Chapter 6: - Triple Teamed
Yami grunted as he was pushed to the ground in front of Hirutani.
Yugi recognised this warehouse, it was one of the warehouses on the same row as the one that he'd duelled Bandit Keith in when Keith had been a mind slave to Marik.
The recognition wasn't reassuring for the Pharaoh, who glared at Hirutani as he got to his feet. "Hirutani." Yami growled, refusing to bow to the Gang Leader who'd once tried to kill Yugi and force Joey back into his gang.
"Muto." Hirutani growled back, giving him a mocking bow, "I hope my gang weren't too rough."
"What do you want?" Yami growled, having already worked that the exit was blocked and he wasn't going anywhere without at least Duelling someone and possibly Shadow Gaming others.
Hirutani gave Yami's original captor a nod.
From behind the chain of the Millennium Puzzle was lifted from around his neck and Yami was ripped from control as the Puzzle was taken and thrown across the room to Hirutani. Yugi looked up, fear tainting his violet eyes and taking a step back as he realised what had happened.
"Yami!"
"I don't understand what the big deal with this gaudy trash is." Hirutani was saying as he examined it, "The robes are willing to pay big bucks for it, American, if one of us can beat you. They've even gone to the trouble of going out and crushing weak Duellists to take their Map Cards in case you're in the finals."
"I won't lose to any of you." Yugi said, trying to act more confident then he felt. "Yami can you hear me?"
There was no response from the Puzzle and Yugi tried to maintain a calm expression.
"You're overconfident, Muto." Hirutani growled, "You see, you're not getting out of here until one of us has defeated you, even if you have to miss your precious tournament."
Yugi activated his Duel Disk, "Fine, who wants to go first?"
Hirutani laughed, "You'd like that wouldn't you? For it to be so easy." Yugi stood his ground as Hirutani came to stand right in front of him and grabbed him by the collar. "I'm well aware of your title of 'King of Games.' You'll fight alone, against three of my men, at a time, until one of us defeats you."
Yugi tried not to look afraid as Hirutani let go and back off, smirking.
"And if I refuse?" Yugi asked.
And got a fist to the gut for his troubles, doubling up in pain as Hirutani let go.
"Does that answer your question?" Hirutani smirked.
Yugi groaned, straightening up.
"A…alright. I accept. But I get any map cards your goons have if I win, and I get the Puzzle back."
"If you can beat me, you'll get it back."
"Yami? Please, answer me!"
'Yu…be care…' The link, so forcefully broken, wasn't strong enough to let Yami communicate with him, Yugi would be fighting Hirutani's entire gang completely alone.
Alone.
He hadn't been completely alone since he'd completed the Puzzle and gotten his wish, for more then three years he'd always had friends at his side, even when he'd fought Bandit Keith he could sense Yami more then he could now.
'Yu…'
"Let's Duel." Yugi attempted a growl.
Hirutani laughed, "You, you and you, take him down."
Yugi drew his first hand and had to fight back a smile, "I summon Celtic Guard in attack mode and play two cards face down. It's your turns."
The first goon drew, summoning Flame Swordsman in attack mode and passing the turn to the next goon, who summoned Gearfried the Iron Knight in attack mode and played two cards face down before the turn moved on to the last goon, who summoned Mad Dog of Darkness, a deranged Dark Beast monster with 1900 attack points. "Mad Dog, destroy his Guard!"
"Magic Cylinder!" Yugi called, activating his trap card.
"Royal Decree." The goon two activated the continuous Trap Card, destroying Yugi's Magic Cylinder, and causing Yugi's Guard to be destroyed.
Yugi's points dropped by 500 and Goon three ended his turn.
Yugi drew again, now worried. "King's Knight, in attack mode and I equip him with Mage Power!"
Yugi's King's Knight's attack points grew by 1000, to 2600.
"King's Knight! Attack Flame Swordsman!" The Swordsman vanished and Goon 1 lost 800 life points. "Next."
Goon 1 glared at Yugi, drew and played a card in defence mode and a card face down and ended his turn. Goon 2 summoned a second monster, a Dark Blade, in defence mode and switched his Gearfried to Defence mode too. Goon 3 sacrificed his Mad Dog for an angrier looking dog with 2300 attack points. "Your move Muto."
Yugi drew, "I summon Queen's Knight in attack mode and because I have both King's and Queen's Knight on the field, I can summon Jack's Knight from my deck." The third knight appeared on the field. "Jack's Knight! Attack Dark Blade!"
The knight blew up.
"Queen's Knight, attack Gearfried!"
The Iron Knight blew up.
"King's Knight! Attack his Crazed Dog of Darkness!"
The dog blew up but King's Knight's attack decreased to 2000.
"Huh?" Yugi asked, confused.
"When my Crazed Dog is destroyed he takes 600 attack points from the attacking monster." Goon 3 laughed, "You done?"
"Your move." Yugi replied.
"I flip my monster face up," Goon 1 crowed, "It's Man Eater Bug! And I chose to destroy your King's Knight!" Yugi's King's Knight exploded. "Next."
"I activate Monster Reincarnation, bringing a monster back to my hand and I summon Gearfried the Iron Knight!" The Iron Knight returned to the field, "Attack Queen's Knight!" Yugi lost another 400 life points as his Knight died. "Next!"
Goon 3 drew and frowned, I play one card face down and end my turn.
Yugi's turn again and he drew, "I play Pot of Greed, allowing me to draw two cards." Yugi drew again and smiled slightly, "I summon the Dark Magician Girl and activate Monster Reborn to bring back King's Knight!"
The two monsters appeared on the field. "Dark Magician Girl! Attack Man Eater Bug!" Goon 1 lost 1600 points. "Jack's Knight attack Gearfried!" Goon 2 lost 100 points, "King's Knight! Attack the first Goon directly!" The goon was out. "Next!" Yugi called, looking at Goon 2 who had taken on a scowl.
He drew, "A card in defence mode and it's your move." The goon looked at the one next to him who was looking a little less certain.
"I activate Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Royal Decree!" The goon growled, "And play a card in defence mode!" He glared at Yugi, "Your move Muto."
Yugi drew and froze, energy surging up his arm. Yugi grinned as he looked at the card, "I sacrifice Dark Magician Girl, King's Knight and Jack's Knight, for Obelisk the Tormentor!" The huge blue God of the Obelisk appeared behind Yugi, "Obelisk! Attack his face down card!" Goon 2's monster exploded, "Your move."
Goon 2 looked furious now as he drew, "I activate Monster Reborn to bring back Gearfried and switch him to defence mode. Next."
Goon 3 drew, "I play another card face down in defence mode and end my turn."
Yugi drew, summoning Kuriboh in defence mode. "Obelisk! Attack Goon 3's right hand monster!"
The monster exploded.
"Your move."
Goon 2 attempted to attack Kuriboh with his Gearfried but Yugi activated Mirror Force, destroying Gearfried.
Goon 3 activated Card of Sanctity, allowing all three Duellists to draw until they had six cards in their hand and played a monster in defence mode.
Yugi's turn again and he summoned Alpha the Magnet Warrior, "Obelisk! Attack Goon 2!"
"I activate Stop Attack!" Goon 3 growled. Yugi's Obelisk, susceptible to magic cards for one turn, switched to Defence Mode.
"Two cards face down and I end my turn."
Goon 2 had to pass, Goon 3 played another defence monster.
Yugi's turn again, "I summon Beta the Magnet Warrior in attack mode. Obelisk, attack Goon 2!" The goon's points hit zero. "Next." Yugi looked at Goon 3 who growled as he drew.
"I sacrifice three of my monsters to summon Gilford the Lightening!" The lightening warrior appeared on the field, "And because I summoned him using three tributes, he can destroy one monster, and I chose Obelisk!"
The lightening hit, but Obelisk stayed where he was. Yugi frowned as something hit something else with a loud clang, "Obelisk isn't affected by Monster Effects." Yugi clarified as the Goon glared at him, as if accusing him of cheating.
"Fine, Gilford attack's Kuriboh!"
Sorry Kuriboh. Yugi thought as the brown fuzzball exploded.
"I end my turn."
Yugi drew, "I summon Gamma, the Magnet Warrior." The third Magnet Warrior appeared, "I tribute Alpha and Beta to activate Obelisk's special ability, Obelisk's Rage!" The two monsters vanished and Obelisk's attack points kept growing until the system gave up and just gave it the infinity symbol.
"Obelisk! Attack Gilford the Lightening!"
The God's fist hit the monster, who exploded, and carried on to the Duellist, whose points hit zero as he was knocked flying across the warehouse.
Yugi's Duel Disk deactivated, having won the Duel. He turned to Hirutani as he shuffled his deck and replaced it in the deck holder. "Next?"
Hirutani threw the three map cards at him, taking Yugi over the amount he needed, but smirked before waving the next three forward, nodding instead to a bunch who were stood to one side.
They closed in before Yugi realised what was going on and a pained cry rose from the teen as they attacked.
"Enough!" Hirutani held up his hand, "We need him able to Duel."
The goons backed away and Yugi picked himself up, wincing in pain. "You cheat!" Yugi groaned, his head spinning from being kicked so hard.
"Well, we could do worse, we could do this!"
"No!" Yugi realised what he was going to do a split second before he did it. "NO! DON'T!"
A horrible cracking sound followed by the sound of gold pieces hitting the floor followed as Hirutani slammed the Puzzle into a pillar, causing it to shatter. "The idiots with the money didn't specify what state it had to be in and they've all gone off to gather Map Cards, they didn't trust that we beat you." Hirutani threw the piece attached to the chain to one side, "Now, are you ready for the next match?"
Yugi was stunned, staring at the floor where the chain and top piece were sitting.
"Muto, do we have to knock some more sense into you to get you to duel us again?" Hirutani growled.
Yugi blinked and then glared at the gang leader who just smirked. Muto looked as frightening as a hissing kitten.
"You don't scare me, Muto, the buyers didn't specify what condition the Puzzle had to be in. If a shrimp like you can put it together, so can they." Hirutani smirked, "You two, pick em up, and if you miss a single piece…" Hirutani didn't need to complete the sentence, his goons moved to do so. "Now, your next opponents…"
Yugi wheeled around as Hirutani's eyes narrowed and there was the sound of a fight from behind him.
Two blondes, one male, one female, with Death Glares on their faces that could give Kaiba a run for his money, had just finished kicking the arses of the goons behind Yugi. Yugi couldn't help but grin when he saw who it was.
"Hirutani." The male growled, coming to Yugi's side.
"Wheeler." Hirutani growled in return, "Who's your girlfriend?"
"Mai Valentine." She introduced herself, "And I'm not his girlfriend."
"Yet." Joey secretly hoped.
"You alright Yuge?" Joey asked, not turning from glaring at Hirutani.
"I'm fine but he…"
"I saw." Joey growled. "Give it back, you big ape."
"I'm glad you came, I wanted a word with you." Hirutani growled.
"I'm still not interested in rejoining your little group." Joey growled, earning himself an odd look from Mai and a smile from Yugi, "I just came to help out a friend. Now give back those Puzzle pieces."
"I don't see why I should."
"I'll do you a deal." Joey said, thinking quickly, "Yuge, you trust me, right?"
Yugi nodded.
"You and me Duel, I lose I rejoin your Gang. I win, you give back the Puzzle pieces."
"I need to beat Muto to get paid, you and Muto against me and someone of my choice, you lose I get the Puzzle and you rejoin the gang, you win I hand over the Puzzle pieces and you're free to go."
"I'm not sitting on the sidelines." Mai warned Joey.
"Fine, I'll play three on three." Hirutani smirked, "Do you accept?"
"Mai…"
"Don't start Joey, I'm in this as well. I was from the moment I helped you with that goon."
"Yuge?"
"I'll Duel."
"We accept Hirutani." Joey growled.
"Fine, you and you." Hirutani pointed to the smartest two of his goons, "You're with me."
Six Duel Disks activated, "Let's Duel!"
Yugi recognised this warehouse, it was one of the warehouses on the same row as the one that he'd duelled Bandit Keith in when Keith had been a mind slave to Marik.
The recognition wasn't reassuring for the Pharaoh, who glared at Hirutani as he got to his feet. "Hirutani." Yami growled, refusing to bow to the Gang Leader who'd once tried to kill Yugi and force Joey back into his gang.
"Muto." Hirutani growled back, giving him a mocking bow, "I hope my gang weren't too rough."
"What do you want?" Yami growled, having already worked that the exit was blocked and he wasn't going anywhere without at least Duelling someone and possibly Shadow Gaming others.
Hirutani gave Yami's original captor a nod.
From behind the chain of the Millennium Puzzle was lifted from around his neck and Yami was ripped from control as the Puzzle was taken and thrown across the room to Hirutani. Yugi looked up, fear tainting his violet eyes and taking a step back as he realised what had happened.
"Yami!"
"I don't understand what the big deal with this gaudy trash is." Hirutani was saying as he examined it, "The robes are willing to pay big bucks for it, American, if one of us can beat you. They've even gone to the trouble of going out and crushing weak Duellists to take their Map Cards in case you're in the finals."
"I won't lose to any of you." Yugi said, trying to act more confident then he felt. "Yami can you hear me?"
There was no response from the Puzzle and Yugi tried to maintain a calm expression.
"You're overconfident, Muto." Hirutani growled, "You see, you're not getting out of here until one of us has defeated you, even if you have to miss your precious tournament."
Yugi activated his Duel Disk, "Fine, who wants to go first?"
Hirutani laughed, "You'd like that wouldn't you? For it to be so easy." Yugi stood his ground as Hirutani came to stand right in front of him and grabbed him by the collar. "I'm well aware of your title of 'King of Games.' You'll fight alone, against three of my men, at a time, until one of us defeats you."
Yugi tried not to look afraid as Hirutani let go and back off, smirking.
"And if I refuse?" Yugi asked.
And got a fist to the gut for his troubles, doubling up in pain as Hirutani let go.
"Does that answer your question?" Hirutani smirked.
Yugi groaned, straightening up.
"A…alright. I accept. But I get any map cards your goons have if I win, and I get the Puzzle back."
"If you can beat me, you'll get it back."
"Yami? Please, answer me!"
'Yu…be care…' The link, so forcefully broken, wasn't strong enough to let Yami communicate with him, Yugi would be fighting Hirutani's entire gang completely alone.
Alone.
He hadn't been completely alone since he'd completed the Puzzle and gotten his wish, for more then three years he'd always had friends at his side, even when he'd fought Bandit Keith he could sense Yami more then he could now.
'Yu…'
"Let's Duel." Yugi attempted a growl.
Hirutani laughed, "You, you and you, take him down."
Yugi drew his first hand and had to fight back a smile, "I summon Celtic Guard in attack mode and play two cards face down. It's your turns."
The first goon drew, summoning Flame Swordsman in attack mode and passing the turn to the next goon, who summoned Gearfried the Iron Knight in attack mode and played two cards face down before the turn moved on to the last goon, who summoned Mad Dog of Darkness, a deranged Dark Beast monster with 1900 attack points. "Mad Dog, destroy his Guard!"
"Magic Cylinder!" Yugi called, activating his trap card.
"Royal Decree." The goon two activated the continuous Trap Card, destroying Yugi's Magic Cylinder, and causing Yugi's Guard to be destroyed.
Yugi's points dropped by 500 and Goon three ended his turn.
Yugi drew again, now worried. "King's Knight, in attack mode and I equip him with Mage Power!"
Yugi's King's Knight's attack points grew by 1000, to 2600.
"King's Knight! Attack Flame Swordsman!" The Swordsman vanished and Goon 1 lost 800 life points. "Next."
Goon 1 glared at Yugi, drew and played a card in defence mode and a card face down and ended his turn. Goon 2 summoned a second monster, a Dark Blade, in defence mode and switched his Gearfried to Defence mode too. Goon 3 sacrificed his Mad Dog for an angrier looking dog with 2300 attack points. "Your move Muto."
Yugi drew, "I summon Queen's Knight in attack mode and because I have both King's and Queen's Knight on the field, I can summon Jack's Knight from my deck." The third knight appeared on the field. "Jack's Knight! Attack Dark Blade!"
The knight blew up.
"Queen's Knight, attack Gearfried!"
The Iron Knight blew up.
"King's Knight! Attack his Crazed Dog of Darkness!"
The dog blew up but King's Knight's attack decreased to 2000.
"Huh?" Yugi asked, confused.
"When my Crazed Dog is destroyed he takes 600 attack points from the attacking monster." Goon 3 laughed, "You done?"
"Your move." Yugi replied.
"I flip my monster face up," Goon 1 crowed, "It's Man Eater Bug! And I chose to destroy your King's Knight!" Yugi's King's Knight exploded. "Next."
"I activate Monster Reincarnation, bringing a monster back to my hand and I summon Gearfried the Iron Knight!" The Iron Knight returned to the field, "Attack Queen's Knight!" Yugi lost another 400 life points as his Knight died. "Next!"
Goon 3 drew and frowned, I play one card face down and end my turn.
Yugi's turn again and he drew, "I play Pot of Greed, allowing me to draw two cards." Yugi drew again and smiled slightly, "I summon the Dark Magician Girl and activate Monster Reborn to bring back King's Knight!"
The two monsters appeared on the field. "Dark Magician Girl! Attack Man Eater Bug!" Goon 1 lost 1600 points. "Jack's Knight attack Gearfried!" Goon 2 lost 100 points, "King's Knight! Attack the first Goon directly!" The goon was out. "Next!" Yugi called, looking at Goon 2 who had taken on a scowl.
He drew, "A card in defence mode and it's your move." The goon looked at the one next to him who was looking a little less certain.
"I activate Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Royal Decree!" The goon growled, "And play a card in defence mode!" He glared at Yugi, "Your move Muto."
Yugi drew and froze, energy surging up his arm. Yugi grinned as he looked at the card, "I sacrifice Dark Magician Girl, King's Knight and Jack's Knight, for Obelisk the Tormentor!" The huge blue God of the Obelisk appeared behind Yugi, "Obelisk! Attack his face down card!" Goon 2's monster exploded, "Your move."
Goon 2 looked furious now as he drew, "I activate Monster Reborn to bring back Gearfried and switch him to defence mode. Next."
Goon 3 drew, "I play another card face down in defence mode and end my turn."
Yugi drew, summoning Kuriboh in defence mode. "Obelisk! Attack Goon 3's right hand monster!"
The monster exploded.
"Your move."
Goon 2 attempted to attack Kuriboh with his Gearfried but Yugi activated Mirror Force, destroying Gearfried.
Goon 3 activated Card of Sanctity, allowing all three Duellists to draw until they had six cards in their hand and played a monster in defence mode.
Yugi's turn again and he summoned Alpha the Magnet Warrior, "Obelisk! Attack Goon 2!"
"I activate Stop Attack!" Goon 3 growled. Yugi's Obelisk, susceptible to magic cards for one turn, switched to Defence Mode.
"Two cards face down and I end my turn."
Goon 2 had to pass, Goon 3 played another defence monster.
Yugi's turn again, "I summon Beta the Magnet Warrior in attack mode. Obelisk, attack Goon 2!" The goon's points hit zero. "Next." Yugi looked at Goon 3 who growled as he drew.
"I sacrifice three of my monsters to summon Gilford the Lightening!" The lightening warrior appeared on the field, "And because I summoned him using three tributes, he can destroy one monster, and I chose Obelisk!"
The lightening hit, but Obelisk stayed where he was. Yugi frowned as something hit something else with a loud clang, "Obelisk isn't affected by Monster Effects." Yugi clarified as the Goon glared at him, as if accusing him of cheating.
"Fine, Gilford attack's Kuriboh!"
Sorry Kuriboh. Yugi thought as the brown fuzzball exploded.
"I end my turn."
Yugi drew, "I summon Gamma, the Magnet Warrior." The third Magnet Warrior appeared, "I tribute Alpha and Beta to activate Obelisk's special ability, Obelisk's Rage!" The two monsters vanished and Obelisk's attack points kept growing until the system gave up and just gave it the infinity symbol.
"Obelisk! Attack Gilford the Lightening!"
The God's fist hit the monster, who exploded, and carried on to the Duellist, whose points hit zero as he was knocked flying across the warehouse.
Yugi's Duel Disk deactivated, having won the Duel. He turned to Hirutani as he shuffled his deck and replaced it in the deck holder. "Next?"
Hirutani threw the three map cards at him, taking Yugi over the amount he needed, but smirked before waving the next three forward, nodding instead to a bunch who were stood to one side.
They closed in before Yugi realised what was going on and a pained cry rose from the teen as they attacked.
"Enough!" Hirutani held up his hand, "We need him able to Duel."
The goons backed away and Yugi picked himself up, wincing in pain. "You cheat!" Yugi groaned, his head spinning from being kicked so hard.
"Well, we could do worse, we could do this!"
"No!" Yugi realised what he was going to do a split second before he did it. "NO! DON'T!"
A horrible cracking sound followed by the sound of gold pieces hitting the floor followed as Hirutani slammed the Puzzle into a pillar, causing it to shatter. "The idiots with the money didn't specify what state it had to be in and they've all gone off to gather Map Cards, they didn't trust that we beat you." Hirutani threw the piece attached to the chain to one side, "Now, are you ready for the next match?"
Yugi was stunned, staring at the floor where the chain and top piece were sitting.
"Muto, do we have to knock some more sense into you to get you to duel us again?" Hirutani growled.
Yugi blinked and then glared at the gang leader who just smirked. Muto looked as frightening as a hissing kitten.
"You don't scare me, Muto, the buyers didn't specify what condition the Puzzle had to be in. If a shrimp like you can put it together, so can they." Hirutani smirked, "You two, pick em up, and if you miss a single piece…" Hirutani didn't need to complete the sentence, his goons moved to do so. "Now, your next opponents…"
Yugi wheeled around as Hirutani's eyes narrowed and there was the sound of a fight from behind him.
Two blondes, one male, one female, with Death Glares on their faces that could give Kaiba a run for his money, had just finished kicking the arses of the goons behind Yugi. Yugi couldn't help but grin when he saw who it was.
"Hirutani." The male growled, coming to Yugi's side.
"Wheeler." Hirutani growled in return, "Who's your girlfriend?"
"Mai Valentine." She introduced herself, "And I'm not his girlfriend."
"Yet." Joey secretly hoped.
"You alright Yuge?" Joey asked, not turning from glaring at Hirutani.
"I'm fine but he…"
"I saw." Joey growled. "Give it back, you big ape."
"I'm glad you came, I wanted a word with you." Hirutani growled.
"I'm still not interested in rejoining your little group." Joey growled, earning himself an odd look from Mai and a smile from Yugi, "I just came to help out a friend. Now give back those Puzzle pieces."
"I don't see why I should."
"I'll do you a deal." Joey said, thinking quickly, "Yuge, you trust me, right?"
Yugi nodded.
"You and me Duel, I lose I rejoin your Gang. I win, you give back the Puzzle pieces."
"I need to beat Muto to get paid, you and Muto against me and someone of my choice, you lose I get the Puzzle and you rejoin the gang, you win I hand over the Puzzle pieces and you're free to go."
"I'm not sitting on the sidelines." Mai warned Joey.
"Fine, I'll play three on three." Hirutani smirked, "Do you accept?"
"Mai…"
"Don't start Joey, I'm in this as well. I was from the moment I helped you with that goon."
"Yuge?"
"I'll Duel."
"We accept Hirutani." Joey growled.
"Fine, you and you." Hirutani pointed to the smartest two of his goons, "You're with me."
Six Duel Disks activated, "Let's Duel!"