Duel Three: ToRn ApArT
The ship was so devoid of life I could hear the swishing of the churning waves several meters down from the deck, calmly hitting the sides of the sea-ridden metal. Minutes ago, Minoru made his way out the of the main room to find no guards had remained on the ship. Assuming the only other human beings aboard were the captain and his crew (although we haven't seen them throughout the voyage, but someone had to work this ship), Ran and I joined Minoru on the deck.
Unknown to us, the duelists and the security guards had left the boat and were now on the island sighted before us. Against the railing, we stared open-mouthed.
I suddenly felt like a character in a castaway novel, but we weren't really castaways. The island (from our perspective) held a variety of terrain and foliage such as lush forests and wasteland beach areas. Minoru and Ran, being the two most into Duel Monsters out of the three of us, started blabbering on about monster elements and field advantages. Of course, they have been teaching me the basics, but that still didn't mean I cared enough to remember it all.
So while they continued being fascinated by the bizarre scenery, my eyes scoured the island for duelists and more importantly, the guards who could force us to return home – or worse, throw is in the ocean to fend for ourselves (though, now that I think about it, that would be pointless being so close to an island.)
"Look! It's a castle!" Ran pointed out as she jabbed a finger toward a medieval-looking architecture, personally, I thought it looked like something out of a fairy tale book or a cartoon.
Upon getting a closer look, we saw through gaps in the trees there was a vast clearing, several people (who I suspected were the duelists originally on the ship) and men in black suits were standing in it, facing the castle.
Gazing at the castle, I saw there was a man, of whom I couldn't really make out, with two bodyguards behind him. I gulped when the sunlight hit his hair, it glinted silver.
He HAS to be Maximillion Pegasus!
"Let's head down there!" I cried, Minoru and Ran jumped, but when I mentioned Pegasus, Ran nodded in understanding – Minoru, on the other hand, became extremely excited.
"I'm getting his autograph – I have to since I couldn't get Weevil's…" Minoru's rambling trailed off as he figured out neither of his girl companions were listening. We tore our eyes from the island and began searching for a way off the ship. Several minutes later, we did.
Keeping an eye out for men with shades, we dropped down a level and came across the ramp still lowered down to the island. With our hearts thumping madly in our chests, I led the three of us down it. Paranoia making us sweat and every noise made, our heads would spin in the direction we thought it came from. Clutching the straps of my backpack and biting my bottom lip, as soon as my sneakers hit the grass I tore across the ground until I was safe behind some bushes.
Panting, Minoru and Ran were right behind me.
"That was weird, there wasn't anyone on the ship at all-" Ran stopped short, her eyes wide on something behind me. Minoru froze as well, his mouth hanging open.
"Brats, I knew we didn't miscount," it was the security guard – Kemo was it? – who was standing behind me, if there were more men I wasn't sure, all I knew was that my heart was pumping in my ears and my throat was swelled shut. Sweat beaded around my temples as I gazed anxiously at Minoru and Ran.
"Run!" I choked out and the three of us bolted, the man's hands swinging through air where I had been seconds before. Tearing through the undergrowth, we were virtually separated, but wisps of one another's clothing reminded us where each other was.
Terrified out of my mind as I felt the vibrations of the boots of the approaching security guard on the ground, I picked up the pace. I felt no pain, just tons of energy pumping through my veins. My backpack, which had been weighing me down until now, was rather weightless. I was oblivious to how my breath had vanished and my lungs were clenching at whatever oxygen they could grasp.
Without knowing it, my eyes began to blur and I thought I saw a bunch of people, but right when I was about to clear another bush, I slipped and I felt a thump to my head dull my senses.
Heaving, air rushed down my windpipe and just as quickly as I had fallen, someone strong grasped the back of my jacket and pulled me up in a choking hold.
"Hey! Quit it! You're strangling her!" someone cried, automatically my hands started clawing at my collar and trying to breathe. My eyes fluttered open and I spotted the same girl I had seen on the ship with her three male friends. Remaining silent, Kemo dropped me into the girl's arms and the brunette fell into Tristan and Joey.
"Penny-chan!" Putting me down on my feet, Tea smoothed out my hair and asked if I were all right.
"So you're Penny-chan?" Tea asked, I became aware Ran was standing next to me, worry evident in her face. Minoru was no where to be seen, but I heard Yugi and Joey arguing in the distance. I nodded mutely, the wind having been literally knocked out of me.
"Put me down!" Minoru cried, apparently another guard is doing what Kemo had done to me and Yugi and Joey were demanding Minoru be let down. At least Minoru was being suffocated, otherwise he wouldn't be talking.
"Put 'em down dimwit! Yer gonna kill 'im!" snarled Joey.
"Please put him down, he didn't do any harm that I know of…" Yugi's softer voice trailed off as Joey grew more agitated and eventually led to cursing until the guard's ears rang.
"Joey!" Tea scolded, but fortunately by this time the guard released Minoru and Joey quit swearing.
"Was that so hard?" the blonde asked, the guard glared at him.
"These three are returning to the ship, no exceptions." Kemo growled, I shook my head.
"Why can't we stay?" finding my voice again, I challenged Kemo. Back talking was a no-no at home and to my elders in general, but to this guy, I figured there were my exceptions.
"I thinks it's obvious, not only did you stowaway, you're underage and without a gauntlet. You are NOT permitted here and will receive proper punishment once you return home, along with a call to your parents." Explained Kemo with a wicked smirk marring his features.
"A call home is punishment enough…" Minoru managed as he rubbed his neck.
"Please, sir, we just wanted to watch." Ran tried, her voice uncertain.
"Yeah, and besides, Penny wants to speak with Pegasus bout something, doncha?" Minoru gazed over at me, I gave him a hard look and he immediately clamped his mouth shut. Kemo's smirk widened.
"What could a five-year-old-"
"Eight-year-old," Minoru, Ran, and I corrected in unison, Kemo chose to ignore us.
"-possibly have to say to Pegasus-sama?" Kemo questioned, his eyes watching us from behind his dark shades.
"I don't see why they have to tell you," Tea cut in, "it's their business – not yours,"
"Oh, what are they to you?" Kemo challenged, Tea frowned.
"They're our younger siblings," Tea lied rather genuinely, Tristan, Joey, Yugi, Minoru, and Ran gave her astonished looks, I resisted a smile. "We hid them because we knew you wouldn't allow them. And besides, they wanted to come and see Yugi win."
"Interesting, so you're all accomplices," Kemo said, his voice smothered in arrogance. He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Well, in this case, you ALL should be sent home for breaking so many rules within the first hour of the tournament."
I didn't think he believed the whole sibling story, but was using it to his advantage to take the duelists off the island.
"Don't bother Kemo sir," the other guard, who had been holding Minoru, said. A walkie-talkie in one hand, "Word from the top said let them come, he wants the duelist Yugi Mutou to get to his duels."
I barely registered what he said, had he been speaking with the Pegasus or a guard close by to him?
"Fine," snapped a reluctant Kemo, his face slightly distorted in frustration.
I guess I'll have to find my own way to Pegasus, I thought as I turned my gaze up toward the castle.
"I wouldn't have sent you home anyway, let the brats see the great Yugi Mutou fall!" Kemo snarled loudly before turning away, he and his comrade left the group alone. Along with Minoru and Ran, I sighed in relief.
"Thanks for the help," Ran said gratefully, her eyes gazing up at Tea with admiration.
"It's no problem, but why are you kids here anyway?" Tea asked, I huffed.
"Kids? You don't even look like you're out of high school yet," I observed, Tea frowned.
"Sorry, you're right. But still, why are you here? If not to duel, than what?"
"To watch," Minoru answered honestly, at least for him. Ran was determined to help my case, but I eyed the group. They seemed like a normal group of teenagers to me, what was so great about the height-challenged one though? Apparently he was something special because Minoru instantly went into fan mode.
"Can I have your autograph?" asked Minoru as he suddenly appeared before Yugi, Ran and I rolled our eyes. Yugi seemed slightly flustered and unsure of how to react.
"Uh-sure…?" Yugi said as he took Minoru's offered notepad and pen.
"Yugi Mutou? Why do you want his autograph?" I asked honestly, Minoru, and Yugi's gang looked at me with eyes as wide as table saucers.
"How do you not know about Yuug?" Joey asked, dumbfounded. Ran glowered at him in my defense.
"Hey, she doesn't know a whole lot about Duel Monsters," she growled, Joey glowered back.
"So?"
"He defeated the Duel Monsters Champion, Seto Kaiba." Tea informed me patiently, if not with a hint of disbelief.
"Seto Kaiba?" I repeated, another name I should probably know no doubt. True to what I thought, I got another strange look, but not from Ran or Yugi. After signing the notepad and handing it back to Minoru, Yugi looked at me – we were practically the same height! Wow!
"So…you're here to speak with Pegasus?" he asked, a dark flicker in his large, violet orbs appeared. The look was so stark in contrast with Yugi's innocent figure I didn't know what to make of it. It reminded me of how Bakura had his little transformation – then I recalled (and noticed again) the upside-down pyramid hanging around Yugi's neck.
What does it all mean? Of course, if I was LIKE the majority of my age group, I would have watched a few or so shows covering the supernatural and unsolved phenomenon. I probably would have guessed Yugi and Bakura might have been suffering from a sort of bipolar disorder (scientifically speaking) if I read the right books from the library (remember my dad's office is off-limits – not that it never stopped me before.) Yet I would never have guessed the Millennium items (or so what Bakura had stated) were linked to unknown Egyptian history and their trapped souls were set at their alter egos.
So therefore, I am completely and blissfully ignorant.
For now at least I suppose.
"Yeah," was my reply.
"About-" Joey was cut off by Tea.
"Hey, it's not like we're spilling our guts, if anything, we should relay our trust first." She snapped, the boys instinctively backed away from the brunette before Tea returned her gaze to us.
"Ignore him, he's our group idiot." She said casually, Joey fumed.
"Hey! You're always the one being all wishy-washy-"
"I don't believe we've been properly introduced, let me start, I'm Tea Gardener." Claimed the brunette with a cheerful smile, Ran positively beamed up at her – forget Yugi, Tea was her role model as Minoru looked up to every famous duelist.
"Yugi Mutou – even though you already know me." Said the smaller of the four, Joey made a face at us.
"Name's Tristan Taylor, loudmouth here is Joey Wheeler. Don't worry, he loves kids." The other brunette piped up, the blonde turned on him.
"What? Says who!"
"Well, the way you are with your sister-"
"Shuddup!"
"I'm Penny Kimura," I said, my social skills improving – or at least that was how I felt, I don't feel as awkward as I did around Ran the first time we officially spoke. Then again, these high schoolers might just be around my maturity level, well, at least Tea, Yugi, and Tristan anyway…
"No one gives a da-" as if one cue, Joey shouted before Tristan put him in a headlock.
"Kids, man! Kids!" Tristan bellowed in his ears.
"Ran Kamelate,"
"Minoru Ito, we're more than happy to tag along with you guys!" Ran and I peered over at Minoru, he was on the verge of launching to the moon from the way he was bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet. We exchanged sighs of exasperation.
"Sure, tag along all you want." Yugi said happily, but for some reason his three companions (Joey had been released from Tristan) exchanged unsure looks. As if they weren't certain if the three of us kids would be safe with them or not.
"Um, Yuug?" Joey started, but Yugi only nodded.
"It'll be fine as long as we avoid the shadows." Yugi said, I was suddenly under the impression they were speaking in secret codes now since I was completely lost. Were they trying to say we were afraid of the dark or something?
I crossed my arms, the more questions popping into my head from my bizarre experiences so far were bloating up my original purpose of being here in the first place. I just wanted one answer, but I found that sinister doors were starting to open and I was beginning to think to get to the one answer I want I would have to solve several others first.
Did these Millennium items, by chance, have any relevance to the situation at hand?
"Um, hey, Yugi was it?" I said a few moments later, the group (led by Joey and his nose) had begun walking in the direction of the lush forest we had seen from the ship. The shorter member of his gang glanced back at me and slowed down to speak with me.
"Yes?"
Wow, awkward, to be honest, I was expecting to be pushed aside after the introductions were put out. Yet it seemed this Yugi guy was as nice as his first impression made him out to be. My horribly lacking social skills were returning and I was beginning to feel flustered. Perhaps, even though I don't understand the whole extant of the dueling world, knowing he was someone important ruined what skills I had been developing and threw them out the window.
I was suddenly tongue-tied and very embarrassed since practically everyone was within earshot.
"N-Nevermind…" I trailed off, my heart beating so quickly I couldn't look the Mutou boy in the eyes. Ran and Tea glanced at me slightly, Ran was frowning and Tea seemed to be trying to analyze something. Being the boys they are, Tristan, Joey, and Minoru were talking animatedly about (what else) duel monsters and totally oblivious to my attempt at conversation.
"Oh, okay, whatever it is, don't be shy to ask okay?" He seemed to be speaking from experience, since from what I can see (in comparison to Tea) he wasn't nearly as bold and loud-mouthed as his friends. He picked up his pace again to walk beside Tea, his hands clutching his school backpack's straps.
I looked down, trying to relax again. That confrontation was a little too much, unlike with Ran, Yugi was swift and ready to speak whereas Ran was unsure of how to speak with me as a fellow classmate and not as the school's antisocial loner.
Then again, the feeling that someone was so intently trying to talk with me did lighten my spirits and quickly enough, courage began to well up inside me and encouraged me to try once more to talk with Yugi.
My hesitance from before bit me in the butt.
"Hey, Yugi." It was a snide voice, one that sounded somewhat familiar. Minoru quickly acted on my unspoken confusion.
"Weevil Underwood!" His breath seemed short-circuited from excitement (I believe at some point within the hour if we keep confronting well-known idols we'll be forced off the island by a hospital helicopter,) but tension instantly fogged up the atmosphere and – by some God-given miracle – Minoru sensed it and refrained from launching into fan mode.
"What do ya want you Bug freak?" Joey growled, I looked up at Tea and Tristan and found them glaring angrily at the bug inspector as he approached. Of course, I HAD to glare to – what kind of fashion taste was that? Seriously, even in his elementary days that kind of haircut could not have been popular!
The duelist was only a few inches taller than Yugi, but the tension was so thick a spider could spin a web out of it – no pun intended, no, wait, spiders aren't insects…wait…would they be considered bugs?
God, if I weren't so brilliant I would wish I were a normal kid with a normal mediocre IQ level who wouldn't think with so much abnormal intellect.
"A duel," he said simply, jabbing a finger at Yugi with eyes only for him, the rest of us could be bushes for all he cared. Apparently something happened between them, this couldn't just be some battle sparks or friendly (if not a little aggressive) sportsmanship combating between the group and Weevil.
This was something I did not want to be a part of. I tugged at Ran and Minoru's sleeves impatiently as the chit-chat between the duelists mounted and grew perilously close to the level of a lightning storm. They even began to follow Weevil into the dense undergrowth where I cared not to be. Minoru glared at me and Ran even seemed somewhat disappointed.
"What is it?" Minoru snarled, obviously worked up over this upcoming duel between two of his favorite duelists and the fact I was fastening him from running after them.
"We need to stick to the reason we came here for," I replied, but Minoru didn't want anything of it.
"I didn't really come here for you and you KNOW that," he growled without concern as his words struck straight and true, I was taken aback. Ran's eyes softened, but I could tell she wanted to watch as much as Minoru did.
"Y-Yeah, I do…" Houston, social skills are plummeting!
My hands fell from their sleeves and Minoru took off after the departing group, I stared up at Ran to find that her eyes were shifting from me to Minoru's rapidly departing back.
"Look, I want nothing to do with this tournament," I began, Ran suddenly seemed painfully hopeful, "go ahead and watch,"
Ran frowned.
"You HAVE to come with us then! You can't go around this island by yourself, what if you get caught and everyone will be in trouble – what about Yugi-"
"What about him? And none of those decisions were made with me! Don't tell me what to do! For once in my life I escaped being TOLD what to do and someone like YOU is NOT going to take that away from me! I came here to speak to Pegasus! Not watch a bunch of stupid kids play fancy card games with ugly monsters!" I snapped, frustrated beyond reason that my young mind was unaware of. Flustered and more uncertain than ever, all I felt was anger boiling and sweltering beneath the surface, Ran looked shocked and hurt at the same time.
"I-I thought you liked duel monsters?" she said almost as if she were questioning me, I peered over her shoulder and saw Minoru was nearly out of sight.
"If you want to watch so bad then hurry up and g-go or you won't see them anymore!" Panicked and choked up, I made the decision for her and began walking away. "G-Go ahead! I-I don't need any of you stupid brats with me anyway!"
Worked up and mad, I stomped away in the direction of the castle, leaving Ran to cower at a crossroad. When I came to the realization of what I had done and said, I was already half a mile into the forest away from where I parted with Ran and Minoru. My heart was still pounding, but it felt like it was tearing in two.
And for the first time, I realized as I plopped down rather ungracefully at the base of a tree with my face buried in sleeves, I wished I were back at home.
Even if I were to be grounded and isolated to my room for the rest of my miserable life.
A/N:
Do you ever recall those immature, childish moments when you were little and just shake your head at it and then think 'what the crap, I acted like that?' My parents recently reminded me of how I used to BAWL over growing pains when I was...seven? Six? Along with that and actual children behavior references, this chapter was born. Since I'm not writing a cheezy romance fanfic or angsty drama story, I really wanted to make this story realistic since I have an real-like seven-year-old sister (plus a six-year-old brother, my other sister is sixteen but she doesn't have much of a role in this tale, sorry) I can reflect back on. To be honest, Penny isn't based on my little sister nor is Minoru based on my little brother, but children are fiends by nature and unlike what movies and cutesy shows reveal to y'all, they're not NICE!
WARNING RANT: start
Yeah sure, you might come across the sweetest little girl in blonde pigtails EVA and the occasional lil boy who will walk an old grandma across the street (wtf it's the 21st century, who does that anymore?), but from a parent's POV she may be the worst kid to bathe or feed. Not to mention diapers are LITERALLY dirty business, here's my advice - DON'T HAVE SEX AND HAVE KIDS DAMNIT!!! Especially if you're in high school and/or in college! GO TO AND FINISH COLLEGE! Kids are for the responsible, not for idiots who just go out and breed some more idiots! Please! Spare the intelligent people! One of my little-to-no-brains friends from high school (last year) wanted desperately wanted to lose his virginity (idiot right?) and hooked up with a girl who just as desperately wanted to get pregnant (she had originally had 2 miscarriages - are the alarm bells going off here folks?) and guess what? A few weeks ago, I had been informed she was FOUR MONTHS PREGNANT and a senior in high school while her current bf isn't in college like he said he would be! I beg of you! I don't care what your beliefs are! Have sex for the first time and you break up with that guy (or girl to whoever I'm speaking to) you had your first-time intimacy with and you will shatter! If you're in a mature relationship, having sex shouldn't even be a daily conversation topic!
If you're a lemon reader or writer! Please understand PROTECTION IS FREAKING IMPORTANT! Listen to Van Wilder and slip on a Trojan for crying out loud! I'm sick and tired of hearing about my friends and people I used to respect get pregnant and putting their lives on hold! Not to mention making the poor child live out a miserable life (not all families are supporting)!
My mom runs a DAYCARE in our house! I'm only without kids when I'm on campus (I commute) and let me tell you from an 18-year-old's POV -
THEY'RE A PAIN IN THE ASS!
"I'M A VIRGIN, YOU AIN'T GETTING ANY!"
Pass it on (from an actual T-shirt)
RANT: end