kaiba said. "But I'm taking Mokuba."
"I don't think so!" Jason yelled. "Mokuba isn't going with you. Not unless he wants too."
"Mokuba." The fake Kaiba said. "Let's go."
"NO!" Mokuba yelled. "You're not my brother!"
"What do I need to do to prove that I'm your brother?"
"You would need to have his deck for starters."
The fake Kaiba held up three 'Blue Eye's White Dragon's'. "Do you believe me now?"
"No." Mokuba said in a broken tone. "You-you can't be Seto."
"Well, I am. Now let's go."
"I don't think so." Jason said.
"Why are you trying to keep me from my brother?" The fake Kaiba asked.
"Because if you aren't the real Seto Kaiba then that means you are going to hurt Mokuba, and I won't let that happen!"
"Then I challenge you to a duel!" Fake Kaiba said. "If I win then you have to admit that I'm the real Seto Kaiba and let Mokuba come with me."
"Fine!" Jason snarled. "But when I kick your ass, you have to take off that stupid disguise, give Mokuba his brothers deck, and leave Mokuba with me!"
"Fine by me." The Fake Kaiba said.
The two rode the platform up to the top of the dueling platform and shuffled their decks before looking at each other, Jason with determination and Fake Kaiba with malicious glee.
"I'll go first." Fake Kaiba said. "I'll play Hitotsu-Me Giant in attack position." A pale green cyclopean with razor sharp claws and teeth appeared on the field. "I'll play two cards face down in the spell and trap zone. I'll end now."
"I draw." Jason said. "I'll play 'Sword Hunter' in attack position." A large man wearing armor, wielding a sword, and rapier with a sword on his hip, a short sword on his bicep, and a great sword on his back appeared on the field. "I'll also play 'Tremendous Fire'! I inflict one thousand points of damage to you! I may take five hundred points of damage, but it's worth it. Especially when I attack your 'Hitotsu-Me Giant' with 'Sword Hunter'!"
"NO!" The fake Kaiba yelled.
"Hey!" Jason yelled. "Next time you try and kidnap a kid. Don't! 'Sword Hunter'! Attack his 'Hitotsu-Me Giant'! Twin Sword Slash!"
"NO!" Fake Kaiba yelled looking at his face down cards desperately trying to find something to use to stop the attack, but he didn't have anything to stop an attack. "NO!" He yelled again.
'Sword Hunter' swung both of his swords at 'Hitotsu-Me Giant', and cut through him, and continued forward attacking the fake, and knocking him over. When the Fake Seto stood up he no longer looked like Seto Kaiba. Instead, he looked like an obese clown.
"Well, well, well." Jason said. "Chuckles the ass clown finally shows his true face."
"Shut up!" A high-pitched nasal voice called out.
"You aren't Seto Kaiba. So, who are you?"
"I am Seto Kaiba! I am his ghost! Yugi killed me! I am the ghost of Seto Kaiba!"
Rope flew at the not Seto and wrapped around his neck before pulling him forward and face first into his dueling field.
"I'm not going to ask again!" Jason yelled. "Who are you!"
"I TOLD YOU!" The man yelled.
Jason tied the rope to his platform and jumped onto the field and walked to the other side before ripping the fake over the edge and threw him to the arena floor and grabbed Seto Kaiba's deck. He walked back over to the fake Kaiba and ripped his dueling glove off his hand and tossed it to Mokuba. "Don't make me ask again!" He roared in the fakes face. "Tell me who you are before I get mad!"
"Dis isn't mad?" Joey asked terrified of Jason.
There was a flash of light and Yugi was glaring at Jason. "ENOUGH!" He yelled.
Jason took the rope from around the imposters neck and began wrapping it up. "What?" He asked glaring at the Pharaoh. "Not clean enough for you?" He put the rope in his bag and pulled out the duct tape and taped the fakes wrists together before taping his ankles together. He grabbed the fake and threw him to Yugi. "I don't care what you do with him." He looked at Mokuba. "Let's go Mokuba." He said gathering his cards and walking over to the other side of the field and gathered Kaiba's deck. He jumped off the arena and handed Mokuba over Seto's deck. Mokuba and Jason began walking away from dueling arena 146.
Joey, TéA, Tristan, and Yugi looked at the fake Kaiba.
"Wh-what was that?" TéA asked. "What was that shadow standing behind Jason?"
"I do not know." The Pharaoh said.
"Do ya tink it's what makes Jason more aggressive?" Joey asked.
"It very well could be."
"Will it hurt him?" Tristan asked.
"I do not know."
"Do ya tink we should follow 'em?" Joey asked.
"No. We need to get into the castle for my grandpa and Joey's sister."
"Why not put it to a vote?" TéA asked.
"I say we follow 'em." Joey said.
"I'm with Joey." TéA said.
"Same here." Tristan added.
Yugi sighed. "Very well. We can follow them."
Jason and Mokuba were walking through one of the forests on Duelist Kingdom.
"Um." Mokuba said.
"Yeah?"
"That thing you did. Where you hurt that guy."
"What about it?"
"C-can you teach me how to do that?"
"I can teach you how to defend yourself if that's what you want. I can teach you what I know, but I won't teach you how to be a monster."
"What do you mean?"
"Yugi wasn't wrong when he called me a monster. I..."
"You're not!" Mokuba yelled. "You're not a monster! That fake was a monster! Pegasus is a monster! You aren't a monster. You and Seto aren't monsters."
"If you only knew the things that I've done. I've hurt people. Terrible people. Kidnappers, murderers, rapists. I've killed them."
"They deserved it!"
"Do you even know what kidnappers, murderers, and rapists are?"
"They are bad people. Seto told me that there are people who hurt other people because they want to. If you hurt those kinds of people, then you aren't a bad person. You may not be a good person, but you aren't a bad person."
"Who's not a bad person?" A figure stepped from the shadows of the trees. Jason stepped in front of Mokuba and reached into his backpack where he kept his knife and pulled it out.
"Whoa!" The figure said holding his hands up. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"Montgomery?" Jason asked.
"Yeah. It's me." Montgomery said.
"Don't scare me like that."
"Sorry. Why were you so jumpy?"
"Do you have orders to take Mokuba to Pegasus?"
Montgomery sighed. "I have been ordered to bring Mokuba to Pegasus castle. Why is Mokuba so important?"
"He's trying to take over Kaiba corp." Mokuba said. "He needs me to do it."
"I do not like people who take advantage of children, but I will duel you for Mokuba."
"Screw that!" Jason yelled. "I'm not letting anyone, but the real Kaiba have Mokuba!"
"You have two options. Beat me to keep Mokuba, or I will have to take him by force."
"'ey!" Joey yelled from behind them. "What's goin' on?"
"Watch Mokuba." Jason said. "Don't let anything happen to him."
The group walked to Dueling Arena 152.
"I'll put up all six of my Star Chips on the line." Montgomery said. "And if I win, I will take Mokuba up to the castle."
"Good thing you're not going to win." Jason said through clenched teeth.
The two duelists shuffled their decks and drew five cards each.
"Let's duel!" The two yelled.
Montgomery looked at his hand before putting it on top of his deck. "I forfeit the duel." He said catching Jason off guard.
"What?" Jason asked.
"I forfeit the duel. Due to my contract, I work for Pegasus which means that if he tells me to get Mokuba I have to get Mokuba whether I like it or not."
Meanwhile in Pegasus castle.
"Master Pegasus." Croquet says.
"What is it Croquet?" Pegasus asked while watching a duel between the mystery duelist and one of his Eliminators.
"We have the footage of the mystery duelist."
"Do you have a name?"
"Yes sir. His name is Jason Peter Todd. His father, Willis Todd, worked for the Yakuza, and was arrested last year. His mother, Catherine Todd, died in Rehab last month."
"Oh. What has he been doing for the last month?"
"He's been living on the streets of Domino City for the last two weeks since he was evicted from his home. He pickpockets, picks locks, steals what he needs to, to survive."
The wine glass in Pegasus' hand shattered under his grip. Croquet hurried over and took Pegasus hand. He pulled the big pieces of glass out of the cuts, dabbed at the blood before touching his earpiece. "Get the medical staff up to the dining room now!" He yelled into it.
"Croquet." Pegasus said.
"Medical is on the way Master Pegasus." Croquet responded hurriedly.
"It's not that." Pegasus said. "It's not that." He gave off the persona of a heartless monster, but he wasn't. Everything he did was for his late wife Cecelia. She was taken before her time. He just wanted to see her again, hold her again. Is that too much to ask? He made Duel Monsters to spread joy. He wanted to spread joy and happiness to everyone.
He was brought back to reality when he felt the doctor picking pieces of glass out of his hand.
His staff knew not to hurt children, Mokuba Kaiba hadn't been hurt under his care. Had Kemo gotten a little rough when he grabbed him earlier? A little, but Pegasus told him not to do it again, or there would be severe consequences. To find out that a child in his tournament was living on the streets... unacceptable!
"Croquet." He spoke.
"Yes, Master Pegasus?"
"Do we have any houses in Domino City? Any Apartment buildings, condos, hotels. Anything?"
"Yes, Master Pegasus. We have several houses and a condo."
"Depending on how well Mr. Todd does in the tournament get him a house or the condo. Make sure it's paid for, furnished, make sure it fits his standing."
"Could you specify please master Pegasus?"
"If he does poorly give him a nice house with nice furnishing. If he does exceptional give him the best house, or the condo with the best furnishings. Anything in between gets whatever he earns."
"I understand Master Pegasus. It will be done."
"Thank you, Croquet."
"Of course, Master Pegasus."
Pegasus looked at his hand and saw the bandages on his hand.
"What did you find out from the boat to his first duel?"
Croquet brought up four recordings on the T.V. Screen. The first recording showed Weevil throwing cards over the side of the boat. "SAY GOODBYE TO EXODIA!" Weevil yelled followed by "My cards! Those were the Exodia cards my grandpa gave me!" Yugi yelled. A green blur jumped over the side of the boat, and Jason ran up, grabbed Weevil by his arm and held him over the edge until Weevil fell. Jason tossed Weevil's glove to another boy and climbed down the ladder and came back up with Yugi and Joseph. He gave Joseph Weevil's dueling glove before leaving.
Pegasus glared at the video. Weevil didn't deserve that, but he would have been disqualified if he'd made it to the castle.
The second recording showed a duelist slamming another younger duelist into a wall. "If you don't want me to throw you over the edge then you better give me your Star Chips!" The older Duelist yelled.
"B-but..."
Jason jumped onto the wall, jumped up, and spun before bringing his foot on the older duelist's head, and sent him into the wall. "Run!" Jason yelled at the younger duelist before grabbing the older duelists bag. He reached into it and pulled duct tape out of the bag before tying his hands together and his arms together. He reached into the duelists bag and pulled out rope. He tied the duelists mouth shut before duct taping it shut. "Maybe a little time out will teach you some manners. If the crew doesn't find you by the time, I get back I'll let you out." He dragged the Duelist out of the camera's range.
"Shall we tell the crew to check the..."
"No." Pegasus said. "Leave him there until Young Jason gets back. If he forgets the crew will find him when they get back to Domino City."
Croquet nodded.
The Third recording showed Jason attacking Bandit Keith, but he dragged him into the woods, and when he came out his backpack looked a little fuller, but not much else.
"Send some men into the forest around that area to make sure Keith isn't dead. That could prove problematic if Young Jason killed him."
"Of course, Master Pegasus." Croquet said tapping his earpiece.
Pegasus watched Young Jason's duel versus Jack Thunder. He was underwhelmed to say the least. "What a sorry excuse for a duelist." Pegasus said. "Not many of these duelists are taking this seriously. Yugi boy is because of his grandpa. Joseph is... Croquet? Why is Joseph Wheeler dueling?"
Croquet brought up a recording that showed Serenity Wheeler. "His sister is going blind, and he plans on using the reward money to pay for her operation."
"I see. Depending on how well he does, pay for the operation."
"Your parameters sir?"
"If he makes it to the castle but doesn't make it to the finals."
"Very well sir. I'll see to it personally."
"Thank you, Croquet. What reason does Young Jason have to be here?"
Croquet pulled up another recording of Jason and Montgomery talking on the boat. "Why are you here?" Montgomery asked.
"What do you mean?" Jason countered.
"What are your aspirations? Why did you come to Duelist Kingdom?"
"Oh. I guess that the reason I came here was because I needed a change of scenery, and I'm a duelist. I figured Duelist Kingdom would give me the change of scenery I needed, and if I win the prize will be nice."
"What will you ask for if you win?"
"I don't know. Maybe for a place I can call my own. I've never had anything that I could just call my own... well except my deck. What about you?"
"I just want the money so I can make my sister's life a little better, and maybe get the courage to talk to the girl I kind of like."
"You could just, I don't know, talk to her?"
"Do you think that would work?"
"I don't see why not."
"Croquet. Look up Mr. Montgomery. He's one of our Eliminators."
"I will go grab his file right now sir." Croquet said leaving.
Pegasus grabbed the remote and turned to find Jason. "Don't worry Mr. Todd. You will have a place you can call your own... soon. Very soon."
He watched as Jason and Mr. Montgomery shook hands after a duel.
"So, what now?" Jason asked.
"Well, I'm an eliminator. I have a supply of Star Chips on me. Each Eliminator is given a thick dueling glove with one hundred Star Chips. They can't be eliminated because that's our jobs, but rather than carry a thick, heavy, gaudy gauntlet around I keep my star chips on me and load up my glove if I run out."
"Cool."
"Would you like me to travel with you?"
"Don 'cha gotta walk around and eliminate duelists?" Joey asked.
"Yes and no. I have to eliminate duelists, but I have some freedom in that I can wait for duelists to come to me."
"Sweet."
"Maybe you can help me with Mokuba's deck." Jason said. "It's a good beginner deck, but it's not very good in the long run."
"Sure. I can take a look at it. I also have some spare cards I keep around." He said pulling out a box.
The group walked out of Camera range, and Pegasus shut off the projector.
"Master Pegasus." Croquet said. "I found Mr. Montgomery's file."
"What does it say?"
"His full given name is Flare Walter Montgomery. He is 26 years old, took his 15-year-old sister in after their parents were killed. He is taking classes at the local college to try and get a proper education, so he doesn't have to rely on dueling to survive. He wants to play the game for fun, give his sister a good home, and maybe ask the girl he likes out. He's a champion duelist with only one loss."
"Impressive. Not many people would take that responsibility, but here Mr. Montgomery is taking on the responsibility of his sister, and he is dueling in tournaments to put himself through school so he can give his sister a better life. Who did he lose to?"
"Panik."
Pegasus scowled. "How did Panik cheat?"
"He snuck into Mr. Montgomery's house while he was at school. He knocked out the babysitter, took Mr. Montgomery's sister hostage, and recorded a ten-minute warning. Eight of those ten minutes where of Panik terrifying Mr. Montgomery's sister, and the other two minutes were this..." He played the last two minutes of the recording.
Pegasus listened in horror at what Panik told in graphic detail what he would do to Montgomery's sister if he didn't throw the duel. "Send this to the authorities in Domino City. Make sure that Panik is thrown into prison for life."
Of course, Master Pegasus."
"Croquet."
"Yes, Master Pegasus."
"Pay for Mr. Montgomery's schooling and give him the cards and the money he would have won if Panik hadn't forced him to forfeit."
"Of course, Master Pegasus. Is that all sir?"
"No. Go bring me a glass of Raspberry schnapps if you will."
"Of course, Master Pegasus." Croquet said starting to leave the room.
"One more thing Croquet."
"Yes, Master Pegasus?"
"Send the lady Mr. Montgomery is attempting to woo some flowers, and a card."
"What should the card say sir?"
"Say that it's from Mr. Montgomery, and Send Mr. Montgomery a receipt, and whom it was sent to."
"Of course, sir."
"Thank you, Croquet."
With that Croquet left the room, and Pegasus went back to watching the tournament.
The group was walking through the island. Montgomery and Jason were helping Mokuba build a better deck while Joey, Tristan, and TéA were talking amongst each other and Yugi was stuck in his own thoughts, which is just another way to say that he was talking with the Pharaoh.
"Look at this card." Montgomery said showing Mokuba a card.
"It doesn't have any attack points though." Mokuba said.
"But look at the defense." Jason pointed out.
"Holy cow!" Mokuba yelled.
"Yup." Montgomery said. 'Labyrinth Wall' is one of the highest defenders in the game."
"Do you have one?"
"I sure do." Montgomery said showing Mokuba a card in his deck."
"Can I look at your deck?"
"Sure." Montgomery said handing Mokuba his deck. "Just don't show Jason. He still doesn't know what deck I play."
Mokuba looked through Montgomery's deck and was excited to see all of the new cards. He gave Montgomery his deck back when he was done.
"Do you want to take it out for a test run?" Jason asked.
"Yeah!"
"I'm sure we can find an arena to play in." Jason looked up into the sky. "It's getting dark guys. Think we should call it a night?"
There was silence for a minute.
"Guy's?" He asked looking around.
"Where did they go?" Mokuba asked.
"I'm surprised we didn't notice." Montgomery said.
They walked back to a dueling arena they'd passed on the way and saw the group talking to a woman and...
"Shit." Jason swore.
"Language." Montgomery scolded. "There are young ears."
Jason was about to get mad when he remembered Mokuba. "Sorry Mokuba. Don't swear."
"Why not?" Mokuba asked.
"Because it's not very becoming." Montgomery explained.
Jason ran towards the group in time to see Joey shove Tristan away from him. He ran up to Joey. "Hey! Joey! What the hell was that for?"
"Leave me alone Jay."
"So, you're just going to let this... her play you like a harp? She hates you because you beat her! This is just her way of throwing a temper tantrum like a spoiled rotten brat."
"Excuse me?" Mai asked insulted.
"You're excused." Jason quipped. "But I don't have a good excuse for you."
"I will not stand here and be insulted!"
"You're an insult to duelists everywhere!"
"Uh guys." TéA said.
"I'm an insult to duelists?" Mai asked. "Look at what you're wearing!"
"Look at my ten Star Chips." Jason said. "I've been dueling while you've been getting your nails done!"
"Um guys!" TéA said a little louder.
"I don't care about your stolen Star Chips!" Mai yelled. "I'll be the first one to Pegasus castle."
"Sure." Jason said. "I'll make sure to tell Pegasus that you won't be needing a manicure, pedicure, or tan when you get there."
"Listen buster! I'm not one of those pathetic girls who need validation..."
"You chipped a nail." Jason said.
"I what!" Mai yelled looking at her hands.
"Don't need validation my ass."
"GUY'S!" TéA yelled.
"WHAT!" Jason and Mai yelled in unison.
"Joey and Rex are already playing."
The two looked up to see Joey and Rex playing.
"Damn it, Joey!" Jason said before walking away.
"That's right!" Mai yelled. "Walk away! Leave your friend alone to lose!"
"He beat you, Mai." Jason said flipping her off over his shoulder.
"How'd you like me to break that finger?" She asked.
"I'd like to see you try!"
"UGGHHH!" Mai yelled. "Men!"
"Very good!" Jason yelled. "You're not as dumb as you look!"
Mai went red faced before stalking to Rex's side of the arena.
Jason walked over to see Mokuba and Montgomery dueling on a dueling pad.
"That was entertaining." Montgomery said. "I think you like her."
"No, I don't. For one thing she's older than me."
"So, she's a cougar."
"WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME!" Mai yelled from the arena.
"You should be flattered that an older woman is interested in you."
"Don't make me gag." Jason said.
"What? Not into older women, or women in general?"
"That."
"I heard that!" Mai yelled.
Jason flipped her off.
"No thanks! You're not my type!"
"Yet another thing we have in common!"
"Oh my gosh!" Montgomery said getting up. He looked at Jason before looking at Mai. "GET A ROOM!" He yelled.
Jason walked over to the tree line and sat down to watch Mokuba, and Montgomery play their duel. When they finished Montgomery had won because he had gotten a better hand, and Joey ended up winning his match against Rex thanks to his 'Time Wizard' card and got Rex's 'Red Eye's Black Dragon' out of it.
The group walked towards a clearing. They had, had a long day of Dueling, and were ready to sleep...
Growl!*
...Except for the fact that none of them had eaten all day. Jason reached into his bag and pulled out some of the food he'd stashed in his bag before handing it out to everyone.
"Tanks Jay." Joey said before devouring a bag of chips.
"Aren't you going to eat anything?" Mokuba asked grabbing a bottle of water and a bag of pretzels.
"I will after everyone has eaten something." He spoke. "I'm used to not eating much and going hungry."
"WHAT!" Everyone said causing Jason to adopt his fake persona.
"W-well. I-it's just that I have experience surviving out on the streets." He said ringing his hands together. "I've learned to go days without food."
Montgomery took his bag off and added his food to the pile. "Eat something." He spoke.
"I will once everyone has had something to eat."
Montgomery looked around. "Eat something."
Everyone took a few snacks from the pile and began eating. Once Jason was satisfied, he grabbed a couple of protein bars and a bottle of water. He ate them and downed the water before putting it back in his bag.
"Well." Mai's irritating voice broke the silence. I was going to offer you some food in exchange for a place to sleep, but it seems like you already have that taken care of."
Jason scowled before walking away. He knew that Montgomery wouldn't let anything bad happen to Mokuba. Plus, he didn't want anyone to see what he was going to do to Panik. He walked through the woods until he came to a creek. He knelt down and began filling his water bottle. He finished and stood up. He knew that Panik had snuck up on him. His situational awareness was only rivaled by the other members of the Bat Family. The only reason Joker had gotten the drop on him was because the Joker is chaotic. He thrives in Chaos. Well... So does Jason.
Panik grabbed him from behind and he lifted his legs to make it easier for Panik to take him away. Panik dragged him through the forest to a dueling platform.
"Oh." Panik said with a grotesque smile on his face. "I don't like ones who give up without a fight." He spoke. "Let's see if I can make you squirm." He said throwing Jason onto his side of the arena before sending the platform up.
Jason took his deck out and shuffled it before placing it on the field.
"Tough guy huh?" Panik asked before pressing a button and shooting arms out of Jason's side of the arena catching his arms and legs. "Let's see if we can change that."
"You can try Panik, but by the time I'm finished with you it's going to be you running for the hills." Jason explained calmly.
"I'll start this duel off." Panik said with a short growl as the field was covered in darkness. "I'll play 'Dark Chimera' in attack mode, and thanks to the field power bonus his attack goes from 1610 to 1820."
"Are ya done?" Jason asked nonchalantly.
"Yes. I'll end." Panik said hiding a grumble.
"I'll draw." Jason said. "I'll play a monster in face down defense position, and activate 'Hinotama', dealing 500 points of damage to your life points."
"It doesn't matter." Panik said as his life points dropped from 2000 to 1500. "I am fear incarnate, and once you acknowledge your fear it will be easier on you."
"I don't think so. I activate 'Yellow Luster Shield' and play two cards face down. I end."
"I draw!" Panik boomed. "I play the 'King of Yamimakai' in attack mode and attack your face down."
"You've activated my 'Sangan's ability. I can search my deck for a monster with 1500 attack or less and add it to my hand."
"Draw all of your pathetic cards. It won't make a difference. I will destroy all of your cards."
"Really?" Jason asked as if he were engaged in an intriguing conversation. "Do you end Edward Scissorhands?"
"What! How dare you compare me to him!" Panik asked insulted. He hit the button for the flamethrowers.
"Do you end?" Jason asked not showing how bad this duel was actually affecting him. Arms and legs restrained with a madman willing to do anything to get him to scream. He was terrified.
"Yes, I end!"
"I draw." Jason said keeping calm as he drew his card. "I play 'Goblin Attack Force' and attack your 'Dark Chimera'! 'Goblin Attack Force'! Use Swarm Tactics!" A group of Goblins appeared on the battlefield and ran into the darkness towards the 'Dark Chimera' swarming and pixelating it.
"You fool!" Panik laughed as his life points went from 1000 to 0510. "You should have targeted my 'King of Yamimakai'! The darkness is finally getting to you!"
'No.' Jason thought. 'Fall for my trap.'
"Do you end?" Panik asked.
"Yes."
"I draw, and I play 'Morinphen' in attack mode, and I attack your 'Goblin Attack Force'!"
"I activate 'Negate Attack'." Jason said flipping the trap card over.
"Why you!" Panik growled. "Why won't you just die!"
"I'm really hard to kill." Jason snarked. "Do you end?"
"Yes!"
"I draw a card, and I play 'Amazoness Swords Woman' in attack position, and I attack your 'King of Yamimakai'! 'Amazoness Swords Woman'! Amazon Slash!" An Amazon appeared on the battlefield and pointed her sword towards the darkness before ripping it tightly in both hands and running into the darkness stabbing the 'King of Yamimakai'.
"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Panik laughed. "I have finally made you so terrified that you made a mistake! I'm going to enjoy defeating you now! You had a good start, but now that you are… what!" Panik yelled as he saw his scoreboard go from 0510 to 0000. "How did this happen?"
"You don't know what the effect of 'Amazoness Swords Woman' is, do you?" Jason asked as 'Amazoness Swords Woman' appeared next to Panik, running him through with her sword.
"No! What is it?"
"Any battle damage between this card and one of your monsters that would be dealt to me is dealt to you instead."
"WHAT!"
"In other words." Jason said. "I win."
"NNNOOOO!" Panik yelled.
"I win Panik!" Jason yelled putting his cards away.
Panik was panting before he started laughing. "I'm not finished yet!" Panik yelled hitting the button for the flame nozzles. Covering Jason from head to toe in flames. When the flames cut off Jason was no longer standing on his platform. "Ha. Haha. Hahaha! Bwahahahahahahahahaha!" Panik laughed. "You lost fool!"
"Did I?" Jason asked from behind Panik.
The hologram projector blinked to life and Pegasus showed up. "Panik!" He yelled.
"Pegasus!" Panik yelled.
"I have had enough of this! Intimidation is one thing, but attempted murder! I will not stand for such a thing! Therefore, I am banishing your soul into the 'King of Yamimakai' for eternity!"
There was a scream and a flash of light. When Jason blinked away the spots, he saw Panik's limp, lifeless body on the ground.
"Mr. Todd." Pegasus said.
"Mr. Pegasus." Jason said respectfully. He normally wouldn't give someone like Pegasus the time of day, but he'd just witnessed him transfer a duelists soul into a dueling card. He didn't want to end up like that.
"You don't have to worry about formalities young Jason. I simply wanted to congratulate you on a splendid win. You are quite the young duelist, aren't you?"
"I'm not sure what you mean."
"I have camera's all over this island to watch the tournament and I must say that I am rather impressed with your duels. You haven't lost any Star Chips since you arrived here and have reached ten-star chips quicker than most, but I must ask. Why haven't you come to the castle?"
"I enjoy playing Duel Monsters. It's the only good thing in my life right now." It was the truth. He was stuck in the Yu-Gi-Oh world, and had no idea what to do here, so he was just playing Duel Monsters.
"Could it also have something to do with Young Mokuba?"
Jason froze for a second. "No." He lied.
"Oh, come now Jason. I know that you are protecting young Mokuba."
"Then you should also know that I will fight anyone you send after him."
"Oh, I do know, and I'll make you a deal."
"What kind of deal?"
"I won't lay a hand on young Mokuba if you are the first one to my castle. If you make it to my castle first, then no harm will come to Mokuba."
"What's the catch?"
"Oh, no catch. You just intrigue me is all. You are undefeated so far, and I want to test your skills myself. So, what do you say?"
"If Mokuba is with me..., will you hurt him once we get to the castle?"
"Oh, my heavens no. I will keep my promise. Besides, I never said that Kaiba boy was off limits, and one Kaiba is just as good as the other."
Jason clenched his hands into fists, but he looked at Pegasus. "Can I keep Panik's coat and Deck?"
"Of course, Young Jason. Spoils of war and all. Enjoy." With that the hologram projector blinked off.
Jason grabbed Panik's deck and looked through it until he came across a 'King of Yamimakai' card that showed Panik wearing deep brown steel toed boots, light brown pants and a long-sleeved shirt, deep brown gauntlets with razor sharp clawed fingers, deep brown pauldrons, and a green helmet and belt. He put that one into his deck and pulled out the 'Metal Guardian'. He could give that one to Mokuba.
With that done he pulled Panik's trench coat off and put it on before he grabbed Panik's dueling gloves and took the Star Chips off and put them in his jacket pocket before walking back to camp.
AN: Pegasus may seem WAY too nice, but in all actuality he's actually a really nice guy, the Millennium Eye has just corrupted him. Also sorry if any of the duels seem to be too short. That's just the way the cards played.