Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Virus ❯ Chapter 1

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
Author's Notes: This is my first fic ever in the Yugioh fandom. I have become quite the crazed fan since I saw my first episode about a month ago. Unfortunately, I picked up the series right in the middle of the Duelist Kingdom storyline, and can you believe it I still haven't found out what happened to Pegasus?! Either work, school, or a malfunctioning VCR has prevented me from seeing that particular episode. Aarrgghh! Hopefully I will know by tomorrow, but I am going to post my story anyway. So consider this AU.

I am using the dubbed names of our heroes (Yugi, Yami (Yugi's yami), Seto, Mokuba, Joey, Tea, Tristan, Ryou, and Bakura (Ryou's yami)) . I am also surmising (mainly from some of the other magnificent fics out there) that Bakura has the Millennium Eye and Pegasus has been banished to the Shadow Realm relatively intact. Bakura has worked through his evil, Ryou-hurting phase, but either ignores or is snotty to Ryou's friends.

I can't write lemon. I have tried and tried, and it (excuse the pun) sucks. Therefore most of the yummy parts will be left to the reader's imagination. However, future chapters will contain words or descriptions that may warrant a PG-13 rating, so that is what the entire story will be.

Well, that's it for now except to say that I do not own Yugioh and am making zero money on this. As a matter of fact, I am probably losing money by spending so much time on the computer rather than working or studying. Oh well.

Praise and constructive criticism are encouraged, but flames are just plain mean. Don't send them, as they will be cried over and then ignored. Vent those negative waves by clicking the back button and reading something else.

************************************************************ *************************************Virus - Chapter 1

It was deceptively simple, really. With a word or two in the right ears and an envelope of cash later, Wayne Prax's vengeance was taking shape.

The founder and CEO of PraxCo Engineering was a small, mousy fellow with wispy, mud brown hair that was quickly fading to gray. A pair of coke-bottle-thick glasses accentuated his close-set eyes. Although his looks were less than extraordinary, his mind was not. Prax was a recognized genius in micro circuitry and programming. His designs, and his ruthlessness, made PraxCo an industry leader, second only to Kaiba Corp.

Prax had been delighted with the developments over at Kaiba Corp - the board of directors' betrayal of Seto Kaiba, the kidnapping of Kaiba's brother Mokuba, and Kaiba's own somewhat shady involvement in the happenings at Duelist Kingdom. It seemed that PraxCo would easily outshine archrival Kaiba Corp, and a hostile takeover appeared imminent.

But all that went to hell, and Seto Kaiba came out smelling like a rose. Again.

Prax recalled numerous times where Kaiba had beaten him to wealthy contracts, not to mention those other times where Prax's research and development lagged behind that of Kaiba Corp. PraxCo's most recent invention, their own version of the mobile dueling disks, was distinctly inferior to Kaiba's. Sales projections were not good. One more major setback and PraxCo would fold. Wayne Prax was not going to allow that to happen.

The way he saw it, Kaiba Corp's reputation rested squarely on the shoulders of Seto Kaiba and his dueling abilities. Kaiba traded on his standing as Duel Monsters World Champion. Businesses wanted to be affiliated with the champ. And because children wanted to use the same technology as their dueling hero, Kaiba Corp Dueling Disks was going to be the number one seller. There was only one thing to do.

Destroy Kaiba's reputation, destroy Kaiba Corp.

All hail the new champion: PraxCo.

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Yugi and his friends were gathered in the back of the Turtle Game Shop. Yugi's grandfather could hear the excited conversation of the teens as he handed a customer their change. Mr. Muoto smiled graciously after his departing customer, locked the door and flipped the "We're Open" sign to its opposite "Sorry, We're Closed" side. Quietly making his way towards the buzz in the back room, Mr. Muoto observed his grandson interacting with his friends: Joey, Tristan, Tea, and Ryou. The teens were gathered around the kitchen table with the newspaper spread before them.

"What are you children looking at?" asked Grandpa.

Yugi turned his lavender eyes on his grandfather and replied, "The Duel Monsters World Championship Tournament is starting next weekend. We have to win the local championship, then district, and then regionals. The winners will go on to the World Championship game in Tokyo next month. I'm glad we all live far enough apart so that we won't have to duel each other until the regional championships."

"But I thought that you and Joey, as finalists in the Duelists Kingdom, would be granted and automatic berth." Grandpa was sure that at least his grandson, as the DK winner, would receive a special invitation.

Joey answered, "Sorry, Mr. Muoto, but no dice. They changed the rules this year, so now all duelists have to start from scratch. Even that creep Kaiba. Ha! I can't wait to see him being forced to duel a bunch of amateurs just to make it to the finals. I don't know if his ego can take it!"

As the others were making sounds of agreement with Joey's statement, the telephone rang. Yugi went to answer it.

"Hello, Muoto residence."

"Yugi. It's me."

Yugi instantly recognized the low, growling voice of Seto Kaiba. "Hi, Kaiba. We were just talking about you." Yugi made shushing motions to his friends as they gathered around to hear the conversation. "Not that I mind, but why are you calling?"

"As one of the top duelists, I thought you might like to practice with me for the upcoming tournament. None of the local talent should pose a problem for you, but I wouldn't want your skills to become dull from the 'competition'. When I defeat you in front of everyone at the World Championships, I want you at the top of your game. Come over to the mansion in the morning, and we'll use the dueling disks. They are going to be used in the tournaments, so you'll want the practice." Kaiba smirked as he heard Yugi's friends in the background.

"You can even bring the little puppy, Joey. The mutt might enjoy the sunshine, but keep him on his leash."

Kaiba hung up on Joey's usual squawk about being called a dog. He didn't care if Yugi's pals accompanied the small teen or not. They would all believe that he only wanted to beat Yugi in a duel, and while that was true to a certain point, it wasn't the only reason behind the invitation. The chance to see Yugi again, with or without an audience, would be worth it. And the tournament gave him the perfect excuse.

"Robbins! I'm having company tomorrow. Have the dueling disks ready." Saul Robbins, Kaiba's latest in a string of personal assistants, acknowledged the order and retrieved the disks from their storage case.

"All will be ready for you Mr. Kaiba." Yes, all will be ready…for your destruction.

Robbins placed the dueling disks on a table in the rear courtyard of the Kaiba mansion. Under the cover of cleaning and testing the disks, Robbins switched out the card control chip of Kaiba's disk with a chip from his pocket. A chip provided by Wayne Prax.

/I don't know exactly what this thing is going to do, but whatever it is, I know the high and mighty Seto Kaiba won't enjoy it. Doesn't matter to me. With the money Prax is paying me, I can quit slaving and crawling for the rich and powerful and get out of this damned town!/

*********************************************************** **************************************

Yugi looked surprised when Kaiba abruptly disconnected the phone. As he replaced the receiver on the hook, he heard Joey telling the others of Kaiba's invitation.

"What are you going to do, Yugi?" asked Tristan. "Are you going to meet with Kaiba tomorrow?"

There was a flash of light and the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle answered Tristan's question. "Of course we'll be there. Right, Aibou?"

Yugi smiled up at Yami, "Right. We've only used those dueling disks once before. I would like to practice with them if we are going to make the finals."

"Yeah," said Joey morosely. "The only time I used them was when Kaiba beat the pants off me at Duelist Kingdom. If I'm going to stand a chance against him in the tournament, I gotta get some winning duels under my belt."

"Don't worry, Joey," encouraged Tea. "You just weren't prepared last time. This time you are facing him as one of the top duelists in the world. He won't shake your confidence again. What about you two?" Tea's question was for Tristan and Ryou. "Will you be entering the tournament as well?"

Ryou replied, "Bakura wants me to at least try. I know I probably won't make it to the finals, but I will do my utmost to make him proud." The spirit of the Millennium Ring remained quiet inside his soul room, observing through Ryou's senses.

Tristan said, "I think I'll sit this one out. I need a lot more practice before I can give Yugi a run for his money. Heck, even Joey could probably beat me!"

Silence reigned for a moment until Tristan's words sank in. "Even JOEY? What do mean 'EVEN JOEY'! Come here, you!" The young people laughed at the sight of Joey chasing Tristan out the door.

"We'll meet everyone at Kaiba's at 9:00, OK?"

Shouts of agreement followed the friends out the door. Yami helped Yugi and Grandpa finish their nightly chores. Afterwards, Yami sat on Yugi's bed and watched as his little hikari bounded about the room, chattering eagerly about tomorrow's activities while preparing for bed.

//By Ra, he is beautiful. The gods have blessed me by allowing me to escape the puzzle, and by granting me the ability to defeat Pegasus. But if I had one wish, oh, it would be for Yugi to love me as I love him.//

"I do, Yami." Yugi's voice intruded on Yami's thoughts.