Chapter 2, enjoy:)

I don't own Yugioh or the characters, just the plot and headcanons.

The speed Tristan was going on his motorcycle went past the limit. He and Yugi were rushing past cars with their horns honking angrily at them, cursing them as they drove. Tristan didn't care, Joey was more important than anything else in the world at this point.

Yugi was holding on tightly, worried he and Tristan might get into an accident because of the speed, he yells out to Tristan, "Tristan! Slow down!"

Tristan didn't answer, but Yugi didn't press to ask again. Like Tristan he was more concerned for Joey's well-being, what happened to Joey? Who did he get into a fight with at the alley? How serious are his injuries? Many things were racing through the young man's mind.

"Joey.." Yugi thought sadly.

Tristan's eyes were ahead of the road, with only one thing on his mind, "Please be okay, Joey!"

After a few more turns, they arrive at the hospital. After parking his bike quickly, Tristan jumps off his motorcycle and ran in in. Yugi ran after him inside, they wasted no time and went to the front desk where the secretary got off the phone and saw the two young men.

"Oh hello there, can I help you?" she asked.

"We're looking for Joey Wheeler! We just got a call from a police officer that he's here!" Tristan exclaimed.

The secretary blinked and then remembered the patient that was brought in by the ambulance, "Oh yes, let me see." and she starts to check her computer.

While Tristan and Yugi wait, the secretary finds Joey's file, "He's in room 208, second floor."

"Thank you, mam!" Yugi says.

Tristan and Yugi take off running, and take the elevator to the second floor. Seconds later, they stop at the second floor and run to room 208, but six police officers where also near the room as one of them spoke to two men. One police officer had short auburn hair covered with his police hat, had brown eyes and was tall, soon his attention went to the youth's that just ran up to him and the doctor.

He turns to their direction, "Is one of you Tristan Taylor?" The officer asked.

Tristan came forward quickly, "I am! Where's Joey?!"

He's inside, but the doctors don't want anyone in right now, they want to make sure Mr. Wheeler gets into stable condition. I'm officer Jefferson, I was the one who called you." Officer Jefferson introduced himself.

"What exactly happened to him, officer Jefferson?" Yugi asked, "we were told he was in a fight."

Officer Jefferson nodded, " Yes, we got a call from two witnesses who saw Mr. Wheeler arguing with a man whom we later identified as his father, Jordan Wheeler, and that Jordan punched him in the face. A few minutes later, the other witness from the same area found Mr. Wheeler when he was beaten unconscious and told the first witnesses to call the police and the ambulance. They concluded that his father had beaten him moments after punching him."

Tristan's eyes widened and was starting to breath heavily when he heard Jordan's name, his anger rising almost to full blown, "Was it really his father who did this?"

"We believe so. He wasn't at the scene when we arrived, but we later found him passed out in his apartment from drinking. He doesn't remember anything, but we can assume that he was responsible for his son's injuries according to the witnesses testament. They also claim to know Jordan Wheeler as well."

Officer Jefferson moves away to reveal the two witnesses, one was in his his mid thirties wearing a green beanie, a brown and green checkered shirt with a black tank top underneath that was stained and was wearing brown pants that were sagging. He had pale skin, a long face, a long nose with pale blue eyes and long curly dark hair. The second witness was in his forties, however he was taller and had tanned skin, a long buzz cut that almost resembles Tristan's and had a five o' clock shadow and brown eyes. He wore a red over shirt with a white tank top and a pair of jeans.

Yugi and Joey stared at the men, then Tristan spoke up, "Is it true what you saw!? Do you think his dad did this to Joey?" he questioned.

The taller man scratches the back of his head and sighs, "While we never saw it, Barret saw the verbal fight between them and when the old man punched him. And a few minutes later when I came out, I saw the poor kid bloodied and I called nine one one."

The other man, Barret, nodded, "Yeah, it was real nasty between them. And Jordan Wheeler has a reputation of being violent in the area where we hung out, for years Able and I heard rumors about his gambling addiction, fighting other people and it was no secret that he has a drinking problem, since most of the fights he starts are because he was drunk."

Yugi frowned as he heard what Barret was telling them, "I see."

Able stopped scratching the back of his head, "That's not all. We also heard he was a lousy husband and father, and that his wife divorced him and left him one day, though we never knew he still had one kid with him until the guy Joey Wheeler became this famous duelist across the globe, that's when we learnt he was his kid. I'm surprised he had custody of him after all the things he did, but hey even the court system can be corrupted...no offense officer."

"None taken...I think?" Officer Jefferson said in a questionable tone to Able's statement.

"What happened though? What went on between him and his dad?" Tristan asked them.

Barret spoke, "I went outside to take a leak after six beers, then I started hearing loud voices. It was Jordan talking a young guy who resembled him, it was only when he called Jordan that I realized he was his son, as they fought his son yelled how his dad ruined his childhood with his drinking and how he should have left him years ago like his mom did, and in turn Jordan said he and his sister ruined his life, one thing led to another and Jordan punched him...but your friend told him to go home and that he never wanted to see him again and he walked away."

Tristan and Yugi looked at eachother in bleak confusion, and they turned back to the two men, "And then what happened?" Yugi asked.

Barret shook his head, "Afraid I don't know that, when he walked away from his old man I thought it was the end of it, and I went back inside."

"And that's when I came out for a cigarette a few minutes later," Able started, "As I smoked, I heard groaning noises. At first I thought it was someone who had one to many and was throwing up, but as it got louder I went to check. And the sight I saw...I am amazed this kid made it out alive. The bruises, gashes and the blood...that's when I got Barret to call the ambulance while I made sure the poor kid was still breathing, and here we are."

Tristan was speechless, while Yugi spoke, "And that's when you accused Jordan Wheeler of doing it?"

"I believe so," Barret answer, "After hearing what your friend said to him, and the obvious hate that he had for his old man and the mutual hate he had for his son, coupled with the fact that Jordan is a violent drunk...he probably came after him to finish what he started. I mean he was the only one with him around the time he was attacked, and he sounded like he wanted to beat him badly after the fight."

Tristan started to shake, and Yugi nodded at them, "Thank you for telling us what happened guys, we appreciate it."

"No problem kid," Able says, then he blinks as he looks closer at him, "H-hey wait a minute, aren't you Yugi Motou? The king of games?"

Yugi blinked and flushed a bit as he sheepishly smiles, "Uh, yeah I am."

Able smiles, "My daughter's a big fan of yours...say, mind if I get your autograph so I can give it to her?"

As Yugi gave the man his autograph, Barret looks at Tristan with a sad but enthusiastic look, "We're sorry this happened to him, but try to have faith alright? He seems like a tough guy that can get through it."

The officers let Berret and Able leave, while Tristan clenched his fists. His anger burning inside as he replays Barret and Able's story over again in his mind, and each time was worse than the last. Tristan feared this would happen, ever since he found about Joey's father in Middle school and how he often drank and gambled their money away, as well as the knowledge that Jordan sometimes beat Joey and lock him out of their apartment, each time Joey went home Tristan was scared that Jordan would get drunk and end up going ballistic on Joey. And it looks like the day has come, but what makes it worse is that it happened when Joey finally managed to escape from that drunk brute, has Joey escaped to late?

Jefferson spoke out, "Well regardless what happened, we're pressing charges on Jordan for assault since he got into another fight last night, what he did to his son will be a charge added and he's being held downtown right now. There'll be a court case in a month, and we'll decide his fate then. If his son survives he can face a few months in jail, but if Joseph's doesn't survive...Jordan Wheeler will face life in prison."

Just then, a doctor came out of Joey's room as he straightened his glasses. Tristan and Yugi turned their heads, "Is he alright, doctor?!" Yugi asked in concern.

The doctor nodded his head, "Mr. Wheeler is still unconscious, but for now he's stable. Are you two friends of his?"

"Yes, we are." Yugi answered with concern and relief in his voice.

"Would you like to see him?" The doctor asked.

Tristan quickly answered, "Please!"

Tristan and Yugi head into the room and what they saw shocked them both. Joey was wearing a hospital mask with tubes stuck into his arms with the machine beeping, his heart rate was a bit slow but he was still breathing. But what caught their attention was the cuts on his arms and legs, the bruises and how he had casts on one arm and leg, his face was swollen and was purple and blue with dry blood that the doctors were trying to clean. Joey's eyes were shut and he had a bandage that was around his head with a neck brace.

Tristan was horrified and he felt like he was about to throw up, "Oh my god…"

Yugi's eyes were starting to water, "...Joey..."

They went to different sides of Joey's bed as Jefferson looked at them with a heart broken look, "I had better get back to the station to file the report. I'll contact you as soon as I can to let you know when court begins so you can testify against his father."

Tristan turns his head to look at Officer Jefferson, "Thank you, officer."

Jefferson cleared his throat, "...I've heard about Joey Wheeler before, you know. He has a bit of a record with us from Middle school, but seeing how you care about him, couple with the fact he won three million dollars for his sister, he seem like a good lad."

Yugi replies as he held Joey's hand, "He has a strong heart. While he can be rough around the edges, he is the best friend I can ever have."

Tristan was silent, then he spoke, "And he was like a brother to me..."

Officer Jefferson looks at them, "Hopefully he's strong enough to survive this."

As Officer Jefferson was leaving, his mind was uttering a little prayer for Joey.

"God, have mercy on this poor boy."

Back in Joey's room, Tristan was shaking and he ended up punching the wall next to him. It startled Yugi.

"Tristan!" Yugi exclaimed.

Tristan was growling, "This is Jordan's fault…"

"You don't know that for sure, Tristan," Yugi says, "While I'm not ruling out Joey's dad as the culprit, can we really be certain Able and Berret's story is accurate? What if it was someone else who did this to Joey? The bar that his dad hangs out has a lot of shady people there, anyone of them could have done this."

Tristan looks at Yugi with flashing eyes, "It's gotta be Jordan!" Tristan exclaims hotly, "He's never liked Joey his entire life and he's always been a drunk, even before his mom left him! Joey had to get jobs while in school just to keep a roof over their heads while his dad worked him like a mule and drinking and gambling their money away! And now that Joey's left him, he wanted to take it out on him because Joey was always the cash cow! This is what I was afraid would happen if he never got away from Jordan! Damn it! And just when Joey was about to start his own life to and no longer had to pay for that bastard's debts. Yugi! You heard what they told us and what Jordan said to Joey before he got hurt, this isn't the first time his dad hurt him like this so there is no question in my mind he did this! Now our best friend is fighting for his life because of his stupid old man! I should go to the police station and tear him apart myself! Whether he goes to jail or not, I want him to pay for this!"

Yugi became alarmed at Tristan's anger, "Doing that won't help Joey, Tristan! You know that! It'll only make things worse! For you, and for Joey! The police already have his father in custody, all we can do now is wait till the trial to convict him if he is guilty."

Tristan lowered his head. He knew Yugi was right, getting angry and fighting will only make matters worse. Jordan was already in custody and Tristan knew that the law could handle him now. Jordan wiggled his way out of going to jail before, but Tristan is grateful that this time he won't get away with what he's done this time, "I know…" he replies softly.

Yugi nods, "The best thing we can do is stay strong for Joey."

Tristan looks at Joey, and a few moments later, he started crying.

In the city of Boston, at the Four seasons hotel, news of Joey Wheeler's assault and hospitalization spread after six hours to the news forecasters. In a room in the hotel, a woman was drinking Champagne while sorting her deck.

She placed Harpy lady sisters on the table and combined it with Rose whip, soon she started getting more idea's.

"Hmmm, maybe if I place Harpy's pet dragon on the field, and after I combine the Harpy lady sisters with Rose whip...I can combine Harpy's pet dragon with Harpy lady and get Harpy dragon riders?...Hahahahahaha! Impossible, two sisters on one dragon?! But I can try...there is nothing I can't do." she says smirking as she drinks her champagne.

The T.V. went from the fashion network to the news.

"We have breaking news! Our top story tonight in Domino city, Third place champion duelist, Joey Wheeler, has been rushed to the hospital with life threatening injuries! Resources tell us that when he was out for a walk, he was attacked by a man who was identified as his estranged father, Jordan Wheeler. While Joey Wheeler is on life support, Jordan Wheeler has been taken into custody and will be awaiting trial within a month to see if he was the perpetrator to Joey Wheeler's assault. We also got word that Joey Wheeler is now in stable condition but we cannot tell for certain if he will fully recover. Up next..."

The woman drops her champagne on the floor and rose from the bed with her velvet eyes were wide in horror. Her Harpy lady sisters card and Harpy's pet dragon fell on the ground.

"...No...Joey...It can't be!"

Outside of Jimmy's, Able and Berret were hanging out beside the door of the bar. Able was smoking while Berret came out to find a place to urinate after eight beers.

Able let out a puff of smoke, "What a crappy night."

Berret finally found a spot to urinate, "Yeah, that poor kid beaten like that...and by his own father none the less." and he unzips his pants.

Able sighs and shakes the burnt end of his cigarette, "Yeah...are you sure it was his dad who beat him like that, Berret? Your stories aren't always that accurate."

Berret turns his head with a look of betrayal, "Come on man! You know that I usually get things right! And I know I'm not wrong about this! Jordan Wheeler had to have beaten his kid! We always saw him get violent and nasty with other people at the bar! And we also know he has anger issues even when he isn't drinking, and there is no doubt he was abusive to that poor kid either, his wife left him because he was a drunk and gambler and he was said to have hit his own kids to."

As Berret started relieving himself, Able continues smoking, "Reminds me of my ex wife, she was also a drinker and abuser. She'd hit me at times, but when I found those cigarette burns on our daughter...I made certain that she never saw us again."

Berret blinks, "Oh yeah, how is Janet?"

Able smiles, "Good," he says with pride, "she's heading to college this fall, I gave her Yugi Motou's autograph as a gift before she leaves early to look for an apartment in the city...they grow up so fast."

"I can imagine. So now that we told the police what I saw, will we be called to testify again?" Berret asked.

Able shrugged, "Maybe, besides you said you think the old man did it."

"And I'll stand by it!" Berret says confidently, "he is obviously guilty! And now he'll have to face the consequences for being a brutish, stupid...waste...of...what the hell!?"

Able blinks, "What? What's wrong Berret?"

A loud roar caught his attention, Able turned around and dropped his cigarette as his eyes almost popped out of his sockets, "What the hell!?"

Up in the starry sky, Red Eyes black dragon was at the top of all of Domino, roaring at the top of its lungs for all the city to hear. Able and Berret were frozen as the beast continued roaring.

On top of the building at Domino city, three cloaked figures looked on as the dragon flew and roared. People from below were screaming and running in fear from the large creature as it flew over them, Red Eyes continued to roar with no care of the people it frightened.

The figure in the middle smirks,"It has begun."

"Aye," said the other figure in agreement, "Red Eyes is returning, and it will get stronger by the day, right now it cries for help of its fallen master."

The third cloaked figure steps in, "We shall give Joseph Wheeler time to recover...and when he does, the battle can begin...and this time Red Eyes will fall...we shall reign victorious!"

Red Eyes roared once more, this time to the distance. Though it wasn't its usual angry roar, this time it was a roar of sorrow, as tears were falling downs its eyes.

End of chapter 2.