Chapter 3: Betrayal
Last chapter, our protagonist, Yugi Muto, has visited his grandfather, and is currently with his childhood friend & now girlfriend, Téa Gardner. Little do these two lovebirds know, a trio of unlikely people have begun to collaborate to plot the downfall of their mutual "rival."
"What's this prank, Wheeler?"
"Not so loud, rich boy," Joey replied to Kaiba, "Here, take a seat."
"I can't believe that a dog like you is barking orders to his master..."
"Hey, if you want in on da secret to beat Yugi, you'll do whatever it takes, right?"
"Obviously, Wheeler. So, you better make this quick and reasonable, bonkotsu!"
"Heh! Fine, just sit down already!"
Although he doesn't like the 'third-rate' duelist's tone, Kaiba desperately wants to see Yugi's demise; so he reluctantly complies.
"We betta do dis quick anyway, since we kinda made a scene here. Now, we three all share a common hatred and jealousy toward the one, right?"
"Yes, but what can this letter harm Yugi? Because if it can kill him, I'm out, 'cause Gardner claimed to commit suicide should he die. Wait-- how much sake did Underwood just drink?!"
Joey answered, "I think like 15..." Both then stare at Weevil's apparent drunken stupor. "Pour me another glass, please?" asks the drunk.
"Let's just let him drink as much as he wants. You'll pay for the bill, right, Kaiba?"
"Meh, fine. At least he won't interfere with the plan."
"Plan?! What plan? Are you guys... (hic) trying to harm my good friend, Yugi?" asked the drunk Weevil.
"Just keep on drinkin', Underwood!"
"Hehehehe, (hic) okey-dokey!"
"But, yeah, Kaiba, the letter won't off Yugi; so you got nothin' to worry 'bout."
"Then, what does this letter contain?"
"Well," Joey muttered into Kaiba's ear, "The Rare Hunters along with some one named Crawford wants ta overthrow the government and then use I² (Industrial Illusions) ta use its influence to take over Japan!"
"What?!"
"Quiet, not so loud! Or you'll make a big scene!"
"I thought they all left when Marik disbanded the group."
"Well, that cheat, Bandit Keith, is now their new leada."
"But why didn't you go straight to the government?"
"Well, you see... since I'm a commoner, but you... you're Seto Kaiba. It's not rare ta see a big and famous celebrity ta waltz in the government buildings. If I go, someone'll suspect that somethin's up."
"I see. But to make things fair, I think you should write the accusation, Wheeler."
"Me? Almost everyone knows my handwritin'."
Taking out a piece of paper and a pen from his briefcase, Kaiba hands both to Joey.
"Hey, guys! Whatcha doing?" exclaims a familiar voice.
Realizing that the target of the 'prank' is now here, the two unlikely 'allies' pretend to get along with another in a much different manner.
"Oh, hey, Yuge. Kaiba's just treatin' me to some sake afta he lost a bet!"
"What bet, Joey?" asked Yugi.
"Dat, uh... he couldn't resist insultin' me and namin' me bonkotsu or anotha. Y'know?"
"Oh, I see. So what's this letter?"
"Um... just some promise contract dat I'm forcing him ta sign, Yuge. Don't worry 'bout it!"
"Ah, well. I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow at the party?"
"Sure thing, Yuge. And you betta go there too, rich boy."
"Yeah. Whatever, sako."
"Okay, so I'll see ya guys later then!" And with that, the King of Games leaves the local bar and heads back home.
"Man, dat was close, eh, Kaiba?"
"Here. Let's finish this. Just write with your left hand to disguise your writing, and use honorifics; I hope your ambidextrous like me."
The blonde teen does so, with some difficulty.
"There! I just hope dat no one can trace anythin' back ta us. Here, you read it."
After being the receiver of the letter, Kaiba speed reads:
The local judge is advised by a loyal patriot that a certain Yugi Muto, the King of Games, arrived this afternoon in Japan, and was entrusted by a supposed dying acquaintance to deliver a letter that threatens the very existence of the Japanese government.
Evidence of the traitor's guilt can be found during his arrest, as the letter should be either with him, or at the Kame Game Shop.
"Now, dat dis part's done, all we hafta do is... fold this accusation paper, and write "To the local judge or other influential government person(s)."
"Oh no, you don't..." uttered a drunk voice.
"Underwood?! Shouldn't you be already sleepin'?"
"Give me that (hic) letter, I'll never let you (hic) harm my friend... Yugi (hic) with this wicked act!"
Realizing the extent of how much Weevil has learned, Joey and Kaiba nod in agreement...
Joey said to Weevil, "What we're doing is just a joke, which is why I'll just..."
And with that, he crumples the letter and tosses it in the bar's floor. "See? You have nothin' ta fear for Yugi at all."
"Hell, yeah! Yugi... is (hic) my friend... don't (hic) want him to get hurt. Now that this misunderstanding's been resolved, buy me some more sake!"
Kaiba, with his piercing blue-eyes (not the dragon) obsessively stares at the crumpled accusation letter. Realizing Joey's act, he decides to play his part in Yugi's downfall. Looking at his watch, he says...
"Well, look at the time. It's getting late, and I need to get back home. And here's the money for the bill, so I'll see you guys later."
And in a blink of an eye, the stoic billionaire quickly grabs the fallen letter and hurries to his limo.
Struggling against his disorientation, Weevil barely is able to utter, "Did he... (hic) just... take that prank letter, Wheeler?"
Responding to his drunk acquaintance, "No... he just took his... uh, whatchamacallit, eh, company contract paper."
"Ah, drinking 20 glasses of sake can really mess with one's senses alright."
The following night, at the party... Duke's Black Crown Game Shop.
"Yeah, Yugi's gonna get laid tonight!" screamed the Brooklyn accent.
"Settle down, Joey. I don't intend to go all the way... for now."
"Yugi!" yelled a blushing Téa.
"Just kidding, Téa. You know I'm not like that."
The other guests in Yugi's celebration party include Tristan, Duke, Bakura, Mokuba, and of course Kaiba. Unexpectedly, Weevil somehow is invited, despite his 'bad' history with the party's host. Attire-wise, the whole group was wearing the same clothes they first wore in the Black Crown. The party serves the usual, sake, Amanatto, Anpan (the white ball with the brown/black bean), Kompeito (sugar candy), rice cake, etc.
Besides the food being served, the party includes gaming entertainment, such as D.D.R., Guitar Hero series, Dungeon Dice Monsters, Duel Monsters, and much more.
"Wow, Duke, how much did you spend for this?"
"Um, at least a million yen--"
"To Yugi's health!" exclaimed the group that is Tristan, Duke, and Joey.
Reluctantly, almost hesitatingly, Kaiba uttered, "To the King of Games... long live the King," and almost to himself, "for soon his title will belong to me..."
"Uh, Seto? Are you okay, bro?"
"It's nothing, Mokuba. I'm just the way I am."
"But, you seem more somber, and you brood more often since last night."
"Don't worry, Mokuba. It's just nothing."
"Okay..."
"So, Yuge, you gonna give da prize money to charity as usual?" asked the greedy blonde.
"I think I'll give half of it this time. It seems that I might need some to ensure a stable living for my grandpa, Joey."
"Ah, I see."
"Hey, let's go play some Dungeon Dice Monsters, guys--" says Yugi. Almost simultaneously, the shop's doors are being pounded upon by an group of about 7 or 8 people, in uniform. The sounds just made just moments ago begin to create a hint of unease among the party guests.
"In the name of the law, open this door!" demanded a very strict voice.
Pretending to be confused, Joey asked, "What's going on here, guys?"
Bakura then said, "I don't know, but someone better open that door, because is seems that the police is here."
The pounding sounds continue as most of the group is confused. Not long after, the door is forced open by the police themselves. Meanwhile, the group decides to go to the elevator in order to see what the problem is. The elevator soon drops to the first floor and opens... to find the police a few feet away.
Duke asked the police, "What's wrong? There must be some kind of mistake, Commissioner."
The police commissioner replied, "I'm sorry, Mr. Devlin, but it seems that there is no mistake yet. I need to take someone here to the nearest judge. Now, which one of you is Yugi Muto?"
Stepping out of his group of friends, Yugi responds, "I am, Commissioner. Can I help you?"
The commissioner said, "Yugi Muto, it is my duty to arrest you in the name of the law."
Getting very pale, Yugi cried, "To arrest me?! Why am I under arrest, Commissioner?"
"I haven't a clue, kid. But you're a few months shy from 18, so you're going to be tried as an adult. However, you shall be informed of the reason for your arrest during your interrogation in say, 10 minutes from now?"
As Yugi is about the leave with the police, Weevil, now remembers every detail of the day before, and is about to tell the police commissioner the truth...
"What do you think you're doing, Underwood?" whispered Wheeler and Kaiba.
"I might've been drunk yesterday, guys, but I now remember what that 'prank' will do now. So, if you'll excuse me--"
Quickly grabbing Weevil, the two then restrain and him and...
"You will do nothing of the sort, Weevil! Because what's it gonna do for you, if you try to help a fellow anarchist, huh?" said a manipulative Kaiba.
"You mean...?"
Joey, realizing Kaiba's words, continues, "Dat's right, they'll dink dat you're part of da conspiracy as well as Yuge. So, if you want ta save your ass, you'll stay quiet!"
Defeated, Weevil weakly replied, "Alright... but I'm gonna regret this."
As he's about to leave the Black Crown, Yugi exclaimed to his friends, "Don't worry, guys! Whatever the reason for my arrest, I'm sure that's a mistake, which will soon be resolved even before I go to jail!"
"I hope so, Yuge. If should anythin' happen, I'll do my best to vouch for ya!" declares Joey.
Before entering the police vehicle, Yugi hears his girlfriend cry out to him. "Goodbye, Yugi! Goodbye, I shall see you soon, my love!"
With his eyes tearing, "Sayonara, Téa!" And with those final words, the car drives off to the local judge's office...
After the arrest, some of the party guests wonder why has their friend been arrested. Comforting the rest of the group, Joey says, "Relax! I doubt dat da crime is something big, guys! He might have brought somethin' illegal from the U.S..."
"That could be true, Joseph." adds Solomon.
Kaiba adds, "Despite my rivalry with Yugi, I wish him no harm; let's hope that he'll back into our lives in no time. Perhaps, Wheeler's right... for once."
"What did you say, about me, Kaiba?!" asked an infuriated Joey.
"I said that for once in your life, you actually made some sense, bonkotsu."
As Joey lunges toward Kaiba, "Why, you--!"
Same old Joey and Kaiba... always arguing with one another. But I wonder if my Yugi will come back... I was planning to go all the way after all...
"Look, guys. I'm gonna go to the judge's office building. I'll see if I can clear things out on my end," said Duke as he left the shop.
Some 10 or 15 minutes later at the local judge's office, Yugi Muto has drastically gotten nervous in the course of a few minutes. His heart pounds as if he's in some sort of intense exercise, but obviously, he is merely frightened than ever before in his small life.
Man, I wish Atem was still here. He'd help me how to deal with this! I might have beaten countless duelists and villains such as Marik and Dartz, but the situation I'm in now takes the cake! I don't even know why I'm arrested for! Damn it! Oops, did I just curse for the first time in my life? Oh, my god. I know, I'll pray to God. He'll save--
A voice from behind the door says, "I'll be right with you. Just find a chair and sit down."
Listening to the voice's command, Yugi nervously does so, with much reluctance. I wonder how my friends and family are holding up... I hope that this'll be over soon.
The door opens shortly after Yugi's inner monologue, and reveals a familiar person with silver, effeminate long hair, and red pieces of clothing...
"Pegasus?!"
"Yugi-boy?"