A/N: Some members of James' family are gonna appear in this chapter. Please enjoy the fanfic and leave a review if you want to :)
Chapter 3- The Journey to Duellist Kingdom
(Yugi POV)
It was 6PM and I was stood on the roof of the school building where I usually hang out with my friends, watching the sunset. I was also wondering about what to do about Grandpa's situation. 'How did I get into this mess? I can't believe that grandpa's actually gone. One minute he's right beside us, and the next, Pegasus shows up and uses some sort of weird magic to steal his soul away. But why? What could Pegasus possibly want with me? And could it have something to do with my Millennium Puzzle? Well, I'll get grandpa back. I'll beat Pegasus at his own game. Whatever that is.'
(Joey POV)
I was inside my room after just getting home from school. In the post I'd received a package which I had opened to reveal a VHS tape. "Wonder who this is from." I had feared that Pegasus had wanted to steal my soul, but still placed the VHS tape in my VCR. I turned the TV on and it appeared to be static as my sister Serenity materialized and waved at me.
"Hey Big Brother. How've you been? I really miss you."
"Serenity?" I gasped in awe.
My younger sister laughed. "I can't believe it's been six years since we've seen each other. I'll never forget the day Mom took me to live with her."
I remembered that day too…
Serenity had her face pressed up against the glass of a car. "Joey!" She cried.
"Serenity, don't go! Waaaaaaait!" I remembered running after my mum's car, but I'd tripped over on the road and the car left without me.
"Joey!" She continued to cry against the child-locked door.
And my vision returned to the real world.
"I'm sending you this video just so you don't forget your little sister's face. It seems like I'm running out of time. I was hoping to see you once more before... well, uh, you understand." She explained. "Bye-bye, brother."
"Run out of time? It can't be." I grimaced.
"So long. Take care, Joey." She began to tear up. As the television turned to static.
Joey: Huh? Serenity.
(James POV)
I was at home reading in my bedroom until my younger brother walked in.
"James, mum wants to talk with us."
"WHY DON'T YOU JUST SHUT UP, NICHOLAS?!" I shouted, annoyed that he was interrupting me to talk about something I'd been depressed over for months.
"But mum will be-" He attempted to fight back as I put my book down and shoved him out of the door.
I slammed it against the hinge in anger and fell to the floor, beginning to cry. "I just can't… I just can't go through with this… I can't move away… and I can't tell anyone that I'm going to be." I cried into my knees.
"James! STOP BULLYING YOUR BROTHER AND GET DOWN HERE!" Mum had shouted.
"SHUT THE HELL UP!" I cried, without shifting my position.
(Yugi POV)
I walked home and as I approached the front door to the shop, I noticed an envelope stuck between the door and its frame. "Huh? What's this?" I reached for and opened it to find some Duel Monsters cards. 'It's from Pegasus.' I lifted one from the package. 'Huh? It's an invitation to the tournament at Duelist Kingdom.' The next day, we were all at school in the classroom, discussing the invitation.
"A tournament at Duelist Kingdom? Isn't that an island?" Téa asked.
"So, that's where Pegasus is keeping your grandpa?" James questioned.
"Maybe. The only way to know for sure is to become a contestant. The boat's going to be leaving in two days." I explained, looking at the card with the boat on it.
"But you can't go. It could be dangerous." Lucy sounded concerned.
"I have to go. It's the only clue I have for rescuing Grandpa." I told my friends.
"I still can't believe it. Pegasus used some kind of weird spell to grab your grandpa's soul away. And now he's toying with you, forcing you to duel in the tournament." Tristan explained.
"Right. And without invitations, we can't even go there with you. I wish we could help you, pal." Joey hoped.
"This is bad." Téa told us all.
"Hey, Yugi. Check this out. According to this card, the tournament winner takes the grand prize of three million dollars." Tristan picked up the card with the coins on it.
"Three mill?" Joey's eyes sparkled.
"So what, Tristan. Who cares about money at a time like this?" I asked.
"Hey, gimme that." Joey pulled the card out of Tristan's hands. "Ahh. Three million."
"Guess Joey does..." I contemplated.
"Three million. In cold cash." His eyes sparkled.
After school, I made my way back up to te roof. Joey was sitting on the ground by the wall. "Joey? What're you doing up here?" I asked him as I approached.
"Hmm?"
"What's with you?" I questioned.
"Ah, nothing. I'm just thinking about a whole lot of stuff. Yugi, you do know that I care about your gramps, right? I mean, he taught me about the heart of the cards." Joey explained.
"Of course, I know." I nodded.
"I mean it. One way or another, I'll help you beat Pegasus." He clenched his fist and looked up at the sky.
"Hmmm. Hah, that really means a lot to me, Joey. I'm glad we're friends." I nodded, smiling.
"Remember the first time we met?" He queried and gave me a fond look.
"I'll never forget it. It was all because of the Millennium Puzzle." I looked at my puzzle as I remembered putting it together. "The way Grandpa explained it to me, the Puzzle was originally found in some Egyptian ruins. My Grandpa gave it to me and kind of dared me to solve it. It was the most incredible thing I'd ever seen. As soon as I touched it, I knew it was special. I made a wish on the Puzzle. I asked it to give me a real friend. And I think the puzzle came through for me. That was when I met up with you and Tristan. Although you sure didn't act like my friends at first." I explained.
"Hah, you mean when we were playing keep away with the Millennium Puzzle? It was for you, man. We just wanted to toughen you up so you could stand up to the real bullies. We were only teasing you." Joey laughed.
"Teasing? You took a piece of the Millennium Puzzle and threw it out the window. And I was the one who helped you guys out when that bully picked on you." I retorted, but in a gentle way.
"He was a mean one alright." Joey admitted as we both recalled the past event.
I remembered seeing Joey and Tristan nearly knocked out against the wall at school battered and bruised. "What do we do?" Tristan had asked.
"Shhh." Joey hushed.
"Well look who just showed up, it's little Yugi. Just in time to watch me wipe the floor with these guys." The bully laughed.
"Get back! Leave them alone!" I had defended.
"Who's going to stop me? A little shrimp like you? I don't think so. Get lost." The tyrant had persisted as I had stood between the Tristan and Joey and the bully and held up my hands defensively.
"I won't let you. These guys are my friends."
"Huh?" Joey had looked up.
"Okay, tough guy. You jumped to the head of the line. Say your prayers, you runt." The bully laughed before hitting me repeatedly.
I groaned in pain and smiled at my friends.
And then I looked at Joey for real
"You stood up for us, Yugi. I'll never forget that. Because of you, we got that moron expelled. And Tristan and I learned what it was like to have a true friend." My blonde buddy smiled.
"Well, at least you retrieved the lost puzzle piece. If you hadn't done that, I could never have solved the Millennium Puzzle." I thanked.
"The truth of the matter is, you're the best friend I've ever had." Joey admitted.
"Yeah! Too bad you can't go with me to rescue Grandpa." I looked down.
"Don't worry. Somehow, some way, I promise we'll do it together." He assured.
"Huh?! Together?!"
"You bet. We're a team, Yugi."
"But how can you go without an invitation?" I asked.
"Hmmm..." Joey hummed.
A week later, I made myself to the port where the ferry to Duellist Kingdom was.
"Attention all duelists. Welcome to this event sponsored by Industrial Illusions. You received with your invitation, the star chips that will grant you entry into the contest. You are all elite, invited by us after close observation of your past Duel Monsters contests. You each have a fair and equal chance to win. It all comes down to how well you've chosen your cards and how well you play. Now then duelists, cross the ocean and enter the Duelist Kingdom." I heard one of Pegasus' lackeys telling all the contestants.
"Present your star chips as you board the vessel." Another told us.
"Thank you. Next." They called as other kids boarded the boat.
"Hey you, get out of here. Only official contestants are allowed on board." Someone had shouted.
"How do you know I'm not official?" I heard Joey's voice.
"Because the official duelists aren't trying to sneak on board through the lower hatches." Another lackey explained.
"Joey? What the-?" I rushed over to my friend.
"Stop your struggling. We're going to have to throw you out."
"No way. I came here to duel and I'm gonna duel." Joey balled his fists.
"Leave him alone." I ordered.
"Hey, Yuugi." My friend greeted.
"Joey! What're you doing here, Joey?" I asked.
"Hah. Did you really think I'd let you do this on your own? C'mon, help me out." Joey laughed
(James POV)
"They're distracted." Téa told us like a look out.
"Let's go." Lyra coerced.
"Right." Me and Tristan agreed.
(Joey POV)
"He's with me. You've got to let him on." Yugi pleaded.
"Only people with a star chip can get on board. There are no exceptions. Understand?" The underling explained.
"But Joey has a star chip. Didn't he tell you?" My spikey-haired friend nodded.
"I do?" I asked.
Yugi held a star chip up. "See?" He asked, giving it to me.
"What's this?" I queried.
"According to the card, a star chip's proof that one is a duellist."
"That may be, but all participants are given two star chips. You'll be at a disadvantage." A lackey explained to us.
"Maybe. But I'd rather take that risk than be without my friend when we get to the Duellist Kingdom." Yugi smiled
"Yugi." I paused.
"What do we do?" I asked.
The lackey pulled out a cell phone. "Mr. Pegasus, we've got a problem, sir."
(Lucy POV)
We were now on the deck of the ferry and hiding in the cargo
"Whoa!" Téa gasped as the ferry moved with us on board.
"Shh." Tristan shushed.
"Don't hush a girl, Tristan." James commanded
"Pipe down." I whispered, not wanting us to get caught as the ferry pulled away from the dock.
(Yugi POV)
"I'm glad they let you on board, Joey." I smiled.
"Only because you sacrificed one of your star chips for me. But if any of the other players find out we only have one star chip each, they could really try to take advantage of us." Joey grimaced.
"Then be quiet about it." I whispered.
"Hmmmm." I heard someone hum.
"Kinda exciting, isn't it Yugi?" Joey admitted.
"Yeah."
"Well what do we have here?" A blonde girl asked.
"Huh?" We both turned around.
"Wow." My blonde friend blushed.
"So, you're the Yugi kid everybody's talking about, huh?" The woman asked. She had purple eyes with a lot of mascara and her hair was curly, she was wearing a purple coat with a matching skirt and a white shirt with purple boots on her feet.
"Whoa. Check it out." Joey said.
"But I'm amazed that a squirt like you could beat Kaiba. You're famous, you know." She explained.
"Uh, thanks very much. I think..." I blushed.
"Hey miss, I'm a really good friend of Yugi, the master duelist, in fact-" Joey attempted to point out
"Look, you're either a champ or a chump. Cut this guy loose. He's fashion challenged and deserves to be crushed in the games." She explained before walking off.
"Please, crush me." Joey blushed.
"I'll crush you all eventually. The name's Mai." She said, as she looked back, returning to exploring the ship.
(Téa POV)
"How arrogant. There's nobody better at playing Duel Monsters than Yugi." I shouted.
"Shhhh! Quiet, they'll hear you." Lucy tried to keep me quiet.
"I don't care. He's still the best." I pouted.
(Joey POV)
"Hey, is this a joke or what? This is a luxury cruiser. I know you've got better rooms somewhere." I shouted.
A guard then came up to and restrained me. "You again? We cut you a break and now you're causing more trouble? Do you want to get thrown out of here?"
I then saw Weevil and Raptor walk up to us.
"Huh? Hey, aren't you that kid Yugi?" The small blue-haired kid asked.
"Huh? Yeah. And you're-"
"Weevil. And Rex the dino duelist." I gasped.
"Hah. You're wasting your time with those guys. The private rooms only go to champions from the last tournament, like us." Raptor laughed.
"Congratulations on winning the regionals, Weevil." Yugi praised.
"It was nothing." Weevil brushed his shoulders off.
"Yeah. I went easy on him. That time." Rex admitted.
"Yeah? Well this time, Yugi and I are going to take the tournament. Right Yugi?" Underwood asked my friend. "To tell you the truth, winning the last championship didn't feel like that much of an achievement. I guess I can't really call myself a champion until I defeat the duelist who beat Kaiba. But I'm sure I'll end up battling you in the big tournament, Yugi. Frankly, I look forward to it."
"Yugi: I look forward to it too." My buddy blushed.
"I'm looking forward to some dino demolition." Rex smiled.
"Let me tell you a little secret. It's something none of the other players know about the games yet." Weevil whispered.
"Oh, isn't that cheating?" Yug asked.
"The other duelists will find out soon enough. But there are no rules on the island that require more strategy." The bug duellist explained.
"Ahh, rules are for wimps. In duelling you either smash your opponent or get smashed yourself. It's one or the other." Rex laughed.
"Strength is good, but you also need to combine them with other types of cards." I explained.
"Who asked you? Stay out of my way, or I'll stomp you, like everyone else." Rex chuckled, walking away.
'We'll see who stomps who when we get to the island.' I thought.
"Ignore him. Let's scope out the competition." Weevil told us.
"What d'ya mean?" I queried.
"Check out those chumps. They're already trading over there. Players here are swapping cards and strengthening their decks, getting ready for the big tournament. It's also a good chance to get a feel for your opponent's cards." The kid pointed out.
"Oh, I bet this is how Weevil gets so much insight into his opponent's strategy." Yugi told me.
"Oh! Strong cards! Hey, wanna trade? How about you? Anybody? Help me out here." I said as I presented some of my cards to the other kids on the ship.
"Guess Joey's trading." Yugi blinked.
"If you've come all this way and you're still trying to improve your deck, you've got to be pretty desperate. I'll catch you on the flip side." Weevil laughed.
(Rex POV)
I was in the hallway, approaching my room when I heard a blonde girl arguing with one of the guards on the ship.
"This is truly, truly outrageous. You expect a lady like me to stay in this dump without even a shower?" She complained, advancing on the well-built man.
"Rules are rules, ma'am. There's nothing I can do." He retreated.
"Call your superior. Get him on the phone right now." She ordered.
"Keep acting up and they'll throw you off the boat." I laughed as I approached.
"Who do you think you are?" She asked, annoyed.
"A champion with a luxury room." I laughed.
"Really? Could I see it?" She giggled in glee
"You bet. Come check it out." I blushed a bright red.
(Tristan POV)
"Hey, Téa, stay down or we're busted." I whispered.
"But it's freezing out here. I can't sit still." The brunette shivered.
"In another few hours the sun will rise. Hah!" James laughed.
"That's not funny, James." She growled as the a nearby door opened.
"Get down!" Lucy panicked. We then saw Ryou Bakura walk out of the door. "Look, isn't that Bakura?"
"Bakura? You mean Bakura from school?" I asked.
"What do you think he's doing here?" James queried.
"Uhh. I guess he's in the tournament." If I had to admit, I made that one up on the spot.
(Rex POV)
"So, what do you think of my cool digs?" I asked the blonde in front of me.
"It's beautiful. You must be quite a strong card player." She commented.
"I am." I boasted.
"Really? I love Duel Monsters. How about we play a game?" She giggled.
"Hah. Who do you think you're talking to? There's no way you could beat me." I bragged.
"Please? Let me try." She plead.
"You'd never win."
"Tell you what, if you win I'll give you a kiss." She promised
"Huh?" I blushed
(Joey POV)
I had just come out of a door leading to one of the balconies, noticing Yugi sitting at a table; as I approached.
"Yugi, I got some good card trading in." I informed him.
"Hey, let me see them." He coerced as I showed him the cards. "Salamandra and a Kunai with Chain. Baby Dragon and Shield and Sword! Great! With these new magic cards combined with your monsters, you'll have a real strong deck." My best friend smiled.
"Alright. So now I'm ready to win every duel I play." I grinned.
"I think you're going to find it's a bit harder than that, Joey. Here." He reached into the box he was using to sort his cards and pulled out 'Time Wizard'. "Add this to your deck. It can be helpful in a tight spot." He handed it to me.
"Thanks. I'll take it. I can't get over how you're always helping me out." I took the card politely and smiled thankfully.
"Ahh, we meet again." I heard an annoying little voice comment as its owner walked in.
"Ah, Weevil." My friend smiled
(Rex POV)
"Okay then, cut the cards." The blonde smiled.
"Playing with your deck, huh? This'll be a snap." I laughed.
"Hmmmm."
"What if you win?" I queried, puzzled as to what she wanted.
"If I win, you agree to clear out of the room for the rest of the trip. Okay?" She asked of me.
"Clear out? I'm not gonna lose. You've got a deal." I smirked, confidently as she closed her eyes.
"Hmmmm. The first card is 'Shadow of Eyes'." She predicted.
I flipped over the card "How'd you do that?"
"The second card is 'Harpies Lady'. Then 'Elegant Egotist'. Followed by 'Cyber Shield'."
'How'd she do that?' I asked myself.
"This is my own card technique. I always know what cards I have and can pick any one I like at any time. So, go ahead and deal 'em, Rex." She laughed.
"Oh, I think I'm in trouble." I froze.
(Joey POV)
"Ahh, the evening wind sure feels nice. So, did you trade for any good cards, Yugi?" The blue-haired kid asked my friend.
"Nah. I'm gonna duel with the cards I brought along with me." Yugi told him.
"I figured as much. You used the Exodia cards in your duel with Kaiba, right? Those are the strongest cards of them all." He complimented.
"And really rare." Yugi smiled.
"Could I possibly see those legendary cards?" The kid requested.
"I don't see why not. Just be careful with them. Okay?" My friend worried
"Hah." Weevil's glasses glinted.
Yugi rummaged through his box. "Here!"
"So, these are the cards to summon Exodia. For a long time, I've been trying to come up with some kind of strategy to finally beat these cards. But I couldn't come up with anything. Until just this moment." He explained as he walked over to the edge of the boat.
"Huh?" Yugi froze as we both saw Weevil throw the cards off edge of the boat.
"No!" My spikey-haired friend cried out.
"Now there's no one who can challenge me." The duellist laughed as he walked away.
"Why you-!" I went to grab Weevil and beat him to a pulp.
"My cards! Those were the Exodia cards that my grandpa gave me." Yugi began to cry.
"I'll get 'em!" I promised, jumping over the railing and into the water.
"Joey, don't! Joey, where are you?!" Yugi shouted.
"I promise you, I'll get them, Yugi!" I vowed
"Joey, they're not worth drowning over."
"Don't worry, Yugi. Look, there. I got one of them." I told him, putting the card in my hand.
"Joey, swim back to the ship." Yugi shouted.
"No way. At least this time there's something I can do to help someone I care about." I went underwater for a moment. "Current sure is strong though. It's hard to fight. But if I punk out now, who's going to help my sister, Serenity?" I asked myself as I grabbed a card. "Just three more now." As I said that, I was pulled under.
"Joey!" Yugi worried as he dove into the water with me. "Joey! Hold on!"
"Yuugi, just three more." I nearly drowned.
"Joey!" He tugged on me and brought me back up for air.
"Yugi!" I heard Téa's voice shout as a ladder dropped from the boat to the water where we were.
"Are you okay?" James concerned.
"Grab ahold!" Lucy told Yugi.
"Hurry!" Tristan ordered.
"Guys!"
(Rex POV)
I just lost the game we were playing with our decks as Mai kicked me out of the room. "Get out, loser. And thanks for the room, Rex." She mocked.
(James POV)
We had just pulled Yugi and Joey out of the water with the ladder.
"That was close. I'm sure glad you guys showed up. Really glad." Yugi breathed.
"We're a team. We'll all stick together." Téa reminded him.
"We'll always watch your back." Tristan promised.
"Thanks a lot, you guys." He thanked.
"I'm sorry, Yuugi." Joey frowned. "I failed. I only found two of your cards."
"It's okay, Joey." Yugi smiled.
"It's not okay. It's always this way with me. I'm never able to help anybody. Not even my own sister, Serenity." Our blonde friend explained.
"Serenity?" Yugi and Lucy asked in unison.
"Really? You have a sister, Joey?" I asked.
"Our parents divorced years ago, when we were kids. She lives far away with my mother. My sister's had really bad eyes since she was born. Eventually she'll go blind." Joey informed the five of us.
"I'm sorry." Yugi frowned.
"Thanks, Yug'. She sent me a message. The doctors told her that the time has come. Soon her eyes will be impossible to repair, even with surgery. But there are specialists who could perform an operation now, before it's too late. They could save her eyesight. But... there's no way I can pay for the operation. I have to win. For her! Winning in the Duelist Kingdom, and getting the prize money, is the only way I can help Serenity!" He began to cry.
A few hours later, the sun rose and were on the deck of the ship.
"We'll both do our best, Joey! You, for your sister. And me, for my grandpa." Yugi promised.
"That's right." Lucy clarified.
"We'll do this together." Téa assured.
"Look!" I pointed out.
"The island!" Joey and Tristan smiled.
"That's the Duelist Kingdom. That's it. We're almost there." Yugi smiled.
A/N: That's it for this chapter, I promise that when it comes to duels I'll combine the episodes so that you guys have more to look forward to and also so that there's more content. I'll be uploading this possibly twice per week so I really hope you enjoy the rest of the duellist's story. :)