Note 1: Disclaimer in Ch 1

Note2 : […]= Yami Yugi to Yugi

(…)= Yugi to Yami Yugi

Note3: (Slight spoiler for series)

I will occasionally call the Yami Yugi/The Pharaoh Atem in the narrative and descriptive parts just because its easier to write out then the other two are. I'm aware that none of the characters know that name at this point.

Chapter 4: Machinations

At Yugi's Place:

Everyone is once again waiting for Duke's announcement. Atem is pacing around his soul room.

(Pharaoh, please your giving me a head ache.)

[Sorry Yugi. It's just who knows what Duke will do with us onto him.]

(He'll probably cut his losses and make sure he's in the next duel.)

[Your right. I'm still worried about whether he'll change the order for next round or not.]

(I don't think. At least in our case anyway. People are going to want to see us against Kaiba.)

[Right. *beat* Damn.]

(What?)

[He manipulated things to make sure we faced Kaiba early on.]

(Looks that way. Poor Mokuba though, there are other people Kaiba could beat with out any problems, but that was a bit much.)

[Yes. There may be more than just Duke's plan at work here.]

At this point the announcement come on.

Duke: All right everyone the next match will be Joey Wheeler against yours truly. See you then.

Joey was grinning. "All right. Time to make pretty boy wish he'd never thought of this tournament."

If Joey'd known why started the tournament he would really wished it'd never started.

(Well, that really proves Duke is manipulating things.)

[Really, I mean Duke humiliated Joey throughly last time. Why challenge him again. If Joey wins this it would really mess things up for Duke.]

(Serenity. Duke dueling Joey grantees that she'll be at the duel.)

[….You don't think..]

(The point of this entire thing must be about getting her attention.)

[…..]

(What?)

[We can still play right.]

(Of course Pharaoh. Dueling about the only thing you get to do. I'm not going to take that away from you.)

[…..Thanks a lot]

(Heh)

Two Days Later: Tournament Arena

Once again Atem tracks down and confronts Duke.

"You realize how obvious you just made yourself." accused the Pharaoh.

"I do. I just wanted to make sure I was in my own tournament. I'll let the voters decide now, honest." Duke explained.

"You better be telling the truth." Atem glares ominously and disappears towards the arena.

Duke and Joey approach the center of the arena.

"Good luck big brother." Serenity called.

"Ready to lose again 'puppy'." Duke laughed.

"I thought we were past that." Joey growled.

"If you keep growling like that were certainly not." Duke joked.

Kaiba looked confused. 'Why is he calling Wheeler a dog.'

Atem notices Kaiba's reaction and explained.

"Before Battle City Joey lost a duel and a bet to Duke. Duke made him act like and dress like a dog."

Kaiba blinks and goes back to waiting for the duel to start. His thoughts linger however on what he's learned. 'That's my name for Wheeler and…. WHAT, what on earth am I thinking!'

Kaiba becomes flustered and decides to stand a few rows back from the match.

"Alright, let's start this." Duke says.

"Fine with me." Joey agrees.

Duke: 4000

Joey: 4000

30 minutes in:

Duke: 200 (Orgoth the Relentless, no spells/ traps)

Joey: 100 (Red-Eyes , one face down card)

"This ends here" Duke cries launching his attack.

"Yah it does, but not for me." Joey says revealing his face down card.

The card is skull dice. The dice land on 4. Orgoth's attack falls to 2100. Red Eyes attacks and Joey wins. Duke hands over Orgoth.

"You have multiple copies of this anyway don't you." Joey says.

"Yes." Duke admits bluntly.

"Way to go big brother" Serenity gives Joey a big hug.

Duke slips away. 'Well at least since Joey's still in she'll keep coming to his matches.' Duke smiles at this thought.

Day of Next Announcement:

Duke goes to look at the polls. He's kept his word and not done anything to them. He reads the results. Tristan vs Serenity. 'Wha…' He has no idea how this happened.

2 Days Later, Arena:

Atem and Duke run into each other again.

"I had nothing to do with that." Duke stated.

"I know, that's the last duel you'd want to have happen. I should warn you, Tristan things you did it on purpose." Atem explains.

"Idiot" Duke breathes and huffs off to the arena.

Tristan stops him. He yells out "DEVLIN"

"What" Duke stops.

"What's this about."

"It's not my doing, why would I want you two to being spending that much time close to each other for any reason." Duke says.

"You've got a point. But why would anyone want to see us duel at all. Who'd have heard of us?" Tristan question.

"I honestly have not idea." Duke admits. "Now hurry, the duel's starting and I willdisqualify you if your late."

"Fine" Tristan runs of toward the main arena.

At Arena:

"Its time everyone." Duke announces. "Let the duel begin."

20 Minutes Later:

Serenity wins. Tristan gives her Cyber Comander.

"Isn't this.." Serenity questions.

"It's fine, its not to rare I'll get another one." Tristan assures her.

Meanwhile Kaiba goes up to Joey.

"She did better than you did."

"Shut it Kaiba"

"I mean Taylor is weaker than Devlin, but still.."

"Listen rich boy, she did pretty good against that Nesbit guy from your company too."

Kaiba walks away. He'd know Wheeler's sister had gotten stuck in Noa's world with them, but he hadn't thought she'd actually had to duel.

Joey yells after Kaiba that he's not done with him yet, but is ignored.

Duke is in shock. If he'd beaten Wheeler he would have had to face her. He's almost glad he lost, almost. Because no she'll have to face her brother. He's beginning to regret what he started. He also needs to find out how the hell the match ended up happening.

Next Time: The last matches of the first round bring in some opponents who our heroes would rather have not run into agai