I'm not good at describing duels so I'm sorry if that is a bit lacklustre.
Update: 26th August 2017 - I went through again and made some changes, such as spelling etc. When I posted this orignally it was about midnight for me.
I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or it's characters. Just the OC.
They had an hour to prepare. Akira had an hour to prepare. He sighed as him and Mokuba took up residence in the local cafe, shielding themselves from the rain that poured from the skies. Akira held a cup of tea in between his hands, staring into the cup intensely. They were waiting for Yugi and the others. Mokuba had called them instead of his brother. He didn't want to bother his brother right now. While he knew Seto was supportive of finding Ito, he also knew he would not be liked very much if he disturbed him. His brother was like a double edged sword.
Mokuba watched Akira silently, nursing a cup of coffee himself. He took a sip of the hot beverage, warming himself up from the inside.
"Staring at it won't make it hotter." Mokuba commented placing his drink down and gaining attention of the brunette. Akira looked up to him, giving him a small smile as he brought the cup up to his lips.
"Just nervous that's all." He mumbled into the drink, taking a small sip himself as his eyes went back to watching the rain. It was oddly calming all the time they weren't out in it. Mokuba stayed still as he continued watching Akira before sighing and looking out of the window as well, seeing if he could spot Yugi.
"That's why I called Yugi. I would call Seto but we won't be his favourite people if we disturb him." Mokuba said, turning his attention back to Akira who remained still and hummed slightly to himself.
"You know Seto cares right? About you finding your sister? He won't admit it but he does." Mokuba commented more, making the brunette look at him slightly shocked. "He sees you just as much as a brother as I do; I mean we've been friends for five years now and have never left each others side. He hasn't told you to stop coming round so that's a positive." Mokuba said to him, making Akira knit his brows together as he kept the small smile on his face.
"That was sudden, why bring it up now?... I'm glad don't get me wrong you two are like my brothers." Akira said to him as Mokuba shook his head, turning his attention back out to the window once more.
"No reason...the rain just makes me think that's all." Mokuba said, making the brunette hum to himself as he turned his attention back out to the window. He was glad he knew if anything and glad Mokuba told him. The Kaiba brothers were the best none blood siblings he could ask for, even if one of them was very cold and often rude. He just put it down to character.
Yugi came into the cafe, followed by Teá, Tristan and Joey. Mokuba waved them down to their table, grabbing a couple of seats from on of the other tables so people could sit down. Joey shook his head spraying water everywhere as he walked towards the table. Tristan pulled a face at him, stepping away from the half drowned blonde.
"You don't have to live up to your dog nickname you know." He commented taking a seat next to Akira. Joey glared at him, raising a fist the older man.
"Wha' ya say wise guy?!" He demanded only to be scolded by Yugi. The rest sat down around the table. Yugi looked them over before turning his attention to Mokuba.
"So what's up?" Yugi asked, turning his attention between both the boys. Akira sipped on his tea again opting to stay silent, before being kicked in the shin lightly under the table by Mokuba to explain what had happened and what he was planning to do.
"We found Ito... I've been challenged to a duel to free her the only problem is I have no idea what I'm doing." Akira said to them, sighing at his admitting of not actually knowing. Sure Yugi and Joey had been teaching them, but this was a whole different thing. If Ito could take down an opponent in three turns, then what could that woman with the black hair do?
Teá raised her eyebrows slightly, looking at the teenager as he rubbed the sides of his cup with his index fingers. She could tell he was worried. He was a naturally worried teenager; if anything Akira reminded her a little of Yugi back when they were younger. Quiet, shy, he seemed to worry over others more than himself despite a medical condition that could have put him at risk. She placed a gentle smile on her face as she reached over, placing a hand over his wrist.
"Don't look so glum. Yugi can remind you. You've been practising with him and getting better right?" She asked, making him look up before looking back at her hand then looking back at her. He could feel his cheeks heat up, an inappropriate moment to do so but the woman was very pretty. He nodded his head, using his free hand that wasn't being touched to cough into.
"Yes I have." He mumbled, avoiding all eye contact as possible. Teá smiled kindly at him, not being bothered with his sudden shy nature around her. Joey quickly jogged him out of his thoughts by slapping his back as Teá withdrew her hand from his wrist.
"Let's see ya card's den!" He said to the now startled brunette. Akira reached down in the deck holder kept on his belt and pulled out his deck, laying it in the middle of the table with the cards face showing up as if expecting it to do something. The group stayed quiet as Yugi reached over and had a look through the deck to see if any improvements or changes had been made. He smiled over at Akira, holding a Fake Trap in his other hand between his index and middle finger.
"This is a good card." He said to him. "Let's try coming up with a strategy." He continued, making both Akira and Mokuba nod their heads in unison. That sounded like a good idea.
The hour was nearly over. Yugi had spent the time teaching Akira a possible strategy he could use to help win the duel. Akira believed he got it; he was sure he could pull it off. Mokuba looked over at the clock then looked back at the group, a serious look in his eyes. Not one that Akira saw often, but when he did he knew he meant business.
"It's almost time; we should go now." He said to him, making Akira nod his head and put the deck back into the deck holder.
"We'll come and watch; cheer you on from the side lines." Teá said to him as the other three men nodded their heads agreeing. Akira smiled at them, he was grateful they would do that for him; they didn't have to it did mean they would be standing out in the rain and possibly catching a cold. They didn't have to do that for him. The group stood up, and began exiting the cafe, heading towards their destination. Akira could feel in the pit of his stomach, he was getting nervous again. It was then he also remembered he didn't have a duel disk; maybe that would hold off the duel for a little while? No...he couldn't wish for things like that he had a bargain to uphold and a sister to get back. He had to do this.
They arrived at the agreed street for their duel. The same street Akira and Mokuba had seen Ito battle for child. Ito had been there when Akira's group got there, behind her was two people. The mask on her face sat to the side, allowing her face to be seen and covering one ear. Akira wondered why they wore those masks...was it to keep their identities safe? That would make sense all things considering.
"You have arrived how lovely!" The lady with the black hair said as she stood slightly in front of Ito. Her hair clung to her face, soaked from the rain water. Her other eye was visible thanks to this. Akira for whatever reason was taken back, they were both green! He assumed that because she hid one eye they'd be different colours. That'd learn him for assuming. The woman kept a smirk on her face as she watched the group, her hands on her hips as she eyed them all up.
"But alas! I will not be duelling you anymore I have other things to attend...you'll be duelling her messenger instead, Satoshi." The woman said as the other figure stepped forward. From the name Akira could tell it was a boy...the name also sounded familiar. He too wore a mask, just like Ito's was it covered his face. It was red in colour and bore the same demon face.
"It's been a long time...Akira." Satoshi said from behind the mask, never daring raising it to show his face. Akira knitted his brows together; he had a strong idea who it was. Satoshi was one of the boys chosen all those years ago with his sister... that too meant he had "died." Akira dare didn't say a word however to him. Instead he looked back at the woman.
"At least say your name. We know everyone...everyone but you." Akira said to her, doing his best to put on his brave face. The woman chuckled as she de-attached the duel disk from her arm and chucked it over to Akira making him panic as he caught it.
"Silver...that's it. Not really a name but good enough for you." She said to him before looking over to Satoshi. "You know the rules. He wins and lovely Ito here is free. He loses and his mind is trapped...show them what magic can do." She said to him, turning on her heels and leaving the scene promptly.
Akira placed the duel disk onto his arm, if now was a good time to roll his eyes he would have; magic. He frowned as he did his best to work out how the contraption worked. He had never used one before, this was the first time. He wasn't sure what exactly to expect. He placed his deck into the deck holder and watched as the LED showed his life points. The brunette's eyes widened, that was some clever technology right there! He looked back over at Satoshi, who seemed to be mumbling to himself. It was then Akira could feel the air around him getting tighter, choking even. He felt his knees shake as he doubled over, placing his hands onto his thighs and taking deep breathes.
"The shadow realm...but how?!" Yugi demanded as the purple like haze covered them, completely blocking them from view of everyone else. Satoshi didn't even dare look at Yugi as he held out his duel disk, allowing it to clip into it's ready state.
"Magic is a powerful thing...you of all people should know that. With enough practice, anything can happen." He said to him in a monotone voice. "Stand up Akira and duel me. You want to save your sister right?" He questioned, watching the weaker boy struggle to catch his breathe. He knew he was weak but just how weak? Akira took a deep breathe as he pushed himself off his thighs, stumbling slightly before gaining his footing once more. He held a determined look on his face. His lungs felt like they were being crushed, he could hardly breathe. But he needed to do this. Copying Satoshi, Akira held out his arm, allowing the duel disk to clip into ready. He had to admit it did amaze him.
"All or nothing." Satoshi said simply to him as he flipped a coin into the air. "Heads or tails?" He questioned the brunette who raised his eyes at the question.
"Akira you don't have to do this, let me take over I can withstand this realm!" Yugi yelled over to the boy, noticing his struggle to stay upright, or even breath. It was the same feeling Yugi had when he first played in the shadow realm. Akira however ignored the duel coloured haired man's shouts to him. He couldn't pass this to someone else; he had to do it.
"Heads?" Akira said to him unsure if that was the right choice.
"Too bad for you; I go first." Satoshi said, showing the coin had landed on tails. Akira frowned, he knew Satoshi wouldn't be able to attack on the first go...that would have to be his saving grace for now.
The duel raged on. Akira had felt the full force of the shadow realm on Satoshi's second go. The attacks were real. It knocked the wind out of him having his monster destroyed and losing life points. He panicked and placed his Blackland Fire Dragon [1500/800] into attack mode instead of defensive and that cost him his life points. They stuck true to their word, it felt like the life was draining out of him. Akira bit his bottom lip as he looked at his hand. He had Silver Fang [1200/800], Fake Trap, Dragon's Rebirth and an Ancient Dragon [2800/2100] in his hand. On the field, all he had was Mirror Force face down and a Harpie Girl [500/500] in defence mode that Satoshi couldn't destroy as he only had one monster on the field and that was used to destroy his first Silver Fang [1200/800]. Akira knitted his brows together; he had to risk it.
"I place one card face down, and a monster card face down in defence position." Akira said to Satoshi, laying down his Dragon's rebirth trap card and Silver Fang [1200/800]. The humming of the cards being played sounded through the air as Akira sighed to himself.
"I end my turn..." Akira said to him, frowning widely. He only had one thousand life points left while Satoshi had two thousand five hundred... Akira had to believe he could turn the duel around.
"I knew you were a weak duellist, but I didn't think this weak that's a pity." Satoshi said in his monotone, robotic voice as he drew a card.
Mokuba and the others had remained quiet as they watched Akira. They shouted words of encouragement to keep his spirits up, but could see he was faltering. Mokuba could see the shake in his legs and body. Akira was putting in his all to stay strong through this duel, and endure the shadow realm for his sister. The raven haired boy looked over to Ito, who stood emotionless and still right in the middle of the sidelines. She only moved to look at the player whose turn it was. Mokuba frowned, he hoped Akira won for her sake. He knew he loved his sister.
"I play change of heart to take control of your Harpie girl [500/500]. I play a second one to take control of your face down monster." Satoshi said, making Akira's eyes go wide as he watched his cards go over to Satoshi's side of the field.
"Next I sacrifice my three monsters to tribute summon Beast King Barbaros [3000/1200] in attack mode; he was tribute summoned...all your cards on your side of the field are destroyed." Satoshi said, making Akira's eyes go wider as he watched his two trap cards split into thousand of pieces. He had nothing.
"You lose...Attack Beast King!" Satoshi said, pointing his finger at Akira.
The others gasped and began shouting to Akira, telling him to move. Mokuba did the same and looked over at Ito; she looked at Akira with wide eyes, her body slowly beginning to move towards him. Mokuba couldn't sit still he knew he had to do something...anything or Akira would lose and Ito will be gone! But what... There was no time to think straight it was all happening to fast, all happening at once.
Akira eyed the lance Beast King Barbaros [3000/1200] held as he charged towards him. He felt weak. The shadow realm was taking it's toll on his body. He wasn't sure how much longer he could last. The attacks were real after all. He took a deep breathe of air, preparing himself for the worse as the lance was launched towards his body to attack his life points directly. Instinctively Akira placed his arms in front of his head, hoping in some way that would stop the attack from hitting him.
"Akira!" He heard two people yell, feeling his body being tackled into. He quickly glanced down at the brunette who had placed herself in front of him preparing to take the force of the attack. He quickly grabbed her shoulders trying to pry her off of him before being tackled once more from the other side. He saw the familiar raven hair preparing himself to take the brunt of the attack before looking back at the spear his eyes wide as it made an impact; sending the three teens to the floor, their screams filling the air as it pierced their flesh. It all felt so real!
Like that, they were out cold.
-x-
Akira's eyes slowly fluttered open as he groaned. He sat up, a hand on his forehead. Surprisingly, he felt no pain. In fact, he felt incredibly light. He never felt better! He felt refreshed. As if he just had the best nap in his life. He took in the scenery around him. A field. He recognised this field. But why was he here? Did he fall asleep or even unconscious during the duel? He felt too light to be unconscious.
The brunette sighed as he heard more groaning, forcing him to turn his head towards the sounds. His eyebrows rose as he saw Mokuba and Ito pushing themselves up. Mokuba sat up, he's knees bent and leaning onto the back of his hands as Ito sat on her bottom, her hands on her thighs. She held her eyes closed as if expecting something.
"Are...you both okay?" Akira questioned the two making them snap their heads towards him. Ito opened her eyes quickly, a wide smile coming onto her face as she looked at her brother. He looked okay!
"We're fine but what about you?!" Mokuba asked him, gaining Akira's full attention. Akira couldn't help but smile at him.
"I'm great...better than great actually I feel fantastic." He said to him, pushing himself up from off the floor and patting off his backside, freeing it from lose grass and dirt.
Mokuba sighed in relief as he stood up, offering a hand to Ito. Ito hesitantly looked at his hand, before sighing and grabbing it; feeling herself being pulled up. She looked around, taking a few steps forward to stand next to Akira as Mokuba did the same standing to his other side. The three teenagers gapped at the field; it smelt fresh, there was a slight breeze. It was relaxing.
"Where are we?" Ito muttered, loud enough for the two of them. Mokuba shrugged his shoulders as Akira shook his head. While he visited this place when passed out, he didn't actually know where this place was. Humming, the female breathed air through out her nose, accepting the answer from the boys.
"Wherever we are, I like it." Ito said, holding her hands behind her back. Akira couldn't help but smile to himself nodding his head agreeing with the younger girl.
"It's calm here." Mokuba commented, thinking of nothing else to say.
As the teens stared, Ito and Mokuba could feel a pulling sensation at the back of their minds. It wasn't huge now, they could ignore it. Ito looked up at her brother, watching him closely. He seemed at peace here; the most peaceful she had seen him since finding him again.
"I think... the duel you're doing is still happening." Ito said quietly, gaining her brothers attention. He looked at her and smiled at her, loosely hanging an arm around her neck and pulling her close to him. He just wanted a hug, that was all. She was real. He could confirm it now. Ito stayed quiet, wrapping her arms around her brothers body. Mokuba watched the two silently before being forcibly bought into the hug by Akira; an arm around his shoulder. Mokuba swung an arm around his shoulder and placed his other arm around the back of Ito's back, the three of them forming a circle.
"I'm glad we managed to find you again; and I wanted to thank you Mokuba for helping...for being there actually." Akira said to him, keeping the wide smile on his face. Ito remained quiet, keeping her head underneath her brothers arm. She missed this. And with Mokuba there...if Akira won...could they all be friends?
A door began forming, gaining the teens attention. It was brown in colour, almost like it was made of Oak. The three didn't dare let go of each other, until Mokuba sighed to himself, eyeing the door.
"I think that maybe our quo to leave." He commented, making the teenagers let go of each other. Mokuba walked to the door hesitantly, and gingerly placed his hand onto the golden door knob, turning it. A bright light poured into the field, but not bright enough to blind them. Ito began walking towards it with Akira following behind. Just as the brunette male got close, a force had stopped him. Ito turned her attention to Akira, noticing he had stopped.
"Aki?" She questioned, making Mokuba turn his attention towards his friend. Akira reached out a hand, feeling the force strike at it and making him pull back immediately. The brunette knitted his brows, giving an apologetic smile.
Now he remembered this place. He was here before, when he fell unconscious at Kame Game. That figure that stood here before telling him "It wasn't quite his time" last time. She wasn't here this time and now, it didn't seem like he would be leaving.
He took a deep breath through his nose, before looking at the other two, the apologetic smile never leaving, the apologetic look never leaving. Ito furrowed her brows as Mokuba looked at him questionably.
"I think this is it for me." He began saying to the two. "My body isn't going to let me come back. I won't be joining you..." Akira said to the two. He could feel tears gathering in the corner of his eyes, his hands that hung loosely by his sides trembled slightly. Ito tried reaching her hand out to grab him only to be struck with the same force that was stopping Akira. His head dropped to the floor as that small, apologetic smile stayed on his face.
"I think I'll just rest now. I hope I won! At least you'll be free, Ito." Akira explained bringing his head back up, choking back his words as he spoke. He didn't win, he knew he didn't he had nothing that could save him...still...he could only hope, right? He turned his attention to Mokuba, who stood in shock just staring at his friend. He had the look of denial on his face.
"I trust you Mokuba...You are my best friend, a brother really so thank you. Please...look after Ito. I think you two can become great friends." Akira explained to him, feeling the wind that was only just a breeze picking up. Mokuba released the door handle and tried running to him along with Ito, only to be pushed back by a force of wind knocking them both through the Oak door.
The last thing Akira heard from both of them was them screaming his name. As the door closed, Akira kept the apologetic smile on his face, pocketing his hands into his jeans pockets.
"Take care of each other, Ito, Mokuba. I know you will." He said, watching the door fade, slowly being replaced by the figure that stood before. Akira could feel the tears he had been holding back roll down his cheeks, his throat tightening as he pressed his lips together hard. There was one more question he needed to know, rather or not he got an answer...he just had to ask.
"Am I...a good big brother?"
-x-
"They're coming too!" Tristan's voice yelled as bodies began to stir. Mokuba was the first to wake up fully, his head pounding like he had just been hit with a ton of bricks. The rain poured onto his body, only adding to the ache. He groaned as he lifted himself up. He had heard of shadow games, even witnessed them but he didn't think they'd be so painful. Ito was the second to stir, her own groans filling the street as she pushed herself up to sit up straight.
"Where...were we?" She questioned as she blinked away the small amount of water that had gathered in her eyes. The lance they were hit with was painful...is that the pain she was inflicting whenever the messengers forced them to begin a shadow game? And that field, it felt relaxing to be in. Whatever held Ito's mind hostage seemed to have disappeared when they entered that field, just before even! She could remember feeling something snap as she watched her brother try and protect himself from Satoshi's attack. Did that mean she was free? What did Akira mean when he said "He wouldn't be joining them?" That's when it hit her. The words he said, alarm bells starting ringing in her head she knew now exactly what he had meant.
Ito looked down at her brother. He was yet to wake up. He laid motionless, his eyes closed and arm's sprawled out in front of him. She began shaking him lightly trying to wake him up as Mokuba sat himself up properly.
"Aki...Wake up." Ito asked as she shook his shoulder. She didn't get a response back however. Her brows knitted together to as she tried again but this time more aggressively in hopes of waking up her brother. Mokuba's eyes widened as the words Akira had said earlier rang again in his mind.
"He can't be..." Mokuba muttered as he shuffled himself closer to the brunette, watching as his sister tried to get him to wake up. Ito's eyes widened as she covered her mouth with her hands, releasing her brothers shoulder and shaking her head in denial.
"We need help! An Ambulance! Seto! Anyone that can help!" Mokuba called out to Yugi and the others. Tristan and Joey nodded their heads and quickly ran down either end of the street's in search for somebody while Yugi promptly took out his mobile to call an emergency service.
"He can't be gone...It's just a joke right? A really odd joke that's all!" Ito said through her hands, her voice cracking, closing her eyes tightly as tears rolled down her cheeks. She looked over to the person who had caused it; the messenger that took Silver's place in the duel. He's duel disk was closed together.
"Bring him back, Satoshi!" Ito yelled over to the boy, who could do nothing but shake his head. He couldn't do anything now, he knew Akira was weak but he didn't think the attack would end him.
"I've freed your mind from the hive, Ito. Please, consider it my condolences. Don't let the chance go to waste." Satoshi said in a monotone like voice as he turned on his heel, only to see the incoming force of Tristan stop in front of him. Tristan grabbed him by the collar of his trench coat, lifting him off the ground. His face red from running and anger.
"Where do you think you're going?!" He yelled at him, making Tea to come over to the two boys to stop any sort of fist fight that would break out. Satoshi however did not retaliate. He knew he did wrong; the way Ito spoke of her brother when the two of them grew up and trained in that facility he knew he would never be forgiven.
Mokuba just stared at his friend, gingerly removing the duel disk that was proved and his deck in the deck holder. Yugi had walked over as the commotion happened and kneeled beside Ito, putting an arm around her shoulders gently as a way of comfort. He turned his attention to Mokuba, who could only remain quiet and stare, a tight grip on his deck as if hoping he could feel him in it.
"I've called an ambulance, they'll be here soon. I've also called Kaiba...he'll be here soon too... I'm sorry Mokuba, Ito." Yugi spoke calmly to the two. Mokuba kept quiet, his eyes wide in belief as he stared at his friend, as if willing him to wake up. Tears fell from his eyes as he just slowly reaching out a hand just to touch him. Ito went back to grabbing the sides of Akira's hoodie, her head bowed down as she hunched over letting out a mournful sounding scream. After five years of being away from her brother, she finally got to be with him again and that was short lived. And Mokuba, he had lost his best friend, a brother, all because he wanted to try and prove he could be a good big brother. That's what hurt Mokuba the most, he was older than Akira; he wondered if maybe he should have used that same excuse to keep him safe then none of this would have happened.
