Chapter 9 - 9

Chapter 9

Pegasus did his best to remain calm as he entered his dining room, running his hands along the front of his suit. Despite looking absolutely flawless, with every strand of hair in place and his clothes pressed and clean one only had to look at his face and see the way he walked to know that he was not at his best. Had anyone else been around he wouldn't have been so open with how tired he was but since it was just Croquet he didn't feel the need to hide the yawns that were bubbling forth. It was 3am in the morning and he'd only been asleep for a few hours when he'd been awoken by a member of his staff, informed that there was an urgent phone call.

So he'd arisen and allowed his valet to dress him and ensure that he appeared utterly dignified because he refused to take the late night call in his pajamas with his hair a fright and grit in his eyes. Appearances had to be maintained. Another servant had brought him some tea, enough to help him wake up but not so strong that he'd be unable to fall asleep the moment this was all handled. His hair had been brushed but not washed and felt greasy against his fingers and his grooming regiment had been ignored, leaving him with a fine white stubble on his cheeks that made him look far older than his years.

And he was tired. So very tired. It had been a long day and he had been looking forward to some shut eye. Now his entire sleep pattern would be thrown off and that left him rather annoyed.

'Not that I'll let them know that,' he thought to himself as he settled in his chair and a servant brought over a glass of wine. It was cheap swill, very young that he'd gotten for pennies, and he had no plan to drink a drop of it. No, it was a prop, nothing more. His callers held image above everything else and Pegasus knew that if he appeared at all in any shape other than perfect they would begin to scheme to remove him. After all image was the reason why they'd contacted him in the first place. Suddenly show a sign of weakness and they'd be plotting how to cut him loose. Not that they weren't playing to do that already but he knew of those plans and was already countering them. The last thing he needed was to tie up more resources dealing with new schemes.

So he sat in his chair, held up his wine glass, and let out one final massive yawn before he nodded to Croquet who turned on the video monitor.

"Gentlemen," Pegasus said as the shadowed forms of the Big 5 appeared on the screen. It was so utterly ridiculous that they did that, hiding all but their general outlines in low-light. It was supposed to make them be more intimating, the shadowy puppet-masters, but for one who knew true power it came off as a pathetic ruse. "My pardons for the delay. I was going over my plans for tomorrow when you called and I'm afraid that not all the rooms in this castle are set up to receive calls. And my home is quite large... I hurried as quickly as I could, I hope you know that." He smiled slightly and swirled the cheap wine for a moment. "Whatever can I do for you?"

One of them shifted, he believed Lester but it was so hard to remember which was which when they were all so bland and interchangeable. No sense of style, no sense of individuality. He wouldn't even call them caricatures because that would insinuate that they possessed exaggerated traits when they did not. They were the painted background of the great work that was life; half formed blobs meant to represent people in a crowd that the artist saw no need to give detail to for who would ever be drawn to them?

'Honestly, if I didn't know that Kaiba-boy was so rigid and unwilling to play nicely with others I would have sought him out as my partner in this rather than them. At least I could have held a conversation with him.' He'd considered it... he thought about dangling Kaiba's dead parents in front of him and promising that after they returned Cecelia to the world of the living they would do the same for them. But in the end he'd decided that Kaiba's anti-social tendencies, combined with his inability to accept that there was more to life than circuits and microchips, meant that such an appeal would fail. Kaiba-Boy simply had a mind of gears and levels rather than one designed for magic and imagination. Thus leaving him with the Big 5.

"We have received some news that greatly disturbs us, Pegasus," Lester (or was it Crump? Or Neezbit?) stated. "Both in its mere existence and the fact that you have not kept us informed as well as you should."

"We speak of the Kaiba brothers," another (and he was pretty sure that one was Johnson) said. "Seto Kaiba is still alive and according to our satellites he is nearing your island in his helicopter."

"Hmm. I actually thought he would come by boat," Pegasus said dryly.

"Seto Kaiba must be eliminated for our plan to succeed. Had you killed him-"

"We have been over this, gentlemen. Killing him was your job, not mine. I provided the men, yes, but you were to aim them in the right direction. If they failed that is on you, not me. I am willing to admit my flaws... I am a humble man. I am far too forgiving and I have been told I spend far too much time admiring myself in the mirror. I also went through a dreadful Metal phase when I was a teen." He chuckled at that before his mood grew serious. "But I do not accept the mistakes of others as my own. Do NOT attempt to place your failures at my feet again. I will clean up the mess you made by allowing Kaiba-Boy to escape but do not ever presume to judge me for your errors."

He could tell the men didn't like that. They were far too used to people bowing and scraping before them. They saw themselves as kings... perhaps not of castles and great tracts of land but of industry and business and wanted to be treated as such. But to Pegasus they were merely small men with smaller dreams, nothing more.

"And then there is the issue with Mokuba Kaiba," someone who might have been Gansley stated in irritation. "You were to keep a hold of him, Maxamillion, and you-"

"Pegasus."

"Excuse me."

He let his friendly demeanor drop just a bit. "You will address me as Pegasus. Not Maxamillion. You have not earned the right to be so informal with me. Be glad that I am allowing you the courtesy of not demanding 'Mister' or 'Sir'."

"Now see here-"

"No, gentlemen. You see here. I think you are under the misconception that you five are the dominate players in this arrangement of ours. You are mistaken." Pegasus set his wine glass down and leaned forward. "We aren't even equals. Yes, five is greater than one but not when the one is me. Should you decide to end our partnership now I have other ways to see my goals come to completion. There are other companies I might go to, for example. Oh, it will take me an extra 5 to 10 years perhaps but, hehem, I am a patient man. But if I should abandon you? Well... you've already burned your bridges with Seto Kaiba. He will not invite you back with open arms. More likely with open fingers that slowly close around your throats. And who else would you seek out? Zigfried von Schroeder is the only man who would come close to being able to match the funds needed to completely take over Kaibacorp. And he does hate Kaiba, after all. But he is not one to enter into alliances easily, I assure you. But please, if you do not like how I have handled things feel free to seek him out."

The Big 5 shifted and Pegasus smirked. 'You won't go to him because you already tried. The recent downturn in the German economy and an investment in a new rail division means that he won't have the liquid assets to make a play for Kaibacorp for another 7 months, earliest. And you don't have 7 months, you barely have 7 days at most. Besides, unlike myself he has made his opinion of war profiteering quite known; as much as he and Kaiba-boy loathe each other they do agree on that at least.'

As did Pegasus himself though he hadn't let the Big 5 know that. The five capitalists believed that Pegasus would lead them back to the good ol' days when they could develop weapons for any nation that was willing to pay the price both in terms of money and blood. But the moment Pegasus had all the secrets to Kaibacorp's Hard Light Hologram Technology he would reveal to the UN all the war crimes the Big 5 were guilty of. He already had his speech prepared, how he'd wipe away a tear as he spoke of the horrors the men had committed. Then he'd donate money to some charities, do a few talk shows, and continue on with his life while the five rotted in a cell.

Pegasus planned ahead. It was how he'd become the greatest Duelist in the world, after all! He hadn't gone into this hostile takeover blind, despite what the Big 5 believed. They thought they had sought him out, and he'd done well to feign shock when they'd approached him. None of them knew that the advisors and aides that had whispered in their ears that he was their best bet were on his payroll. Just like how he'd manipulated Siegfried to ensure he could not play a role in the scheme. It was easy enough to see what deals were coming up when one can read every mind in the world, after all.

"Mr. Pegasus," Johnson said at last, "you will forgive us for being blunt. We are merely concerned. The plan rotates on using Mokuba Kaiba as our pawn. A figurehead CEO. But you do not have him in your castle anymore... according to the news we've received he has escaped."

"He has left my castle, yes," Pegasus said with a shrug, a smile once more forming on his lips. "But he remains on my island. And let me assure you gentlemen... I know EVERYTHING that happens in my Duelist Kingdom." He reached out and took hold of a remote, clicking it on so that the picture of the Big 5 became a split screen with a map of Duelist Kingdom. He knew the capitalists could see the image as well. "There he is. Fast asleep I would wager, considering the time. Safely in the hands of Edwin Chaos."

"Edwin Chaos?" another of the Big 5 asked.

"Kipling Chaos' nephew. I remember you insisting I invite the press. Edwin is dueling in place of his uncle... he is actually doing quite well. He has 9 Star Chips though he is doing his best to hide that. Mokuba remains in his control so long as he remains in my tournament."

"Then why is he still in your tournament?" Crump (perhaps) asked testily. "Why haven't you eliminated him?"

"He seems to be the golden nugget in the stream. No one expected him to rise to the top but he is doing so. He defeated my Mimic of Doom and teamed with Yugi Moto to defeat Renard Volpe and PaniK. None of those are lightweights, I assure you."

"He is working with Yugi Moto?" another of the men asked, startled.

"That isn't good," the man to his right said. "Not good at all."

"He actually appears closer to Miss Mai Valentine than he does Yugi-boy and his friends. In fact I hear that he and Little Yugi feuded quite a bit before and then during their tag team duel"

"Still, he has made powerful allies-"

"And it matters little," Pegasus said with a wave of his hand, brushing aside their concerns like one would lint on fine linen trousers. "Eddie-boy has only bought Mokuba a momentary reprieve. He has a choice to make very soon. Should he gains 10 Star Chips and comes to my castle Mokuba is under my roof again; he does not and finds himself out of the tournament when the 5 finalists reach here, forcing him to run; or he abandons Mokuba. No matter what my agents are ready to take Mokuba off his hands." He leaned back and smiled. "Gentlemen, everything is completely under control on my end..."

He trailed off as a servant hurried into the room. He didn't bother to scold her; his help knew not to disturb him during such meetings unless the news was dire and thus the only conclusion was she was there to deliver such tidings. She leaned down and whispered in his ear. He raised an eyebrow at the quick tale she had to tell before nodding in thanks and silently bidding her to go. Croquet caught his eye and he gestured with his eyes towards the woman; Croquet, he knew, was making a mental note to reward her for her service.

"Gentlemen, you called me at this late hour to discuss how I am handling the situation. But perhaps you would do me a favor and turn your television to channel 12 and tell me something: how are you handling YOURS?"

The Big 5 all began to murmur to themselves before one of them finally did as he suggested and opened up a new screen with the channel in question. Pegasus was pleased that, thanks to the program they were using to call him, he got to see what they were watching; it was rather enjoyable to see what was making them tense up and go into a cold sweat as footage played showing the Domino City Police at Kaiba-Boy's mansion, talking with servants while a few of the Big 5's personal security agents (aka their hired goons) were lead into a police wagon handcuffed and stripped of their glasses, comm pieces, and other equipment. The scroller on the bottom of the screen blared out SETO KAIBA HELD HOSTAGE? KAIBACORP CEO MISSING----SIGNS OF FOUL PLAY FOUND IN BEDROOM---SERVANTS HELD CAPTIVE BY SECURITY FIRM LINKED TO KAIBACORP BOARD OF DIRECTORS---HOSTILE TAKEOVER GONE WRONG?

"Well gentlemen, I believe I will let you go... it seems you have other things to occupy your time." He smirked and fought the urge to give a cheeky little wave. "Tata." He turned off the television and let out a yawn. "Well, they shouldn't disturb me for the rest of the night."

"Mr. Pegasus, if I might be bold... does this not affect your plans as much as theirs?"

"Oh Croquet, you are a treasure in how you worry about me!" He shook his head and began to remove his suit jacket. "But no, not really. I have ensured that all links to me and the Big 5, while they exist, appear purely innocent. The few of their security agents, such as Kemo, that are on the island are loyal to me... I ensured that or at least my checkbook did. The documents have all been dated so that it will appear that things happened rather recently... if the police do decide to look into their actions they will draw the conclusion I want them too: the Big 5 decided to deal with the Kaiba brothers because they feared I was growing cold on the deal. At worst I'll be seen as someone who tried to perform a hostile takeover but other than that..." he gave a shrug and tossed the man his jacket as they moved down the hall to his bedroom, loosening his tie as they walked.

"But what about the Kaibacorp technology you need?"

"Delayed, sadly, but not out of reach. In fact this might end up happening much clearer than going through the Big 5... with Seto Kaiba and his brother missing and presumed dead and the Board of Directors tried for their disappearances the company will be sold off piece by piece. I'll be able to buy what I need at a much cheaper rate." He brushed his hair to the side and the Millennium Eye flashed. "And Kaiba-boy and his brother will NOT be returning from my island to sing any other songs about my involvement."

"And what of the others?"

"Yugi? I do wish the duel him, of course, but if the Big 5 are removed from play they there will be no need to be cruel to him. I will still destroy any hope he has of becoming the King of Games but I will make up some tale that will satisfy him and release his grandfather's soul. Perhaps I was under a spell or possessed." As they entered his bedroom Pegasus pressed a hand to his forehead and said dramatically. "What... what is this? I feel... something leaving me! A dark force... I think our battle satisfied it, Yugi. You freed me from its tendrils! Oh, thank you." He stopped and gave a laugh. "Yugi-boy is young and foolish... he will believe that easily enough."

"And what of Edwin Chaos?" Croquet asked.

Pegasus, who had begun to unbutton his shirt, paused at that. "He will be a...different matter. At best I will buy his silence... everyone has a price, after all. That failing I'm sure the right pressure can be applied."

"And if it can't?"

Once more the Millennium Eye flashed as he looked through the window out onto the dark night that blanketed his Duelist Kingdom. Somewhere under those twinkling stars and the pale moon was Edwin Chaos, the man that had lived up to his family name. He had been the unexpected element that threatened to change everything. The impurity in the metal, the flaw in the priceless gem, the Trap Card one didn't see coming. Something that might be amusing but only if Pegasus kept a firm hold on the situation.

"Then he will join the Kaiba Brothers in their stay on my island. Forever."

He would later, upon deep reflection, swear that in that moment he saw not the night sky before him... but the visage of a goddess glaring at him and his promise.

~MC~MC~MC~MC~

Yugi and Bakura looked over at Renard as he walked over to them, brushing his hands together before he squatted down next to the little fire that was still merrily burning. The rest of their party was asleep; Tea was with Mai in her tent while Edwin and Mokuba were in his. Joey and Tristan had complained that it was too cramp and warm to sleep so close together so they'd bunched up some clothing and laid out Tristan's jacket and promptly went to sleep just outside the tents, Joey mumbling about duel monsters and sandwiches within minutes.

As for the two young men that were bearers of the Millennium Items they had known that they wouldn't be able to fall asleep for a while, if at all. Bakura had stated quietly that he'd basically been asleep for a few days while the Spirit of the Ring had controlled his body and Yugi found that everything that had happened had left him too energized to sleep. He would get a few winks before dawn but otherwise he had a feeling he wouldn't have a proper rest until he had defeated Pegasus and won back his grandfather's soul.

"How is Edwin?" Yugi asked as Renard removed his gloves and raised his hands towards the fire, his long blue coat pooling beneath him.

"He will be fine," Renard said with a slight smile. "He is lucky he wore such a heavy bathrobe. Had he not the flames would have burned his skin greatly. As it is the skin will be tender to the touch but should he keep the bandages and gauze on it shouldn't be affected. There will certainly be no scarring."

"I can't believe Pegasus did not think of having medical staff on hand to help duelists who got injured," Bakura said with a shake of his head. "This is an island, after all... people could fall down hills or be hit by falling trees or any other manner of dangers!"

"I think Pegasus had other things in mind than safety," Yugi said honestly, a touch of darkness coloring his words that reminded him of the Spirit that lived in his puzzle.

"When I was first approached to take part in this tournament I knew that it would be different from all others. Normally there is structure that is understood, you know?" Renard waved his hand about in a dismissive action. "The Round Robin, the brackets, the randomizer, so on. This though... to have the contestants explore the island and determine their fate based not just on their cunning with a deck but the cunning of their minds? It interested me greatly, I admit."

"Why is that?" Bakura asked.

Renard let out a bemused sigh. "I am young yet I am also old. Certainly old for one that plays this game, it feels like. I have been playing not just Duel Monsters but all manner of games of strategy and skill since I was a child. And when you have done something for a long time the ease at which one becomes bored grows with each passing day." He gave a small shrug. "I sometimes wonder if that is how the likes of PaniK are able to become what they are. Feeling the tedium of it all and thus seeking out the new thrills and desires in order to feel... something." He grew silent for several moments. "When Pegasus approached me about this tournament I was intrigued. And, I'm ashamed to admit, my boredom seems to have blinded me until it was too late of the dangers it possessed... and of the man that runs things."

"Pegasus has a lot to answer for," Yugi said quietly.

"This we agree upon," Renard stated. "I know it is a poor prize but I will state here that I am sorry for my small part in the tragedies that have befallen you." He rose to his feet and tugged on his gloves. "And know that my role in all of this madness is over."

"Over? What do you mean?" Bakura asked. "Don't you have to stay for the rest of the tournament?"

"No, though I am sure that is what Pegasus will also believe." He flashed them a dashing and cocky smirk. "But there are certain sections in my contract that I imagine he did not see, for he would have demanded them removed if he had. His rush will cost him greatly. I will spend the morning touring the island, ensuring that no more of my fellow Eliminators believe they can act as PaniK did, then Pegasus and I will have a conversation. One he will not enjoy." He paused and then pointed to his left. "To the east of Pegasus' castle there is a bay. My personal boat is anchored there... should you fail in your quest and need to escape quickly come find me. I have shown Edwin on his map where I can be found, if needed." He gave a long deep sweeping bow. "And to you gentlemen both I bid finally a good night."

With that Renard was off, entering the forest and within seconds disappearing from sight. Bakura and Yugi watching him go before turning to each other, Bakura smiling slightly and shaking his head.

"He is a strange fellow, isn't he?"

"Strange but nice," Yugi stated. "Far nicer than most of the duelists we've met so far."

"What do you mean?" Bakura asked. "I know you and Joey have had several duels between the two of you... were they truly that bad, your opponents?"

"I hate to say it, because one is supposed to respect their opponents, but yes." Yugi looked at the fire and grew reflective. "The first person I took on was Weevil Underwood."

"The regional champion?" Bakura said. When Yugi nodded Bakura smiled. "I would have liked to see that duel! Your first opponent in the tournament was something that skilled?"

"I think much of Weevil's success has come not from his skill but his trickery. He tossed my Exodia cards off the boat while we were coming here and then lured us onto a field zone that benefited him. He was a sneak plain and simple."

"Hmm," Bakura said. "Who else?"

"Well after that Joey took on Mai and that was a rough one for him."

"She wasn't nice to him?" Bakura asked. "I can see that... but she seems to be friendly with you all now."

"Edwin had something to do with that. According to Tea the two of them know each other."

"Do you think they are..." Bakura trailed off.

"I don't think so," Yugi stated with a shake of his head. 'Or at least I didn't until that kiss she gave him. Still, he seemed as startled by that as the rest of us!' Out loud he said, "But I do think they could be friends, which is a good thing. Mai needs friends. I get the feeling she's been alone for much of her life." Bakura muttered something and Yugi frowned. "What?"

"Oh, just something Edwin said... it suddenly makes a lot more sense." Yugi looked at him and he blushed a bit. "When we were heading back after your duel with PaniK and Renard I thanked him for letting me stick around. I said I knew I had caused him problems but I was truly grateful to be able to travel with you all. I... I am quite used to being by myself, Yugi." Now it was Bakura's turn to look down at the fire. "But Edwin told me that "No one is born in this world to be alone". He was talking to me but I think he was talking about Mai... and, if I may be so bold, himself."

'Is that it?' Yugi thought to himself. 'Is that why Edwin is the way he is? Did he grow up like me, without a lot of friends? But instead of trying to make new ones he felt the need to lash out at the world, to protect himself before it could hurt him?'

"Do you hear something?" Bakura said, cutting off Yugi's thoughts. The young man turned, looking out towards the ocean, and after a moment realized that yes, he did hear something. It was faint but growing stronger. The sound of an engine...

Then he saw the lights coming in low over the surface of the still ocean, kicking up waves, and he leapt to his feet as he realized that it was a helicopter. One that, as it got closer, he realized had the Kaibacorp logo on it!

"What the devil?" Bakura said but Yugi was already running to the tents as Joey let out a moan.

"Eh, what's all that racket? Huh?" Joey opened his eyes only to hiss and shield his face with his arm as the helicopter, which had bridged the distance between them very quickly and was now hovering over their camp site, shone a spotlight on them. "Hey!" Joey exclaimed in annoyance. "Cut that out! Ya don't see me shinin' flash lights in your eyes when your tryin' ta get a bit of sleep!"

"Oh, what now?" Mai complained as she made her way out of the tent, Tea a few seconds behind her knuckling sleep from her eyes. Edwin was the next one to come out, growling and grumping at being awaken, but Mokuba grinned with utter delight as the helicopter finally landed and killed its lights, the rotor still spinning as the pilot stepped out.

"SETO!" Mokuba exclaimed, rushing across their camp and wrapping his arms tight around his brother. Seto looked down and Yugi let out a sigh he hadn't realized he'd been holding in when Seto gently reached down and placed his free hand on his little brother's head, a small genuine smile crossing his lips. There was nothing taunting or mocking about that smile... just one of relief in seeing his brother safe and sound. "I knew you'd be here! I told them you'd find us! Didn't I Edwin?"

"You sure did," Edwin said, stepping forward.

"Seto, this is Edwin. He saved me from some creep that was pretending to be you!"

"I saw," Seto said, finally looking up, the smile he had been wearing disappearing like a mirage.

Yugi was suddenly struck by a vision. Where Seto and Edwin had stood now there was a lean dark-maned lion, slinking and sliding but ready to leap into furious brutality at a moment's notice, and a sleek wolf more the size of a bear than a dog, eyes narrowed as it prowled about. And in the middle was a little lion cub, not realizing that the two weren't ready to hunt together but rather were sizing each other up to determine if one or the other was a threat.

'This is going to be interesting,' Yugi thought quietly to himself.

~MC~MC~MC~

People always made the joke that Seto Kaiba had a dragon fetish. It wasn't hard to see why, watching the anime. The Blue Eyes jet, the bingo machine, the theme park...

Yet seeing the young man in person I realized it was less of a dragon fetish and more that he'd been born the wrong species. He had all the bearing of a dragon that had been trapped in the form of a man and thus was trying to find a way to deal with that error in reality.

I'd grown used to being around short people during my time in Duelist Kingdom. Rex, Bakura, certainly Yugi; but even the tall people were short compared to me. Mai was a leggy blonde yet I in my boots I had 6 inches on her. Same with Joey and Tristan as well. PaniK had been the only one to loom over me but he suffered from Alexander Anderson Syndrome so honestly I didn't count him. Sure, it was Japan, but even the Americans were small when it came to my stature.

But there was Seto, as tall as me (though he did gain 2 inches thanks to his hair which was fair poofier than mine), holding himself with the confident grace he was known for. His face was cold and impassive and his eyes as hard as diamonds. He was thinner than I was, with a gaunt frame that made me think of a slithering wyrm. Even his coat hung from his shoulders like a pair of great wings, ready to snap open and launch him into flight.

'I wonder what others see when they look at me?' I thought, my own arrogance of needing everything to come back to me rearing its head. I didn't know what creature might represent me... I was a proud Capricorn when it came to the zodiac but there wasn't anything very goat-like in my features (especially with me lacking my beard though the stubble was growing out, thankfully). My arms had lean muscle (and I made a mental note to get back to working out once this was done) while my legs, thanks to years of speed walking, were thick and toned. Round face, standard chest...

"-so of course I don't think it's true. But they do... so Seto, what could make Yugi Moto and his friends think that Pegasus had magic? And-" she said before he could speak, "-it has to be more than party tricks."

"Hey!" Joey complained. "It was more than that! That freaky one-eyed jerk has some sort of magic that lets him steal souls and read people's minds!"

Tristan nodded. "Yeah, and he managed to play Yugi in a duel with just a VCR tape!"

"So don't you-"

"The tape," Seto said suddenly.

"-claim that whaaaa?" Joey exclaimed, his complaints cut off at the ankles.

"Pegasus has always been interested in technology," Seto stated, eyes narrowing as he looked at Yugi. "Cutting edge tech. And there is a theory about using subliminal messages in video to implant thoughts into people."

"But that's not-" Yugi began but Tristan, cluing in on what was happening, clamped his hand on Yugi's knee and shook his head, letting Seto continue working things out.

"He knew that he needed to beat you and in a public way. And the best way to do that was to make you think you had no choice. He drugs your grandpa, gets him sent to the hospital, then uses that tape to implant false memories that you faced him in a duel..." And then I saw something I'd never seen before: Seto Kaiba recoil in horror. "My hardlight technology."

"What about it?" Tea asked, leaning forward.

"If Pegasus figured out a way to implant the hypnotic suggestions into a hardlight hologram... one that would be sure to get the attention of the entire world..."

Mai went pale, her voice soft, "He could brainwash every duelist on the planet. No... more than that! He could use it for movies, for TV... he could control everyone!"

I was shocked and impressed. Even though I knew that the entire theory was wrong, that Pegasus really did have magic and his entire goal was to somehow stick his wife's soul in a hardlight body because Shadi had given him this world's version of the Resurrection Stone... what Mai and Seto were discussing sound like a perfectly evil plot a Yu-Gi-Oh! villain would come up with.

"He will alter the minds of world leaders. Force schools to teach his version of history. He will turn us all into his subjects and we won't even know he's doing it," I said softly. I shot a dark look towards Yugi and mouthed 'Don't fuck this up'. He, thankfully, read the room and stayed quiet... and I realized that thanks to the censors being unable to tell if I said fuck or duck I had figured out a way to curse!

"Then I have all the more reason to stop wasting time with all of you and instead deal with Pegasus," Seto said, standing up and smoothing out his coat. "I will not let him use my technology as part of some demented scheme to take over the world. Come on Mokuba... we have a meeting with Pegasus!"

"Right!" Mokuba declared, leaping up.

"Seto!" I called out, pulling away from Mai. "Stop!"

"You aren't going to talk me out of this, Chaos," Seto sneered. "You heard what he's plotting."

"Yeah and that is exactly why you should be getting off this island right now!"

"What are you talking about? I am no coward. I'm not afraid of Pegasus."

"I know that!" I snapped, my frustration getting the better of me. I was tired, it was late, I'd nearly been set of fire, and I'd just had the Pharaoh treating me like I was a villain a few hours ago. I could mentally see my temper as a thick piece of sailing rope, fraying rapidly. "But are none of you using your heads?" I turned in a circle, arms out wide. When all I got were glowers and blank stares my head drooped and I let out a long suffering sigh. "Okay," I said slower, "let's try this again. Pegasus wants to beat Yugi because he beat you and for some demented reason the Big 5 need the new CEO of Kaibacorp to be a good duelist... or a winner... or whatever. So... what is the one thing you could do to completely derail his plans?"

"Beat Pegasus," Seto said coolly.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Oh for Plucky Duck's sake. No Seto, because the Big 5 will STILL see you as weak and not want you as CEO." I held up a hand, not even needing to look at him to know what he was about to say. "I am not saying you are weak I am saying the Big 5 are so moronic they couldn't find their own Alp holes with both hands."

"...is he always like this?" Seto asked.

"YES!" Everyone declared.

Fighting the urge to begin flailing my arms (mostly because I feared I'd become poorly drawn with sharp teeth and a huge head like Tea had and I did NOT want to experience what that felt like!) I instead said with as much cold restraint as I could muster, "What I am saying is that you and Yugi have a duel right here, one that Yugi throws on purpose. You then leave and inform the police that Pegasus kidnapped your brother. We head to the castle and deal with Yugi's unfinished business, the bad guys get arrested, and none of us end up dead. Then when we all get back to Domino you have an actual duel to settle things? How does that sound?"

I could literally hear crickets decide at that moment to begin chirping.

"Tch," Seto said finally. "I shouldn't be surprised that an American would have no idea about honor or anything like that. If you think for a moment I would be satisfied with getting back my company through underhanded tricks then you are a fool."

"Kaiba's right," Yugi told me. "To throw a duel? That isn't the way of an honorable duelist."

I turned and saw that everyone, even Mai, were nodding in agreement.

"...fine," I said in frustration. "Fine. You go marching up there Kaiba and you do your thing. Fine, great. Why do things simple? Hey, why don't you agree to just use a random deck that Pegasus gives you? Really show him up?" I turned and began to move towards the tent before suddenly stopping. "Wait, no, not fine!"

"You aren't talking me out of this. In fact I'm done talking to you. Come along Mokuba-"

"Don't risk your brother, you Buddha dam idiot!" I roared.

THAT got Seto to stop.

"Excuse you?"

"Yeah, excuse me," I said sarcastically. "Pegasus already showed that he's willing to do anything to get your company, including kidnapping Mokuba. What is to stop him from rushing you with all his goons before you can get off your challenge, grabbing Mokuba, and using him as leverage to get you to duel under his rules, with his mind control tech?" Seto didn't say a word and seeing that maybe, just maybe, I was getting through to him, I continued on. "Do the smart thing, Seto... let me continue watching Mokuba. Pegasus said as long as Mokuba remains with me and I remain in the tournament he won't go after him. I'm willing to forfeit my chance to get into the finals to keep him safe."

"Edwin!" Mai exclaimed.

"You can't do that, man!" Joey shouted.

"I can and I will because this is more important! This is about Mokuba and I'm not going to let him get hurt."

Seto looked at me and then down at Mokuba. "He's been protecting me already Seto... I want to go with you but I don't want Pegasus to use me against you..."

I could tell it was killing Seto to admit I was right. He saw me as a coward and a fraud because I didn't subscribe to his damn honor when it came to a children's card game. But he also saw I was right. And he hated me for that.

Let him. Hate was becoming an old friend.

"What do you want?" he finally asked. "You wouldn't give up this chance out of the goodness of your heart. So what is it you really want, Chaos?"

Honestly I had been willing to give it all up. I was coming to realize that Jor-El's words to Clark worked just as well for me: 'Even though you resemble then... you are not one of them'. No matter how much I looked like them, tried to act like that, in that moment it was clear that I would never be like Yugi and his friends or even Seto. It was a chilling realization, to understand that I truly was the only person in the world to feel the way I did. That I was the absolute outsider.

But after that heartbreaking revelation... came the realization that I was completely and utterly free.

"$3 million," I said. Seto narrowed his eyes at that. "The prize money I'm giving up. $3 million dollars. You are going to write a check..." I paused for dramatic effect, "...made out to Serenity Wheeler."

"Wha...whaaaa?" Joey exclaimed, nearly toppling into the camp fire.

"Edwin?" Tea said softly.

"Seriously man?" Tristan said, startled.

"Seriously. You heard Joey... she needs an operation to restore her sight." I looked at Yugi who realized what I wanted to say and quickly grinned and nodded. "Yugi and I made a pact when we decided on our alliance... whoever won would donate the prize money to Serenity for her operation. If I'm sacrificing my chance to get the cash that way then I need another way to do it. So... $3 million dollars to save her vision."

"...please Seto?" Mokuba whispered.

"Deal," Seto said, reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out a checkbook.

I felt light headed and giddy. I felt joy like I never had before. I felt-

"Sorry Ed... but I can't let ya do that," Joey stated, standing up. "I can't just accept that money. But," Joey smirked and held up his deck, "I will accept a duel with Kaiba here, and if I win I get the money!"

-rage. I felt white hot rage.

~MC~MC~MC~

Mai should have enjoyed the duel.

Joey had been an arrogant little pill ever since he'd beaten her and it'd only gotten worse with Rex's defeat. He'd been crowing about how great he was doing, the number of Star Chips he had, and how he was going to defeat everyone on the island. So seeing him failing about so miserably against Kaiba should have been balm for her soul.

Instead all she could do was turn away, unable to watch.

First because she knew that with every monster Kaiba destroyed the chances of Joey's sister being able to see again withered. It didn't have the thrill and excitement it might have had knowing that a young girl's way of life was a stake.

Second... she was concerned for Edwin.

He had grown utterly quiet when Joey had challenged Kaiba. Mai had thought he'd begin to rant and rave but instead he'd stood there, jaw clenched but otherwise not reacting at all. Everyone except Joey could sense that Edwin was barely hanging onto his rage and the longer he was forcing it down the worst it was getting. And Mai knew how unhealthy that could be... hell, Edwin had begun to show her that bottling up her own feelings was a bad idea and now he was doing the same thing.

Finally, mercifully, the duel ended with Joey on his knees, blankly staring as Kaiba recalled his Duel Disc. He didn't even react when the older duelist walked across the beach they had decided to have their duel on and ripped the device off Joey's arm; all he could do is murmur, "I lost". Mokuba, who had chosen to stand with Seto during the duel, looked at his big brother and Kaiba put his hand on his shoulder and said a few quiet words to him before walking over to where Mai was standing with Edwin, looking at the blond man before taking out his checkbook.

"Just because Wheeler is a fool doesn't mean I don't pay off my debts." He rapidly filled out the check, tearing it out and holding it for Edwin to take. "You aren't allowed to give this to anyone named or connected with the Wheeler family. You do and you void the payment. And I will collect every cent back. Maybe that will teach you not to help losers who can't even help themselves."

Edwin snatched the check and stuffed it in his pocket. He didn't even say a word. There was no need.

Kaiba took his leave and the moment he was gone Yugi and his friends swarmed over to Joey, comforting him.

"It's alright, Joey," Tea said, rubbing his back.

"You did the best you could, man," Tristan stated.

"I can't believe I lost," Joey said again. "I failed my sister."

"YES YOU DID!"

Edwin finally erupted.

"Listen," Bakura said, walking over and holding up his hands as Edwin storm towards Joey. "Now isn't the time for this-"

"Shut it," Edwin snapped. "Now is not the time where you fools are coddling Joey after he just tossed away his sister's chance to keep her eyesight."

"Hey, man!" Joey exclaimed, leaping to his feet. "Lay off! I feel bad enough as it is!"

"You SHOULD feel bad you moronic, arrogant, guttersnipe!" Edwin roared. "You let your ego get in the way of helping your sister! You realize what I sacrificed to help you out? You tossed that away because you wanted to stick it to Kaiba! And your "friends" refuse to call you out on it! Maybe if they had in the past not patted you on the head and forgiven you for every boneheaded thing you did you wouldn't have been so stupid in the first place and screwed over your sister!"

"I said lay off!" Joey said, giving Edwin a shove. "You have no idea what I'm going through!" Joey turned away, the anger draining a way a touch, replaced by sadness. "My sister... I wanted to help her. She's in the hospital and she's suffering and I wanted to help her... none of you know what it's like to see someone in that position and feeling helpless."

"...I do know," Edwin said softly, his own anger leaving him. He took a shuddering breath. "My mom-"

Joey though snapped, "Man, who cares about your stupid mom! We're talkin' about my sister!"

Edwin reeled as if struck.

"JOEY!" Tea exclaimed in horror.

"You don't mean that," Yugi said quickly. "Edwin, he didn't...he didn't..."

"Come on man..." Tristan said. "Don't say stuff like that."

"She's dead."

Mai snapped her head towards Edwin, the tears falling down his face.

"Cancer. I watched her die, Joey. I didn't even get a chance to help her. To save her. I had to watch her die. At first I begged her to fight, only in my mind because she was in a coma... and then I told her it was okay, that she could go, that it was okay. I didn't even get to say goodbye. The last memory of my mother was her gasping for air after we... I... let them take her off life support. So... don't..." He couldn't finish. Instead Edwin, gripped his head in his hands, fingers twisting in his hair, before he slowly turned and began to walk away from the beach where Joey and Seto had had their duel.

"Ed... man... I..." Joey reached out but then dropped his hand. Mokuba looked at the group before rushing to head after Edwin. "I didn't mean... my sister... with her-"

Mai's arm lashed out and the back of her hand struck Joey full on the face, causing him to fall to the ground.

"Don't you dare come back to my camp. You aren't wanted." She turned on her heels and began to march off, not looking back.

"Well... so what?" Joey called out in anger. "Who needs you or your that crybaby Ed! We'll do fine on our own! Who asked for your help anyway!? Huh? Huh!?"

Mai could hear Joey's friends calling out for her to stop but she kept going, picking up her pace to catch up with Edwin and Mokuba. When she did she didn't say a word, instead silently joining them in returning to where their tents were. But rather than go to sleep Edwin sat down in front of the camp fire and looked at it numbly. Mai settled down beside him and after a moment wrapped an arm around him, Edwin letting his head rest on her shoulder as he sucked back tears.

After about ten minutes Mokuba, who'd sat down next to Edwin and leaned against him, quietly said, "Seto and I... our parents died in a car crash. Edwin... does it ever stop hurting?"

He shut his eyes and Mai knew the answer he should give. 'Yes it does'. 'You learn to move on'. 'It gets better'.

But she knew the answer, even if he didn't say it. Mokuba did too. Not the sweet lie but the honest truth.

'No. It never does.'

"Do..." Edwin began, his voice trembling, "do you ever get the feeling... that you aren't the hero of the story?"

All Mai and Mokuba could do was press themselves against him.