Author's Not: First off – apologies! I can't believe it's been six months since I've last updated, I'm so sorry to those who I've left waiting in the dark, and I'm also sorry for starting back with such a crappy chapter, but I'm glad to tell you all that this marks my recommitment to updating and working on this story (and I promise that you won't have to wait so long on the next chapter). I guess I lost momentum for this story and fell into a bit of a rut (understatement) and I guess that life just got a bit on top of me with school and work and friends etc etc. However, I couldn't let this story lay in incompletion and on a cliff-hanger – so welcome back! So here you are, chapter 11, the first of many more (and better quality after this terrible one) chapters to come.

Enjoy!

Chapter 11 – Let the games begin

Mina had been wandering through the castle for the remainder of the night. She never had time to rest, always struggling to stay one step ahead of Pegasus' goons. She was surprised that he didn't just use his millennium eye to pin point her location for them, perhaps he was enjoying the game of cat and mouse, or again, maybe he wasn't quite bothered with recapturing her – considering she hadn't made any real attempt to leave the castle or the island. Mina had made it clear that she intended to hold up her end of the bargain, and so it wasn't as if she was going anywhere.

She now found herself crawling through the air ducts. How cliché, she had mused to herself earlier. Her back ached from being hunched so low for so long, and every now and again she would let out an unintentional 'yelp' when a rat would scamper past her. Mina could imagine Pegasus, seated at his table with a glass of wine in hand, laughing hysterically at her humiliation. That image, toppled with the image of Kaiba's lifeless body being dragged away was enough to sustain her determination. She could not shake from her mind other memories either, as in her head she wandered back to the kiss that she had shared with Kaiba. How safe and secure she had felt, like nothing bad could get to her. Mina scolded herself, she had to keep a firm grip on her emotions, she had let them run amuck thus far, and just look at what had happened. It was time to let her head take up the command once again, before her heart made a move that could be perilous to her survival. She continued to crawl in the darkness, the air was hot and clammy, and Mina felt her body becoming sluggish with hunger and exhaustion. When was the last time she had eaten anything? Let alone the last time that she had slept. Mina knew that if she didn't do anything about it soon, she was going to be in big trouble. However, Mina had a more president problem to deal with: she had no idea how to get out.

Another half an hour past, and Mina found herself lying down in total exhaustion, she groaned as her cheek pressed against the hot metal that slowly cooked her skin. She allowed her eyes to close for a few minutes of rest. Of course, her brain would never allow her a proper rest. Her mind wandered once more to her time with Seto. Perhaps it was her inexperience with intimacy that kept making her circle back.

"Oh bloody hell why can't I just get a hold of myself!" She snapped at herself, and kicked her foot against the bottom of the shaft. It made a large thud, and it echoed loudly, and not with a rather stable sounding noise. Mina held a breath, as the air duct began to groan. "Oh God, please, please give me a break", she whispered, but as always, no such luck. The panel beneath her feet fell through, and she went with it. She fell with a disgruntled yell, and landed square on her back on the hard floor. Mina moaned, why can't I ever catch a break?

"Mina?"

She sat up, rubbing the small of her back, "Yugi?" she smiled in relief. The familiar violet eyes stared back at her from the bed, by some stroke of luck, she had fallen into Yugi's room.

He laughed in delight as he helped her up, "I have to say, you do know how to make an entrance", he told her.

"Well what do you expect at this stage", she grinned, and looked to see light streaming through the window, "Is it really morning already?"

"Yeah, were have you been in all night?" Yugi asked her.

Mina smiled, and pointed a finger upward, "Where do you think?"

Yugi returned her smile, it was good to see her, intact, and away from Pegasus. Mina laughed and embraced him in a hug, "It's good to see you when I'm not on a leash".

"I hardly think that you ever on one", he joked as they broke apart, "Pegasus seems to be having a lot of trouble keeping you locked up".

"What can I say?" she teased, "Illegitimi non carborundum".

There was a knock on the door interrupted their brief reunion. "Oh God Lord", Mina gasped, and bolted into the bathroom, hiding behind the door. Yugi walked to the door quietly, and opened it with caution.

"He-hey!" Joey greeted him warmly, and from her hiding place Mina exhaled a sigh of relief.

"Hey Yugi", Téa smiled.

"What's up Téa? How ya doin' guys?" Yugi returned the greeting, but with an almost burdensome sigh.

"Aren't you ready yet? You're going to be late", Téa scolded him playfully.

"And if you're late, they'll disqualify yah right out of the tournament", Joey reminded him.

"You heard him Yugi", Mina smirked as she re-emerged from the bathroom, "Wouldn't want to keep Pegasus waiting".

"Mina!" the group of teenagers exclaimed in union.

"Don't you guys ever tire of doing that?", she smiled wearily. Not even a full second had passed before Blake thundered forward, scooping Mina into his arms, and twirling her in an over dramatic gesture. "You gormless, manky, cheese eating surrender monkey!" he barked, squeezing her so tightly she thought her head might pop off her shoulders. "Don't you ever bloody leave me again!" Mina gasped as she felt the breath being squeezed out of her, "Blake, too, tight!" He released her from his arms, and in between ragged breaths she gave him a puzzled look, "Cheese eating surrender monkey?"

Blake shrugged his shoulders, "Well you are French".

Mina's face betrayed her, as the corners of her mouth curled into a grin, "I missed you too". Her happiness did not last long however, as she felt a tingle rise the length of her spine. She turned to face Yugi, and wondered why the others couldn't see it. Clearly the Spirit of the Millennium Puzzle was now in control of his body, and he stood taller, in fact he now towered over her, with a sterner expression etched into his face. Mina wavered, and made sure that the Spirit could hear her inside his mind. Spirit, we meet again.

The eyes of Yami Yugi widened upon realising that she had not spoken aloud, but in fact was communicating with him telepathically. Yes Wilhelmina, though I am regretful of the circumstances, he replied. His voice still deep and commanding, even within her head.

She took a step forward, you went too far Spirit, you nearly killed my friend. I will be watching you carefully in this duel. Mina did not back down, she had been given a mere glimpse of what this ancient being was capable of, given the chance, he could have killed Kaiba. She was going to ensure that he would not be given the same chance again.

In the background, Teá sensed the tension that had escalated between Yugi and Mina, and in a cheery voice called out; "Come on guys, let's get going. The duels will be finished by the time we get there!" Yami Yugi nodded, and draped his coat around his shoulders and took the lead. The others followed, pouring through the door and into the corridor.

They walked and spoke amongst themselves, Mina and Sarah fell to the back, relishing in the fact that they could finally speak to each other. "It's been a mad couple of weeks, huh", Sarah sighed, "I mean we wanted adventure, but, well, this is -

"Over kill", Mina finished, and shared a look with her friend. "Don't worry, a day or two longer and this nightmare will be put behind us".

"I can't wait to get home, although, I must say, this has been quite the, bonding experience", Sarah smiled.

"Speak for yourself", Mina laughed jokingly, "At least you got the sane ones, I've been stuck between Pegasus and Kaiba this whole time".

"Hmm, from what I've seen, looks like you and Kaiba have had a lot of bonding time", Sarah smirked. Mina stopped dead in her tracks and glared at her friend, "If you're talking about the roof -

"No not the roof, let's just say, the chemistry is intense", Sarah winked in response, followed by a laugh. Mina huffed in annoyance, "Bite me", she snapped, but the two couldn't contain their laughter – it was nice to feel like a normal teen again, even if it was brief.

They came to a break in the corridor – their parting point. Both Yami Yugi and Joey walked forward, it was time. "We'll have to cheer you from the balcony Yugi, only duelists are allowed on the arena floor", Tristan reminded them, "Good luck to you and Joey".

"Well guys", Teá smiled, "Guess this is it. I'm so proud. Kick some butt!"

Mina locked gazes with Yami Yugi, I'll be keeping an eye on you, she warned, but her stare softened, but I wish you the luck of the Gods. The Spirit simply nodded in return, and Mina walked to join the others, her thoughts still on the Spirit inhabiting Yugi's body. If he was willing to hurt Seto to advance, she feared to what he would do to win.

Yami Yugi would be duelling Mia, it was decided the previous night, in which Mina had been absent to the spectacle – floating millennial eyes in soup – how could her parents ever be so close to such a caricature of a man? Once more she and the others found themselves on the observation deck, where they would watch the duel from above. Mina's stomach was in knots, the last time she was here, she had watched helplessly as Kaiba's soul was ripped from his body. She glanced around the room, both Mai and Yami Yugi and the others entered, and the doors opposite them flung open in a grand gesture – Pegasus emerged, with Croquet and Kemo on either side.

"Yugi, Joey, Mai and Bandit Keith, I welcome all of you to the play off arena", he announced, "Here is where the last great duel monsters duel shall be waged to determine the championship of the duelist kingdom. Only one of you shall emerge victorious, only one of you shall win the three-million-dollar prize, and of course only the victor of the playoffs shall earn the right to challenge me in the final match".

"Challenge you, well isn't that special", Tristan blurted out unexpectedly, "and what does the playoff winner get for defeating you in the final duel?"

"The victor will be granted one request, whatever his, or her heart most desires. And if it is within my vast power to do so, their wish will be granted. The victor will also be declared the undisputed duel monsters champion, ranked number one in the world!".

"Number one in the world", Tristan breathed, but that wasn't what Mina had focused one, granted whatever wish that was within his power to grant. For one moment, selfish thoughts poured into her minds, of having her parents returned to her, to go back to her real home. To forget all this horribleness, to forget Kaiba and duel monsters forever. Pegasus caught her eyes with a grin plastered across her face, he had read her mind! She snarled and turned away, to proud and ashamed to meet his gaze.

He smirked whilst continuing, "Surely any duelist who has made it this far must realise that the title and not the money is the real prize, is that not so?".

"You're a regular comedian", Bandit Keith sneered, of course he would only be in it for the money, Mina thought in hatred.

"Hey listen you!" Joey shouted, drawing Mina and the others attention, "money is all I need for my sister's operation". Mina gasped, dear God what wasn't riding on these final play offs? Her freedom, Yugi's millennium item, the souls of Solomon, Seto and Mokuba … and now to find out that Joey needs to win for his sister's sake? It all felt too much for a bunch of sixteen-year-olds to be fighting for, perhaps, Mina thought in a moment of realisation, they would understand the burden of responsibility that she bore.

"Yes, yes", Pegasus dismissed him nonchalantly, "I'm sure some of you have more riding on this tournament than others, hmm Yugi?" He glanced up once more at the spectator's terrace, "Many things surround one's greatest desires…" Mina felt deeply unnerved, why had he stared at her when taking the jibe at Yugi? His only desire was to save his grandfather, nothing to do with her.

"All right", Pegasus declared with a clap of his hands, "Lets get this show on the road. Only one of you will emerge victorious from these playoffs, but I wish you all good fortune, now shuffle your decks, and may the best duelist win!"

A holographic screen was projected before them with the images of the four competing duelists. "First duel will now begin" Croquet announced, "Mai Valentine versus Yugi Muto. Duelists please proceed to the arena".

"Wait" Pegasus smile as he rose from his seat, "One more thing before we begin", and he turned to Mina, "I can't have you meddle in such very important matches, and knowing you sweet girl, that is a certainty". Mina froze, what the hell was he doing now? "So for now, I think you need a little cat nap".

"What the hell do you think you're doing Pegasus?" she growled, and Tristan placed an arm in front her … the little good it did. Pegasus began to laugh manically, "Sleep tight little girl!" There was a bright flash from his millennium eye, and Mina screamed as the light engulfed her. Everything went black, and her lifeless body dropped to the ground. Pegasus' laughter echoed throughout the duelling hall as Tea, Tristan, Sarah, Blake and Bakura gathered round their unconscious friend. Yugi looked on in horror, the laughter ringing in his ears, the only thing he was capable of doing, was calling out her name, "Mina!"