Yuri - Montgomery Palace
October 19 4AOS
Terretar! Terretar!
Es auxtre kruel venell suuth!
Es auxtre corderie vendinas vasrek!
Terretar! Terretar!
Es auxtre dinas salve Termnnia!
Salvenus! Terretar! Salvenus!
Ad es auxtre calminus exules Odiva fin!
"YURI! WAKE UP!"
Yuri gasped and bolted upright. His mother was standing in the doorway. Her hair bundled up by colorful curls, and her face was painted green with her face mask. "Come on, kiddo. You don't want to be late for school...again."
"Sorry, mom," Yuri said. The first thing he did was grab his deck from the side table beside his bed.
Paula leaned on the doorframe. "So...who's the lucky girl you're taking to the homecoming dance on Friday?"
"I'm not going with anyone, mom," Yuri replied rather droll. "I haven't found anyone."
Paula rolled her eyes. "You haven't found anyone? Or you haven't tried?"
Yuri shrugged. "A bit of both."
"Come on, Yuri. You're a Montgomery. It's not right for someone with our name to be without a girlfriend or at least some arm candy to parade around for the papers."
"That's the last thing I want, mom. Some brainless bimbo hanging on my arm and leeching my funds away."
"What about that Patty girl? She's a cute one."
"We're just friends."
"And Crystal? You two have been together since you were babies. She's perfect for you, baby. She's rich. She's beautiful and sexy. She has one hell of voice and is an amazing Duelist. Not to mention it'll be the talk of the city, hell the world."
Yuri slid his hand down his face. "So, that's why you want me to date her? Because it's good for publicity?"
Paula scoffed. "Because she loves you. She told you I don't know how many times, and you always refused her."
Yuri shook his head. "Things with her are complicated. You know the mafia runs her career right?"
"The mafia?" Paula snorted. "Don't you think you're being a little overdramatic, Yuri? Sure, the Martinettis done some questionable things, but your father has them on a very strict watchlist."
"For what good that does," said Yuri. "Do you mind, mom? I'm not dressed."
"Oh," Paula said backing away from the door frame. She put her hand on the door, ready to close it. "Well, hurry up. The ferry leaves soon." She closed the door shut.
Yuri groaned in relief and slammed his head back on his pillow. "Watchlist. Yeah, that doesn't work when half of Aquarius' Security Division is under their payroll." But that did not concern him for too long. "Just what in the world was that song I heard last night?"
It was a language he never heard before. "Terretar?" He wondered. He frowned and shook his head. "I must be out of my mind."
He got out of bed and proceeded to prepare himself for school.
"Hey," Patty said walking into the classroom. She found her seat next to Yuri. Her hair was dripping wet and her uniform was almost ruined.
"You're soaked," Yuri said. "What happened?"
"Mom and dad got in another fight," Patty replied, slipping off her backpack and sitting down. "I missed the ferry, therefore I had to wait for the next one. However, that one wasn't going anywhere here in the school district. The closest port to school was Friendship Harbor. So I had to walk all the way from there past Tabitha's place. Wouldn't you know it, I walk through her home when the sprinklers turn on."
"Hmm, sounds like a rough day," Yuri said.
"Yeah, it was a blast," Patty said sitting down at last. Nick, sitting on the desk beside her, had his head down and was snoring, hoping to catch a few winks before class started.
Yuri picked up his backpack and set it on his lap. "Well, hopefully, this will make you feel better." He unzipped the backpack and pulled out a bag perfumed with the sweet scent of hot food. Patty felt her spirits get lifted when she saw the food in his hand. "I got you breakfast," he said. "Two griddles. Sausage, bacon, egg, and cheese and a hashbrown like you asked."
"Oh, Yuri!" Patty said, taking the bag. "Thank you so much. But why?"
"You told me yourself. You don't have time to eat because of your parents," Yuri replied. "Besides, your stomach rumbles pretty loudly when you're hungry."
Patty heard Tyson laugh behind her. "Yeah," he said. "Is that a Black Tyranno in your stomach, or what?"
"Could be," Patty said, biting into her griddle. "Mmm, so good," she said. "Thanks, Yuri. I owe you one."
"Don't talk with your mouth full," Natalya said from the seat behind Yuri. "It's not very ladylike."
Patty rolled her eyes. "Yes, mom."
Natalya folded her arms. "Good girl. So, anyone find dates for the dance on Friday?"
"Aw yeah!" Tyson boasted. He snapped both his fingers and jerked both his thumbs at himself. "Got me a date with Allie Washington from the cheerleaders. Of course, I gotta thank my man Yuri for that. Once she knew I was buddies with him, it was smooth sailing from there."
"That's wonderful, Tyson," Natalya said, patting his shoulder. "But uh...what about the Prince of Aquarius? Eh, Yuri? Find yourself a date yet?"
"No," Yuri responded immediately. "I never asked anyone to go."
"But plenty of girls asked him out," Patty said, taking another bite out of her sandwich. "Yuri, what the hell, man? Do you not want to go to homecoming?"
"No."
Patty gave a heavy sigh and shrugged. "Well, so much for that. You know I thought that maybe...we could go."
"Oh shit," said Carter, looking up from his homework, which he was double-checking. "Sure glad Nick is asleep right now. He would have flipped if he heard that."
Patty gave a wave of her hand to show she didn't care. However, she got up from her seat to check her answers with him. "Do you mind?" she asked.
"Not at all," Carter said.
Patty walked to the front of his desk and leaned over it, setting down her homework. "I mean it, Yuri. If you got not one to go with, I'd be more than happy to go with you."
Yuri scratched his chin. It was one thing to deny the girls in the hallway, but one of his best friends? What was Nick going to think? Patty may have been snobbish towards his feelings for her, but he still loved her.
"I'll think about it," Yuri said, stretching the collar of his shirt.
But Patty did not tolerate that answer. She crossed her arms and drummed her fingers on her biceps. The tiny stars on her fingernails twinkled with each movement. "Hmm," she said impatiently. "I'll give you after school to think about it. It's a yes or no question, Yuri. It's not supposed to be that hard."
"Sorry," said Yuri. "It's just..." He rolled his eyes to the right and tilted his head towards Nick's direction. "He's been asking you to go for quite some time now."
Patty narrowed her eyes. "I could give two craps about what he's going to say. I'm not interested in him. Besides, I'm not letting him take me anywhere after what happened last time."
Yuri lurched backward in his seat. "And what, pray tell, happened that caused you to be this mad at him?"
Natalya leaned forward, clearing her throat to get Yuri's attention. "Patty and I went to the beach on Sunday. Nick Jr. was there with a camera. Took some nice pictures of her and shared them with his friends. Nick hasn't done anything, which leaves us both to believe he's gawking at them too. Pigs; both of them."
"Damn," Tyson said, trying to hold back his laughter. "Sneaky little bastard, aint he?"
"So you see, Yuri," Patty said, erasing one of her mistakes. "Nick is not an option for the dance. I simply won't do it." She felt a sharp sting on her derriere, followed by a loud snap! "Yowch!" she cried, jumping out of her spot in front of Carter's desk.
"Sit down, Miss McKnight," ordered Ms. Perrizow, their math teacher. She held a ruler in one hand which she used to hit the students with if they misbehaved. "Everyone to their seats, please. Quiet! Quiet! Georgios, settle down back there will you? Nicholas, wake up, it's time for class?"
"Twenty-two?" Nick said stupidly, raising his head up.
"Wake up, Nick," Yuri groaned, shaking his head.
Ms. Perrizow made it behind her desk after the students did as they were told. "Good morning, class," she said cheerfully, though her eyes were heavy with a strictness she just couldn't wait to unleash upon her pupils.
"Bitch," Patty mumbled, massaging her bottom.
"Now then," Ms. Perrizow said, opening her textbook to chapter five of their calculus lesson. "Every turn to page one-hundred and forty-seven of your books. We will be discussing...blah...blah...blah...blah."
As Ms. Perrizow was writing complicated equations on the smartboard, Yuri whispered to Patty. "Ahem, ahem," he said. Patty looked back at him with a droll look on her face as she was chewing on one of her pencils.
"You still mad at me?" he whispered.
Patty gave him an annoying look with her eyebrows raised, her eyes half-closed as if still sleepy, and her teeth sliding left and right over her pencil. Yuri couldn't help but feel that look meant: Yeah, so what are you going to do about it?
"Look, Patty, I...it's not you."
Patty still had that bored look on her face. Her teeth still sliding left and right over her pencil.
"All right, fine, be that way. I'll give you my answer after school."
Patty shrugged and turned to face the front of the class again.
"Ahem," Ms. Perrizow said.
"Uh oh," said Yuri.
"Is there something you'd like to add to this lesson, Mr. Montgomery?" Ms. Perrizow asked. "Perhaps if you feel so emboldened to interrupt my lesson, why don't you teach us a thing or two?"
"I'm sorry," said Yuri.
"Ah, pah, pah, pah, pah, pah," she said holding up her finger. "Please, Yuri, share what you know with the class. Step on up."
Yuri did as he was told. He stood in front of the smartboard without making a move, much to Ms. Perrizow's delight.
"So you don't know," she said, tightening her grip on her ruler. "Hold out your hands."
Yuri gulped and showed her both his palms. WHACK! "OW!" Yuri shouted when she slapped the ruler on his hands.
"Sit down, Mr. Montgomery. Interrupt my class again, and I will see you after school for a paddling."
"My father's going to hear about this!" Yuri threatened her as he walked back to his seat, massaging his palms. No doubt the look on her face meant his threat worked, and she said no more, allowing him to walk back to his seat without another word.
"The nerve of that woman!" Yuri said after class. He led his friends to the gymnasium for their next lesson. He seethed, looking at his hands still red and stinging.
"That's what you get for talking during class," said Natalya. "I think you of all people should know better than that, Yuri."
"I was trying to make Patty feel better," Yuri said glaring back her.
Patty was silent. She sucked on a cherry-flavored tootsie pop. The stick hung out of the corner of her mouth. Her eyes were rolled to the side to avoid looking at him.
"I'm sorry, Patty. Like I said, I'll give you my answer after school."
"Hmph," Patty went before quickening her pace towards the girl's locker room to change.
"What's with her?" Nick asked. "I've seen Patty pissed off, but never at you, Yuri."
"Nothing," said Yuri.
Natalya hurried to walk beside Yuri. "Well, if you boys are interested, bring your cards with you. One of the new Dueling Arenas has been completed, and the staff is allowing student's turn to play on it."
That bit of news lit up the boys' spirits.
"You serious, Natalya?" Carter asked. "We can play on it?"
"Uh-huh, but do hurry up, there's already a long line to get on it. Well, I have to get changed. Class starts soon." She turned and walked away, disappearing down the hall towards the girls' locker room.
Wasting no time, Yuri, Nick, Tyson, and Carter hurried to change into their gymnasium attire and see this new arena that was causing quite the stir about the school.
"That's incredible," Yuri said, marveling at the gigantic machine that took up almost half of the gymnasium, which was blocked off by giant white sheets. They were transparent, so the students could see a lot of activity going on back there. They saw men hammering, sparks flying from blowtorches, and even the blue glow of holograms radiating from the unfinished machines.
Already there were four students playing on the machine, for the arena had the capabilities to allow Tag Team Duels. The students surrounding the machine cheered as someone Special Summoned their Summoned Skull to the field.
Carter rubbed his chin. He was quite disappointed by the holograms. They were translucent and staticky. "Hmm, they're not high quality like the championship tournaments, but I guess it's better than nothing."
Nick smashed his fist against his palm. "Yuri! We gotta play together man. I'm sure we can handle anyone of these chumps."
They heard someone scoff behind them. Patty and Natalya approached them with humored looks on their faces...well, save for Patty who was still upset about Yuri's lack for giving her an answer for the dance.
"If you ask me," Natalya said with a rude snigger, "I think Yuri will be carrying the match."
Nick frowned at her. "Well, nobody asked you," he retorted. He looked at Patty and smiled, studying her from head to toe. He admired how her shirt raised and showed off her midriff with each movement. "Well, look at you," he said smoothly. "Your curves are more...detailed. Have you been working out?"
Patty tilted her head to the side and raised her middle finger, much to everyone's humor. "You going to play or what, Yuri?" she asked.
"Oh, hey, you're talking to me again," Yuri said relieved.
"Just play so we can see your Black Tyranno. To be honest, I'm interested in seeing him more than I am you. So, be a good boy and register while you can. The sign-up lists are coming out the office now as we speak."
"Aw, damn," Nick said, sprinting away. "I'll sign us up, Yuri!"
"What's your problem?" Yuri asked, looking back at Patty.
"It's a yes or no question, Yuri. Is it that hard to answer?"
"Well, no, but-"
"But what? Think you're too good for me because you're the Crown Prince of Aquarius? I thought you were better than that."
"Kind of jumping the gun, don't you think?" Yuri said, upset with Patty's condescending remark. "I don't think of myself that way. And I sure as hell don't think of you as any less. Now look, I'm not the one who left you out in the rain and split with some bimbo to Dubai, so don't take it out on me!"
Patty's lips trembled. Yuri could see tears of hurt bubbling in her eyes. She closed them shut and sighed before turning and walking away. Yuri swallowed. He could hear her sniffling as she walked back to the girl's locker room. He felt a smack to the back of his head.
"Ow!" Yuri cried.
"You idiot!" Natalya shouted. "You just had to bring that up, didn't you?" She ran after Patty, calling her name and telling her to wait up.
Tyson put his hands on Yuri's shoulders. He patted the left one. "You're a real Casanova, Yuri."
"I...I didn't mean to bring that up."
Carter approached cautiously, hoping not to fuel the flames of the situation with a horrible question. But Patty, too, was a dear friend of his. "I haven't known you guys for that long, but what happened?"
Tyson sighed. Yuri cringed when he got a whiff of his sour breath. "Tell him, Yuri," he said.
"In our freshman year, Patty met some guy; the son of a very wealthy man. We all thought he was the one for her. He treated her nice. He bought her lots of nice and expensive things. They were together throughout most of our time here. Right before summer let out last year, his father found some business in Dubai. They had to move away from Aquarius. Patty was so upset. However, the beau promised Patty he would take her with him. He swore to her that they would get married after graduation. For Patty, it was a very big deal. It was her only means of escaping. All her life, she's been beaten and abused by her parents. They've done all they could to keep her from following her dreams. And what she wants to do most of all is be an artist."
"An artist?" said Carter. "She draws very beautiful pictures when she doodles in class."
"Right," said Yuri. "Her boyfriend even told her that he already had her enrolled into this very fancy art school over there. Me and the guys, we celebrated with her with a goodbye party at my house the night before their flight. Later, she had dinner with her future husband, and went to a nearby hotel to...uh... well, fool around, according to Patty anyway. She woke up, and her man wasn't there. He left her a note covered in roses, telling her that he had to take care of some business, and took pack her things and go to the airport. He said that he would meet her there later with their passes. So, Patty went. She stood there for hours... He never came. Even as midnight struck, Patty waited and waited. Poor Patty, texted him hundreds of times. She called everyone he knew. None of them had the heart to tell her what really happened."
"He went without her?" Carter asked.
"He did all that and more," Tyson said coldly. "The next day, the asshole posts a picture of himself in Dubai. With another girl."
"No," Carter gasped.
"I have my own problems," said Yuri. "I have my reasons for not wanting to go to the dance." He looked at his wrist, bearing a horrible scar. "But I was so focused on my own issues that I wasn't thinking about Patty's past experience. She's never really trusted guys since then."
"Is that why she's so mean to Nick?" Carter asked.
Tyson and Yuri found it within themselves to laugh. "Naw, dawg," Tyson said, slapping Carter on the shoulder. "Nick's just an asshole."
Yuri finished chuckling. "Yeah, but that's the way of it, Carter. I think I just made things worse."
"So man up and take her to the dance, Yuri," said Tyson. "Like you said, Patty shouldn't take out her past on you, and you shouldn't either. No one's gonna be there to beat your ass up like last time."
"Sheesh," Carter said, rubbing his hand up and down his head. "You guys have been through a lot."
"Yup," Yuri said with a slow nod. "I better go fix things up with Patty before they get worse." He sprinted out of the gym towards the girl's locker room. He stopped out the door and called from outside. "Patty!" he called. "It's me, Yuri!"
He heard a snivel just around the bend to the locker room. She was close by. "Go away!" she sobbed. "You're just like Max was, Yuri. You're no different than he was!"
"Look, I didn't even give you my answer yet. Besides, you said you didn't care what my answer was."
"I didn't say that, you big jerk! I said it was a yes or no question!"
Yuri turned and slammed his back lightly against the tiled wall. He slid down until his butt touched the ground. "Look, Patty, I'm sorry. I'll go with you."
"It's too late for that! I'm not interested!"
Yuri slapped his forehead then slid his hand down his face. "What do you want me to do? Beg?"
"Ask nicely!" Natalya shouted from within the locker room.
Yuri groaned. "Patty, will you please come with me to the homecoming dance?"
"No, thank you!" he heard her say.
"You can do better than that, Yuri!" Natalya's voice followed after. "Be a gentleman, will you?"
Yuri groaned again, tapping the back of his head against the wall. There were two girls standing outside the gym teacher's office giggling at him. Yuri ignored them and thought of something. "Patty...it will be a great pleasure...if you could...join me for the homecoming dance on Friday." He rolled his eyes. "Please." He said through his teeth with an aggravated groan.
Silence answered his call, followed by the stamping of sneakers coming out of the locker room. Patty and Natalya finally appeared into the hallway. They stood over Yuri sternly. Patty, eyes still red with weep, formed a smile. "Okay, Yuri. If you want to go with me that badly, I suppose I'll let you take me to the dance."
"You suck, Patty."
Patty held out her hand to help him back up on his feet. "Come on," she said. "You've got yourself a Duel to win."
Once they got back to the gymnasium, one of the gym teachers blew on his whistle. "Montgomery! Yuri Montgomery! Where the hell are ya? You either make it to the ring, or you forfeit your turn. You got two minutes!"
Nick as already at the booth shouting out for Yuri to hurry and play. Wasting no time, Yuri sprinted away from Patty and Natalya and into the crowd of students. They cheered once they saw Yuri coming through and parted to make a trail for him. But it wasn't him they were cheering for. "Black Tyranno! Black Tyranno! Black Tyranno!" No doubt his classmates were more interested in Yuri's monster than him. But he cared not. He wanted to finish the Duel as quickly as he could; for he was not fond of the spotlight. He climbed up the stairs to his booth.
"Well, it's about time!" Nick shouted. "You almost cost us our turn."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Yuri said, taking his deck out of his pocket. He set it down on the drive recognizer and a multi-colored circuit board pattern slithered from underneath his cards.
Their two opponents named Marcus and Andre readied themselves as well. Once all four decks were scanned, their holographic Life Point counters hovered over their heads, displaying a score of 2000.
"Call it!" the gym teacher said, holding up a golden coin.
"Heads," said Andre.
"Tails, then," said Nick.
The gym teacher flipped the coin, caught it with his hand, and slapped it over the back of the other. "Heads. Andre and Marcus go first. Keep it clean boys, or your barred from using these machines for the rest of the school year. Let's Duel!"
"I draw!" said Andre. "I summon Griffore in Defense Mode!" He summoned a very mischievous-looking beast, with a body made of a tough, pink, hide and claws. It growled and puffed steam from his round, green, nose.
"Then I set one card face down, and that ends my turn."
"It's your move, Yuri!" said Marcus. "Let's see what that Black Tyranno of yours can do."
Yuri smiled and drew his card. "Trust me, you don't want that. I summon Mammoth Graveyard in Attack Mode!" He set the card on the field. The displays hummed as they projected the image of a giant mammoth skeleton. It bellowed loudly, causing many of the students to cover their ears. Patty shook her head in displeasure, wondering why Yuri would choose to summon Mammoth Graveyard. She was certain he had stronger monsters to play with. Perhaps he was up to something up there in the booth. Or, maybe he just didn't want anyone to see his Black Tyranno anymore.
"I will set these two cards down, and end my turn," Yuri said.
"A Mammoth Graveyard?" scoffed Marcus. "Man, I was hoping to see these big, tough, dinos you got in your Deck, Yuri. Oh, well, I summon Hard Armor in Defense Mode."
Nick started sniggering in his booth. "Yuri, man, they're making this too easy. Look, all they've done was play defensively this whole time. Black Tyranno's special ability lets it attack someone directly if they have nothing but defensive position monsters out, right? It's like they're practically begging you to take them down."
"No, Nick. Black Tyranno's effect works only if my opponent has nothing but defensive monsters on the field. And look, Andre has two cards face-down; Black Tyranno's effect wouldn't work even if I got him out. Not only are these guys probably setting a trap for him, but it looks like they were expecting me to make that poor judgment you have. You have to read the text carefully, Nick."
"Aw man," said Andre. "Looks like Yuri was smart enough to see past our ploy. Guess he's not the noob we thought he was."
"I don't get it," Carter said as Nick summoned a Tiger Axe on his turn. "Why did they expect Yuri to make such a dumb move?"
"A lot of new Duelists make the mistake of never reading the text on their card," said Patty. "Sometimes they cherry-pick the effect. They only see the part they like and use the card as though it was plug and play, without seeing the necessary requirements for the effect to activate. These two guys are total dicks for assuming that Yuri would be that dumb."
"It sure worked on Nick though," Tyson sniggered. "Yuri's going to have a hard time holding this Duel in their favor if Nick is making those kinds of mistakes."
Nick, feeling a little too excited about summoning his first holographic monster, proceeded to make another foolish move. "I attack your monster with-"
"Hold it, Nick!" Yuri said holding out his hand. "We haven't all finished our first turns yet. You can't attack."
"Oh..." Nick said, his face turning red. The other students laughed at him from below.
Patty sighed. "Poor Yuri. With a score that low, I give them both two more turns."
"I choose to end my turn without playing a card," said Andre. "Your move, Yuri."
Yuri drew. "I summon Trakadon, and I'll use her to attack Marcus' Hard Armor!"
Trakadon sprinted towards Hard Armor faster than the wind. The dinosaur looked like a blur of blue and green. In a split second, Hard Armor's chestplate smashed to pieces. Chips of steel and bits of ornamentation scattered in all directions. To anyone who blinked, the attack was over. As fast as he left Yuri's zone, he came back, both feet steaming from the enormous amounts of friction.
The students cheered for Trakadon's attack.
"My turn," Marcus said. He drew. "I summon a monster face-down and end my turn."
"You're both a bunch of wimps!" Nick jeered. "I'll show you what a real Duelist can do! Tiger Axe, attack his face-down monster!"
"Nick wait!" Yuri cried, but it was too late.
Tiger Axe roared and charged for the defensive monster, much to Andre's glee. "He fell for it!" He laughed as Tiger Axe smashed his ax onto something very strong and hard. The monster he attacked was Stone Statue of the Aztecs. The other students groaned at the sight of the monster.
"That he did," said Marcus. "Andre, show them what you've got face-down."
Andre laughed, revealing his two face-down cards. "I activate the Trap Card, Castle Walls, and the Spell Card, The Reliable Guardian. Castle Walls increases a monster's defense by five hundred, and the guardian increases defense by seven hundred. And, any damage you take when they attack Stone Statue of the Aztecs is doubled."
Tyson held out his fingers. "So that's five hundred...six...seven..."
"Twelve hundred points!" Patty grumbled.
The Spell and the Trap raised the statue's DEF to 3200. Nick took 1900 points of damage, bringing him down to his last 100 Life points. Yuri moaned, burying his face into his hands.
"Way to go, tiger," Patty said, holding up her thumb at Nick.
Natalya face-palmed herself. "How could one be so stupid?"
"My turn!" Andre said. "I switch Griffore to attack mode and equip him with the Horn of the Unicorn! This spell will increase his attack points by seven-hundred!"
Griffore grunted and bellowed as a golden unicorn horn appeared on his forehead, radiating with magical lightning. His ATK was now 1900, and to kick Nick out of the game, Andre commanded Griffore to attack Nick's Tiger Axe. Griffore let out a battle roar and charged up his horn. He blasted Tiger Axe with a violent attack of magical lightning. Tiger Axe screeched from the pain and shattered to pieces. Nick's Life Points went down to 0.
"No..." he said, leaning over his playing board. "I...I lost. I'm out of the game."
"Get off the booth then, loser!" shouted Andre. "Let the grown-ups play."
"Sorry, Yuri," Nick said, picking up his cards. "I didn't..."
Yuri held out his hand to silence him. "Just get down from there, Nick. I've had it with you and your overconfidence. Either learn how to play the game the right way, or don't play at all."
Nick said nothing and climbed down the booth. He felt so horrible about his loss that he didn't even stay to watch Yuri play with his friends. He just sulked out of the gymnasium and went down the hall out of view.
"Your partner's hightailed it out of here, Yuri. Now, you got no one to hold you back. You can show us your true potential. Prove to us that your win against Randall wasn't just pure dumb luck."
Patty cupped her hands over her mouth and shouted: "You're going to get everything you asked for and more, Andre! Come on, Yuri! Show them what you've got!"
Yuri drew, and as he did, he couldn't felt but feel a sort of warmth rush over him. He couldn't describe the feeling. Whatever it was, it made him smile and pull back the card with all his might. "Perfect, but first, I activate the Spell Card, Graceful Charity! I can draw three cards, and discard two. Next I summon Sword Arm of Dragon!" Yuri shouted, summoning his prehistoric beast.
"Well that's new," Patty said over the roar of the students, who were finally content with seeing a 'big' monster appear on the field. The dinosaur Yuri summoned was a four-legged monster resembling a stegosaurus, with spikes growing on its head and down its spine that looked like gleaming swords. The end of its tail was shaped like a massive arrowhead, and the dinosaur sported a skin pattern to help it blend in with the golden meadows of its ancient home.
"And that's not all. I play Polymerization, fusing Two-Headed King Rex and Crawling Dragon Number Two together to create Bracchio-Raidus!"
Carter jumped from the awe that overtook him. The sauropod Yuri summoned was tremendous in size. It almost took his entire field. Bracchio-Raidus bellowed majestically. It stomped on the ground to announce it was ready for battle against the stone walls and the beast guarding the life points of Yuri's opponents.
Yuri then used his face-down card, Monster Reborn, to bring back one of the cards he discarded. A ceratopsian dinosaur known as Megazowler.
With 1800 ATK, Megazowler was more than ready to smash through Andre and Marcus' defenses. While his classmates were pleased with the new dinosaurs he acquired for his deck, they were still far from content. The monster they were hoping to see was the Black Tyranno that defeated the Regional Champion. Unless Marcus and Andre had a strong monster in their decks that could take out Yuri's army of dinosaurs, there was no hope in seeing him now, because the field was now full.
Yuri continued with a Spell Card. "Next, I equip him with the Equip-Spell Card, Invigoration! This card boosts the attack of Earth monsters by four hundred points, however, it decreases their defense by 300. With an attack of Twenty-one-fifty, my Sword Arm of Dragon is more than a match for your Griffore! Sword Arm of Dragon, attack!"
Sword Arm of Dragon let out a low-sounding roar and dashed for Andre's Griffore. It smashed its feet on the ground to make a power slide to move to its side, all the while building a powerful momentum in its tale. At the right distance, Sword Arm of Dragon swung its tale at Griffore, smacking it atop the head, breaking the Horn of the Unicorn in half and cracking its skull. Griffore shattered to pieces and left Andre sitting at 1750 Life Points.
"Yuri's ahead of Andre," said Patty.
"But it's still two against one," Natalya added. "Let's see if he can hold up alone."
All throughout the game, Andre and Marcus played defensively.
"Boring! Boring!" the students chanted at them. Earlier they seemed pretty confident that they would win the game, especially with Nick as Yuri's partner. Now, they were just doing what they could to find a way to take down Yuri's Bracchio-Raidus, who was currently the strongest monster on the field. Time was running out; for gym class was almost over, however, Yuri drew a Fairy Meteor Crush which allowed one of his monsters to pierce through an opponent's defenses and deal damage anyway. Just as Yuri brought them both down to their last bit of Life Points, the bell rang.
"Aw, I was winning," Yuri groaned.
Marcus and Andre picked up their cards and dashed away, not wanting to say anything. They didn't lose, but then again, they didn't do a good job of keeping the game in their favor.
"Deckers," Patty said, once Yuri climbed down from the arena. "They talk a big game but lack the skill to back it up. Nice set of monsters you got there, Yuri. Where did you get them?"
"Someone...someone sent to me."
"Really?" Patty said. "Who?"
"A friend of mine," Yuri said walking away, not having the will to tell her that Crystal was the one who sent him his new monsters. He stopped and turned around. "Patty!" he called, just in time before she left the gymnasium. Patty turned. "There's something happening on Friday. Uh...something important."
Patty crossed her arms. "So, you're saying you're not going to take me to the dance."
"I do, but, I've been invited to another affair that night. Is there a way you can join me for both events. The dance and that other engagement?"
"I guess," Patty said, putting a hand to her hip. "What's going on, Yuri?"
"I know somebody..." he said. "Somebody very 'important' on this island. I'll introduce you to her if you promise we can do the dance and her affair at the same time."
Patty raised an eyebrow. "Well...I didn't want to stay the whole night... Okay, Yuri. You've got yourself a deal. But I want you to be honest with me from here on out. You're a pretty weird guy. Secrets, lies. No more of that. I want you to be honest with me from here on out. Will you be able to do that for me if I say yes?"
"Of course I will," said Yuri. He offered his hand. "You have my word. No more secrets."
Patty smiled and gave a nod. She shook his hand. "Good, I'll see you Friday then. And uh...Yuri...thanks." She leaned forward and kissed him briefly on the lips. She giggled, wondering what on Earth she just did. "Uh...sorry...Uh...see ya!"
She turned and walked away, leaving Yuri rooted to the spot. He felt Tyson come up from behind, locking him in a friendly chokehold. "Tyson!" Yuri croaked.
"Ah, Yuri! I see you! I see you! So, you and Patty, huh?"
"It's not like that," Yuri said, forcing himself out of Tyson's arms. He coughed. "It's not like that at all Tyson!"
"What do you mean?" said Carter, waddling towards Yuri and slapping him on the shoulder. "We saw the two of you kissing."
"She kissed me, I had nothing to do with that!" Yuri retorted.
"Come on, lover boy," Tyson said, putting an arm over Yuri and leading him to the locker room. "I've got a few tips I wanna share with you."
"Tips?" Yuri croaked.
"Uh-huh. Now, when you take her home after the dance, you need to love her. Caress her. And make sure you smack that ass, they like that."
"Tyson!" Yuri cried, pushing his arm off.
Nick suddenly burst out of the locker room, already dressed in his uniform. "Nick?" Yuri asked. "Wait up, we..."
Nick shoved Yuri out of the way and left the gymnasium.
"Guys, look!" A boy said pointing at a wastebasket by the door. "I think these are his."
Yuri, Tyson, and Carter looked inside. What they saw broke their hearts. A deck of Duel Monster cards was inside mixed with the water bottles and tissue paper.
"Oh no," Yuri said, picking them up. "Nick's cards."
Yami and Yugi - Grigoris's Castle
October 19 - Year 18 4AOS
Antoinette rolled to her right side in bed. She smacked her mouth and nuzzled her pillow, giving off a soft coo. Yami watched her from an armchair by the fireplace while he fixed his deck. He felt a great sense of urgency to wake her but thought better of it. The poor girl had been through so much already. Even with his phenomenal powers, it was a miracle that she had returned to human form without incident. Anna, as she was called for short, had been inflicted with a powerful curse from the Shadow Realm. And every second she was in her dragon form, she lost more and more of her humanity. She still suffered from it. Every now and then during the night, Yami heard her growling in her sleep and even chewing her pillow as if she was tearing out chunks of meat from a fresh kill. Yami then activated his Millennium Puzzle and touched her on the forehead, finally calming her. But he did not know what good his powers were doing her.
She showed no signs of primal nature for the past few hours, so he felt he was doing her some good. Rays of sunlight were pouring in through the trees in front of the two windows on the fourth wall of her room. The leaves and tips of the branches tapped against the glass. Birds chirped from their perches, but with a happier tune. It was as if all the animals in the forest knew the curse of the banshee was lifted. Yami noticed that the air in the castle was warmer and cozier. Anna gave a yawn and curled up in her velvet red blanket. She seemed to be healed of her animalistic nature. Seeing this, Yami began to nod off and fall asleep. He and Yugi had been awake for hours watching her and healing her. As for Grigoris, he was hard at work summoning the lords of the nearest lands to gather in his hall for a meeting. A meeting to discuss the war going on in the south with Prince Hector and Antilles' decree to keep the Gates closed due to the threat of Rare Hunters jumping through to look for Yuri.
And King Forrest in the north was another grave concern. He knew of his campaign to conquer Akuuda, but Prince Michael and two other princes were already making landfall there to aid Marcel and the Walston Royal Family in securing their lands from their religious invaders. But he feared for Avi. Yami reached into one of the pouches fastened around his left thigh, opened it, and took out a scroll with a message that filled his heart with rage.
Wanted: Dead or Alive
By order of his Royal Majesty, King Forrest III of House Ungard, Ruler of the North, heir to the dynasty of the great bear, and Champion of the Church
A bounty of 100,000,000 in gold, wide lands with a castle and title of Marquis will be given to the noble hero who captures Avellana Lofnmagni Ethelfleda also known as Avi or The Summoner of Dragons.
This evil witch has been chosen by the heretics of the south to be used as a weapon against both the king and the Church of Yeyu. If rumors about her are true, she has the power to call upon True Dragons, foul beasts whom our noble order purged from our world in the name of His Holiness during the second age. This is something we cannot hold to chance. If the stories about this girl are true, she will cause great destruction to both the kingdom and the followers of the almighty Yeyu. Even if these tales of her summoning are pure speculation, she must be captured at once and brought to Naralia to face justice for her crimes of witchcraft and conspiracy against a King of Termnnia.
The Magnificent King Forrest calls upon all warriors to take arms and find this demon at once.
"Demon," muttered Yami."Has he not seen what his people have done here?"
He heard a moan from the bed. Anna held her arm up in a stretch. She opened her eyes. What Yami saw made him worry. Normally, Anna's eyes would have been brilliant green. But they turned odd. One eye was dull white and the other red like the shade on her Eclipse Wyvern form. She yawned and blinked, then rubbed her eyes with her knuckles. Again she blinked until her eyes adjusted. "Yugi?" she whispered. "Is that you? Oh, bless me, it is you!" she cried out in joy. She felt her face. She stuck a finger in her mouth and ran it down her teeth. They weren't sharp anymore. She looked at her hands and arms. No more did she have claws or wings. "Yugi! Oh, Yugi! I'm not a dragon anymore!" She held out her hand. "Look!"
"I am glad you are all right," said Yami, leaning back in his chair. "I must admit..." He yawned. "You had me worried for a second there, love."
"Where am I?" she asked, raising her shoulders up and down. She looked over her shoulder and saw she had no wings anymore. "Can I still turn into it?" she asked.
Yami laughed. Her question stunned him. Even after being in that form for so long, it was quite surprising to hear she was curious about using her gift. She got out of the covers, but she crawled like a beast. She needed to adjust to being human again. She wagged her bottom from side to side, thinking she still had a tail. When she saw she didn't she looked back at Yami, bit her lip, and blushed. "Sorry," she said.
"Quite alright," Yami replied, picking up his deck and putting it back into the case attached to his belt. "You've been through a lot. And being stuck in your Eclipse Wyvern form almost destroyed your mind. Had I come any later, well, I fear you'd be a complete dragon under the mastery of a banshee right about now." He explained everything to her. Grigoris' story. The Banshee's curse, and his need for bringing her home for the sake of marrying Yuri.
"Be his wife? Me? I couldn't be," she said, placing her hand gingerly on her chest. She looked out the window. Anna smiled when she saw two bluebirds singing together outside. "Master, I...I don't know. This is all so very...so...so sudden. I understand my family's history as stewards to the High Kings: our duties, but to be the Queen of Termnnia."
"You must," said Yami. "This is a probability I told you to prepare for since you were very young. Now that it's come to pass, you must accept this arrangement. Believe me, Yuri is an honorable young man. And he still has much to learn during his time here. You can teach him. Do this not for love; for that is a process that will take many years, but for the continent. For duty. These Princess Wars have done nothing but scar alliances, damage militaries, and give land to King Forrest who is using this division to push further south. You have to end these pointless wars for Yuri's hand in marriage. You must do this to strengthen us."
"I will do it," Anna said with a nod. "For Termnnia."
Grigoris stepped inside, dressed in his best. When he saw the girl lying in bed, he stopped at once at the door. His eyes widened. She was awake now and seeing him no longer as a beast. "Anna," he said. "You're awake." Anna was confused. She backed away and concealed herself in the blankets. She looked at Yami, who smiled back and gave a reassuring nod as if telling her to trust the boy. "Anna," Grigoris pressed on moving towards her. He grabbed her hands and placed his on top of them. "It's me."
Anna continued to make faces. She sensed an aura of familiarity coming from him. The way he spoke and walked, but she could not figure out who this handsome, young man was. Not until she recognized the attire he wore. It was much like the one he wore when he was the beast whom she met months ago. She cried out in great joy and held out her arms so he could lean down and embrace her in a warm hug. She felt his face and gazed into his eyes. "It is you," she said. "Grigoris? You're free of the spell, too?"
"As is the castle and all the lands around it," said he, pecking her cheek. "I will start anew from this day on."
"It is a miracle!" Anna sobbed. "You're finally free."
"A miracle indeed, my darling," said Grigoris. "It was Yugi. He was the miracle. I can't thank you enough for what you've done, Yu-Gi-Oh. I am forever in your debt. Whatever you wish of me, I shall grant it."
"If you still have bannermen loyal to this House, see to them at once," Yami said. "I hate to be the bearer of ill tidings on such a glorious moment such as this, but I fear me must come to terms with reality. War is coming to us from the north and now to the south where a rebellious prince is quickly making a name for himself. We must stop him at once, and I'm going to need your knights, champions, soldiers, anything you can muster to help us gather forces in Southern Emboldor in the Coastal Kingdoms."
"It doesn't surprise me houses from those regions would side with this rebel," said Anna. "My father has had many dealings with them before when it came to trade and even demanded me as payment for their services. But I would never think they would stoop so low and go against the Terretar. The High King." She started to bare her teeth and growl savagely.
"Hold it, hold it," Yami urged her, holding up his hand. "Calm down, young one. You still have beastly instincts inside you. The last thing we need is for you to become upset and unleash your anger upon us."
"He is right," Grigoris said, petting the back of Anna's head. "You must learn to control yourself. I have hired a cook from a nearby town. He is making us breakfast. Why don't you go take a warm bath, have a change of clothes, and then meet us downstairs? We will talk more there."
Anna nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, you're right. I will. Thank you. Sorry."
Grigoris kissed her forehead. "You have nothing to apologize for. We all have some changes we need adjusting to. Master Yugi, I've sent the invitations to our meeting already via doves. The lords will be here soon."
"Excellent," said Yami. "I will see that they arrive. In the meantime, you take care of Antoinette." He got out of his chair, bowed, and left Anna's room. Yugi appeared beside him.
"I'm glad things are looking better here," he said. "That was some battle last night."
"Indeed," Yami replied. "All I hope for now is that there are still bannermen loyal to this House."
"If they learn that you're here and have broken the curse, I'm sure they will come," Yugi assured him happily. "Not to mention Anna's father will be in your debt for this as well. He has some of the strongest armies on this side of the continent. We'll give that rebel prince what for. I promise!"
"If only it were that simple," Yami said, forcing a smile. "But I will share your optimism, Yugi. I do hope everyone else is doing well in these trying times."
Yugi held on tightly to his Millennium Puzzle while he stared out the window from the master chamber of the highest tower in the castle. He was pleased to see many barons and other lords have read the invitation to this gathering. He looked to the sky and noticed a golden carriage being pulled by six winged horses in gold armor studded with multi-colored gems.
"Ah, Prince Anastasio has arrived," Yami said, appearing beside him. "Or Stas as his friends call him. I have high hopes for that boy."
"He's been my friend for many years," said Yugi. "As well as one of your brightest students. He seemed really confident in his reply to your letter. Winning the civil war during the summer has boosted his spirits."
"Indeed," Yami replied, slapping his hand on Yugi's shoulder. The carriage landed in the courtyard. The coachman came out and opened the door before kneeling. Yami nodded with a confident grin and said: "He told me after defeating his brother, he felt like he would live to be a hundred. He's a perfect addition to Alliance. With his Dueling Skills and cunning in politics, he's sure to be a thorn in the side of King Forrest and the Dragonheart Party."
Stas finally came out of the coach with two beautiful High-Elf girls in both arms, both of them in dresses of green and red that revealed a lot of their décolletages. The light of the morning sun made their jewelry glisten and the gemstones on Stas' armored robes twinkled with each step he made. He stopped and zipped up one of the girl's dresses, indicating they had a very good time on the way to the meeting.
"He sure hasn't changed," Yugi said with a look of disdain on his face. "Always quite the womanizer isn't he?"
"So he is," said Yami. "But have no worry for him. After his behavior during his school trip to the Citrus Islands, I told him to watch himself. He walked around with a harem of seventeen young ladies and an elf waitress from the bar. The media ate up his behavior like wildfire. Still, he managed to defeat a league of elite Duelists while he was drunk and making love so that says a lot about his skills."
"Don't remind me," said Yugi. "Come on, everyone is waiting for us."
Yugi's puzzle started to glow and then swayed over his chest. "Yu-Gi-Oh!" he shouted. After a bright flash, Yami took his place. He smiled and went downstairs to the dining room where Grigoris had the table prepared for the lords. The legion of cooks he hired started rolling out the food from roasted peacock and a grilled dolphin to the tail of a rock wyvern.
"Master!" Antoinette called out from behind Yami.
He turned to look at her. He was about to wish her a good morning, but her beauty muted him. "Anna. You look amazing," he said. "Your dress is exquisite. Is it new?"
"Do you like it?" Anna said, doing a spin to show it off in its entirety. Her flaxen hair, now flowing with elegant curls, gracefully waved through the air and filled Yami's nose with the sweet smell of pomegranate from the islands of Herculion in the south. "Grigoris gave it to me. He said it belonged to one of the girls who stayed here. It fits me well - look!"
"I see, I see," Yami assured her. "So, how do you feel? It seems you're growing used to being human again."
"It's coming back to me," Anna replied sadly. "But there are times I still think I have a tail. And I chased a mouse earlier trying to burn it with my fire breath, which I do not have anymore."
"You can still use your gift, right?" Yami asked in concern.
Anna looked at the floor and twiddled her fingers. "I can, but I'd rather not do that right now. I still want to regain my human nature before I turn into that thing again."
"It will come back to you," said Yami. "Come, we have much to discuss. Your wedding with Yuri will be one of many topics we'll be speaking about today. Get comfortable my dear, I have a feeling we're going to be in there for a very long time."
"So long as we can iron out the details and make my marriage with Yuri work, I don't mind. After being cursed in my dragonic form for so long, I think it best I had some human interaction for once."
"That's a good girl," said Yami. "No matter how dire the situation, I can always count on your bright spirit to overcome all obstacles. That is why you're going to be queen."
Anna made a wry face and gave a shudder like she was standing out in the cold. "I'm still not used to that."
"It's a big responsibility and a big sacrifice for you - I know. But it is one you must make so that there can be peace in the kingdoms. If we are to work together against Forrest and possibly the Dragonhearts, we must end this meaningless civil war the girls across the continent have waged against one another. Once that is taken care of, we'll deal with whatever plot Antilles and his family are concocting in their keep."
"No need to remind me," Anna replied, looking back up at him and giving a heavy sigh. "So, shall we?"
Yami nodded and held out his arm. Anna did a curtsey before she took it and was walked into the dining hall to join in the discussion for Termnnia's future. A herald by the fireplace slapped both hands on his sides before clearing his throat. "Presenting: The King of Games - Yugi Muto. Lord of the Storm Coasts. And Her Majesty - the beautiful - Princess Antoinette Anna-Marie Trossan of the Kingdom of Bauna."
Anna stopped and bowed as the lords stood up and applauded. Yami smirked and stopped to let her continue to show off for them. When she was done blowing kisses, she and Yami took their place at the head of the table. Sitting on the chairs on either side of the throne Yami sat on were Stas and Grigoris, the host of the party and meeting. He was already feasting. A band from Monde was sitting on the balcony on the floor above and started to play lively music so the lords could eat.
"Master Yugi," Stas said, holding out his hand. "It's so good to see you again. Well, the other you anyway."
Yami leaned forward as he shook the Prince's hand. "You must not speak of that so loudly."
Stas grinned apologetically and bobbed his head. "Of course, my apologies, Master. And who is this beauty I see with you?"
Anna blushed and looked away. Yami cleared his throat. Stas was playing the lovestruck fool again, no doubt. After all, the herald did just announce her name a minute ago. He answered anyway.
"She's Princess Antoinette Trossan of Bauna. Daughter of King Reynolds and the bride I've chosen for Yuri." He said that with the utmost authority. As if discouraging Stas from flirting with her. Anna noticed this and looked at Yami with a sad and remorseful expression.
"Ah," Stas said, reaching for his glass goblet. "I see I've met the future Queen of Termnnia. This is truly an honor. And I congratulate you, Master. You've chosen a beautiful bride for Yuri."
"Thank you," said Anna. "So you're the famous Master of the Precious Dragons. May I ask why they call you that, Your Grace?"
"Well, it has to do with the monsters I use in my deck," Stas replied. He drank his wine and set down the goblet. "My dragons, of course. Have you heard of the Crystal Beasts and the Gem-Knights archetypes?"
"I have," Anna replied quickly. "I run a Gem-Knight deck myself."
"No kidding?" Stas said cheerfully. "Well, my dragons are of a similar fashion, with their motif being around precious gems. Master Pegasus handed them to me as a gift when I was born. He went to visit my father and mother since they are loyal investors in his company. He was carrying the cards with him since he just picked them up after they were printed. When I was brought out to the crib, they started glowing. It was no mere coincidence. My cards, printed when I was birthed, and reacting that way? He decided I was destined to have them - and destined I was. These cards have made me champion in my kingdom." His smile faded and he let out a sorrowful sigh. "Sadly, they were also the cause of the civil war that forced me to end my brother's life last summer."
"What happened between you and your brother was neither your cards' fault or yours," Grigoris said, trying to cheer him up. "Sometimes, greed is a monster no one can beat. After all, he was the oldest and strongest, and since your parents named those dragons the official heirloom of the kingdom. And the jealousy he felt when Master Yugi chose you over him did him no good either. Master, I hope you don't see yourself the blame for that?"
"I do not," said Yami. "Raul was the oldest and first in line to the throne, but I saw darkness in his heart. He was not fit to be a knight of the table nor a friend to Yuri. I gave the boy a chance to prove himself multiple times, and he always failed. I knew he was going down a dark path, but by the time he announced to split into his own little kingdom and go to war with you, there was nothing more I could do for him."
"He needed to be taught his lesson one way or the other," said Stas. He looked at each one of the lords one by one and counted the empty seats. "Hmm, the Marquis of Aeron has not arrived."
"He'll be here," Yami said, though he had his doubts.
The food was neatly placed on the table by the servants. Someone placed soup in front of Anna to compliment the meal. She lowered her head to smell it. She smiled. It was a rich and welcoming scent. She licked her lips and lowered her head even further so she could help herself to the soup...With her tongue as though she were a common dog. When she realized she was making a mistake, she opened her eyes and looked up. Stas, Grigoris, and Yami were staring at her - eyes agape in shock. Stas, however, found it quite amusing and did his best not to laugh at the scene. Anna lifted herself back up and placed her hands between her legs, hunching her shoulders and blushing in embarrassment.
A large ham, coated with honey and adorned with pineapple slices was placed before Anna. Yami saw a look of beastly hunger in Anna's face and feared her dragonic instincts were kicking up again. He placed his hand on hers and set it down gently. He took her knife and fork and began to cut the ham himself. He served her mashed potatoes and a salad. Meanwhile, a servant served her a glass of milk and then sprinkled cocoa powder. He stirred it until it turned a delicious shade of brown and then tossed two ice cubes into it.
Yami set the plate down in front of her. Anna licked her chops and - to Yami's dismay - she buried her face into the meal, making horrible ripping sounds and wet growling as though she was a wolf. Again, she realized she was making a very HUGE mistake. This time, all the lords at the table were looking at her.
Stas looked at Grigoris. "What kind of kinky stuff do you do in this castle?" he asked. He leaned forward so he could whisper to Grigoris. "And can I take part in it?"
Yami cleared his throat all the while raising and lowering his hand as a gesture to get Stas to stop. He tapped his knife against the back of his glass and thanked the lords of the land for coming so quickly. He let them dine first and then allowed for an afternoon's worth of merry conversation. Finally, he could get down to business.
"King Forrest has gotten bolder with his attacks," Yami said. "Elleria loses more and more ground every day."
"I wish we could spare the troops," said the Baron of Green River, who lived not far from Elleria's borders. "But we need to prepare our troops for Emboldor and stand up to the rebel prince, who I've heard is Yuri's cousin."
Yami nodded. "Yes. Hector Delgado. The last male heir of the Fossil Throne of Feldia. He is not of King Salazaar's lineage, but the Delgados are desperate for an heir, especially after all twelve of Salazaar's children wound up being princesses. I don't know who it was who gave him power down in Emboldor, but my money is on Antilles. He's the one behind this."
"That is a lie!" spat the Count of Coal Moat, a land in Dragonrock where Antilles ruled. He wore a red powdered wig and blazing red and gold clothes with the Dragonheart insignia emblazoned on the gold shoulder plates beautifully placed over the sleeves of his coat. "Antilles has always been our trusted friend and ally. Do you not see that Master Yugi is warmongering?"
"You step out of line," said Stas. "And you have your lips so pressed on your king's ass that I can't tell if what you say is true. How much gold did he pay you to sway the minds of the assembly we've made here. And last I checked, you weren't invited to this meeting. Who told you of this?"
"Why, your good friend the Count de Monet did. He informed me as soon as the dove reached your kingdom, Your Grace. And as for you, Master Yugi, on what ground do you base your acquisition against King Antilles Dragonheart?"
"He is right," said the Duke of Red Willow. "As much as I'd like to hang Antilles, what proof do you have that he's behind all this?"
"The war," Yami answered. "This meaningless war." He looked down at his map and tapped his finger at Naralia. King Forrest to the North is doing all in his power to keep the kingdoms occupied with his false claim to the throne. I have just received word that the Summoner I was looking for has made landfall in Termnnia and she just found her second dragon." He held up the wanted poster he found on the way to Grigoris' castle. "And in no time at all, Forrest knew she was here. His spies are everywhere, meaning nowhere is safe for her. He will pay half his vault to anyone who can bring him her head. Avi is a person he will not tolerate alive. The one dragon Avi has found can destroy the invading forces in our lands alone. Now she has two. Imagine what she can do with more. Forrest will not wait to find out. He will move his forces down here with even more ferocity. And Yuri will turn eighteen in two days."
The lords and barons murmured with each other.
"Forrest knows this, too," Yami continued. "He fears this even. And Kaiba's tournament will take place soon and we will see if Yuri's ready to prove to the Senate that he's a capable Duelist worthy of the throne."
"I have read the reports of your scout," said Captain McMillan of the Emboldorian Secret Services. "He has gained victories with that card. That Black Tyranno. I think he has what he needs to win that tournament."
"Yes," Yami agreed. "But, Kaiba will not make this easy for him. Shortly before Antilles and wooed the Senate into closing the Gates, he gave Phobos Corp permission to print hundreds of new cards from our world to theirs. The competition will be tougher now, but I have faith in Yuri, as do all of us. Forrest fears his skills, too. It's all coming together. Avi and Yuri. The two figures Forrest fears are now on the board. He will burn Termnnia to the ground before he sees a king sit on the Diamond Throne before him. And that brings me to Hector to the south in Emboldor. I find it odd that as soon as our forces can hold Forrest back, this young boy shows up and starts a rebellion to claim the Diamond Throne and the God Cards for himself."
"I find it odd myself," said Stas. "And look here." He leaned forward and pointed at the totems that represented the Houses that sided with him and joined his rebellion. "House Tytos. House Merryfield. House Reddawn. Aren't these lords who are in the pockets of King Antilles?"
"He's right," said Anna. "And this House right here, the one with the flaming lion symbol. "That's House Lionheart, one of the Senators in Rassay. And a loyal member of the Dragonheart Party."
"How peculiar," Stas said with a chuckle. "What say you to that, Count?" The count said nothing but kept a confident smirk on his lips to make Stas lose his cool.
"We can sort out who's behind this later," said Yami. "After we have defeated our enemies to the north and south. King Forrest in Naralia. And Prince Hector in Emboldor. Both of them rebels against Yuri's claim to power. And we have Antilles in the heart of Termnnia doing all he can to keep Yuri from coming."
"Of course he is," said the Count. "He sways the Senate to make these decisions law so that you and your band can leave Yuri out of your affairs, and ultimately keep him safe. Because of your interference, Yuri grew up as a delinquent. Do you deny this?"
Yami slammed his fist on the table. The silverware bounced from the impact. He hated it when people reminded him of Yuri's days as an extortionist and a bully. "I have no idea what caused Yuri to turn that way," he lied, knowing Bakura had a great influence in his behavior, "but rest assured, I had no part in it. None of my friends did. I wonder what else Antilles said to you, Count. Yuri's location was supposed to be kept a secret. I suppose not even Kaiba's gold could keep Antilles' mouth shut."
"Antilles had to speak up against your rash decision," said the Count. "What if something were to happen to the boy? Earth is not as secluded as you think it is, Master Yugi. Many cultures and technology we have here were generously donated to us by our friends from that world. Have you forgotten this?"
Yami clenched his fists and growled. "No."
"Well. There you have it. Your secrecy could have cost Yuri his life. Our enemy is smart. They know how to find those they seek. And they will tear every dimension apart to find the prince. Thankfully, Antilles could not be bought and told us all of Yuri's location. Gentlemen, do you not agree that us knowing of Yuri's domain was beneficial to us and to him?"
"At this point, I don't know what to think," said another lord. "But while Yuri's safety is of great concern, it's not the matter of importance. That is not why we have been summoned here today. We need to come up with a way to sway the Senate's decision of closing the Gates and ultimately protect them from Hector. Last I heard, he destroyed three of the five main Gates in Emboldor. One of them was the Gate of Gaia River, which is in the middle of a fortress guarded by a thousand men. And Prince Hector's troops annihilated them."
"You have no need to worry, My Lord," said the Count. "The honorable King Forrest has troops at the last two Gates. Garrisons of ten thousand men and the esteemed Dragon Riders of the Rock, led by none other than my son, of course. Hector would not dare mess with such a force."
"Yes," said a skinny lord with messy brown hair. "How fortuitous that the leader of your party has the Gates sealed up. I'm starting to see he really did have a hand in this. Avi is in great danger so long as she is in Emboldor, and we cannot do a thing to help her so long as our hands are tied up North with Forrest."
"I have guardians protecting her," said Yami. "A party of some of the finest warriors on the continent, including the legendary Ser Gerhalos. She will be safe in their hands, leaving us open to deal with Hector and Forrest."
"I will help," said Grigoris. "I still have bannermen. I will gather as many as I can and march to Emboldor. We'll take on Hector and his men."
"I can lend at least five-hundred-thousand men to aid Antilles' troops in the event something goes sour," said Stas.
"Are you allowed to do that?" asked the Count. "Last I checked, only kings were allowed to have any say with the army."
"I am no ordinary prince," said Stas, ever so calmly. "I am a member of the great Alliance that will come to fruition when Yuri returns. I am a loyal knight of the Royal Termnnian Table. My father surrendered control of the army to me in exchange for Yuri's protection with the God Cards. And speak ill of me again, and I'll cut off the family jewels. Gentlemen, gather your forces. We go to war. Let us decide who goes to which front and do so in a timely manner, please." He looked at Yami and winked. "Master, I will make my leave once the meeting is over."
"I understand," said Yami.
"And with your permission, I would like to bring Princess Anna with me, if that's not trouble."
Yami grimaced at the thought. "Whatever for?" he asked.
"I can help her regain her human qualities. You are a busy man and have many things to do. The last thing you need right now is to potty train a girl who still thinks she's a dragon."
Yami sighed. He didn't want to leave Anna in Stas' hands, but he knew he was right. He had no time to cure her of her disabilities. "Very well," he said reluctantly. "But remember, she has been chosen to be Yuri's bride. I don't want any funny business, Stas."
Stas smiled. "Master. You can count on me." He crossed his fingers behind his back.