What have I done?
Hikari's thoughts were too scattered. She refocused her attention to her hand, placed over her deck as the holograms on the field faded. She had just forfeited the duel against Joey. She moved her eyes over to the blond on the platform across from her, who was staring at her with a shocked expression on his face.
'Why did Hikari do that guys?' Tristan asked, his voice low 'She could have won the duel'
Hikari's eyes flitted to Yami, his arms crossed over his chest his expression was strangely soft. He probably knew what I was going to do before I did she thought to herself.
'Hikari Farrow has surrendered, Joey Wheeler is the winner!' the suit standing next to Pegasus called out. Hikari looked over to the lower balcony in time to see Pegasus' wine glass shatter in his hand, his expression one of fury. She stared him down for a moment, and without another word, she picked up her deck and walked away from the arena leaving nothing but shocked whispers behind her.
Hikari re-entered her room, surprised there was no new note to find. She was in a state of limbo, unable to think clearly about her actions. Pushing her hands into her jacket her fingers found her fathers medal, and everything came rushing back.
Papa.
Hikari froze, she had just given up everything. What's going to happen to him? Hikari stayed frozen in place as her mind conjured up images of her father tortured, dead or worse as she wondered about the consequences of her actions. Hikari stayed standing in the middle of the room, her ears ringing. She clenched her hands into fists, digging her nails into her palms. Her lips parted slightly as every fibre of her being was telling her to scream, but no noise escaped her throat. What have I done? What have I done? What have I done? Hikari fell to her knees, unable to see clearly anymore. She didn't have the strength to stay on her feet.
Hikari had no idea how long she stayed on the floor, she wasn't aware of time passing anymore her eyes focused on a point a million miles away. All she could think about was her father, what Pegasus was going to do to him now she had welched on their agreement. Hikari heard a knock on her door, unable to bring herself to stand or speak she let it go. Another knock and a voice. 'Hikari! Open up!' a flash of recognition went through her head, it was Joey. 'Come on Hikari!' she dug her nails harder into her skin. A sick part of her mind wanted to blame Joey for what happened, but she refused to let it. This isn't his fault
The door opened quietly and shut with a click. She was only half aware of Joey coming over to her, his voice frantic when he saw her in this state trying to break her out of her empty expression. Hikari was only vaguely aware when he lifted her hand into his own trying to pry her fingers loose 'C'mon Hikari, we need to get you cleaned up' his voice was gentle. Cleaned up? Her eyes flashed to her hand which was covered in bright red blood from where she had broken the skin. Reflexively she un-clenched her fists feeling the relief of relaxing her hands. Joey disappeared for a moment and returned with a cloth and a bowl of warm water. Hikari flinched slightly as he cleaned her wounds but stayed quiet. She let her eyes settle on his face instead. It wasn't a Joey she was used to seeing, his eyes were focused as he cleaned the blood from her palms, but the rest of his face was filled with concern, he was quiet as he completed his task as his blond hair fell over his face slightly. He looked up when he was done as caught Hikari's bright green eyes, Hikari looked into his muddy chocolate eyes searching for a sign that everything would be okay, that she made the right decision forfeiting the duel. She couldn't find it.
Joey didn't say anything, he just sat next to Hikari for a while until she felt ready to speak again.
She didn't know how much time had passed but eventually sound came from her lips as she formed words. 'Did I make the right choice, Joey?' she asked, her voice desperate.
Joey didn't try to pretend to know what would happen now that she surrendered the duel 'I don't know, Hikari' then his voice grew stronger 'But I do know, that no matter what happens we'll all be here for you. We'll take down Pegasus as a team and we will find your dad'
So Yugi did tell him she thought.
Joey grabbed Hikari's hand and gave it a small squeeze. 'I promise, everything will be okay. I know it doesn't seem like it right now, but it will be'
Hikari just kept staring at him, not saying anything. Joey's reassurance meant a great deal, but she wasn't sure if she could believe him.
'We need to get back, Yugi is dueling Mai and he needs you there' his voice low as he glanced to the door. Those words broke Hikari out of her stupor as her head snapped up. Joey's smile was wide as he held out his hand to help her up. Hikari grabbed it pulling herself to her feet. Then Joey pulled Hikari in for a hug, she returned it gladly burying her face into the creases of his jacket for a moment, before heading for the door. 'By the way' he added, his eyes twinkling 'Next time we duel, I'll win without you giving in' he joked.
Hikari felt herself smile 'In your dreams, Wheeler'
'There's the Hikari I know and love' Joey laughed as they headed down the corridor to Yugi's duel.
Hikari and Joey broke into a jog as they navigated the maze of corridors toward the arena. They turned the corner in time to see Yugi's Dark Magician be destroyed by Mai's monsters, his life points at 300. Hikari glanced over at the arena, Mai's Harpie Ladies were dominating the field. She had the trap card Mirror Wall in play which cuts Yugi's monsters attack in half.
'That's not all!' she declared as she put down a new card 'I activate Harpie's Feather Duster which destroys all magic and trap cards on the field' Yugi's Mirror Force briefly showed itself before it was destroyed. Why isn't Yami dueling?
Hikari's stomach dropped as she took in the field. 'Yugi!' she called as she went up to the railing. His head turned to look up at her, his face slightly relieved to see her. Hikari couldn't find the words, she just looked at Yugi trying not let her worry show.
'You know Yugi' Mai said from the opposite platform, recapturing his attention 'When I lost against Joey, I realised something. The reason I used that perfume trick was because I was afraid of losing, afraid to trust myself' she paused for a moment as she thought back 'Then I realised, you can learn more from a defeat than a victory' she flashed him a smile. What's she talking about?
Yugi cocked his head, considering Mai's words. Hikari gasped as she realised what she was talking about. She remembered that Tea told her that Yugi lost a duel against Kaiba before coming to the castle, Kaiba took advantage by standing on the ledge making Yugi choose between the possibility of killing him with the shockwave of his attack or forcing him to admit defeat. Hikari realised that Yugi and Yami must be in conflict with each other, which is why Yugi is dueling instead. She couldn't be sure, but she thought she heard Yugi mumble something to himself, the next words to come from him were in the deep baritone voice she had grown to know so well 'This duel is not over yet Mai'. Butterflies appeared in Hikari's stomach as she heard him.
The group cheered at Yugi's sudden determination as he got back into the rhythm. Yami drew a card as his purple eyes blazed. 'I activate Brain Control! This allows me to take control of a monster on your side of the field and I choose your Harpie's Pet Dragon!' Hikari watched as the card extend long grotesque arms and grabbed Mai's dragon bringing it to his side of the field. 'That's not all, I also place one card face down and summon Catapult Turtle in attack mode [1000/2000] now I activate my monsters special effect, tributing your Dragon to destroy your Mirror Wall trap card!' Yami said, his voice strong and unwavering. The Dragon beat its mighty wings as it placed itself on Yami's monster, without any warning it flew forward launching itself at Mai's trap card, shattering the barrier into thousands of tiny pieces.
'Yeah! Way to go Yugi!' Tea cheered, smiling widely as Mai's life points dropped down to 850.
'That all you got?' Mai growled as she drew her card, her eyes narrowing slightly. 'I activate Elegant Egotist turning one Harpie Lady into Harpie Lady Sisters! [2450/2100] but I won't fall for that trap card you have there' she smiled, thinking she beat Yugi at his own game.
Yami let out a deep chuckle 'It wasn't a trap card Mai' he continued to laugh 'I activate Monster Recovery, which returns my Catapult Turtle to my hand and allows me to draw an entirely new hand' he smiled as he picked up five new cards. 'I summon Mystical Elf in defense mode and end my turn'
Hikari couldn't help but flash Yami a grin as he looked up to the balcony, he gave her a wink in return. She looked away as a blush spread across her face.
Mai, oblivious to the exchange between them activated Monster Reborn to return her Harpie's Pet Dragon to the field, destroying Yami's monster.
During the next turn, Yami activated Swords of Revealing Light, stopping Mai attacking for three turns, she growled slightly. 'I summon Kuriboh in attack mode!' [300/200] a small brown fuzzy ball appeared on Yami's side of the field. Mai's face turned deadpan as she looked at it before she laughed. 'What's that thing supposed to do?' she asked between her laughter. Hikari couldn't be sure, but it looked like Kuriboh was angry with her for her words.
'I play Monster Reborn to bring back Gaia The Fierce Knight! [2300/2100]' he nodded back to Mai who passed her turn again, unable to attack. Yami did the same as he picked up his next card.
Hikari's stomach was flipping inside and out, she couldn't take the suspense. With Mai unable to attack and Yami not having a monster strong enough to destroy anything on her side of the field, it was only a matter of time until the stalemate was broken.
'I activate Black Luster Ritual!' Yami called, placing the card down. No way.
'What? That's not possible!' Hikari gasped as she watched the card take effect.
'Huh? Why? What's so special about it?' Tristan asked as he saw her reaction.
'It's one of the most powerful cards in the entire game' Joey answered for her as he fixed his stare on the duel below.
'Now, Black Luster Soldier [3000/2500] attack her Pet Dragon!' Hikari watched in awe as his monster destroyed Mai's dragon in a single swipe of his blade, her life points dropped to 750. Hikari felt the hope rise in her chest, he might actually do it!
Then something happened that she wasn't prepared for. Nobody was prepared for. Mai looked over the field for a moment before placing her hand over her deck. 'I surrender, Yugi' she sighed gently 'You win. I can't bear to see my monsters be destroyed' she turned her head to the side for a moment, before retrieving her deck and walking away, just as Hikari did earlier.
'Mai Valentine has surrendered, Yugi Muto is the winner of the second duel of the semi-finals' the suit raised his arm in Yugi's direction. 'The next duel will be Joey Wheeler and Yugi Muto, it will take place tomorrow morning'
Hikari spied Pegasus as he stood up from his golden throne and walked out of the door behind him, not saying a word.
'Yeah! Way to go Yug!' Joey called down at his friend 'You did it!'
Tristan and Bakura cheered as Tea and Hikari hugged at his victory.
No matter what happens now, one of them will have a shot of taking Pegasus down.
Dinner that evening was much more relaxed than breakfast, as the conversation flowed but Hikari couldn't help but notice Mai's absence from the table. Joey was fervently discussing strategy with Tristan and Bakura as Tea laughed at his enthusiasm. Hikari and Yugi were making small talk, but it was a little bit awkward. Hikari could tell that Yugi wanted to talk with her about this afternoon, but since Pegasus' security detail was ever-present, it wasn't safe it discuss.
Joey cut across the conversation 'Are you ready Yug?' he flashed a grin at him.
Yugi laughed gently 'You bet I am Joey, I can't wait to see how far you've come!'
'Be careful of his Red-Eyes' Hikari laughed along with them as her mind flashed back to the duel this afternoon 'That thing is terrifying to be on the wrong side of'
Joey laughed as he ran a hand through his hair 'Not as scary as your Guardian, Hikari' he smiled 'That thing is a lot tougher than it looks'
Hikari smirked at him as she patted her deck in her pocket. 'Don't worry Joey, it won't be the last you see of her' she laughed gently.
Joey made a face before laughing with her.
Dinner ended on a happy note for once, even though tomorrow loomed over them like a dark cloud, the group was in high spirits for Yugi and Joey's duel. Although Tea had expressed an upset about them being forced to be put against each other like this, Hikari had tried to spin it as one last friendly competition before either of them faced Pegasus. A little fun was needed.
The same as last night, everyone filed into their rooms as they walked down the corridor, leaving Hikari and Yugi standing at the end. Yugi turned to her, leaning against a tall white pillar 'I suppose we need to talk about what happened earlier' his voice was cautious.
'I suppose we do' Hikari agreed, nodding at Yugi's door. The pair entered the room, making sure they weren't seen by anyone else.
Hikari immediately sat down on the edge of Yugi's bed, waiting for the barrage of questions he surely had for her. Yugi just stood, his expression was more serious than she had seen in a long time. She was suddenly reminded of when they were kids and she had to tell Yugi she was leaving for Cairo with her father. She shook her head to clear the memory and refocused on him in front of her.
'So..' she said hesitantly.
'What happened?' he asked after a long pause.
Hikari just sighed 'I guess I just realised that Pegasus was trying to manipulate me into dueling you by forcing me against my friends' she took a moment trying to gauge his reaction 'That's why he had me duel Joey first, if I defeated him I could have faced you with a renewed sense of purpose to protect my father'
Yugi nodded in understanding, his eyes grew soft as she mentioned her dad. Yugi had fond memories of Hikari's father from when they were young, he was a very kind man. 'I get it' he murmured as took a seat next to her. 'What I don't get is what made you stop in the first place' his voice was careful.
Hikari was brought up short What do I say? That I saw Yami personified in my card and it made me realise that this wasn't what I wanted? He'd think I was crazy.
'Oh, uh... y'know. ' Hikari flounded for a moment trying to come up with a rational excuse 'Just that when I was one move away from winning it made me realise?' her voice raised at the end making it sound like a question.
Yugi raised an eyebrow, skeptical. He looked down at his Millennium Puzzle for a moment and then back to Hikari as he removed it from round his neck and placed it on the table the other side of the room.
'What are you..?' she began but Yugi interrupted her.
'You know, ever since you came back from Egypt and the spirit from my puzzle came into my life, he has not been able to have a single thought that didn't involve you' he said quietly, a sly smile across his face. Oh no. Where is he going with this?
'Oh?' Hikari asked, trying to be nonchalant as her heart rate quickened.
'He thinks you have something to do with his past, but it shouldn't be possible, I've known you since we were 5 years old' Yugi furrowed his brows together as he gazed at the puzzle the other end of the room. 'Then, that afternoon when we were in your kitchen, you had that vision. Do you remember?' he asked, looking at her.
Hikari narrowed her eyes a bit, she did remember. She tried to bring the memory into her head. Men shouting. A dark room. A glint of gold. It didn't make sense.
'Where are you going with this?' she asked as the flashes subsided.
'When the spirit touched you, he shared that memory. Meaning your minds, much like ours-' he gestured to himself and the puzzle '-share a bond'
'What do you mean?' Hikari was still confused as she tried to make sense of Yugi's words.
'Hikari, tell me. What do you remember of when you were young?' Yugi bit his lip as he looked at Hikari. She scoffed, not quite believing what she was hearing. Is this
some kind of joke?
'I don't see what that has to do with anything' she crossed her arms defensively.
'Hikari, please' Yugi pleaded as she rose to her feet. 'I'm just trying to figure out what Pegasus wants with you' he lowered his eyes. Hikari turned to face him, unable to speak.
'I- I don't know' Hikari admitted 'The only memories that are clear to me are when I was in Domino when I was young, I don't remember anything else before that. But why would I? I was too young!' she tried to justify her words but Pegasus came back to her.
Doesn't it bother you Miss Farrow, that your life doesn't make any sense?
Then Yami came into her head again;
Forgive me, you don't look much like your father.
Hikari's head began to spin as she grabbed the bedpost, her breathing becoming heavier.
'Hikari!' Yugi's voice broke through 'Are you alright?' he grabbed her hand, looking into her eyes.
'I'm fine' she said forcefully, then her voice dropped into a whisper 'What does it mean? Why don't I remember anything?' she looked scared as she rested her eyes on Yugi's face.
He dropped her hand and looked at her for a moment before going to retrieve the puzzle on the table placing it back around his neck.
'There's only one way we're going to make sense of any of this' he turned back to Hikari, his eyes blazing. 'Come with me' he turned and headed out of the door.
Hikari followed Yugi down the dark corridors of the castle, unsure of what his plan was. She remained silent as Yugi led her through the maze. She gasped when they reached the dueling arena they had been at this afternoon.
'Yugi wha-?' Hikari's voice went dry as Yami appeared in front of her. 'What's going on?' she demanded, her voice barely a whisper as she looked at her surroundings. The massive hall seemed dangerous in the dim light, a sense of unease filled her stomach as she put the pieces together.
'Hikari' Yami's voice was low as he stepped closer to her in the fading light of the arena. 'I don't know what's going on, why Pegasus is so interested in you, why ever since I've met you I've felt so drawn to your presence. We need to dive deeper into your memories and find out what Pegasus wants to know.' He grabbed Hikari's hand letting his fingers trace along her knuckles, searching her face for a moment before breathing deeply. 'There's a reason Pegasus wanted to manipulate you into turning you against me, we just need to find it'
'How?' Hikari breathed, though she already knew the answer.
'We need to duel'