Danger equals to Fear.
It wasn't easy, but, I was at least grateful that I've managed to come this far in the competition. At this point, you would think that like everyone else who competed here, having their eyes on the prize, that I would un-doubtfully be doing the same right? Well, I can say that you would be wrong to assume such a thing. I mean yeah, fame, and fortune is nice, but that's not the reason why I'm here on this island in the first place. No, in fact, the real reason to why I was forced to compete…was because of my grandpa's soul.
He was taken away from me as an incentive, and now… now I'm here to win him back. In the end, that's all that ever mattered to me from the start when I entered. The money and game title didn't really matter. Though, then again, winning the money would be nice, keeping in mind that I can give it to my closest friend, so he can help out his sister, but, that idea is more of wishful thinking since he's also competing in the tournament as well. And, knowing how he is, there's still a good chance that he could win the prize on his own without my help. But either way, no matter what the outcome, if I do make it and he doesn't, I'll know what I'll do with the prize.
As the finals were drawing near, I kept gazing at my star chips that I've won. There they were, all ten, I'm so close; I just have to remain focused. As I kept walking, being by my friend's side, I started to see the castle up ahead, it slowly coming into view. Finally, with all ten stars in our possession, we now have access to go inside. So, wasting no time and, possibly due to excitement, we all started to pick up the pace, and within time, ended up running to the entrance. It was nice, having a little game in seeing who would get there first, but as we all got there, the fun that we were having, it soon distinguished when we were all faced with a familiar face, standing in front of the entrance.
"Kaiba!" we all said astonished.
I couldn't really figure out what he could possibly be thinking, but, judging by his cold glare, especially since that glare was directed more to me, I knew it couldn't be good.
"Sorry, but I can't let you pass Yugi," Kaiba said; blocking my way.
Though, knowing that I'm so close, I couldn't back down.
"I won ten star chips, so please stand aside," I said to him.
"Hmph, you may have ten star chips to qualify for the Duelist Kingdom playoffs, but I can't allow you to face Pegasus.
If anyone is going to put that man in his place, it's going to be me.
You and I are going to have one final duel," he continued; pointing.
"And rests assured, you will lose and I will win."
Honestly, I just don't have time for this; I already have enough on my mind as it is.
"Please stand aside Kaiba," I continued; giving him another chance to reconsider.
Though he didn't budge, he really had his mind set on challenging me.
"Not until you agree to duel me."
"I'm not dueling you, I don't have to."
"Oh, so you lack confidence, is that it, afraid that you might lose, especially after giving me all that talk about the 'Heart of the Cards'?
What's the matter, don't have faith in them to guarantee that you can beat me a second time?
Hmph, what a joke, you're nothing but a coward for all I can see standing here."
"That's enough! Why don't you back off!
He doesn't have to prove anything," I heard my other friend, Tea say.
"That's enough Tea," I spoke calmly.
I may have left her baffled, but, as my eyes were still locked on Kaiba, I started to sense something different about him. I couldn't really describe it, but, seeing the glare in his eye made me think that there's something more to this duel then just simply looking for a rematch. I don't know if it was my imagination, but, I could have sworn I saw something spark in his eye. Almost like a look of being driven to fight for some-one, maybe some-one close to him. Yes, I'm positive that's the look… it's the same burning desire that I have that makes me keep fighting for my grandpa. Hmm…it may be hard to see due to his stubbornness, but I'm convinced that Kaiba had change in a way since our first game.
I guess I can give him this chance to prove it. So, like how I've been with my power, I let the wave of confidence overshadow me.
"Kaiba, I don't really approve of you calling me a coward.
Looking, and talking down on others will get you no-where.
But, considering how you're so persistent into dueling me, I guess I have no other choice than to accept your challenge.
Let's just hope that you learned a thing or two from our last game."
As I was ready to face him, I felt my body drifting, though; unlike before when I would lack vision, it was perfectly clear this time around. I don't really know how I would describe it, since I'm still unsure, but, I guess ever since I started playing games, especially "Duel Monsters," my blackouts started to cease as well as the horrible visions that would come about. I guess you could say that I some-how was able to take control of what-ever it was that was happening to me those past years.
But oddly enough, even if I do seem tamed now, the overshadowing still seems to take its toll; having the wave of confidence flowing within my body. So, because of this, it still makes me wonder if it's still me out there, or if some-one else is taking my place. Hopefully, within time, I'll be able to find the answer.
Even though I wasn't with my friends physically anymore, I was still with them in spirit. At this point, I was already accustomed to this, after letting the power take hold of my body, and after a while of drifting, my conscience, or, maybe I should say, my soul, found its way into a small room. If you're wondering, the room wasn't really much to look at. What was inside looked similar to a bedroom, though of course there was no bed. Mostly what covered the floor of the room were old board games, toys and other things kids would play with. I don't really know why, but, every time that I would visit this place, I always had a feeling that I belonged here...like if this was my room. I guess it's because of the fact that the games here… are mostly the games I would play with when I was younger; being innocent.
As I continued to examine the room, a small table and chair instantly materialized.
"Hmm…I guess they're about to start," I said out loud.
I then walked over to the table and immediately noticed my deck.
"Well…this is it," I continued; putting my hand over the cards.
"I hope you're ready Kaiba, because I'm not going to go easy on you. After all, I have to keep fighting, in order to rescue my grandpa."
Once when I picked up my deck and sat on the chair, an image started to emerge in front of me. And, as soon as the blurriness ceased, it immediately showed what was happening in the outside world. Kaiba was set and ready, while as far as I could see, so was the 'other me' out there. I may not have total control over my actions out there, but, I can still manage to influence the mind, in order to bring out what card I want to play. So, in translation, what-ever card I play, or for the most part, how I play it, the other me out there will do the same thing; almost like if I'm playing a video game. Even though I was fully aware of Kaiba's new invention, it still didn't make much of a difference to how I will play the game. The only real difference is that I have to be thinking more on my feet due to his prototype's features.
As the game progressed, I was extremely baffled to why Kaiba never once summoned a Blue Eyes-White Dragon onto the field, but, as far as I could see now, he was just waiting, waiting for the right time to summon all three and morph them into a more destructive monster; the monster that he called, "The Blues Eyes Ultimate Dragon." Hmm…so, this was his plan all along, he planned to put all his strength into this one monster; hoping the monster's ultimate attack can destroy me. Well, I'll admit, it's a pretty good move, having the ultimate attack force, but, what good is that if you have the ultimate defense force to cancel out the blows?
So, surprising him nonetheless, I put my faith in Kuriboh, summoning him as well as using a magic card to multiply himself. This was my ultimate defense in order to stop Kaiba's attacks. And then, from that point on, I was able to see that this duel was coming to a close. Not only was Kaiba not able to touch me; attacking my life points directly, but, in the long run, I was also able to weaken his Dragon from the inside out, with the help of one of my monsters. And, as far as I know, within each passing turn, the Dragon would get even weaker, weaker to the point that my Celtic Guardian will be able to finish it off; ending this game.
Since I already completed my turn, I now waited; Kaiba only had one turn left. If he changed as I sensed that he did, then he would play the game until the very end, and surely, not be ashamed of losing like he did in our first game. After a few more seconds of waiting, I then start to get a weird vibe; sensing that something was wrong. Why was Kaiba not playing? For a second, it kinda looked like if he was….broken, like if his mind was no longer in the game anymore. I wonder, what was going on, I never really thought Kaiba could display being this distraught.
And then from that point, the situation suddenly took an unexpected turn. I saw that Kaiba was now slowly walking back, walking closer and closer to the edge. No… he couldn't…he wouldn't.
"Yugi, this can't end like this.
I have to win…" Kaiba stated; now looking at me.
He took his turn and used a magic card to bring back a small portion of his Dragon. This was it, if I wasted my turn, not finishing off the Dragon, then in Kaiba's next turn, he'll be able to finish me off by attacking my Celtic Guardian. Everything was now hanging in the balance within my turn.
"It's your choice Yugi.
You can forfeit, or you can use your turn and finish off my Dragon.
My life is literally in your hands, so, be sure to choose wisely, after all, I highly doubt that you want to have someone's death on your conscience," he spoke; ready to fall over the edge.
"I can't believe he's doing this."
I then formed my hand into a fist and slammed it against the table.
Really, he would actually stoop this low….into blackmailing me?
"Kaiba, I'm warning you, don't push me," I heard the other me say.
"What's the matter, can't bear to pull the trigger?
Hmph, pathetic, unlike you, I'll do whatever it takes in order to save my brother; even if it means putting my very life on the line.
So then, what's it going to be?" Kaiba continued.
And, as soon as he mentioned his brother, everything started to make sense. No wonder he had that look in his eye earlier. He was fighting for his brother Mokuba, Pegasus must have captured his soul as well and made Kaiba challenge me. Sure Kaiba always wanted a rematch, but with his brother's soul on the line, as well as my grandpa's, the stakes were extremely high for the both of us; determined to win in order to save a loved one. But, if we both have a common goal, why are we fighting each other? It would make much more sense for us to team up and find a way to take down Pegasus together.
I wondered this, but, then it brought me back to how Kaiba is. He's stubborn and is more of a lone wolf, going about, doing things his way. Keeping this in mind, and now aware of his situation, I would have understood him, but, for some odd reason, an unusual flow of anger started to rise inside me. I would have understood….I would have even helped him regardless….but, treating me like this…blackmailing and being a down-right cheater, I don't know, but, something within me was boiling; making me think that he needed to be punished.
"Kaiba, I never back away from a challenge!
And I'm not starting now!
Attack now Celtic Guardian!"
And then that's when I saw the monster run, him being few steps away from slicing off the head of the Dragon. This was it, game over.
"No Yugi!
You can't do this!
Call off your attack, this isn't like you!" I heard some-one suddenly shout.
And before I knew it, I saw that the voice came from Tea. She was running, trying to stop me. And, as if I wasn't myself, I felt that I snapped back into reality; relieving myself of the anger that clouded my mind. Tea was right, this isn't me. I would never harm a person, especially on purpose. I have to do the right thing. I have to stop the attack and forfeit. It's the only way Kaiba can be safe.
"Stop, call off the attack," I commanded the other me; jumping out of my chair.
Since the game was still in progress, I expected for him to obey me, but then something happened…something that made me freeze.
"I have to do this.
We have to do this."
He…he talked to me. Could…could it be that…that all this time…another presence was with me, possessing my body when-ever he pleased? My imagination then went wild; picturing a dark shadow hovering over me. And, if that wasn't enough, the horrible visions started to come back as well. Everything I was seeing was in a shade of red. At this point, I didn't know what to do, or for the most part, what to think. After all this time, this person, this being, he was the one that committed those violent acts long ago. Punishing every bad person I came across, and now, now he's going to do it to Kaiba as well.
No, he's not going to punish him; he's going to murder him.
"NO! STOP! This isn't right!" I said; springing for the door of the room.
I grabbed the handle, and tried desperately to open it; but it was no use, I was locked in. But I couldn't give up; Kaiba's life was at stake.
"PLEASE STOP!
I'M BEGGING YOU!" I yelled; now pounding on the door.
Though there was no response.
I couldn't bear it, all this was going to happen because of me.
"STOOOP!" I screamed; giving it my all.
Not really paying attention to my surroundings anymore, I then felt myself fall forward; breathing heavily and trembling.
"I'm…I'm back…" I uttered; looking at the ground.
Though I was so shaken up, that I didn't even budge, but, from what I heard, the Dragon destroyed my monster; indicating that my act was successful; Kaiba was spared. Normally I would be happy, but…the being…the shadow…he was all I was thinking about.
"Yugi, what happened?" Joey asked running.
"Are you ok?" Tea chipped in.
"The spirit….I almost couldn't control it…" I uttered softly.
"HE WAS WILLING TO GO ALL THE WAY TO TAKE DOWN KAIBA!" I shouted; shutting my eyes tightly.
I couldn't bear it anymore; tears started streaming down my face. At this rate, I don't know what to do anymore. I was beyond terrified, after all this time, I always thought I had control, but, I guess, he was the one who was in control…how could I been so blind; especially after seeing the punishments that he committed, and for what he almost did to Kaiba.
Now…now that I'm here…on my knees, shaking, I wonder, is all this even worth it? Continuing with the tournament, only to unleash the shadow so he could do more harm to other competitors? I don't want people getting hurt; who knows what the spirit will do to them.
As far as I'm aware now, unlike back then, he mostly has the urge to come out when-ever I play, "Duel Monsters." Hmm…if that's the case, well then…my conscience is clear. For the sake of everyone's safety, I'm never playing the game again. I intend to keep this spirit…this shadow…locked away, within myself…within the puzzle.
"Yugi….
I'm sorry, I never intended to do you harm…
I guess within the heat of the moment, I almost did the unthinkable and overstepped my boundaries; losing sight in what was important….
And now, now you're afraid of me….
I would ask for a second chance…
But…seeing how I'm trapped in this labyrinth; not a single door opening to my desire, I assumed you already made up your mind; intending to keep me in the dark.
I respect your decision, though, hopefully, within time, you will reconsider…
For instead of working alone, we can work side by side as….partners….in order to get your grandfather back.
I'll be good if you just give me another chance, and within this chance, I promise not to do any more harm, especially to you…
My Friend…."