Yugioh: It’s Time To Duel Together (For Liaras)

[finkfly90]

It has been almost a year since the Pharaoh Atem departed this world and things are starting to get back to normal between everyone close to him. So much so that Seto Kaiba has took it upon himself to host a brand new tournament. And not just a regular tournament, but a 3 vs 3 Tournament! The winner of said Tournament will get one heck of a prize too, a sneak peak of a brand new archetype for new cards that Pegasus is printing. But knowing Kaiba, there’s always a twist. The teams will be computerly generated from a computer randomly and whatever team is chosen, those three are stuck together for the rest of the tournament.

Serenity Wheeler has been waiting for this day for a long time, running down the street for the selection gathering with a brand new duel disk around her wrist. She had a long heart to heart with her brother after he returned from his trip and she left that conversation deciding that she wants to be a duelist. After training with his brother for almost a year now, she feels this Tournament would be the perfect way to test her skills. As she passed by buildings and more buildings, she spoted a familiar cloud of pointy hair not far from her and smiled softly as she approached. “Hey Yugi!” She called out as she was closing in from behind him.

For the first time since the creation of Duel Monsters, Yugi was truly alone. Joey, Tea, and Tristan had split from him earlier. Joey had promised to meet him in the finals, where they would have their first official match that didn'thave the Pharaoh guiding his every move. Tristan was Joey's wing-man, so of course he followed Joey to support him. As for Tea, well, Yugi had asked for the opportunity to test himself on his own. While he may have proven himself capable of defeating the Pharaoh in combat, and he had held his newly earned title of 'King of Games' from vigorous challenges since, this would be a test of a different kind.

So, he stood in the center of Domino City Square, waiting for the announcement from Kaiba that would take place in this very area, which would give out the designated team members. He wondered who would be on his team--stranger, a friend, or maybe even a former enemy? While he pondered this, his hand came up to grab at used to be a puzzle but instead grasped only air. It had been a year, and yet he sometimes still forgot it was there--and he sometimes still reached out for a person who was no longer constantly by his side. With him in spirit and in heart, for their bond of friendship was unbreakable and transcended time, space, and even life and death itself.

Yugi was drawn from his thoughts by a familiar voice, and he turned to see none other than Joey's younger sister, Serenity, coming his way. His eyes homed in on a new duel disk attached to his arm, and flashbacks to a secretive Joey always running off with only a wayward mention of a secret apprentice, rose to the forefront of his mind. Had Serenity become a duelist? "Serenity, hello!" greeted Yugi, smiling and waving at her. "I'm surprised to see you here! Are you here to root for Joey?" he asked, mostly to confirm his suspicions.

[finkfly90]

Serenity finally managed to catch up with the boy and doubled over as she started panting. She really needs to go to the gym! After a few seconds of catching her breath, she gained her composure and smiled at him. “It’s been such a long time but you haven’t changed a bit!” She smiles at him softly. It’s been about a year since she’s seen the King of Games in person but Joey would constantly give her reports of how everyone is doing as school kept her busy for a long time. Who knew missing a lot of time of school due to her operation would keep her swamped.

The Wheeler girl frowned at the mention that she was only going to the tournament to cheer on Joey. It’s like he hasn’t even noticed her duel disk! Well now this might be her chance to surprise him with her new dueling skills! “I’ll have you know that I’m entering this tournament!” She said triumphantly as she stuck out her arm to show off the duel disk

When Serenity restored herself to her full height, Yugi was reminded that Serenity, like Joey, was tall, a trait that seemed to be genetic in the Wheeler family. Her cheeks seemed to puff out at his question in a soft pout, but it was quickly replaced with a brighter smile as she thrust out the arm with the shiny duel disk and proudly proclaimed herself as a duelist in the tournament. Her words were a bit breezy, for the lack of a better word, considering she had just lost her breath moments prior.

Yugi smiled back at Serenity. "So you've become a duelist have you? That's great news! Now I know who Joey's mysterious apprentice is. I'm looking forward to seeing you duel, Serenity!"

[finkfly90]

Serenity’s cheeks turned bright pink at the boy’s complement, shuffling her feet awkwardly. After all the times Yugi had been there to save not only her brother Joey but the entire world, she felt a forced drawing her to him. It’s something she never really through about until now. She glanced at the watch and exclaimed loudly as she grabbed Yugi’s hand and began pulling him along. “Come on! We’re going to be late for the opening ceremony!”

Yugi noticed the rush of color that came to Serenity's face, but considering his knowledge that she had been a sickly kid for much of her life, he drew different conclusions as to what it mean. "Are you--" he began to ask if she was okay as it was quite hot outside today, enough so that his leathery outfit was amplifying the heat by more than a fair amount, but Serenity seemed to catch a second wind. The younger girl grabbed his hand, and he was reminded that not only was she taller, but she was (embarrassingly) strong enough to drag him behind her pretty easily. Not that she was dragging him for he followed her easily enough. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and he found himself smiling as she did.

They ended up in a large building where duelists were taking their seats. Not all of the duelists in the tournament would be in this building. This was a worldwide event, and so there were several different facilities across the entire world that would be hosting the opening ceremony simultaneously.

[finkfly90]

Serenity marveled as she watched the decorations and unfamiliar facing walking by, not yet noticing she was still holding Yugi’s hand. She had a big smile on her face, not seeing anything like this in a long time. Once she turned to gauge the boy’s reaction, she blushed deeply as she realized what she was doing. She let out a little squeal and backed away, walking right into a familiar face.

“Ow! What’s the- ohhhh Yugi!” The blonde girl with glasses exclaimed as she ran past Serenity and hugged the boy tightly, much to the objection of Serenity who was getting her barrings back

Yugi was conscious of the fact that he was being led around by Serenity by hand, but he didn't really care all that much. It seemed like Serenity herself had forgotten, as she suddenly pulled her hand away as though it had been burned (was his hand sweaty, he wondered). "Oh, watch out," he started and then cringed because it was too late.

The next thing Yugi knew, he was in a really tight hug, two deceptively strong arms pinning his arms to his sides and squeezing at his back. Then there was a bush of blonde hair in his face, but between the voice and the overt (and painful) display of affection, he was able to recognize who it was. "Oh, hey Rebecca," he greeted. Yugi tried to take a step back to break the hug so he could actually speak a bit easier. "Are you in the tournament, too?" It was obvious on its own considering there was also a duel disk digging into his side.

[finkfly90]

Rebecca giggles as she backed away from the boy and stood cockily in front of him. “Yep! I’m going to mop the floor with everyone here! Except you of course, Yugi muffin!” She sighed happily as she started at him.

Meanwhile, Serenity was watching this all transpire with her eye twitching in anger. She crossed her arms and let out an audible groan as she turned towards the stage, blinking as she noticed it was looking like it is about to start.

With the direction now turned towards dueling, Yugi loosened up a bit, although he twitched and his face flushed at the endearment she chose to go with. "Well," he began. "I've dueled you myself before, so I'm well aware that you're a strong duelist. If we do go up against one another, let's have a proper duel." The last duel it had been Yugi's technical defeat, although he had possessed all the cards necessary to win the duel, an echo of the past when his Grandpa had forfeited the duel to Rebecca's grandfather.

Yugi was oblivious to Serenity's discontent, but, like her, he noticed that there was some commotion on stage. The curtains parted, and none other than Seto Kaiba stood at the center of it, surrounded by cameras. Behind him was a screen that reflected was the cameras were catching--which was Kaiba.

"Duelists, listen up! The new annual KaibaCorps Tri-Cup Duel Monsters Tournament begins today, and you better be ready because all of the best duelists across the entire world are going to be competing for three things: One, access to an exclusive archetype that only they will ever possess! Two, a cash prize of one million dollars! And, finally, a new title will be rewarded, which is the 'Tag Duel Kings!'

That's right! You're all going to be in teams of three, which will be randomly assigned right here and now. With your team, you'll be competing at predetermined locations where there will be special rules unique to that tournament!

Now, with all of that out of the way, I'll be assigning the first team, which will have none other than the--" it sounded as though Kaiba had a tough time getting the words out "--the King of Games himself on it with two random members assigned to him!"

"Eh, I'm being assigned to the first team?" echoed Yugi. He wondered who it'd be. Considering there were duelists all over the world, there was a high chance it'd be total strangers.

Behind Kaiba, names flashed across the screen until they settled on two.