Passing the Torch

[madimpossibledreamer]

Main Points:
Yugioh Legacy!verse
Chapter Summary: It's one of those 'new Pharaoh with responsibilities to Duel Monsters and the world' things.
Word Count: 915
Rating: teen

 

            “Are you sure this is where we should be?” Yugi asks quietly, trying not to draw attention to the fact that he’s sitting on a park bench in a public place talking to a Duel Monsters card of all things.  Well.  Not that he’s actually talking to the card, itself, but the spirit inside.  Most people wouldn’t make that distinction, though.  There aren’t that many people around, just yet, but it’s already bad enough because he’s famous.  He doesn’t need to add ‘possibly insane’ to that list.  It’s honestly kind of a shock, how much is known about his dueling career, but he’s always avoided commenting on the Shadow Duel rumors.  For once, it’s nice to have Kaiba in the wings, willing to give a ‘that nonsense again’ speech to anyone who will listen.  (It’s probably still a front, but the unstated rules of the game say he’s not permitted to ask.)
            He sighs heavily.  I promised to meet Téa for lunch.  She’s going to kill me.  Not that I can just ignore something like this; she knows that as well as I do, but.  She’s still going to kill me.
            Fortunately, Winged Kuriboh is too busy being excited, bouncing around emphatically, to notice a little thing like a Pharaoh’s distress.  He chuckles a little, feeling some of the tension ease.  It’s impossible to stay upset with a Kuriboh around.
            Ordinarily, he would have suggested that they wait until after lunch, but the Spirit was emphatic, and he had a sense, too, like this was an important turning point in destiny.  If he misses this chance, it’s never going to come again.  It’s what Joey’s taken to calling ‘one of his Pharaoh’ things, over Yugi’s protests.  Not that they’re not wrong.  It is a Pharaoh thing.  And with every year it’s an easier burden to bear.  It’s just a little much on top of fame, is all.
            Restless, he stands up, securing the card once more in Yami’s—no, his—belt pouch.  Joey had also taken to calling it a ‘utility belt’, based off of some American show.  He wanted one too, but Yami’s memory at that particular point was a little vague, so as much as he wanted to, Yugi couldn’t help.
            “Is it fine if I just stay in this general area?”  He’s quiet again, and the cheerful Kuri, kuri! is enough of a reply.  He smiles fondly.
            As much as he wants to leave his cell phone off for this, he knows that the last time that happened, Tristan and Joey came and kicked his hotel room door in, and he doesn’t want to have to put them through that worry (or himself through paying for things getting broken).
            He finds himself walking around the park aimlessly.  Even the Kuriboh is starting to get a little worried, when he hears someone call out.  “Look out!”
            He turns, just in time for the stranger to run into him and fall. 
            When I was hoping to run into whoever you were waiting for, I didn’t mean it literally, he thinks with a mental chuckle, looking over the boy.  Every sense is telling him this is the one.  He’s around the same age Yugi was, when this all started—that was a long time ago, now, which is such a weird thought.  He sees the familiar cards and duel disk—and wow, that’s an old model.
            The boy apologizes, but doesn’t turn around, concentrating on his cards, wiping the dirt off—
            He cares about his cards.  That bodes well.  “You’re a duelist, aren’t you?”  He’s a little surprised to hear his voice come out like his, the businesslike, deeper voice.  Still, it’s true that this is sort of business.
            “Yeah, I’m taking the Duel Academy entrance exam.”  Cheerful, good-natured.  Good choice.
            He allows the smile and reaches down, opening the pouch once more.  Serve him well.  I’ll miss you.
            The boy’s finished gathering up his things (why doesn’t he put them in his backpack, it’d be much safer, but then, he’s in a hurry and I don’t think he put that much thought into it) and stands, laughing a little sheepishly.  When his eyes open, though, they open wide.  Well, it’s not as if the collar and the hair aren’t distinctive.  “Y-you’re…”
            Normally, Yugi wouldn’t interrupt, but he gets the feeling that they don’t have that much time to talk.  He pulls out the Winged Kuriboh and holds it up, stifling the laugh as the Kuriboh winks at him.  “This is a lucky card.  It wants to go where you’re going.”  Your destiny lies together.  I wish you both the best.
            “H-huh?”  Okay, yeah, for the most part famous duelists don’t just walk up and give cards to random people on the street, so Yugi can see why he’d be a little confused.  He just hands the card to him, rather than allowing the boy to just keep staring in shock.
            “Good luck,” he tells the other and begins walking away.
            “T-thanks,” the boy stammers, and then pulls himself together.  “Thank you very much!” he yells after him.
            Yugi turns and gives him a thumbs-up, still smiling, and continues walking.  He outright laughs as the boy remembers he was in a hurry and rushes past.  Then his phone begins ringing.  The timing is probably more than mere coincidence, but I can tell Téa all about it at lunch.  At least it’s not too late to even get lunch, which is what I was worried about.