Chapter 12
The light created from the activation of the Shadows to Light card caused everyone but Tristan and Joey to turn away. Tristan wasn't quite sure how he was able to stand it, but then he wasn't quite sure how he knew what the card was to begin with. He hadn't seen the face of it before Joey slotted it into his dueldisk, but still he knew and that's what mattered. Just like he knew the feelings the First gave him when she was fully in control were different to the ones he had around Joey. A part of him was starting to understand the dread in his stomach a lot better now, but something told him it would be a while yet before he knew exactly what they were about.
For now all he could do was push all thoughts to one side and just watch what was happening around him. The bright light from the Shadows to Light card caused both the card and the projection of the Blue Eyes Knight to disappear. As the light subsided, the real Kaiba groaned loudly as his caged body started to stir. Without hesitation Tristan made his way towards the cage and tried to figure out a way of opening it.
'Use this,' Joey chucked something towards him.
Tristan caught it and grinned more than a little to see what it was. The key. Of course, if the First was powerful enough to retrieve the Shadows to Light card then getting hold of this would be no problem.
'I won't let you ruin my fun,' Catilin growled at Joey as Tristan set about unlocking the cage Kaiba was in.
'You don't have much of a choice.' There was a strange level of calm to Joey's multi-tonal voice. 'You said yourself you only managed to get an arm through; you have no powers.'
'Maybe I don't, but your precious Catilin does.'
As the cage door clicked open an electrical buzzing sounded from behind Tristan. He turned just in time to see a wave of electricity collide with Joey, knocking him off of his feet.
'Looks like I'm not the only one who's a mortal problem now,' Catilin laughed. 'Unless you're telling me this little girl can boast the same level of power as the First.'
'This is nuts,' Kaiba exited the cage, cradling his little brother.
'I guess that's an improvement on this can't be real.' Tristan smirked at his own Kaiba impersonation.
'Whatever, I'm out of here.'
'I don't think so,' Tristan blocked his path.
'This little freak show has nothing to do with me.'
'Right now, I'd say this little freak show has everything to do with you.' Tristan flicked his gaze back to the battle still going on between Catilin and Joey. 'The First put you back in your body because she needs your help and I'm going to make sure she gets it.'
'Like you could stop me from leaving,' Kaiba rolled his eyes.
For a moment Tristan's gaze flicked between Kaiba and the ongoing battle. He knew he had to stop Kaiba from leaving somehow but... A wave of inspiration hit him. Like lightning he knocked Kaiba off of his feet and grabbed Mokuba's unconscious body from him.
'You will help the First,' Tristan half backed himself into the cage behind him.
Kaiba glared at him as he got to his feet. He then went to return the blow he'd received with one of his own, but Tristan was faster. As Kaiba regained his balance from his failed attack, Tristan pushed the cage door shut; a part of him was relieved to hear it lock automatically.
'Tristan, I'm warning you...' Kaiba attempted to open the cage door.
'I have the key and I have your brother; I'm not giving either one of them up to you until you've helped the First.'
There eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. No matter what Tristan knew he couldn't afford to back down from this. After what felt like an age, Kaiba's teeth clenched together and he turned his face away.
'Fine I'll help that dog Wheeler out, but if you ever try a stunt like this again Tristan I swear...'
'Whatever,' Tristan sighed in relief as he lowered Mokuba to the ground.
He watched as Kaiba made his way towards where Yugi was standing. Téa, Duke and SK had all backed off to a safe distance and the battle between Catilin and Joey was still going on. A part of Tristan was almost amazed to see how effective Catilin's attacks were despite the fact she was still chained up. Then again Joey, or rather the First, was taking a more defensive stance.
'Kaiba, Yugi, I going to need your help again.' Joey's eyes glanced towards them, revealing a strange white glaze which covered them.
'What makes you think your little light show is going to work any better this time Wheeler,' Kaiba folded his arms. 'I told you last time you were nuts for trying and this time...'
'I told you, last time I didn't count on the process making her sick.'
'And what makes you think it's not going to do the same again?'
Joey held a hand out towards Catilin, creating an almost invisible shield to deflect her attacks as he made his way towards the other two. For a few long moments Tristan found himself holding his breath as he waited to see what the First was planning to do next. He had to admit, a part of him agreed with Kaiba; if the First's plan didn't work the first time why would a second attempt make a difference? The evil in Catilin was clearly stronger and more determined than the First was giving it credit for. It could also cause a lot of damage regardless of what powers it was capable of.
Tristan's insides felt strange, as though doubting the First wasn't something he was supposed to do. As that feeling rode through his stomach the dread which normally stirred there began to rock from side to side. His usual feeling of things not being right shunted forward and a strange kind of change filled the air.
'I'm going to summon my sisters,' Joey's multi-tonal voice was almost deathly in its calm.
'And just what's that supposed to mean,' Kaiba narrowed his gaze on Joey.
'It means I need to borrow yours and Yugi's bodies. It's not safe for my sisters to walk in a mortal Plane right now, not whilst the darkness inside Catilin still has an arm outside of its cage.' Joey met Kaiba's gaze. 'But if they were to borrow your bodies, just for a short while, then our combined strength will be enough to cage the darkness and remove the sickness which weakened Catilin. I underestimated this situation last time; I won't make that mistake again.'
'And just what makes you think I'm going to let you?'
'Kaiba, Joey needs us,' Yugi shot him a look, 'we have to help him.'
'We don't have to do anything,' Kaiba gritted his teeth, 'can't you see his plan is complete and utter madness? He...'
'Kaiba, I can't keep this shield up all day,' Joey winced as more and more of Catilin's attacks collided with the shield he'd created. 'Joey's continuous battle to keep me down has prevented his body from adjusting to my powers. Right now I'm hurting him and the longer we delay the more damage is being done. You must agree to my plan. You must allow my sister to take control of your body.'
'Don't forget I still have your brother locked up with me Kaiba,' Tristan slammed his fists against the cage, making all eyes turn towards him for a moment, 'if you want him back you will help the First. That's our deal, remember?'
'I still think your plan is madness Wheeler,' Kaiba made a noise of disgust as he turned his attention back towards Joey, 'but since your little cheerleader isn't giving me much of a choice I guess I'll have to go along with it.'
'You can count me in too Joey,' Yugi stepped forward. 'Whatever it takes to do what needs to be done, right?'
'Thank you,' Joey flicked a glance between them, 'both of you. I can't promise you this won't hurt, but I can promise you, you won't forget it.' A blinding light reached out of him towards the other two.
'Funny,' Kaiba grunted as the light appeared to consume his body, 'I'm pretty sure I already do.'
The light which had almost blinded him had crashed into darkness. For a few seconds Kaiba tried to find his bearings. Once he had he found himself floating in an empty void. A slight groan pushed its way out of him as he realised he'd lost consciousness.
'Great, remind me never to follow one of Wheeler's plans again.'
'And I hope you'll never need to,' a bright light appeared to the far left of him, 'my sister is smart and powerful, but her apathy can often lead her to inaction. And that inaction often causes problems even she cannot see.'
'Who are you,' he attempted to turn towards the light, but it was too bright.
'I am the Original Balance,' the light moved closer to him, becoming more and more intense as it did, 'the reason good and evil exist. The...'
'Spare me,' Kaiba rolled his eyes, 'you're just another hallucination designed to confuse me.'
'You've got spunk, I like that. But I may need to do something about your lack of faith,' the light was almost on top of him now; forcing his eyes to shut against it. 'I do not doubt my sister's plan, but I fear she has gravely underestimated this situation. You feel it too, right?'
'If you're asking me if I think his plan is nuts, then yes,' Kaiba did his best to turn his head away from the light and cover his eyes. 'I think he should just do away with Catilin completely.'
'It's unfortunate, but Catilin is needed. I know that as well as my sister does, so as much as I might like to I can't agree with you.'
'But you still don't think her plan will work?'
'We've all sensed something... wrong with the multiverse. Something's coming which will change everything. The First ignores it because she apathetic and therefore does nothing. The Face of Friendship ignores it because she's passive and therefore does nothing. But I cannot ignore it. You, Seto Kaiba, are a lot like me. You know when you need to take action and when you need to be ready for something.'
'Just what are you trying to say,' something inside Kaiba made him look towards the light.
'I'm saying you need to be ready Seto Kaiba.'
'Ready for what?' His eyes blinked open against the light and he was able to make out the silhouette of a woman.
'Ready for me. I need you to be ready for me.' As the woman approached him through the light, small details about her became clearer.
'What's that supposed to mean?'
'I think you know.'
'Uh...' he stared at her for a long couple of moments, 'what makes you think...?'
'If it happens it happens, but believe me when I tell you this Seto Kaiba, I hope with everything in me my sister's plan works.'
'And if it doesn't?'
'If it doesn't then I need you to be ready.' The woman stopped just close enough for Kaiba to see her face. 'I do not want to share my sister's fate, but I need you to be ready for it just in case.'
The Pharaoh groaned as he started to come round. He felt something hard beneath him and a slightly dry chill in the air which reminded him of...
'The Millennium Puzzle,' his eyes flicked open, 'but... what am I doing in here.'
'Posing a problem,' Yugi knelt down in front of him.
'What?'
'You shouldn't be here. I only need the one of you and he's much more suited.'
'What are you talking about Yugi?' The Pharaoh found himself sitting up in alarm.
'Oh, you haven't worked it out yet,' Yugi pulled himself back up to a standing position.
'Worked what out? Yugi, what are you talking about?'
'I am not Yugi,' he stretched a hand towards him, 'I am the face of your greatest friend.'
'I...' the Pharaoh allowed himself to be pulled to his feet, 'I'm not sure I understand.'
'I feel your confusion,' a strange smile appeared on Yugi's face, 'mortal emotion is so much more subtle, I think I prefer it somehow.'
'Who are you?'
'I am the Second Mistresses of Light, but it has been a long, long time since anyone has called me that.'
'Then what do they call you?' The Pharaoh frowned.
'The Face of Friendship.'
'Is that why...?'
'I am the face of your greatest friend,' he nodded. 'Yes, I have no other way of being. I have no face of my own you see.'
'No face of your own,' the Pharaoh studied Yugi for a moment, 'has it always been that way?'
'Yes. When I came into being there was no face,' he lowered his gaze, 'I still do not know why my sisters are both so beautiful and I am merely a reflection.'
'You're here to help Joey, aren't you?'
'I'm here to help the First,' Yugi half turned from him. 'My sister called me so I came. And when I came I found you. You see, it is him I am connected to now. This is his body. You are connected to it but you do not belong. This poses a problem, but only for now.'
'What's that supposed to mean?'
'That it only poses a problem for as long as I need the body.' Yugi glanced towards him. 'My sister knows what she's doing, so you will not see me again.'
'What if you're wrong?' The Pharaoh frowned. 'What if her plan doesn't work?'
'My sister is doing everything in her power to make sure we do not share her fate.' Yugi shrugged. 'If I do not share her fate, then you will not become a problem for me.'
'But if you do share her fate, then I am a problem for you?'
'You do not belong and it is him I need, not you.'
'But I am connected to him and you cannot get rid of me, is that what you're trying to say?' The Pharaoh took half a step towards Yugi.
'It poses a strange problem, but neither of us need concern ourselves with it.' Yugi smiled at him. 'After all, my sister's plan will work and I will not share her fate.'
'You have a lot of confidence in her.'
'She has a lot of confidence in herself and I am nothing more than a mirror.'
'So your faith in her...'
'Is a reflection, yes,' Yugi nodded. 'But that does not mean I do not believe it's true. The First will not allow me to share her fate, not if she can do anything to prevent it. I have faith in that; because I know my sister loves me and will do everything she can to protect me.'
'And if she fails?'
'Then it will be because there was nothing she could do to prevent it.' Yugi sighed. 'But either way things will be as they are meant to be.'
'You have a lot of faith in the face of so many unknowns.'
'I am faith,' he smiled, 'its hard not to be filled with something that you are.'
