Sorry that it has taken awhile to get this chapter out, real life, like usual, getting in the way. Plus, it helps to be in a YGO mood when working on this story, helps me to think better.
I hope you all enjoy it.
Chapter 12
At some point the next day Tristan and Tea stopped by the Game Shop looking for Yugi, but found Grandpa outside instead. Grandpa looked up as they walked up to him.
"I'm sorry, but Yugi's gone." Grandpa informed them, guessing as to why they were there.
"What? Yugi already took off?" Tea asked, sounding surprised.
"Yes, he wanted to get an early start on the tournament today." Grandpa explained.
"I told you to get off the phone so we could meet him on time!" Tea scolded Tristan.
"Yeah, well I was on an extremely important call." Tristan declared, making it sound as if it was really as important as he was making it out to be. "I needed to take care of some serious business, Tea."
"You mean flirting with Serenity." Tea said, not being fooled at all. "At this rate, I'm never going to get to see Yugi duel."
At that precise moment a scream was heard from inside the Game Shop.
"What was that?" Tristan asked.
"That would be Sere." Grandpa stated, not at all surprised.
"You mean she's still here?" Tea asked. "I thought she would've gone with Yugi when he left."
"She slept in." Grandpa said, as if that explained everything. "They were planning on leaving together this morning, but Sere was sleeping so soundly, Yugi just didn't have the heart to wake her before he left. So, we decided to just let her sleep."
After Grandpa was finished speaking, they could hear another shout, "How could he?"
"It would seem she noticed that Yugi left without her." Tristan said, with a look on his face stating he really didn't want to be anywhere near Sere if she went off.
They didn't have to wait too long before Sere came storming out of the Game Shop, and to Tea and Tristan's surprise she was only sporting a pout on her face. "Why did he leave without waking me up?" Sere asked of Grandpa once she was outside, she didn't seem to notice that Tristan and Tea where standing behind Grandpa.
"Now now, before you get to upset, we just didn't have the heart to wake you before Yugi left." Grandpa explained.
"Didn't have the heart?" Sere asked, with a look of slight confusion.
"Mr. Moto was just telling us that they didn't have the heart to wake you because you seemed to be sleeping so peacefully." Tea explained.
"But he could've woke me up first." Sere said with a sigh, just now realizing that Tea and Tristan were there, it was obvious they just missed her brother too.
"I've got an idea." Grandpa declared, gaining the attention of the three teens. "I'll go and slip on my comfy shoes and we can all go and find him."
"Ok." The three of them agreed.
They found themselves walking around town for awhile without any luck. After awhile, as they were walking across a raised crosswalk, Tea finally decided to voice her frustration.
"Yugi could be anywhere." Tea said.
"We'll find him." Grandpa stated, as if it was as simple as that. "We have a pretty good view from up here."
With that comment, Tristan decided to look down to see what was below them. "Check that out, guys." Everyone looked down to see a kid running with something in his arms, with someone following after the kid.
"It's a chase?" Tea asked.
"It looks like some youngsters are playing tag." Grandpa answered.
"Um, guys." Sere said, taking a closer look at the two that were running. "Isn't that Joey chasing that kid?"
The other three looked down, trying to get a better look at the one chasing the kid. "It is Joey!" The three said in unison.
"I got your back man!" Tristan declared as he ran off to help Joey. Tristan got there just in time to get in front of the kid to stop him, and grabbing the caller of the kid's shirt so he couldn't run away from Tristan too. "What's the rush?" Tristan asked as he grabbed the kid.
"Get off me!" The kid yelled out when Tristan wouldn't let go.
"Tristan?" Joey asked once he caught up.
"What's he doing with your Duel Disk?" Tristan asked, not letting go of the kid.
"That's what I'm about to find out." Joey declared.
"Stealing is wrong; you do realize that, don't you?" Sere asked, as she, Tea, and Grandpa made their way down from the raised walkway to join Tristan and Joey. Sere was giving the kid a kind and understanding look, but at the same time she was also giving the kid a look that said, "I will tolerate no foolishness."
"I'm sorry, I really am." The kid started to say, once they made their way over to a more private location so other people on the street couldn't over hear them. "I didn't know how else to become a Duelist. See, I finally built a deck that I could duel with, when this guy stole all my cards."
"So, you stole someone else's." Tristan summed it up.
"I know it was wrong." The kid said, lowering his head in shame. "I just wanted to be in the Battle City Tournament, that's all."
"The most important part of being a great duelist is always playing with honor." Grandpa stated, trying to make a point that an honorable duel was the best way to go. "There would be no satisfaction in cheating your way in."
"You're right." The kid agreed. "I'm sorry."
"So, who's the punk that stole your dueling deck?" Joey asked.
"I don't know. He had bug eyes and a head like a blue beetle." The kid answered, describing who it was that stole his cards.
Silence reigned for a few moments as they thought to who it could be. It dawned on Tristan, Tea, and Joey all at once as they shouted out who they thought it was, "It's got to be Weevil Underwood!"
"Who?" Sere asked, obviously not knowing who they were talking about.
"Weevil Underwood is someone that Yugi and Joey met at Duelist Kingdom." Tea explained.
"Yea, and he threw Yugi's Exodia cards over the boat into the water." Joey added.
"I see." Sere said, getting the idea that this guy wasn't very good, which was starting to make sense as to the other's reactions.
"I guess Weevil is still up to his old tricks." Tristan stated, getting the conversation back on track.
"Alright, now I'm angry!" Joey said, shaking a bit from anger, and in a way, agreeing with what Tristan said. "Where is he?" Joey asked from the kid. "I'm going to teach that little bug a thing or two."
"He's by the fountain." The kid answered, just as Joey started to take off.
"He's mine!" Joey said, not waiting for any of the others to catch up to him.
"Hold on!" Tristan shouted, trying to catch up to Joey.
"Joey!" Tea was the next to try and catch up to Joey.
"Come on, Grandpa, we got to get going." Sere said, as she passed Grandpa and the kid, as she tried to keep up with Tea.
"Bye now." Grandpa said, after Sere passed him, waving to the kid as he left.
"See ya, and good luck." The kid answered back, as they all left him behind.
Once they got to the fountain, they, mainly Joey, were a little disappointed to not find anyone, but themselves, there.
"Where is that bug-eyed punk?" Joey cried out in frustration.
"That kid said he was around here." Tristan said, agreeing with Joey.
"Looking for someone?" A very odd voice answered. This gained everyone's attention, as they turned to see who had spoken.
"I thought I smelled a dung beetle." Joey said, with emphasis on the word dung, also trying to crack a joke that was an attempt to pick on Weevil.
"That's my greeting, after all this time?" Weevil asked, with what seemed like an insane half-laugh, half-snicker.
"You stole that little kid's cards, didn't you, worm-breath?" Joey accused.
"I don't remember stealing any cards." Weevil stated, denying the accusation.
"Well, then maybe I can help refresh your memory." Tristan said, cracking his knuckles.
"Tristan, wait." Joey said, stopping Tristan from doing anything. "We'll settle this fair and square, with a duel."
"Be really careful, Joey." Tea said, trying to be encouraging, but can't help but be worried as well. "Remember when Weevil threw Yugi's Exodia cards off the boat to Duelist Island? This guy's a major cheater."
"Careful where you point that figure, Tea." Weevil said with that same half-laugh/snicker. "It might get bitten by one of my pets."
"Gross!" Tea said, as the thought of what Weevil said hit her.
"Pets?" Sere questioned, wondering what Weevil could be referring to, and why Tea would be grossed out by it. Of course, she didn't know that Weevil uses bug monsters in his deck.
"Alright, let's do this." Joey stated, wanting to get this show on the road. Everyone seemed to be ignoring Sere's question, and Joey's impatience wasn't helping any.
"That's fine with me." Weevil agreed to the duel. "But, we'll duel for two locator cards."
"Two of them?" Joey questioned, not expecting that to be a condition of the duel.
"But, if you lose both locator cards you'll have no way of getting to the finals." Tea reminded, also, in a way, thinking out loud.
"Its way too risky, Joey." Tristan agreed with Tea.
"But, if he wins, he'll have four, and be that much closer to the finals." Sere pointed out, looking on the positive side of things.
"That's if you even have two." Weevil commented, not really listening to what Sere said, he just wanted to get a rise out of Joey.
"That's it!" Joey said, starting to get angry again. Weevil's comment succeeded in getting under Joey's skin. This made Sere sigh, obviously Joey didn't hear her either.
"Be careful, Joey." Tea said, with a bit of worry in her voice.
"Yugi squashed this creepy little bug the first time they squared off in Duelist Kingdom." Joey stated, trying to sound confident, as well as reason out why he had to do this. "Now I guess it's my turn to do the same."
"You can do this, Joey, and win." Sere said, trying to keep things on the positive side.
"How many locator cards do you have?" Joey asked, getting down to business.
"Two." Weevil answered.
"Then, once I step on ya and take them both, plus your rarest card, I'll be personally responsible for kicking your ugly mug out of the tournament, just like Yugi did last time!" Joey said, getting more and more excited as he talked on, activating his Duel Disk near the end of his little speech.
Weevil followed, activating his Duel Disk, with that half-laugh/snicker and a determined look on his face, which may have a little bit of a sneer mixed in.
"Let's do this!" Joey shouted, more than ready to get the duel officially started.
"It's time to duel!" They both shouted and the duel began.
"First I'll play my Swordsmen of Landstar in Attack Mode." Joey said, as he summoned the card that he drew. "Then I'll leave this little number face down for later." Joey announced, as he placed a card face down in his magic and trap card zone of the Duel Disk. "Take your best shot." Joey challenged as he ended his turn.
"Your swordsman looks like he popped out of a toy box." Weevil commented, once again, trying to pick on Joey, trying to make him upset so he wouldn't be able to think straight and, hopefully, make a mistake.
"This toy is gonna slice and dice your hide." Joey commented back, trying to show that Weevil isn't getting to him.
"Well, is that so?" Weevil said, not really believing what Joey had said. "Not if I play the much more powerful Flying Kamakiri #1!" Weevil summoned his monster in Attack Mode. "Now my flying friend, attack! Crush his bitty monster!"
"Uh uh, now watch this." Joey said, activating his face down card. "It's my Shield & Sword magic card. It swaps the attack and defense points of both our monsters, making my swordsman's attack strength a cut above your bug!" That move making Weevil lose 300 Life Points, which he didn't seem too happy about, but he seemed to bounce back quickly enough, as the half-laugh/snicker came back.
"Nice try." Weevil said, as his monsters effect activated. "But when Flying Kamakiri #1 is sent to the graveyard, it automatically summons an even more powerful warrior to take its place. The dreaded Flying Kamakiri #2!" This monster was summoned in Attack Position, once again making Weevil laugh. "You're no match for my winged warrior, so give it up Wheeler!"
"You know, that laugh is starting to get annoying." Sere commented. No one really said anything to that, as they paid more attention to the duel.
Joey said nothing to Weevil's retort as he drew his card, beginning his turn. "Hurry up, Wheeler." Weevil said, not liking how long Joey was taking it making his next move. "My Flying Kamakiri is getting hungry and its feeding time."
"Just ignore him." Tea advised, hoping that Joey would listen to her advice.
"Come on, Joey." Tristan said with confidence, hoping to encourage Joey, for once, the two of them being positive.
"No sweat." Joey said confidently. "I'll just sacrifice my swordsmen so I can put Jinzo on the map." Joey stated, summoning a new, stronger, monster on the field in Attack Mode. "Jinzo, smash his Kamakiri like a bug on a windshield." Joey cheered as he caused Weevil to lose more Life Points, brining his Life Points down to 2800.
"That wasn't supposed to happen." Weevil mumbled, sounding rather upset.
"Eat dirt, little grub." Tristan cheered Joey on.
"Squash that mealworm, Joey." Tea said, joining in on the cheering.
"Here's one more!" Weevil said, making it look like he wasn't out yet, despite Tristan and Tea's cheering. "In Defense Mode." Weevil stated as he placed a monster card on the field face down. Weevil looked pretty confident about his move.
"You just set them up and I'll knock them down. Jinzo, attack!" Joey declared. Unfortunately for Joey, Weevil's face down monster was an effect monster, the effect activating once the face down card was attacked. "What's that?"
"That's my flying leech, Kiseitai." Weevil gladly answered, obviously taking joy in explaining what it does. "It attaches itself to the first monster that attacks it. Then it increases my Life Points by 1200 every time it's your turn! So, as long as my leech continues to feed, my Life Points continue to grow!"
"That's not cool." Was all Joey had to say to that explanation.
"Disgusting." Was all Tea had to say, as well.
"And this is just the beginning of what I have planned for you." Weevil stated. "You've got a lot to learn about the insect world, and I'm just the Duelist to teach you, Wheeler. Now, I'll play another monster in Defense Mode."
"I'll take care of that." Joey stated, as if everything that Weevil just said didn't affect him one bit.
"And I'll take more Life Points." Weevil said, as Joey started his turn, which activated Weevil's monster's effect. "Thanks to my leech friend."
"Jinzo may have a leech on him, but he can still attack." Joey stated, as he had his monster attack Weevil's face down monster. Unfortunately, for Joey, once again, Weevil's face down monster was an effect monster.
"You're too kind." Weevil said happily, as he gained more Life Points, leaving Weevil with 4500 Life Points.
"Wait, more Life Points?" Joey questioned, surprised by the fact that Weevil just gained more Life Points.
"That's right." Weevil said, getting around to explaining what just happened. "You attacked my Skull-Mark Ladybug which gives me an extra 500 Life Points. Didn't I tell you, you had a lot to learn?"
"Insect cards can be very, very tricky." Grandpa commented. "I'm afraid Joey is going to have to be ready for anything."
"I'll play yet another monster in Defense Mode." Weevil stated as he took his turn. "And since it's your turn again, more Life Points please." Weevil seemed rather happy by this, as his Life Points rose to 5700. Weevil was starting to act like he couldn't lose the duel, no matter what Joey did. "With my leech feeding on your monster my Life Points will continue to grow, making me indestructible! Say good-bye to the Battle City Tournament, Wheeler!"
"Here goes nothin." Joey said, as he drew his card. "It's time ta burn off your leech!" Joey declared, as he summoned a monster. "Bug-boy meet Panther Warrior! He needs a sacrifice in order to attack." Joey explained. "So, I'll sacrifice my Jinzo and get rid of your leech!" And as Joey explained, both Jinzo and Weevil's leech disappeared, as Joey sacrificed Jinzo, in order for his new monster to attack Weevil's face down card. "Now Panther Warrior, attack!"
"Alright, Joey got rid of that blood sucking leech!" Tea cheered.
"That stops Weevil's Life Points from increasing." Grandpa pointed out.
"Ok, Wheeler. Enough playing around." Weevil stated, as if everything that had happened so far was nothing to him.
'Playing around?' Sere thought to herself. 'That doesn't sound good. If that was just playing around, then I don't know if I want to know what he considers isn't "playing around".'
"Up until this point I've been going easy on you." Weevil explained. "But you're starting to bug me. So, the time has come to unleash the furry of my ultimate destroyer!" Weevil happily stated, as he used the effect of the monster card that Joey just sent to the graveyard, and summoned a monster from his hand. "I summon Larvae Moth!"
"It's the bug that Weevil used against Yugi." Joey said, recognizing the monster that Weevil just summoned.
"I see your memory is better than your dueling, Wheeler." Weevil said with a laugh, once again trying to get under Joey's skin. "Then you probably know that you're about to get demolished!" Weevil continued, as he started his turn. "Once I wrap my terrifying larvae in the all powerful Cocoon of Evolution!"
"This isn't good!" Joey said, remembering how this went before.
"What's the big deal about this monster?" Sere asked, confused as to why Joey seemed to be acting the way he was.
"Then let me enlighten you, over the next five turns, the Cocoon of Evolution will transform my mere Larvae Moth into a huge beast, known as the Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth!" Weevil happily declared, explaining it for Sere, then turning his attention back to Joey. "Five more turns, Wheeler, my Ultimate Great Moth will emerge and turn you into bug chow!"
"No, I got to pop that pupa." Joey said, trying to not look panicked about the turn of events, as well as the memories that came with them.
"I don't think so, Wheeler." Weevil said, getting ready to make another move. "My next card will crush any chance of that happening. You see, there's already a parasite living inside your deck." Weevil explained, taking a card from his hand to activate.
"What?" Joey all but shouted in surprise, not wanting to believe what Weevil had just said.
"What's that suppose to mean?" Sere questioned, just as confused as Joey is by what Weevil said.
"Parasite, an insect that lives off of other animals." Weevil defined, as if Joey didn't understand what the word parasite meant, acting like Joey didn't have any intelligence what so ever, and ignoring Sere, once again. "So, I play Reckless Parasite, which brings the parasite in your deck to life!"
"You've got to be out of your mind." Joey said, looking down at this deck, still not believing what Weevil was saying. "My deck doesn't have any insect card…" Joey couldn't finish what he was saying as what Weevil was talking about made itself known.
"You were saying." Weevil said with some sarcasm in his voice. "Looks like you had a Parasite Paracide card in your deck and I've activated it." Weevil went on to explain, seeming to enjoy and take pleasure in what was happening. "Now, every monster you play will be infected!"
"That's really gross." Tea said, as she watched as the Parasite Paracide card take hold of Joey's Panther Warrior.
"That little jerk!" Tristan angrily said, as what the cause of this could be, hit him. "It looks like Weevil pulled a fast one on you, Joey!"
"I know!" Joey agreed, looking back at Tristan. "But, how did I get that parasite card in my deck?"
"Oh no." Sere said, a thought coming to her.
"What is it, Sere?" Tea asked.
"You don't think that kid did it?" Sere asked, pointing out that little fact. "He did have Joey's Duel Disk that had his deck in it."
"That kid must have been working for Weevil!" Joey stated, as he realized what Sere had said, must have been the truth. After all, that kid did steal his Duel Disk; there was no telling what he might have done while he had it. "I bet he slipped it in!"
"A great Duelist prepares for an encounter long before it takes place." Weevil explained, as if it were the most simplest of things.
"But that's against the rules!" Tea stated.
"You creepy little cheater!" Tristan angrily yelled.
"Cheater?" Weevil questions, with a creepy smile on his face. "It's not my fault that Joey didn't think to examine his deck before challenging me to a duel."
"Hey, watch it!" Joey said, trying not to let Weevil's comments get to him.
"Joey, calm down." Sere advised, hoping that Joey would listen.
"And while your monsters are being infected, my Great Moth will be evolving!" Weevil states with great pleasure. "So, I'll play one card face down and end my turn." Weevil said more calmly as he place a face down card in his magic and trap card zone.
"It's true my Panther Warrior may be infected, but he can still attack ya, just as long as I sacrifice another monster, bug breath." Joey simply stated, as if all of this hasn't bothered him yet, drawing a card from his deck, beginning his turn.
"I don't think so." Weevil said, shaking his finger at Joey. "Now remember, every monster you play, becomes infected by the parasite."
"So?" Joey said, trying to sound like what Weevil said didn't matter.
"So, you can't sacrifice a parasite infected monster." Weevil explained, completely enjoying how everything was turning out. "Which means your pathetic Panther Warrior can't attack!"
"Well then, I got another plan." Joey stated. "So, I'll play, Tiny Guardian!" Joey said, summoning a monster to the field.
"Now, another one of your monsters is infected." Weevil pointed out, as the monster Joey just summoned came under the effect of the Parasite Paracide card. "And my Great Moth is still evolving!"
"You don't seem to realize that your Cocoon of Evolution has zero Attack Points." Joey points out.
"Ha, Attack Points." Weevil said in a disbelieving way, as if there was nothing wrong with what Joey said. "That means nothing, you fool! It's defending me."
"Take a closer look, flee brain." Joey said, sounding like he has something up his sleeve, something that Weevil doesn't know about.
"It can't be?" Weevil said in shock, just now noticing what Joey was talking about. "I forgot to switch my cocoon into Defense Mode!"
"That's right." Joey said happily. "And with zero Attack Points, it's a sitting duck. Tiny Guardian, attack!"
"Oh no, I'm done for!" Weevil seemed to yell in despair, just before his face turned into an evil smile, as if all of that had been a well planned act. Which it probably was. "Or so you think." That little statement seemed to surprise Joey. "This magic card will save me." Weevil stated as he activated his face down card. "I activate Insect Barrier! It protects me by repelling all insect attacks." Weevil explained as Joey's monster's attack was blocked. "And since every monster infected by a parasite becomes an insect, my barrier will protect me and my cocoon from all of your monsters!"
"Great, now I can't attack!" Joey said out loud, as the significance of what Weevil just did now hitting him.
"Come on, Joey." Tristan said from behind Joey, trying to encourage him. "You've got to kick Weevil's cheating butt to stay in the tournament!"
"Joey, you've got to stay calm and believe in your deck." Grandpa decided to voice his encouragement as well. "There may be a way to use Weevil's own trick against him!"
"It is hopeless." Weevil said, trying to get Joey to not listen to what his friends were saying, trying to get him riled up again. "Once my Great Moth awakens and then emerges from its cocoon in just four turns! And then it will completely annihilate you!" Once again Weevil was taking pride in rubbing this fact in Joey's face; thinking that there was no way Joey could win, even in Joey's wildest dreams. "Wheeler, thanks to my barrier, none of your monsters can attack me." Weevil continued to point out, as he started his turn. "And while I wait for my Great Moth to evolve, I'll start with your Life Points." Weevil explained as he drew his card and got ready to make his move for his turn. "Now I summon Leghul." Weevil summoned his monster in Attack Mode. "Attack his Life Points directly!" Weevil commanded, as he used his newly summoned monster's effect to attack Joey directly, bringing Joey's Life Points down to 3700.
"How'd you do that?" Joey asked, clearly confused by what just happened. "I still have monsters on the field!"
"Leghul is able to bypass your monsters." Weevil explained. "Your Life Points are in serious trouble, and you still can't attack me. Care to throw in the towel, Wheeler?"
"I don't think so." Joey answered, beginning his turn. "I switch all of my monsters into Defense Mode." Joey stated after he drew his card.
"How sad." Weevil said, drawing a card and beginning his turn. "You know what happens in just three more turns, my Great Moth is born!" Weevil, once again, couldn't help pointing out that little detail. "But meanwhile, Leghul, attack his Life Points directly!" With that command, Joey's Life Points drop to 3400.
Unable to do anything with his turn, Joey ended up having to pass his turn. "I have to pass again!" Joey said with disbelief.
Which, of course, Weevil took pleasure in reminding him once again on how Joey will end up losing this duel, as Weevil once again directly attacked Joey. "Two turns, and you still can't attack me." Weevil gloated. This brought Joey's Life Points down to 3100.
"Just one turn to go." Weevil reminded, before Joey started his turn. "I promise you this, my Ultimate Great Moth is like nothing you've ever faced before, or will ever face again!"
"Enough with the moth, Underwood, we get it." Tristan replied, getting really sick of Weevil's gloating.
"Stay cool, Tristan." Joey said, putting his hand up so his friend would stop. Drawing his card, Joey began his turn. "I play Alligator's Sword in Defense Mode. And I play another card face down to end my turn."
"Ha, now your creature is infected by the parasite too!" Weevil pointed out as Joey's newest summoned monster started to change.
"Alright, I'm all set to face this big moth of yours." Joey said, seeming as if facing Weevil's best monster was nothing to him. "So, why don't you bring it out now!"
"We are about to see exactly how ready you are." Weevil stated, with a laugh, finding what Joey said to be amusing. "Time's up, Wheeler. Ultimate Great Moth, erupt from your cocoon, and reveal your supreme power!" Weevil commanded of his monster. And his monster did just that, as the moth hatched from its cocoon.
"Man, that's big." Was all Joey could say as he laid eyes on Weevil's monster.
'Big?' Sere thought, 'That's all he has to say?'
"Behold the insect embodiment of your final destruction!" Weevil declared, with a maniacal laugh, obviously extremely happy about the outcome. "It's all over for you, Wheeler!"
Well, that's it for this chapter. I hope to get the next chapter out soon, since it will have the other half of this duel in it.
I think this chapter turned out pretty good, and 13 pages isn't all that bad either. I did think about putting the entire duel in one chapter, but I thought that I should update at some point, so I ended up splitting the duel into two chapters, just like the series has the duel in two episodes.