Back to Battle City Part III

'This four-way duel is confusing!' Téa declared. 'What's the score?'

Tristan answered. 'Well, so far Joey's in the lead, followed by Yugi in second place, then you got Kaiba in third, and Marik bringing up the rear.'

YGO

'It's my move,' Marik drew and played his card. 'And I summon Dark Jeroid.'

'Big deal!' Joey called up to him. 'It's the weakest monster on the field, Marik.'

Kaiba doubted that. He'd already learned that when Marik played a seemingly weak monster, there was certainly some sort of special ability that monster had that did real damage. If Marik attacks me, my Ring of Destruction trap card will be ready for him. Ready to blast his monster into the next Millennium, that is.

'I'll attack Gearfried the Iron Knight!' Marik declared, pointing down at Wheeler.

Wheeler, at least, displayed some intelligence. 'I saw that coming.'

'And thanks to Jeroid's special ability, your beast gets weaker,' Marik said, 'but 800 points!'

Gearfried's attack points dropped to 1000.

That one Wheeler clearly did not see coming. He cried out in alarm.

Marik laughed. 'You're through!' Jeroid attacked.

'Not quite!' Wheeler sing-songed. 'Heh. Check this out. Reveal face-down card!' One of his down cards flipped around. 'Go Skull Dice!' The sprite emerged from the card with his die. The Skull Dice sprite cast the die. 'Now, your monster's points shrink depending on what I roll.'

'So you're relying on luck?' Marik demanded.

Sorry, in all this time had Marik not caught on the fact that Wheeler did rely on luck? He relied on luck in every single one of his duels. And he had an insane amount of it. It usually worked out for him. That was the biggest reason Kaiba why didn't take him seriously as a duellist.

'Yeah, that's right,' Wheeler said as the die came back down. 'You got a problem with that?'

The die landed. 'Yeah! It's a two! That means your monster's attack points get cut in half!'

Jeroid's attack points dropped down to 600.

'Yes!' Yugi exclaimed.

And again with the insane luck. Well, he could fix that.

'Time for Gearfried to strike back, and send your Jeroid packing,' Joey declared. 'Gearfried, take it away!' Gearfried charged, but just before he could attack his power shrank again, along with his physical size. 'No way! My monster! It's a mini-Gearfried.'

'What's going on?' Yugi wondered. But then Kaiba chuckled and he immediately worked it out. 'Kaiba! You did that!'

Kaiba laughed. 'Yes, I used my face-down Shrink card. So thanks to me, Wheeler's monster just lost half its strength.'

Gearfried's attack strength had gone down to 500.

'Now his creature is as puny as his mind,' Kaiba gloated.

Marik, of course, took advantage. 'Dark Jeriod, destroy Gearfried the Iron Knight.'

With that order, Jeroid let a purple energy blast out of his mouth and the severely weakened Gearfried was destroyed.

'I won't forget that, Kaiba!' Joey snapped as his life points dropped to 3200 and his platform rose up. 'Mark my words!'

'Stay focused, Joey!' Yugi coached him.

YGO

Below, Mayet scowled.

'I can't believe that Kaiba just helped Marik out!' Tristan declared. He growled in irritation. 'I mean, that's about as low as you can get.'

Maybe so, but the reason why was clear.

'He's got something planned,' Téa mused worriedly.

'Yeah!' Tristan agreed. 'But what?'

Or…maybe it was just clear to her.

'That was great.' Of course, Mokuba would always be the one cheering on his brother. 'My brother's timing on that last move was just perfect!'

Téa pulled a face. 'I don't know about you guys, but I don't trust Kaiba at all.'

Mayet smiled. 'Oh, please. He's just trying to make it so he faces Yugi in the semi-finals.'

YGO

'You're going down, Kaiba!' Joey snapped.

'Well, you're going up, Wheeler,' Kaiba retorted. 'And, in this duel, that's worse.'

Joey growled. 'We'll see!'

'Joey, stay calm,' the Pharaoh called. 'You must maintain your concentration.' He looked up. 'Now then, my move.'

YGO

Serenity maintained her vigil at Mai's bedside.

'Hang on, Mai,' she said. 'My brother's gonna rescue you soon. I promise. You can count on Joey. Don't worry, Mai. Joey's not gonna let you down. He always comes through.'

She looked out towards the Duel Tower.

'And he's out there fighting for you right now.'

You can do it, Joey. I know you can.

YGO

The Pharaoh drew. 'All right.'

Now, which duelist should I attack? Kaiba has Blade Knight on the field in attack mode, plus two face-down cards to protect himself. Malik has Dark Jeroid in play, and so far he's in last place. But if I attack him, Kaiba may protect him again.

The Pharaoh didn't think that likely. Kaiba obviously would have wanted to face Yugi in the semi-finals and Joey's luck-based victories would always rankle someone as strategically-inclined as Kaiba was. It was more likely that'd been done out of spite. But Yugi had a long way to go before he understood Kaiba's motivations.

Yugi went on as the Pharaoh looked across. And poor Joey has no monsters on the field to sheild himself. He's in the worst shape of all! I have to make sure that Joey doesn't end up duelling Marik. It's too dangerous! As long as Kaiba and Malik finish last, he's safe. So I could attack Kaiba's Blade Knight, but I'm sure he'd activate one of his face-down cards. That leaves only one choice: Malik!

'I've made my choice,' the Pharaoh said. 'Now, my Beast of Gilfer, attack! Your target is Marik's monster!'

'Hold on!' Joey called.

The Pharaoh froze and looked down.

'Don't do it,' Joey said. 'Listen to me. Please, Yug. You're making a mistake and I can't let you go through with this! You're attacking the wrong duellist, Yug. You shouldn't be attacking Marik. You should be attacking me.'

YGO

'I don't get it,' Téa said. 'What's Joey thinking?'

'I'd say he's not thinking,' Tristan remarked. He went to call up.

Mayet put a hand out. 'Oh, he's thinking. He knows exactly what he's asking.'

'What do you mean?' Téa asked.

'Just what you said before,' Duke responded. 'Joey wants to duel Marik. He know if Yugi attacks him, that'll take him down to 1000 life points. Then either Marik or Kaiba will finish him off. That will leave Marik for both Yugi and Kaiba to focus on and take down. Marik will be the next one to lose. Joey will be paired up with Marik in the semi-finals, and that's what he wants.'

Mayet nodded. 'Exactly. See? There's method to the madness.'

YGO

It seemed the match-offs Kaiba wanted were, by sheer happenstance, the exact same ones Wheeler wanted.

Kaiba watched in amusement as Wheeler explained his reasoning to Yugi. 'This is something that I have to do, Yugi. I know you're just looking out for me, pal, but you can't keep protecting me for the rest of my life. I'll never learn to improve my duelling skills if you keep going easy on me. Think about it. The reason I came this far is because I faced the toughest opponents in my life in Battle City. They duelled against me with everything they had. And I defeated them all on my own. I've come a really long way since the Battle City Tournament began, if I do say so myself. If you really want to help me, Yugi, then treat me how you would any other opponent. This is a four-way duel, and it's everyone for themselves. I don't want any special treatment.'

Kaiba chuckled. At least Wheeler was self-aware enough to know all that. And, even though he'd never say it aloud, perhaps there was hope for him to be a half-way decent duellist in future. Maybe…when he learned not to rely on luck as near-religiously as he did at the present time.

'Let's go!' Marik grumbled impatiently. 'It's time to move onward. I believe it's your move, Pharaoh.'

The way Marik addressed Yugi rankled Kaiba, though he didn't know why. Marik's delusions, or cult beliefs or whatever they were, had no bearing on Kaiba; they didn't affect him at all. There was, however, some truth in what Sharee had said when he'd complained of it in the chopper.

It didn't matter if they believed it; what was important was that Marik did.

'He's right, Yug,' Wheeler said. 'You're in the middle of an attack, so pick your target. And, remember, if you really believe in me, then you'll stop babysitting me and start treating me like your equal.'

From the look on Yugi's face, he hadn't realised that's what he was doing. 'But, Joey, I…'

'Come on, now, Yugi,' Wheeler said. 'No buts. I have no monsters to defend myself so your smartest move is to attack me.'

True.

YGO

'Joey, no!' Téa protested.

'On the bright side,' Duke pointed out, 'Joey does have the most life points so far.'

'Yeah,' Mokuba said. 'But since Joey is completely defenceless, Yugi's Beast of Gilfer will blast him halfway up the tower. He'll be in last place.'

YGO

'Yugi, if you hold back,' Joey said, 'I'll know you don't think I can take it. I'm asking you, as my best friend, to attack me.'

'What if you lose?' the Pharaoh asked.

'That may not be so bad,' Joey answered. 'Remember, this duel only determines who faces who in the semi-finals. And I need to face a certain someone to keep a promise I made to you and Mai.'

That was the clincher for the Pharaoh. Yugi may have been more reluctant, but the Pharaoh was from a time and place where a man's word was his most valuable measure. A man who kept his word was seen as honourable; the pinacle of society. There was little worse to be than a liar.

I'm not sure… Yugi still hesitated.

He's right. The Pharaoh nodded. We can't fight all the battles ourselves. If Joey's willing to take up the sword, so to speak, who are we to stop him? We need to show Joey that we trust him. It does no good to just say we believe in him. We must prove it.

Yugi was silent a moment. …Okay.

'I understand, Joey,' the Pharaoh said. 'And, I believe in you.' He turned back to his monster. 'Now, Beast of Gilfer, attack! Go straight for Joey's life points!'

The Beast of Gilfer turned and then, with a roar, pitched a blast straight at Joey.

His best friend braced himself. The attack hit and his life points dropped to 1000.

'Are you all right?' the Pharaoh asked.

'Never better!' Joey called as he was raised up. 'Thanks, Yug. Blasting my lights out was the nicest thing you've ever done for me.'

YGO

Kaiba watched Wheeler go up.

When he passed, Wheeler made eye contact with Marik.

'I'm in last place, and I'm taking you down with me, pal,' Wheeler said. 'I'll see you up there.' The platform came to a stop. 'Okay, folks.' He drew. 'Now…' He played the card. 'I summon Axe Raider.' The monster appeared on the field in attack mode. 'Time for me to attack a certain unlucky someone.'

The expectation was heavy in the air.

Joey knew what everyone expected him to do, but he had an alternate plan. And it might finally shut up that rich punk, Kaiba. 'And I choose you, Kaiba!'

Kaiba smirked.

YGO

'Hm?' Mayet's eyebrow flew up.

That was…strange. It wasn't a tactically sound decision at all. Kaiba's monster was stronger than Axe Raider, and he had two face-down cards. Mayet might be inclined to think his hot-head was running away with him again, as everyone else did, but there was something in his actual heart that…didn't lend itself to that conclusion.

She stood silently and watched.

From down here, she could barely hear the back and forth, certainly not enough to bother deciphering it. She could figure on what it was anyway. But she could certainly hear the discussion around her.

'I'm confused,' Tristan said. 'I thought he was after Marik.'

'Yeah, me too. So why did he direct his attack at Kaiba?' Téa asked.

'It could be that Joey finally chickened out,' Duke suggested. 'Unless, this is all part of his strategy to make sure he duels Marik in the next round.'

That was what she was thinking.

'But there's no way that Joey's attack is gonna work, Duke,' Mokuba pointed out. 'Seto will just strike back by activating one of his face-down cards.'

'And maybe…' Mayet's eyes widened. 'That's the point!'

Joey had a face-down card on the field the entire duel. So why hadn't he used it the multiple times he'd been attacked directly? Answer: it wasn't a trap card that could save his life points. And he hadn't equipped it to Gearfried either, so it wasn't a magic card. It wasn't the Time Wizard. Joey would have used that, and either aged everyone else's monsters into advanced age or to take a chunk of of his own life points. But it had to be on the field for a reason.

There were only a few cards in Joey's deck which that could be.

YGO

'Axe Raider, attack Kaiba's Blade Knight now!' Joey ordered.

The Axe Raider attacked.

'What a loser,' Kaiba remarked.

Joey paid it no mind. He needed the battle damage that he was sure Kaiba was about to deal him. Kaiba, at least, would show no mercy. And that was what he needed. Axe Raider brought his axe down.

Kaiba smirked. 'You triggered my trap.' One of his face down cards flipped up. 'Too bad!'

Joey looked down at the unfamiliar card. He hoped it was the sort of thing that did battle damage.

'Meet my Ring of Destruction!' The card activated as Kaiba explained it. 'It annhiliates whatever monster wear it.' The ring hooked around Axe Raider's neck and the monster cried out in pain as he was destroyed. 'So your Axe Raider is history!'

'And both players will lose 1700 life points!' the Pharaoh concluded.

'Not exactly. Mine are safe,' Kaiba activated his other down card, 'thanks to my Ring of Defence magic card!' The card activated and the tool emerged. 'It shields me from the blast of my trap card!' Kaiba laughed. 'Oh, well. Ring of Destruction, go!'

Joey quickly shielded his face as his Axe Raider was blown up.

'Joey!' Duke called from below. 'No!'

As the smoke cleared, however, Marik had a demand. 'Why have my life points gone to 0?'

Kaiba looked over in surprise.

The Pharaoh looked up at Joey in his own surprise. 'What did you just do?'

'Played this.' Joey's own face-down card flipped over on the field so everyone could see what it was. 'A little card called Graverobber.' The Graverobber appeared on the field, holding another card. 'During all the commotion, this little guy snuck into Marik's graveyard and stole a card for me.'

Marik looked down at his duel disk and growled in irritation.

'That's right,' Joey said. 'He grabbed the card that you used against me a little while ago. Does "Spell of Pain" ring a bell?'

A visible vein appeared on Marik's forehead. 'You'll pay for this!'

Joey ignored him. 'This card lets me transfer my damage to someone else. So I thought I'd let you take the fall, Marik.'

'Awesome move, Joey!' Tristan called. 'It looks like you were one step ahead of everyone else for a change, buddy!'

'Way to go, Joey!' Téa cheered. 'Keep it up!'

'Thanks, guys!' Joey called down.

The Pharaoh smiled. 'Excellent strategy, Joey.'

Joey grinned. 'Thanks a lot, Yug!'

Marik growled as he was raised up to the top.

'Looks like you're on the express elevator to Loserville,' Joey quipped. He pulled a face at him. 'Buh-bye now!'

'I'll deal with you shortly,' Marik declared as he went.

Marik's out, Joey thought. And the next duellist to lose faces him in the semi-finals. I just gotta make sure that's me.

YGO

Mayet chuckled as Marik was taken out of the duel.

'Hm,' Mokuba mused. 'Now, Joey has no monsters to protect himself. Plus he has no face-down cards.'

'And Kaiba's up next,' Mayet observed.

Mokuba nodded. 'So I'd say he's in big trouble now.'

'Eh, I wouldn't worry,' Mayet said. 'I'm quite confident that's what Joey wants.'

YGO

'All right,' Wheeler said. 'I think I've done enough for right now. So I'm gonna go ahead and end my turn.' He looked directly at Kaiba. 'Let's see what you can do.'

'I can do quite a bit,' Kaiba said. 'So watch this. You're done for. My move!' Kaiba drew. He didn't even bother looking at the card. He didn't need to. 'You'll always be a second-rate duellist in my book, Wheeler. Blade Knight, go! Attack his life points directly! It's all over, Wheeler!'

Blade Knight charged and slashed Wheeler across the chest.

Wheeler's life points dropped to 0.

Wheeler smirked. Of course he did. He got exactly what he wanted.

'You did it,' Yugi said as he was elevated up to the top.

'Yeah,' Wheeler said. 'I'm facing Marik now!'

YGO

That worked out for everyone. Now Yugi's facing Kaiba in the next round, and I'm taking down Marik. Joey's chair came to a stop level with Marik. 'Fancy meeting you here.'

'Prepare to enter the Shadows,' Marik said.

'I've been waiting for this a long time,' Joey responded. 'Let's go!'

YGO

Down below, Roland raised his hand. 'This duel is over! The Semi-Final Bouts have now been determined!'

YGO

Kaiba smirked in satisfaction as the holograms switched off.

It looks like I'll be facing Yugi in the next round – just as I planned.

YGO

'The first Semi-Final Duel will be Marik Ishtar against Joey Wheeler!' Roland declared. 'Followed by Mr. Kaiba against Yugi Moto!'

YGO

'One of us will get past the next round,' Kaiba said to Yugi. 'The other goes home a loser.'

YGO

'Open the Tele-Gates now!' Roland ordered. Far up, above even Joey and Marik, four panels opened up. 'It's time to proceed to the next duelling site.

YGO

Marik chuckled and looked across. 'I trust you're ready to join your friend, Mai, in the Shadow Realm?'

Rage boiled in Joey's belly. 'Guess again! I'm gonna crush you and get her outta that place!'

Marik laughed.

YGO

'Launch the duelling platforms to the top of the tower…' Roland ordered.

All four duellists were risen up.

'…and let the Semi-Finals begin!'