Chapter 2 - 2

Chapter 2

I sighed as I checked my bag over one more time, trying to focus on making sure I hadn't forgotten anything. There was nothing worse than starting a trip only to realize that a toothbrush had been left behind. The problem was that rather than thinking about the cruise and all that waited for me on that island my mind was elsewhere, namely my first interaction with one of the main Yu-Gi-Oh! characters.

I hadn't meant to run into any of cast this soon. In fact I was trying to avoid it for as long as possible. Not because I was worried or anything, as I knew that Yugi and his friends were pretty kind and trusting. Heck, they had bought the shit Weevil was shoveling when they'd met him despite him acting like a trenchcoat wearing Gollum rubbed his deck like it was Precious. I could have easily walked to Kame Game and introduced myself and even with his worries about his grandpa Yugi would have welcomed me with a smile. No, the problem was my age. No matter how one could try and manipulate it in the end it would be someone in their early 20s hanging out with a group of sophomores.

'Which only makes Mai and Joey's relationship all the creepier. Swap the genders and Mai would have been arrested as a predator. Last thing I need is to climb a set of stairs with Tea ahead of me... "Why hello Chris Hanson! No, I'm just here to talk with my friend Tea... she might look like she is 20 be she's actually 15 or so-OW STOP BEATING ME WITH YOUR NIGHTSTICKS!".'

Worst, in my mind I was in my 30s, despite what I might look like in this world. I could have been Yugi's father, for god's sake! What was I supposed to say if someone pressed me? 'Hi, I just happen to play the same games as these young teens and now I'd like us to play magical games together, but they can't discuss it because it's a super secret game-AAAAARGH! MY EYES! STOP PEPPER SPRAYING ME!'

Yeah, that would have gone over well.

Kaiba would have been even worse. Right now, what with losing to Yugi and the Big 5's actions, Seto was in full paranoid mode, focused solely on his brother... and while I couldn't remember exactly when Mokuba had been kidnapped I knew that showing up acting all friendly with Kaiba only for his brother to end up in a cell would have made me the prime suspect.

As I finally zipped up my bag and did one last pass through my room I felt a twinge of guilt over Mokuba's fate. "Nothing I could do about it," I muttered to myself. "I might know about the kidnapping but I couldn't have stopped it." Despite my attempts to reassure myself that I was blameless it still bugged me that I had known that a child had been or was about to be thrown into a cell and done nothing. "I swear, Pegasus, if I get my chance I'll make sure you pay for that."

That was the other thing that kept me from getting too involved with Yugi and his friends: changing canon. Things had worked out pretty good at the end of the anime: the Pharaoh defeated Zorc, was given his reward in the afterlife, and everyone lived in the end. At worst a few people probably would need to see a shrink (and honestly I needed to look into that myself, considering that my already fragile grasp on reality was taking a battering thanks to me being in a fictional world) and a few villains got trapped in a digital world that then got erased or done blown up, but otherwise everything had worked out. I had no idea what my meddling might do.

'Let's say I decide I go to Yugi and give him the information about the battlefield bonus, so he is able to prepare for that and prevent Weevil from taking advantage of that. The little twerp goes down hard, Yugi utterly crushing him and I get to laugh in his face and cement myself as a strong ally. All good, right? Except then Pegasus might send Panik after Yugi instead of having him just pick off other trainers. Now, I don't doubt Yugi could defeat the paid duelist eliminator or whatever his title was but losing all her Star Chips and having Yugi win them back inspired Mai to help out later on. Without that she could completely bypass him, go into the castle, and Yugi doesn't get to compete and his grandpa's soul is lost. Or maybe Panik shows up and Joey, being so gungho to win Star Chips, challenges him and loses, eliminating him completely from Duelist Kingdom.'

I rubbed my forehead with two fingers. I wasn't going to sit on the sidelines but I couldn't go firing cannon balls into canon.

Heading out of the apartment (my uncle had warned that he'd have to work late and thus wished me well in the morning before work) I made for the elevator and thought about my encounter with Mai. My plan had been to make friends with Yugi, Joey, Tristan, and Tea when we were on the ship. They hadn't had that great of an experience getting to Duelist Kingdom and I figured that being a friendly face would help. I wouldn't hang off them like a limpet but I would be friendly and let them know I was someone they could talk to if we happened to run into each other. The time to truly bond would be in the castle when I got to watch Yugi kick Pegasus' but. That would establish me in their eyes and set the stage for Battle City. Of everyone else only Mai had been on my radar to meet and greet. Rex was a jerk and Weevil was a creep, Mako wasn't bad but he was eliminated too early, and Bandit Keith was simply a no-no (and I might punch him for embarrassing all Americans... more than we already have been). As for Bakura... well, without any protection there was no way I was getting close to him if I could help it. I didn't need Zorc's little soul fragment or whatever the heck Yami Bakura was deciding to send me to the shadow realm.

But everything had changed when the gods or whoever was mucking with my life had led me to meet Mai early.

I ground my teeth as I stepped off the elevator and headed towards the taxi I'd called to pick me up. 'I lost my temper... I shouldn't have done that. But damn that woman for being so... stubborn!' I knew I was being a hypocrite, as she was merely trying to influence the situation to her advantage and I was planning to do the same. But it was her stubbornness that got to me. 'I know she is a loner and wraps herself in her mask of being a cold and dominating woman but was it really so hard for her to just ask about my deck?' I hopped into the taxi once my suitcase was loaded and rolled my head up to stare at the roof of the car. 'Just admit it, Chaos... you're mad because she flirted with you.'

I knew most people would have been questioning my sanity and my sexuality for turning down Mai Valentine. Ignoring the fact that the curse that kept me from swearing probably would keep me from getting too far with Mai the fact remained that I wasn't one for casual hookups. Never had one and honestly I didn't think I could have one. I wasn't sure if I was technically demisexual, needing deep emotional connection in order to be with someone, but I knew that I leaned towards it. I had girlfriends, not cheap flings. Doing something so causal? It just... wasn't in my nature. And Mai trying to toy with me like that just because she didn't want to say 'please'? It didn't make how I reacted right and the lovely guilt that was in my heart that would make a jewish mother jealous was tap dancing on my heart, telling me how I was wrong and I needed to apologize.

Now I had no idea what to expect when I arrived on the ship. I doubted I'd get an apology from her. The best options were that she would just ignore me and pretend it never happened. At worst she'd either get mad and make a scene... or take it as a challenge that I had rejected her and try and seduce me all the harder. 'And while most people in this situation would be drooling at the idea of Mai Valentine hitting on them that is just going to create more headaches.'

After that I just brooded, watching as Domino buzzed by, and tried to remember all I could about the show. I hadn't watched the anime in years but I remembered enough about what had happened that I felt that I could accurately guess what would happen. The boat took off at 7pm after sunset. It would take all night to get to Duelist Kingdom and sometime in the morning Pegasus had started the entire event. One full day went by, sunset would lead to the duels against Bakura and Panik, then would come the second day before Kaiba and Yugi's big duel on the castle rampart. After that Kaiba faced Pegasus (I honestly couldn't remember if that had happened right away or the next morning but I was willing to bet it was that day) and then Pegasus served a late supper to determine the dueling order. The next morning were the first round matches, then the night when Tristan, Tea, and Bakura climbed a tower for... reasons (I still wasn't clear on why they'd done that... or half of the motives of the characters) and then the next morning Joey vs. Yugi and then Yugi vs. Pegasus. I counted it out on my fingers; not counting today I'd be on that island for at most around 4 days.

'Except I can't assume anything is concrete,' I thought to myself as the taxi pulled up to the wharf and I stepped out, the cool ocean air hitting me right in the face and making me glad I'd decided to go with my favorite gray hoodie. I adjusted my Tigers baseball cap and walked over to the trunk, retrieving my suitcase and wheeling it towards where a small crowd had begun to gather before a truly massive cruise ship, a table already set up for registration. 'There was nothing in the anime about Kaiba secretly being the fifth contestant in the tournament and automatically getting the right to claim the money and a duel. I don't know if that changed because I am here or it was never brought up. But I could end up uncovering things that never got mentioned... and that could throw my plans out of wack.' And that I really didn't like, as I was someone who liked things to work out exactly as planned and REALLY didn't like surprises and setbacks.

Grabbed my earbuds I threaded them through my hoodie and connected them to my phone before pulling up Queen's "Under Pressure" and letting the genius of Freddy Mercury and David Bowie will away my concerns and worries as I looked about the crowd. A lot of the people in the crowd looked like they had just left school and come straight to the dock. A lot of school uniforms or casual clothes. A few were decked out in more showy outfits, like Weevil in his green coat or Mako in his blue vest and his tight pants that made me think that he'd make a good Aquaman in this universe. Me? I'd gone with my favorite gray hoodie and a pair of jeans, my hiking boots on and my Tigers cap (because Michigan had to represent). The only things that set me apart at all was my large suitcase, my earbuds (thank god this world's 2001 was more advanced than my world's 2001), my deck box (secured with a lock because I didn't trust half of these people not to try something), and my uncle's key he'd given me dangling around my neck.

Yugi and Joey might have been willing to put up with tricks and schemes and answer by merely dueling the offenders but I didn't put up with that bullshit. Back in my world I was famous among my employees for hating April Fool's Day and making it clear to them that any such tricks would result in me dropping the hammer on them. So I had some... surprises... ready just in case anyone tried anything foolish.

"Attention duelists!"

I looked up and pretended to listen as one of Pegasus' goons give his speech about why we were there and what we needed to get on the boat. Instead I just switched to some AC/DC and waited for them to motion for us to begin boarding before I quickly made a beeline towards the front of line.

"Star Chips?" the check in man asked.

"Right here," I said, presenting my two chips. "I also have this card... it said to present it to you..."

"Ah!" the other man said pleasantly, taking the card and checking it over before handing it back. "You have been selected to have a private room for your trip to Duelist Kingdom. This card will serve as your keycard." He flashed a smile. "Be glad... only the finalists from the National Championship and you are getting rooms. Have a pleasant-"

"Hold up," I said, raising a hand. "Where is everyone else going to sleep?"

"Mr. Pegasus has arranged a common room to be made up for them."

I shot the man a look of utter confusion. "This ship can hold thousands of people and you are making people sleep on the floor?"

"Mr. Pegasus' orders, sir. Now please board."

I rolled my eyes. "For a man who can afford to give away $3 million Pegasus sure is a cheapsake." Still I snatched up my roomkey back and began to make my way up the gangplank only to pause when I heard a commotion. Looking down I couldn't help but stop and stare.

It was Joey. Trying to sneak onto the ship. Joey Wheeler.

"Joey?"

"Yugi..." I whispered, staring at the young man that, in roughly a year's time, would save the earth from a demonic menace so great it's threat had spanned millennia. Until that moment, seeing the glint of that puzzle and that ridiculous hair... I hadn't truly comprehended what had happened to me. Where I stood. What awaited me. Even holding my deck in my hand and feeling the Heart of the Cards thrum through Endymion, walking the streets of Domino, getting the invitation to Duelist Kingdom, talking with Mai... it hadn't struck me just what my new reality was. Not until that moment.

It was enough to make me shiver.

"Hey, come on!" someone said behind me. "I know its exciting get a move on, man!"

"Right... right..." I quickly hurried along, shaking myself from my stupor and stepping on board the ship.

~MC~MC~MC~

Mako Tsunami patted the wall of the cruise ship before nodding to himself. It was a fine ship, nice and sturdy and strong. He could tell just by placing his hands upon it that it would get them safely to their journey, no matter what the sea might throw at that. He knew that many thought the journey would be an easy one, that they would have, no pun intended, smooth sailing. Even the weather reports stated that the winds would be calm, the sky clear, and the waves gentle. Still, he had been on the ocean far too long to believe that anyone could predict what it would be like. He had seen peaceful days become swallowed up by raging storms and the violent seas suddenly calm. Still, the boat was strong enough and he knew it would get them there.

Entering the common room he watched as several other duelists selected where they would be sleeping while others were showing off their decks, making trades and having quiet duels to hone their skills. Mako had done neither of these things, having preferred to grab a bite to eat. While Pegasus hadn't arranges for private rooms for everyone he had at least laid out a buffet and Mako had happily grabbed some cooked shrimp and several lobster rolls before wandering about the ship. He chose a wall and leaned against it, watching the people go about their business. It was all fun and games at the moment but he knew that tomorrow the contest would begin and the schools of fishes would turn into a feeding frenzy of hungry sharks.

"I see I'm not the only person sane on this boat," someone said and Mako turned to find a tall man a couple years older than him had walked over and joined him. Lifting up a turkey sandwich the man smiled. "Food first, chat second."

"One never knows when their next meal might be," Mako stated before taking a bite of his lobster roll.

"I'm more of the opinion that when there is an easy meal you gorge first before the rest of the scavengers show up." The man stuck his bottle of water in the pocket of his hoodie and held out his hand. "Edwin Chaos."

"Mako Tsunami," he created. Looking back over the assembled duelists Mako shook his head and smiled. "Still, I can't blame them... for some their nerves make it hard to keep anything down while others are more concerned about staking their claim to the best spot than filling their bellies."

"And you aren't?" Edwin asked.

"Oh no," Mako said, waving off his comment. "My deck is ready. I have built it to honor the sea that gives life and anything else would merely pollute it. As for sleep I much prefer the sky above me than a ceiling. I will sleep above deck with the waves in my ears."

"A man who knows what he wants. Can respect that."

"What of you?" Mako asked. "Why did you choose food over everything else?"

"Well I lucked out and got a room thanks to my uncle and as for my deck I've already got that locked up, just like you." He patted the deck box that was attached to his belt. "Besides, I'm not much of a people person. I can... handle them... but I prefer to be by myself, you know?"

"Indeed I do," Mako said, understanding exactly what his new companion was getting at. "Then why did you come to talk to me then, if you are so shy?"

At that Edwin laughed. "Oh, I'm not shy. When I set my mind to it I can be the life of a party. I've been on stage and performed in front of packed audiences. It doesn't bother me... I just prefer the quiet." He paused to take a large bite of his sandwich. "As for why I came over..." he swallowed, "...well, I decided to at least try and interact with other people. The only problem is-"

"That's a cool card! Oh, look at that one! Wanna trade? Huh? Look at these babies! Guys?"

Mako and Edwin watched as some blond teen began to dart about the room, harassing everyone he could find.

"-well... that," he finished.

"I see your point," Mako said with a quiet chuckle. "I haven't seen you around any of the tournaments. Are you from out of the country?"

"Yeah," Edwin said. "My uncle broke his leg so I'm taking his place and... snippets!"

"Snippets?" Mako asked, turning to find his companion turning his head and covering his face with his hand.

"SHHH! Don't draw attention to yourself!"

"What's the problem?"

"You see the blonde that just walked in?"

"The... oh, Mai Valentine!" Mako frowned as he saw the famous Harpie duelist look about the common room before stomping her foot in outrage and storming off, snarling something about sleeping conditions. "She just left."

"Thank God!" Edwin said, finally turning back around and dropping his arm to his side.

Mako looked at the other man carefully. "There is a story I am missing here."

"I ran into her yesterday and it didn't end well."

"Ah. Well cheer up, I hear many men try to woo that flower and-"

"I turned her down."

Mako blinked. "Pardon?"

"She was trying to trick me into giving her information about my deck. I told her she just had to... it doesn't matter, the point is I stormed off after and now I really want to avoid her since I have no idea how she'll react."

"Well she just went off to complain to about the common room, I think."

"Good." Edwin looked around before polishing off his sandwich. "You didn't happen to see what happened to that hyperactive blond teen, did you?"

"The one asking to make trades? He and the shorter boy with spiky hair were talking with Weevil Underwood." Mako shook his head and let out a scoff. "I hope they are careful, Weevil has a reputation of using underhanded tactics." Edwin shifted uneasily at that, his jaw clenched and his body tense. "Do not worry, so long as they are careful..."

"Yeah, somehow I don't think either of them realize how treacherous Weevil can be." The older man jerked his head towards the door. "I'm going to check up on them... just to make sure."

"I'll come with you," Mako offered, stuffing his last piece of shrimp into his mouth. "I could use the fresh air."

The two of them weaved their way through the common room and made their way out into the hall, Edwin pausing only for a moment before making his way towards the port side of the ship. Mako had to practically jog to keep up with the other man, his long legs eating up space quickly. They came out on deck and Edwin swiveled his head about, looking this way and that while gritting his teeth.

"What is the matter?" Mako asked, not at all winded but still concerned by his new friend's odd actions.

Edwin let out two quick blasts of air from between his clenched teeth. "I just have a bad feeling-"

"SAY GOODBYE TO EXODIA!"

"NOOO!"

"There!" Edwin snapped, now racing forward with Mako hot on his heels. They had to dart back into the ship and then down a hall but when they emerged they caught sight of the rail... and the blond teen diving off the edge of the cruise liner into the cool water below, his friend following a second later.

"Get help!" Mako shouted, shedding his vest without thinking and checking to make sure his waterproof deckbox was shut tight. Edwin, meanwhile, had crouched down and grabbed a gold box that Mako vaguely remembered seeing the shorter teen carrying. "I will get the two of them out!"

He didn't wait for a response, instead gracefully diving over the rail. The air rushed by him, whistling in his ears, and he stuck his hands out seconds before he hit the ocean's surface and plunged into the inky darkness. Kicking hard against the chop the boat was kicking up Mako burst back up and began to swim hard, quickly spotting the short teen struggling to help his friend. He could tell the taller one was losing his strength fast, not used to fighting such heavy churning water, and he put on a bit more speed. The spiky-haired one was crying for help while fighting to keep his head above the waves, his quest to save his friend threatening to drag him down too.

"Hold on!" Mako said, covering the last few feet and reaching them. "Give him here, I'm a stronger swimmer!" The short teen nodded and passed over his friend and Mako lifted him, the blond coughing and sucking in a mouthful of air. "Steady, I've got you!"

"Guys!"

Mako looked up to see two more teens, one a girl in a pink and yellow outfit, the other a boy in a long brown coat, had gotten one of the emergency ladders and had tossed it down to them. Edwin was gripping the edge of the rail, his face pale as he looked down at them.

"You go first!" Mako called out to the short teen, the boy nodding and swimming for the ladder. "Kick with me," he commanded the one he was holding, the blond young man nodding and working with Mako to get to the ladder. It seemed that he was slowly regaining his strength and between the two of them they were able to get to the ladder. The climb was slow but finally all three of them were back on deck, shivering as the cool night air struck their wet skin but otherwise fine.

"Thank you so much," the girl practically sobbed, not caring in the slightest how wet Mako was as she leapt over and hugged him tight. "I don't know what we would have done if you hadn't been there!"

"It's all right," Mako said, patting her on the back. "I'm glad we were here. You can thank my new friend."

Edwin, who had finally backed away from the rail and had got his color back (Mako had a sneaking suspicion the older man was afraid of heights), merely nodded. "Always... trust my gut."

"Well I am glad you trusted it," the shorter teen said, reaching over and shaking Edwin's hand. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." With that Edwin stood up. "I'll go get the captain."

"What for?" the coat-wearing teen asked.

"To report that little basket Weevil Underwood for stealing your cards and sending you two over the rail."

"Wait, don't!" the short teen exclaimed, grabbing for Edwin's arm. "Please, let it go."

"He stole your cards," Edwin pointed out.

Mako nodded. "You two could have died. At the very least he should be kicked out of the tournament."

The four teens shared a look before the blond rubbed the back of his head. "Listen... we'd rather not get ourselves on anyone's radar, if that's alright. We appreciate it but... we'd rather handle it with a duel then involve any officials."

"Are you sure?" Mako asked.

"Positive," the short teen said. "Weevil will have his day soon enough."

Mako's lips pressed into a firm line but finally he nodded. "Very well... I don't like it but I will honor your choice." He stood up. "At the very least let us get you some towels."

"Thank you," the girl said, finally realizing that now she was wet from hugging them all. She made a face and flicked droplets of water from her hands, accidently flicking the water on the trenchcoat wearing teen who let out a cry of protest.

Mako and Edwin stood up and after he retrieved his vest both began to walk back down the hall, the quiet and contemplative after what had just occurred. "I do not like it... Weevil has always been a sneak but this time he has gone too far."

"I agree," Edwin said.

"But clearly those four have secrets of their own and we can not risk exposing them. I suppose there is little we can do."

Edwin though merely took off his glasses and cleaned them with his shirt. "Go get them the towels and then tell them to stay there. Let Yugi know I put his deck box in the corner behind one of those huge pipe things sticking out of the deck." With that he turned and began walking away.

"Where are you going?"

"To deal with Underwood," Edwin said darkly, his voice rumbling like a distance storm.

~MC~MC~MC~

"The Dark Magician GIRL?!?" the four of them said as one, my smile all the bigger mostly because I so did love getting tropes to play out in front of me.

"That's right. And I think this would be a wonderful card for Yugi to have in his deck."

"It would," Yugi said eagerly. "I didn't even know there was a Dark Magician Girl... and her effect works perfectly with the Dark Magician." He paused, looking up at me with a shrewd look. "But I'm guessing you aren't just going to give her to me for free."

"I'm nice but not that nice. No, I'm thinking we can help each other out. I'll give you the Dark Magician Girl... and you give me the two pieces of Exodia that Joey managed to save."

Yugi considered that for a moment but before he could speak Joey, being the annoying little twit that he was, decided to speak up. "Hold up now, how is that fair? Yugi has to give you two cards for your one? That's just crummy math."

"Use your head man!" Tristan complained. "The Dark Magician Girl has more value to Yugi than one card!"

"What are ya talkin' about? Exodia is way more powerful."

Tea shook her head. "But only when one has all five pieces, Joey. Without the other ones those cards aren't that good."

"Look, I said I was sorry-" Joey began as I fought the urge to hold my head in my hands.

Yugi chose that moment to speak up. "It's okay Joey. It's actually a really good trade. Right now the Exodia pieces don't do much for me. The Dark Magician Girl will do more for my deck then both of those cards combined. So it helps me out a ton."

Joey considered that, scratching his chin before pointing at me. "Alright, then what do you get out of this? You runnin' Exodia too? If so why not trade Yugi your Exodia cards? Not like your gonna win the tournament or anything."

"JOEY!" Tea shouted, standing up and making the blond teen topple backwards. "That is very rude! Edwin could win Duelist Kingdom, you don't know!"

Quickly getting back up Joey scrambled to his feet. "What, and you're sayin' Yug and I don't have a chance?"

"No but I'm not going to say that Edwin doesn't!"

"They are always like this," Tristan whispered to me.

"I got that feeling," I muttered before loudly clapping my hands together. "Guys! Focus?" Tea and Joey quickly sat down, blushing at being wrapped up in their fight. "No, I don't have any other pieces of Exodia. I want them for a long term investment."

"What do ya mean?"

"My deck is all set, other than some minor tweaking. I don't really need any new cards for it. But the Exodia cards are worth something... I can take the cards and sell them when this is all done and use the money to buy new cards to improve my deck."

"Wha?" Joey exclaimed, utterly baffled. "Sell Exodia... but..."

Yugi shook his head. "It makes sense, Joey. You just can't stick random cards in your deck that don't fit your strategy." I fought a snort; if only Yugi knew that until the whole Atlantis thing that would be Joey's entire shtick. Seriously, Fortress Whale?

Joey though shook his head. "Nah, I got a better idea." He looked over at me and grinned and I had a feeling that whatever happened next would not end well for anyone. "What say you and me have a little duel right here. If I win you give Yugi the Dark Magician Girl and if you win you get the trade."

"Considering Yugi's already going to trade with me... why in the blue hfil would I ever go with that gamble?"

"Cause... cause I challenged you to a duel! Ya have ta accept!"

"Not really no," I said, the right side of my face scrunching in confusion.

"Oh, ya want to sweetin' the pot, do ya? Fine... if you win not only will Yug give ya the Exodia cards but I'll throw in an amazing card from my deck! And if I win-"

"No," I said firmly. "If I win the trade goes as planned. If you win then Yugi trades me one of his Exodia pieces for the Dark Magician Girl and I can try and work out another trade for the other one."

"What, afraid ta lose everything?" Joey taunted. "I promise ta go easy on ya!"

"No, I don't gamble needlessly," I informed him, pulling out my deck, ignoring Tea and Tristan's mutters about how Joey was letting his mouth cash checks he couldn't actually pay. "That is my final offer."

"Alright then, let's do this! Yug, ya can thank me later." Yugi merely smiled weakly and ducked his head. Joey shuffled his cards while Tristan cleared off the table that sat between the two couches, that being the best place for our little duel while Tea grabbed a pad of paper and acted as score keeper. "Alright, I'll let ya go first."

I nodded and looked over my cards. I was in a tricking spot and not because I feared Joey suddenly becoming an amazing duelist without a lick of practice. The reverse was actually the issue, as Joey right now was so bad that I was pretty sure I could destroy him within a few moves. The problem was that if I did that I might crush all in confidence and that would affect his ability to battle Mai and later Rex. Those had been hard matches for him but they had been important, with the first truly teaching him how to strategize and the second winning him Red Eyes Black Dragon, his ace card during Duelist Kingdom and Wake the Dragons. I wanted to win, as there was no way I'd live down being beaten by someone who until 3 hours ago hadn't ever put a spell card in his deck, but I couldn't destroy him. I had to play a solid match that gave me the victory without overpowering him.

"I set this card in defense mode and end my turn," I stated.

Joey grinned as he looked over his cards. "Ya can't win if ya ain't darin', Ed. Let me show ya how a real master duels."

"Oh boy," Tea muttered and I was inclined to agree with her.

"I summon Garoozis and have it attack your downface card!" I flipped the card over and Joey cheered as I revealed my Witch of the Black Forest. "Yeah, say goodbye to 600 of your lifepoints!"

"Uh, Joey?" Tea said. "He doesn't lose any lifepoints if you destroy a monster in defense mode."

"...I knew that! I meant next turn! Next turn say goodbye to your lifepoints! Yeah!"

"Right," I said, grabbing my deck and thumbing through it.

"Hey, what do ya think your doin?!" Joey demanded, trying to reach over the table and snatch my cards out of my hand. "You can't go just pickin' whatever card you want to draw next! How'd you end up in Duelist Kingdom not knowin' how to play?"

"Look who's talking," Tristan quipped.

I took several calming breaths before answering, as it was either that or choking him out until Joey stopped making noise. "My Witch of the Black Forest, which you just destroyed, has an effect that only activates when she is destroyed. It allows me to select one monster card from my deck with 1500 defense points or fewer and add it to my hand."

"...oh," Joey said, rubbing the back of his head as he leaned back away from me. "Sorry about that, Ed."

"No problem," I said dryly as I drew my next card. 'Dear Lord this boy needs an education and quick. Even if I don't meddle with the timeline he'll lose at this point.' Looking at what I'd just drawn I nodded to myself. "I will set another monster in defense mode and end my turn."

"What, that's it? Ya know ya have to do something eventually if you hope to take down my lifepoints!"

"Be careful Joey," Yugi warned, the Pharaoh clearly deciding that this little match didn't need him to take hold the steering wheel. "You have no idea what he might have under there."

"Eh, just another monster for Garoozis to take down! Garoozis, attack!" I couldn't help but smirk as I flipped it to reveal Defender the Magical Knight. "Oh man!"

"Sometimes people play defense monsters because they are trying to just protect their lifepoints. Other times they know a monster is stronger defending then attacking." Tea held up the paper to show the Lifepoints (Joey-1800/Edwin-2000). "Now then, I believe it is my turn. Draw." I looked over my cards and nodded to myself. "I summon Crusader of Endymion in attack mode and attack Garoozis."

"Oh!" Yugi exclaimed as Tea updated the lifepoints (Joey-1700/Edwin-2000). "I didn't know there were other Endymion cards!"

"There are a couple," I stated. I'd looked into it and unfortunately there were no versions yet of most of the second Endymion Structure Deck cards. I didn't know if that was because of Pendulums never being in the first series or if it was just that they hadn't produced the cards yet but would later. During Battle City it seemed like Pegasus had ordered a TON of new cards created and I was hoping that this world would either add Pendulum Monsters OR find a way to alter them enough to include them in my Battle City deck. "Like the Dark Magician has his student so too does Endymion have his warriors and guards."

"Doesn't matter how many cards Andymon has-"

"Endymion," I told Joey.

"-because it isn't staying on the field for long! I summon Rude Kaiser and then play a new spell card I picked up in the common room: Shield and Sword! This card changes the attack and defense points of all our monsters, turning your Crusader from a 1900 attacker into a 1200 attack...less... er! Yup, that! And yeah, my Rude Kaiser also drops down a bit but he only goes to 1600, more than enough to take out that Crusader! YEAH!" Joey pumped his fist as Tea lowered my lifepoints (Joey-1700/Edwin-1600). "I'm back in the lead. Now take that Crusader off the board."

I shook my head though. "I think he'll stay, he likes it there."

"Uh, Ed? Ya can't just keep your monsters on the field just because ya want them to stay there-"

"I activate Defender's special ability."

"Aw man, I don't like the sound of that," Joey said, instantly deflating.

"When Defender was summoned to the field he got what was known as a Spell Counter on him. I can now remove that spell counter to keep my Crusader from being destroyed. I still take that damage but he remains... and now that your Shield and Sword spell has worn off he is back to 1900."

"Oh man, and Rude Kaiser is stuck in attack mode!"

"Don't worry, Joey," Yugi pointed out, trying to comfort his friend. "You'll only end up losing 100 attack points."

"Think again," I said, drawing out the words. "Crusader is a special monster... normally he doesn't have an effect but if I forgo summoning another monster to the field I can give him a new effect, which I do so now: Once per turn I can replace a Spell Counter, like the one Defender used to protect Crusader, and when I do so Crusader's attack increases from 1900 to 2500."

"Oh man!" Joey moaned as I declared my attack. "This is bad!" (Joey-1000/Edwin 1600)

Tristan grimaced. "Geez, you're in real trouble Joey. Even if you manage to get a monster out that can destroy Crusader Edwin can just protect him with Defender and then not only return the Spell Counter onto Defender but that just pumps up Crusader back to 2500!"

"Yeah, I get that!" Joey barked before staring glumly at his hand.

"Don't give up yet, Joey!" Yugi encouraged. "You got some great spell and trap cards... you just need to find the right combination!"

"You're right, Yug! I can do this!"

"Go get'em, Joey!" Tea cheered.

"Take him out!" Tristan added.

"I'm trying not to take this personally at all, guys," I said with a glower, Tea and Tristan instantly blushing and Yugi rubbing the back of his head modestly.

"Uh... sorry about that," Yugi told me. I merely chuckled and motioned for Joey to draw.

"Hmmm... oh, okay this will work real good!" Joey began to giggle to himself. "Oh man, if you knew what I drew." Apparently Joey had never heard of a poker face and it was painful to watch him cackling in delight. "Alright, I am going to summon Axe Raider in attack mode and set this card, ending my turn. Come at me Ed!"

"Well," I said with bored sarcasm, "I wonder if you've set a trap." I drew my next card and paused. 'I can win the game now. Utterly defeat him... but honestly I think it would be better for Joey to get his little ploy off so that he can get some more confidence in his dueling.' I looked up. 'Wait, am I doing that inner monologue thing they always do on the show? I am... huh. Neat.' Shaking myself out of my thoughts I turned back to the game. "Well, I don't think I need to be too worried about what you have set up... so Crusader, attack-"

"Not so fast!" Joey said, flipping his trap. "Kunai with Chain! I can equip it to my Axe Raider and increase his attack points to 2200! And since your Defender can only have one Spell Counter that means you can't boost Crusader up!" (Joey-1000/Edwin 1300)

"I use the Spell Counter that is there to save my Crusader from destruction. So he remains on the field. Good job, Joey."

"Way to go man!" Tristian cheer.

"Great work!" Tea added

Yugi nodded. "I told you that you could do it. You just need the right mix of spells and traps."

Joey nodded. "Thanks guys. And yeah, I think I get that now." Joey drew his next card and burst into an even bigger grin. "Oh man! With this I can lock up the win! First I summon the Flame Swordsman and then I equip Salamandra to him! This burning sword increases my Flame Swordsman's attack by 700, meaning he is now as strong as your Crusader could get!"

"That's the way, Joey!" Tea cheered.

Drunk on victory Joey jabbed his finger at me... which considering how close we were meant I could have bitten the digit off. "So I'll attack with both my monsters, Axe Raider taking out Defender and Flame Swordsman taking out Crusader, leaving you with nothing!" Tea rapidly began to do the math on the notepad while Tristan shook Joey so hard his teeth rattled. (Joey-1000/Edwin 700) "Don't feel bad Ed, ya nearly had me. But I'm gonna be one of the best duelists in the world and ya have to be quick to keep up with me."

"I guess so," I said, laying down the spell I'd drawn last turn. "Tremendous Fire. I win."

"...wait, what?" Joey stared at me dumbly, Tristan froze, Tea's face fell and Yugi leaned back on the bed.

"Tremendous Fire. It does 1000 direct damage to your lifepoints and 500 to mine." Tea weakly scribbled the final score out but before she could hold it out Joey snatched it from her. (Joey-0/Edwin 200) "Good duel though."

"No... no, that can't be right! I still have monsters on the field-"

"But no lifepoints," I pointed out.

Joey frowned. "Let me just check the math here!" he began to mutter to himself. "Carry the 3... divide by 7... Aw man!" Joey exclaimed, falling off the couch with a bang.

"Cheer up, Joey, you did really good!" Yugi said, trying to boost his friend's moral. "Edwin... just got the better of you."

"He creamed me... with one card he took half my lifepoints and stole the win."

I stood up, my face cold as stone. "I didn't 'steal the win', Joey. I won fair and square. In a duel that we didn't even have to play because Yugi was fine with a trade I wanted to make. A duel that, had I not been nice could have cost you a rare card because you almost cashed a check you couldn't pay." I walked over to the mourning teen and squatted down. "In this game victory can come just as quickly as defeat. You never know what card your deck if going to give you... or your opponent. But unless they are acting like Weevil you never claim they 'stole a victory'. They won it fair and square and you show that you honor them and their skill by being a graceful loser." I held out my hand. "Just like winners show they are honorable by being a graceful winner."

Joey, after a long moment, accepted my help in pulling him to his feet. "Sorry about that man... I shouldn't have said that. And you did real well. Guess I have a lot to learn."

"Admitting that is your first step." I paused, looking at Joey before nodding. "I changed my mind. I want to alter the trade. In addition to the Dark Magician Girl I'll give Yugi AND you something."

"What do you want to give us?" Yugi asked.

I held my arms out. "This boat is full of people that will be challenging us and trying to kick us off the island. I think it's time we Outwit, Outplay, and Outlast them all." I grinned wide and proud. "I want to form an alliance."

"An alliance?" Yugi asked.

"Yes. The three of us agree that we don't challenge each other unless we have no choice. Like we are forced to by Pegasus. We see each other on the island and we say hello, ask how things are, and leave it at that. If we find out information we share it and if one of us runs into trouble we can run to the other two. We don't try and hurt one another... we focus on everyone else. I'm not saying we have to stick with each other... but if tomorrow night we meet up then we share a camp and swap stories. I won't challenge you, you don't challenge me. We make it that the three of us are the Top Three Duelists at the end of this and all that needs to be sorted out is who is one, who is two, and who is three."

"That sounds great!" Tea exclaimed. "Joey, Yugi, you two weren't going to challenge each other anyway so this is just adding Edwin to the mix."

"Yeah, and with how good he is it would be great to have a third duelist working with us," Tristan added.

Yugi paused and I quickly realized he was thinking it out and, most likely though he probably hadn't realized it yet since the divide between him and his other half wasn't so definitive yet, hearing out the Pharaoh. Finally Yugi came back to us and nodded, pulling out the two Exodia cards and handing them to me. "I think that's a good idea."

"Me too!" Joey exclaimed. "The three of us can burst onto Duelist Kingdom and win the whole thing!"

"Then here is to the Alliance," I said, passing over the Dark Magician Girl and sealing the deal.

Notes:

Author's Notes: Do expect updates this quick from now on. It's only because I want to get you guys invested before it falls into my normal pattern, especially since one of Chaos Effect equals two Chapters of everything else.

And thus we have myself/Edwin meeting up with the main cast and even getting to duel Joey. Of course this is 'I don't even understand how this game works' Joey so me beating him isn't that impressive at all. And don't worry, all my victories won't come from burn damage cards.

One of the hard things with this "Season" is that, thanks to Duelist Kingdom and how decks were built then I can't use the deck that I really want to be using: my Endymion deck. I do have plans to allow for Pendulum cards to appear once we hit Battle City but for this first part I was just pushing it with the Gemini effect.

Bringing in the likes of Mako for this story allows me to begin showing off a running theme that this series will have: making connections with others. Yugi would run into recurring duelists, sure, but really it was always a different opponent unless you were Mai. There is a massive cast in Yu-Gi-Oh! and I am not going to restrict myself to just the gang.

We also see that my need to make money flares up here. While I hate to gamble I do enjoy trades and making deals... figuring out a way that everyone is happy and gets what they want. The Exodia pieces Edwin just nabbed are merely the first step... there are going to be PLENTY of chances for me to earn cards I can turn into cash as well as make trades for favors and other things.

Finally I wanted to establish here that while Yugi and Co will be working with Edwin he isn't a member of their group. He is an ally... and choosing to use the Survivor motto wasn't by accident. Sometimes alliances work... and sometimes you have to shatter them at the right moment.

As I warned with the description... this isn't me replacing Yugi as the lead or becoming his new best friend. This is what happens when you take a habitiual liar and schemer and put them in a world ripe for plotting and plans. And that doesn't always mean you get a white knight.