A/N: To start off, I just want to apologise for how late this chapter is. I had mocks and then it turns out I had to redo two psychology tests ^^" so I've been a little busy and I'm sorry for how late I uploaded this chapter. I also want to give a shout-out to a reviewer of mine who asked what the roles of Lucy and James are. I can't say what their roles are just yet, however, I will hand out two pieces of information. The first is that instead of having the duel between Yami Yugi and Yami Bakura, I'm going to add a chapter which focuses on James and Lucy. That chapter will include details on what was bothering James in chapter 3 so it will clear up a few details. The second is that in season 4- the orichalcos season- James will actually be in possession of the millennium scales, so he will have a look-a-like in season 5 and join his friends on the adventure to Egypt, meaning that Shadi will only have the millennium key. (I'm not writing James out of the whole story, he just won't appear in Battle City or the virtual world arcs.) One final thing about my OC James, is that he's based on my best friend; I incorporated us into this story and its sequels because I thought it would be cool to make us join the adventure. To the reviewer who posted their review and anyone else, I'm sorry if you are disappointed with our roles so far, however, I promise that in future that as characters, we will contribute to the plot a little more. Thank you for reading. :)
Chapter 7- Ghost Kaiba
Mokuba POV.
It was mid-day at Duelist Kingdom. At the top of a tall Castle Pegasus hostage tower, I lowered a rope of tied-together sheets out of the window. I was disguised with a purple beanie and a light blue bandanna over my nose and mouth, I then looked out of the window, glancing around for anyone watching, hoisting myself up onto the windowsill, and started to carefully climb down my makeshift rope, escaping from the tower. It was all going well, until I reached the end of the last sheet. I looked down. I was still high, high above the forest. My vision went a little blurry as I began to sweat. "Ohh..." I despaired. A knot in the sheets then began to pull apart. I looked up, feeling it slip, and watching it unravel. I fell, still clinging onto the sheet, and landed in the forest below, breaking my fall with a dozen tree branches on the way down. "Whoaaaaa!" I screamed, landing on my backside with a thud and crawling out of the bushes, rubbing where I had landed in pain.
Croquet POV.
I was pushing a cart with several platters on it. "A'right, ya little runt. Here's your daily gruel, heheh." I laughed just before noticing the sheet tied to a bedpost and hanging out the window. "Huh?! Oh, no!" I then hurried over and looked down at the rope of sheets "He's gone!" I realised.
"Mmmhahahahahahaha...! Ahahahahahahahah!" My superior laughed just as I had opened the door to the dining hall. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, their curtains, with rich, blue fabric trimmed with gold, all pulled aside. Pegasus was sat alone at a massive banquet table, with a small, fancy plate of cheese wedges, a bowl of fruit, and a wineglass. He took a sip, and kept laughing. Just as I began to wonder what he could be gloating over, I glanced over his shoulder and saw that he was holding a comic book. He kept chuckling heartily. "Hmhmhmhmhahahahaha! Where do these guys get all their ideas?" He looks down at the next comic strip, and chuckled to himself, continuing to read. "Mmmhmhmhmhmhm—"
"Euh, Master Pegasus?" I interrupted, hesitantly.
"Hm?!" He asked, stopping himself in mid-laugh, clearly annoyed at being disturbed.
"A thousand pardons, sir." I apologised.
"Gorgonzola cheese, and the world's finest red wine— along with a copy of my favourite comic book! Times like this are more precious to me than any other, you do realize that, don't you?!" He angrily questioned.
"But the prisoner has escaped." I gulped.
"Which one?" He queried casually.
"The boy we imprisoned in the north tower. I have our men searching the island, but, so far there's no sign of him." I explained.
"Oooh. I guess he didn't appreciate my hospitality. Well, no matter, I'm sure I know exactly where our little escapee is heading. He'll seek out Yugi." He then picked up a remote control and pressed a button. The video monitor descended from the ceiling halfway down the table. "Computer. Request data on the status of the Duel Monsters tournament."
"Six hours have passed since the dueling contests began." The monitor displayed a map of the island, and opened several small windows showing video footage of individual arena duels. "Twelve of the participants have been eliminated. Those that were defeated and lost their star chips are being removed from the island by boat." I explained, also opening another window showing a rowboat at the pier filled with about a dozen people, overseen by Kimo.
"And what of Yugi Moto?" My boss asked.
The next window was a front and side view of Yugi, with scrolling text. "Yugi Moto has to date gained five star chips."
"Wonderful. I expected no less. He is determined to work his way up in the standings in order to gain entry to my castle. Which is exactly what I want little Yugi to do. We'll just keep our spy-cams trained on our star duelist; sooner or later, the little runaway prisoner will confront Yugi, for reasons of his own."
"Hm! Very wise, sir." I applauded just before walking out.
Joey POV.
We were somewhere on a path in the scattered forests and meadows of Duelist Kingdom, just casually strolling through the woods.
"Wow, Yugi! I can't believe you already won five star chips!" Téa smiled.
"Yeah; pretty soon you'll have the ten you need to get into Pegasus' castle, and rescue your grandpa!" James did a thumbs up.
"I wish I had more star chips." I mumbled.
"Don't worry about it, Joey, you're doin' fine. You'll be able to help your sister out soon." Lucy smiled.
"I sure hope so... Serenity's really countin' on me." I then smiled to himself. "An' I won't let 'er down."
"Heeeeelp!" Somebody screamed. We were all startled and looked around.
"What's that?!" Tristan asked.
"Help me, somebody, please!" The helpless voiced continued and we followed it down the path. Kimo, one of Pegasus' goons in charge of the tournament, had a young duelist in a chokehold and was dragging him away. The young duelist yelling and screaming. "Aaaagghhh, let go of me, somebody help me!"
"Hold on, kid, we're comin'!" Tristan shouted.
"Help, you gotta help me!" He pleaded.
Tristan then lunges for Kimo, cocking back a fist. "Let that kid go!" He ordered, punching at Kimo, who tossed the kid aside; Tristan grabbed Kimo by the arm and threw him. "Not too shabby." He said, brushing himself off. As Kimo flew through the air, he turned ninja; flipping over and using the momentum to kick off from the ground and delivered a flying kick. Tristan fell to the ground, winded. "Ugh... I'm off the big guy..." He groaned.
The kid tried to scamper away, but Kimo grabbed him by the arms. "Put me down!" He struggled.
"Quit squirming, ya little brat!" The body guard ordered the duellist.
"You heard 'im, needle-head! Put the kid down!" I told the suit.
"What d'you think you're doin'?" James asked, balling his hands into fists as if he was ready to fight the guy.
"This is none of your business. This duellist lost his star chips. And the rules say he's to be kicked off the island!"
"But I didn't lose my chips in a duel, they were stolen from me! My cards, too!" The pink-shirted duellist whined.
"I don't care what lame excuse you have, kid, you need star chips to duel and you haven't got any, so you're shippin' outta here! Those're the rules; those are my orders from Pegasus himself." Kimo turned around as Tristan got up, rubbing his head.
"Ugh, that big creep! I say we follow 'im!" My pointy haired friend decided.
A few minutes later, we arrived down at the dock, Kimo brought the struggling pink-shirted kid we saw earlier to a small rowboat, which was guarded by a couple of other tournament suits. We then witnessed as Kimo tossed the kid into the rowboat, where he slams right into Weevil Underwood, and tossed his backpack onto his lap. Weevil rudely shoved him to the other side of the bench.
"Hey, buzz off! They may be shipping me out, but I'm still Weevil Underwood, bug duelist extraordinaire!" The annoying kid exclaimed. (Intimidated, the kid stayed away from Weevil, and sighed.
"But I didn't even get a chance to duel..." He looked down sadly.
"Hey!" Yug shouted as we caught up with the action. The kid turned to look as we ran up the path toward the boat. "Hey, you!"
"You again?!" The guard greeted impolitely.
"What did the guy who stole your star chips look like?" Yugi questioned.
"Well, I couldn't see his face— i-it was covered with a bandanna. But he was a little guy, and he challenged me in the meadow." The duellist explained.
"He challenged you to a Duel Monsters game?" Yugi asked.
"Yeah. But as soon as I put my star chips and Duel Monsters deck down, he snatched 'em up and ran off with them!"
"You shouldn't be shipped off the island for that! We'll get your star chips back." Yugi promised.
Kimo folded his arms, getting between us and the boat. "This boat leaves in exactly thirty minutes. Anyone without a star chip ships out."
"Then we'll get his chips back by that time." Téa vowed.
Tristan punched his palm. "We won't let you bully him out of the game!"
"Nope! We'll catch that little thief and bring 'im to justice! Believe me, kid, you can count on us to track 'im down and get those star chips back!" I promised.
"But who are you guys?" The kid asked.
"We're the guys that're gonna save your chips! Don' worry, ya got the ba-rilliant mind a' Joey Wheeler on the case, and I always get my man." I pointed at myself, but the others all just groaned in annoyance, was it something I said? "Even if he's just a kid. Onward, troops!" I marched.
Later, we had made it to arena 146 which was in a small clearing of the woods. "So what's you're ba-rilliant mind tellin' ya now, Sherlock?" Tristan asked.
"Beats me. Right now, the only thing my brilliant mind is doin' is givin' me a brilliant headache!" I answered.
"Well, maybe we should stake out the scene of the crime. It's over there!" Yugi ran over to an arena with 146 stamped on the side, and sat down on the ground.
"Think the thief'll come back?" I asked.
"He just might, and we can put our heads together and plan in the meantime." Yugi relaxed.
"Yeah, but don't forget one of those heads is Joey's. That's sorta like subtractin' one brain!" James laughed.
"Haha." Lucy giggled.
All of a sudden, a masked kid leapt out of the bushes. "Ahh- ha! I've found you at last, Yugi!" He exclaimed and Yugi stood up.
"That must be the kid we were looking for!" I worked out.
"I can handle 'im!" Tristan yelled.
"I hope so, you're twice his size!" Téa stated sarcastically.
"Just try me, ya big dork!"
"Back off, kid!" T told him.
"And hand over the star chips you swiped from that other duelist!" I continued.
"Hold on. I think I know what this kid's after. He wants to duel." James explained. Me and Tristan were confused.
"That's what you want, right? You wanna duel Yugi?"
"Aww, you better believe it!" The kid in the bandanna stepped forward in readiness.
"I accept." Yugi walked closer to the boy.
A few minutes later,
"I don't get it. Why is Yugi goin' to the trouble a' duelin' this guy, when we can just take those star chips away from 'im?" Lucy asked me and James.
"Y'know sometimes I don't think even Yugi knows why he does half the stuff he does." I responded "It's kinda weird. D'ya think it has something to do with his Millennium Puzzle?"
"Now, how many star chips will you wager?" Yugi asked.
"To wipe you out? Five!" He declared.
"Then five it is; but only because I think I know why you're doing this."
"I don't care what you think, Yugi, 'cause I think you're gonna lose!" The kid dug the stars from his pocket and scattered them on the console. As the more confident Yugi intently regarded his opponent.
"What does Yugi see that we don't? It's like he's looking into the other player's soul." I gasped.
"Hey— soul, shmoll. I can see from here that that kid's gonna get his butt kicked!" Lucy smiled.
"Maybe, but Yugi should hurry if he plans to get those star chips back to the boat in time!" Our pointy-haired friend recalled.
"Don't worry, Tristan. He'll win the chips, and we'll be back at the dock with time to spare." Téa smiled.
(Mokuba POV)
"Duel!" The two of us shouted from on top of the platform.
Mokuba Life Points- 2000
Yugi Life Points- 2000
'This is it, Yugi. Now you're gonna pay for what you did to my big brother...'
I then thought back to when I last saw Seto on the top office at the Kaiba Corp building, one blue-skied afternoon.
"Seto, ya gotta leave now if you're gonna make the boat for the big tournament at Duelist Kingdom. Seto, open the door!" I then opened the door the Seto's office. My brother was sitting at his desk, with a metal briefcase open in front of him, listlessly flicking through his Duel Monsters deck. "Huh? Seto?"
"I'm not going, Mokuba." Seto sighed as he stopped flicking through the deck, and glared at it helplessly, as though wishing he could burn a hole right through the center of it with his eyes.
"Not going? Why not?" I questioned as he tossed the deck on the desk, letting it scatter.
"There's no point!"
"What do you mean, no point?" I retaliated as my older brother started shaking; closing his eyes ruefully.
"Kid, I am in no condition to duel anyone."
"What are you talking about? You always say, 'cards're power' and you've got all the strongest cards!" I spoke bracingly, but also as a kid who couldn't understand why his hero was upset and moping.
I remember how Seto stared down at the desk; he felt all the agony of defeat anew, combined with fear and confusion. "Since I lost my duel with Yugi, I just don't know what I think anymore. Everything's different, it feels as if I lost a piece of myself that day!" He continued.
"But Seto, you're the best. You're the champ." I tried to remind him. Seto pulled a card from his blazer and looked at it.
"Not since the day I was defeated by Yugi." He then threw me the card he took out and threw the card to me, as I caught it. "Here, Mokuba. I'm going away for a while; I don't know how long I'll be gone. Keep this; it was always your favourite."
"Why? Why're you leaving?" I cried out to attempt to stop him from walking out and leaving me all alone.
"Because I don't know who I am anymore. Take care, kid." He then slowly walked out of the door with his briefcase and deck. Once he entered the corridor, he closed the door to his office behind him.
(Kaiba walks out of the office and closes the door.)
"Seto, don't go!" I called after him, but by the time I had, my big bro was already gone. I was left standing alone in the office, one hand half-raised in entreaty."
I then snapped back into reality and my match with Yugi. 'You broke up my family, Yugi... And now, I'm gonna break you up!' "My first card is the Man-Eating Plant!" As its name suggested, Man-Eating Plant was a gigantic, vicious Venus flytrap with long, thorny vines and bright pink petals.
"Now it's my turn! I'll counter your attack, with the Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress!" Yugi's blue dragon came onto the field, I remembered when my brother had battled that card, and now it was my turn to take it down.
"Ha! Bad choice, Yugi! My Man-Eating Plant will eat your Dragon alive! So now you're finally gonna pay for what you did, Yugi— and your stupid dragon's gonna be plant food! Man-Eating Plant, attack!
"Fireball Attack!" My opponent called and Winged Dragon made a counterattack, as Man-Eating Plant was lost in a blaze of fire. I flinched away, then turns back to the field, surprised.
"Huh? My monster lost?"
Mokuba Life Points- 1400
Yugi Life Points- 2000
"You can't win a duel with cards that don't rightfully belong to you. How could your heart ever live in cards that belong to someone else?" The spikey-haired teenager told me, but I didn't believe him.
"Be quiet. I don't believe in that Heart of the Cards stuff you keep preachin' about. Cards have nothin' to do with heart— it's all about power!" I retaliated, seeing that Yugi had closed his eyes.
"Yes, I can see it now." He murmured, opening his eyes.
"I sensed a connection to Kaiba! You're his brother— you're Mokuba!"
"How did you know?!" I shouted, pulling down my bandana. "Well, it doesn't matter!"
"Look!" Joey pointed out.
"It is Kaiba's little brother!"
I then pulled off the hat, letting my bushy black hair fall loose. "That's right; Seto Kaiba is my brother, and he's the best duelist that there ever was." I tossed the hat to one side and looked back at Yugi. But now, thanks to Yugi, he's gone; and Pegasus is trying to take over Kaiba Corp!"
"Pegasus wants Kaiba Corp?!" He seemed surprised.
"I dunno what you did to my big brother when you duelled, Yugi, but ever since that defeat, he hasn't been the same..." I informed Yugi and his friends. "He ran away 'cause of you! And with him gone, Pegasus moved right in. Some Kaiba Corp executives invited 'im to some kinda secret board meeting. Ugh... It's all your fault; Seto deserted me 'cause a you!"
"You don't understand. Mokuba, your brother hasn't deserted you; he's searching for himself.
"Liar! Tell it to my monster! Go, Krokodilus!" My monster then materialised onto the field before Winged Dragon counterattacked, and Krokodilus was destroyed.
Mokuba Life Points- 1100
Yugi Life Points- 2000
"Battling me won't bring your brother back. And we want to stop Pegasus as much as you do! He's taken my grandfather prisoner." Seto's ex-classmate told me.
"That's right, Pegasus is the bad guy here! Can't you see that, ya crazy little kid?!" James furthered.
"You're wrong! I have to protect my brother's company, and Yugi's the one Pegasus has to beat in order to take it over!"
"Wait; I get it. Mokuba is trying to save his brother's company by defeating Yugi in a duel— so Pegasus doesn't get to face Yugi at all!" Lucy shouted.
"Whaddaya mean?" Tristan asked.
"What do you mean 'what do I mean'?!"
"I wasn't talking to you!"
Lucy then face-palmed. "Sorry, what did you mean, Luce?" James asked.
"If Mokuba can keep Pegasus from beating Yugi, he won't be able to take over Kaiba's company." Lucy informed them.
"Ah, that must be it!" Yugi figured it out, turning back to where I was, but by that time, I had already ran to the opposite side of the platform. "Hey— where'd he go?"
"If I can't beat you— aagh" I managed to swipe at the star chips on the console, managing to grab two. "I'll have you disqualified!"
"My star chips!" Yugi called after me, as I jumped down from the platform and started running. Yugi's friends then began chasing me.
"Hold up, ya little punk!"
"Mokuba, listen to me! You'll never save Kaiba Corporation that way!" Yugi stopped me and his friends stopped their running just a few paces behind me. I glanced back over his shoulder uneasily at Yugi. "Your big brother is just confused. After I defeated Kaiba in our duel, I opened his mind. I removed from him all the dark influences that clouded his thoughts and actions. Free of that evil essence, Kaiba is struggling. Now your brother realizes that his way wasn't the right way, and he's searching his heart for answers. And you know in your heart what you're doing isn't the right way either."
I turned away, trying to convince myself that Yugi was wrong, that I should take the stars and run. I just couldn't though. I turned back to face Yugi. "But then... what can I do?"
"You can start by trusting in me, and together— we will defeat Pegasus! I promise you, we can only bring Pegasus down if we stick together. We'll help you protect your brother, Mokuba, but you've got to help us, okay? You've got to go back and return those cards and star chips to the kid you stole them from."
"You're right, Yugi. Then we'll take on Pegasus together!" I smiled.
"We've only got three minutes left 'til the boat leaves!" James reminded us.
"Let's get going, Mokuba!" Yugi took his cards and star chips, hopping down from the platform to join us.
"Let's do it!"
(Seto POV)
I was sitting in the office room of my house by the ocean at the desk which was facing the window. In front of me I had my new project and the tools I needed to complete it. 'Agh! It's no use! I've gone over it a dozen times in my mind, but I still can't figure it out.' I looked at the computer and then at my briefcase to check if anything had been touched, thankfully it hadn't so I continued with the project. 'How was a kid who came out of nowhere, able to defeat a champion like me? I've run computer simulations, probability scenarios, and quantum analysis of our duel, but I still don't have the answer! I had clearly been dominating the match; my Blue-Eyes White Dragon ripped through his forces! I was on the verge of winning! But Yugi wouldn't give up. Against all odds and 16:00 with absolute faith in his grandfather's deck, he somehow drew the one card that assured his victory. I've always believed Duel Monsters was a game of sheer power; but Yugi claims that the cards have a heart!'
I continued to work. His deck is sitting over by the computer, and two different sizes of screwdriver and two sizes of pliers are scattered on the work surface. I tinkered away on two objects, both were shaped like a flipped-over dinner plate; one sat on the desk, and I held the other in my hand as I carefully fine-tuned it. Each disk has a central rectangular panel and four more around the center one, each slanting from a side of the center one. The outer edges of the disks are red, with white in the center. 'It sounds crazy, I know; but could Yugi be right? Is there really a Heart of the Cards that can affect the outcome of a duel? Is that how he won? The only way I'll know for sure is to face Yugi again— and these new portable holo-generators will enable me to challenge him no matter where I find 'im! If I can just get to— hmm?' I broke off my train of thought at the sound of pounding on the door.
"Seto Kaiba! We know you're in there! Open the door or we'll break it down!" Someone shouted from outside the door. I placed the two disks in the briefcase and closed it, right before the two thugs burst into the room. "Let's go, Kaiba. On ya feet!" Both men had guns in their hands and they were pointed directly at me.
"Mista' Pegasus would like to have a few words wit'cha." The second one informed me.
I then stood and faced them, undaunted.
"Hmph. I bet he would, but it'll take more than you two goons to grab me.
"This can go easy, or we can snap ya in two, wise-guy!"
I then made my move. I kicked the large office chair I was sitting in, so it flew right into the two goons and knocked them over. "You'll never take me alive!" I grabbed the briefcase, turned and ran for the window next to the desk. As the goons regrouped.
"Get 'im!" One ordered, prior to running to the ruined window and looking down. The ocean was a good fifty feet or more below them, choppy and studded with sharp rocks.
"He jumped! ...Nobody could survive a fall like that."
"Looks like he did our work for us!" I heard the goons talking from where I was on the cliff, able to just about hang onto the cliff with the briefcase.
"Yeah, that just leaves the rest a' the job. Pegasus was very clear, he wants the deck wit' the deadly Blue-Eyes White Dragon."
(Yugi POV.)
Waved crashed against the cliffs of Duelist Kingdom as Mokuba, my friends and I ran for the pier.
"Hurry, we're almost there!" Téa gasped.
"We're gonna just make it!" James smiled.
"What?!" I grimaced, spotting the rowboat of disqualified duelists, already rowing away.
"I told you I'm not gonna row, so quit bugging me!" Weevil shouted.
"The boat! It's already left!" Mokuba despaired.
"And there's the sleazy lowlife that shipped 'em out!" Joey pointed out.
We ran up to Kimo, watching the boat leave from the end of the pier. He didn't even turn around. "You're too late, those losers are on their way back home."
"Hey; that's not fair, it hasn't been a half-hour yet!" Téa complained.
"Tough luck; Pegasus sets the schedule here!" The man in the suit argued.
"That's it, I'm gonna give you a flat top!" James threatened.
Mokuba ran up to Kimo, holding out his handful of stolen star chips.
"You've gotta call the boat back, 18:00 I've gotta return that kid's star chips to him!" He explained. Kimo callously slaps Mokuba's hand aside, causing him to drop all seven of the star chips he was holding.
"Ahh—!"
"The star chips!" I despaired.
"Ahhh!" We all frowned as all seven star chips fell into the water, and sank instantly.
"What gives?! A buncha those star chips belonged to Yugi, ya big jerk!"
"I am so sorry, Yugi." Mokuba frowned.
"Ha! You losers should keep a tighter grip on your valuables, don'tcha think? Then accidents like that wouldn't happen! Now..." The bodyguard then grabbed Mokuba in a chokehold, to the shock of me and my friends. "Let's go, you; back to the cage! This little ingrate is a special guest of Mister Maximillion Pegasus, and he's been invited to attend a special dinner in his honour back at the castle. Right, Mokuba?" The addressed child struggled and gasped out a plea for help.
"Yugi—!"
"Hold on!" I told him. "I still have three of my star chips left. (points, declaring) I challenge you to a duel, and if I win, Mokuba comes with us!"
"Hmph. I don't know why you'd risk your chips for this punk; but if that's how you wanna waste your last star chips, then meet me back at Arena 146 in exactly four hours; you'll have your duel."
Later, we approached Arena 146, the same one at which I had duelled Mokuba.
"Well, we're here. Where's antenna-head?" Joey joked to try and lighten the serious mood.
"Yugi-! Over here!" Mokuba cried out to us.
Kimo was standing beside the arena, still easily carrying Mokuba by the neck under one arm.
"Get'im- off me!" He pleaded.
"Mokuba! Put him down, now!" I commanded.
"I'll consider it, if you win the duel."
"Oh, I'll beat you, all right..." I scowled.
"I never said I would duel. There is your opponent!" Kimo pointed to the platform.
We all looked at the person waiting atop the red podium, and gasped aloud. The individual at the top of the podium resembles Seto Kaiba, except for the fact that he seems to radiate darkness. His eyes were strangely blank, and unnaturally shadowed.
"He's an old friend who's dying to see you again! He met with an unfortunate end earlier today, but, he's come back just to duel you."
"What're you saying?!" Mokuba panicked.
We all looked at Kaiba with unnerved horror; unable to believe it. "Kaiba"
The ghost spoke, in a sort of sinister monotone. "Mmmhm, yes, Yugi. It's me, Kaiba. And this time you don't stand... a ghost of a chance! Hnhnhnhnhnhnhn..." He laughed.
Ravens take flight from the trees around Arena 146 as Kemo laughs, still restraining Mokuba by the wrist. "Huhuhuh! Yugi, you don't have a ghost of a chance beating Kaiba, because this time, he is a ghost!" He chuckled.
"A ghost?!" I questioned.
"Stop it, Kemo!" Mokuba pleaded.
"It's a fact; two witnesses saw him fall to his doom." Upon hearing what Kimo had just said, we all gasped in horror.
"Liar! Take back what you said!"
"Get used to it; all that's left of Kaiba are your memories. Plus, a very cranky ghost just lookin' for revenge!" The guard laughed.
"It's not him!" I assured.
"Well, he's seen better days. It's time to duel, with the ghoul!"
"It can't be! That guy's nothing but a fake, a trick by Pegasus! Don't worry, Mokuba; I'll win your freedom..."
"Yugi, you look like you've seen a ghost." The ghost chuckled from the other side of the duel arena. I was stiff, and angry, just the idea that Kaiba could be dead has already gotten under his skin, as had the possibility that I myself is partially to blame, and I knew the ghost knew it.
"That's enough!" I shouted.
"I am no longer of this world, and it's all because of you! I could have had it all, but when you beat me, you took more than just the match. You stole my life and destroyed my soul."
"You're nothing but an impostor, so stop the lies and let's start the duel." I ordered him.
"Fine with me. This time you won't beat my cards." He guaranteed.
"You might look like Kaiba, but there is no way you can imitate his deck." James stated.
"You mean my deck."
"Beat him, Yugi! He's nothing but a fake!" Mokuba cheered.
"Yeah, that ghost don't even look like Kaiba!" Joey and Tristan reassured.
"That's right! Wait, I mean, it's not a ghost and it's not Kaiba!
"Get him, Yugi!" James and Lucy shouted.
The impostor stared straight at me. I was furious, and frustrated; despite the fact that he was an impostor, we both know that what he was saying was true.
"Kimo, once I beat Yugi, Pegasus can have Kaiba Corporation; all I want is revenge! Three stars says I win."
"Fine by me, that means when the duel's done I'll have six!" I agreed.
"Let's duel." He said, and the duel was on.
Ghost Kaiba Life Points- 2000
Yugi Life Points- 2000
"Guess I'll go first. Huh! And I'll start off with the Hitotsu-Me Giant!" The green cyclops materialised onto the field. "Hm, is something wrong? It's your turn to move, Yugi."
'The Hitotsu-Me Giant... is how Kaiba began our last duel.' I recalled.
"There's a card just like that in my brother's deck..." Mokuba sighed.
"Hey, just 'cause it's the same card doesn't mean it's the same deck!" My blonde friend retaliated.
'He's trying to confuse me by making the same opening move that Kaiba did; but it'll have the same result!' I thought. "I'll start with this card— go, Dark Magician! With an attack strength of twenty-five hundred! Dark Magic Attack!" I called out to my magician. He exerted and the giant was blown to pieces.
Ghost Kaiba Life Points- 700
Yugi Life Points- 2000
"So much for your giant."
"Hmhmhm, you're as strong as ever, Yugi. "Huhuhuhuh!" The ghost chuckled condescendingly. I grimaced that he was so confident despite losing over half of his life points.
"Did you see that?! That carbon-copy Kaiba's laughin'!" Joey pointed out.
"It's funny how things have come full-circle, Yugi. What are you thinking in that feeble brain of yours right now? I bet I know; you've come to the conclusion that, no matter what, there's no way you can win, and you couldn't be more right. Even a simpleton like you now knows that I must be Seto Kaiba, and once you accept that fact you may as well accept defeat!"
"I don't care who you are, you're going to lose to me just the same." I boldly assured.
"But Yugi, you barely beat me the last time we duelled, and this time your big advantage is— gone."
"What do you mean?" I questioned, knowing full-well what he meant.
"Hmhmhmhmhmhm. Exodia. You've lost Exodia. You can only beat me with Exodia in your deck, and without it, you can only lose!"
(Kaiba POV.)
I was stood outside my mansion in Domino City. Two of Pegasus' goons were guarding my house, but I knew a way to get in without them noticing. I thought back to when I was at the house by the cliffs, as the thugs had lunged for me I'd jumped out of the window to the rock shelf below me. The window had shattered upon impact, however, I had managed to get a grip on the ledge by my fingertips, and once the thugs were gone, I pulled myself back up. I moved from behind the tree and jumped over the wall into the garden. I pulled on a chain hidden in the grass to open a trapdoor to my secret library and lab. Hurrying down the stairs within, I pulled a green book from the shelf, revealing a concealed door behind the bookcase. The door scanned the retina of my eye before opening. As I entered my secret computer bunker, flicking a switch, and pressing a button, the computers all booted up, showing a blue screen scrolling rapid text, then a pretty start-up screen graphic that read "Seto Kaiba". I was now seated at the console in the center, wearing a microphone headset.
'Running identity verification protocol. Please state your name.'
"Seto Kaiba." I told it. A little red bar filled up on the screen as the computer verifies the voice pattern. Once it was certain, the computer spoke less formally, and my start-up graphic showed on all the bigger screens around the room. In total, there was a screen only slightly larger than your average desktop monitor right in front of me, and screens only slightly larger than your average Smart TV on the walls ahead of me and on either side along with two more chairs. "I thought I'd seen it all, but having to break into your own house?"
"It's too long a story for right now." I told it.
"Too long a story! Well maybe I'm not in such a talkative mood myself right now!" The screen in front of me shut off for a moment, as if the computer had decided not to talk, then it starts tiling smaller images of the start-up graphic. At this point it's a bit much.
"I'd find that hard to believe." I replied with an air of long-suffering towards my excessively chatty and cheerful computer.
"Such a smart guy. While you were off gallivantin', a hostile takeover of Kaiba Corporation has begun." The screen showed an image of my HQ, then switched to an incomprehensible 3D readout with a fluctuating bar graph, line graph, and circle chart, and several pairs of letters, arranged in a sort of ellipse: LD, AL, KS, PC, B5, B5, CO, AL, KS, PC.
"I know." The screen changed to show an aerial view of the island of Duelist Kingdom, a small picture of Pegasus, and a window containing green text against a black background.
"At the same time, Maximillion Pegasus kicked off his Duel Monsters championship at the Duelist Kingdom. If Yugi Moto can be defeated by Pegasus, or a competitor that represents him, then the new Kaiba Corporation board has promised him control of the company!" I looked up at the monitor, the colour in my face was washed out by the glow of the computer screens.
"He won't win. Yugi is unbeatable; his deck has Exodia..." I smirked. My smile then turned into a frown at my recollection. The memory of being defeated still ached.
"Yeah, well, sometime after you lost to Yugi, he lost Exodia!"
"No way! Unggh...!" I despaired, if Yugi had lost Exodia, then there was a smaller chance of him winning the tournament and a higher chance of my company being taken over by Pegasus.
"When it rains, it pours. (An image of Mokuba appears next to the picture of Pegasus) Pegasus knows all about the corporation bylaws that require a living Kaiba heir to make any change of control legal; Mokuba's his prisoner!" The computer spoke and I listened in open-mouthed shock. It's even worse than I had imagined. I could imagine Mokuba straining futilely to escape two suited thugs, who would grip one of his arms each, while a phantom Pegasus loomed over, looking on with sinister glee. "And with you out of the way, it's likely Pegasus will exert all kinds of pressure to make your brother do what he wants; one way, or another." I then shook that vision off and focused on the task at hand. "So, now ya know. What're we gonna do?!"
Beat, I made a tough decision. "They'll keep my brother safe, at least until the takeover's complete. So, I've gotta make sure that Pegasus doesn't defeat Yugi in a duel; no matter what. I'm not gonna give up Kaiba Corporation without a real fight; it's takeover time, by me. We're going to hack right into Pegasus' computer mainframe. Next stop— the Duelist Kingdom."
(Yugi POV)
"Are you here to play head games, or Duel Monsters! It's time for your move." I commented.
"Hmhmhmhmhm, and it's gonna blow your mind! This next card's a blast from the past, Yugi; with the emphasis on blast!" The ghost turned the card around and showed it. It was a Blue-Eyes White Dragon! I gasped, shocked and horrified; it couldn't be! "I attack with the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" He slapped down the card on the field. The terrain shimmered with light and the Blue-Eyes White Dragon appeared and roared, I couldn't believe my eyes.
"Only one deck has got that card!" My blonde and curly haired friends commented.
Mokuba was stunned; with the appearance of Blue-Eyes, his brother had been all but pronounced dead. "That means... what they said, could it be true?" The Blue-Eyes roared at my Dark Magician, and I anxiously faced it down.
"Hahahahahaha, looks like the advantage is mine." Kaiba laughed.
"So, this really is Kaiba's deck. There's no other explanation. But does that mean that Kaiba, Kaiba is really—" I was interrupted by the ghost's comment.
"Don't worry, Yugi; my feelings weren't hurt when you called me a liar- now admit that you were wrong!" He coerced, but I wasn't going to dignify that. "Hmhm. Not having a real body isn't so bad; you would not believe what I save in food bills alone. But I still get to enjoy the finer things in life, like revenge! And I'm going to savour its sweet taste for a very long time!"
"Shut up! Please, someone make 'im go away! Make 'im go away!" Mokuba began to cry.
"Ha, almost breaks my heart— if I had one." My opponent mocked. I stared down the situation; what was he going to do?
(Kaiba POV.)
"We've easily broken through the Duelist Kingdom computer system." My computer displayed the map of Duelist Kingdom on the big screen is overlaid with several rectangles, possibly designating regions of the island for formatting the duelling field terrain. A star blinked at the center of each rectangle.
"Too easy. O-kay... When it comes to computer duels, Pegasus has met his match. Now, it should be a piece of cake to find the field in which Yugi is duelling." I smiled as a loading bar showed up on the screen. I watched it fill up with a satisfied smile.
"I'm lookin', I'm lookin'..." She told me. A circle-slash with Funny Bunny the pink cartoon rabbit appeared on the screen.
"'Access Denied'?!" She questioned, I stood up urgently.
"What did you do wrong?!"
"Don't blame me; I finally found the security and it's all around Yugi's data!"
I sat back down in resignation; this was going to be a bit tougher. "Ugh... I shoulda known. Fine by me, Pegasus. Go ahead and give it your best shot. There isn't a computer system anywhere on Earth that I can't break into. Here's the thing; every computer has a back door if you know where to look. And guess where we're gonna look?"
"Beats me." She didn't even bother to guess as I started to type on the keyboard in front of me.
"It'll be quicker if I take over on manual for a while." As I worked, a diagram appeared consisting of three boxes including Duelist Kingdom, an orbiting satellite, and Industrial Illusions' HQ appeared on the screen. A blinking green line travelled from the first box up to the second, then from the second down to the third. "Data from all the duels is being beamed from the Island to an orbiting Industrial Illusions satellite, and back down to their mainframe. These transmissions are obviously highly encrypted. If we can somehow force the Industrial Illusions computer offline, I'm sure their backup systems won't have as much security."
"Are you sayin' we can make their computer crash? From here? But how?" She questioned.
"A computer crash is exactly what I had in mind; the biggest computer crash ever. And I'm going to use Pegasus' own satellite to do it!"
"But I've already tried to hack into their systems."
"My idea's different. Once the security is down we should be able to freely access the data. Be ready with a search for the Dark Magician." A window displayed on my computer screen containing an image of the Dark Magician card.
"Gotcha. Dark Magician inquiry, loaded and standing by."
"Good. If Yugi's dueling, he's sure to use that card." I smiled.
"So, spill it already. How the heck are we going to use Industrial Illusions' own satellite to bring down their computer?"
"By bringing down the satellite itself— down all the way!" I laughed. The image of the satellite blew up to fill the whole screen, then broke down into a schematic blueprint.
"Loading satellite schematics. M-class Triton series. Booster rocket controls online. Locating orbital coordinates." On the screen, Pegasus' satellite was graphed out and targeted as it drifted through space. Another window popped up with the graphic of a vault door reading KEEP OUT, and a red loading bar on top of that. As the bar filled, the locks and bolts on the door turned, before opening. "Breaching onboard computer security. You are now the proud owner of an Industrial Illusions satellite."
"Great! Now plot a crash course for the computer mainframe." I ordered.
"Uploading new coordinates now." The computer zoomed in on the top of the Industrial Illusions Headquarters building, so even the rooftop helicopter pad could be seen.
"We are locked on-target for the computer."
"Hmph! Virus software won't stop this! Pegasus— you're on notice that the Kaiba Corporation's still mine!"
"Satellite impact in ten seconds..." The screen zoomed in rapidly and roughly, as it followed the progress of the satellite—before the screen went fuzzy indicating that the satellite had been destroyed.
(Yugi POV.)
"Heheheheheheh. I won't attack just yet. Why rush to victory when I can draw it out as long as possible instead? My opponent then placed a face-down card, signifying the end of his turn.
'There's more to it than that. He's hiding some sort of magic card, I know it!' (aloud) "Dark Magician, go to defensive mode! And I summon Curse of Dragon, on the defense as well!" I announced.
"Smart playing, Yugi. Unfortunately, it wasn't smart enough; you played right into my hand- (he flips the facedown) 'Stop Defence'!
"A trap!" I was caught of guard, now all of my monsters would be switched into attack mode, meaning that if Kaiba attacked me with his dragon I would lose a lot of my life points.
"Mmm. Now all your monster cards on the field have been switched into attack mode."
"W-wha?" The girls questioned.
"Yugi!" Mokuba cried out.
'While that Defense Paralysis card is on the field, my monsters can't defend themselves. I've got to think of a way out...' I contemplated, trying to think of a strategy.
"Ha! It's time! Blue-Eyes White Dragon, use your White Lightning!" A big, bright blue-white fireball was fired and the Curse of Dragon didn't stand a chance.
"Well, so much for your Curse of Dragon." Kaiba mocked.
"Yugi!" My friends and Mokuba cried out.
Kaiba Life Points- 700
Yugi Life Points- 1000
(Kaiba POV.)
The screen showed a diagram of a duel; blue had 1300 and one monster in attack mode, and red had 800 and two monsters of the field. The virtual door of field 530 closed and I kept searching. "No Dark Magician there. Next field." I carefully watched, checking for any obstacles that could be found on the way. We glided down a virtual hallway, and reached the door at the end.
"We've exhausted almost every possibility of locating Yugi Muto. Field one-forty-six is the final active duel." The computer clarified.
"Then— he's gotta be there! Search field one-forty-six!" I commanded.
"You got it—" My computer was interrupted as we moved towards the virtual door, the picture blurred and there was a loud crackling sound, as though we hit an energy barrier.
"What's that?!" I questioned.
"Looks like I've crashed."
"Reboot." I waited the long moment for the computer to restart herself.
"...Back online." She mentioned.
"Enter field one-forty-six!" I reinitiated the command key.
The screen again tried to zoom in on the door to field 146, and the result was static and a flash of white light. "I'm frozen again!" The computer pointed out. "It's worse this time."
"Hang on. Watch this..." I paused, typing on the keyboard; a window came up on the screen containing an image of the Dark Magician card, crossed out, and an ok button. "Gotcha. Just as I thought. So. A virus. A good one. That means— just one thing! Searching for Yugi's cards activates the virus! Yugi's inside— get ready to go in!" I instructed.
"But, the security door—" My computer was interrupted as I spoke,
"We've come this far already and I'm not gonna blow it! ..." I hesitated as a graphic of three sticks of dynamite appeared on the screen with a quick-filling loading bar. "Actually, yes I am." I contradicted. There was explosion of the computer screen, as the virus wall was shattered; when the dust cleared, the screen showed a castle across an expanse of sparkling water, looking almost like a mirage. "What's that?!" I was surprised at what I was seeing/
"It's a virtual fortress. Sensors indicate that all of the data from Yugi's duels is processed here." The screen zoomed in on the thick iron door. "You won't blow your way through this thing; it's the ultimate defense! And, it's impossible to penetrate without the password!" The computer spoke eccentrically.
"Hmmm... a password. If I know Pegasus, that egomaniac would never think that anyone would outsmart 'im and get even this far. We're goin' in."
"The password?"
"Heh— 'Pegasus'!" I typed the name in on the keyboard.
(Yugi POV.)
My opponent kept laughing now that our life points were getting closer to each-other. I began sweating bullets at the situation, this was really bad. 'How can I defeat his Blue-Eyes White Dragon?' I asked myself.
"Heheh. Yugi, ya gotta admit, for a stiff, this Kaiba's sure got game!" Kimo sniggered.
"That's not my brother! There's just no way! Yugi, you know that's not him— everyone thinks he's a bad guy, but I know my brother, and he's not mean like this! He's my best friend in the whole world! That thing's not him! Ugh, ya just gotta believe me!" Mokuba explained. My friends and I were touched in a surprised way; Mokuba is actually saying these things about Kaiba! Tears appeared at the edges of Mokuba's eyes as he tried to help us think it wasn't Kaiba.
'I wish I could be as sure as you, Mokuba. I don't know what to believe. But one thing I do know for sure- this duel's not over yet.' I opened my eyes. "'Magical Hats'— conceal the Dark Magician!" My trap card mobilised as four top hats appear on the monster zones of my field, each one with a checkered hat band and a yellow question mark on the front. "He's under there somewhere— but which one!" I laughed.
"Hmph. Are you so desperate that you have your Dark Magician doing simple hat tricks?" Kaiba asked, but obviously he was the desperate one here.
"It's not a trick— and it's not so simple. Your move— but you'd better think twice before you choose. Just do the math— four hats? Only twenty-five-percent chance you'll find the Dark Magician. The real question is, what else is hiding beneath those hats?"
"Way to go, Yugi!" Lucy cheered.
"Now that's what I like to call pullin' one outta your hat!" Jay laughed.
"Huh? All right...!" Mokuba's teary eyes dazzled with wonder and belief in me.
(Kaiba POV.)
The virtual fortress door swings open. "You were right about the password! The virtual fortress is unlocked. We now have access to Yugi's data, and it was just his turn." The computer explained.
"Pegasus thinks he can make up all the rules in this game. But he could never have imagined this brand-new twist— I'm back!"
(Yugi POV.)
"Hmm, so predictable! I know where the Dark Magician hides." The ghost declared.
"If you're so sure, then move. I told him.
"It's a shame this duel's going to end so soon— White Lightning!" The attack blazed towards me
'If he attacks the right hat, I'll lose more than just this duel— much more!' A sparkling white blaze sizzled across the field and struck one of my four magical hats. I ducked, then when the blaze receded, straightening up with a smile.
"Hm." I chuckled.
"No! That hat was empty!" He jeered.
"Ha-right! This could work!" Joey cheered.
"It's gotta work." Téa pleaded.
"Yugi'll beat that faker!" Mokuba believed.
"Your guess was wrong. Guess wrong again and it will cost you!" I placed a card face-down which in turn was also concealed by the hats. "There are still three Magical Hats left on the field, and one of them holds a special surprise just for you. If you destroy the hat that hides my Dark Magician, you'll win this duel. Choose the empty one, and it's my turn again. But I'm betting you'll pick the hat that conceals the trap card I just put into play!" I boldly remarked.
"A trap card?!" He couldn't believe what was happening, and I liked it that way.
"Now— which hat will it be?" I queried.
"You're takin' a big gamble, Yugi!" My curly haired friend told me.
"If he guesses right, it's over!" Tristan remarked.
The ghost of Kaiba eyed the three hats asking himself which one he was going to attack. "Blue-Eyes White Dragon, attack the middle hat!" He demanded. The middle hat was obliterated in a stream of blinding white light. The air crackles where the it once sat. A devious grin on my face clearly stated that Kaiba had made the wrong choice.
"Well, now you've done it- activated my trap card, that is!" I announced. The ground under the hat crackled more, and a shimmering design is glowing on the floor of the arena. The crackling electricity builds, and fires a burst at the Blue-Eyes. "'Spellbinding Circle'! When the sparking ball hit, it surrounded Blue-Eyes with a sort of dome of blueish fog. The ghost growled under his breath.
"A Blue-Eyes White Dragon is normally unstoppable; but once drained of its energy by the Spellbinding Circle..." I explained at the Blue Eyes lost 700 attack points. "...It's no match for the full power of my Dark Magician!" Dark Magician appeared from the hat in the center of the field and leapt into the air; his attack points were still at their full 2500. Blue-Eyes, trapped under the veil of blue, couldn't move. Dark Magician raised his staff high, and used its Dark Magic Attack to blow Blue-Eyes away, singlehandedly. "And that puts an end to your Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
Kaiba Life Points- 500
Yugi Life Points- 1000
"Way to go, Yugi!" Mokuba applauded, however, Kimo grabs Mokuba's shoulder, being sure to keep hold of him.
Suddenly, another Blue-Eyes appeared and let forth a blast of blue white light. I was shocked; I can only shield my face as Dark Magician is obliterated. He's down to 500 lifepoints
Kaiba Life Points- 500
Yugi Life Points- 500
"Uh... Whoa!" The boys groaned.
"Another one?!" Lucy was shocked.
"Heheheheheheheh! And that puts an end to your Dark Magician. There are only three Blue-Eyes White Dragon cards in the world and they're all in my deck; your grandpa had the fourth but I ripped it up. But how could I possibly know that, if I'm not really Seto Kaiba? You know, I couldn't believe it when you beat all three of my Blue-Eyes White Dragons with Exodia, but now without that monster in your deck, there's absolutely no way you can win; your move." The ghost assured.
"Everybody heard about your duel with Seto; that's how this loser knows about it! That's not my brother, Yugi! I'm sure!" Mokuba exclaimed.
I nodded back, and turned to face the ghost again.
(Kaiba POV.)
"I am now re-routing the data from Field One-Forty-Six at the Duelist Kingdom. After that, we'll be able to confirm if Yugi Muto is duelling there." The computer screen showed a virtual hallway, and a door marked 146. Computer monitors lit up my face with their pallid glow.
"I'm sure he is. Now show me what you've got."
"Here it comes- we're in. Now downloading duel data. 6:00 (quick loading bar) You were right; Yugi Muto is in this duel." The computer informed me.
"Can you show it to me on screen?" I requested. The screen immediately changed to show a diagram of the current duel. The left-hand side of the field had Blue-Eyes along with Defence Paralysis. The right-hand side contained no cards, this was most likely Yugi's side of the field, and if it was, then he was at a serious disadvantage. A diagram of the Blue eyes then appeared next to the duel schematics.
"My pleasure. I think the part you'll find most interesting is the name of Yugi's opponent." I looked at the names displayed above the field, it read 'Yugi Moto VS Seto Kaiba'
"What?! Is this your idea of a joke?" I asked. This new revelation hit me hard; how dare an impostor challenge Yugi claiming to be me!
"I never joke. Sensors indicate that the opponent opposite Yugi is registered as Seto Kaiba— and he's using your deck!"
"Pegasus must've taken my deck..." I concluded.
"The duelists are tied, and the impostor has his second Blue-Eyes White Dragon on the field; Yugi defeated the first one using a combination of the Dark Magician and Magical Hats. He currently has five hundred points left, and no cards in play; it's his move."
"But without... Exodia, Yugi can't win." I hesitated. "He has no other cards left in his deck that can beat the Blue-Eyes White Dragon— let alone two of them."
"Well, then, I hope you have a plan." The computer trusted.
"Yes, but we've got to work fast. Yugi'll lose on the next attack from the Blue-Eyes White Dragon... Unless we decrease its power from here.
"Can we do that?" The computer questioned.
"Oh, yeah. Upload a virus into that monster's holo-computer. That dragon is about to get sick— real sick."
"Standing by. But shouldn't we wait first to see Yugi's next move?" A diagram of the blue eyes appeared on the screen in front of me.
"We can't afford to risk Yugi losing the duel. Upload!" I commanded.
"Viral injection underway." The computer stated as lights started to flash on the screen.
(Yugi POV.)
'I don't have any monsters that can withstand his Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Ugh... this could be it...!' I despaired.
"This duel is over, Yugi; I'm sure we'll be hearing the fat lady sing right after your turn. I still have Defense Paralysis active, so whatever monster you pick won't be able to defend itself."
"I choose the Feral Imp, in attack mode!" I played my monster in attack position and it appeared on the field.
(Kaiba POV.)
A hologram of Yugi's Feral Imp appeared on my screen. "I wish Yugi waited a few more seconds before moving! Isn't there anything you can do to get that computer virus uploaded faster?" The screen showed a percentage counting up from 49% into the 50%'s, then 60%'s. I held his breath, clenching my teeth, as I watched the number.
"We're already halfway there. This is as fast as it goes. Viral implant now at sixty percent; but it doesn't seem to be working." The screen showed Blue-Eyes' attack points— still a solid 3000. "The Blue-Eyes White Dragon is still showing no signs of weakness."
"Something is wrong!" I panicked.
(Yugi POV.)
"Hahahaha, this is almost too easy."
"Yugi!" Téa and Lucy cried out.
"Hang on! Yugi can still win this!" Tristan believed.
"Huh! Don't forget, he beat Kaiba last time!" Joey cheered.
"Yugi...!" Mokuba mumbled.
"It's time, Blue-Eyes White Dragon— attack!" Kaiba ordered.
"Ugh! ...Huh?" I hesitated. Blue-Eyes had begun to spring leaks; thin beams of light were shooting from under its scales, and the ground beneath it was glowing. The pixels phased in and out. It roared, and sounded confused.
"What're you waiting for?! Attack!" My opponent commanded.
(Kaiba POV.)
"The virus is taking effect! Blue-Eyes White Dragon's attack power is beginning to drop." On my screen, the Blue-Eyes diagram was overlaid with a fill of red, presumably representing the virus' spread. More importantly, the attack points were plummeting from 3000, down into the 2900's.
"But it's still too strong! It has to get weaker— or it'll still beat Yugi!" I grimaced.
(Yugi POV.)
I watched Blue-Eyes' attack points suddenly plummet on the point totals of my duelling console. "Wha—? I don't believe it!"
"What's going on?! My Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" The ghost began to panic as the pixels phase again, and Blue-Eyes' wings begin to melt, as though made of plastic and placed in an oven. It was streaming light from every direction.
My friends and I watched in stunned awe; Mokuba all but cheers out loud, hardly daring to believe his eyes. "This is Kimo to Pegasus. I hope you're watching, sir, 'cause we got a real problem out here!"
(Kaiba POV.)
I stood tensely at my console of his computers, anxious for the plan to work. "The Blue-Eyes White Dragon's attack power is dropping rapidly. The virus implant is successfully disabling the monster completely." The computer explained.
"Alright, now let's get to work on dragon number three." I ordered as the computer showed Blue-Eyes' attack to be in the 2400's.
"Standing by—" She was suddenly interrupted by the picture on my screens being laced through with zig-zaggy static.
"What's the matter?!" I asked angrily.
"We've been locked out by a remote terminal; looks like we've been hacked!"
"Ugh!" I groaned as Pegasus' pink cartoon rabbit in red suspenders, walked out into the middle of my screen, immune to whatever crashed it, and began dancing dopily and waving at me.
"Hey, Kaiba! Hey, Kaiba! Hey, Kaiba! Hey, Kaiba!" He danced around and before I knew it, more and more overlapping Funny Bunnies showed up, clowning across the frozen screens, mocking my fear at the fact that only one individual could be behind a hacking like this. Heeeey, Kaiba! Heyyyyyy, Kaiba! Heyyyyy! Kaiba, Kaiba!"
"Ugh! It's Pegasus!" I groaned.
"Hey, Kaiba." They carried on before freezing, then disappearing; the screens were now back to normal.
"Attack power is holding now at two thousand."
"But this should've worked...!" I shouted.
"The Blue-Eyes White Dragon is launching its attack." The computer despaired.
"No!"
(Yugi POV.)
Even as its face begins to melt, Blue-Eyes prepared to breathe a fireball of crackling, blue-white mist. "Now, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, time to obliterate them!" My opponent commanded.
I gasped, troubled; this was it. My friends Joey, Tristan, Téa, James, Lucy and Mokuba gasped and groaned this could be the end. The static-like, fading, melting Blue-Eyes shot forth a burst of white lightning.
(Kaiba POV.)
"Ugh...! YUGI!" I pounded my fists onto the console, in a moment of blind desperation.
(Yugi POV.)
My expression changed from bitter resignation to shock; somehow, I had heard Kaiba's voice! "Kaiba...?!" The blast approaches, enveloping me in an ocean of white lightning. The attack let loose, then, having filled the air around me, suddenly dissipates. The air was sparkling faintly; Feral Imp remained unharmed, as was I. "It stopped...! Ah...! The dragon..." I noted. Blue-Eyes was now half melted away; I could almost see its bones. It was phasing and cutting out more every second before glowing brightly as though destroyed, and is gone.
"This can't be...!" Kaiba complained.
"Wha... it's gone...!" Joey gasped.
"What happened?" James wondered.
"It's a trick!" The pointy-haired security guard decided.
(Kaiba POV.)
"The Blue-Eyes White Dragon is destroyed; but the virus was not responsible!" The computer explained.
"Then how? Did Yugi Moto somehow do this?" I asked the monitor.
"How could he? It is your deck." She stated.
"It's the Heart of the Cards...! Yugi was right...! Huh?" I had just heard a beep. The lock on the door flashed a red light. Someone on the other side was trying to get in. It flashed and beeped again.
(Yugi POV.)
"Why...?! Why me-e-e?!" The ghost asked, clutching his head.
"Why, because! Kaiba's still alive! He stopped you!" I told him.
"Silence! I am Kaiba!"
"Enough! Your charade is over!" I shouted sharply.
"My brother is alive!" Mokuba proclaimed.
"What's going on?" Téa asked.
"It's like Yugi said. Last time Yugi duelled my brother, he showed Seto the Heart of the Cards! This faker may have taken his deck, but the real Seto Kaiba's alive and well!"
"Oh..." My five friends gasped.
Atop the red podium, the thing that had been calling itself Seto Kaiba seemed to be having a nervous breakdown. "Impostor! The real Seto Kaiba destroyed that monster; I know because I sensed him calling out to me when it happened. Now— enough of your lies! We know you're not Kaiba! It's time for you to show us who you really are!"
The duelist opposite me shuddered all over, clutching his head harder, then, lifted his head and raved out loud. "I told you— I am Kaiba! Hahahahahahahaha! Or at least I'm part of him— the darkest part!" As he spoke, the ghost's arms swell and burst his sleeves, his chest expanded and shredded the blue uniform-suit he was wearing, and his face and neck bulged and bubbled, then finally burst apart, revealing a different persona entirely. This new character was bulbous and fat, with small eyes and a wide, toad-like mouth. His hair, what little of it there was, was pink, and stuck out from the side of his bald head like a clown's. The thing that recently pretended to be Kaiba laughed, his new voice repellent and harsh. He now wore a purple cape with a huge collar.
"Eheheheheheh-heh. I can see you don't recognize me, Yugi. I wasn't lying when I told you I was Seto Kaiba— the evil part of him that you sent to the Shadow Realm after our last duel! Now I'm back, thanks to Pegasus! Nyahahahahahaha!"
"You're not a part of my brother anymore!" Mokuba raised a fist.
"Eeeww, it's hideous!" The girls and Jay complained.
"I always thought that this duel just might turn ugly— but I never thought that ugly!" My blonde-haired friend did put his thumbs down.
"Hey ugly! If I were you, I'd start worrying about what my big brother's gonna do to you when he finally catches up to you!" Kaiba's brother threatened.
"I guess I just don't know what to call you. I was thinking about 'monster'- but I didn't want to insult the cards! It's your move; you've got a whole deck to go through and only one Blue-Eyes White Dragon left." I explained
The thing drew a card and looked at it. "Grappler in defense mode, ahahaha." He chuckled. Grappler was a purple sort of lizard warrior. It growls up at me.
'He's just biding his time until he draws his last Blue-Eyes.' "It's my turn." I looked at the Celtic Guardian monster card I just drew .'I'd play this card in defense mode, but he's still got his Defense Paralysis card in play. So, I can only attack. And with no defense, if he draws the Blue-Eyes White Dragon I'm finished!' I thought. "I'll set one card on the field and draw the Celtic Guardian as well, in attack mode!" Celtic Guardian was an armoured elf, with pointy ears and purple markings on his cheeks. He wields a sword. As soon as he was summoned, he leapt high into the air, and brought down his sword; Grappler was split in two. "Your Grappler's split!" I announced.
"Nyeh, parting is such sweet sorrow. Next up is Mystic Horseman in defense mode, and I'll lay one of my cards facedown just like you!"
I was keenly aware that I has only 500 life points left and there was a new pitfall on the field. 'Facedown? Is it a magic card, or is he setting a trap?' I asked myself. "Again I'll play a card face-down, and I'll use the Mystical Elf, in attack mode. Plus, this 'Book of Secret Arts' magic card will raise its attack and defense power by three hundred points!" My Mystical Elf appeared on the field, a strawberry-blonde with light-blue-skin wearing a flowing, floor-length green dress, had her hands clasped before her and eyes closed. She quietly sang her prayer in an elven tongue. "My turn is over.
"Patience, Yugi, for it will soon be all over!"
"I find it hard to believe, but I'm likin' the look on that guy's face even less than I did before!"
"Then think about how Yugi feels standing up there, Joe." James commented.
"Loser! Make your move!" Mokuba coerced my opponent.
"Hmhmhmhm, as you wish." He drew the card gleefully. Ohh, prepare— For the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Indeed, he held up the third and final Blue-Eyes. It took to the field, roaring.
"Yugi!"
"Don't worry, Yugi! My brother will help out just like last time!" Mokuba promised.
"Dream on!" Kimo laughed. "Your luck's about to run out. Just see for yourself." My friends all watched the Blue-Eyes closely. "Unlike the last Blue-Eyes, this one is at full power and your brother's in no position to do a thing about it! 'Cause we found where his hiding place is, and now he's on the run."
"So that means, Kaiba is alive?" Tristan asked.
"Dimwit. It means don't expect another miracle- 'cause this duel's about to end!" Kimo further explained.
Mokuba tries to fight back his tears "Ugh... Oh no!" He wailed.
"Nyah-hah, such a good dragon— wouldn't you say, Yugi? This duel's about to end now— go, White Lightning attack!" Kaiba's evil half ordered.
"This duel's not over yet! Activate Mirror Force, now!" The blast struck a prismatic shield that has appeared in front of Mystical Elf, and the shield shines with the contained blast.
"Whough! He's turned over a trap card!" My opponent was almost stunned.
"The Mirror Force reflects your attack right back at you!" I explained.
"Pretty good trick; but I'm ready with one of my own. I'll use 'Negate Attack'!" The bolts of light from Mirror Force seemed to strike an invisible barrier in front of Blue-Eyes before vanishing.
'He had a trap card waiting, just in case!'
"Negate Attack neutralizes any attack thrown at me— even if it's one of my own."
"Yugi!" My friends all cried out.
"Hmhmhmhm! It's time to finish this duel— with Monster Reborn." I smiled.
"Oh no! That allows you to revive any monster lost in this duel from either deck!" The darker form of Seto squealed.
"I'm glad you know the rules; now guess which card I want. Be reborn— Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Kaiba's Blue-Eyes appears on my field, roaring and triumphant, in perfect health, its silver scales sparkled in the light of the sun.
"Ouh, fat lot of good that move's gonna do you, Yugi; both of these monsters are evenly matched!"
"Their powers are not the same." I smirked "You forgot about my Mystical Elf. She's been chanting a spell since I put her on the field. It allows the Mystical Elf to transfer her own attack power, to any other monster I choose!"
"Whaaat, this can't be!" The ghost cried.
"This move was inspired by Seto Kaiba himself. He showed me that you can alter the attack power of a Blue-Eyes White Dragon. But I'm raising the power of mine, instead of lowering it like Kaiba did to yours."
"This can't be happening! Oh no- no!"
"Consider this a message from the real Seto Kaiba— YOU LOSE!" I raised my hand and the Blue-Eyes White Dragon attacked it counterpart. "Now, Blue-Eyes— Obliterate!" The impostor's dragon was beaten down, obliterated, like a rock in a sandstorm. The blast glowed brighter and brighter, bleaching the landscape, turning the entire arena into a beacon, and the world seems to shake. My friends shielded their eyes, fighting to stay standing.
Kaiba Life Points- 0
Yugi Life Points- 500
"Whoa-a-a-a-a-a!" The darker Kaiba squealed like a child.
"Pegasus may've helped you escape the Shadow Realm once before, but it won't happen again— NEVER again!" I extended a hand, exerting some unseen power, and, with one last exclamation of surprise, my opponent turned colours like a film negative, shatters, and was blown away into the bright yellow light. I stood strong, silhouetted in the light as the wind whips at my jacket and hair, the Millennium Puzzle blazing against my chest as its powers surged through me.
"Pegasus- I sense that you're watching. Consider this a warning. Nothing you send against me will stop me; and when we finally duel, believe me, victory will be mine! I'll win back my grandfather's soul, and you will pay for all the people you've hurt in the name of your sick little game! I'm coming for you, Pegasus!"
(Pegasus POV.)
The video cut out. I looked down at his hand, still moulded in the shape of the wineglass that had shattered, then up at the screen. I was no longer pleasantly entertained. 'Yugi, you've developed your shadow-powers quite a bit, in such a short time. But when we finally duel, believe me—your Millennium Puzzle will be mine! Mmhmhmhmhm!' I chuckled to myself.
(Yugi POV.)
As the yellow light evaporated, the red podium was empty, its life point counter read zero. Kaiba's deck sat in its zone on the console, Blue-Eyes was top. I had risen to the platform, gently picking it up, looking down at it sadly. "Kaiba..."
"That ghost is toast, huh, Yugi?" Joey asked.
"I knew that the real Kaiba was alive the whole time!" Tristan commented.
"Huh?" James and Lucy hummed.
"What is it?" My best friend asked.
"That creep took Mokuba!" Téa, Lucy and James breathed.
"Whoa!?" Me, Joey and Tristan breathed. "Huh...! Mokuba!" I shouted to try and get Seto's brother's attention. I then looked around; Kimo and Mokuba were nowhere in sight.
"I can't believe it!" Téa gulped.
"Mokuba?!" We all called out.
"He's gone. Taken again." I looked down at the ground.
"Oh, no...!" Tristan and Jay breathed.
"Hey, Mokuba!" We all shouted, but we were the only ones nearby…
A/N: So once again, I want to apologise for the lateness of his chapter, I've just had a lot of school stuff going on lately, so I'm sorry if it's not up to my usual standards and how late I was updating this fanfiction. I don't know when the next chapter will be out but it will feature the Joey VS Rex duel, and the one after that will be based on Lucy and James. I'm not sure how long it will take me to write that one but hopefully it clears up a lot of things for you. I'm also sorry that they're only on the side-lines for now, in season 2- 5 they'll have bigger roles. Once again, thank you for reading, please review if you'd like to. :)