Yu-Gi-Oh: The Heart of a Millennium

Joey vs Dino Duelist Part 1

We searched for Mokuba for awhile but no trace, kidmodo couldn't pick up anything either.

"Mokuba, Mokuba!", yelled out Yugi. "This is no time to be playin' hide and seek, kid!", - Joey. "Those thugs must have snatched him back to Pegasus's castle.", Tristan. All of us regrouped from all around. "So now they've got your grandpa and Kaiba's little brother, too?", - Tea. "Looks that way.", - Joey. "It's just another reason for us to win those 10 star chips and get in there.", both Yugi and Joey had determination in their eyes. "No doubt.", - Joey. "Whoah!", Joey looked down to see some cards on the ground. "It's my lucky day.", Joey. "Hands off! Those are mine.", Tristan. "Cool, Tristan, I didn't know you were training to become a duelist.", - Yugi. "Yeah. Well, I figure if a doofus like Joey can hold his own in this game, then, hey, I'll probably be an expert at it.", - Tristan. "Whoa, I recognize that monster.", Joey. "Haven't I seen that card in your deck Joey?", - Yugi. "Not this one, but I think I got somethin' just like it.", Joey goes through his pocket for his deck to look through. "Bingo! Swamp Battleguard. Well, would you take a look at this? These 2 look like they're long lost brother's. "Of course, that doesn't mean your boy packs the same kind of wallop mine does.", Joey snickered at Tristan. "His wallop is just fine! My lava Battleguard has never let me down. Try him out. You'll see.", Tristan talks back to Joey's comment. "Thanks. It does say they work best together.", - Joey. "You know what? I think I kinda see a resemblance between you two and those muscle-heads.", - Tea and Yugi chuckle to that. I tried holding in my laughter as best as I could but not very well. "Grrr, laugh it up. I take that as a compliment.", - Joey. It was then Yugi looked to me. "Oh by the way, what was your name?", Yugi asked and everyone else looked to me. "Oh.. Umm, my name is Kyra, Kyra Syndra.", I waved to everyone with my awkward introduction. "So what brings you here Kyra?", Joey asked. "Well, same as you. I'm a participant in this tournament.", I explained. "Are you out here all alone, Kyra.", Tea asked. "Well, yeah, but I'm ok really.", I say. "Well, why don't you join us then.", Yugi suggested. "Oh, you sure? You don't mind?", I asked shyly. "Sure, the more the merrier, right", Tristan said with a big grin on his face. "Yeah, and besides, you helped us look for Mokuba and it seems like your an experience duelist, so why not?", Yugi gave me a reassuring smile. I smiled back a little relieved but also a little nervous.

(!)* It's been years since I was in a group, I feel rusty with this. *(!)

We talked a little bit as we walked, I told them a little bit about my travels but not too much detail. Then I heard the story from them of why there in this tournament. They asked me for the same, and I just told them I was just invited by Pegasus but I didn't trust him either, especially after that ploy he did with the Kaiba brothers.

Soon we hit a open field filled with average looking duelists. "Wow, after all the crazy duelists we've been running into, it's nice to see some normal kids for a change.", - Tea. "Yeah. How about it, tough guy? Any of these tykes puny enough for you to take on, or do you wanna go lookin' for some 3-year-olds?", - Tristan taunts Joey. (!)* Uh oh, I don't like where this is going. *(!) "Come on, be nice. You know Joey's just biding his time until he finds a dueling monkey to challenge.", as Tea says that Yugi and Tristan snicker and laugh. "Ha ha! A dueling monkey! Nice one.", Tristan. I could see Joey's face is not a happy one. "Who wants some. Just one more word about dueling monkeys, and I'm gonna--", Joey retorts back until he was cut off. A chuckle was heard ahead of us and I have a feeling I know who that is. "Ugh. Tell me that's not who I think it is.", Joey turns around to see Mai. "How are you, Joseph? Glad to see me?", - Mai. "Estatic.", Joey's says sarcastically. "So, Joey, is Yugi still fighting all your battles for you? Everyone knows if Yugi wasn't there to hold your hand, you wouldn't have beat me. Isn't that right, Yugi?", - Mai. "That's not true.", - Yugi. "Oh, really? Then I propose he steps out of your shadow here and now. If Joey thinks he's so tough, let's see him play for himself.", Mai declares her challenge to Joey head on. From what I've heard from them, Joey did had a hard time beating her, but from what I heard from his battles, I don't think he's a pushover as everyone thinks. To me, he's making trial and errors in each duel and makes better progress to being a better duelist. "I'm waiting for your answer, Joey. Think you have the guts to step up and face the duelist I've arranged for you?", Mai. "It's not you?", Joey. Mai just chuckles as the person she refers to comes from behind the tree behind her. "I'm dueling on Mai's behalf. Recognize me?", it was Rex Raptor. "That's Rex Raptor.", Yugi. "This twerp's supposed to scare me or somethin'? I betcha he ain't so tough.", Joey. "Don't you remember, Joey? Rex placed second in the regionals.", Tea. "Well, Joey, you gotta ask mommy's permission or what?", Mai. "No way! This is my fight!", Joey. Everyone else didn't like that idea. "What are you trying to prove?", Tea. "Really, bro. Pick your battles.", Tristan. I know there trying to help him, but it still sounds harsh of what there saying. Almost like the teasing from earlier was half joking. But I'm more concerned as to why Rex and Mai are teaming up against Joey. "Oh, and by the way... If little Yugi does any of his backseat dueling, then Joey is disqualified, and the match automatically goes to Rex.", Mai. I see how it is, talk about throwing him in the deep end with no life support. "What do you say, Joey? This is your big chance to prove yourself, or are you gonna back out?", Mai. "Of course he is. We all--", Tea spoke for him until he cut her off. "No! That's the way I want it-- Just me and him.", Joey made up his mind. "It may cost me all my starchips, but I don't deserve to keep 'em if the only reason I'm winning is 'cause of Yugi's smarts. All my life, people are tryin' to help me 'cause they think I can't help myself. Well, I don't need to be babied this time.", Joey clenched his fist to his gut. "You've lost it, Joey. You can believe whatever you want, but I won't just stand here and watch you throw your chips away. I hope you guys don't mind, but little Joey won't be comin' out to duel today. Maybe once he grows up, we can arrange a play date.", Tristan says in a mocking tone. "That's it", Joey. Out of the blue he punches and shoves Tristan to the ground. Maybe a little uncalled for, but I agree with Joey that was going too far for Tristan. "Ooh! Hey, whadja shove me for?", Tristan. "Didn't you hear what I just said, wise guy? I'm tired of everyone thinkin' they gotta come to my rescue.", Joey. "But that's not how it is. Friends look out for each other--", Yugi. "Keep outta this, Yuge. Just lemme do what I gotta do.", Joey. "Great idea. Do whatcha gotta do, even if it means losing the chance to help your sister.", Tristan. Yugi was right about what he said, but there's truth about what Joey wants to do too, and if he's fighting for his sister, all the more reason to take this challenge. "Listen. Let's just cool off a sec and--", Tea was cut off by Tristan. "Forget it. If Mr. Macho wants to lose, he can do it by himself.", Tristan starts to walk away. "But Tristan!", Yugi. "Let him go.", Joey. "Ah, some trouble in paradise?", Rex. "Stay outta this!", Tea responded. Joey puts him out in front though. "So, what's it gonna be? You gonna run off with your friend or start acting like a duelist?", Mai. "I'm still here, ain't I? Yugi, no offense, but I want you to keep outta this one.", Joey. Yugi is reluctant at first but then he solemnly agrees. If I hadn't won all 10 star chips right now I would've dueled Mai to shut her up. "All right, then it's Dino feeding time!", Rex. The arena behind them props up in sight. "We believe in you, Joey! Just don't forget what you're fighting for!", Tea. I wished you guys gave him that confidence boost earlier but oh well. But it's not what he's fighting for he needs to worry about, it's him standing on his own two feet in a duel for himself against tough opponents. I'm glad he took this challenge, I heard he had potential from what I've heard.. Not just cards he acquired or advice from his friends but within himself, he just needs a boost and this will do the trick. "Rex, don't forget our deal! Beat him, and you get to duel with me.", I overheard Mai and now everything clicks. Mai wants to beat Joey indirectly and Rex just wants to duel Mai. That Mai can be real sneaky. "So how many chips do you wanna lose to my dino's?", Rex held up his glove hand. "I got 2, but I plan on doublin' 'em right here!", Joey just made a risky bet. "You wish! I bet your deck isn't even prepared for the fields we're playing on.", Rex. Field bonuses or not, it's how you play the monsters that counts in the duel more than anything. "Quit stalling. Let's duel!", Rex. "Bring it!", Joey.