I'm a little sad that I only got one review for the last chapter, but as long as I know at least one person is reading and enjoying the story then that good enough for me.

So to Beastboyfangirl I say thanks for the awesome review.

Chapter 3: Duelists Gather

The next morning Wheeler yawned and stretched as he woke the next morning. He glanced around the room to find that he was all alone. The remains of discarded blanket and pillows the only indication that anyone had been there the previous night. Not awake he lazily removed himself from his makeshift bedding. Still dressed in the white shirt and flame red bottoms he wore last night, he sluggishly walked downstairs. As he did he could hear the sound of bacon sizzling, and the delicious scent of fresh pancakes and eggs Benedict.

He headed to the kitchen to find the others already up and dressed, and sitting down waiting to eat.

Serenity was the first to notice him as he sluggishly walked in, still rubbing his eyes.

"Good morning big brother," she said with a sweet smile on her face.

The others turned realizing the last of their group had awoken and bid Joey a good morning. Joey smiled as much as he could through his sleep induced daze, and held up a hand giving them all half heated wave. "Why didn't you guys wake me?" he yawned.

"We tried, but you wouldn't wake up," said Gi.

Joey smiled sheepishly. It was well know that he was a very heavy sleeper. As he plopped down in the seat next to Yugi he caught sight of a familiar item dangling around his friend's neck, and it sparked a question in his mind. "Hey Yug how'd you get the millennium puzzle back anyhow, last I remember it and the other millennium item's all feel down a bottomless hole in that pyramid in Egypt." It was shortly before Joey was summoned to join the Planeteers that the group had been invited to Egypt by Ishizu Ishtar who and informed them that in order for the spirit inside Yugi's puzzle to be freed and return to where it belonged, he had to be defeated in a duel in the pyramid where the Millennium Items were held. With the power of the Millennium items Yugi was able to duel, and win against his other self. When the duel was over the pyramid they were dueling in collapsed and the millennium items had been lost.

Yugi's face took on a slightly somber face at the mention of the group's last adventure together. "Actually it's not the real millennium puzzle, it's just a replica my grandpa made me." While Yugi was happy that Atem had finally been able to find the peace he so right disserved, he still missed his other self greatly. Atem had been more than just a friend to him, more than a mentor, he was a part of him, and in a way so was a millennium puzzle.

His grandfather sensing his grandson's depression over the loss of his other self he had decided to do what he could to help, and made him a new millennium puzzle. Even though Yugi knew it wasn't the real millennium item, and even if it was it would not contain the spirit that had helped guide him and was so close to him, the feel of the familiar object around his neck helped gave him confidence in himself, and a sense of security.

Joey nodded, he was about to ask another question when Mr. Moto, who had finished frying up the bacon, served him a plate, which he gladly accepted with a warm smile and a thank you, before shoveling in food as fast as he could.

While everyone else ate a normal sized meal, both Tristan and Wheeler engorged themselves shoveling in food like it was their last meal. Each eating enough to feed at least three people.

"Wheeler slow down. You are going to choke," said Linka. Though she and the Planeteers where all used to Joey's insatiable appetite, it didn't stop her from trying to get him to be more careful about eating so much, so fast.

Wheeler swallowed the food in his mouth. "I can't help it Linka. It's been a long time since I had food like this," he said, shoveling in another mouth full.

Gi leaned over and whispered to Tea. "Has he always been like this?"

Tea giggled and smiled. "Ya, pretty much."

After breakfast everyone packed their bags to leave for the tournament. The building where the tournament was taking place was an upscale five star hotel, and while the tournament was taking place the duelist would be given free commendations. Even though the tournament didn't actually start until tomorrow, it was required that all duelists check in at least the day before.

Once they were all set they all gathered by the door to leave. Yugi and Joey were both wearing their duel disk on their wrists. Joey was surprised and thankful that his still worked after not using for so long.

Yugi turned to his grandfather. "Well we're all set. Wish us luck Grandpa."

Mr. Moto smiled. "Good luck my boy, and god luck to you to Joey."

Joey smiled and nodded. "Thanks gramps. You're gonna be there when the tournament starts right?"

Mr. Moto smiled. "Of course I am. I wouldn't dream of missing seeing my two best students duel."

Gi walked over and bowed to Mr. Moto. "It was very nice to meet you Mr. Moto, and thank you for letting us stay the night."

Mr. Moto smiled. "No need to thank me, it was my pleasure." Truth be told he had enjoyed having the group here. Even since Joey and the others had all gone their separate ways two years ago the shop had been so quiet. It was nice to hear it filled once again with the laughter of children. Granted none of them were children anymore.

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It took more time than they thought it would, but they finally managed to locate the building for the tournament in the upper part of town. The building was a tall white building with numerous windows along each side, and almost blended in with the other tall buildings that surrounded it. On the front was the letter's LP. Outside the building was a long line of duelists all waiting to gain access to the building.

"I've never seen this place before," said Joey.

"That's because it's new," said Serenity. "They just built it last year."

Joey looked up at the building. For some reason that he couldn't explain there was something about the building that sent a shiver down his spine. 'LP? Why does that sound familiar?' Shrugging it off he, Yugi, and the others took their place at the back of the line.

It took them almost an hour to get to the front of the line. When they finally reached the front they were met by a bald man in a black business suit and sunglasses. He had a stern look on his face, and a clipboard in his hands. Next to him was a long table with a green silk table cloth over it, stacked with identical boxes that were a foot long and half a foot high and wide.

"Names?" said the man.

"Yugi Moto."

"Joey Wheeler."

The man glanced down at the clipboard in his hands before nodding. He picked up two boxes from the table and handed them to Yugi and Joey. "Here are you duel disks."

"That's ok we already have some," said Yugi, holding up the duel disk strapped to his wrist that he receaved years ago during battle city.

"These are new models made specifically for the tournament," said the man. "If you want to participate in the tournament you must use them."

Yugi and Joey both raised an eyebrow, but shrugged it off. They opened the boxes and took out the new duel disks. They were certainly different than the ones they were currently using. They both were smaller and lighter. The overall design had been changed as well, making the edges curved instead of straight. Instead of it being made of two parts that combined together into one to create the card holders, it was now one piece that slide out. In the middle was a turquoise colored gem. The whole thing reminded Joey a bit of the duel disks that Darts and his henchmen had used long ago. Joey shook the horrible memories of those dark times from his mind and slipped the device onto his arm.

Armed with their new duel disks the group entered into the lobby of the hotel. The room was far bigger on the inside then it looked on the outside. Even with the long line outside the inside of the building was already packed with people. There was a large open stage area in the center of the room that was blocked off by velvet ropes, and the walls were lined with elegant banquet tables filled with various types of foods. Nearly everyone in the room was wearing the new version of the duel disk just like Yugi and Joey, and carrying a deck somewhere on their person. Some even had multiple decks.

Joey took the time to look around at the duelist assembled. There were a few duelist that he recognize but most of them where people he had never seen before. 'Guess I'm out of touch,' he thought.

"Well, well, if it isn't the geek squad."

Joey stopped in his tracks, instantly recognizing the sharp and cold voice. A voice that brought bad memories to the surface of his mind. 'Only one guy could be that annoying.' "Kaiba," he sneered.

The entire group whirled around and sure enough standing a few feet behind them and the others was none other than Seto Kaiba. Looking just as cruel and devious as the last time Joey had seen him.

Kaiba gave Joey a look of curiosity and contempt "Do I know you?" he asked wondering how the red haired boy whom had never seen before knew his name.

Joey smirked. "What the matter? Don't recognize me rich boy."

Kaiba's eyes widened in realization. Only one person had ever called him that name. "Wheeler?"

Joey smirked, crossing his arms over his chest, his stance taking on a more casual look. "You were expecting maybe Marik."

Yugi looked back and forth between the two duelists, glancing at his friend in concern. He saw Joey's fist tighten to the point that the knuckles began to turn white, and Kaiba had a terribly hard look in his eye, one he remembered him wearing when beginning a fight. He wanted to say something to stop them, but he hadn't the faintest idea what to say even if he found her voice.

The two stood there saying nothing as they simply glared at each other, each attempting to size the other up. The temperature of the room seemed to suddenly drop, as the atmosphere between the two quickly becoming tensed and strained.

"I see you finally cut that ugly rug you call hair," mocked Kaiba.

"I see yours is still just as ugly," retorted Joey, the lightness in his tone fading fast.

Kaiba growled low under his breath, but the look of anger on Kaiba's face quickly faded, and quickly turned into a smirk. and grinned from cheek to cheek. "You know Wheeler. I must say I'm surprised to see you here. Last I heard you'd quit dueling, and ran off with your tail between your legs." He said, not hiding the grin on his face.

"Don't believe everything you hear Kaiba." said Joey, getting right in the billionaire's face. There was a hardness in his voice, just under the surface of his words that made the more perceptive people in the room back away slowly. A hush fell over the small crowd as everyone waited, looking from Joey to Kaiba and back nervously.

Tristan was having an ever harder time controlling himself then Joey was. Only his military training and his hope that Joey would beat the smug duelist to a pulp kept him from attacking.

Kaiba also noticed the coldness in Joey's voice and was surprised by it, but retained his normal calculating coldness. He was amused that Joey actually had the guts to stand up to him. "Well if they let a third rate duelist like you in, then winning this tournament is going to be even easier than I thought."

Joey growled slightly rage burning in his eyes as he clenched his fist. He looked as though he might attack Kaiba right then and there. Wheeler glared at Kaiba, Two years ago a remark like that would have been enough to set him off, but he had learned to control his anger. Somewhat.

He glared slightly at the red head, then continued, his voice becoming coldly confident. "You're gonna have get past me and Yugi to do it."

Kaiba leaned forward a bit more, grinning at Joey with an almost sadistic smug satisfaction. "I intend to." With a swipe of his long coat he confidently strode away.

The rest of the group walked up to Joey as he continued to glare dagger into the back of Kaiba's retreating figure. Yugi, Tristan, and Tea where slightly impressed by the fact that Joey had managed to talked to Kaiba without losing his temper.

"A friend of yours," said Kwame rhetorically.

Joey snorted. "Ya. He's right up there with Hogish Greedly and Sly Sludge."

"I like his fangs," said Gi sarcastically.

Joey smiled. He was about to walk away when suddenly spotted a head of wavy blond hair. 'No way? It can't be?' "Would guys excuse me for a second?"

Without waiting for a response Joey walked off. He pushed and shoved as he made his way through the large crowd of people, keeping his eyes completely focused on the blond he was pursuing. He never thought that he'd see Mai here. No, that wasn't true. He had thought. Or rather, he'd hoped. It'd been so long, though. It had seemed silly to really think she'd be here.

It wasn't so silly now that he was standing here staring at her back. That is if it really was her. He wouldn't put it past himself to be hallucinating. He called her name. She didn't move, and he felt a fool. Again. Dammit, again, he always did embarrass himself when it came to her. 'Mai? It's not you?'

She turned, and his stomach dropped. His mouth, too, but he didn't notice.

"Mai?" he said again in the same dumbfounded voice. It was a start. He tried to say something besides her name, but nothing came to mind. He just stared at her, words failing. So much had come between them when she had fought with Dartz. At the same time, so much had strengthened. Risking his life when they all wanted to kill Marik anyway was nice and all, but fighting her, when she was trying to kill him and he owed her nothing, that was something. If he hadn't known how he felt about her before he'd gone to America, he certainly knew after. He'd been happy to fight and nearly die. The question was, how did she feel?

Mai was the first to break the silence between then, though not in a pleasant way. "Do I know you?" she asked. The tone in her voice clearly indicating that she was quickly losing her patience with him.

Joey felt slightly hurt. He figured if anyone would recognize him it would be Mai. Then again even Serenity didn't know it was him at first, and she was his sister. "It's me Mai. It's Joey."

Mai's face went from aggravated to surprise. "J…Joey?" She stared at the figure in front as her eyes drank in his new appearance. Gazing at him she felt her cheeks begin to burn and butterflies to materialize in her stomach. She almost couldn't believe that this boy, no, this man, was really Joey Wheeler.

She wanted to run. She wanted to run. She wanted to run as far as she could and never look back, but thousands of people and her own cowardice kept her standing where she was. Joey stared at her, and she stared back.

"What are you doing here?" she finally got out. His smile fell. The question hurt him, and she winced. She hadn't meant to; it had slipped out. He wasn't supposed to be here.

"Same as you I guess. Win some duels, and have some fun." he answered in a level voice. The excitement that was usually there when talking about duels was absent.

"I didn't mean..." she started, but swallowed it. What? She didn't mean to offend him? No she didn't, but did it really matter? It paled compared with what she had done to him before.

Mai lowered her head and in a low voice responded. "Dueling hasn't been fun for me in a long time."

Joey could hear the sorrow and loneliness in her voice. The same loneliness that had been there when she allowed herself to be used by Dartz. He reached out to touch her. "Mai?"

Mai shook her head, stepping back from Joey's touch as though it was poison. "I…I have to go." Without so much as a goodbye she took off into the crowd, her form becoming lost in the sea of people.

Joey let out a deep sigh. "Just like old times all right."

His mussing was interrupted by his sister coming over and grabbing him by the arm. "Come on their about to start the opening ceremonies,"

Joey nodded, not really paying attention to her words, as he allowed himself to be dragged over to a side of the room where everyone was gathering.

Up on the floor above them a man steeped out and up to railing. He was dressed in a green business with tiger pattern inseam over a white collar shirt. He wore a brown tie, and what looked to be alligator skin shoes. His well cut brown hair tied back in a low ponytail. Wheeler's eyes went wide in disbelief as stared at the man. "Plunder? What's the heck's he doing here?"

"Didn't you know Joey? He's the one throwing the tournament?" said Tea.

Wheeler stared up at the man with wide eyes as did the rest of the Planeteers. 'This cannot be good.'

Plunder looked out at people below surveying those that had gathered. "Welcome duelists, to the battle nexus. My name is Lootan Plunder. I am the sponsor of this tournament. You are all here because you are the best duelist in the world. The best of the best. The rules of the tournament are simple. Your deck must adhere to tournament format. The duels will be single round eliminations, with the winner moving onto the next round. The winner of the tournament will receive one million dollars in prize money, and the title of the battle nexus champion. Know this. There is no prize for second place."

At that everyone began whispering amongst themselves. None of them had ever heard of a tournament where there was no prize for second place.

Plunder waited for the whispering to die down before continuing with his speech. "Now then you have all been given new duel disks. Please turn them on to be sure they are working."

At once everyone turned on the duel disks attached to their arms. There was a sound as the disks activated and the gem in the middle glowed. Joey activated the duel disk on his arm. As he did, his ring began to glow, and the duel disk began to shout out sparks. 'What the heck's going on?' After a second or two the sparks stopped, and the duel disk appeared to be working normally. He looked around to see if anything weird was happening with any other duel disks, and found that everyone else's disk were acting normal. 'Figures I get the duel disk with a short in it.'

Above Plunder continued. "The first rounds of the tournament will begin tomorrow so I suggest you all get a good night sleep and plain your strategies for tomorrow."

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Later that night the entire group sat in one of the two rooms that Joey and Yugi had been given to sJoeyp in during the tournament. Because Yugi was the duel monsters camp and Joey was a former tournament finalists, they had been given slightly bigger rooms then those who were not. Big enough at least that all ten of them could fit in only two rooms. Since there were more boys than girls, the boys would say in Yugi's which was the bigger of the two, while the girls stayed in Joey's. Currently they were all in Yugi's room discussing what the revelation that Looten Plunder was sponsoring the tournament.

"I can't believe this. I can't believe Plunder is the one running the tournament," said Joey.

"What do you think Plunder is up to?" asked Ma-Ti.

"Whatever it is it cannot be good," said Linka.

Joey slammed his hand into his fist. "Then what are we waiting for, let's go and shut him down already."

Gi shook her head. Joey was always the type to rush in without bothering to think. "I'm afraid it's not that simple Wheeler. I just did some checking on-line. From what I could find it seems this tournament is a hundred percent legit. Plunder hasn't broken any laws, and until he does I'm afraid there's nothing we can do."

"Just who is this Plunder guy anyway?" asked Tea, voicing the question that was on the mind of those who were not Planeteers. She understood that whoever this Plunder guy was he was obviously a bad person from the way the others were all talking about him.

"Looten Plunder is a very evil man," said Kwame. "He is a cold hearted and greedy businessman who will do anything to get what he wants, and what he wants is money. All he cares about is making a profit, regardless of who or what is sacrificed in the process."

"Think Kaiba if he was as obsessed with money as he is with duel monsters," said Joey.

The others looked at each other in worry. Their minds instantly flashed back to when they meet Seto's father Gozabero Kaiba, and the unspeakable things he had done in the name of profit. If this Looton Plunder was anything like Gozabero then they could easily understand why the Joey and the rest of the Planeteers were so worried.

"So what are you going to do?" asked Serenity.

"I think it is obvious." said Linka. "We must find out what it is Plunder is planning and put a stop to it."

Joey singed. "So much for a relaxing vacation. Guess this mean I'll have to drop out of the tournament."

"No," said Linka, in her commanding voice that she reserved for making important team decision.

Wheeler raised an eyebrow at his friend and secret crush. "No?" It wasn't like Linka to be against

Linka nodded. "I think that you should stay this tournament. Plunder obviously does not know you or the rest of us are here. Or else he would not have allowed you to enter in the first place."

Gi nodded, quickly catching onto what her friend was hinting at. "Linka's right. This is the perfect opportunity for us to find out what Plunder is up to. While Wheeler's dueling the rest of us can look for clues to try and find out what Plunder is planning."

Kwame looked over at Joey. "Wheeler it is important that you get as far in the tournament as possible. The longer you last the more time we will have to discover what it is Plunder is up to."

Joey nodded. Though he wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea of people counting on him to win a duel. It tended to drudge up bad memories of his past, like Pegasus, Marik, and Dartz. Still it might actually be a good thing. Whenever there was something other than prize money riding on the outcome of duel Joey tended to fight harder, and pull off incredible victories he normally couldn't.

"And we'll help too," said Yugi interring into the conversation. "Right guys?" Tristan, Tea, and ever Serenity all nodded.

Joey raised an eyebrow. "Are you guys sure. Things could get dangerous." While he was glad that his friends were so eager to help he did want to put them in danger, especially not Serenity.

Yugi nodded. "Of course Joey, after all the times you've helped us, it's the least we can do."

Joey smiled, feeling the familiar confidence of having his friends at his side well up inside him. "All right. With all of us working together we'll take Plunder down once and for all."

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Elsewhere in an unknown part of building Looten Plunder was walking one of the many halls. At his side was his body guard Argos Bleak, a large muscular bald man with a black moustache.

They reached the end of the hall where they took the elevator down to the basement. The two headed two a secluded wall near the back of the room. Argus looked around before nodding to his boss. Looton pulled on a light attached to the wall, and suddenly the wall next to it slide to the side, revealing a hidden stone staircase. "Stay here and make sure no one comes by," he said.

Argus nodded, and Looton descended the stairs as the wall closed behind him. He fallowed the stone path downward, deep below the surface of the earth. When he reached the end he was in a corridor reminiscent of that of an ancient tomb illuminated by the faint fiery glow of torches. He took hold of one of the nearby touches that lit the corridor before making his way through the catacombs. Anyone who did not already know where they were going would surely become lost among the many winding and twisting paths. After twenty minutes of walking Plunder reached a corridor that looked like all the rest, but at the end of this one was a bright turquoise light, which served to illuminate the rest of the corridor.

Plunder walked to the end of the corridor where a large glowing turquoise rock sat. Plunder approached the stone and kneeled before it. "Everything is going according to plain. The duelists have all gathered, and the duels will start tomorrow."

The large stone began to pulse as a deep voice rank out inside Plunders head. "Excellent. Soon I will have the power I need to free myself from this prison. Then I will cleanse this world and remake it as it should be."

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Another chapter done. Hope you liked it.

The next chapter will have the first rounds of the tournament. As far as the duelists for the tournament go, I'm pretty open. I have a few specific matches planned for later, but if there is anyone you would like to see duel in the tournament besides Joey, Yugi, Kabia, or Mai, even if it's only for one round, please let me know and I'll be happy to put them in.

Until then remember to be kind. Read and Review