Yami no Game: Dark Saga

Chapter 25

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It was another usual day as Yugi got ready for school and gave his goodbye kisses to Yami and Aqua before heading down and out the shop, greeting his grandfather and Azura as he stepped outside. "After all these years and then this goes and happens..." he murmured, the small dragon giving a squeak. "Jii-chan...are you alright?" he asked before he heard someone calling his name and turned, seeing Myrrh coming his way and waved. "Hey there, Myrrh." She smiled as she stopped beside him before looking over to Sugoroku. "Hello there, Motou-san."

"Hmph...good for you." he grumbled with a huff as he continued sweeping. "Ouch. What got your grandfather sour today?" she asked. "I dunno. He's be acting weird all morning and I'm starting to get a little worried."

"Maybe he's sick." As they were talking, he popped up right beside them and clapped them on the shoulder, making them both jump. "Alright. Stop your worrying and I'll tell ya what going on." he brushed past them, getting a serious look on his face. "I've endured many things in my old life. Trapped in an ancient pyramid, stung by scorpions, attacked by Tibetan wolves. But nothing like that compares to this!" He pointed off to the distance where a building towered over others in the small residential district. "A new game store opened up!"

"Whoa...when did a new game store get built?" Sugoroku crossed his arms. "They think they can drive me out of business, selling all the trendy little things for the newer generations. They have no respect for the classics, the true honor of gaming." he explained but it all fell on deaf ears as Yugi looked over to the shop. "A new game store, huh? I better go over and check out the competition." he said happily before jumping as his grandfather glared at him. "Don't you even think about it!"

"Ok, ok! I won't!" he squeaked before taking Myrrh's hand and headed off towards school or would be instead he doubled back and took an alternate path to where the store was. "Yugi, when your jii-chan finds out, he's going to be steamed." Myrrh warned. "Oh, what's the harm in a little window shopping?" The boy commented as they reached the store and a lady was passing out flyers to passersby. "Here you go." she said as she handed him one. "Dungeon Dice Monster, huh? Looks kinda cool but I wonder how you play it..." he wondered before yelping as Myrrh caught the collar of his coat. "Come on, you silly boy. We need to go before you make me miss my first class again."

"But it's usually not me! That's Jou's fault!" From the window on the second floor, a man looked outside. "Hey look there, Otogi. There's that Motou kid. He's the one that runs around with those demons that beat Pegasus, right?" he questioned as he looked to the teen standing next to him. "A little cheater like Yami needs a little voice to help him out." he murmured. "Yugi, if I get detention for this, you're doing my homework for the next week!" Myrrh grumbled. "Can't I get a word in edgewise?"

"Nope!" The other guy smirked. "You're right. Surely he was giving out cards from outside the ring as they dueled. There's no way Pegasus could be beaten by his own game." he murmured. "But it doesn't matter now. The die has been cast, the trap is set and once little Yugi gets himself in too deep, his little helper will show himself. When that happens, Otogi will beat him with his own game and show everyone that they're nothing but fakes that don't deserve the title Duel Monsters champion." Another spoke as he walked in. "You got that right, Jade." The man spoke again. "But right now, you aren't paid to lick my boots, you're paid to manage this shop." Otogi growled as he looked to him. "Yes, yes, of course. But once you're named the new King of Games over that kid Yami, the money will really flow into this shop." he preened with a greedy gleam in his eyes. 'Too bad money is all you think about. My goal is to see to the total destruction of Yami.' Otogi thought as he watched Yugi and Myrrh leave the premises. "We better get going, Otogi. We wouldn't want to be late on our first day." Jade spoke with a little smirk. "Besides, I heard from a little bird that Kaiba and Jewelstone have found themselves someone. Want to get the chance to take a little look into that while we're at it?" He returned the smirk. "Why not. More entertainment for us." he said before the two left to head to school.

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"You're kiddin' right? There's a spankin' new game store right around the block?" Jou asked. "Yeah. Jii-chan's getting a little worried about it and I am too. I don't want the shop to be run out of business." Yugi murmured. "Well then why don't you get Yami and Aqua to do something about it?" Honda suggested and winced as he was hit by Myrrh. "That would probably give the shop bad publicity, Honda. Think with your head for once." she growled. "Yeah. But back onto the matter of the shop. There's some hype going on that we saw when we took a look." he said, pulling out the flyer. Kaiser took it and skimmed it. "Dungeon Dice Monsters. Sounds fancy." Kaiser commented, handing the flyer back. "Yeah, I heard about it myself."

"Really? How'd you become the gaming expert now?" Honda questioned. "Little thing called a newspaper. Ever heard of one, Honda?" he retorted. "Whoa, back up! As far as I know, you never read the newspaper!"

"Yeah well I need a little spendin' money so I read while I'm on the job!" Jou snapped as he glared at Honda. "I need to save every bit of the award money for my sister's operation." Myrrh smiled as she took a seat. "How is Shizuka doing?" she asked. "Pretty well! The eye doc said that she'll be able to see in no time and then she'll be able to see her big sibs!" he said with a smile. Soon, they peace was interrupted by cheering from the girls and they looked up. "Oh boy, what's going on now?" Kaiser muttered. "Sounds like it's coming from the neighboring classroom." Myrrh answered as they stood and headed out, peeking inside. There, sitting at a desk was a new student they haven't seen before, another standing beside him. And around them was a horde of girls fawning over something. "Alright ladies, it's show time." he spoke suavely as he took the stacked dice and set them into groups. He smirked as he looked to them before swiping them up into the cup. "Keep your eyes on me, girls." he cooed, setting the cup down on the table. His smirk deepened as he lifted the cup, showing them the dice stacked up in a pattern with all sides matching perfectly. That made the girls cheer and gush over him even more and he chuckled. "Great, looks like another pretty boy to me." Jou muttered. "Catching the attention of the ladies like always. Nothing but a showoff."

"You got that right." Kaiser added. Honda looked over to the two students sitting off to the side. "Hey, you guys know him?" he asked and they looked up. "Yeah, that's Ryuji Otogi and his sibling, Jade Nefri. They're the new owners of that new game store that opened up not too long ago." One spoke. "Oh, that's makes him even better. A rich showoff. We really need one of those in school."

"So says the one dating Kaiba Seto." Myrrh whispered and he shushed her before anyone could hear. Otogi looked over to them when he heard them and smirked. 'Well, well. Kaiba snagged himself a decent guy. Guess I'll work some charm on him.' he thought as he stood and walked over to them with Jade close behind. "Hate to intrude but I couldn't help but notice a fine young man standing here." he praised as he looked to Jou. "Look somewhere else, bud. Ya have a horde of girls waitin' hand and foot on ya." he grumbled. "C'mon, Yugi. I'm feelin' up for a duel." Yugi nodded but Otogi held him back. "Duel Monsters fan, eh? You look like the type to become first class." he commented, smiling a little. "I guess. I mean, I did defeat Bandit Keith, number one American duelist champion." Jou mentioned before shaking his head. "Hey, what are ya tryin' to hint at?" he growled. "Just know talent when I see it. And how about you?" His gaze then turned to Yugi. "I heard a little about you. You know Yami, the winner of Duelist Kingdom, right?"

"Well yeah, he's my boyfriend." he answered and Otogi's eyes narrowed. 'I see. Guess there was much more to them than I expected...' Jou saw this and growled before placing a hand on Yugi's shoulder. "C'mon...I already don't like this guy..." he whispered. "Wait, wait, wait. Before you go, mind if I play a little game with your friend here?" Jade asked as he looked to Kaiser. The other shifted away from him, rubbing his arm. "I rather not."

"Oh come on. Just humor me. I am new here." he spoke, smirking softly. Kaiser groaned before nodding. "Fine. Name your game." Jade waved him back over to the desk and took out a die. "We'll just use this cup and die." Jade explained, tossing it into the cup and set it on the table before looking up to him as he removed his hand. "Now, I bet I can put that die into my right hand without touching the cup." Jade stated as he looked to him. Kaiser sneered as he looked to him. "So you think you're a real Houdini, is that it?"

"What? Too afraid to play my game, precious?"

"Watch the nicknames, kid." he hissed, bristling. Jade chuckled softly. "So what will it be, do you believe me or not?"

"Well of course not!"

"Alright. Then what if I tell you the die is already gone?" he suggested, gaze watching Kaiser. "Say wha...you're joking." Jade tsked. "Then check for yourself." Kaiser growled as he reached for the cup. "Wait, Kaiser! Don't listen to him!" Yugi tried to warn but it was too late as he lifted the cup, seeing the die was still there and Jade smirked as he took it into his right hand. "See. Die is in my right hand and I didn't touch the cup."

"You swindlin' little..." Kaiser started but was overshadowed by the cheering posse of girls. Jou growled as he stepped forward. "Hey! That was a cheap move. Ya may have won over the girls with yer suave ways but I'm not lettin' ya con my siblin'! If ya wanna feel like a real man, we'll play a real game! I challenge ya to a duel!" Otogi chuckled as he stepped forward as well. "Just like you to protect your sibling, I'll protect mine. But I just have one little term to add. I don't have a deck of my own. So we'll do this, we'll open up new packs and make a deck from those cards." Otogi offered. "But that isn't fair! If you're just using cards fresh out of a pack without getting a feel for them, the duel will be nothing but pure luck." Yugi gasped. "Yugi, relax. If I back down now, I won't be setting a good example." Jou muttered before looking back to Otogi. "I accept your challenge." Jade was still watching Kaiser before an idea popped in mind and he grinned devilishly before waving Otogi down. When he did, he whispered something into his ear and he smirked.

"You're right, Jade. A simple duel would be boring." he said before looking to Jou. "So to spice it up a bit, why don't we make a deal. If I win, you'll do whatever I say. Same going for Kaiser listening to whatever Jade has to say." Yugi knew that something was up and feared that Jou was about to get himself into something very bad. "Jou please, back out of this now. There's something bad about the deal he's throwing at you." Jou shook his head. "I can't, Yugi. I have ta do this. Besides, if I win, I'll get 'em to shut down their shop. It's a win/win." The blonde added. "Jou, I think you might be getting in over your head. This guy is bad news..." Honda whispered. "Don't worry. I can handle this.

"Good. Then we'll head over to my game shop after school. I have a state of the art dueling arena installed there." Otogi spoke before moving back to the seat. 'He'll be mine before the end of the day. A fierce soul like him needs someone good to tame him.' he thought as he sat back down.

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After school, they headed home to change clothes before heading over to Black Crown. Yami and Aqua tagged along to see what's going on upon seeing the smaller teen change out his school uniform. When they entered inside, a man came over to them. "Hello and welcome to the Black Crown. Ryuuji-san was worried you weren't going to make it today." he murmured. "Right this way." The man led the way and they followed. "So what exactly is going on here?" Aqua questioned as he followed. "Well, we had a bit of an issue at school today. Two new students that transferred today were showing off and annoyed Jou and Kaiser. Now Jou got himself into a duel that if he loses, he'll have to do whatever Otogi says." Aqua snorted. "That's stupid."

"Yeah and I have my suspicions of those two. I think they have a grudge against you, Yami, but it also looks as if they're interested with Jou and Kaiser. I don't like it, especially since they're together with Seto and Ruby." he whispered. "Yeah, if that's true and Jou loses, it might end badly." Yami murmured. They reached the elevator and it stopped on the floor, opening and revealing Otogi and Jade inside. "Ah, glad you could make it, Katsuya."

"How'd ya find out my name?" Jou growled as he crossed his arms. "That's my little secret~" he cooed with a smirk. "The dueling arena is on sub-level six. Your chariot awaits." The man spoke with a short chuckle before leaving as they entered into the elevator. Jade pointed to a box sitting beside him. "Here are the cards. Choose your packs carefully now." he voiced and Jou nodded as he knelt down and started picking through packs. 'Alright Jounouchi...need ta find some good ones to show up this dice freak.' he thought as he opened one and grinned. 'Jackpot.' Yugi stepped over and looked to him. "Find some good ones, Jou?"

"Don't worry 'bout it! I got this!" Jou assured as he went through some more packs until he got a forty card deck. The elevator dinged as they reached the floor. "Are we there?" Kaiser asked and when the door opened, the lights came on and Otogi's posse now became his cheerleading squad. "Wonderful. First you were squabbling like chickens over their talent and now you're a gaggle of geese." Kaiser grumbled with a sigh. 'Where's Ruby when you need him...' he thought. "Hey, watch what you say about us!" One of the girls spoke and he waved them off. "Whatever you say." They walked in and Yugi spotted the camera panning around the field. 'This definitely isn't good.' he thought. "Camera 1 in place!" A voice called and he smirked. "Good."

"Wait. Havin' this publicized wasn't part of the deal!" Jou growled. "I know. It was a last minute thing. I thought the bigger the audience, the better the performance you'll give. I mean you don't want to disappoint at being second best and instead be second rate." Otogi spoke. "Second rate...you'll be needin' a second life once I'm through with ya, Ryuji!" he growled, making the girls whine. "And will you gals shut it over there?!" They started to protest but Otogi held a hand up to them. "No need to worry, ladies. I have this all under control." Otogi commented and they grinned as they started cheering again. Jou growled before moving over to one of the platforms and hopped over the guardrail, slamming the deck down into the deck zone. "Let's get this show on the road, pretty boy!" Otogi smirked as he went to the other side and stepped onto the platform, setting his deck down as well as both platforms raised and activated. "Alright. For my first move, I'll attack with Oni Tank T-34." Otogi spoke as the monster appeared onto the field. "And that ends my first turn."

"Alright dice boy, time to end this." Jou spoke as he drew his card and grinned. 'Sword Hunter has a damn good effect! For every monster it defeats, it gives him attack by becoming a piece of his armor.' The blonde smirked before summoning him. "I'll start off with this bad boy. Slice and dice!" he called as the monster appeared and easily took down the tank. "Done and done and now your monster becomes a part of my guy's armor and ups his attack by a whopping 200 points." he spoke as his monster's attack rose to 2650 and Otogi's life points lowered to 950. Otogi smirked. "Got you right where I want you, Katsuya." he whispered as he drew his next card. 'Ah...this will come in handy later.' He took another card from his hand and began his turn. "I place Dark Bat in defense and a card face down." he said as the tiny bat monster appeared. "That's the best you can do. You're just askin' ta lose this shop, aren't ya?" Jou drew his next card and grinned. "I play Mad Sword Beast in attack mode. Now mow down that flying rat!"

"No harm done since my bat was in defense."

"That's where ya wrong, pretty boy! Mad Sword Beast still does damage even if the monster is in defense mode." he retorted as Otogi's life points hit 550, getting a shrug out of him. "No matter, my Dark Bat won't be heading to the grave alone, thanks to Michizure." he hummed playfully as he flipped the trap card. "Michi-what?!"

"Yes, Michizure. It drags down one monster along with mine." he explained as it grabbed a hold of Sword Hunter and destroyed it. "Ouch, now that was a critical blow." Myrrh murmured. 'Yeah and I'm worried that Otogi knows more about this game than he lets on.' Yugi thought as he looked to Yami and Aqua. 'And it looks like I'm not the only one to believe that.' Otogi smirked. 'This little puppy's all mine.' He drew his next card. "Seeing as Sword Hunter's not a threat with him going to an early grave, I'll play this down on the field then summon Spikebot to get rid of your beast." he said as the monster appeared and destroyed Jou's monster. "Come on, Jou! Get your head in the game!" Honda called out from the sidelines. "I know, I know! Cause I know for a fact I'm not goin' into any servitude to this pompous showoff!" he growled as he drew his next card and grinned. "Sweet! Lady Luck is on the money today! I play Goblin Attack Force! Kick that bot's keester to the graveyard!" The monster went in to attack, destroying Spikebot easily and sending Otogi's life points down to a mere 50. "Your store's hangin' on by a thread, Ryuuji! Just give up while ya still have life points to spare!"

"Not a chance. As you can see, your goblins go into defense after their attack." Otogi pointed out and Jou looked down to the field, seeing the goblins relaxing as they shifted to defense. 'Damn...he's right...' A smirk pulled across the other's face. "And after this, you'll be my little puppy." he whispered. "Say what?!"

"Yes! Now let me show you the strongest card in my deck! Gradius, come forth!" he called as the ship appeared on the field. "Ya call that strong? That would barely make a dent."

"But I'm not done, I play this little magic card, Limited Removal and double its attack." he said as the machine's attack moved up to 2400. "Yeah but guess what, those points won't be put ta much use with my goblins in defense!" Jou whispered, a bead of sweat rolling down the back of his neck. 'If he has somethin' else though, I'm toast. Doesn't help the way he's speaking is freakin' me out here!' A grin pulled across Otogi's face. "Just one last card before you're mine, Katsuya. I play Fairy Meteor Crush!"

"What?!"

"Oh no!"

"This is crazy!" Yugi whispered as he held onto Yami's hand. "I don't like where this is going..." Yami nodded as he squeezed his hand. "I don't blame you. Otogi's after something and I'm sure with this deal business should he win is just fuel to the fire."

"Wait a sec...what does it do?" Kaiser questioned. "Yeah, I like ta know that too." Jou murmured. "My, my. And I thought the second best would know of this~ Or at least one who is dating Kaiba Seto of all people would teach you a few things."

"How do ya know 'bout that?! Wait, this shit is bein' televised as we speak!" Jou screeched. 'Oh man, if Seto's company gets ruined because of him blabbin' about our relationship, I'm dead!' Otogi could laugh at seeing the worry just permeating off of Jou. 'Hook, line and sinker.' He flipped a few strands of hair from his face. "Well, to answer your question, think of Fairy Meteor Crush as the magic version of Mad Sword Beast's effect."

"Oh man, oh man, oh man..." Jou whimpered. "Yes, you have every right to worry, Katsuya. Now Gradius, destroy his monster and the rest of his life points!" The ship flew forward, breezing through his monster before exploding in Jou's face, taking out the rest of his life points. The blondee huffed in disappointment as he looked down before he stepped off, returning back to his friends. Otogi did the same and brushed past the cheerleaders. "Jou..." Yugi whispered as he touched his friend's arm. "I can't believe I made such stupid mistakes. I was so much better than this. Maybe it was because I was fightin' for somethin' in Duelist Kingdom." he murmured. "Now now, Katsuya. Don't weep. I'll make sure everything is smooth sailing for the both of you. And to start it off, I want you both to say one thing. And know that you can't go back on your word."

"Oh, and what's that, pretty boy?" Jou grumbled. "Announce right here and now that you are breaking up with Kaiba Seto and Ruby Jewelstone and will be dating me and my sibling Jade." The others gasped and the girls whined, their hopes shattered for a date with one of the two. "What?! You're out of your flippin' mind! I'm not betraying Ruby for the likes of you!" Kaiser growled. "It's part of the agreement. The whole world knows the deal and if you back out now, the people will forever know that Katsuya Jounouchi and Kaiser Aurum can never keep true to their word!" Yugi stepped forward, now bothered to the demand. "That's overstepping it, Otogi! We were all there to witness it! He has to do whatever you say but nothing in that deal says you could break off his relationship with someone else just to date you!" Yugi yelled. "Guess what, Yugi. What I say is an order and he has to follow it." he pointed out before looking to Jou. "Now say it, Katsuya. You too, Aurum." Jou clenched his fists tight before muttering out the words.

"What was that? I can't hear you."

"I'm breakin' up with Seto Kaiba ta date ya, Ryuuji!" he cried before collapsing to his knees, tears trailing down his cheeks. 'I'm sorry, Seto...'m so sorry...' Otogi smirked and walked over to him. "Good boy." He looked over to Kaiser. "Your turn."

"Like hell. I don't have to listen to you." Kaiser growled, crossing his arms. He jumped as a hand was placed on his shoulder. "But you do have to listen to me. Now say it or else…" Jade hissed. Kaiser growled even more. "Kaiser, don't do it! Let's just get out of here now!" Myrrh whimpered. Kaiser wanted so much to do so but he knew that, like Jou, was stuck to a promise that he would dread to keep. "I...I can't guys. Jou took the deal and I got roped into it. It will look bad for both of us if I backed out when he didn't."

"But Kaiser...what would Ruby think?" Aqua whispered. "I think he knows where my heart really lies. I can't say the same for Seto but I know he'll see the truth if the way Jou is now doesn't prove it." he muttered before jerking his shoulder away. "I break up with Ruby Jewelstone to go out with you but dammit know this and know this well, I will make you go through hell for doing this to us." Jade laughed before jerking him back and wrapped something around his neck. "We'll see about that, sweetheart~" he purred as he stepped back and around his neck was a collar. "What the fuck?! Get this thing off me!"

"No can do. You might go running back. You're mine now just like Katsuya is to Otogi." Kaiser gasped as looked down, seeing that Otogi already did the deed and another collar was around Jou's neck but the other was too out of it to curse at the other about it. "That's enough! I think I watched enough of this to know that you stooped too low. I'm a man of honor but you two don't know honor until it slaps you in the face." Yami growled as he glared at Otogi. "Oh, so the big man finally steps up. And what are you going to do about it?"

"We'll duel and if I win, they will go back to Seto and Ruby. Where they belong." Otogi's eyes narrowed before smirking. "Alright. Seems this is a day of deals. Then my end is if I win, you will renounce your title as Duelist King and swear on your life to never duel again! Also note that those two won't be going anywhere with you guys even when their time is up should you fail." Yami growled even more, eyes darkening in anger but a touch from Yugi brought him back. "Don't get angry, Yami. Just win and help Jou and Kaiser. Please..." he whispered. Yami nodded. "Ok, let's get this started."

"Not so fast, Yami. We're not going to play Duel Monsters. We're going to play a game of my own creation. Dungeon Dice Monsters." Otogi said. "Fine with me. I will show you the true meaning of pain." Yami whispered as he looked to Jou and Kaiser. 'I will get you out of this. Just wait.'

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Seto slammed a fist onto the table before buzzing his secretary. "Cancel all my board meetings today. I have something important to take care of." he snarled before standing and snatched his coat. "No one is stealing my puppy away from me. Not when I just got him to accept me." he hissed before leaving out the office, the TV still left on the channel that casted from Black Crown. As he entered the elevator, he saw that Ruby was already inside. "You saw it too?"

"Yes and I'm absolutely pissed. That bastard Nefri is not taking my little Kaiser. And I know you're not letting Ryuji take Jounouchi not long after finally admitting your love for him." Ruby whispered. "I know. We'll get them back and I know Yami will win." Seto murmured. "That's a first coming from you."

"Hush. The only reason I say it because the fact that Jounouchi and Kaiser's emotions are on the line and he'll fight his damn hardest to get them out of this fucked up relationship they're trying to push onto them. Just remind me to reassure Jounouchi that he has nothing to worry about. Everything has been explained and this company will still stand tall despite our relationship." he murmured. "You got it, Seto." Ruby answered as they stepped out and headed to the car that Seto drove to work, now making a beeline for the Black Crown.

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Zypher: Long chapter filled with drama, action and a very angry demon. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this little number and the evilness that I just couldn't help but add into Otogi since I had the writer powers to change to deal he made with Jou big time. -whispers- Even though I might just sneak in an alternate dog suit idea just to rub salt in the wounds but don't take my words for it. -composes self- Don't kill me, kill him. -tosses Otogi into mob of readers- I'll shall see you all soon with another chapter, Seto and Ruby's appearance to save their lovers and the first half of Dungeon Dice Monsters game. Ta ta. -waves and runs out-